Bengals inactives; three rookies start on defense

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

Bengals starting cornerback Deltha O'Neal and Steelers starting running back Duce Staley
are among the two inactive players for this afternoon's game at Paul Brown Stadium.

Rookie cornerback Keiwan Ratliff will start in place of O'Neal, and Bengal-slayer Jerome
Bettis will make his third consecutive start in place of Staley. Ratliff will be one of three rookie defensive starters, joining safety Madieu Williams and middle linebacker Landon Johnson.

Other Bengals inactives are rookie running back Chris Perry, cornerback Rashad Bauman,
linebacker Caleb Miller, offensive lineman Alex Sulfsted, offensive lineman Stacy Andrews and
defensive tackleTerrance Martin.

An early observation: There are still hundreds of black-and-gold clad Steelers fans in
the stadium, but the percentage of Steelers fans appears to be a little less than in recent
years.