Bengals prepare for 6-2 Chargers

Marvin Lewis this afternoon offered this assessment of the Chargers:

"They're a good offensive football team. (Quarterback Philip) Rivers has come
in and played football without forcing the football. He's been able to run their
offense. I think he's been back as an apprentice for a couple years. He's gotten
an opportunity to drive the car now. He likes those keys. And he's got some
pretty set of tires around him that make things go pretty good. Their offensive
line is physical.

"They've got an excellent receiving tight end in (Antonio) Gates. They do
a good job of mixing their guys. (Tailback LaDainian) Tomlinson is obviously quite a threat with the ball in his hands, and it creates a lot of things whether it be running, catching, throwing. So you've got to be aware of him at all times. They do a good job of packaging their offensive plays, and they're fun to look at.

"On defense, they're real physical. They get after the quarterback. Their secondary
does a nice job of staying sound and square in technique. It'll be quite a
challenge for our wide receivers this week. They get up on people. They play
man-to-man coverage, and they try and make you beat 'em, and allow that rush to
get there. Their linebackers are athletic, and can run. They do a good job.
They're an impressive football team."

The Bengals wrapped up practice with nine players on the injury report. Four are probable: cornerback Tory James (knee), tight end Reggie Kelly (back), defensive tackle Sam Adams (knee) and right tackle Willie Anderson (shoulder). James and Kelly did practice. Adams and Anderson did not, though Anderson was on the field in uniform. He was held out of 11-on-11 team drills.

Safety Kevin Kaesviharn (knee) and linebacker Brian Simmons (neck) are doubtful and did not practice.