Roster Cutdown Game: Colts @ Bengals (Friday Aug 31, 7:30 p.m.)

By Adam Kiefaber

Currently the Bengals have 75 players on their roster and must get it down to 53 by this Saturday at 4 p.m.

The biggest thing to watch is the battle in the secondary. Currently I feel that there are only five locks at a spot where the Bengals may keep 10 or 11 players on their roster.

Some might argue that CB Keiwan Ratliff is a lock, but a local paper, Cincinnati Enquirer, rumored that rookie free-agent T.J. Wright has beaten Ratliff out of a job.

Also, fourth-round pick Marvin White should make the roster, but I don’t like the idea that someone should just be given a roster spot. White still needs to do more, he had an INT against Detroit, but besides that he hasn’t done anything special.

QBs (3): The Bengals are set at this position. Locks:Carson Palmer, Doug Johnson and Jeff Rowe
RBs (4 or 5): Could keep four or five depending on the health of Chris Perry. Locks: Rudi Johnson, (FB) Jeremi Johnson and Kenny Watson. On bubble: Quincy Wilson, (FB) Chris Manderino and Curtis Brown (should be on practice squad)
WRs (6): I’m listing Skyler Green as a lock just because he deserves it. Locks: Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Tab Perry, Green. On bubble: Glenn Holt, Antonio Chatman, Bennie Brazell, Reggie McNeal and Jesse Holley (should be on practice squad).
TEs (2): Might want to search the waiver wire for more help. Locks: Reggie Kelly and Daniel Coats. On bubble: Nate Lawrie (I don’t think Tim Day is close to being ready)
OL (9 or 10): Locks C Eric Ghiaciuc, OT Willie Anderson, OT Levi Jones, OG Bobbie Williams, OG Stacy Andrews and OT/OG Andrew Whitworth On bubble: OT Scott “The Polar Bear” Kooistra, C Alex Stepanovich, C/OG Dan Santucci, OG Nate Livings, OG Harrison Nikolao, OT Alan Reuber and OT Dane Uperesa.
DL (9): I think DT Kendrick Allen made this team with his great play in the preseason, but the Bengals could go with sixth-round pick Matt Toeaina. Locks: DE Robert Geathers, DE Justin Smith, DT Domata Peko, DT John Thornton, DE/DT Bryan Robinson and DT Michael Myers. On bubble: DE/DT Jonathan Fanene, DT Allen, DE Frostee Rucker, DT Toeaina and DE Xzavie Jackson.
LBs (6 or 7): Locks OLB Landon Johnson, MLB Ahmad Brooks, OLB Caleb Miller, OLB Rashad Jeanty, Lemar Marshall, Ed Hartwell On bubble: Andre Frazier, Earl Everett and Matt Muncy.
DBs (10): Locks CB Johnathan Joseph, CB Deltha O’Neal, S Madieu Williams, S Dexter Jackson and CB Leon Hall. On bubble: CB Keiwan Ratliff, CB Blue Adams, CB/S Ethan Kilmer, CB Brandon Williams, CB T.J. Wright, S Herana-Daze Jones, S John Busing, S Chinedum Ndukwe and S Marvin White.
Special Teams (3): K Shayne Graham, P Kyle Larson and LS Brad St. Louis. (You have to imagine K Aaron Elling will be let go)