Time to Take Drastic Measures: John Joe suspended for Chiefs game

By Adam Kiefaber

Johnathan Joseph (below - right) has been suspended for the Kansas City Chiefs game.

The NFL ruling stems from Joseph’s arrest in Kentucky back in January for marijuana possession. The case had been dismissed back in the spring after Joseph went into a diversionary program and complied with what the Bengals say is all league and law-enforcement obligations, according to Bengals.com.

In response, the Bengals have added safety John Busing to the roster. Up until now, Busing was on the practice squad. Busing is expected to help out the Bengals special teams, but he probably won’t be able to fill in the giant hole at cornerback.

Rookie wide receiver Dwayne Bowe will go up against Deltha O’Neal and rookie Leon Hall. Hall has played a lot this season, but will get his first start this season. The rookie cornerback has struggled this season by giving up the big play. Bowe has been making big plays this season, he has 22 catches for 369 yards (16.8 yards per catch) and has three touchdowns. Also, you can’t use a linebacker on tight end Tony Gonzalez, who has 39 catches for 338 yards.

However, Hall getting the start isn’t the scariest part about John Joe’s suspension. The suspension leaves a huge question mark on who will be the Bengals’ third cornerback. It could be rookie David Jones, who was picked up from New Orleans at the start of the season. I can’t recall anytime that I have seen Jones on the field this season. Also, recently the Bengals signed Blue Adams, but he seems like a special teams’ specialist.

The most logical choice to fill in that spot would be safety Madieu Williams. Throwing Williams at corner could weaken the team, as he currently leads the team in tackles with 30, including 25 solo tackles. That means Chinedum Ndukwe and Herana-Daze Jones (left) should get some extra playing time this Sunday.

According to the Associated Press, Joseph will forfeit his salary for both this game and the Jets game on Oct. 21, the club said. He was suspended for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. However, it seems that Joseph should be able play in the Jets game.