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Another perspective on Deltha O'Neal

Email|Link|Comments (6) Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff September 4, 2008 09:40 PM

Former NFL personnel executive Mike Lombardi opines on the Patriots' signing of cornerback Deltha O'Neal in one of his latest blog entries on The National Football Post web site.

Lombardi seems to believe O'Neal will help the Patriots.

"O’Neal is similar to Asante Samuel in his style of play," he writes. "He has good hands and will take chances on the ball. When he is prepared, he can make plays and create turnovers. This is an excellent signing for the Patriots, as he can come in and adapt to their style of play. He has the skill level to make their secondary effective. It helped the Patriots that Rodney Harrison and O’Neal have the same agent, Steve Feldman. When O’Neal plays for a team that can apply pressure, his skills as a gambler and his ability to catch the ball make him a valuable commodity."

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6 comments so far...

I'm still not too optimistic about the secondary. Yes, he is a 2-time pro bowler. But there is a reason why he was the 4th CB in theBengals' depth chart and being cut. We've heard all these good things about Fernado Bryant before the pre-season in his speed, athleticisms, etc. It turns out he couldn't even push a WR out of bound on the sideline and get run over for a TD. Last season, opponents keep throwing at the weakest link in Ellis Hobbs. This year, they can throw to everybody.

Posted by supreme12 September 4, 08 10:23 PM

Has anyone considered the weather on Sunday may be the most critical factor of all? The Pats might need an actual running game iof the winds are excessive!

Posted by Weatherman September 4, 08 10:46 PM

this guy couldn't make 3rd cornerback on the Bengals

how good can he be

Posted by Gick September 4, 08 11:36 PM

I really hope he excels here. I think I remember similar good things said about Fernando Bryant when we signed him awhile back. I think if the front seven performs like I think they can it will not make much of a difference with the secondary.

Posted by John A September 5, 08 06:05 AM

The Bengals drafted two CBs in the 1st Rd that they wanted ahead of O'Neal. No one is saying he is a shutdown corner or that he will be enshrined in the hall of fame but he is a solid football player who can contribute. It takes many different pieces to build a succesful team and he is just one of those pieces.

You have to really like that O'Neal, in addition to has playmaking skills (31 career ints, 3 career TD's and 106 career PD), is a team player. When he was benched and replaced as a starter by Leon Hall last yr he didn't sulk, like Manning Jr., what he did was act like the pro that he is and become a pretty damn good nickel/dime CB leading the team with 16 passed defensed. He has very good hands, Denver tried to make him a WR early in his career, and doesn't drops many int's. He is quick, fast and fluid with good route recognition skills. He is a ballhawk with very good anticipation skills. After a career season in 2005 (10 int's) he's come back to earth the past 2 yrs but I think the change of scenery will revive this guy, in addition to a much better overall defense.

Posted by Nikos September 5, 08 07:23 AM

Nikos you may be taking over for Riese's pieces..with Nikos Mentos

Posted by seth September 5, 08 09:20 AM

DO NOT HIT THE SUBMIT BUTTON MORE THAN ONCE!

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Mike Reiss, Christopher L. Gasper and the rest of the Globe team provide regular updates –and a behind-the-scenes look– on the daily happenings of the Patriots.

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