The Dearly Departed, Week 5

Our weekly look at how notable Bengals free agent losses and cuts are faring.

During free agency ’08, the Bengals lost three players — Landon Johnson, Madieu Williams and Justin Smith — and in their final cuts released fan favorites Rudi Johnson and Willie Anderson, as well as Deltha O’Neal and Ahmad Brooks. So, how did this years’ crop of ex-Bengals fare in week 4?

• Madieu, still working his way back from a neck injury, has yet to get in a game in Minnesota.
• Anderson continues to be active in a reserve role for Baltimore, which fell to Tennessee yesterday.
• Landon, who was promised a starting job when he signed with Carolina, has yet to start a game this year. He recorded 4 tackles in Carolina’s 34-0 trouncing of Kansas City, bringing his season total to 7.
• Rudi Johnson had 5 carries for 23 yards, and 3 receptions for 9 yards, in the Lions’ loss to da Bearz. On the year, he has 23/122 on the ground and 6/57 through the air, with 1 (receiving) TD and 1 fumble.
• New England CB Deltha O’Neal got his first pick of the season against San Francisco. He has 12 tackles and 1 pass defensed to go with it through week 5. The Patriots won, 30-21.
• On the other side of that game, 49er Justin Smith had 6 tackles and a sack in a losing effort. For the year he has 28 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 FF and an INT.
• Ahmad was inactive…again. He has not appeared in a game all year.