[More Cowbell]

The only problem I see with keeping O'Neal is the same problem that I have with a lot of the Bengals personnel strategy on defense: they say that they're going to work with what they have instead of spending money in free agency, and it's like I doubt they're going to suddenly wake up one morning and all be All-Pro defenders.

Not that I think it's going to happen, but the light could flip back on for O'Neal this year. Remember, he went to the Pro Bowl 2 years ago, so the potential is there for him to wake up one morning and be an All-Pro. I don't expect it to happen, but I would rather wait and see than give him away for nothing.

If you're going to trade him, it would be best to do it after he has a great year. Best situation for the Bengals would be to draft a corner 1st round, which puts pressure on O'Neal to keep his starting spot, and he goes out and has another big year like in '05. The draft pick gets to spend a year as nickel corner, then becomes a starter in '08 when we trade O'Neal (who would hopefully fetch a high pick if he has a good season).