Today the Cincinnati Enquirer reported that Ratliff appears to have fallen out of favor with some members of the coaching staff and could be released when the team has to cut down first to 75 players (Tuesday) and then 53 (Sept. 1).

What is strange is that just weeks ago in a previous post WhoDeyFans.com made mention of the way Keiwan was turning heads in camp. It looked like he was pushing for a job. If not here, at least somewhere.

What could it be? Discouragement? Attitude?

I’m discouraged. It would be nice to have a second rounder in the secondary. We’d benefit from a guy with aplenty of experience to help out the young corners, should Delta lose interest again. Instead it looks like we’ll be relying on the younger crop and placing coverage duties on Madeiu.

What happened? Coming out of Florida, he had just set a school record for punt return yards (860). Who would believe that? I have witnessed people cringing in the stadium when as Keiwan waits for the punt.

He has the tools. Before he was drafted he set a school record for interceptions in a season (9), and interceptions in a single game (3). He’d also been made the College Football All-America Team and won SEC defensive player of the year honors.

But here he is, in what looks like his last season in Cincinnati, having done little to warrant a #2 selection. While those around him of the 03 class have been busy making his high draft status look foolish. Julius Jones, Bob Sanders and Tank Johnson were drafted just a few spots ahead of him. And there is no doubt to the impact they’ve had on their respective teams.

Even on his own team, he has been overshadowed by Madeiu Williams, who was drafted seven spots later. And come to think of it, he’s been overshadowed by Landon Johnson, the last pick in the third round, Robert Geathers, drafted 117th overall and Stacy Andrews, drafted 123rd.

In the NFL everyone has talent, speed and skill. It’s the intangibles that move you up in the depth chart and into the starting lineup. By his draft position, college resume and the fact that he seems to occasionally turn heads, you know he has skill. Which makes you wonder, “what’s lacking?”

Could it be basic smarts? Is that too harsh? Try this one on for size. While he is fighting for a job in the preseason he had is four wisdom teeth removed. I am not a dentist. But I know that Wisdom teeth can pretty much come out, when you decide to take them out. I am not a football player. But I know I would not have surgery on my mouth, which would prevent me from eating solid food during the harshest training of the year while I am trying to earn a job.

Did I mention Keiwan has lost 11 pounds and is down to 178? That places him in second place for lightest Bengal. Judging by what we have seen of Keiwan in the past second place suits him.