SpringfieldNewsSun.com

CINCINNATI — Like a National League baseball manager heading into the late innings, Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis has pulled a double switch.

Rookie Leon Hall has been installed as the starting left cornerback, replacing Deltha O'Neal, who has been relegated to nickel back.

Meanwhile, Robert Geathers has returned to his natural left defensive end position, ending his four-game experiment at strong-side linebacker.

"I just thought that the other two guys (Hall and right cornerback Johnathan Joseph) are doing what we need to be doing, and doing it better," Lewis said. "I like the rotation of things. We're able to dole out the snaps a little better. Deltha's done a great job where he is right now. We'll see where we go each week."

As the nickel back — the fifth defender in the secondary on passing downs — O'Neal covers the slot receiver while Joseph and Hall attempt to blanket the outside receivers.

Immediate impact

As the team's most explosive pass rusher, Geathers' return to left defensive end paid immediate dividends when he recorded 1.5 sacks against Arizona.

He returned home because the linebacker corps — Rashad Jeanty, Landon Johnson and Dhani Jones — is healthy and more stable.

"We've been able to get some linebackers back and put guys in positions that I think they've settled into," Lewis said. "Robert has welcomed the move back and has taken it running. He's getting more comfortable. Elsewhere on the line, Bryan Robinson played well again, and Jonathan Fanene had some good, productive snaps."

Uncharted waters

Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer's four interceptions against Arizona were a career high.

Lewis dismissed the notion that Palmer was locking onto his receivers too long.

"Carson makes the reads like he's coached to do," Lewis said. "He does an excellent job of that."

Talking turkey

Bengals right offensive tackle Willie Anderson will pass out 71 turkeys — matching his uniform number — to needy families at the U.S. Bank Boys & Girls Club in the Avondale neighborhood of Cincinnati tonight at 6:30.

Anderson was a club member as a youth in Mobile, Ala.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com

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Next game

Who: Titans (6-4) at Bengals (3-7)

When: 1 p.m. Sunday

Radio: WTUE-FM (104.7)

TV: WHIO (CBS, Ch. 7)