Ex Factors: September 3

NFL teams make their final cuts Saturday. How much of a lock is Bernard Scott to make the Cincinnati Bengals' opening day roster? Consider he ran 5 times Thursday night against Indianapolis for 43 yards (8.6 avg.), the last of which was a 26-yard scamper on the first play of the 2nd quarter...and then he was done. Along with all the other guys who've made the team.

Since then, the carries have gone to Brian Leonard and DeDe Dorsey, who are battling for the No. 3 RB position.

Have you seen any of the HBO series about the Bengals' training camp, Hard Knocks? Check out the exchange referenced in this article between Bengals QB Carson Palmer and Bernard. (Scroll down to the last couple of paragraphs.)

Can't wait 'til the NFL's opening weekend when Cincinnati hosts Denver. I think Bernard has a chance to do some good things that day against a Broncos' defense that isn't what it used to be.

At Soldier Field tonight, WR Johnny Knox caught a 43-yard pass for the second straight game as Chicago hosts Cleveland. Knox's snag set up a Bears' field goal before the first half ended. He also had a 50-yard kickoff return and a 38-yard punt return. Knox's position in Chicago wasn't as secure as Bernard's in Cincinnati, but it is now. He'll make the team out of camp and earn time as a fourth receiver and occasional kick returner.

Good to see former Wildcat FS/KR Danieal Manning in uniform with Knox tonight. It's the first action Manning's seen this preseason because of a hamstring injury that the Bears don't want to put to the test with the regular season looming. Danieal has a couple of tackles.

Chicago opens the season on the road on the thoroughly thawed out tundra of Lambeau Field in primetime on NBC against Green Bay. Not a bad place to make your NFL debut.