By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Bengals are following an NFL trend by employing an advance scout this season.

Former University of Cincinnati offensive coordinator Greg Seamon, who worked as tight ends coach for the Dallas Cowboys in 2002, has watched each of the Bengals' opponents the previous week and has filed a detailed report to coach Marvin Lewis by Tuesday morning.

The Bengals previously had been one of the few NFL teams to rely solely on game tape to scout their next opponent.

"I thought it was important, and (Bengals president) Mike (Brown) agreed that we should have somebody in place that gives us advance work on our opponents," Lewis said. "Greg does all three areas - offense, defense and special teams, from jersey numbers to substitution patterns and injury histories."

Lewis said there is information in Seamon's reports that cannot be gleaned from game film.

"I think you get a sense of the opponent," Lewis said. "You get a sense of where they are mentally and their approach."

Seamon, a Bright, Ind., native who also coached at Miami University, will be in Houston this weekend to gather information on the Texans, who will travel to Cincinnati for a Nov. 9 game.

The Cowboys still are compensating Seamon, but team owner Jerry Jones allowed the Bengals to hire him as a consultant, Lewis said. Lewis also said Seamon's future with the Bengals has yet to be decided.

KELLY OUT: Tight end Reggie Kelly is out of Sunday's game at Arizona because of a stress fracture in his left foot. Kelly wore a fiberglass cast Wednesday.

Tony Stewart is expected to start in Kelly's place, and Matt Schobel will see plenty of playing time.

OTHER INJURIES: Wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (hamstring) is out for the eighth consecutive game. Tailback Brandon Bennett (back), tailback Corey Dillon (groin) and safety Marquand Manuel (hamstring) are questionable, and guard Matt O'Dwyer (foot) is probable.

The biggest names on Arizona's injury report are tailback Emmitt Smith (shoulder), who is out; and kicker Bill Gramatica (back) who is doubtful.

FAVORITE: The Bengals are favored to win Sunday for the first time this season. The line is Bengalsby three points.

FAMILIAR FACE: The Bengals will face former Cincinnati quarterback Jeff Blake in Arizona. Blake has thrown for 1,239 yards, seven touchdowns and nine interceptions this season for the Cardinals, who are 2-5.

Blake was Baltimore's quarterback last season, and the Ravens beat the Bengals in both of Blake's previous starts.

"Just another game for me," Blake said Wednesday about the rematch with his former team.

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