by Sports Xchange

However, it's more likely that with a more mobile quarterback, Gradkowski will get more of the rollouts, half rolls and shallower passing routes that can pile up completions and first downs.

There also could be fewer slant passes and sideline routes, which were often called because of Russell's arm strength even if he often didn't deliver because of issues with accuracy.

PLAYER NOTES

--LB Isaiah Ekejiuba was limited with a sore shoulder but is expected to play against Cincinnati.

--DE Greg Ellis, who had arthroscopic knee and shoulder surgery during the bye week, increased his practice load. He might practice in full Friday and could start.

--WR Javon Walker did not practice with a hamstring pull and will not be active against Cincinnati.

--WR-KR Nick Miller did not practice, is still recovering from a broken tibia and won't play against Cincinnati.

--FS Hiram Eugene practiced without limitations after missing Wednesday's session with a shoulder injury and should play on special teams and as a backup defensive back.

--WR Chaz Schilens will start this week alongside rookie Darrius Heyward-Bey.

GAME PLAN: Job 1 for the Raiders will be to load up and stop the run defensively, and the good news is that lead back Cedric Benson, who has run well against teams with far better run defenses than the Raiders, is hurting and is no lock to play. The bad news is Larry Johnson, signed after being waived by the Chiefs, has a history of running well against Oakland, and Marvin Lewis hasn't ruled out playing him. Slow the run game and the chances are better to get after Carson Palmer and depend on Nnamdi Asomugha and Chris Johnson to stick with Chad Ochocinco and Laveranues Coles.

Offensively, the Raiders hope to get a boost from quarterback Bruce Gradkowski, who will throw shorter, safer passes and make quicker decisions than JaMarcus Russell. They'll also look to run as often as possible -- with Michael Bush in particular. Bush had 114 yards last week, the first Raider back over 100 yards this season.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Raiders DRE Richard Seymour vs. Bengals LT Andrew Whitworth. The Raiders' defense has been at its best in those games where Seymour has been dominant, pushing the pocket and creating havoc even when not accumulating tackles or sacks. The more opponents are able to handle him without additional help, the more vulnerable the Raiders are defensively. Whitworth is a key part of an offensive line which has given up just five sacks in the last five games.

Bengals CBs Leon Hall and Johnathan Joseph vs. Raiders WR Chaz Schilens. Schilens was out the first eight weeks with a broken left metatarsal and immediately contributed to the NFL's least productive wide receiver group. He was targeted four times and caught three for 27 yards -- not big numbers but already a better percentage of targets to completions than any other Raiders wideout. He was on the field for 38 snaps last week and his role figures to expand this week in hopes that he can get some first downs and open things up for Oakland's other wideouts. Hall and Joseph have been excellent in coverage all season and both will get their shot at slowing Schilens.

INJURY IMPACT: With Nick Miller still out with a broken tibia, the Raiders, unless they make a roster move, will face the Bengals with the struggling Johnnie Lee Higgins continuing to return punts. Higgins hit a low point against Kansas City, losing yardage on three punt returns and allowing two catchable punts to drop and roll, with the Raiders losing an additional 20 yards in field position. If the Raiders choose to waive a player or put someone on injured reserve, Shaun Bodiford would be the likely promotion from the practice squad.