Richard Skinner

rskinner@nky.com

Missing last Thursday's game against Cleveland due to a concussion added to an already frustrating season for Bengals cornerback Leon Hall, but he's hoping the extra time off for him and the team are just what the proverbial doctor ordered heading into Sunday's game at New Orleans.

"It's always hard to deal with – and this is speaking personally, not just defensively – the ups and downs we've had this year," said Hall. "Any time you don't have consistency, it's hard to deal with, but we kind of did it on Monday (during a film session). It's a good teaching lesson, teaching tool to look back and see what we did good. We're like, 'This is us,' and then you see what we've done bad, and in some situations really bad, when certain plays happen over and over and you try to correct them. We had a little chance to do that with our half bye week, especially on Monday we got a chance to reflect. You have to realize it could be worse. We're not dead in the water and we have a bunch of games left to make it right."

Hall admitted he hasn't played as well as he would have liked, but wouldn't blame his performance on the right Achilles tear that caused him to miss the last nine games of last season, especially after making a successful comeback from tearing his left Achilles in 2011.

"Medically it feels fine," said Hall, who has played in exactly 100 career games with the Bengals since being drafted in first round in 2007. "Now I don't think as far as the production is concerned it's not how it was last year for whatever reason. I do know 100 percent that it's not because of the Achilles."

He said he doesn't think suffering a second torn Achilles has made him subconsciously afraid of pushing himself, but he admitted he's made some technique mistakes he hasn't made the in the past.

"Mentally I feel fine," said Hall. "I feel like I'm physically able to do everything that is asked of me within the defense. I feel like I can run. I feel like I can move left and right, front to back comfortable and as quick or as fast as I know I can.

"The technique part of it has hurt me. Maybe it's on a good play or maybe it's not a play, but even on good plays technique is sometimes an issue. It's something I've been trying to work on for weeks now. It's always little things that add up, but it will be corrected."

FOUR STARTERS DON'T PRACTICE: Neither running back Giovani Bernard nor linebacker Vontaze Burfict practiced on Thursday after also not practicing on Wednesday making it highly unlikely either will play in Sunday's game.

Bernard, who has missed the last two games with a hip pointer and clavicle injury, did some light exercises on a side field while the rest of the team practiced.

Burfict, who has missed the last two games after having minor knee surgery a little over two weeks ago, wasn't seen during the 30 minutes media is allowed to watch practice.

Cornerback Terence Newman also did not participate in practice for the second straight day due to a knee injury, which leaves his status for Sunday's game in question.

Offensive tackle Andre Smith was seen in the locker room prior to practice wearing a walking boot and did not practice after being a limited participant in practice on Wednesday. Smith suffered an ankle injury against Jacksonville and didn't play in last Thursday's game against Cleveland.

Among those who returned to practice after not practicing on Wednesday were tight end Jermaine Gresham (thigh); guard/center Mike Pollak (knee) and safety Taylor Mays (foot). All three were full participants in the practice.

Linebacker Rey Maualuga appears headed in the right direction to play against New Orleans as he was a limited participant for the second straight day after missing the last four games due to a hamstring injury and having not practiced since suffering that injury against Carolina.

Running back Cedric Peerman (knee) was a limited participant for the second straight day, while offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth was given Thursday's practice off.

COLD DAY OF PRACTICE SHOCK TO SYSTEM: Even though the thermometer hovered around 40 degrees on Wednesday defensive coordinator Paul Guenther wore shorts during practice, but he was bundled up along with everyone else on Thursday when the wind chill was 23 degrees when practice started.

"Your hands are numb a little bit and your feet get numb a little bit and you realize maybe you didn't have enough clothes on," said offensive coordinator Hue Jackson. "I think one more time in it I think our guys will know what it's about. For the young guys it's maybe different for them, but the veterans they know it, they know (the cold is) around the corner and it's coming."

The practice, which went from 1-3 p.m., was actually the second time the Bengals ventured out into the cold on Thursday, because they also held a walk-through earlier in the day. Several players understandably complained about the cold upon entering the locker room following the walkthrough.

INGRAM HAS SPARKED SAINTS RUNNING GAME: After having just one 100-yard rushing game in his first three seasons combined 2009 Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram will be seeking his fourth straight 100-yard game this Sunday.

He's the first Saints running back to rush for 100 yards or more in three straight games since 2003 when Deuce McAllister rushed for 100 or more in nine straight games.

"They've committed to the run," said Guenther. "That's something that they're doing good right now and I don't seem them changing much. They can mix up the runs and passes and it makes them more effective."

The Saints rushed for less than 100 yards as a team in 11 of their 16 games last season.

For the season Ingram has 431 yards rushing. His single-season high came in 2012 when he rushed for 602 yards.