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O'Neal corners cornerback ability
By Bill Williamson
Denver Post Staff Writer
Ko Olina, Hawaii - The irony of the NFL makes Deltha O'Neal laugh.
When he was watching the Pittsburgh Steelers hoist the AFC championship trophy in Denver on Jan. 22, O'Neal realized who his coaches would be for his return to the Pro Bowl.
"I almost didn't come," O'Neal said about the prospect of being coached by the Broncos staff in Sunday's Pro Bowl because of Denver's runner-up status in the AFC. "No, I'm just joking. Everything is fine. Everything is over. I'm happy to be here and I'm happy to see everyone from Denver."
O'Neal's journey to the Pro Bowl is remarkable. Nearly two years ago, he was traded from Denver to Cincinnati after Broncos coach Mike Shanahan attempted to convert him to a receiver.
The deal helped the Broncos move up in the first round and take talented linebacker D.J. Williams.
While the trade was good for Denver, it was good for O'Neal, too. It gave him a new lease on his career and at his chosen spot of cornerback. He led the NFL with 10 interceptions this past season.
"It showed that I can play cornerback and that this is where I belong," O'Neal said.
He said he harbors no hard feelings toward the Broncos or Shanahan. O'Neal said the two are on friendly terms. O'Neal called his final days in Denver a misunderstanding.
Shanahan said he was pleased to see O'Neal flourish in Cincinnati, showing his natural ball- hawking ability.
"He's got great hands, and it was a great honor for him to lead the league in interceptions and go to the Pro Bowl," Shanahan said.
O'Neal's sixth NFL season ended the same way his second season in Denver did: in Hawaii. The 15th pick in the 2000 draft, O'Neal had success early with the Broncos.
However, as his career continued, his play stalled and several mistakes led to a loss of confidence. In a last-ditch effort to use O'Neal's good hands and athleticism, Shanahan tried to make him receiver.
"I could be a good receiver, but I knew my time as a cornerback wasn't over," O'Neal said.
Former teammates and coaches said they knew he was capable of a turnaround.
"I'm so proud of Deltha, to see him here in the Pro Bowl," Denver linebacker Al Wilson said. "I knew he had it in him to get back here. The guy worked hard to turn it around."
Broncos assistant secondary coach Jimmy Spencer said because of the Broncos' schemes, O'Neal had to play in man-to- man coverages instead of playing off the opponent more.
"This has been a good move for Deltha," Spencer said. "We knew he could find a spot because of his great hands. He could have been a great receiver because of those hands. I think those 10 interceptions this year shows that. That's why he's here."
http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_3493477
By Bill Williamson
Denver Post Staff Writer
Ko Olina, Hawaii - The irony of the NFL makes Deltha O'Neal laugh.
When he was watching the Pittsburgh Steelers hoist the AFC championship trophy in Denver on Jan. 22, O'Neal realized who his coaches would be for his return to the Pro Bowl.
"I almost didn't come," O'Neal said about the prospect of being coached by the Broncos staff in Sunday's Pro Bowl because of Denver's runner-up status in the AFC. "No, I'm just joking. Everything is fine. Everything is over. I'm happy to be here and I'm happy to see everyone from Denver."
O'Neal's journey to the Pro Bowl is remarkable. Nearly two years ago, he was traded from Denver to Cincinnati after Broncos coach Mike Shanahan attempted to convert him to a receiver.
The deal helped the Broncos move up in the first round and take talented linebacker D.J. Williams.
While the trade was good for Denver, it was good for O'Neal, too. It gave him a new lease on his career and at his chosen spot of cornerback. He led the NFL with 10 interceptions this past season.
"It showed that I can play cornerback and that this is where I belong," O'Neal said.
He said he harbors no hard feelings toward the Broncos or Shanahan. O'Neal said the two are on friendly terms. O'Neal called his final days in Denver a misunderstanding.
Shanahan said he was pleased to see O'Neal flourish in Cincinnati, showing his natural ball- hawking ability.
"He's got great hands, and it was a great honor for him to lead the league in interceptions and go to the Pro Bowl," Shanahan said.
O'Neal's sixth NFL season ended the same way his second season in Denver did: in Hawaii. The 15th pick in the 2000 draft, O'Neal had success early with the Broncos.
However, as his career continued, his play stalled and several mistakes led to a loss of confidence. In a last-ditch effort to use O'Neal's good hands and athleticism, Shanahan tried to make him receiver.
"I could be a good receiver, but I knew my time as a cornerback wasn't over," O'Neal said.
Former teammates and coaches said they knew he was capable of a turnaround.
"I'm so proud of Deltha, to see him here in the Pro Bowl," Denver linebacker Al Wilson said. "I knew he had it in him to get back here. The guy worked hard to turn it around."
Broncos assistant secondary coach Jimmy Spencer said because of the Broncos' schemes, O'Neal had to play in man-to- man coverages instead of playing off the opponent more.
"This has been a good move for Deltha," Spencer said. "We knew he could find a spot because of his great hands. He could have been a great receiver because of those hands. I think those 10 interceptions this year shows that. That's why he's here."
http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_3493477