Formerly of the Bengals, Deltha O’Neal, right, is looking forward to being a teammate of the Patriots’ Randy Moss, left.

Journal files

FOXBORO — Deltha O’Neal’s life was turned upside down Saturday afternoon when the nine-year NFL veteran and two-time Pro Bowler found out that he was being released by the Cincinnati Bengals.

But he is turning things around in Foxboro.

“It was like Hurricane Katrina came in, because I have family out there and I wasn’t expecting [to get cut],” O’Neal said of his thoughts after getting a pink slip from Cincinnati. “Had I been expecting it, I would have been more prepared. It was on the fly when I found out I was released and right then and there I had to fly out and leave my family behind.

“It’s tough, especially for my little girls because they won’t get to see their daddy all year. [They] already started school so [they] aren’t coming out here. Other than that, I just knew that it was part of the game and being the vet that I am; I’ve been in the game a long time and I’ve seen people come and go, and I just had to prepare myself.”

O’Neal worked out with New England on Monday, and the Patriots’ coaching staff liked what they saw and he signed a one-year deal.

“It’s going to be fun,” O’Neal said. “I’m happy to be here. I’m happy to be a part of something like this. I’ve been excited since Sunday. You see me walking around at home with a big cheesy grin on my face because I’m happy to be here. I just can’t explain it in words right now.”

The feeling is mutual.

“I’m very excited. I played with him at the Pro Bowl and I’ve known him for a long time,” New England safety Rodney Harrison said of the 5-foot-11, 194-pound O’Neal. “He’s a very athletic guy and can do a lot of things. We’re definitely excited about adding a guy like that to our arsenal.”

In O’Neal, a 31-year-old ball-hawking and hard-hitting cornerback who recorded 52 tackles and one interception last season with the Bengals, the Patriots believe they are getting a player who will fit better into their system than Jason Webster and Fernando Bryant.

Webster and Bryant were signed as free agents but then released.

O’Neal, who had his third practice with the Patriots yesterday, will be looking to find a spot in a young secondary with cornerbacks Ellis Hobbs, Terrence Wheatley, Jonathan Wilhite and Lewis Sanders, and safeties James Sanders, Brandon Meriweather, Matthew Slater, and Harrison.

O’Neal could also return kicks and punts. As a returner, he has totaled 57 kickoff returns for 1,274 yards (22.3 avg.) and a touchdown, and 136 punts for 1,368 yards (10.1 avg.) and two touchdowns.

“I’m just trying to fit in,” O’Neal said. “They have been talented across the board for many years and I’m learning a few things that they’ve been doing in order to be successful. I’m just going to try to be successful too.”

O’Neal said he hoped to play Sunday against Kansas City in the season opener, but he is learning the playbook.

He has been studying the playbook and spending extra time with defensive backs coach Dom Capers in the hopes of being prepared to play.

“That’s the coach’s decision,” O’Neal said, but added that he is preparing this week as if he is going to play. “I’m just trying to learn the new stuff that’s going on. I’m just anxious to put this jersey and this helmet on and get out there and be a Patriot.”

“If I get the opportunity I’ll be more than happy to help out. I’ll do anything to help my team out,” O’Neal said.

Harrison, O’Neal said, played a major role in the Patriots recruiting him.

He said that Harrison told him: “This is a good defense and we’d love you to be a part of this.”

O’Neal said he was still capable of recording 10 interceptions like he did in 2005.

“That wasn’t anything but one season away, but I’m just trying to learn as much as I can and take in as much as I can and prepare myself,” O’Neal said.

While he is not pleased that he had to leave his family behind in Cincinnati, he is glad to have found a home on a team that he believes will be a Super Bowl contender this season.

“This is an elite team with a great defense, and I’m glad to be a part of it,” O’Neal said. “I’m just trying to win and go out and be the best that I can be.”

roblee@projo.com