They're next to play Patriots, but cheating in NFL a tricky topic

The Cincinnati Bengals' practice field sits adjacent to Paul Brown Stadium in the southwestern corner of downtown, overlooked by the city's skyline.  It's a scenic view, but it can feed the ever-present paranoia of the NFL.  "When I played in Miami, our practice field had a parking garage overlooking it," Bengals defensive lineman Bryan Robinson said. "You always wondered if somebody was up there taking pictures or doing something."

When Robinson came to Cincinnati, he wondered the same thing.  "I talked to some of the women in one of the office buildings and they said, 'Yeah, we sort of watch you guys practice.' Half of Cincinnati downtown is watching us practice. But they're fans. You know they're your people."  At least Robinson and the Bengals hope so. It's a relevant question considering the New England Patriots play Cincinnati on Monday. Nobody has accused the Patriots of renting a high-rise, but revelations of the Patriots videotaping opponents' signals have harmed the NFL's carefully cultivated image.

Blue Adams is in. Keiwan Ratliff is out.

In a reversal of fortune for the veteran cornerbacks, the Bengals signed Adams to a two-year contract and made room on the 53-man roster by waiving Ratliff, a second-round draft pick in 2004.  Adams joined the Bengals as a free agent from Tampa Bay on May 7. He missed the first three preseason games while rehabbing a neck injury, but played in Cincinnati's preseason finale and got waived on Sept. 2. He's expected to give the special teams' coverage units a boost.

Ratliff, a star at the University of Florida from Columbus Whitehall-Yearling High School, never developed into the impact player the Bengals anticipated.  His career numbers include 101 tackles, 12 swatted passes, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble in 51 games with eight starts. He also returned 72 punts for 540 yards (a 7.5 average) with a long gain of 49 yards.

Adams is a former University of Cincinnati star who was a seventh-round draft pick of the Detroit Lions in 2003. He made 33 tackles in 29 games with Tampa Bay the last two seasons.

Dayton Daily News

As the team prepares to face the Patriots' top-ranked offense and defense, coach wants each player to focus on his own role.

Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis is preaching one of his favorite sermons — "Do your job!" — in an attempt to turn his Cincinnati team around.  He believes the club is playing hard, but it's not always playing smart.  The Bengals will have to do both in order to defeat the New England Patriots on Monday night.

"We're pressing and trying too hard," Lewis said. "That's the thing that's evident. We are trying so hard, we're getting away from the things which we have built upon — the sound principles. Sometimes they can trip you up, and right now, the fine line we're living on, we're not benefiting from it."

Tailback DeDe Dorsey couldn't wipe the smile off his face. He was beaming about becoming a Bengal again.  Cincinnati signed him to a two-year contract Tuesday after he successfully rehabilitated a sprained right big toe following his Sept. 2 release from the Indianapolis Colts.  To make room on the 53-man roster, the Bengals waived rookie tailback Clifton Dawson.

Dorsey entered the NFL in May 2006 as a college free agent with the Bengals, rushing 20 times for 149 yards (a 7.5 average) in the preseason.  The Bengals wanted him on their practice squad, but he didn't clear waivers. The Colts claimed him, and he earned a Super Bowl ring, playing in 13 regular-season games and the entire postseason. Dorsey saw action on special teams and had no rushing statistics.  "When you're cut, it hurts a little because you've worked hard," Dorsey said. "But when the phone rings, hope springs again. I enjoyed my time in Indianapolis, but now I'm back, ready to get to work."

Bengals tailback Rudi Johnson has been the picture of production over the years.  Nobody in the NFL carried the ball more often from 2004 to 2006 than "The Doctor of Durability."  But there's a dent in Johnson's armor in the form of a strained hamstring suffered Sunday at Seattle. He joins middle linebacker Caleb Miller (lower back) on head coach Marvin Lewis' list of "guys who were a little bit banged up in the game that we're unsure about (against New England)."

If Johnson is sidelined Monday night, Kenny Watson will get an opportunity to keep his momentum going. He sparked the offense with nine carries for 60 yards and a TD against the Seahawks.  "We put the next guy up and we go," Lewis said. "You saw that when Kenny replaced Rudi.  "He's a little different style of runner than Rudi. He has certain runs we do offensively that have been set up a little different than where Rudi's strengths are. We have a lot of confidence in Kenny."

Yes, the Bengals defense did not allow themselves to be embarrassed again in Seattle like they had the week before in Cleveland.  In the end, when the team really needed them to stop the Seahawks with less than 3 minutes to go in the game, they were no where to be found. 

The Seahawks marched right down the field to take the final lead of the game 24-21.  The final touchdown drive included a 14 yard run on 4th and 1 by Sean Alexander and a 22-yard touchdown pass to Nate Burleson who managed like many other opposing receivers this year to get past the Bengals zone coverage. 

Receivers Johnson and Houshmandzadeh continue to put up big numbers — but the Bengals remain 1-2.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh came within one catch of tying Carl Pickens' club record for receptions in a game.  Instead of hitting the lucky number 13, Houshmandzadeh had to settle for the unlucky 12.  His 12 catches for 141 yards and a touchdown weren't enough to lead Cincinnati to victory. Neither was Chad Johnson's nine catches for 138 yards.

The Bengals sure know how to rack up superlatives in defeat.  "They (the Seahawks) thought their corners could play us man-to-man," Houshmandzadeh said. "They realized that wasn't the case. So they started playing us 'Cover-2.'