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Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer sounds like he's running for office — president of the Tom Brady Fan Club. That's how much Palmer admires his New England Patriots' counterpart. "The way he manages games and controls a game are his strengths," Palmer said. "Another big strength of his that I admire is the way he stands in the pocket, moves around and doesn't look to run. He's always waiting and waiting and waiting, and then getting rid of the ball.
"He's got amazing presence for what's going on around him as he's looking downfield — knowing someone's behind him, coming downhill at him. He knows how to move and how to find somebody who's gotten open." Copy cats The NFL is a copycat league, and Bengals coach Marvin Lewis admits he's learned a lot from New England coach Bill Belichick, who has guided the Patriots to three Super Bowl titles. "The strength of your (defense) through the middle is important," Lewis said. "This year, we made sure we added to that. (Linebacker) Brian Simmons, (strong safety) Dexter (Jackson), (defensive tackle) Sam (Adams) ... those things have been added to strengthen our team down the middle where we really faltered last year." Center of attention Second-year center Eric Ghiaciuc, who is subbing for injured veteran Rich Braham, remains at the heart of a Bengals' line that yielded six sacks to Pittsburgh last week. Ghiaciuc will be knocking heads with Patriots nose tackle Vince Wilfork, but Ghiaciuc will have to adjust because the Patriots will throw some four-man fronts at him, too. "They're very disciplined," Ghiaciuc said about the Patriots. "They don't do as many extra things as Pittsburgh does. But at the same time, they do what they do well. That's what makes them a good defense." Talking trash Cincinnati wide receiver Chad Johnson and Patriots strong safety Rodney Harrison have been talking trash all week. "You tell 37 (Harrison) I'm going to knock his helmet off," Johnson said. "Rodney is an original, old-school trash talker. He'll hit you and still talk trash — punch you at the bottom of the pile. He is an original." Said Harrison with a laugh: "If he knocks my helmet off, I guarantee you, I will retire." Quote machine "Junior is just an outstanding, outstanding player. Physical, tough, a guy on Sunday to say, 'Hey, get on my back. Here we go.' Unfortunately, we've got to play against him this week." — Marvin Lewis on Patriots inside linebacker Junior Seau. Dayton Daily News Chick Ludwig http://www.daytondailynews.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/pro/bengals/2006/09/30/ddn093006bennotes.html
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