"It’s almost like Barry Sanders," said Robinson, who as a Chicago Bear played against the former Detroit Lions running back. "You did more watching Barry Sanders than playing against him. What I told the guys is you have to take your shots. If you sit there and wait for him to make the first move, then he’s already lost you."

Vick is a flawed quarterback. He presides over a passing game that ranks last in the NFL. He has completed only 52.4 percent of his passes.

But Vick has a spectacular arm and astonishing speed. He’s so gifted as a runner that the Falcons use the option play as a standard part of their offense, nearly unheard of in the NFL. Vick has run for 441 yards with an average of 8.6 per carry.

"Just don’t give him running lanes," said safety Dexter Jackson, who played against Vick while with Tampa Bay. "Make him beat us with his arm. His legs are phenomenal."

Letting Vick throw is not a foolproof method for success, either. Last week against Pittsburgh, Vick threw for a careerhigh four touchdowns in the Falcons’ 41-38 overtime victory.

"He can throw the football if that’s what they want him to do," Robinson said. "But his overall game is to get out there on the perimeter, have his tight end (Alge Crumpler) and wide receivers break free, and if it’s not there, use his own legs."

Bengals defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan said he is stressing the importance of finishing plays and staying disciplined.

Robinson talked about forming a U shape on pass rushes. The defensive ends must not allow Vick to get outside, and the tackles must prevent him from darting up the middle.

But the Bengals understand that it’s impossible to prepare completely for Vick.

"There are some things you can practice for a week," defensive backs coach Kevin Coyle said, "and there’s going to be things that happen in the game that he just does and you just hope you weather the big plays he can generate."

Vick is keeping a low profile this week. He declined a request to speak to Bengals reporters on a conference call, perhaps a reaction to criticism he received recently for saying he wished he could play, if only for one game, in a pass-happy offense like Peyton Manning has.

Questions persist about whether Vick is an ideal fit for the Falcons’ West Coast-style offense. But Atlanta coach Jim Mora Jr. had only glowing things to say about coaching his quarterback.

"Oh, it’s a blast," he said. "I mean, it’s the greatest thing going. No. 1, he is a great kid. He’s such a wonderful person. Giving. Caring. Compassionate. Great teammate. Great team member. Leader. All these things that aren’t always portrayed in the national media.

"It just seems that a lot of people like to focus on the things that Mike can’t do or hasn’t shown great consistency doing. For me, it’s always about what he can do. It’s amazing. People say, ‘Well, he can’t do …’ I’m like, ‘I’ve never seen anything he can’t do. Maybe you haven’t seen it yet, but I have.’ "

On Sunday, the Bengals will get their chance.

"It’s going to be a fun, exciting challenge," Cincinnati coach Marvin Lewis said.

Columbus Dispatchhttp

http://columbusdispatch.com/bengals/bengals.php?story=dispatch/2006/10/26/20061026-E3-00.html