Do we have the right locker rooms?
In the corporate confine of Gillette Stadium, the cold, hard professional Patriots are rustling about contracts. Randy Moss isn't happy that Tom Brady just got a three-year extension offer and the opener is just four days away.
But in the locker room where the NFL's rehab projects are gathered, the Bengals were bustling and business-like in Wednesday's locker room. The expected marquee sideshow didn't even surface since Chad Ochocino and Terrell Owens decided not to talk.
So the media had no choice but to concentrate on Sunday's game at Gillette. Left tackle Andrew Whitworth, who played the Pats his first two years in the league in 2006 and 2007, notes one difference with the rebuilding New England defense.
But not much else. Some things never change.
"They had (Richard) Seymour and (Ty) Warren on the edges, who are two bigger, taller ends," Whitworth said. "The guys now (Gerard Warren and Mike Wright) are younger and have a little bit more movement to them than being bigger and physical. But it is amazing. They still play so disciplined and are so technically sound and they continue to play that way. It still makes them solid."
PRACTICE SQUAD SIGNING: The Bengals on Wednesday completed their eight-man practice squad with the signing of wide receiver Shay Hodge of Mississippi. Hodge entered the NFL on May 17 as a college free agent with Washington. He saw preseason action for the Redskins (no receptions) and was waived on Sept. 4.
INJURY UPDATE: Head coach Marvin Lewis had his players dress in their one-for-all-for one practice jerseys Wednesday. The defense had on white shirts and the defense black shirts with no numbers. Or it may been to prevent spying as they worked out under beautiful sunny skies in downtown. What could be seen is that running back Brian Leonard (foot) and cornerback Brandon Ghee (head) weren't working. Backups Andre Caldwell (groin), Jon Fanene (hamstring), and Geno Atkins (knee) worked but were limited.
