Antwan Odom is back, and ready. "I'm 100 percent now. It feels good. I'll definitely be ready. It's a good matchup (with Gaither). He's big and athletic and has some good hands. He's wide and broad. I've just got to get around him."

It's Ochocinco, not Ocho Cinco, or Ocho-Cinco, writes the PFT boys, via a Smoking Gun post that got their hands on the legal document regarding Chad's name change. Florio also writes that it's setting a bad precedence when a player changes his name.

Offensively, the Bengals aren't worried with Willie Anderson on the Ravens active roster, or tight end Nate Lawrie with the team's practice squad. "We already had to revise everything anyway, things we did offensively," (head coach Marvin) Lewis said. "We started the game plan on Monday, so basically that's not a big worry. There are things we did revise and change and knew we had to do. Our offensive players have made the adjustment. We talked with (quarterback) Carson (Palmer) Sunday night, and he started to make the revisions Sunday night with the offensive coaches."

Is the Bengals front office "out of touch"?

James Walker is in the minority when predicting this weekend's game between the Bengals and Ravens. He predicts that the Ravens will beat the Bengals 16-14. Somehow, I'm not surprised.

It's now or never for head coach Marvin Lewis.

Katie Blackburn speaks about signing Chris Henry.

CBS is suing the NFL Players Association, after the NFLPA threatened to sue CBS for... wait for it, STATS.

AROUND THE LOCAL COLLEGE SCENE

Why is it so god damn hard for people to spell Cincinnati? Apparently the geniuses of a freaking college can't even do it.

Ohio University players say it's a "dream come true" to play in Columbus.

Willie Anderson's agent is awaiting a contract proposal from the Chargers. However, this blog says that the awesomest former Bengals right tackle will be visiting Tampa Bay Thursday.

Sorry mate, but if either Chad or Houshmandzadeh, the Bengals won't die. That's why the visionary Mike Brown signed Chris Henry. See, he knows what he's doing (that's dripping sarcasm, by the way).

Deltha O'Neal was shocked after being cut from the Bengals, but thrilled to be on the Patriots. I don't doubt it. Now he'll actually play to his talents that he's happy.

Colton Lynch, Corey's youngest brother, might be the best Lynch of all.

"Peckerwood Rescue Squad looks to great year after fundraiser". I'm purposefully not commenting on that link.

The San Diego Tribute reviews the AFC, division by division, and ranks the Bengals last in the AFC North. They play football in California? Go BUCKS!

Take a look at the team's roster.

The Depth Chart

The Player Page

You know that Chad is laughing to himself saying, "Holy crap, they actually did it."

Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens

Cincinnati Bengals

OUT
Wednesday: RB Jeremi Johnson (knee), S Nedu Ndukwe (knee), DT Pat Sims (toe)

Did Not Practice
Wednesday: DE Jonathan Fanene (illness)

Limited Practice
Wednesday: WR Andre Caldwell (toe), LB Brandon Johnson (hamstring)

Full Practice
Wednesday: WR Chad Johnson (shoulder), QB Carson Palmer (nose)

Baltimore Ravens

Did Not Practice
Wednesday: DT Kelly Gregg (knee), QB Troy Smith (illness)

Limited Practice
Wednesday: TE Todd Heap (knee), RB Willis McGahee (knee), S Ed Reed (neck)

As well as working out Chad Jackson, the Bengals invited Eugene Wilson to work out Tuesday (h/t Prag). This is another example of the team dumping veteran players that make more money than what the team thinks they should make, thus releasing them and going after lesser talent to replace them. And I'm not saying Wilson is a bad defensive back, but O'Neal's departure was solely monetary and it's very unlikely the money saved by releasing Willie Anderson and O'Neal will be used to further the team's foundations, or used in a plan to acquire better role players -- other than the players that they have to replace after releasing them.

Perhaps the team lacks foresight. Perhaps? You're joking right? I'm not mad, bitter, angry and or any of that. But for some reason, I just continued to be surprised.

Rudi Johnson took a pay cut of over $2 million, writes Hobson, after securing a one-year deal.

Shayne Graham says that if the Bengals and the place kicker don't come to an agreement for an extension, he may test the free agency market.

Chick Ludwig quotes a Boston Globe writer regarding Chad Jackson: "I believe Jackson had not won over the trust of Tom Brady, plain and simple. Brady couldn't rely on him to be in the right place consistently. Jackson had generated a lot of discussion … in recent months and I think it’s now fair to call that draft pick — and the investment of trading up to acquire Jackson — a poor decision."

I worry when Drew Rosenhaus gets involved with Chad Johnson Ocho Cinco in any manner -- especially as a spokesman. "You can call him Chad or you can call him Ocho Cinco. He is no longer Chad Johnson. He is Chad Ocho Cinco. That is his legal name and he would like to be referred to that now by the media and his friends and even family. He’s serious about that." Obviously. Like any of us really give a damn.

Bet you never thought we'd have a Tony Williams reference today. Hey, that's why you come here.

AROUND THE (SB) NATION

Based on the 2008 draft slot, the Bengals will pick USC defensive tackle Fili Moala in the 2009 NFL Draft, writes Matt Miller.

Not even god seems to have any clue who the veteran quarterback that the Ravens signed this week is. Though Rexx writes that it's Todd Bouman.

Since 1997, Carson Palmer is among five quarterbacks drafted in the first round that have actually not been busts, or soon to be, writes Florio.

There's another long standing right tackle that got demoted to second-team.

AROUND THE LOCAL COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCENE

The UC Bearcats will play Oklahoma this Saturday starting at 3:30 p.m. The game will be a regional broadcast -- in Cincinnati, it's on Channel 9 (WCPO).

Saturday will be a good test for the Sooners to check out their "retooled" secondary and linebacker group that returns only one starter.

While Oklahoma players are listening to loud music to simulate crowd noise during practice ("get a little grove" says defensive end Alan Davis), the Bearcats are simulating crowd noise with, crowd noise; LOUDLY.

Sooners head coach Bob Stoops on the Bearcats: "I can go on and on, they are a very good team that we recognize it as a major challenge this season. We are focusing on having a great week of practice and coming out ready to play on Saturday."

Bearcats head coach is looking forward to Saturday: "I like the talent that we have on defense. I'm not scared. I'm excited about putting the guys that we have on the field against Oklahoma and letting us go after it and see what happens."

Angelo Craig was signed with the Panthers' practice squad (h/t: Prag and kirby28).

Bengals Nation Daily sees a 20-3 win over the Baltimore Ravens Sunday.

The newest Bengals lineman, Frank Davis, takes over Willie Anderson's locker; whether or not he'll fill the 19-EEE shoes is another question; guard/tackle position not withstanding.

Speaking of which, it doesn't appear that Willie Anderson will play for Chicago.

Chad will fuss and complain if the Bengals lose. I just hope that if he does, he doesn't play himself larger than the team and takes responsibilities if he misses that third-down reception.

Chick Ludwig and Chad Johnson are calling the release of Willie Anderson, a mistake. Says Chad, "Usually, you’re able to give a reason why it (getting cut) happens to certain people But I don’t have a reason why you let Willie Anderson go.”

AROUND THE LOCAL COLLEGE SCENE

While there's no time-table for Beanie Well's return, the Heisman candidate sat out Monday's practice still wearing his protective boot on his right foot.

The Sooners are impressed with the University of Cincinnati, even if they're three touchdown favorites.

My first metal album was Metallica's Master of Puppets; have been a ridiculous fan ever since. Anyway, in a few weeks, Metallica is releasing their ninth studio album called Death Magnetic. Here's the first song called The Day That Never Comes. It's eight minutes, and listen to the whole thing. It gets crazy good halfway through.

This is another, called My Apocalypse. Reminds you of Whiplash, somewhat.

The Bengals announced their team Captains on Monday: Carson Palmer, Bobbie Williams, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Dexter Jackson, and Dhani Jones. Good group of veterans. I like it.

Curnutte observes the team's first regular season practice. Mostly of note is how the team looks health-wise. Antwan Odom, Dexter Jackson, Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, and Rashad Jeanty returned to practice fully. Pat Sims, Andre Caldwell and Dan Howell (practice squad) worked on the sidelines with strength and conditioning coaches while "Chinedum Ndukwe (leg) went inside after stretches."

This is the irony of the Bengals team this year. Everyone suggests that our offense will be the only reason we win games; our defense is so bad, we're told to believe, that it couldn't even contain the Louisville Cardinals offense.

James Walker named his all-AC North team, on offense and defense.

OFFENSE: Big Ben got the nod over Honorable Mention, Carson Palmer. Behind Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes, is Honorable Mention, T.J. Houshmandzadeh. No reference of Chad Johnson Ocho Cinco. Bobbie Williams is the only player on the Bengals offense to get the nod over everyone at their respective position; with Andrew Whitworth getting the Honorable Mention.

DEFENSE: Johnathan Joseph was the only player named to lead his respective position; Robert Geathers was named Honorable Mention. Shayne Graham got the nod as the division's best place kicker.

Apparently Pat Kirwan forgot about Keith Rivers when talking about rookies starting during kickoff weekend.

Don Banks surprisingly ranked Ryan Fitzpatrick as the league's 28th best backup quarterback while predicting the Bengals finish third in the AFC North at 6-10.

This blog named the Cincinnati backfield, the worst in the NFL. We think it's about fantasy football rankings, but we don't care. It still pisses us off, right?

After a turbulent offseason, wondering how he'd embarrass the Cincinnati Bengals next, Chad Johnson Ocho Cinco is trying to dissolve that image of himself, trying to make up whatever wrongs he perceived he did. It's unquestionably odd -- yet, not related to the pessimism on the field -- that Chad Johnson Ocho Cinco legally changed his name. Some didn't like it, but it reminded me of his abilities to momentarily remove our focus from many depressing items within this organization -- even though he's contributed to those points in the past (and who knows if he will in the near future).

In the end, he realizes that our frustration with his distasteful, annoying and distracting offseason, wasn't a good thing and he plans to make that up to everyone -- front office, coaches, teammates and all of us.

"I got to be super extra focused. I gave a lot of making up to do top a lot of people, not only my teammates, coaches, you know, from the top all the way down. I (upset) a lot of people all offseason with some of my, most people call them antics, I got to be completely focused, no distractions. I have to stay an attraction. I can't be arrogant. But I have to be extraordinary at what I do. I have to make up to you all, too (media). It's easy to take shots at me, so I have to walk a straight line."

Whom does he owe? "start with Mr. (Mike) Brown and Katie (Blackburn) and work my way down."

How will you express your remorse? "Yeah, that's it (on field). That's the only way. And the fans are going to get a load of stuff this year."

Even though at the time of this publication, the roster lists #85 as Chad Johnson, Broward County, Florida officially recognizes #85 as Chad Javon Ocho Cinco. So, yea.

Before you're too baffled, the partially torn labrum did not hinder this epic event, and there's no word whether or not Johnson... Ocho Cinco will be allowed to display his uniform. The league is looking into it.

Anyway, 10% of jersey sales go to the player, writes Geoff Hobson. It's been noted this off-season that one of Johnson's... Ocho Cinco's primary reasons for sitting out was for an extension because of money issues. Not that this help, simply because Bengals fans, for the most part, have a sour taste in their mouth after Johnson's... Ocho Cinco's vocal off-season. Still, Johnson... Ocho Cinco, we know, is a rather childish 30-year old that still thinks he's in high school doing foolish stuff. Not that it's a bad thing, just makes him look, you know, juvenile.

And you have to admit, after going through the preseason we went through, it's not necessarily a bad thing to divert the product on the field to the oddness of Johnson... damn it... Ocho Cinco. Still, for me personally, whooptie doo. As long as he scores touchdowns, I'll call him Debra if it turns him on.

Bob Hunter writes that Chinedum Ndukwe's recovery is going faster than expected. However, it's still expected that the second-year safety will miss the opener.

Chad Johnson is officially Chad Ocho Cinco. Yea. I know. Right or wrong, I'm still calling him Johnson.

ESPN ranks NFL fans. We, Bengals fans, are apparently one of the worst, ranking in at 26th. James Walker writes:

Bengals fans are disenchanted with their team. Cincinnati has just one winning season in the past 17 years, and during that span the city has grown accustomed to having a sub-par football team. Cincinnati historically is a baseball town, not a football town, and there is no natural pigskin rival to root against. If anything, Bengals fans spew most of their venom on their own. They're upset at star receiver Chad Johnson for his antics and wanting to get out of town. They turned on Carson Palmer recently for supporting USC -- his alma mater -- over Ohio State. A majority of fans turned long ago on the Bengals' front office led by owner Mike Brown. Granted, Cincinnati does draw well and has more loyal followers today than during the lean Dave Shula/Dick LeBeau/Bruce Coslet years. But Bengals fans remain very skeptical of their franchise.

Vic Carucci writes a good piece asking what the most important position is on defense. He argues that it's the defensive end, due to the impact they have that contributes to other positions on defense. Clearly the Bengals are still looking for that single player on defense that makes the biggest impact. Could it be newly acquired free agent Antwan Odom? Or perhaps first round pick Keith Rivers?

Pete Prisco believes that the Steelers are still the class of the AFC North.

Pat Kirwin ranks the leagues best defensive tackles. It's not surprising that no Bengals defensive tackle didn't even make the radar.

In connection with the upcoming campaigns for President of the United States, John Czarnecki goes through each team's NFL power structure. About the Bengals, he writes: "Owner Mike Brown. The power structure hasn't changed for the Bengals. Mike replaced his legendary father, Paul Brown, and nothing happens without his approval. This franchise remains very thin on front-office staff, as well as the personnel department. For example, Brown is the reason Chris Henry is back on the team. A family affair in Cincinnati."

Dawgs by Nation takes a stab at the Browns 53-man roster.

Baltimore Beatdown believes that Joe Flacco must start against the Bengals to open the season.