Bengals Differ on Reggie Bush
Cincinnati's defense isn't too impressed with Saints rookie.

There seems to be a difference of opinion taking root in Cincinnati regarding just how to describe Saints rookie running back Reggie Bush.

During Wednesday's conference call with New Orleans media, Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer had this to say in assessing the Saints:

"They're very good, very disciplined, and very well-coached. All-around, just a very good football team, very solid," Palmer said. "They don't have a ton of superstars, other than Reggie Bush, really."

Palmer, a fellow Heisman Trophy candidate from Southern California, might be somewhat biased.

Bengals defensive end Justin Smith, from Missouri, had a different view.

"(Reggie Bush) is just another guy to us," Smith said in Wednesday's editions of The Cincinnati Post. "We play great running backs every week: LaDanian Tomlinson, Warrick Dunn, Jamal Lewis. It's just another guy you have to stop. Nobody is going to be out there worrying about some rookie. I know Deuce (McAllister) is having a really good year. Stop Deuce first, and if they put Reggie in there, stop him, too."

And Bengals defensive end John Thornton, from West Virginia, added: "We just played LT (Tomlinson). I know he can't be much better than him. That's not a knock on anybody, but I think we just saw the best guy in the league, as far as speed and power and shiftiness. Everybody saw Reggie Bush in college, but he hasn't really had a big game yet. Hopefully, we'll keep him that way."

For his part, Reggie Bush believes that his performance -- against the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday -- he ran for 49 yards on 10 carries and scored his first touchdown from scrimmage -- exhibited the strides he is making offensively.

"I definitely felt like I'm adjusting a little better to this offense and to the NFL," Reggie Bush said.

TAKING STEPS: As part of Wednesday's practice, the Saints went through several drills designed to prevent (offensively) and create (defensively) turnovers.

Three turnovers in a 38-31 loss at Pittsburgh y affected the outcome. The Steelers scored 14 points after Saints turnovers, and a fumble inside the game's final 30 seconds cost New Orleans a chance to send it into overtime.

Saints defenders were attempting to strip the ball in certain drills, and receivers and backs were run through a gauntlet that had them getting hit with oversized pads.

"It was just coaches throwing pads at us," Reggie Bush said.

Said Coach Sean Payton: "It's easy just to give lip-service. We did some things pre-practice drill-wise, things we need to pay more attention to. Do more than just talk about it. It's something we need to continue to do a better job of, starting with me."

INJURY UPDATE: Wednesday's official list: Saints tight end Ernie Conwell (knee) and wide receiver Terrance Copper (arm) are probable. Conwell did not participate in a portion of team drills.

Tight end Nate Lawrie (back), wide receiver Joe Horn (groin), cornerback Fred Thomas (hamstring) and safety Steve Gleason (knee) are all listed as questionable.

"It's a positive from the standpoint of Joe Horn and Nate Lawrie getting into a snap-standpoint," Payton said.

KARNEY ABSENT: Saints fullback Mike Karney did not attend Wednesday's practice.

Karney was excused because of a death in his family.

INFREQUENT VISITORS: Sunday's game will be the fifth time the Bengals have visited New Orleans, with all five games have taken place at the Superdome.

Cincinnati hasn't played in New Orleans since 1994, a game which the Saints won 20-13. The game was part of the 1993 regular season, with the game played Jan. 2, 2004.

It's the second visit for Cincinnati in the last 22 years. Before the 1994 game, the Bengals prevailed 24-21 on Dec. 9, 1984, at the Superdome.

Cincinnati has won the last two games between the teams -- 30-15 in 1996 at Riverfront Stadium and again last season, 20-13, at Paul Brown Stadium.

The overall series between the teams is tied at five.

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