The Daily Banter: Pete Prisco Is Our Newest B.F.F.

+ Terrell Owens is pumped, and I mean pumped, for the Bengals Sunday opener at New England.

“I would hope Belichick would have the best game for his team and his offense to stop the Dynamic Duo,” Owens said. “We’re going up there to win the game and at the same time put on a show and have fun. We’re not trying to disappoint any of the fans by any means. It’s going to be Batman and Robin and Alfred (quarterback Carson Palmer) all year long.

“I’m pretty sure he’s going to throw a lot of Cover 2 in there. He has to do what’s best for his defense and stop whether it’s run or pass. It’s not going to be just about me and Chad all the time. We have a capable back in Cedric (Benson) to get some things going and get in the secondary and make things happen. We’re going to try to be a balanced offense as far as our attack is concerned.”

Honestly, does this guy sound like the most evil NFL player we've been told he is? Maybe it's the whole first year, second year thing; always on his best behavior the first year, disruptive his second.

+ While praising Johnathan Joseph and Leon Hall as being the league's best cornerback tandum, Don Banks believes that the Bengals will finish 9-7. He has Baltimore going 12-4 and winning the division.

+ However Yahoo Sports' Jason Cole believes that the Bengals have a good chance to repeat as AFC North Champions. Same as Pete Prisco

Moral of the story. Yahoo Sports > Sports Illustrated.

+ Speaking of our new B.F.F., Prisco has the Bengals ranked eighth in his power rankings, which is two slots better than Baltimore. Furthermore, Prisco predicts the Bengals will beat Baltimore in the Wild Card round, though lose to the Indianapolis Colts in the Divisional round.

+ James Walker predicts that the Bengals will lose to New England 27-24.

+ Peter King believes that Carson Palmer will have a rebound year, throwing for at least 3,800 yards passing.

+ Basically, if you hate Carson Palmer, there is something terrifyingly wrong with you.

+ Quarterback Jordan Palmer was recognized for his hard word, given the position of backup quarterback. Jordan is a big help with Carson.

"It is great having somebody that will keep things in check for you," Carson Palmer said Wednesday. "Jordan will tell me like it is. He doesn't sugarcoat things. He tells me when I am wrong and doesn't tell me when I am right. I think that is what is most important. He helps me out tremendously."

+ Andre Caldwell and Brandon Ghee appear as the most likely candidates to be inactive this Sunday with Brian Leonard likely as well.

+ After Antwan Odom tested positive for a banned substance, Chick Ludwig wrote "I wish I could say I’m surprised, but I’m not. Nothing that happens in Bengaldom surprises me anymore."

I have a feeling that if all the players coordinated song and dance to shipoopi, then I'm pretty sure Ludwig would shipoopi himself.