FOXBORO -- In Bill Belichick's six years in New England, he certainly has carved out a reputation for many things. Trash-talking, however, isn't one of them.

But yesterday, with plenty of urging from the local media, the Patriots' coach couldn't help but have a little fun at the expense of Bengals receiver Chad Johnson. Belichick said he enjoys Johnson's brand of humor and the fact that he's "an entertaining guy."

He told a story about evaluating Johnson before the draft in 2001 in a workout in Los Angeles. It seems Johnson rolled onto the University of Southern California campus with a large emblem of his alma mater, Pac-10 rival Oregon State, on the side of his car.

"Chad's fun. He's a playful kind of guy. That's the way he is," Belichick said.

Told that Johnson sent a few verbal arrows toward his team earlier this week, the coach said, "I could throw the same stuff back at him if that's what we really wanted to do."

Pushed by the media to take a shot at it, Belichick delivered.

"Tell him that we'd cover him one-on-one all the time but he pushes off more than any receiver in the league," he said. "He must be paying off the officials not to call it, so we're going to have to double-cover him some. Not that he can get open. As much as he pushes off, we have to do something to protect ourselves."

He loves this place

Inside linebacker Junior Seau has started every game and made his share of big plays for the Patriots. More importantly, the late-summer signee has thoroughly enjoyed his time with the Pats and in New England after his premature retirement announcement earlier in the summer.

"I love it here," he said. "It's classy. Class kind of attracts a lot of veterans. That kind of works hand in hand. When you have a lot of experience in the locker room and with the coaching staff like you have here, what you have is a group of men that have a purpose."

Seau said he's not surprised that even younger players quickly buy into the Patriots' system.

"First of all, they have to make it here. There's a pick and choosing process that has to go on," he said. "Whenever you have a system you can go out and pick the kind of character guys and the guy with the special talent that really fits your system. That's a key factor here."

Scouts lauded

Belichick made a point to credit the team's scouting department for being ready to fill the hole created by Randall Gay's hamstring injury. The team placed Gay, who was seen in the locker room yesterday walking somewhat freely, on injured reserve and signed Hank Poteat to the roster. This is the second straight season that Poteat has been cut by the Pats at the end of training camp and then signed later in the season.

"In the NFL, you have to know where your next guy is coming from," Belichick said. "Is he coming from your practice squad, somebody else's practice squad or from the street, players that aren't part of any team? We have to know who's your next guard, your next tackle, your next tight end, who are they. It's a very fluid list."

A tough task

The Patriots have worked out several defensive backs in the last week or so, and they need all the help they can get matching up this week against the Bengals' passing game. Carson Palmer has six passing TDs and some big-time targets to throw to in All-Pro Chad Johnson, Chris Henry, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and running back Rudi Johnson.

"Carson Palmer is an excellent quarterback," he said. "He really gives those guys a chance to get the ball. He puts it in a tight spot where only they can get it. He makes a number of those plays, too. Blitzing is a problem. Covering is a problem. Playing the run is a problem. They can attack really from every inch of the field."

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