On Favre's performance against the Cardinals: "One of the things that I especially respect about Brett — and not knowing him personally prior to us acquiring him — is just what a regular guy he is. He's got such an incredible resume, this incredible body of work, But it was really important to him when he came in that he was treated like everybody else, that he did everything that the group was doing, and that he fit in. He wanted to fit in. He didn't want any sort of special consideration. It takes a unique guy to have that much success and take that approach. And the other thing I really like about him is his consistency. It doesn't matter whether he throws a pick or throws a touchdown, he goes out that next series and competes the same way. As a coach, you're always striving to teach that, that ability to overcome adversity as well as success, and he personifies that."

On Marvin Lewis: "I know Marvin really well. I was the offensive assistant his first year as a defensive coordinator in Baltimore. My office was across from his. We've kept in touch over the years. He came and was nice enough toward the charity football camp that I have in Hartford, Conn. I love Marvin. Just a great guy, really smart guy, an innovative guy and a sincere person."

On the Bengals' struggles: "We've all been through these patches, and what I will say, another characteristic of Marvin that you can see so clearly on tape is how hard these guys fight through four quarters. They get behind against Dallas; could easily have gone any one of multiple ways. But they fought back and were in position to win, and that's a real testament to him."

"We went through a pretty tough time here last year and one of the things I think is important is whehther you're winning, losing -- whatever the case may be -- is consistency. I just believe that win or lose the important thing is to learn from whatever the mistakes were that you made and be able to correct those and move forward, and reinforce the positive things, and not get too high after a win or too low after a loss because those tend to be wasted emotions. And what's so important is the next game, the next person (team) you play. Marvin and I have been friends for a long time. I know Marvin takes that approach, and he's a really consistent guy."

Dhani Jones, Levi Jones and Corey Mays were in street clothes at the start of Wednesday's practice.

Dexter Jackson was back at practice and very happy to be participating.

Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer said this week will be much like last, with limited throwing on Wednesday and Thursday and then a full practice on Friday.

However, his sore right elbow that caused him to miss a game, is improving and he expects to play again this Sunday.

"Throw as little as possible and let it rest as much as possible, and make a decision later in the week and see what the doctors say," Palmer said.

Against the Cowboys, though, he said there were some throws he couldn't make with the confidence that he usually does. He said Bob Bratkowski knew that, as well, and thinks it may have factored into the gameplan.

"There were a couple times where I didn't have the confidence I normally have, just because my arm's not the same as previous to the injury," Palmer said. "But as far as throwing balls, I felt like I missed a couple I shouldn't have missed, but the only thing I noticed was just a little less confidence in throwing some. I saw holes in certain spots that I kind of held back on and moved on to the next guy."

To that, asked if it was a good idea not to throw those.

"No, I think they were good decisions not to throw," Palmer said. "Balls I normally zip right by somebody, I felt maybe there's a chance they get their hands on it or make a play on it. Just pulled some of those down and moved on."

That said, it wasn't the biggest reason the team didn't test the Cowboys deep, that was because of DeMarcus Ware and Gregg Ellis, the team's two defensive ends, as well as the success the team was having with five-step drops.

Chris Henry was more getting his feet wet last week than having a large role in the offense, Palmer said. He expects that to change some as Henry practices more.

"I mean, he hasn't been here for a long time. It was his first week back. He had a couple of plays, just to kind of get him back on the field and get him in the rhythm of things," Palmer said. "Being in a situation when you're suspended and you can't be around the facility, that makes it extremely difficult on you. I've never understood that part. When a guy's suspended to be home by himself and not here to work out and run routes and be at practice and be a decoy for the games he's suspended _ playing scout team receiver and doing all that. It's tough to come back in one week and all of a sudden hey, here's your game plan, you're going to catch five or six balls. Really last week was just a chance for him to get the rust off and get in a game-type atmosphere, and hopefully his role will expand as we go on."

Was reading what Ken Griffey Jr. said about his future in the Chicago Sun-Times:

"I'm not retiring. I have things to do," Griffey said, already at 611 home runs and turning 39 next month.

But coming back to the Sox, his team of only two months?

"I'd like to come back," he said. "It was a great ride. A lot of fun. I've had more ups than downs. The city, the fans, it's been great for me. This team fought all year. They were fun to be around. We'll see what happens."

I'm just not sure where Griffey fits. His power numbers were way down, his defense isn't what it once was. Griffey hit .260 with three home runs and 18 RBIs in 41 games for the White Sox this season. Not that money is an issue, but he won't get much from anyone.

If Barry Bonds can't find a job, I'm not sure if Griffey will. Sure, Griffey has a carry-on compared to the baggage Bonds has to check, but Bonds produced when he played in 2007.

But, if Griffey still wants to play, someone will likely give him a chance, but I'm just no sure who it will be.

* Make sure you head over to Darkside's blog here on Lot D for a great story about Bengals' linebacker Darryl Blackstock. A really good story and one that's pretty impressive about Blackstock.

* Great news about Ball State receiver Dante Love, a Cincinnati native. Love suffered a neck injury but is "making great strides"

* The Bearcats get some love from the New York Times.

* The Times' Josh Katzowitz has some other good stuff about the Bearcats over on GoBearcats.com -- Tony Pike did some throwing yesterday, but Brian Kelly wasn't impressed. Chazz Anderson is going to be the QB -- for now.

* My favorite blog, Every Day Should Be Saturday, has an update from an Ohio State fan. Gold, my friends.

* If you have an iPhone, you've got to get MLB At-Bat. And it's on sale. I steal my girlfriend's iPhone all the time to check it out, my friends.

* Yet another great read from my favorite sportswriter, Joe Posnanski on being a sportswriter and why shows like Around the Horn suck.

* And as Posnanski gives you a realistic look at the life of a sportswriter, the least accurate look -- TBS's My Boys, is getting renewed. That's the worst show in the history of man. Yeah, my dad and sister won't watch hospital shows because they make them mad, but seriously, Grey's Anatomy is like a documentary compared to that crap, my friends.

* A Cincinnati native is going to be on Top Chef.

* The Onion's A.V. Club interviews one of my favorite stand-ups -- Patton Oswalt.

* Slate looks back at one of my favorite cheesey movies -- Red Dawn. I'm glad Alaska's keeping an eye on those Ruskies for us, my friends.

* Yep, MOJO HD is being cancelled. Suck.

 * Small bookstores are doing OK. That's good. What's your favorite local bookstore in town?

* Willie Anderson's Fatburger finally opened in Oakley. Just in time for his first start for the Ravens.

* Halle Berry the sexiest woman alive? Really? Now, not too shabby, that's for sure -- but sexiest woman alive? Really?