"Chad Ochocinco has been with Tom Brady a little more than a month. He's had the playbook in his hands and has watched countless game films to get a better idea of how the offense operates. He's worked his tail off.

And yet, it still doesn't seem like he's getting it when you've watched him during preseason games. He's not comfortable doing the one thing he does best: running routes. He's tense and tight, a crippling description for any receiver.

At his locker yesterday, Ochocinco struck a more optimistic tone than the previous week, saying he was getting better, but still offered words of caution.

"I think it's my third week. Let's be realistic," he said. "It's the highest levels of football. It's not easy."

In Cincinnati, it wasn't quite as taxing. The system was nothing like what Ochocinco is trying to learn and navigate here. The play-calling and expectations out of a receiver were much simpler. The task is much more daunting when you're a Patriot in the huddle with Brady."