"Chad Ochocinco knows he's going to be scrutinized. The wide receiver knows he's going to get an earful from Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and Bill O'Brien as he works to learn the Patriots' offense.

He knows he'll be judged by media and fans, who may think he is struggling to assimilate himself into a new system after a decade in Cincinnati.

And to everyone, he says: Bring it on. He wants the criticism from Brady and the coaches, and knows fans and reporters will have their opinions.

Ochocinco is harder on himself.

"I'm just nowhere near where I want to be. I'm my biggest critic anyway,'' he said yesterday. "Regardless of what you write, what you guys see - I'm the first to judge myself. I'm always aiming for perfection and one of those things about being here, about being in an organization like this, that prides itself on perfection and excellence, you know, I'm sort of putting the pressure on myself to be right and be perfect now. Not later.

"I'm trying to squeeze everything within a short time frame. And it's somewhat impossible but if I can aim to be as perfect as possible, I think I'll get up to speed.''"