"If T.J. Houshmandzadeh's return to Cincinnati had happened last year, the excitement level would have been off the charts.

But when he arrives Sunday with the Baltimore Ravens, it will still elicit intrigue, especially since he plays for an AFC North rival.

While Houshmandzadeh is happy to face his old team, he is even more excited about going up against cornerbacks Johnathan Joseph and Leon Hall again.

"It's exciting because the Bengals are good. Period," Houshmandzadeh said Wednesday. "You're going against J-Joe, who I think is one of the top 6-7 corners in the league and you're going against Leon who is one of the top 10 ... and you're going against Pacman (Adam Jones) who can be one of the top corners in the league once he plays football."

Safety Chris Crocker is smart enough to know that they won't fall into the trap of talking a lot.

"TJ is very savvy and knows how to use his body especially between DBs. He looked like the old TJ (on Monday night)," Crocker said.

Houshmandzadeh said he was surprised by the way the Bengals performed in the 38-24 loss to New England but realizes that opening games can be deceiving. He complimented Joseph on his ability not to be caught up in any trash talk.

As for the cornerbacks' steady improvement, Houshmandzadeh credited experience and confidence playing in coordinator Mike Zimmer's scheme.

"They've played against the best, they go against the best in practice every day and that helps within itself," Houshmandzadeh said. "That was the big thing when I was there. They were going against me and Chad (Ochocinco). They come in with talent but then you go against good players it elevates your game."

There were some who wrote that the Bengals were considering bringing Houshmandzadeh back after he was released by Seattle on Sept. 4, but he said that was "never in consideration" because of the additions of Terrell Owens and Jordan Shipley.

Houshmandzadeh has an opinion about how the team could have saved money by signing him last year instead of investing in Laveranues Coles and Antonio Bryant, who cost more than $18 million.

"I think about that and tell Carson (Palmer) all the time," he said. "I'm just being honest with you. They could have saved a whole lot of money.""