TO, Ochocinco getting along great -- for now

CINCINNATI -- Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco are getting along great as teammates. No grousing, no sulking, no one-upmanship.

The Cincinnati Bengals see no reason why this pairing of diva receivers shouldn't stay that way.

When the Bengals signed Owens to a one-year deal at the start of training camp, the overriding question was how he would get along with Ochocinco, who is a close friend but craves the spotlight. So far, Ochocinco has gone out of his way to share it.

Ochocinco has dubbed the two of them Batman and Robin, embracing the subservient role of Boy Wonder. When the two of them took the field together for the first time, Ochocinco let the newcomer make a grand entrance, following several steps behind.

These cable reality show hosts seem to be hitting it off.

"We push each other without even saying it," Owens said. "Us having super powers, being super friends -- Batman and Robin -- it's that quiet confidence we have in each other, that quiet push we have for each other to get better."

In the locker room and on the field, it's noticeable.

The Bengals signed Owens looking as another deep threat to complement Ochocinco, who saw blanket coverages last season. After three preseason games, Owens is their leading receiver with nine catches for 108 yards. His 43-yard catch against Philadelphia last week was an example of what they'd been missing.

The Bengals finished 26th in passing last season, unable to throw the ball deep very often.

"That's an example of what we hope to keep pressing for and get," coach Marvin Lewis said. "We've got to get some vertical plays in, and we'll keep pushing to try to get some."

Ochocinco has only three catches for 33 yards, but doesn't seem to mind. His most notable moment was getting his helmet knocked off on a hard hit, resulting in an interception. He also changed his route during the 22-9 win over Philadelphia, resulting in another interception.

In the past, he might have been itching to get the ball more. Instead, he's been more interested in talking about this self-styled dynamic duo. He and Owens have adjacent lockers and dress the same for practice.

Quarterback Carson Palmer thinks that having T.O. is good for Ocho, who seems re-energized.

"Chad's really stepped up his game," Palmer said. "He looks as good now as he did all those years he was leading the AFC. And it makes sense. Chad's an extremely competitive guy and he doesn't want to be outshone. He doesn't want to be second fiddle to anybody. So he's worked his butt off. Bringing Terrell in has really catapulted his game to another level that not too many receivers can get to."

Ochocinco is still numero uno in the locker room, picking the music and mixing it up with teammates.

"He still comes in here, turns his music up loud and talks trash to the offensive line, talks trash to the defense," Palmer said. "Then he slaps a high-five or does a chest bump with the same guy he's been talking trash to. That hasn't changed.

"Chad's been Chad, the same Chad that guys on this team get annoyed with, but love at the same time. I like the Chad we're seeing now."

Owens is quieter. Much of his time has been spent trying to catch onto the new play book so that he and Ochocinco could be equals in the offense. His three-game receiving numbers suggest he's gotten it quickly.

"I was shocked he had it really day three or four of camp and has been very diligent in learning it and asking questions and watching film and wanting to be perfect every time," Palmer said. "I've never seen a guy learn an offense as fast as he has, any position."

Offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski recalled one day when Owens was held out of practice to rest, and the receiver went out to the field with his play book and studied.

"We were commenting as coaches that we're not sure any of us has ever seen that," Bratkowski said. "I don't think I have, and this will be my 19th year in the league."

Both receivers think their friendship and their longing for a championship will prevent any hard feelings from forming during the inevitable bad moments during the season -- those moments that have brought out their worst sides in the past.

"A lot of people are worried about the attitude and are we going to be able to coexist," Ochocinco said. "People have to understand: He and I are close friends off the field, with the same goal in mind. The ego thing and all that is set aside. We want to win, period. That window of opportunity for myself, that window of opportunity for him is closing.

"And if it's going to happen, this is the year for it to happen."