This combination has clicked

FOXBOROUGH - Visitors to the Patriots locker room last week caught a behind-the-scenes glimpse of something that apparently has become routine: Quarterback Tom Brady and receiver Randy Moss sitting side by side, locked in conversation.

While the two have developed an immediate chemistry on the field through three games - only one of the 23 passes Brady has thrown to Moss has been incomplete - they've also developed a rapport off the field, which is helped by the fact Moss's locker is next to Brady's.

While Moss hasn't spoken with the New England media since his dynamic debut Sept. 9 in New York, his agent, Tim DiPiero, said yesterday that Moss feels fortunate to be playing not only with Brady, but a strong all-around cast.

"Randy's relationship with Tom is great; they've clicked on and off the field, and it's amazing in such a short time that they seem to have brought out the best in each other," DiPiero said. "Still, without the offensive line, the running backs, tight ends, and other receivers, their early achievements and the success of the offense wouldn't be the same, and that's the thing - Randy appreciated and bought into the Patriot Way, the notion that hard work is mandatory and that the team comes first, which is constantly stressed by the coaches and acted out by the veterans from Day 1.

"The team has had a great start and it's been great fun watching them, but he also knows tough games lie ahead. To Randy, winning, not individual stats, has always been what's important. He knows all too well that nothing significant has been accomplished yet."

Still, Moss's electric start - 22 receptions, 403 yards, 5 touchdowns - has generated a buzz among the fan base. On the popular Patsfans.com message board, the question already has been posed whether Moss is going to command too much money after his deal expires following the 2007 season.

When the Patriots acquired Moss in April, he had two years remaining on his contract and was scheduled to earn $21 million over the 2007-08 seasons. But he agreed to a restructured contract - a one-year, $2.5 million deal that included a $500,000 roster bonus and $2 million in incentives - to consummate the trade.

According to the NFL's collective bargaining agreement, a player cannot renegotiate his contract more than once in a one-year period if it will cause an increase in his salary. So in Moss's case, if he hoped to sign an extension that would increase his salary, it would have to come after the season.

No calls, please

Through three games, the Patriots have been flagged for just 12 accepted penalties, tied for the sixth fewest in the NFL, and one of the key factors in their success has been avoiding infractions on special teams.

Of the 12 penalties, only one has come in the kicking game, when Willie Andrews was flagged for an illegal touch in the season opener (he ran out of bounds on a punt and was the first to touch the ball).

Tight end Benjamin Watson is the only player to be flagged more than once, as he has an offensive holding and a false start on his résumé. But Watson has played 154 of a possible 195 snaps through three games - the highest total of any skill-position player on offense other than Brady - so he's been in position to be called for more flags.

Banged-up Bengal

With the Patriots set to face the Bengals (1-2) Monday night, the status of Cincinnati running back Rudi Johnson figures to be a hot topic. Johnson left the Bengals' 24-21 loss to the Seahawks Sunday with a hamstring strain, and coach Marvin Lewis said yesterday he was unsure whether Johnson would be available this week.

Johnson had been limited to 9 yards on 17 carries before leaving the game in the third quarter. If he can't play, the Bengals will turn to six-year veteran Kenny Watson, who had 60 yards on nine rushes Sunday, including an 8-yard touchdown. The 6-foot, 218-pound Watson has been the Bengals' third-down back. Cincinnati also signed free agent running back DeDe Dorsey yesterday.

Cincinnati opened a roster spot by waiving rookie running back and ex-Harvard star Clifton Dawson, who was claimed off waivers from the Colts Sept. 2. Dawson played on special teams the last two games.

Injuries have been a problem for the Bengals, who opened the year with a 27-20 win over the Ravens before dropping back-to-back games against the Browns and Seahawks. They gave up an embarrassing 51 points in the Week 2 loss to the Browns, partially a result of new personnel at linebacker and safety, which also has hurt special teams.

A team possessed

The Patriots are holding the ball more than any NFL club, an average of 34:25 through three games. With the Steelers (34:21), Ravens (33:43), Cowboys (32:47), and Titans (33:25) rounding out the top five, it reflects the importance of possession, as those teams have a combined 13-2 record . . . When Adalius Thomas entered free agency in the offseason, he didn't wait for teams to call him; he had his representatives make calls to clubs he would consider joining. In an interview in the September/October issue of Varsity Magazine, Thomas said one of those clubs was the Redskins but "they didn't bite." . . . Brady is averaging 10.08 yards per pass attempt; over the first seven years of his career, his average was 7.04, a major jump that shows how the team's offense has become more vertical . . . Stephen Gostkowski already has kicked off 21 times and has shown a strong leg, as 12 of those have carried into the end zone (four touchbacks). Gostkowski was fifth in the AFC last year with 12 touchbacks.

Roster moves

The Patriots signed cornerback Antwain Spann to the practice squad and released defensive back Gemara Williams from the practice squad . . . Practice squad tight end Jason Rader was placed on injured reserve . . . The Patriots worked out free agent defensive backs Therrian Fontenot, Dee McCann, DeMario Minter, and Tim Mixon at Gillette Stadium Monday, and had guard Andrew Hoffman and receiver Julius McClellan in for workouts yesterday. The team also hosted rookie offensive lineman Corey Hilliard, whom it selected in the sixth round but eventually released.