Brian Simmons pursues Drew Bledsoe. (Ernest Coleman photo) | ZOOM |

        Saturday's signing of defensive end Justin Smith could well bear fruit for this Bengals season. But the more likely boost comes from Brian Simmons.

        The fourth-year linebacker's return Sunday wasn't ballyhooed, but he's a key cog in the defense. He hadn't played a regular-season game since a year ago today, when he suffered a season-ending knee injury in an opening-day loss to Cleveland.

        “That meant a lot,” fellow linebacker Takeo Spikes said of Simmons' return. “The law firm is back.”

        The duo of Spikes and Simmons, which teammates used to joke sounded like a law firm, anchored the defense in 1998 and '99. They were drafted together in the first round in '98, Spikes leading the team in tackles as a rookie and Simmons holding that honor the following fall. The defense never recovered last fall from the loss of Simmons.

        “I had the four preseason games, so this didn't feel too strange,” Simmons said Sunday of his return. “But this was the regular season, so there was that extra excitement in the stands. And we got a win; that's what makes you feel good.”

        Simmons had four tackles Sunday. He said he is still trying to get his “game speed” back.

        “I'm getting into the flow, but I've got a ways to go to catch up to where I was before I got hurt,” he said.

        With Smith's signing, even more help could be coming. Spikes, the defensive captain, said players were energized by the news Saturday.

        “That's big. That's the final piece to our puzzle,” he said. “We're going to help him get up to speed.”

Bengals 23, Patriots 17 Bengals-Patriots statistics DAUGHERTY: Bengals take 'big step' SULLIVAN: Narrow stop has big meaning Kitna gets passing grade Scott catches up after lost season Defense welcomes Simmons Bengals report card Injured McNair may miss Bengals Replacement refs get few complaints Fans aflutter with optimism

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