DaytonDailyNews.com

CINCINNATI — Antwan Odom wouldn't use the "R" word — revenge — but he'd sure like to pay back his friends from Nashville.

The message to his former team, the Tennessee Titans, goes something like this: You let a good player get away. And it's marked "Special Delivery" for Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 14.

"Yeah, it's personal for me," said Odom, a 6-foot-5, 260-pound right defensive end who signed a five-year, $29.5 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals in March after four seasons with the Titans. "But it's personal for the whole team. We need to get this win."

Odom has been trash-talking with Titans stars Keith Bulluck and Kyle Vanden Bosch all week. What's Odom telling 'em?

"We're going to kick their butt," Odom said. "They're saying the same thing."

Odom, who sprained his left foot on the first day of training camp, was replaced as a starter by Frostee Rucker at Baltimore. Odom rotated in for about 20 plays and had one solo tackle.

"I thought I did OK, but I haven't had much practice," Odom said. "I've got to get back into the groove and get in my rhythm."

With Rucker nursing a foot injury, Odom will likely earn a starting berth against the Titans.

"He's got the speed, quickness and strength," Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer said. "Now he's got to turn it loose."

Odom registered 8.0 sacks in 2007, his breakout year, when he toiled in the shadows of his high-profile teammates.

"They have Albert Haynesworth and Kyle Vanden Bosch," Odom said. "I can't say anything bad about those guys. They're great players, Pro Bowlers. I just want to get my shine on, too."

Titans quarterback Kerry Collins is a pocket passer who lacks mobility — perfect prey for Odom.

"Antwan, when he is healthy, will live up to everyone's expectations," Titans head coach Jeff Fisher said. "He's very talented. He's a good run defender and a very good pass rusher. He's versatile. He can play from a two-point stance, a three-point stance. He has great lateral quickness. We had hoped to obviously keep him, but we know how those things unfold."

Next game

Who: Titans (1-0) at Bengals (0-1)

When: 1 p.m. Sunday

TV: CBS, Ch. 7 Radio: WTUE-FM (104.7)