Mo Lewis Fires on Chad Johnson, Chad fires back, puts Palmer in the crossfire.

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http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/...on-Palmer.html

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NEW ORLEANS – When it comes to the future of the quarterback position with the Bengals, Marvin Lewis is firmly aware that it is going to be a challenge. The only certainty though is that Lewis isn’t letting Carson Palmer’s future be a hurdle.

Said Lewis on Tuesday morning during annual coaches breakfast at the league meetings: “It’s going to be important not to spin our wheels worrying about it and being paralyzed by it but to be proactive.”

Palmer and Lewis last spoke in early February. Even if they wanted to have a conversation now its not possible because of the league’s work stoppage.

When asked if he sensed a point during last season when Palmer’s frustration finally became too much, Lewis said that Palmer remained positive in conversations during the season. Lewis even noted that Palmer told him after the team lost to Pittsburgh in Week 9 to drop to 2-6 that the Bengals were going to run the table.

“He stuck to that mantra the entire way through,” Lewis said. “Guys get to points for different reasons. The fans shouldn’t worry about that. If he doesn’t want to do this then this is what we have to do. This is a 24/7 deal for all of us.

“A lot of things affect people all the time but the thing about it is there’s a great opportunity ahead and we’re going to seize the moment. One guy spoke with the owner of the football team and he was told where his stand is. Carson knew where things are going to be.”

Without Palmer, Lewis admitted that his options are scarce. Jordan Palmer and Dan Lefevour are on the roster but the Bengals would have to either draft someone, trade for a veteran or possibly both.

Even though receivers like A.J. Green and Julio Jones would be available when the Bengals go on the clock with the fourth overall pick, Lewis did say that quarterback is the more immediate need on offense. The question then becomes if they would consider Cam Newton or Blaine Gabbert to be the best value at that spot.

“I believe we have to get the right value at that pick. If it’s a quarterback or another player,” Lewis said. “We’re going to do our due diligence because right now because we’re going to take one of the first four players to come off the board.”

Lewis also did not rule out trading for a quarterback whenever the trading period does resume. If the Bengals though did have to start a rookie this season, Lewis does believe the club is in a better position right now compared to when they took Palmer with the first overall pick in 2003 in terms of attitude and what Lewis expects.

If the trading period does not begin though until after the April 28-30 draft, that still would not discourage Lewis from making a move.

“I think you do what’s best for the team for the next two years. You don’t worry about where the pick is in 2012, you do what you can to strengthen the team for ’11,” he said. Whatever move you make you make it not for one year, but for two, three years. I don’t buy that you wait until you know what the pick is. If you feel like you need to do it, you do it and 2012 takes care of itself.”

When it comes to the offense, Lewis continues to be impressed with the early work of Jay Gruden, who was at the University of Georgia’s pro day on Tuesday. Lewis even joked that Gruden might be able to come in and take snaps if need be.

Among the things that Lewis has liked about Gruden is that Gruden sees the game from the standpoint of a quarterback.

Among other matters that Lewis addressed:

• Even though he was listed as a tackle and guard on the offseason roster, there are no plans to shift Andre Smith to guard at this time. One reason for that is Lewis wants his guards to be more mobile, which Smith is not.

When asked if they put more of a premium on the position than the player two years ago, Lewis defended Smith’s selection.

“I still stand on the fact that Andre was warranted for the pick where he was and it hasn’t been great circumstances. We all share in that. I’m not going to blame it all on him, it’s certainly not all on us,” Lewis said. “We have to turn it around and get a positive out of it. The foot injury has been hard and the guy the way he played in ’09 I was feeling real good about it. Last year he wasn’t the same guy on the foot. He is trying to do everything he can to get his foot right.”

• On if there are any thoughts of trading Chad Ochocinco, Lewis stuck by his familiar line that Ochocinco is under contract and that they will continue to evaluate things moving forward.

“Obviously I’ve had a lot of time invested in Chad Johnson. He’s at a point in his life and career that hopefully he will continue to mature as a person and be a productive football player and person as he goes forward,” Lewis said.

Lewis though was less than complimentary when asked about Ochocinco’s tryout this week with Major League Soccer’s Sporting KC.

Said Lewis: “How does he do at anything? What has he ever done that he’s completed? What circle has he ever connected in any way?”

Ochocinco took exception to Lewis’ latest comments, retweeting two criticisms that an online columnist made about Lewis.

“Marvin Lewis won’t say anything bad about Carson Palmer, stays kissing his (butt) but disses Ochocinco daily,” Ochocinco re-tweeted. “Carson Palmer has given a big (go away) to Marvin Lewis, but Lewis steadily says how wonderful he is. Makes Lewis a hypocrite.”