Bengals coach Marvin Lewis wouldn’t elaborate on wide receiver Chad Ochocinco’s future in Cincinnati on Thursday, but he took exception to Ocho’s recent tweets wondering about joining the Patriots.
“Nobody was talking about him,” Lewis said via Bengals.com. “He [couldn’t] stand that. You want them to talk about you, win football games.”
(Yes, Lewis’ words were likely tongue in check. Yes, his words are true.)
Geoff Hobson of the Bengals.com writes that “everyone expects” a divorce with Ochocinco. We’ll take his word for it. We’ll also take Lewis’ word that he doesn’t want to completely change his offensive system with a possible lockout on the way.
“They’re clamoring for heads and I understand that,” Lewis said, via Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer. “Right now at this point I’m not ready to give them heads.”
It appears offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski will be back, with “minimal” staff changes likely on the way. Lewis said that he wants 2009 first round pick Andre Smith to play right tackle, not guard. Lewis also wants an identity on offense.
“What upsets me is I can’t tell who we are,” Lewis said. “My disappointment is I can’t tell you what we are. The key to offense is to be offensive and stay offensive. What we are is a big statement. It has to be all encompassing.”
We have a feeling Ochocinco will find Lewis’ comments offensive. Again.