After some of the things that Chad Ochocinco, wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals, said last weekend it is time for the Bengals offense to start concentrating on what they need to do to be efficient for 2009. The key to the Bengals offense is quarterback Carson Palmer coupled with new wide receiver Laveranues Coles. Chad, it is time for you to move over.

In Joe Reedy’s report in the Cincinnati Enquirer were comments made by Ochocinco that teammates would not want to hear. Ochocinco admitted that he basically mailed in the 2008 season and did nothing to prepare himself for the season. Last season Ochocinco only had 53 catches and 540 receiving yards.

NFP’s Michael Lombardi probably said it best in his Sunday Post column when he noted that Ochocinco’s comments had probably turned off all the teams in the league.

It’s hard to know what this guy’s story is. If I were in the locker room I sure would want an explanation. That is if he even shows up for the offseason workout. To state publicly that you didn’t even prepare for the upcoming season is laughable. As a professional athlete it is your job to prepare. When you just mail it in without preparing yourself, you are not only letting your teammates down, but your coaches, the entire organization and all of the fans of the city.

Ochocinco is old news, an old story. It is time for Palmer and his team to start focusing on the upcoming 2009 season. They will probably get some production out of Ochocinco, but why rely on it when you have the new addition of Coles who definitely has the potential to emerge as the number one receiver? It’s true that Ochocinco still does have enough talent to be productive at the NFL level. However if you are not doing the work or are refusing to work at your craft and game as well as your role on your team, then you need to step aside and get out of the team’s way.

There is no time in the NFL to wait for individuals who think that they deserve special treatment. Summer has arrived. It is time to work. Ochocinco may have once again mailed in his ticket for the upcoming 2009. I expect that Cole will take takeover the number one spot as Palmer’s first option.

The Bengals have a tough road ahead of them, having to compete against the Ravens and Steelers. The Bengals made some great additions to the team through the draft. Bringing in Coles might turn out to be the biggest addition now that it is clear how dedicated to the organization Ochocinco is.

Coles will almost surely put up good numbers in 09. He was quite productive in Washington under Joe Gibbs and Steve Spurrier. When he made his return to the New York Jets, he had no problem making plays.

He is older now and probably a step slower. However Coles still plays hard and plays hurt. He also dedicates himself to the upcoming season. He is one of the league’s tougher players.

Coles has also been in Cincinnati working out with Palmer. Quarterbacks and receivers do need time to develop their on the field relationship. This should result in productivity on fall Sundays. This is precisely what has been occurring this spring with Palmer and Coles.

Members of the offense don’t need to worry about Ochocinco. The comments he has made have clearly shown that he is not a reliable teammate and plays for his own good, not his team’s.

This fall Ochocinco will undoubtedly be in the lineup. He will give us all of the sound bites he thinks we want to hear. However, Palmer is healthy and he needs a reliable outside receiver if the Bengals are to have a chance of competing in their tough division. Look for Cole to emerge as that guy. No. 85 has let us know that he is not the right choice for the Bengals.