Bengals safety Chris Crocker, however, was not one of them.

Crocker told the team’s official website that he’s happy Ward called it quits because he “tried to end people’s careers and that’s not the way the game is supposed to be played.”

In that respect, Crocker is referring to the blindside hit Ward put on Cincy’s Keith Rivers in 2008, which broke the linebacker’s jaw, ending his rookie year.

He also claimed Ward punched him in the face during a game in 2009.

“Stuff like that, it’s just not right,” Crocker said. “And I’m not the only guy that thinks it.”

Despite labeling him a “dirty player,” Crocker went on to praise Ward, suggesting the longtime Steeler deserves to have a spot in Canton.

“He’s probably the first receiver to make blocking such a big part of his game; he was an all-around receiver,” Crocker said. “He was a dirty player, but he made a lot of plays. They used him perfectly to suit his abilities and he was a big-time player for them. Some people might think of him as a borderline Hall of Famer, but I think the fact he helped them win two Super Bowls and all the things he did for that team make him deserving.”

While Ward certainly played a chippy game — doing so with a trademark smile on his face — he was arguably one of the better receivers of the last decade, and Pittsburgh likely wouldn’t have captured its fifth or sixth Lombardi Trophy without his assistance.

In a radio interview Tuesday, Benson, a free agent, revealed that the Bengals have yet to contact him, and doesn’t know where things are headed.

“I’m not sure. We haven’t had any talks about a new deal,” he said.

The veteran running back wasn’t so succinct regarding the next topic — offensive coordinator Jay Gruden. Benson went on to criticize the offense (basically, Gruden) for lacking an identity, which apparently last existed in a galaxy far, far away.

“We had a chance to establish an identity and we kind of got in our rhythm at times and there were times that were tough,” said Benson about the past season. “You can look at the statistics. We didn’t stick on what the offense was built on. When we had Carson and Chad we kept a strong identity in the run game and we kind of got away from it and didn’t let that part of the offense grow and bit the bullet on it a little bit.”

Benson is certainly entitled to his opinion, but it’s doubtful the Bengals even care at this point, as they’ll watch him try his luck on the open market. If they see fit, the team might even be able to get him back at the veterans minimum, assuming he draws little to no interest elsewhere.

After eeking out a 1,000-yard campaign in 2011, there figures to be a handful of teams who’ll kick the tires on the 29-year-old. But just in case they don’t, and you get lonely, Cedric, here’s a free tip: Call Reggie Wayne, he’ll know what to say.

Now, Jackson finds himself a member of Palmer’s previous employer.

Funny how the NFL works sometimes.

According to various reports, the Bengals hired Jackson an assistant special teams/secondary coach on Friday. He’ll reunite with Marvin Lewis, whom he worked under from 2004-06 as the team’s receivers coach.

It’s an odd fit for Jackson, who’s regarded around the league as one of the more creative offensive minds.

Though, after his season-ending press conference with the Raiders, in which he basically threw everyone — but himself — under the bus, it’s no surprise that he couldn’t land a better gig elsewhere.

He’ll probably try to re-surface as a coordinator next offseason, but it has to be disappointing for Jackson, going from a young, up-and-coming head coach on the rise to settling for a menial low-level assistant job.

That fall from grace couldn’t have been more steep for the 46-year-old.

After a successful 2011 campaign, one of the team’s defensive leaders helped perpetuate that stereotype.

According to FOX19 in Cincinnati, the manager of Luxe, a local-area bar, claims that he was injured by Rey Maualuga after the Bengals linebacker allegedly punched him during a fight last weekend.

Police are still investigating the incident, and Maualauga has not been charged for his supposed involvement. His agent, Gary Uberstine, refused to comment when reached by FOX19.

The 25-year-old Maualuga was a second-round pick by Cincy in 2009. He recorded 88 tackles, three forced fumbles, and an interception last season.

UPDATE: Police formally charged Maualuga with misdemeanor assault on Friday, the Associated Press reports. His arraignment is scheduled for February 17. Arrested for DUI two years ago, Maualuga’s latest incident could force the NFL to hand down punishment.

There’s more than a good chance that was the last we’ve seen of him in orange and black stripes.

Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports that Benson was “not pleased” with his role in the offense this past season, leading “many” to believe that he’s played his final snap in Cincy.

It seems Benson, an impending free agent, would agree with that sentiment.

“I don’t know what the future’s going to hold. You never know going into being a free agent, things like that,” said Benson, who signed a one-year deal during last training camp to remain with the team. “I don’t have any closed doors, so we’ll see what the future holds.”

Offensive coordinator Jay Gruden insisted on using Bernard Scott down the stretch, leading to Benson’s diminished production. Despite finishing with a 1,000+ yard campaign — his third in as many seasons — the seventh-year vet’s highest output of the year (125 yards) came all the way back in Week 1.

Reedy suggests that the Bengals could be in the market for his replacement this offseason, be it in free agency or via the draft. If they go the latter route with one of their two first-round selections, Alabama’s Trent Richardson and Miami’s Lamar Miller are two players that may be on their shortlist.

In either case, it’s likely time for Cincy to move on from Cedric.

Reportedly, Oakland has a certain someone in mind for the job, but need to work diligently if they’re going to get him off of his couch and into the Black Hole.

Yahoo! Sports’ Jason Cole, citing a team source, reports that the Raiders were “trying hard” Sunday night to trade for ‘retired’ Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer. The league’s trade deadline is Tuesday afternoon.

Although Cole’s source “highly doubts” Cincy owner Mike Brown would deal Palmer, Raiders coach Hue Jackson “hit the phones quickly” upon learning of Campbell’s prognosis, and could have an edge in landing Palmer considering his prior connections with the Bengals. Jackson was their wide receivers coach from 2004-2006.

The Palmer-Brown standoff was one of the most intriguing storylines earlier in the offseason, with the 31-year-old requesting a trade and threatening to never step foot onto Paul Brown Stadium again if he doesn’t get one. Brown hasn’t budged, even when Palmer supposedly asked again this week to be dealt.

Even if Brown were willing to move Palmer, Oakland might not have the proper ammunition to execute said trade. Cole threw around the idea of the Raiders offering a conditional third-round draft pick in 2013 that could escalate to a second or first-rounder, depending on Palmer’s performance.

However, in all probability, it’s inevitably a moot point. Brown seems entrenched in his stance, and certainly wouldn’t give up his biggest bargaining chip to another contending team in the AFC. At the end of the season, both squads could be battling for a wildcard spot and Palmer would love nothing more than to stick it to Brown.

Stranger things have definitely happened, though, so only the remaining time until the deadline will tell whether or not this comes to fruition. All things considered, the Raider faithful should not hold their breath.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Bengals signed Leon Hall to a four-year, $39 million extension Friday.

The deal, which include $14.1 million in guarantees, ensures he’s under the team’s control through 2015.

Cincy’s first-round pick in 2007, Hall has yet to miss a game for the Bengals, starting in 48 consecutive contests over the last three seasons. In his five-year career, Hall has recorded 258 tackles, 71 passes defensed, 18 interceptions, and five forced fumbles.

Although he is not mentioned in the same breath as Darrelle Revis or Nnamdi Asomugha, Hall is still one of the NFL’s best cover corners, and only 26-years-old.

He should continue to shine in Cincinnati’s secondary for the life of this contract.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Seahawks traded corner Kelly Jennings to the Bengals in exchange for defensive tackle Clinton McDonald.

Jennings, the ‘Hawks 2006 first-round pick, was a consistent member of Seattle’s secondary, starting all 16 games in every season but 2010 (14 games). He’s been bit of a disappointment considering his draft status, only recording two interceptions in his career, despite notching 47 pass breakups.

In Cincinnati, Jennings will step into the nickelback role with Jones on the shelf until midseason. He’ll play behind incumbent starters Leon Hall and Nate Clements, but doesn’t possess nearly the same athletic ability as the man he’s essentially replacing.

Jennings proved to be susceptible to the big play every now and then, so teams with deadly slot receivers will have a definite advantage in that department. Though, for $1.835 million — Jennings’ 2011 salary — they could’ve done worse in acquiring a fill-in.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Niners have traded Mays to the Bengals in exchange for an undisclosed draft selection. In other words, likely a late-round pick.

Nearly three weeks ago, San Francisco let it be known in a league-wide email that Mays was available for the right price. It took a little while, but the former USC Trojan eventually found an interested taker.

Mays, the 49th overall pick in 2010, was a highly-touted player in college, but showed little during his brief professional career, recording just 39 tackles and a forced fumble in 16 games last season.

He wasn’t a good fit under former coach Mike Singletary and the new regime — led by Jim Harbaugh — obviously didn’t want to be burdened with a player they weren’t going to include in the team’s future plans.

With the Bengals, Mays should stay put at safety — despite those who think he’d make a better linebacker — but won’t supplant Chris Crocker or Reggie Nelson as a starter any time soon.

According to ESPN’s John Clayton, the Pats acquired receiver Chad Ochocinco from the Bengals. The terms of the deal aren’t known, but Ochocinco has accepted a restructured three-year deal from New England.

Per Adam Schefter, Cincinnati will receive two late-round picks — one in 2012 and one in 2013 — as compensation.

Ocho, who was reportedly on a plane headed to Boston, was due to earn $6.35 million this season. The reworked contract was key in order for him to fit under the Patriots’ cap.

Long rumored to be on his way out of Cincy, the receiver formerly known as Chad Johnson gets his wish of joining Bill Belichick in Foxborough.

In the New England’s multi-faceted offense, Ochocinco could be lined up anywhere on the field. While he’s past his prime and not the receiver he once was, he can still get downfield and create mismatches for opposing defenses.

Despite critics who have bashed these two moves, the Patriots came away with two veteran players who can immediately help the team.