Last week several Bengals veterans worked out in Mason as a way to stay in shape. With the lockout, players are unable to head to the stadium and workout to stay in shape this offseason, forcing them to do it on their own. According to Joe Reedy, Jerome Simpson, Tank Johnson, Domata Peko and Rey Maualuga worked out at Ignition with former Bengals strength and conditioning coach Clif Marshall.

Simpson is largely featured in the story because of the impressive determination in the wide receiver to become the team's best player.

“(Over the last three games) I got the show the world what I could do. I feel like I could have been doing that from the beginning but there’s a reason why everything transpired like it did. I just took it in stride. It springboarded me to the offseason to keep working hard and just keep that faith that I can do anything that I want as long as I keep working.”

Simpson isn't finished. According to Joe Reedy, quarterbacks Dan LeFevour and Jordan Palmer will be working out with Simpson and the rest of the Bengals receivers in Southern California. We've written that Carson Palmer's demand for a trade, along with the player lockout could benefit LeFevour, who is largely considered a wild card in the quarterback debate, provided he takes a major step forward in leadership.

As a side note, we wonder if this includes Chad Ochocinco.