With the NFL lockout still receiving attention, the Cincinnati Bengals received some common sense, when running back Cedric Benson spoke out about quarterback Carson Palmer, who has stated that he has no future plans to play for the team.

Don't lock a man down whom you know won't be happy if he stays, Benson said. He's the quarterback. I looked up to him when he was there and I'm sure many of the other guys did. If he's there and not happy he's not going to give us his best, he's not going to give us that extra time in the film room and weight room because he's not happy. In a way we'll all kind of suffer for that. ... If he's not happy in Cincinnati, he's not going to have passion.

True words, but Benson kind of misses the point. Palmer wouldn't have little passion to play for the Bengals because he has already played his final down with the team.

Bengals' management needs to accept the truth, and trade Palmer. Yet, delusion still runs wild in Cincy.

If Palmer comes back he would be the starting QB and we would groom Andy [Dalton] to be the QB of the future, Lewis said.

There's no if. Palmer is gone. He put his Ohio home up for sale, and is adamant about leaving the organization. Palmer is financially secure and will only play for a team that is either a contender or in a warm climate.

What's particulary daunting for Cincinnati, is that if they maintain these delusions, and drag their feet in trading Palmer, he can simply retire, and thus make his stock nearly worthless.

That would be terrible for the Bengals, as Palmer can still receive some quality compensation as a veteran quarterback who still has a good arm.

When the lockout ends, the first order of business should be to trade Palmer.

With Kevin Kolb and Donovan McNabb on the trade block, it will be in the best interest for the Bengals to make sure they have made their quarterback available.

To receive no compensation for losing Palmer would be an embarrassing setback for the organization.

NFL National Football League Management