Bengals coach Marvin Lewis thought the comments he made about QB Andy Dalton and MLB Ray Maualuga were blown out of proportion. (US Presswire)

On Wednesday, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis spoke out at his press conference challenging QB Andy Dalton and Rey Maualuga to jump out of their skin as good guys and become leaders of the football team.

"We're looking for our quarterback and our middle linebacker to take hold of our football team,” Lewis said. “I think both guys are such good people, that you got to be a little bit of a dick.”

Lewis went on to say they both needed to "grab the team by the back of the neck and let's go."

The coach clarified his comments Friday, insisting too much was made of what he said. He saw his words as a positive rather than the idea it was taking his QB and MLB to task as was widely portrayed.

"Shame on me for saying anything," Lewis said. "Don't worry, I will never say anything again. Too much has been made of it that way. It's not critical of anybody. It wasn't meant to be critical. It's actually to say there is a belief in those guys to move forward. We have a great confidence in them that they can and bring their teammates with them."

Lewis, never one for making waves during a press conference in the first place, promises to tighten the filter going forward after the firestorm that erupted. His use of the genital expletive did not get his message across as he intended, but regardless, he's not interested in more frank assessments at the podium. 

Migraines end Dontay Moch's season: The Bengals selected Dontay Moch in the third round of the 2011 draft. He was placed on reserve injured/non-football illness list Friday. His season is over.

Moch was inactive all 16 games last season and suspended the first four games this year for violation of the league's substance abuse policy.

Migraines crept up at the end of last season and kept him off the practice field for the final month. This week they returned. Doctors don't know the root of them, but Lewis had to make a decision to avoid wasting a valuable roster spot with no answer in sight.

"It's a frustrating thing for he and I," Lewis said. "It's a shame."

The primary concern was that the migraines stemmed from stress over playing. Lewis said during Moch's suspension and inactive time there were no signs of the headaches. Yet, as soon as time came to play again, they returned.

"The frustration is hopefully not leading to the issues," Lewis said. "We don't have a great solution for it right now, but you can't count on a guy until that's resolved."

Moch played in one game in his first two seasons for a total of four defensive snaps.

Hard not to think of what could have been for Moch, a combine workout superstar. Who was selected four picks after him in 2011? LB Justin Houston out of Georgia. Playing the same position he's racked up 11.5 sacks in the same time Moch was active in one game. Peter King named Houston to his SI Midseason All-Pro team last week.

Follow Paul Dehner Jr. for Bengals updates on Twitter at @CBSBengals.