Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga wants to be more of a leader on and off the field this coming season. Maualuga posted 75 tackles, one sack and a pair of interceptions for the 4-12 Bengals in 2010. However, Cincinnati defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer characterized Maualuga's sophomore season as "extremely average." "Now is my time to step it up and prove people wrong," Maualuga said in response. "I can't be some random dude walking around the locker rooms anymore." He is preparing for a move to middle linebacker. "I need to start becoming a leader and the person I want to be, and then everything will fall into place. I can't sit here and wait," Maualuga said. "It's my third year in, and it's time to step it up, wake up and play. Things don't get handed to you, you have to grab it."