John Jackson is the only Bengals player who has been to the Super Bowl. He has played in as many postseason games, 13, as the number of years he has been in the league.

        Scott Mitchell, who has started three games for Cincinnati, has played in four playoff games.

        Jackson and Mitchell, both in their first seasons with the Bengals and both in the starting lineup Sunday against Jacksonville, are the two oldest players on the team and have a combined 23 seasons of NFL experience.

        They bring a fresh, veteran perspective to an organization that could be headed for its fifth 13-loss season in the past 10 years. Jackson and Mitchell, who both would like to return in 2001, have won. The Bengals haven't.

        “I'm surprised some of these guys aren't insane,” said Jackson, 35, who will start Sunday in place of Rod Jones at left tackle. “And I've only been here a year, and some of these guys have been here their whole career. You wonder why half of the team's not going to a psychologist.”

        The Bengals are 3-11. They've been outscored 329-161.

        “You can't get distracted or demoralized by what's going on out there,” said Mitchell, 32. “You just practice hard and play hard. It's not like a big secret.”

        But how to win games may as well be a secret in Cincinnati.

        “It's been really hard this year, because I can see guys have a lot of potential, but potential doesn't mean jack if you don't execute,” said Jackson, who hasn't played since aggravating a hamstring injury Nov.12 in Dallas. “There's been opportunities for us to win around here, but if you don't execute, you don't win.

        “If I wrote a book, this team would have a whole half of the book. There are so many intangibles that guys have to learn. You have to learn to respect each other before you can play with each other. There are so many things that have to be done. Everybody keeps talking about the big picture, but it's the little things that have to be addressed.”

        Only eight Bengals have played in the postseason, all elsewhere, including Jackson and Mitchell. Dozens of Bengals have spent their entire careers in Cincinnati.

        The only thing many of the team's best players know in the NFL is losing. Willie Anderson is 25-53. Corey Dillon is 17-45. Takeo Spikes is 10-36. They've never sniffed the postseason but play hard every week. They are potential Pro Bowlers.

        Does losing beat down players emotionally?

        “I'm sure that plays into their mindset sometimes,” said Mitchell, who played in the postseason for Miami and Detroit. “You hear comments from time to time. But I think: "Gosh, I've been to other places. But, really, this isn't hell.' I mean, it's no fun not to win.”

        The Bengals started the season, as they often do, as one of the youngest teams in the NFL. They were second youngest with an average age of 25.7 years. They had five players 30 or older; the NFL average was 9.7 players 30 or older.

        Are the Bengals too young and inexperienced?

        “You had better grow up, because this is not acceptable,” Jackson said. “There's a lot still to be done, even with just two games left. I don't know what guys are thinking, but my thing is you've got to be a professional and you've got to act accordingly.

        “You've got to work hard. I think guys are taking it serious, but there's a level you have to take this game at. It all boils down to a lack of discipline as far as using the proper technique, being fundamentally tough, mentally and physically.”

        Sunday's game, a 35-3 loss at Tennessee, was a reality check for the Bengals, who had defeated Arizona the week before.

        “The Titans didn't give a damn who we were,” said Jackson, a Woodward High School graduate whose wealth of postseason experience came with the Stee lers. “They saw a chance to rub it in our face in the fourth quarter, and they did. They were still throwing bombs in the fourth quarter. They did what any championship team would do. If you see somebody on the ground, you break their neck.

        “I don't feel upset about it. It's what you expect. You see somebody's throat, you cut it. Hopefully some guys learned from it.”

        Mitchell and Jackson like the direction coach Dick LeBeau has taken the team in 11 games. LeBeau was promoted after Game 3, when Bruce Coslet resigned.

        “He needs more than 13 games,” Jackson said of LeBeau. “I hope Dick does get the job (permanently). He has been put in a situation most guys wouldn't want to be in. But he stepped up to the challenge. He's done a great job. There are some things he has to do in the offseason.

        “It still is Bruce's team. These are all the people Bruce put together. I don't think (LeBeau) has his stamp on it yet. The philosophy has changed. He demands a certain way of doing things.”

        Said Mitchell: “I really believe a lot of what Coach LeBeau says about winning and how you go about winning. I believe it's your attitude. It's the way you prepare. It's the way you practice. I think he sensed that wasn't here when he took over, and I think that's one thing he's tried to influence.”

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