Neither Mike Brown nor Dick LeBeau would discuss possible changes to the Bengals coaching staff Wednesday, saying those conversations would take place after the final game Sunday at Philadelphia.

        This much is sure. There will be changes, especially on offense. The Bengals are 29th of 31 NFL teams in total offense, 30th in points scored and last in passing. The Bengals need to score 10 points Sunday in Philadelphia to avoid being the lowest scoring Cincinnati team since the schedule was expanded to 16 games in 1978.

        Statistics don't lie. Offensive coordinator Ken Anderson reportedly is the assistant skating on the thinnest ice, but the former franchise quarterback is a favorite of team president Brown.

        Anderson is the team's de facto quarterbacks coach, and one of the season's greatest disappointments is the failure of second-year quarterback Akili Smith to develop the way other Class of 1999 quarterbacks — namely Donovan McNabb and Daunte Culpepper - have.

        In losing his job to veteran journeyman Scott Mitchell, Smith also appears to have lost his confidence.

        “That's something that we're going to review and talk about after the conclusion of the season,” Brown said of the staff.

        LeBeau had high praise for his assistant coaches.

        “I'm proud of the way our staff has worked through this thing,” he said. “And they've done a good job.”

        The staff is filled with assistants who have no other NFL coaching experience besides with the Bengals. But the question burns: What has contributed more to the Bengals' losing records, coaching or lack of talent?

        Ken Anderson's first and only coaching experience is with the Bengals. Defensive line coach Tim Krumrie, a former Bengals great, has coached nowhere but in Cincinnati. Tight ends coach Frank Verducci and wide receivers coach Steve Mooshagian are in their first NFL jobs.

        Running backs coach Jim Anderson has coached with the Bengals since 1984.

        Offensive line coach Paul Alexander and defensive assistant Sigismondo Cioffi coached for former Bengals coach Coslet when he coached the Jets.

        Bengals linebackers coach Mark Duffner, who also has no other NFL experience, nonetheless was considered the only other in-house candidate besides LeBeau to replace Coslet.

        The Bengals have a vacancy on their staff because LeBeau, who was defensive coordinator, was promoted to head coach-defensive coordi nator. Coslet's spot, in essence, has not been filled.

        While LeBeau remained defensive coordinator, he mentioned several times that Duffner's responsibilities have increased. Duffner, whose players have consistently shown the most improvement of any position group on the team, is favored to be promoted to defensive coordinator.

        Brown said again Wednesday that his head coach has more authority than fans and observers realize. The current coaching staff is Coslet's.

        “We give the coach here a great deal of latitude,” Brown said. “I think it should be that way.”
       

Players get the man they wanted LeBeau staying as Bengals coach Assistants' fates in doubt DAUGHERTY: Good hire, Mike; now step aside SULLIVAN: LeBeau not obvious choice, just right one Dillon: LeBeau hiring a positive Sitting out hurts Scott

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