Jon Kitna, Scott Mitchell and Akili Smith didn't make Dick LeBeau's decision any easier.

        Each of the Bengals' quarterbacks looked good at times in the first three preseason games, when each quarterback auditioned with a start. But each quarterback played poorly at other times, and nobody clearly won the job on LeBeau's five-week timetable.

PROS AND CONS

The cases for and against:   JON KITNA   • Stats: 26-for-53 passing, 215 yards, one TD, one interception.   • For: Most experience in new offense. Has thrown only one interception in 53 preseason pass attempts, erasing a big knock against him. Slightly stronger arm, more mobile than Scott Mitchell.   • Against: Only 13 points in five preseason quarters. Fumble-prone. Sacked five times.   SCOTT MITCHELL • • Stats: 22-for-42 passing, 250 yards, one TD, three interceptions.   • For: Command of offense as good as Kitna's. Highly respected by teammates. In best physical condition of three QBs. Led offense to 30 points in six preseason quarters.   • Against: Questionable arm strength on deep out patterns. Has thrown three interceptions. Took sack for safety against Bills.   AKILI SMITH   • Stats: 7-for-12 passing, 122 yards, no touchdowns or interceptions.   • For: Best athlete of three. Best runner with best arm. Wants to redeem himself for last season. Doesn't throw interceptions.   • Against: Tendinitis in right shoulder has prevented throwing in past two weeks. Less decisive in pocket than Kitna or Mitchell. Too willing to run from pocket. Accuracy is questionable.

        LeBeau probably will announce his choice today. And that quarterback will get the start in Thursday night's preseason finale against Indianapolis and will begin the regular season Sept.9 as the starter.

        Smith was all but removed from the race by an untimely bout with tendinitis in his throwing shoulder. He has not practiced since playing the first quarter and a half in the second preseason game Aug.10 at Detroit.

        Mitchell had a chance to win the job in Saturday night's loss to Buffalo. While he was sharp on the opening drive, he threw two interceptions and was sacked for a safety during his 97-yard passing effort. Receivers Peter Warrick and Darnay Scott dropped two passes each, including one Scott let bounce off his hands in the end zone.

        Kitna was unspectacular in the second half, going 12-for-24 passing with 111 yards but failing to generate points on six possessions, including four drives against Buffalo's backup defenders.

        Kitna, who led the league with 17 fumbles a year ago, fumbled twice and lost one.

        All things being relatively equal between Mitchell and Kitna, look for the job to go to Kitna. He was a high-priced free agent signee, and despite LeBeau's sincerity and fair training camp competition, the job all along appeared to be Kitna's to lose and Mitchell's or Smith's to win.

        Another consideration: How much organizational pressure will be put on LeBeau? He carries himself with a confident air of autonomy. But does the Bengals' front office really want Kitna's $4 million signing bonus sitting on the bench beside the $10.8 million they gave Smith for writing his name two years ago? Mitchell is a one-year bargain at $800,000.

        LeBeau appeared almost pained by the choice he faced after Saturday night's quarterback performances in the 20-10 loss to Buffalo. Should he have named his starter coming into camp?

        “You can always say I could've or should've, but I always spend a lot of time thinking about what we do and the decisions I make,” LeBeau said. “I make them to the best of my ability. It lets you live comfortably with what you do when you go through the thought process and preparation necessary.”

        He will make his decision and look forward to getting his starter the majority of practice snaps with the first-team offense. The countdown to the opener is 13 days.

        He has to be wishing Mitchell or Kitna would have “lit it up for 35 points,” as LeBeau said. The choice would have been an easier one.

        Smith, who tried unsuccessfully to throw early Saturday, saw the Buffalo game as one that let him back into the race, even if his chance to start comes later.

        “They struggled out there today,” Smith said after the game. “A few times, the receivers messed up on them. After evaluating the film, we'll see what the coaches think. If they think Mitchell or Kitna did a good enough job, so be it. I'll be ready to play.”

        Smith is pointing urgently toward Thursday's game against the Colts.

        “I have to find a way to get myself on the field, no matter what (trainers) say,” he said. “I'm playing next week, even if they have a starter.”

        The normally media-friendly Mitchell showered and left quickly after the game.

        In the re-arranged Bengals locker room, Mitchell's and Kitna's lockers are next to one another.

        But Kitna answered every question, alluding to the strain the quarterback competition might have put on the three participants. He found a victory in his ability to concentrate in spite of the distraction.

        “It's just so hard when you're not winning and you're kind of fighting for a job to keep in mind that you just have to execute the offense and not try to force the big play, and tonight I felt like I was really able to do that,” Kitna said.

        “It obviously wasn't enough, but that's all you can do.”

Bengals-Bills game report

Signs point to Kitna as starting QB Manning to sit vs. Bengals

Reds 17, Expos 4
Dunn breaks slump with big weekend
Hamilton close to joining Reds
Reds box, runs
Prep football page
DAUGHERTY: NFL offer to refs is fair
Xavier wants answer from guard

• Return to Bengals front page...