Ask Mark

        Readers want to talk about Bengals past and future.

        Question, from Eric in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada: It is hard to believe that Jim Kelly is in the (Pro Football) Hall of Fame but Ken Anderson is not. I guess Anderson needed to lose three more Super Bowls.

        Answer: Their numbers are comparable, considering Kelly played in a more pass-happy era.

        Completions: Kelly 2,874, Anderson 2,654. Yards: Kelly 35,467, Anderson 32,838. Touchdown passes: Kelly 237, Anderson 197. Each quarterback was named to four Pro Bowl teams. Anderson won four NFL passing titles, third-most behind Sammy Baugh and Steve Young. He also owns the season record for completion percentage, 70.55 in 1982.

        Anderson belongs in the Hall. So does former Bengals cornerback Ken Riley, whose 65 career interceptions are the most for any defensive back not enshrined. Riley returned five of those interceptions for touchdowns during a 15-year career.

        An unfortunate side effect of the Bengals' current streak of 11 consecutive nonwinning seasons is how it tarnishes anything related to the franchise, including some of its Hall- worthy players from the past. It's the same poor national reputation that keeps deserving current Bengals — Takeo Spikes, etc. — out of the Pro Bowl.

        Q, from Rick in Anderson Township: Do you think safety Roy Williams — who I feel would surely step right in as a starter — might be a wiser pick than a cornerback, who would probably play nickel or dime in his first year? I've heard that Williams is the only sure-fire impact defensive player in this draft.

        A: There are other players in that category, primarily cornerback Quentin Jammer of Texas and end Julius Peppers of North Carolina. Williams, an early-entry prospect from Oklahoma, is rated the top safety available. He hits like a linebacker and can play the ball.

        There's a sense among scouts that Jammer and Phillip Buchanon, another early-entry player from Miami (Fla.), could start immediately and play well.

        Q, from Travis in Bath, Ind.: What are the chances of the Bengals acquiring Drew Bledsoe from the Patriots this offseason? Is this something that the Bengals could do or that Mike Brown would even try?

        A: Brown can't talk about Bledsoe, because it would be tampering. Bledsoe is still under contract with the Patriots.

        But by all indications, the Bengals are interested. They're mentioned with the Bears, Broncos and Redskins as one of the four teams most interested in trading for Bledsoe. The Patriots appear to be inquiring about one of the Bengals' top linebackers, Spikes or Brian Simmons, in a trade.

        Q, from Doug in Lakeside Park, N.Y.: I was wondering about the chances of the Bengals being on a prime-time game. Personally, I am not totally sold on the “winning-gets-you-on-television” idea. Arizona, Cleveland, Dallas, Carolina, Kansas City and Buffalo all were on at one time or another this past season. I believe the Bengals have some marquee players such as Spikes and Corey Dillon. What are their chances of getting a Monday night or Sunday night game?

        A: Better than in recent years. The showing in the last two games, plus victories over the two most recent Super Bowl winners, Baltimore and New England, should help their cause. Dillon is an All-Star, and Spikes anchors the league's No. 9-ranked defense. A Browns-Bengals game would be a good Sunday night matchup.

        Q, from A.C.B. in Amelia: Why is everyone so concerned about drafting a quarterback when we have Scott Covington already? He has been in the system the same amount of time as Akili Smith (drafted the same year). During training camp, many players and coaches argued the point that he had a better grasp of the offense than any of the quarterbacks. Why can't they give him a chance in a preseason game?

        A: Brown has compared Covington to Dolphins starter Jay Fiedler, a former Bengal who never had the chance to show what he could do. Brown appears ready to give Covington a good look in training camp.

        Q, from Ken in Scranton, Pa.: I know my beloved Bengals are cheap, but what would it take to get Drew Bledsoe? I would give New England wide receiver Peter Warrick and our No. 1 pick in the draft. I really believe we are a quality quarterback away from the playoffs, and I think (Chad) Johnson or (T.J. Houshmandzadeh) could easily take over for Warrick. Plus, we could take a defensive back with the No. 2 pick.

        A: I'm not as down on Warrick as some people. After all, he had 70 receptions and took a ton of hard hits over the middle. He could really blossom this season after a year in coordinator Bob Bratkowski's offense.

        But you make a good point. You've got to give up something to get something you need. Bledsoe is a proven NFL star, and trading for him would send a shot across the league that says the Bengals are seriously committed to winning.

        Q, from Doug in Santa Monica, Calif.: What do you think the Bengals' record would be next year with Bledsoe at quarterback instead of this year's mediocre crew? I was 7 years old and living in Silverton when Greg Cook was under center for the Bengals.

        A: I admire the loyalty of Bengals fans who've had so little to cheer in the past decade. Depending on what the Bengals would have to give up, they'd probably be 9-7 with Bledsoe at quarterback. Say this much for Dick LeBeau: Since he took over, the Bengals' talent and depth have increased.

        Q, from Tony in Edgewood, Ky.: I think Tom Brady established himself as the Pats' future. So when do we see Bledsoe in stripes? I'm practically drooling thinking about him tossing balls to all those fast young receivers.

        A: Better buy a bib.

        Q, from Jeff in Fairfield: Do you see Mike Brown giving up control of the Bengals? It has been so painful to watch them lose year in and year out. Cincinnati deserves better.

        A: Mike Brown will give up control of the Bengals when he is no longer physically or mentally able to run the business.

        Some fans are looking forward to the day executive vice president Katie Blackburn — Brown's daughter and Bengals heir — takes over and hires a general manager. But don't hold your breath on either front. Brown isn't going anywhere any time soon, and Blackburn might not hire a GM.

        Again, I'm amazed and appreciate how much Bengals fans care about this team, given the past 11 years.

        Q, from Rich in Virginia Beach, Va.: How likely do you think it is that the Bengals will hire Gary Moeller in some capacity?

        A: With the hiring of safeties coach Darren Perry, the staff is filled. Tight ends coach Frank Verducci didn't pursue the offensive line job in Dallas, where he would have been reunited with former Bengals coach and new Cowboys offensive coordinator Bruce Coslet.

        Mark Curnutte covers the Bengals for the Enquirer. He can be reached on our Web site.
       

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