Ask Mark

        Bengals fans have a wish list that features some big names and big salaries.

        Question, from Joel in Chicago: If Shannon Sharpe is released by Baltimore, would the Bengals entertain signing him? He is a great talent and has a big mouth and would have an impact on the Bengals on several levels. He could help bring along (Sean) Brewer and bring a win-at-all-costs attitude to the locker room.

        Answer: You make some good points. Sharpe would be a dynamic addition. But he appears to be headed back to Denver, once the Ravens release him, to reunite with coach Mike Shanahan.

        A more likely addition would be Pro Bowl tight end Ken Dilger, a salary-cap casualty with Indianapolis. He would have made $1.64 million in 2002 but was expendable because the Colts invested heavily in Marcus Pollard.

        Tony McGee, bypassed by the Houston Texans in the expansion draft, is again No.1 on the Bengals' depth chart. There are high hopes Brewer can develop as a receiver after he missed his rookie season because of injury. Then there's Nick Williams, a converted fullback who made a fine adjustment to H-back last year.

        Q, from Rick in Vandalia: Do you think Mark Brunell could become available, and, if so, do you think the Bengals should pursue him more than (Drew) Bledsoe and (Trent) Dilfer?

        A: After the Jaguars shed about $16 million in the expansion draft (Tony Boselli, Gary Walker and Seth Payne), indications are they will rebuild around Brunell. That's a smart move.

        Q, from RC in Fargo, N.D.: I was as critical of Neil Rackers as anybody this past season. However, Kris Brown's struggles received much more press because of his wealth of opportunities and the success of (the Steelers). We have heard how kickers in general struggle at (Pittsburgh's) Heinz Field. How did opposing kickers fare at Paul Brown Stadium?

        A: Rackers was 11-of-18 (61.1 percent) on field goal attempts last season at home. Opposing kickers were 9-of-13 (69.2 percent).

        Q, from Albert in New York: I may be the only die-hard Bengals fan in NYC. Do you think Akili Smith was a bad choice, or will he become as good as Donovan McNabb?

        A: Based strictly on production, clearly McNabb has been a better choice in their first three seasons. Two of Smith's seasons have ended in injury; McNabb has been in the playoffs twice.

        Smith is recovering from a hamstring tear and surgery, and the Bengals worry he won't be ready to compete in training camp. Thus the interest in a free agent quarterback, most likely Dilfer. Smith showed maturity and decisiveness in his quarter against the Jets before getting hurt.

        Q, from Gregory in Kettering: My question is about Peter Warrick. We have seen rookies contribute greatly to the wide receiver position last year (Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh). Although Warrick has done relatively well in the last two seasons, why hasn't he flourished like the others have in a shorter time? Is it a lack of work ethic, or do his skills transfer poorly from college to pro?

        A: I would argue Warrick contributed a great deal more in his rookie season (51 receptions, seven total touchdowns) than Johnson or Houshmandzadeh did as rookies. Warrick was moved to the slot, which brought shorter, quick routes over the middle, and he ended up with 70 catches.

        Coaches say there is nothing wrong with Warrick's work habits. In fact, he came into camp in better shape for his second season, having worked with a personal trainer and dietitian in the offseason. Chalk up 2001 to growing pains for the entire offense, primarily the pass game.

        Warrick should have an even better third season. Some fans are angry that the Bengals turned Warrick into the league's smallest tight end.

        Q, from Sid in Chicago: When you say it's “unlikely” that Bledsoe will be a Bengal, do you mean it's unlikely that he'll accept a trade to Cincinnati, or unlikely the Bengals will be willing to do what it takes to get him? If it's the latter, that boggles the mind, because Mike Brown always talks about how important the QB position is, and Bledsoe is far better than anyone we've had since Boomer's (Esiason) second stint. Signing Dilfer, even though he's been decent, would be this year's version of (Jon) Kitna, Scott Mitchell, Neil O'Donnell, etc.

        For a team that has a solid defense, a great running back, a good offensive line, and which just needs a good quarterback, this seems like a no-brainer. So what exactly are you saying is “unlikely?”

        A: Good question. Nobody but Mike Brown and the people closest to him know what he's thinking. But my take on the situation is, Bledsoe probably wouldn't want to come to Cincinnati, because he would appear to have a chance to win sooner in Chicago, Washington or Seattle. Again, nobody's saying this, but I think Bledsoe's price would be too high for the Bengals in a trade. Giving up linebackers Takeo Spikes or Brian Simmons and/or three high draft choices this year and next would be a lot. Read on.

        Q, from Jay in Beavercreek: Would somebody please put these Bledsoe rumors to rest? Peter King (of Sports Illustrated) recently said that Bledsoe and his agent would be allowed to list teams he can be traded to. Bledsoe and his agent both believe that Cincinnati has no hope of winning. Bledsoe and the Patriots owner (Robert Kraft) have a great relationship, and they won't trade Drew somewhere he doesn't want to go.

        A: There, you just put the rumors to rest.

        Q, from JJ in New York: I believe that we need to get Bledsoe for confidence sake. He will bring a winner's mentality (he has been to the Super Bowl twice) and show free agents that the Bengals are for real. Getting Bledsoe works two-fold: We are trading from a strength. It (would) hurt to lose Simmons or Spikes, but we can replace one of them with Adrian Ross, who's a starter in the waiting. Anytime you have the ability to acquire a franchise quarterback, you need to take that risk. Get Bledsoe, and we'll forget the last 10 years.

        A: Brown has told me he reads this Q&A regularly. So he just saw what you had to say.

        Q, from Bill in Rochester, N.Y.: I really like the idea of the Bengals getting Dilfer or Bledsoe, but I do have some doubts. It seems to me that the offense really came together near the end of the season, and it wouldn't make much sense to take that apart and have a new quarterback learn a new system. It would be like starting off at Square 1 again. If Kitna can consistently play like he did near the end of the season, I see no reason to bring in another QB. What are your thoughts?

        A: I have consistently said (and it appears to enrage some readers; see below) Kitna shouldn't be counted out. He had 751 yards passing the final two games and twice rallied the Bengals from 14-0 deficits primarily through the air. He does know coordinator Bob Bratkowski's offense, and the receivers finally caught up with his knowledge at the end of the season.

        Q, from Mark in Virginia Beach, Va.: Will you stop acting like Kitna's last two games make him out to be the Bengals' savior? He still looked like absolute (junk). How many extremely underthrown, overthrown, barely thrown and softly thrown passes did he get away with? He got lucky with a lot of (yards after catch), and he looked pathetic. Yeah, the final yardage added up to more than usual. But he is still frustrating to watch, and when the game is on the line, and the Bengals have a chance to score to win, you can always count on him to throw two interceptions.

        A: So, you see, Bill in Rochester, N.Y., that some of your fellow Bengals enthusiasts don't share your opinion or mine that Kitna deserves another serious look.

        Mark Curnutte covers the Bengals for the Enquirer. He can be reached here.
       

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