Ask Mark

        Bengals fans are frustrated by the team's inability to sign any free agents to fill holes at several positions.

        Question, from Matt in Phoenix: I'm a longtime Bengals fan from the Valley of the Sun. Why are the Bengals focused on signing (Artrell) Hawkins instead of Walt Harris, Duane Starks or Jeff Burris? Hawkins has never lived up to his potential, and he has had plenty of time to develop.

        Answer: Bengals officials say Hawkins is the best fit for their defense. He did have a respectable 2001 season with three interceptions. His tackling also improved. Harris has gone to Indianapolis. Starks is way too pricey. Burris could be the guy. The Bengals would like to see Burris and Hawkins as their starting cornerbacks in 2002.

        Q, from Paul in Columbus: I do not understand how this team cannot make a pitch for Drew Bledsoe. It makes no sense. You seem to steadfastly refuse to criticize anything that Mike Brown and his family do in running the team. You applaud them for their financial responsibility but fail to mention that they have not won in a decade. I think most intelligent fans and media would trade a few winning seasons and a playoff run for one or two years of being over the cap.

        This team has had three glaring holes for years: left tackle, cornerback and quarterback — three positions they must be solid at. The Bengals have been unable or unwilling to fill these holes. They did put a temporary bandage on the tackle position by signing Richmond Webb/John Jackson, but those guys are only a temporary fix. Don't you think there is a fundamental problem when a team goes that long without winning and solidifying those key positions?

        A: I didn't applaud the Bengals' handling of the salary cap. I answered a question last week from a reader who asked if I agreed with him that Brown had a solid understanding of the salary cap system. I said he did. And I wrote that the family's fiscal policy of not over-spending for free agents or busting the cap for a year a two is a source of anguish for many fans. Your reaction suggests I am correct on that point.

        I have asked Brown several times about Bledsoe, and because Bledsoe is under contract with New England, Brown, bound by NFL anti-tampering rules, can't comment. Maybe the inactivity in free agency after trying to sign Trent Dilfer and Elvis Grbac means Brown will try to trade for Bledsoe. But I can't say for sure. Brown is the only one who knows, and he isn't talking.

        Brown has tried to fill holes at all three positions you mentioned. He thought Rod Jones was the answer at left tackle before the 2000 season and signed him to a three-year, $9million deal. He has drafted two quarterbacks in the first round of the draft since 1992, but neither David Klingler nor Akili Smith has worked out, though the jury is still out on Smith. The Bengals also spent three consecutive second-round draft picks on cornerback — Hawkins (1998), Charles Fisher and Mark Roman.

        So perhaps the problem isn't awareness of the team's problems by management. Maybe the problem is talent evaluation. As for the past 11 years, I have the record 53-123 committed to memory because I have written it so frequently.

        Q, from Andre in California: Is there any indication the Bengals would have interest in Chris Chandler? He would seem to be good fit and would no doubt be cheaper and wouldn't come at the expense of young players via a trade (like Bledsoe).

        A: Chandler no longer appears to be of any interest to the Bengals.

        Q, from Lawrence in Columbus: When Brian Simmons was recovering from a knee injury during the 2000 season, Armegis Spearman stepped up and did a very decent job. If a trade for Bledsoe can be made (Simmons and a fourth-round pick), can the Bengals remain salary cap solvent and obtain a free agent cornerback/safety/tight end/defensive end?

        A: Spearman made the all-rookie team in 2000 and has recovered from the pectoral muscle that made him miss all of 2001. The Patriots haven't said what it will take to pry Bledsoe loose. Even without executing such a trade, the Bengals are having problems signing even one player at the positions you mentioned.

        Q, from Scott in Lexington: If the Bengals were to sign a veteran cornerback or spend a high pick on a corner, do you think Roman could add depth at safety? He has the size and speed, and I know some experts projected him a safety coming out of college.

        A: Roman did play free safety for three years at LSU before shifting to cornerback as a senior. The Bengals think he's too small, at 184 pounds, to play safety in the NFL.

        Q, from Jeff in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada: If the Bengals sign cornerbacks in free agency, would they draft a corner with the 10th pick? I'd like to see the Bengals pick safety Roy Williams at No. 10 if he's available. What do you think?

        A: As you know, Harris is going to Indianapolis. Hawkins has an offer from Pittsburgh. So Even if they are able to sign either Hawkins or Indianapolis free agent Jeff Burris, they'll probably use the 10th overall pick to take a cornerback -- either Quentin Jammer of Texas of Phillip Buchanon of Miami (Fla.), depending on who's available. But Williams is a great player.

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

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