Ask Mark

        Bengals fans want to know why the club has been moving slowly in free agency.

        Question, from Marques in Forest Park: The Bengals have had several players come in and visit the facilities, but every time I turn on (the television), I see that the players are signing with another team. Why can't the Bengals have a free agent visit and sign a contract?

Answer: It is frustrating for fans, because a number of the visiting players could have stepped in and started (tight ends Freddie Jones and Ken Dilger, cornerback Walt Harris, defensive ends Kenny Mixon and Renaldo Wynn).

        The Bengals have not offered the money some other teams have, apparently because they were holding some big dollars back in case they were able to land Drew Bledsoe in a trade from the Patriots. That hope now appears to be dead.

        The Bengals also don't want to overpay players in what they see as a soft market.

        Q, from Sam in Columbus: If the Bengals are intent on getting a tight end, what happens to (Tony) McGee? They have (Sean) Brewer, (Brad) St. Louis and (Nick) Williams? Someone has to go, don't you think?

A: McGee will stay, even as a backup, because he's the only one in the group who has produced as an NFL tight end. Brewer, last year's third-round draft pick, will get a long look because he was put on the injured reserve list and didn't get a chance to play.

        St.Louis, who was the long snapper before suffering a groin injury, will be challenged on special teams by Randy Chevrier. Williams has flexibility as a fullback. There will be serious competition at tight end in training camp.

        Q, from Craig in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada: What is wrong with getting huge free agents or trading for huge talent (Drew Bledsoe) that will definitely get them into the playoffs and maybe the Super Bowl in return for being over the salary cap for a couple of years?

A: The Brown family won't play games with the salary cap. Mike Brown has said going over only gets you in trouble sooner than later. It's his money, his business, and he can do what he wants with it.

        As for Bledsoe, sources close to the situation have told me that Bledsoe, through his agent, David Dunn, has told the Bengals he does not want to play in Cincinnati. So the Bengals have backed off, and they are pursuing other free agents — such as re-signing cornerback Artrell Hawkins, making a run at another of their own unrestricted free agents, defensive end Reinard Wilson, and trying to sign Indianapolis free agent cornerback Jeff Burris.

        Q, from Kurt in Hilliard: Why didn't the Bengals even make an offer to Jones? What tight ends are left that we should be interested in?

A: They did make an offer to Jones, but it was lower than what he got in Arizona. With Stephen Alexander signing in San Diego, former Colts tight end Dilger is the best one available in free agency. But the draft features five or six tight ends who are good enough to start as NFL rookies.

        Q, from Deron in Lima: Are any visiting free agents expressing concern about (Cincinnati) and its racial tensions?

A: No, the city's racial issues have not been discussed by any of the visiting free agents. Since the season ended, the only NFL player I've run across who has addressed race relations and the economic boycott is Corey Dillon.

        At the luncheon earlier this month announcing the creation of his charitable foundation, which will help inner city youths in Cincinnati, Dillon said he follows the news about race relations but, as a minority, has been treated well since he has lived in Greater Cincinnati.

        Dillon also said he understood his limitations in speaking about the issue but said how Cincinnati was his second home and that he wanted his foundation to be part of the solution.

        Q, from J.P. in Toronto: With Hawkins never proving anything in the NFL, do you think the Bengals will go with Phillip Buchanon, even if say a Wendell Bryant or Albert Haynesworth drop in the draft? Buchanon can return punts and that could also take the heat off Peter Warrick.

        A: Hawkins showed improvement between his third season and last year. Oakland and Pittsburgh were among the teams that made him offers in free agency. One corner's job is his to lose.

        Many draft experts consider Buchanon the best athlete in the draft, and he is a dynamic punt returner. What to do with the 10th overall pick is a tough call because there is depth at several positions, and it's difficult to tell what teams in front of the Bengals will do.

        Q, from Dwayne (Cincinnati native) in Phoenix: Why don't the Bengals give Akili Smith the opportunity to start at QB? It is obvious that Jon Kitna does not have the ability to start in the NFL.

        A: Well, the pass offense was better with Kitna last season than Smith the year before. The Bengals would like nothing more that to see Smith blossom into a productive NFL quarterback, and he will be given the chance depending on the health of his surgically repaired hamstring.

        Q, from Paul in Long Island, N.Y.: What do you think are the chances of the Bengals drafting the awesome safety, Roy Williams? Is there any chance of giving Jeff George or Chris Chandler a shot at QB? Would they take a gamble on Willie Roaf for a low draft pick? What free agents do you think they will sign, as the cream of the crop are gone? Do you feel that Wilson over-acheived during his final contract season and will return to being a dog?

        A: In order ... Williams would be hard to turn down at No. 10 overall. There's little chance of the Bengals signing Chandler and even less chance of them signing George. The Bengals already have a lot of age on the offensive line, and Roaf appears to be headed to Kansas City in a trade. I've already botched the question about free-agent signings, so with another chance, I'd say the Bengals will sign two ex-Colts, cornerback Jeff Burris and tight end Ken Dilger, in addition to keeping Wilson. As for Wilson, I think last season was not a fluke; he fills an important role as a speed pass rusher and is surrounded by a lot of talent.

        Q, from Bob in Huntington, W.Va. The latest news of Walt Harris signing with the Colts has sent me over the top. It is tough to be a faithful follower of the Bengals out in the hinterlands, where the Bengals used to be the most popular team. No more. The Steelers and now the Patriots (with Marshall University's own Troy Brown) have passed the sloth-like Bengals. Impeach Mike Brown! Everyone knows the Bengals have been bad at pass defense because of weak corners, so another failure leads me to conclude Brown isn't serious about improving his team and winning. I'm not about to root for Pittsburgh, so it's go Pats.

        A: Risking another outcry from the anti-Mike Brown segment of Bengals fans, I think the Bengals have moved slowly in free agency because they were trying to save salary cap room for more pressing needs, like Bledsoe's salary should they had been successful in trading for him. The Bengals also want to extend the contracts of linebackers Brian Simmons and Takeo Spikes.

        There will be another group of quality players cut after June 1, when teams can absorb their contracts in an additional salary cap year. The Bengals could be in a position to sign some free agents in June and have them in for the start of training camp.

        Q, from Gus in Oakland, Calif.: Do the Bengals have any intention of pursuing defensive end Joe Johnson (formerly of the Saints)? Why would they not aggresively try to sign a top talent like Johnson, who produces against the run and pass? This move would allow them to save money, in that they would not have to resign Wilson and could cut Vaughn Booker. Johnson presents the best of both Wilson and Booker. We would not lose anything against the run or pass.

        A: It appears Johnson has signed or will be signed by the Packers by the time this Q&A publishes.

        Q, from Brian in Boston: I'm a Patriots season ticket holder and live in Boston. As you can probably imagine everyone here has had one eye on Pedro Martinez's starts down in Fort Meyers, and the other eye is on where our second favorite son, Drew (Bledsoe), might be going.

        I read your article on how Drew has nixed a trade to the Bengals and a couple of us had a question for you: Why haven't any teams (including the Bengals) inquired about Tom Brady? He's a Super Bowl MVP with zero cap baggage, and the Pats have said they would entertain any offers for either Drew or Tom. If someone comes along and makes the right offer for Brady, I'm not sure the Pats would be too upset AAfalling back" on their three time Pro-Bowler.

        A: That's the first I heard about Brady being available. The talk in New Orleans, even before the Super Bowl, was the Patriots were going to reward Brady with a renegotiated contract and name him the starter. There's no denying the magical run Brady has had, but perhaps the Patriots are asking such a high price for Bledsoe to keep him around in case Brady encounters a sophomore jinx.

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

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