Ask Mark

        Now that the Bengals have secured cornerbacks Artell Hawkins and Jeff Burris and defensive end Reinard Wilson, fans want to see former Colts tight end Ken Dilger sign with the Bengals.

        Question from Brad in Green Township, Craig in Indianapolis and Randall in Dallas, Texas: Do the Bengals have any money remaining under the salary cap to sign a tight end, Dilger, to strengthen that weak position?

        Answer: After the spending spree, the Bengals are about $4.5 million under the salary cap, and they say about $3.5 of that amount is reserved for the rookie pool.

        Bengals scouts say there are as many as six or seven tight ends in the draft who could start as rookies.

        Dilger would cost more than $1 million this coming season. The Bengals could make several moves to clear additional room for him by cutting loose some players after June 1, a move which allows teams to absorb the salary cap hit over the 2002 and 2003 seasons.

        Q, from Kelly in Louisville (formerly of Finneytown): What is the status of Sean Brewer? Has his injury cleared up? Has he worked out? What do the coaches say about his potential?

        A: Brewer said toward the end of last season that he could have played in September. He had a groin injury that put him on the Injured Reserve list in early September. The Bengals like Brewer's speed and pass-catching ability in the middle of the field.

        Q, from Brian in Berwick, Pa.: With the acquisitions of Burris and Hawkins, is it possible the Bengals may take a defensive end at No. 10.

        A: With Wilson back in the fold, it's unlikely the Bengals will take a defensive lineman in the first round.

        The Bengals have a lot of options, and the draft is deep at several positions -- cornerback, tight end and safety -- that will help the team. The Bengals first pick depends on who is taken in the first nine choices.

        If either of two cornerbacks, Quentin Jammer or Phillip Buchanon, are on the board, they'll be tough to pass up. So would safety Roy Williams of Oklahoma or tight end Jeremy Shockey of Miami (Fla.).

        Q, from Ben in Gainesville, Fla.: Would you explain what money is guaranteed in a player's contract? It seems like every year, high-cost players are cut in order for teams to get under the cap. Is the only guaranteed money the signing bonus?

        A: In general, yes, the only guaranteed money in a contract is the up-front signing bonus. That's why players and agents have pushed for more bonus money in recent years.

        But while the player receives the signing bonus up front, teams can write it off against the cap over the life of the contract. For example, in the case of Wilson, the former Florida State defensive lineman who will get $1 million for signing his three-year, $4.5 million contract with the Bengals, the club can spread the salary cap hit out at roughly $333,000 a year.

        Q, from Dan in Mount Adams: With all this talk about acquiring an experienced cornerback in free agency, do you think we are overlooking a great talent in Kevin Kaesviharn?

        He did tie Hawkins for the team lead with three interceptions. Could you imagine the possibilities of what he could do on the field for the Bengals coming out of camp and into the start of next season? Is Kaesviharn going to get a shot at the starting corner position, or will we never hear from this surprising athlete again?

        A: Yes, you will from him again, and he will compete in training camp for the starting job, even though Hawkins and Burris have the inside tracks. Kaesviharn was one of 2002's most pleasant surprises, and he's invaluable as a special teams player, too.

        If he doesn't start on defense, and if Rodney Heath is slow to recover from hamstring surgery (but don't ever count Heath out), Kaesviharn is likely to be the Bengals' nickel defensive back.

        Q, from Greg in Proctorville: I have been looking at several mock drafts, and some show Joey Harrington sliding past the Bengals (at No. 10 overall). Do you think the Bengals will let Harrington pass them if he is available when they draft?

        A: He would be difficult to pass up, given the Bengals inability to acquire a veteran quarterback in free agency. Harrington's value went up with his impressive Fiesta Bowl performance.

        Q, from Ray in Solway, Minn.: Wasn't a lot of the problem with Jon Kitna's touchdown-to-interception ratio the fact the Bengals were behind by two touchdowns much last year? Jake Plummer had the same kind of ratio in 2000, but turned it around nicely in 2001 when the Cardinals were in a lot more of the games. It is hard to manage a game when you are behind by 17 points.

        A: Kitna gets in trouble when he tries to ignite a lifeless offense by forcing passes. When the running game is working and the Bengals are ahead, tied or behind by no more than a touchdown, Kitna is a better quarterback (like most other QBs) than he is when the team is way behind.

        There were a lot of problems in the pass offense last season. Some of them, but not nearly all, were Kitna's responsibility. Look for a more productive pass offense this coming season, even with Kitna throwing to the same group of receivers.

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

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