Ask Mark

        Bengals fans are hoping the draft brings in the players who can help take the team the rest of the way to the playoffs.

        Question, from Gary in Liberty, Ind.: Have the Bengals talked anymore about trading down the 10th pick? If (North Carolina defensive end) Julius Peppers or (Texas cornerback) Quentin Jammer are not there, maybe the Bengals would be better off moving down to the low 20s and drafting tight end Daniel Graham (Colorado).

        Maybe the trade would bring them an extra second-round pick. Then the Bengals could use the two seconds on a combination of defensive end Dwight Freeney (Syracuse), offensive tackle Marc Colombo (Boston College), defensive tackle Eddie Freeman (UAB) or cornerback Roosevelt Williams (Tuskegee). I think even if we lose out on cornerback Phillip Buchanon (Miami) and safety Roy Williams (Oklahoma), we can still get Joseph Jefferson, a very physical corner out of Western Kentucky, in the third round. What do you think?

        Answer: I think just about anything is possible. The Bengals might trade down because the draft is deep at many positions where they need help.

        As for your suggested mix of players, who knows? All are ranked on draft boards. But the spirit of your question suggests that the Bengals could add needed depth by acquiring additional picks.

        My guess is they won't trade their 10th overall pick and that one of three players — Jammer, Williams or Buchanon — will be selected by the Bengals in the first round. A tight end is a possibility, too.

        Q, from Anthony in Orange County, Calif.: What is the deal with the Bengals never giving Scott Covington a chance to play? Do they see or know something that we, as Bengals fans, don't? He went to my high school and was a great player there and also great at Miami. I say give him a fair shot. What do you think?

        A: From what I'm hearing, Covington didn't help himself by not going to Europe to play this spring. But he will get a look in training camp. In the offseason, Bengals president Mike Brown said he wanted to see what all of the team's quarterbacks — including Covington — could do.

        Q, from Tony in Johnstown, Pa.: What is the status of Ron Dugans?

        A: Dugans went from potential cut in training camp last season to one of the team's most valuable players. A former high school safety, Dugans embraced a role on special teams and had 23 tackles. On offense, he had 28 receptions for a 9-yard average and caught two touchdowns and a two-point conversion.

        And in a season in which the quarterbacks and wide receivers had problems communicating on routes, Dugans was one of the receivers who knew where he was supposed to be and got there.

        Q, from Jeff in Lebanon: Don't you think the Bengals should step to the plate and work out a way to trade for Drew Bledsoe and let the fans know they are serious about winning? Do you think they could do this without hurting the core of the team?

        A: That rumor keeps circulating. Bledsoe might be stepping back from his wish not to be traded here because the market is not very good for his services. Still, the only way it would happen now is if the Patriots take a second- or third-round pick in the trade and if the Bengals are willing to shed payroll to make room for Bledsoe. Both are unlikely.

        Q, from Austin in New Orleans: With June 1 approaching when teams can release veterans to make room under the cap, especially if the Bledsoe deal is not dead, who are the most likely Bengals to face being released?

        A: Nothing against him as a player, but tight end Tony McGee has a $1.8 million salary cap number. Wide receiver Darnay Scott is another veteran who is backed up by several younger and less expensive players.

        Q, from Dave in Hamilton: If the Bengals cut McGee, would that create enough cap room to sign (Colts free agent tight end Ken) Dilger?

        A: The Bengals could find a way to get that done. Offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski has said in the offseason that the Bengals “desperately” need to improve their production at tight end.

        Q, from Kurt in Elkhart, Ind.: Wouldn't the perfect trade be Scott for Bledsoe? It would help both teams' cap number, and the Bengals would still have five wideouts that are all going to get better next year.

        A: Scott is an outstanding receiver, but I don't see the Patriots going for that trade. They're more interested in first-round draft picks, not a wide receiver who's going to be 30 at the start of the season.

        Q, from Jeremy in Celina: Now with the cornerbacks for next year's defense are pretty well set (Artrell Hawkins and Jeff Burris) where do the Bengals look to draft? I would kind of like to see Williams at safety -- if he is still there. Or do you feel the Bengals will still go for a corner like Buchanon?

        A: I think either move, Williams or Buchanon, is possible. As is a tight end. The more I learn about Williams, though, the more I like him in the Bengals secondary. But it's a long shot that he'll still be there when the Bengals draft.

        Q, from Philippe in Bordeaux, France: I've (got) a question, but it's nothing about draft or free agency. It's a topic some others NFL teams discuss: Do you think the Bengals will change their uniforms? Don't you think they can opt for black pants at home, like the Bearcats? I just hope they will keep the helmets as they are.

        A: I haven't heard any talk of a uniform change. As for the helmets, they're safe. There are some 65,000 seats in Paul Brown Stadium with the helmet imprinted on them.

        Q, from Ed in Dayton: Pro Football Weekly blasted (Sean) Brewer, (Peter) Warrick and (Chad) Johnson in its analysis of the Bengals. You cover the team. Are they right?

        A: I don't know how you can criticize Brewer. The rookie tight end never got the chance to play. The Bengals put him on the Injured Reserve list before the season started because of his groin injury.

        Johnson, a rookie, was becoming a clutch third-down receiver before injuring his shoulder in the first Browns game. True, he had a rookie learning curve to negotiate, but he appeared to have reached a new level of maturity after a late-season confrontation with quarterback Jon Kitna.

        As for Warrick, he had 70 receptions last season and has played a number of receiving positions for the Bengals in two seasons. He, too, appears to be learning that he can't make a huge play on every catch. He'll only get better because he is willing to pay the price for improvement.

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

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