Ask Mark

        Everybody has a comment, and even a question, about the Bengals' draft.

        Question, from Steven in San Francisco: “And now, the No.1 draft choice of the Cincinnati Bengals ... David Letterman.” Has the Bengals' recent draft made them the clear-cut laughing stock of the NFL?

        Answer: The lack of respect has more to do with the 11 consecutive non-winning seasons that came before the draft. The Bengals never will get the benefit of the doubt on any decision until they win.

        Q, from Adam in New Richmond: Why do the national experts hammer the Bengals for choosing Levi Jones seven places before his projection, but they don't say a word when Indianapolis takes the pass rusher from Syracuse (Dwight Freeney) with the 11th pick — some 15 places before he was projected?

        A: As someone who did a mock draft, I think readers have to keep in mind that such projections are educated guesses — at best.

        The Bengals will not be respected until they win. NFL coaches, assistants and scouts watch a lot more film and have more significant contact with players than the media do. They have a better idea than reporters about these players.

        I didn't see Jones coming — I had him going to Baltimore — but he appears to be an outstanding choice based on his combination of talent and intelligence.

        Q, from Nick in Philadelphia: Is cutting Tony McGee a sign that Gus Frerotte will be signed, given that it will free space ($1.3 million) under the salary cap?

        Q, from Chris in Albuquerque: How close are the Bengals to signing quarterback Gus Frerotte? I think he would be a huge addition and provide the veteran quarterback that they need.

        A: The Bengals do want to sign Frerotte, and he can come to Cincinnati and compete for the starting job if he chooses. McGee's release helps with Frerotte and the early attempts to extend the contracts of linebackers Takeo Spikes and Brian Simmons.

        Frerotte is talking this weekend with his agent, Marvin Demoff. Demoff talked Friday with Bengals executive Troy Blackburn, and they discussed financial structures.

        Q, from Shael: As a 35-year season-ticket holder, I have seen some very good tight ends over the years. But I would not exactly include McGee in that group, with all due respect. How about all those dropped passes in crucial situations -- sometimes two or three in one game? And whatever happened to Marco Battaglia?

        A: McGee did have a couple of tough games, especially last season at Jacksonville. But the whole pass offense was out of sync for most of the year. Battaglia, put on IR and released by the Bengals last season, was signed and played the rest of the season for Washington. He signed as an unrestricted free agent with Tampa Bay last month.

        Q, Mike in Kettering: Kitna had some outstanding performances at the end of the season (751 passing yards in last two games, both victories). I know that we can't expect that level of play every week, but I also feel that he can play at a much higher level than we saw during the losing streak. How well do you think that he run the offense this year?

        A: You make an outstanding point -- it's unfair to expect the productivity the pass offense showed against the Steelers and Titan every week in a 16-game season.

        If Kitna can cut down on his 22 interceptions, not all of which were his fault, the pass offense will be more consistent.

        Q, from Don in Elyria: Why didn't we draft Kurt Kittner? What are we going to do about the back-up quarterback?

        A: The Bengals did like Kittner and considered taking him in the fourth round. But they saw Purdue kicker Travis Dorsch as a potential answer to a bigger need in the kicking game.

        After trading their fifth-round pick to Carolina to move up and get tight end Matt Schobel in the third round, the Bengals were without a pick until Round 6. They might have taken Kittner then.

        As for the backup, look for Frerotte to possibly sign this week and make here in time for next weekend's minicamp.

        Q, from Steve in Los Angeles: The Bengals might have gotten lucky. They signedundrafted rookie free agent Edward "Pig' Prather, a safety from Mississippi State. Even though he had a knee injury, I think he was ranked highly in mock drafts. And to all Cincinnati fans, I saw a report calling Lamont Thompson a "Takeo Spikes on wheels,” so maybe we got lucky twice?

        A: Prather is worth a shot as an undrafted free agent. The Bengals did well with another undrafted Mississippi State defender a couple of years ago in linebacker Armegis Spearman.

        Thompson, a free safety from Washington State taken in the second round, had 10 interceptions last season and is projected to be an outstanding centerfielder. It's strong safety Marquand Manuel, grabbed in the sixth round from Florida, who has the reputation of being a big hitter.

        E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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