Ask Mark

        Q, from Richard in Cincinnati: Why does Mike Brown make this coaching staff suffer by refusing to give Lamont Thompson injury coverage? It sounds like Brown was low-balling the kid, and if he showed and was indeed injured, Thompson would have had to battle the Bengals for fair compensation.

        This comes at a time when the team is on the verge of playoff contention, and Brown allows the team to suffer based on principle.

        Q, from Dan: Haven't Mike Brown's frugal ways once again put the Bengals a step behind where they could be, this time regarding Lamont Thompson? Thompson is no ordinary second-rounder, since he's already designated a starter. So why can't Brown guarantee the signing bonus (of roughly $1.4million)? It's the little things that make teams good. And this is yet another little thing that Mike Brown refuses to do.

        Answer: Brown said he would follow the NFL collective bargaining agreement and pay Thompson the tender amount of $225,000 if he were injured. Brown spoke to fellow owners this past week at spring meetings in Houston and pushed for a uniform system to cover rookies who practice with a team before signing.

        It makes no sense from either side — labor or management — to have unsigned rookies practicing, even without pads.

        Q, from Andy in Fairfield: What are the chances the team will go after a great football mind like Dwight Clark or Randy Mueller to work in the front office?

        A: I'm not sure either of those people qualifies as a great football mind, but that's not the question. Here's your answer: As long as Mike Brown is capable of running the team and making final decisions, he will. Period.

        Q, from Nic in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.: What is your prediction for the Bengals this season? I want to know in terms of wins and losses.

        A: That question is impossible to answer, especially in May. The Bengals will be better in 2002, just as they were better in 2001 than in 2000.

        Even some of the most jaded among my newspaper colleagues see promise in the 2002 Bengals. But, I know, you're asking me. What the heck.

        If everything goes well, 9-7 and a wild-card playoff berth.

        If the offense and special teams struggle, 7-9 and a 12th consecutive non-playoff season.

        But, really, who can tell? What's clear is the Bengals have improved both their depth at most positions and bettered the quality of coaching instruction under Dick LeBeau.

        Q, from Chad in Springfield: Why don't the Bengals cut Akili Smith? He seems to be out of the picture with Jon Kitna and Gus Frerotte. Would he still count against the (salary) cap?

        Q, from Greg in Bristol, Va.: Will the Bengals keep Akili Smith or trade him?

        Q, from Dave in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada: Does signing Frerotte drop Akili to third string again? He said last year that he got only a few practice reps and very little attention. How will this affect his development?

        A: There are still people in the organization who hold out hope Smith will develop. He did play well in his only 2001 start against the Jets before tearing his hamstring.

        The Bengals had a chance to expose Smith in the expansion draft to Houston but didn't. Coming off such a serious injury and with his spotty performance in his first two seasons, Smith might not fetch much in a trade — perhaps a lower-round draft choice.

        LeBeau has said he will put Smith into the mix for the starting job with Kitna and Frerotte if Smith's hamstring is 100 percent in training camp.

        When he signed a seven-year contract Aug.24, 1999, Smith received a $10.8 million bonus. The Bengals are spreading the salary-cap hit over seven years, at $1.54 million a year.

        With a base salary of $389,000 last year, combined with his bonus allowance, Smith counted roughly $1.9 million against the cap.

        If Smith were cut in training camp this year, he would be a $1.54million cap hit in 2002. The final $4.62million of his signing bonus would count against the Bengals' salary cap in 2003. So, while they hold out hope for his development, the Bengals also are keeping Smith because they can't really afford to cut him.

        Q, from Joe in Fairfield: Is Peter Warrick going to get the ball this year? I feel like he is the key to our season. I hope he is our punt returner this year.

        A: Warrick had the ball a lot last season, when he had 70 receptions and was the primary punt returner. Plans are to get him the ball as much as possible this coming season, but he'll have a lot of competition. His fellow wide receivers are a talented group, and the battle for playing time is friendly but fierce.

        Q, from Joe in South Padre Island, Texas: Why haven't we heard anything about Gavin Hoffman? Is it because he's not going to be given a chance to show what talents he has? This guy is 6 feet 6, 245 pounds, has a strong arm that hits the target. Plus, he's a leader on the field.

        A: Hoffman is a rookie free agent. And it's only May. I'm sure if he does well in training camp, he will be written about.

        Q, from Greg in Proctorville: Do you think the Bengals should try to trade one of their backup running backs for a conditional draft pick next year?

        A: Such a move always is a possibility. The Bengals are exceptionally deep at halfback, with Brandon Bennett, Curtis Keaton and Rudi Johnson backing up Pro Bowler Corey Dillon.

        Q, from Ryan in West Lafayette, Ind.:I must say I'm concerned about the Bengals' complete lack of veteran tight ends? Doesn't it seem pretty risky to carry virtually two rookies as your top two players?

        A: They might go after a veteran tight end after June 1 cuts, but the pickings are slim. The Bengals like Sean Brewer and Matt Schobel, and Kitna said the other day how good Kirk McMullen has looked this spring. Brad St. Louis also is there as a third-year player and long-snapper.

       E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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