Ask Mark

        Let's start with an update on a question asked last week by Fred of New Market, Tenn., about the apparently weak schedule the Bengals will play in 2002.

        Based on the records of their 2002 opponents in 2001, the Bengals are 28th in strength of schedule. Their opponents had a combined .463 winning percentage last season.

        This year, only the Houston Texans, Steelers and Falcons have weaker schedules.

        Question, from Joe in Bronx, N.Y.: What are the chances of signing Sam Adams and possibly cutting either (Oliver) Gibson or (Tony) Williams? With Adams, do the Bengals need both of them, really? And how does Adams compare with the production of those two?

        Answer: It would be foolish to sign Adams at the expense of Gibson or Williams.

        Williams is only 27, two years younger than Adams, and with a base salary of $1.7million, he's much less expensive than Adams will be. Williams teamed with Gibson to give the Bengals a strong interior defensive line. Williams had 46 tackles and five sacks in 13 games.

        Gibson is 30 but has shown durability for a defensive tackle. In his three years with the Bengals, he has started all 48 games and earned respect around the league as one of the most underrated players at his position. Even Adams cited Gibson's talent this past week during his visit to Cincinnati.

        Gibson had 70 tackles and three sacks and has played a big part in keeping offensive linemen away from the Bengals' play-making linebackers.

        Adding Adams to a rotation with Gibson and Williams would give the Bengals one of the league's best and deepest lines, allowing versatile Bernard Whittington to move back to end full time.

        Adams had 51 tackles and two sacks last year for the Ravens.

        Q, from Ryan in Chicago: Do other NFL teams have the same problems the Bengals seem to have every year in signing players to contracts? When was the last time the Bengals got a deal done quickly? The sad part is that (Takeo) Spikes and (Brian) Simmons were supposedly priorities to sign in the offseason. Great job taking care of the two most important pieces of a finally improving defense.

        Q, from Dennis in Nashville, Tenn.: Will the Bengals' front office ever wake up and act like an NFL franchise? They have an opportunity before them to make a commitment to two of the finer young linebackers in the league, and they can't get out of their own way and get these deals done.

        Q, from Steve in Walnut Hills: If the worst-case scenario happens, and the Bengals are not able to re-sign Simmons and Spikes, what is the new situation for the defense?

A: Yes, other teams have trouble signing players, rookies and star veterans alike. And the teams that haven't had trouble signing just about every player they wanted have had to slash their rosters because they blew past the salary cap.

        That said, what frustrates many agents who negotiate with the Bengals is the club's starting point — low-ball offers. The agents say such a tactic creates unnecessary ill will that has to be overcome to reach a point where a contract can be signed.

        As for Spikes and Simmons, extending their contracts now would be money well spent, and the Bengals realize this. They both have had great success and deserve hefty pay raises.

        Maybe Bengals fans should start understanding that there is a good chance one of the linebackers will be here long-term but the other will be playing elsewhere.

        There are ways to get both deals done: Not signing Sam Adams would help, although Simmons has said he'd welcome Adams because Adams would help the team win. And there are former starters on the roster who are now fringe players who could be released to create more cap space.

        Q, from Chad in Springfield: I don't understand salaries in pro sports. You said that Darnay Scott will count $700,000 against the cap this season. Are the Bengals still paying him?

        A: The $700,000 was already paid to Scott as part of the $3.5 million signing bonus he received when he signed a five-year contract before the 1998 season. The Bengals are able to spread out the cap hit over five years, at $700,000 per season. So it's not real money this year. It's just a number on the salary cap spread sheet.

        Q, from Jerry in Detroit: Has Akili Smith taken a pay cut?

        A: No. He will be paid a base salary of $450,000, the league minimum for a fourth-year player. He gets expensive because the Bengals are still absorbing the $10.8 million signing bonus he singed in 1999. The amortized bonus comes to about $1.54 million a year.

        Q, from Marakchi in Delhi: I will make it short — the Bengals will win the Super Bowl this year. Do you think I can get some autographs at Bengals training camp next week?

        A: The first day of workouts is Friday. And after the 3-5 p.m. practice is when guards let fans down to the sidelines for autographs.

QB derby focus of Bengals camp Who has the edge? Kitna Bengals hope Dorsch is up and good Questions abound around Bengals Bengals training camp schedule Parity prevails as NFL camps open Bengals Q&A: Is Adams final piece of defensive puzzle?

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