Ask Mark

        GEORGETOWN, Ky. — Adding to the urgency that this is a make-or-break season for the Bengals is that they have 22 players in the final year of their contracts.

        Question, from Cam in San Francisco: Other than (linebackers Takeo) Spikes and (Brian) Simmons, I can't think of any critical starters who are in the last year of their contracts. Can you tell me, who are those players? Whom will they realistically keep and lose?

        Answer: These are the players in the last (or only) year of their deals: JoJuan Armour (safety), Robert Bean (cornerback), Rich Braham (center), Scott Covington (quarterback), Canute Curtis (linebacker), Ron Dugans (wide receiver), Danny Farmer (wide receiver), Gus Frerotte (quarterback), Brock Gutierrez (center), Cory Hall (safety), John Jackson (offensive tackle), Curtis Keaton (running back), Lorenzo Neal (fullback), Neil Rackers (kicker), Scott Rehberg (offensive lineman), Brad St.Louis (tight end, long snapper), Simmons, Armegis Spearman (linebacker), Spikes, Jamain Stephens (offensive tackle), Bernard Whittington (defensive lineman) and Nick Williams (H-back).

        Clearly, Spikes and Simmons are the most obvious players the Bengals have to keep. Braham, Hall and Rackers also are listed now as starters.

        If Frerotte starts and plays well, he will be an important player to re-sign. Spearman is a future star, but he is stuck playing behind excellent linebackers. Many of the players who are going to be unsigned are valuable backups brought in by the front office under coach Dick LeBeau.

        Q, from Jesse in Greenfield, Ind.: Are the Bengals planning another autograph day at their camp?

        A: Yes, on Aug.15, from 7-7:30 p.m.

        Q, from Matt in New Richmond: Will Ray Lewis' contract make it more difficult for the Bengals to sign Takeo and Brian?

        A: In a way, it will. But Simmons' salary demands are reasonable, and his agent, Jerrold Colton, continues to talk with Bengals executive vice president Katie Blackburn about a contract extension. That's good news for fans.

        As for Spikes, the Bengals probably will put the franchise or transition tag on him, which will give the linebacker a top average salary for his position but will help the Bengals hang onto him in free agency. The key to solving the linebacker problem is to get Simmons signed.

        Q, from Ramon in Youngstown: Does (Curtis) Keaton have a chance to take some playing time and carries away from (Brandon) Bennett? Keaton seems more explosive and more of a threat, but he hasn't been given many chances in a game.

        A: Not really. Bennett, an outstanding backup to Corey Dillon, is a hard runner and a good receiver. Keaton hasn't had the chance to prove himself in the offense, although he did have some outstanding kickoff returns last season.

        Q, from Fred in New Market, Tenn.: I don't think Justin Smith gets enough credit for the season he had last year. As a rookie with no training camp, he still got (8.5) sacks. Do you think he could break out with an All-Pro season in '02?

        A: That goal is a lofty one, but Smith has the work ethic and talent to make it happen. With the benefit of a full training camp and a rookie season behind him, Smith could exceed 10 sacks this year. He looks fast and strong in training camp and could be one of the league's dominant defensive players for many years.

        Q, from Jamaal in Cherry Hill, N.J.: Do you think (offensive coordinator) Bob Bratkowski will ever take Peter Warrick out of the slot and let him do what he does well, which is to make spectacular plays down the field?

        A: Warrick has found the NFL is different than college football, and the slot might end up being his best position. He's not as fast as Chad Johnson or Michael Westbrook, but Warrick is excellent working over the middle.

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