Ask Mark

        ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Kickers are on readers' minds this week.

        Question, from Mark in Middletown: Is Doug Pelfrey still available? If so, wouldn't it be a good idea to have him kick short field goals and extra points, and use (Travis) Dorsch to punt, kick off and attempt long field goals? Maybe Dick (LeBeau) will read this.

        Answer: Two years after his release, Pelfrey still is trying to catch on somewhere in the NFL, but Bengals president Mike Brown says the club isn't interested.

        All indications are Dorsch will handle the kicking duties and Nick Harris will punt. As for Neil Rackers, several teams — namely Minnesota, Arizona and Chicago — are interested if the Bengals let him go.

        Rackers has NFL talent, but he needs a change of scenery. He needs to get out of Cincinnati.

        Q, from Nick in Philadelphia: Two questions — First, is there any hope for Rudi Johnson increasing his role with the team this season? Second, can you kick field goals? We could use your help.

        A: Bengals coaches are high on Rudi Johnson. The team is deep at running back, and Johnson is behind Corey Dillon and Brandon Bennett. Johnson is in a heat with Curtis Keaton for playing time. Keaton's advantage is as a kick returner.

        As for my kicking ability, I once was pretty good at getting a Nerf football over the crossbar of a swingset.

        Q, from Mike in Cincinnati: The Bengals have had some luck in the past with undrafted college free agents (Armegis Spearman/Adrian Ross). So far this year, who has made the most favorable impression? Do any look like they will make the roster?

        A: It's harder to make the roster now because there is more quality depth than two years ago.

        At least four undrafted rookie free agents have impressed Bengals coaches so far in camp: wide receiver Khori Ivy (West Virginia), cornerbacks Reggie Myles (Alabama) and Tierre Sams (Fresno State), and safety Stephon Kelly (Winston-Salem State).

        Q, from Susie in London, Ohio: I have heard there is a Dick LeBeau bobblehead doll coming out. I know his mother would love to have some of them. Do you know anything about that? Our family thinks we have made the big time now with a bobblehead in the family! Thanks, Susie LeBeau (Dick's sister-in-law).

        A: I asked the Bengals marketing department about a LeBeau bobblehead and was told nothing is definite. I asked the coach about it, too, and he said he had heard there was something afoot about making bobbleheads of all NFL head coaches. He wasn't too enthusiastic about it, though, saying with a laugh that he didn't consider himself “a bobblehead kind of guy.”

Quarterback derby heats up for Bengals Bengals Q&A Contract on table would lock up LB for 5 years Saturday's NFL Preseason Games

Reds 9, Padres 0
Reds box, runs
Reds Q&A
Cinergy countdown - Sept. 17, 1983
Pain still afflicting Pineda
Astros 8, Braves 5
Cardinals 5, Mets 4
Notes from Saturday's games
John Fay's MLB power ratings
Lieberthal hits three homers against Dodgers
Little progress in labor talks
Williams' son ends his baseball experiment
Columbus 5, Louisville 2
Miami-UC meeting first since 1997 game
DAUGHERTY: Hewitt's spirit wins the match
For once, serve saves Hewitt
Present, past No.1s in final
Winning at mind game puts Spaniard Moya on a roll
American duo makes history in doubles
Five questions with Patrick McEnroe
Moya, Ferrero put aside their friendship on the court
Davenport reaches first final of year
One for the history books
Rudd looks to tie Gordon for road course wins
Stewart almost too competitive
Faltering Woods still leads by 1
Last chance to make a major impression
Miami No. 1 in AP preseason poll
Wildcats know 'bottom line'
Young says following McMahon prepared him for Montana
Enquirer's Page Two power rankings
The Tae kwon do Kid
3 GGCL volleyball teams in Top 25
Prep girls golf preview

• Return to Bengals front page...