Ask Mark

        Readers are mad at Mike Brown and fed up with year after year after decade of losing.

        Question, from Rich in Arlington, Va.: I rarely get to see the team I loved so much play on television. What I saw on Sunday night (from Atlanta) was every bit as bad as I feared. Owner/president Mike Brown must be held accountable. Will he step down?

        Answer: No. And he probably wouldn't even consider retiring until he has a winning season or two.

        Q, from Paul in Tacoma: Why not give (Jon) Kitna a week of practice before giving (Akili) Smith the job? Why are they not even giving Kitna a chance?

        A: There seems to be a sense among Bengals coaches that Kitna is a known commodity. His abilities and limitations were discovered last season.

        Frerotte was an unknown factor with a big potential upside, which is why he won the job at the end of training camp.

        Smith has untapped physical potential, and coach Dick LeBeau now sees Smith as the player with the big-play ability to get the offense some quick points.

        Q, from Patrick in Charlotte, N.C.: I was at the game in Atlanta. I sat four rows behind the Bengals bench. The fans around me had more emotion, yelling at the team, than the team showed on the field or sidelines. It was the most pathetic display of anything I can remember seeing.

        Do you know of any fan groups trying to organize boycotts of the home games or other displays of disgust? It is time to mobilize. Something has to give.

        A: No, I do not know of any such group of an organized Bengals boycott.

        Q, from Rick in Los Angeles: I don't get it. The Bengals make Levi Jones their first-round draft choice and then play him at tight end? I don't think he can do much worse than Richmond Webb.

        A: Your question brings up two responses.

        There might be a problem at tight end. And that's the organization's fault. They invested two third-round draft choices in Sean Brewer and Matt Schobel, but coaches apparently don't have much faith in their blocking ability. That's why Jones has been at tight end. The Bengals started the season with two tight ends who had not played a down in the NFL.

        As for Jones, the Bengals might start him Sunday against Tampa Bay at left tackle.

        Q, from John in Toronto: I've been a Bengals fan since I was 8 years old, and I've seen the highs and lows (I don't have time to list them all now).

        The organization is really making me sick. Is it hard for fans to put up with it close to home? It has to be worse.

        A: Bengals fans all over, based on questions that come from across the nation and other countries, are suffering. I admire Bengals fans. Their loyalty in professional sports is second to none. I find it hard to believe that 50,000-55,000 people pay at least $40 a head to keep coming to Paul Brown Stadium to watch them play.

        Q, from Andrew at McConnel Air Force Base, Wichita, Kan.: I really want to know if you are embarrassed to tell people you cover the Bengals? Mike Brown is making a mockery of my hometown.

        A: I've heard that sentiment from a lot of people. But, no, I'm not embarrassed because I cover the Bengals. There are only 32 NFL teams, and I'm fortunate to have this beat and to be working for a newspaper I respect.

        As a reporter, it doesn't matter to me whether they win or lose. There are some coaches and players I personally like and would like to see do well, but those relationships don't affect what I write.

        Having lived in Cincinnati for nine years, though, I do understand the civic embarrassment that some people feel because of the negative image of a city portrayed by a losing sports franchise - just as I understand the pride many Cincinnatians felt, for example, in the '99 Reds.

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0-3 Bengals eerily familiar Chat online today with Lorenzo Neal DAUGHERTY: Bengals simply have no clue Bengals E-Mail Q&A: Readers are mad Bucs lose two linemen to injuries Moss faces felony after night in jail Hall of Famer Webster dies at 50

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