Ask Mark

Bengals fans have a lot of questions and opinions about the implications of Sunday's victory at Houston.

The vast majority of readers, accurately, do not see the game as a sign that all is suddenly right with the organization. Far from it.

Keep in mind that five of the Bengals' 54 victories (9.3 percent) since the start of the 1991 season have come against expansion teams in their first year of play.

And to the many Bengals fans who keep complaining about the lease on Paul Brown Stadium or the fact it was even built, I sure hope you took the time to vote Tuesday in your local elections.

Question from Tom in Cincinnati: The win was great, but I, for one, wanted them to finish 0-16. I think they would have been either humiliated enough or at least feel bad enough to make some real changes in the organization.

Answer: Your opinion is shared by literally dozens of readers who e-mailed since Sunday. Still, a 1-15 or 2-14 record would be the worst in franchise history. That type of data might be enough to convince the Brown family to make some changes.

Q, from T.J.: It's amazing that one victory can excite a football team so much. This is just what we as fans do not want to see happen. The Bengals will win three or four games this season and think they are moving in the right direction. Brown will not make any changes, or he will give the coaching job to John Cooper. What a joke. Jon Kitna thinks he's the next Kurt Warner because he had a good game against an expansion team! They still (stink).

A: You, too, make many popular points.

But, despite fear of again being accused of being Kitna's agent, I say let the guy play. Kitna's confidence, based in his genuine Christian faith, should not be misinterpreted as arrogance. He knows he's not Kurt Warner, but Kitna has proven to be Bengals' most productive quarterback since 1998.

Q, from Paul in Tacoma, Wash.: Good idea not starting Kitna from the beginning, Mike (Brown) and Dick (LeBeau). Will Kitna be a Bengal next year?

A: He will be with the Bengals next season, but his role will continue to be unclear. And the organization's impatience and indecision about the quarterback position will continue to haunt it.

Q, from Noah in Australia: Whom do the Bengals draft? Where does a team like Cincinnati start? Plus, does the club give Kitna a season and an offseason as the No. 1 QB?

A: Well, when a team is 1-7, it can expect to hear fans begin to ask questions about the draft.

Brown has the final say on the decision but says he allows his coaches and scouts (all three of them, including his son) make serious pitches. They'll probably draft Marshall quarterback Byron Leftwich. A top cornerback or defensive lineman are major needs.

Regardless, Kitna is earning the right to work in minicamp, May practices and training camp as the starter. No rookie or journeyman free agent quarterback will be able to come in next year and produce more than Kitna.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com