Ask Mark

It's no surprise that, with their team at 1-8, Bengals fans are looking ahead to next season.

Question, from Joe in Greendale, Wis.: Given their poor performance this year, what are the Bengals' chances of signing high-impact free agents during the offseason?

Answer: It appears that the goodwill and positive energy created in the past two offseasons by Dick LeBeau as the franchise's front man is a thing of the past.

One opinion is that the Bengals' recent window of opportunity to join the ranks of legitimate NFL franchises has slammed shut. Just about every team now has a new stadium, so the appeal of Paul Brown Stadium has been reduced.

Without significant organizational changes, the Bengals probably will attract free agents with few - if any - other options. Defensive tackle Tony Williams and fullback Lorenzo Neal are the only A-list, in-their-prime free agents to sign here in the past two offseasons.

If you were a productive free agent who wanted to win, given the Bengals' 12 consecutive non-winning seasons, would you sign?

Q, from Steve in Covedale: Please tell me the Bengals are looking away from Marshall quarterback Byron Leftwich. He has talent against bad teams, but the big issues for me are his attitude toward the Bengals, the health issue and the fact the Mid-American Conference is not the NFL. Why not take a solid quarterback in the second or third rounds?

Q, from Master Sergeant Timothy Johnson, U.S. Army, Seoul, Korea (Cincinnati): Do you think the Bengals will draft another QB? Besides, Mike Brown should like the idea of drafting another quarterback.

A: The Bengals' biggest need is not a quarterback; it is a run-stuffing defensive lineman. With Oliver Gibson's future in doubt with the torn Achilles tendon, the Bengals should take a tackle in the first round.

The Bengals, in addition to scouting Leftwich, also have had quarterbacks coach Ken Anderson scouting USC's Carson Palmer and California's Kyle Boller. The idea is to take a QB in the second round.

Q, from Shahid in Clifton: Is there any way to put something in the paper to urge all Bengals fans to vote for Corey Dillon and Lorenzo Neal for the Pro Bowl? It would be a crime if at least Neal didn't go.

A: Yes. Consider it done.

Q, from Rich in Milford: As I watched the Ravens waltz down the field on the first series of the game, it occurred to me that almost every Bengals game begins this way. How many times have the Bengals allowed a first-drive score this season?

A: Six times in nine games, opponents have scored on their first possession.

San Diego, Cleveland, Atlanta and Houston kicked field goals on their first possessions. Pittsburgh and Baltimore scored touchdowns.

Indianapolis scored on its third possession en route to a 21-0 lead.

Q, from Tony in Aiken, S.C.: Who will coach the Bengals in 2003? Will they keep the assistants? Why not take Dennis Green? Unless Mike Brown gives up control, which is unlikely, they will never get undamaged goods.

A: You've answered your own question. It is difficult to imagine a strong-willed coach with career choices agreeing to be head coach of the Bengals under the current organizational setup.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com