Ask Mark

Enquirer reporter Mark Curnutte answers e-mail from Bengals fans:

Bengals fans have fixed their anger on team owner Mike Brown.

Question, from Glenn: I have been a Bengals and Reds fan for more than 50 years. But my patience is wearing thin. Doesn't either management want to win? Do the players have confidence in Dick LeBeau?

Answer: Until recently, most fans appreciated the creative ways the Reds tried to remain competitive, in spite of baseball's have-and-have-not economic system. But fans know Brown gets the same $80million from the league that the other teams do, and doesn't seem to care as much about winning as the Reds.

The players do have confidence in LeBeau. They have not quit on him. The problem in the locker room is that many players think Bengals management will not do everything possible to win.

Q, from Tom in Midwest City, Okla.: Considering everything (bad) that's happened with the Bengals this year and in years past, what do you think it will take for Brown to hire someone to run the team?

A: Brown will not relinquish power until he is unable to hold it, and then it will go to his daughter, Katie Blackburn, the executive vice president.

From Kevin in Hamilton: I have been living near Cincinnati for the past four months and wanted to make a few observations.

I am a ninth-grade teacher. As I look around my classroom, I rarely see a student wearing Bengals apparel. They wear Eagles, Raiders or Browns jerseys - but no Bengals. I believe the reason is this: These students are 14 years old. For the past 12 years, or as long as they can remember, the Bengals have been losers. I can't blame them.

After reading your article about how Mike Brown thinks the Bengals are not as bad as their 1-12 record and that they do not need to alter their personnel department, I believe the reason the Bengals are losers is Mike Brown's pride. Twelve years of losses would bankrupt a business. Twelve years of losing means the people in control of the Bengals do not know what they are doing. It is time for Brown to swallow his pride.

A: You say dispassionately what many Bengals fans try but are unable to articulate because of their frustration.

Q, from David in Charlottesville, Va.: How well has Levi Jones played this year? Has his play justified his first round selection?

A: Yes. Jones was an outstanding pick at No.10 overall, and his play has vindicated the Bengals for taking him in spite of the overwhelming national criticism.

Jones has stepped in and played well in eight starts for the injured Richmond Webb. Jones deserves credit for contributing to the offense's surge in the past six weeks. He has protected Jon Kitna's blind side on pass plays.

Q, from Aaron in Lawrenceburg: Why is Travis Dorsch getting so much blame for the two punts returned for touchdowns? I know there is such a thing as out-kicking your coverage, but weren't there 10 other guys out there who did not get their job done by tackling the punt returner?

A: Good point. The problem with Dorsch's punts was that they were low. But, you're right, 10 other players missed tackles.

Q, from Jeff: Neil Rackers has to be the poorest kickoff kicker there is. It looks to me that he doesn't drive his leg through the ball. What do you think?

A: Rackers is only doing what the scheme dictates. Many of his kickoffs are floated intentionally to the 25-yard line to try to avoid a long kickoff return.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com