Ask Mark

Bengals fans are looking ahead to free agency and the draft.

Question, from Uriha in Newport: What do you think the Bengals are going to do with this year's draft? If I were in Marvin Lewis' shoes, I'd trade down for another draft choice and go after a good cornerback and defensive tackle.

Answer: Defense wins championships. The trouble for the Bengals is that trading the first overall pick might not be too easy this year - unless a team really wants quarterback Carson Palmer or wide receiver Charles Rogers. Palmer is the only player worth the money the No. 1 pick will demand. The Bengals would be better off trading down and getting a defensive lineman and a cornerback.

Q, from Rick in Anderson Township: Are any of the Bengals' reserve offensive linemen considered future starters, or is it a feeling that they are not developing in such a way so as to challenge or surpass what they have?

A: If the Bengals choose not to re-sign center Rich Braham, look for Brock Gutierrez to step into the starting lineup. He played well in 2000 when Braham was out for an extended period. Versatile Victor Leyva might develop if the Bengals settle him at one position - particularly at guard.

Q, from Sal in Castle Rock, Colo.: Free agents are becoming more important each and every year. Do you think the Bengals can get five good free agents to come in and start? Or is five too many? And what do you think about Sam Adams being one of those free agents?

A: Adams is still under contract with the Raiders, but he'll probably be released as a cap casualty. The free agent market is weak this year.

There is no way the Bengals will overspend to bring in five starters via free agency. Look for one or two, and one a defensive lineman, such as Washington tackle Daryl Gardener.

Q, from Greg in Raleigh, N.C.: Do you honestly think Takeo will be a Bengal next year?

A: The educated guess here is yes.

Spikes is the top linebacker in free agency, and a team might be willing to offer much more than the $4.85 million he is due from the Bengals as a transition player.

It appears to be a priority for the Bengals to drop the transition tag and sign Spikes to a multiyear deal.

As much as the Bengals want him back, Spikes also could become the first casualty of Lewis' golden rule: He wants on the team only people who want to be there. Otherwise, there are 31 other teams in the NFL. Lewis seems confident he can pacify Spikes long enough to lift Spikes' game even higher as part of the defense Lewis and defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier are concocting.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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