Ask Mark

The majority of the couple of hundred Bengals' fans who wrote this week is positive. They like the moves coach Marvin Lewis is making.

Question, from Patrick in Austin, Texas: The Bengals haven't yet made it through the draft or spring practices, much less played a real game, and I already feel proud again to say I'm a fan. I live in the land of Cowboys and Texans and have so far successfully resisted the urge to jump ship from my hometown team.

It has been hard, but with Marvin Lewis and the new staff, and Mike Brown's sudden clarity of what actually needs to happen to land quality players and develop a positive attitude, it's easy to smile once again. I know that this is going to be a winning team once again.

Answer: There was no question in there, but the comments are indicative of most sent this way since the spending spree that landed linebacker Kevin Hardy and defensive lineman John Thornton.

Q, from Ron in Los Angeles: Would you agree with me that while the hiring of Lewis was a smart move by Brown, his smartest move is his decision to give Marvin almost total control over football operations, thereby making him a de facto GM?

A: Yes. I also would suggest that Brown's daughter, executive vice president Katie Blackburn, has assumed additional power.

Q, from Mike in Minnesota: I love the free agent signings. Sorry to see Takeo Spikes go, but I like Kevin Hardy. Is it just my opinion or is Marvin as good a talent evaluator as I think?

A: One of Lewis' strengths is his self-confidence. He knows who and what he wants and believes in his ability to make a defense successful.

Spikes is an outstanding player, but he didn't want to be in Cincinnati. It was best for the team to let him go. The Bengals have hung on to too many disruptive players in the recent past.

Q, from Justin in Columbus: It is more apparent that the Bengals will take Carson Palmer (USC quarterback) with the first overall pick. What about the first pick of the second round?

A: Good question. The Sporting News projects the Bengals taking defensive tackle Ty Warren from Texas A&M. Here's another thought: Take wide receiver Charles Rogers with the No. 1 pick and quarterback Kyle Boller (California) in Round 2.

Q, from Lou in Cincinnati: It is obvious that the Bengals can no longer trade the first pick to a team in search of a franchise quarterback, but could the Bengals dangle the pick to teams interested in Rogers and defensive end Terrell Suggs?

Would this force the Lions, Texans and Bears to consider swapping first-round picks?

A: Another good point. It's difficult to predict what will happen between now and the draft (April 26-27). But the Bears, for one, want Suggs after losing pass-rushing linebacker Roosevelt Colvin to the Patriots in free agency.

The lack of a clear No. 1 overall pick is the problem with this draft class.

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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