Ask Mark

Fourth-round draft pick Dennis Weathersby is on the minds of several Bengals fans.

Question, from Wes in Chicago: What is the status of Weathersby? Will he be in town for the minicamp?

Q, from Mary Jane: What's the latest on Weathersby?

Answer: Weathersby, who was an innocent bystander in an April 20 drive-by shooting in suburban Los Angeles, has been cleared to work out. But he won't attend the minicamp that starts Monday.

Bengals defensive backs coach Kevin Coyle, Weathersby's position coach, said Friday that Weathersby is working on a treadmill, reading the playbook and watching video.

"I know he has been studying, because he's asking intelligent questions," said Coyle, who talks with Weathersby by phone three or four times a week.

Weathersby finished his degree work in liberal studies in December at Oregon State University and will receive his diploma and participate in the graduation ceremony June 15. He is not permitted, by NFL rules, to attend anything more than one three-day minicamp close to the draft until his class graduates.

He will arrive in Cincinnati on June 17 and begin working with coaches at Paul Brown Stadium. Strength and conditioning coaches Chip Morton and Kurtis Shultz will be important parts of Weathersby's recovery. "It's hard to even imagine the trauma, physical and emotional, he has been through," Coyle said. "He sounds like he's coming to grips with what his future is and can be. He's excited about coming."

He will leave Cincinnati to attend the NFL's rookie symposium and to make another visit home to California before coming back to Cincinnati in early July. He'll get more work with coaches before heading to training camp July 27.

Q, from Ed in Minster: Who is the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl? I'm asking because, obviously, my hopes are high for Carson Palmer.

A: New England's Tom Brady was 24 when named the MVP of Super Bowl XXXVI in February 2002.

As for Palmer, the fact he probably will sit as a rookie - as did Brady - will improve his chances of leading the Bengals to the playoffs sooner than later. Palmer will not be rushed and mishandled, which led to the disappointing runs of previous first-round Bengals quarterbacks David Klingler and Akili Smith. Both started several games as unprepared rookies and ended up with a combined 7-34 record in starts.

Q, from Aaron in Columbus: Am I the only one who feels sorry for Akili? Smith had the potential to be a good quarterback in the NFL, but the Bengals blew it. True, he had some say in his debacle, but they helped his downfall.

Also, I have been looking at their schedule, and I am thinking that 8-8 is not out of the question. Am I sane in this assumption, or have I just stated something hilariously improbable?

A: It is difficult to feel sorry for someone who was paid $10.8 million for signing his name to a contract, but Smith was badly coached - especially in the first two years. Many people, including Smith, have a pride in their work that transcends mere money.

As for your second question, who would have guessed a somewhat promising 2002 team would finish 2-14? Anything is possible in the NFL, in terms of turnarounds, and Marvin Lewis is doing everything he can to win in his first year. There is no methodical plan. His foot is on the gas pedal.

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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