Ask Mark

Question, from Mark J. in Finneytown: Although the repairs to the offense and defense appear to be working, the special teams units look as weak as ever. Have (Jon) Kitna, (Shane) Matthews or (Carson) Palmer ever held for kicks? Surely there is a wide receiver or defensive back with decent enough skills to handle this job. I say dump both (Nick) Harris and (Travis) Dorsch and pick up a veteran punter.

Answer: Matthews held in Game 12 for the Washington Redskins last season when Bryan Barker was injured. Wide receiver Danny Farmer also has holding experience.

As for a potential veteran, Daniel Pope is available. He was released by New England during training camp but spent 2000 with the Bengals.

He was flawless as Neil Rackers' rookie-season holder, and Pope was the first Bengals punter not to have a punt blocked in three seasons.

He set a franchise record with 94 punts but was released the week before the 2001 opener when the Bengals picked up Harris off waivers from Denver.

Q, from Chad in Norcross, Ga.: Do the Bengals seem to play the same teams every year in the preseason? It seems like Indianapolis and Detroit are on the list every year. Can you confirm this? If so, why wouldn't they mix it up a little more with better or different teams?

Answer: Preseason schedules follow geography to reduce travel costs.The preseason game at Indianapolis was the Bengals' 12th against the Colts since they moved in 1984. The Bengals have played the Lions in the preseason every year since 1970 except 2002.

Cutting preseason travel costs makes sense. The NFL should pass along the savings to fans. Instead of charging full price for a comparatively inferior product - public player auditions - the league should cut fans a break on tickets.

Q, from Massttime: I have read Marvin Lewis quoted several times about the need for making hay when you can make hay. That is so appropriate when applied to recent Bengals teams. September is about the last time to make hay, and if you don't make it then, you have to buy it later.

What is the Bengals' record in September?

A: Since last making the playoffs during the 1990 season, the Bengals have a 9-36 record in games played before Oct. 1. The only pre-Oct. 1 winning record came in 2001, when coach Dick LeBeau's team was 2-1.

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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