Ask Mark

So this is what the NFL is like.

Question from Alexander in Hyde Park: Before the season began, you said that the Bengals' record would most likely by 7-9. Do you still believe that projection, or do you think it could even be better?

Answer: To the players and coaches' credit, 7-9 was the top end of the projection; five or six victories were more in the neighborhood. They're likely to exceed 7-9.

Of course, finishing 2-4 would put the Bengals at 7-9.

San Diego is a must win. They have to split the Pittsburgh-Baltimore games the following two weeks. Coming back from the road trip at 7-6 would put them in marvelous position for a winning season and, gulp, a playoff spot.

There's no question that 8-8 or 9-7 is possible at this point. Which brings us logically to this topic. ...

Q, from Maury in New York: What more does Marvin Lewis have to do win the coach of the year - 8-8 record, playoffs? Do you think he is being overshadowed by Bill Parcells this season?

A: Parcells inherited a much fuller cupboard in Dallas than Lewis did in Cincinnati. Parcells isn't headed for Canton without merit. He's done a great job with the Cowboys, but he's working for an organization with a winning tradition and an owner committed to winning and willing to spend big to make it happen.

Lewis, on the other hand, has had to do more work to get to .500 than Parcells has had to do to get to 7-3. Lewis had to change the internal culture of the entire organization. He had to lobby to get additional bodies in the scouting department and - of all things foreign to the Bengals - an advance scout to see the next opponent in person.

Lewis has assembled an aggressive, hungry staff of coaches. He brought in an outstanding team to overhaul the strength and conditioning program. He incorporated nutritionists into the training staff. He made dozens of public appearances and has put turned a laughingstock into a solid NFL franchise.

True, ownership has supported him. But Lewis had to light the way out of the darkness. He has been a tireless salesman and detail-oriented coach beyond belief.

That said, 9-7 and a playoff spot for this franchise has to get Lewis the honor. That turnaround should be enough to overcome the East Coast bias that's going to push hard for Parcells.

Q, from Ryan in Chicago: Do you think Takeo Spikes regrets his decision to leave now? The Bengals are on the rise in first place receiving national media attention. The Bills are fading fast! Do you think the Bengals have the best shot at winning the AFC North now?

A: Spikes isn't the kind of man who looks back with regret. Though he clearly stated his respect for Lewis, Spikes - after five brutal years with the Bengals - had well-founded skepticism about the organization's commitment to winning.

One of the elements that sold Spikes on Buffalo was that organization's history and repeated efforts to win. A 4-6 record in his first season, while it probably doesn't sit well with Spikes, is buffered by his faith in Bills owner Ralph Wilson and president Tom Donahoe.

In his time here, Spikes - along with Corey Dillon - displayed admirable irritation with the losing. They never once got used to losing. Many other players figuratively threw up their hands in a bemused acceptance.

The 2003 Bengals, amazingly, control their own destiny. The return of a physically and emotionally right Dillon - teaming with Rudi Johnson - could make their running game even more unstoppable. They will be able to control the clock. That's Lewis' kind of football.

Baltimore has problems at quarterback with Kyle Boller out. But the Ravens have the ability to make big plays on defense. Cleveland is consistently inconsistent but manages to never go too far away. Pittsburgh, with a ton of individual talent, is hard to figure out. From this perspective, the Browns look like the biggest threat to the Bengals.

Q, from Paul in Tacoma: Do you expect a letdown in San Diego? And will Jon Kitna be the man next year if he leads us one or two games into the post season?

A: A letdown is San Diego is highly unlikely. Lewis is a fast learner, and whatever factors led to the poor performance at Arizona, Lewis has identified them and is working to correct them.

As for Kitna, the quarterback with 15 touchdowns and just nine interceptions - and now playing the best ball of his career - he can't be sat down if he gets this team into the playoffs this year. One game and out should be enough for Kitna to remain the starter.

His contribution might not be fully appreciated by fans, but no less an expert than John Madden mentioned Kitna on Monday Night Football as the one of those quarterbacks who looks like - at age 30 - he has figured out how to play the position.

Again to Lewis' credit, he has said repeatedly that the starting job has not been handed to Carson Palmer for Year 2.

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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