Mark Curnutte

Jon Kitna fever is sweeping the nation, from San Francisco to Baltimore and many points in between.

Question, from Steve in San Francisco: I'm getting ahead of myself, but now that Jon Kitna has exorcized many demons and silenced critics, is he our quarterback next year? Or is it Carson Palmer?

Answer: The official word from coach Marvin Lewis is Kitna will play as long as he remains the team's best quarterback, and that Palmer is not automatically the starter next season.

Another opinion is that if Kitna gets the Bengals to the playoffs for the first time since 1990 that he deserves to remain the starter. The opinion here is that Kitna already has done enough this season to remain the starter next season.

Kitna should not have to stay as blistering hot as he is to keep the job, though. He should be allowed to make the inevitable mistakes that come with playing quarterback in the NFL. His leash should not be unfairly short because of the investment the organization has made in Palmer. Kitna's play and leadership are major reasons the Bengals are winning.

Q, from Jerry in Evendale: Every week we hear about the quarterback rating of Kitna, the opposing quarterback and other NFL quarterbacks. Can you explain how a quarterback rating is determined?

A: It is a measure of the quarterback's performance in the pass game. It does not take into account such statistics as wins, losses, sacks or intangible factors such as play calling. In fact, it's called a passer rating by the league.

Four categories are used to compile a passer rating: percentage of completions per attempt, average yards gained per attempt, percentage of touchdown passes per attempt, and percentage of interceptions per attempt.

Each of those four statistics is run through a mathematical meat grinder, and the resulting four numbers are added and multiplied by 100. A rating of 100 or more is considered superior, and 31 times since 1960 that number has been reached or exceeded. The highest passer rating is 112.8 by Steve Young of San Francisco in 1994. In fact, Young exceeded a passer rating of 100 in six seasons. A rating of 158.3 is the highest a passer can achieve.

The original passer rating formula was updated in 1973 and removed inequities that existed in the previous method. Still in use, the new formula provides a way to compare passing performances from one season to the next.

Q, from Chris in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan: Why, after throwing a big touchdown, does Kitna kneel down, point to the sky and then point to his throwing arm?

A: Kitna is an evangelical Christian, and he walks the life even better than he talks it. While such expressions are exercises in public relations for some players, they are a real witness by Kitna.

After the Pittsburgh game, he said he wears a cross symbol on his wrist. The point to the sky is a prayer of thanksgiving and giving glory to God.

Q, from Jason in New Orleans: I'll be the first to admit that I wanted Kitna on the bench early in the season. Congratulations to Lewis for making a decision and sticking with it. The two most important decisions he's made since he got here seem to be sticking with Kitna and keeping (offensive coordinator Bob) Bratkowski. How is Carson Palmer reacting to all of Kitna's success?

How do other players feel about the situation? Kitna has become extremely popular in the locker room? Is there a way to make this future transition smooth, whether it happens next season or later?

A: Retaining Bratkowski and sticking with Kitna have proven to be wise decisions by Lewis. One of Lewis' strengths is his decisiveness. Rarely, if ever, has he wavered as Bengals coach.

The players and coaches appear to be too caught up, and understandably so, in their improbable playoff chase to worry about Palmer's future. To his credit, Palmer has repeatedly talked about how much he is learning from Kitna and Shane Matthews and how happy he is for Kitna.

Q, from Joel in Hyde Park: Prevent defense? The only effect that our prevent defense has is that it almost prevents us from winning. It seems every time we get a lead we fall into a soft pass defense and the other team scores.

Might there be a better approach so fans don't have to be scared when the Bengals have a lead?

A: Lewis said the other day that the defense played in the second half at Pittsburgh has to be executed better. Lewis will not talk about schemes and what works and what doesn't, and he has instructed assistant coaches and players to follow suit.

One of the refreshing aspects of Lewis and coordinator Leslie Frazier's defense has been the aggressive style of play from the cornerbacks. The press coverage has been effective. Lewis does like to play disciplined defense, and apparently the idea late against the Steelers was not to allow a quick-strike score.

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These final two letters aren't questions. One is a note of congratulations from a Steelers fan to the Bengals and Bengals fans. The other is a note of appreciation from a Bengals fan living in the heart of Steelers country.

They're a little out of the format, but they had a sincere tone to them and appear to be written by some knowledgeable football fans. They're also example of the strange way sports teams can hold such significance in people's lives.

From Dave in Pittsburgh: "Way to go, Bengals. I'll be rooting for you the rest of the way. Mike Brown finally got it right when he hired Mr. Lewis. Look around the league, and you'll see natives of the Pittsburgh area coaching all over. We know football. Now Cincinnati knows football, too. Fans should enjoy the way the team is playing and support it.

"Even if you don't make the playoffs, you have the beginnings of something good. It all started for we Steelers fans in 1972. For more than 30 years, we have enjoyed more than our share of greatness. Now it is your turn. Good luck."

From Victor in Ellwood City, Pa.: "Well it's not a question, just a fact that I and my friend Dan have been Bengal fans forever and are so happy right now that words can't describe. Both of us were at the game, and we are both so proud to be true Bengals fans - not jump-on-the-bandwagon fans. It's been nasty these last 13 years, but finally it's paying off.

"Thank you, Cincinnati Bengals, for another week of great football."

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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