Mark Curnutte

Training camp is in full stride. The preseason starts Saturday. Fans have a lot of questions.

Question, from Mark in Houston: I have very real concerns with our defensive line.It doesn't seem to stop the run very well, nor does it get regular pressure on the quarterback. I truly believe the Bengals made an error in trading down and selecting Chris Perry. We could have really used (defensive tackles) Vince Wilfork or Tommie Harris on the line. What is the reasoning on not addressing such a clear weakness on our football team?

Answer: The Bengals' draft philosophy under coach Marvin Lewis is not to reach to far down a list to fill a position need. They traded the No. 17 pick to Denver for its No. 24 pick, which ended up being traded to the Rams for their No. 26. That choice yielded Perry.

Actions speak louder than words. The Bengals made a serious run at tackle Warren Sapp in free agency. Then they thought they would sign Daryl Gardener, whose bad back has probably ended his career, after his release by Denver.

The third piece was bringing back tackle Glen Steele, a free agent the Bengals let go to the Giants and the Giants cut.

Lewis will dispute that tackle is a position of weakness. And he speaks positively of starters John Thornton and Tony Williams and backups Steele, Langston Moore, Greg Scott and Matthias Askew.

And while it takes 11 players to play the run, the tackles have to be solid. The results of the scrimmage were not encouraging. The offense rushed for 160 yards and better than 6 yards a carry.

Q, from Derek in Ashburn, Va.: What is going on with Peter Warrick and his knee injury?I have him in my fantasy league and need to figure out if I need to drop another player to pick up Kelley Washington, or if I'd be better served by looking at wide receivers other than Bengals.

A: Lewis needs Warrick, too. The plan to is give Warrick occasional rest until his right knee, repaired in surgery, heals and regains more strength. Lewis doesn't want to wear him out in practice. Resting him in practice will help Warrick be on the field more once the season starts.

Q, from Deborah in Miami/Carol City, Fla.: Can we look forward to Nate Webster starting for the entire season? We (the family) will be looking forward to him playing. We think he is a great asset to the Bengals team.

A: This question comes from Nate's aunt. And Marvin Lewis agrees with her. Webster will be an asset to the Bengals defense. Barring injury, Webster will be the starter.

Webster served an apprenticeship in Tampa Bay as a backup. He will have to play well as middle linebacker for the Bengals to consistently stop the run.

Q, from Victor in Barcelona: I'ma Bengals fan, and most times it is difficult to get accurate information here regarding the NFL. Something that surprised me a little was the deal for Corey Dillon: Wasn't a second-round pick too low for him?

A: No. It was the round in which Dillon was drafted in 1997, and it was the price the Bengals set. They were patient, and they got what they wanted.

Dillon, despite his gifts as a runner, was a case of addition by subtraction for the Bengals. The pick, No. 56 overall, turned into safety Madieu Williams. Williams has the look and attitude of a 10-year player in the NFL.

Q, from Margie in Marietta, Ga.: I was wondering who you thought might be the opening day starting quarterback, and if it's Carson Palmer, if he gets in trouble, how long will it take them to go back to Jon Kitna?

A: It is Palmer, and Lewis will show patience with Palmer. Kitna will be ready if he's called upon, but the Bengals would like to see Palmer play the whole season.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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