Friday morning reader e-mail ...

A few e-mails from Enquirer readers on Friday morning:

Question, from Ken in Butler County: Feels like a big mistake not taking the top center
in the draft (Jake Grove), who went to Oakland. Picking Chris Perry felt like a defensive
manuever because Corey Dillon was gone. Can (Scott Kooistra) play center? Maybe (Jerry) Fontenot can work; he definitely has the experience short-term -- while a longer term choice is developed.

The defensive line not getting Warren Sapp feels like the biggest non-move in the
offseason. Perhaps the Bengals can get creative and create a defense the rest of the league would have to adjust to? Just expressing my frustration and offering suggestions.

Answer: No one could have predicted the flood of injuries that has hit, especially on the
offensive line and at linebacker.

Look for center Rich Braham to get back as quickly as possible. He is one of the
toughest, most resilient players in the NFL. Fontenot was an excellent pickup. He is a player
similar to Braham with his no-nonsense, professional approach to the game. If the Bengals would have to switch them back and forth -- essentially going with two part-time starters --
quarterback Carson Palmer should not have much trouble adjusting.

Give Marvin Lewis the benefit of the doubt on the defense. As he says, "It is what it
is." Look for him to push hard to get it fixed. It's not gadgets that will make it better,
especially against the run. Getting Brian Simmons back at outside linebacker will help. Lewis'
scheme is about discipline and assignment, not running all over the field. Sapp would have definitely helped. The Bengals had him but blinked.

The Bengals had to rid themselves of Dillon, and the player they drafted with the 56th
overall pick obtained from New England, defensive back Madieu Williams, has star potential.

The inability to reach a long-term deal with Rudi Johnson almost forced the Bengals to draft a
pro-ready tailback, and that was Perry. If running backs coach Jim Anderson saw something in
Perry, that's all the convincing fans should need. Anderson's track record is among the best. Right now, Perry does look like a luxury pick. Perhaps a defensive tackle would have been
a better choice in the first round, but draft experts say don't go too far down a list in a
specific position.

Question, from Ryan: Do you think the mass injuries the Bengals have suffered on both
sides of the ball can be attributed to a training camp where players were pushed too hard?

Answer: No. Most of the injuries suffered by Bengals players were full-speed game
injuries to ankles and arms.

Question, from Anurag in Blue Ash: With (Madieu) Williams getting beaten as badly as he
did in his first game (not that it was entirely his fault, they should have had help near him the
whole game), what do you think we need to do until Deltha (O'Neal) gets better in terms of
filling that spot?

Answer: O'Neal should be back and starting Sunday night. He is a big question mark. The
scouting report out of Denver is he is not a good cover corner. But Lewis obviously sees
something in him. Let's see how it works.

As stated above, Williams has great potential and the intelligence and work ethic to
develop his talent. He's a keeper.

Fans should also look forward to watching Keiwan Ratliff develop at cornerback. This team is rebuilding, although Lewis dismisses that label. Lewis is trying to rebuild and compete at the same time, and the injuries have made his task that much more difficult.

Lewis' attitude is admirable. He expects each of his 53 players to contribute and
perform. He doesn't feel sorry for himself. He continually adjusts and looks ahead. It's
refreshing change from the woe-is-me attitude displayed at times by some Bengals coaches in the past 15-20 years.