Sunday night reader e-mail from Nashville

Bengals fans must be out treak-or-treating with their children -- or the kids themselves are out. Not a lot of e-mail here on game night at The Coliseum in Nashville, Tenn.

Question, from Chris in Seattle: I have two questions for you. Looks like we have ANOTHER losing season ahead of us. We can again probably expect a top 5-10 draft pick. Who is out there that might find themselves in a Bengals uniform for the 2005 season? (Hopefully a defensive player.)

My second question is how tough is Marvin Lewis on these players? All I see is shaking of the head. Why not a Bill Cowher or Tom Coughlin in-your-face guy? I know I start yelling at the TV when somebody does something wrong. It just seems like he is over friendly to the players.

Answer: Lewis is consistent with his players. He is not one for emotional outburts in public. I would believe, though, that they are told matter of factly what they're doing wrong.

As for the draft: The top defensive linemen likely to come out are George's David Pollack and USC's Shaun Cody. It doesn't look like a deep class of D-linemen.

Question, from Bob in Maineville: In hindsight, since the Bengals have been unable to stop the run for at least 16 games, it appears that Lewis' decision to change a somewhat successful offense at the beginning of this year was a major mistake. What do you think?

Answer: Starting Carson Palmer ahead of Jon Kitna, at this point, might not look like a good move. There has been a step back, for sure, from where the offense was last October and November.

But with the defense the Bengals have, in spite of its good showing against Denver and in the fourth quarter today, would playing Kitna have pushed the 2004 Bengals into the playoffs? Probably not. Palmer will be a star, and this season is an investment in the future.

QB McNair out for Titans

Posted: 11:47 a.m., Cincinnati time

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Co-MVP Steve McNair will not play this afternoo against the Bengals.
He is inactive because of a bruised sternum. Backup Billy Volek will start for Tennessee at quarterback.

McNair has 20 career touchdowns against the Bengals, his most against any team, and is 9-3 in 12 starts. Titans running back Chris Brown, who was questionable with a toe injury, will play. He is the NFL's third-leading rusher.

The Bengals made two changes in their starting lineup in preparation for the game this
afternoon against the Titans.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh will start at one wide receiver, instead of Peter Warrick, who is
again inactive because of a shin injury. And Landon Johnson will start at middle linebacker,
ahead of fellow rookie Caleb Miller, who is not injured.

The most notable inactive player for the Bengals is defensive lineman Carl Powell. With
Tony Williams done for the season, Langston Moore is making his first start at tackle. Powell's
knee injury removes a valuable backup. Rookie defensive tackle Matthias Askew is active and is
expected to play a significant number of snaps.

Other Bengals inactives: cornerback Rashad Bauman, running back Chris Perry, cornerback
Terrell Roberts and offensive linemen Alex Sulfsted and Stacy Andrews.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

Bengals inactives for Tennessee; no word yet on McNair

Posted: 11:40 a.m., Cincinnati time

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Bengals made two changes in their starting lineup in preparation
for the game this afternoon against the Titans.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh will start at one wide receiver, instead of Peter Warrick, who is again inactive because of a shin injury. And Landon Johnson will start at middle linebacker,
ahead of fellow rookie Caleb Miller, who is not injured.

The most notable inactive player for the Bengals is defensive lineman Carl Powell. With
Tony Williams done for the season, Langston Moore is making his first start at tackle. Powell's
knee injury removes a valuable backup. Rookie defensive tackle Matthias Askew is active and is
expected to play a significant number of snaps.

Other Bengals inactives: cornerback Rashad Bauman, running back Chris Perry, cornerback
Terrell Roberts and offensive linemen Alex Sulfsted and Stacy Andrews.

As of 11:38 a.m. Cincinnati time, there was no word available on the status of Titans
quarterback Steve McNair. He was listed as questionable Friday with a bruised sternum that was painful to the touch. Backup Billy Volek is expected to start at quarterback for Tennessee.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

Comment from John Thornton, reader e-mails

Time for some house cleaning on Thursday morning. First an item that was cut from the Bengals notebook that ran in this morning's Enquirer and some reader e-mail taking me to task for picking Denver to defeat the Bengals on Monday night.

First this piece of a note that was cut for space reasons this morning. It's a pretty interesting
quote from Bengals defensive tackle John Thornton, a guy with a definite future in the media, if
he chooses that path. McNair, by the way, was listed as questionable Wednesday with a sternum injury. He missed practice because of a death in his family.

Bengals tackle John Thornton, a former Titan, thinks McNair will play (Sunday). McNair has 20
touchdown passes and a 9-3 record against the Bengals.

"If he doesn't play that just tells you what the Titans think about us," Thornton said. "These
guys need this game. They're at the bottom of their division, too. If he doesn't play then they
feel like their backup can beat us."

Now for the letters from gloating Bengals fans:

Question, from Melvin in Norfolk, Va. (Xenia native): Hello Mr. Crunette: I just want to say you have a hard job, but I have to quote you: "It will be many weeks before I pick the Bengals to win again, REGARDLESS OF THE OPPONENT. Bengal 23, Broncos 10."

At least I have to give you credit. You did not write a demeaning article titled, "BENGALS, DON'T EMBARRASS US." It would only be fair if today's headline would read, "Paul Daugherty, DON'T EMBARRASS US AGAIN" on national TV with your predictions of doom for the Bengals.
I am sorry about that, but when I read that article today, it really made me mad. And I am so happy for the Bengals and Cincinnati.

Answer: I, too, am happy for the Bengals and Cincinnati. But my job is to write as honestly as I can. I thought the Bengals would lose. I thought they would win at Pittsburgh and Cleveland. Shows you what I know.

Here's a hint: I'm picking Tennessee to win Sunday.

Here's what I'm happiest about: As a Hamilton County resident and taxpayer, I'm glad to see the county and city getting some return on the investment in Paul Brown Stadium. Regardless of the lease details and whether one thinks the Bengals have an unfairly generous deal, downtown has been busy and crowded -- much like other NFL cities we visit -- on game days and nights for the past season. Starting with the Kansas City game last season, the last six home attendance marks have been the biggest in Bengals franchise history. A competitive Bengals team is drawing people and their money to the city. That's why the stadium was built.

As for Paul's column, he did a good job of capturing the mood of the city and the team's fans. I heard much the same expression of mixed excitement and dread in the days leading up to the game. ABC showed Paul's column twice because it thought the headline was an accurate depiction of the city's mindset leading up to the Monday night game. Not that he needs my support, but I agree with Paul.

As for the spelling of my last name ... never mind. I'm used to it.

Question, from Joyce in Landen: I could not believe what you said when they interviewed you last night on national television. I never give up on the Bengals, but apparently you have!

Answer: I wish it were national television, but Joyce is referring to a short spot I did on WCPO-TV's pre-game show. I simply said the Bengals didn't have much chance to win and were facing difficult matchup problems. To their credit, and I congratulate them, the Bengals defeated Denver decisively.

I stand by the pick. I was proven incorrect. My job description, by the way ... oh, never mind.

Question, from Anurag in Blue Ash: This really isn't a question so much as a comment. I have been to all three home games, and I wanted to tell you a little something about the fans. The group of people that I go to the games with would be filed under the "Loud and Rowdy" category.

We were told to sit down numerous timess during both the Miami and Baltimore games. It was SO nice to finally go to a home game where almost everyone was up and yelling on every down. It was safe to say that the Jungle was ROARING through that whole Monday Night Game. GOOD JOB FANS!!! That is how it should be on all home games!!!

Answer: The fans were amazingly loud and supportive. Lewis has commented many times about how the fans have helped to create a definite home-field advantage.

Along the same lines, it will be interesting to see the balance of the home crowds for the Pittsburgh and Cleveland games and whether those team's fans were able to get a lot of tickets at Paul Brown Stadium. As you know, in the past, you couldn't tell from crowd noise who was the home team, especially against the Steelers because they travel so many thousands of fans and have a national fan base.

Question, from Michael in Dayton: What happened to the Bengals wearing the orange jerseys for special occasions ... like "Monday Night Football"?

Answer: Lewis answered that Wednesday. He thought the Monday night game was special enough in itself and wanted to save the orange shirts for other games. So the Bengals will wear them at home against Dallas and Cleveland with the new black pants.

Warrick to play; Bengals inactives for Denver game

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

Bengals wide receiver Peter Warrick, ruled out last week because of a shin injury, will
play tonight against Denver, the Bengals announced around 7:45 p.m.

Running back Chris Perry, however, was de-activated. He had been listed as probable last
week with an abdominal strain.

Other Bengals inactives are cornerback Rashad Bauman, cornerback Terrell Roberts, safety
Rogers Beckett, offensive lineman Alex Sulfsted, offensive tackle Stacy Andrews and defensive
tackle Matthias Askew.

Warrick has appeared in three games with two starts. He has 11 receptions for 127 yards.
He played only briefly in the Baltimore game on Sept. 26 and was inactive for the last two games, at Pittsburgh and Cleveland.
E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

Some fans show patience with Lewis' plan

A little mid-week e-mail from Enquirer readers.

Question, from Kevin from Fort Mitchell: I'm not worried yet. Cincinnati especially
doesn't deserve this long of a drought in terms of winning. But I figured that we could judge
what Marvin is doing at the end of his second season. This year should have been writen off by
Bengal fans the day Marvin was hired. It takes time. Two years I can take. Even three. But
something has to show before the end of this season.

Answer: This is clearly a rebuilding year for a number of reasons. The organization is
committed to Lewis and should let him continue to follow his plan.

Question, from Jim in Batesville: How does a concussion keep a player out of as many
games as Rogers Beckett?

Answer: Not one. Three. Beckett had concussions against Atlanta in the preseason and then
against the Jets and Steelers. He wants to play. There is, unfortunately, a pattern here. The
team and Beckett should be congratulated for moving ahead cautiously.

Question, from R.W. in Covington: I think the two problems that the Bengals have right
now are the defensive front four and the lack of depth overall on the team. They have to play
young guys because they are trying to rework the team. I do have a question: What was Lewis'
record his first two years in Baltimore, defensive rankings?

Answer: Lewis was Baltimore's defensive coordinator for the Ravens from 1996-2001. In
1996, the Ravens finished 30th (last) in total defense at 368.1 yards a game. They were 23rd in rush defense and 30th in pass defense.

In 1997, the Ravens improved to 25th in total defense, 10th in rush defense and 28th in pass defense.

Readers want Bengals to bolster D-line

Nothing brings out the e-mail like a Bengals season going sour. More than 50 pieces came
in Monday alone in the wake of the stinker game on Lake Erie. I had asked readers on Sunday night what positions on the roster need help in the draft. Here's a sampling:

Question, from Jerry in Indian Hill: What is your record for picking the Bengals games in
the Enquirer this year? It seems you always pick the Bengals, you always go against the vegas
spread and your always wrong?

Answer: I'm 3-2 picking the Bengals games this season. I predicted losses against the
Jets and Ravens and a victory against Miami. I incorrectly picked the Bengals to defeat
Pittsburgh and Cleveland. Honestly, after studying the matchups, I thought the Bengals would win each of their last two games. It will be many weeks before I pick the Bengals to win again,
regardless of the opponent.

Question, from Tony in Aiken, S.C.: Forget Jon Kitna vs Carson Palmer. The results were
expected and are the price of a new but promising quarterback. What happened to the defense? It has got significantly worse with Marvin Lewis? They are lightweights playing against men.

Answer: Good question. The defense against the run is the team's biggest problem. These
are Lewis' players, at least eight of the 11 preseason starters. The front seven gets pushed
around and can't consistently get off blocks. Should Adrian Ross being playing middle linebacker? Should the Bengals have traded up from No. 17 overall instead of down and drafted a defensive tackle?

Question, from David in Hamilton, Ontario: I know the chant for Kitna is getting louder,
but my understanding is that the change at QB was made because Marvin felt that the other parts of the offense would protect a rookie QB: Secifically, the offenisve line and wide receivers, as well as a strong running game. What has happened to our OL? Please don't say injuries, everyone else has them to.

P.S. -- You asked about what position would I draft. Either a big defensive tackle or a
fast defensive end. The Bengals get no penetration into the backfield, and it kills them on both
rush and pass defense.

Answer: Yes, the plan was for the offense to insulate or protect Palmer. Instead, the
pressure is greater on Palmer than just about any quarterback in the league. He's throwing way
too much because the team is behind. The line had its five starters together for the first time,
and the Browns front seven won that battle handily.

Question, from Daniel in Cincinnati: If the Bengals and Steelers traded their startingquarterbacks right now, how do you think each one would perform with his new team?

Answer: I posed this question a couple of weeks ago with the first Ben
Roethlisberger-Carson Palmer comparisons were made. The results would probably be about how they are now. Palmer would perform well with the Steelers, who would have surrounded him with a better team and not ask him to do too much to win games. Roethlisberger would look about like Palmer does with the Bengals, which is taking nothing away from what Roethlisberger has done at 4-0 as a starter with the Steelers.

Question, from Anonymous: The prospect of a 1-15 season looms. How about some Pepto for the poor fans?

Answer: It won't be 1-15. But 5-11, 6-10 is looking like a possibility right now.

Question, from Craig in Conneaut Lake, Pa.: I am a Cleveland Browns fan and Cincinnati
Reds fan. I just read your article, which was written prior to the game yesterday. I attended the
game. Your assessment of the Browns/Bengals strengths/weaknesses left a lot to be desired. My question is this: Are you still employed?

Answer: I hope so. I'll call my editor and check with him. I do recall anticipating that
the Browns would run successfully on the Bengals and would be a challenge for the Bengals to run on, especially given their previous two home performances against Washington and Baltimore.

I did think the Bengals would be able to pass the ball more productively, but I also gave Jeff Garcia the edge over Palmer and mentioned how he had two of his top three career games against the Bengals.

Question, from Jan in London, England: Interesting e-mails this Monday morning, Oct. 18. I think all Bengal fans (including myself) need to take a step back and look at the big picture. We were lucky to be 8-8 last year, and all that did was raise expectations to an unrealistic
level this year. I think Coach Lewis is on the right track, and I have confidence that he can
turn this around. ... Also, if they aren't going to re-sign Rudi Johnson, they better start
getting Chris Perry some carries so he is ready next year.

As far as your question about draft picks -- I would go after defensive linemen. I think
our front four is the worst in the NFL, and everything snowballs from there.

Answer: You make several good points.

Question, from Kelly in Louisville: You asked about draft picks -- Defensive linemen and
tight ends would be a good start. Can we draft new offensive and defensive coordinators while we are at it?

Answer: Even good coaching can't overcome possible mistakes in talent evaluation.

Question, from D.J. in White Oak: You asked what and where the Bengals will draft.Where? Somewhere between Nos. 3 and 10. What? It begins up front, and the Bengals need help on both lines and at linebacker and defensive back. They don't need any more "skilled" position players.

Answer: Defensive line appears to be the consensus winner of this highly unscientific
poll. Read on.

Question, from John in New York (Middletown native): To answer your question regarding the Bengals Draft and position in the draft. At this point we have to be looking at a Top 5 pick. With teams like the Eagles, Pats, and Ravens (all road games) still looming, things do not look to be improving any time soon. I think it starts with our D-Line, we MUST get bigger and are simply outmatched. Whether it is via the draft or free agency, we must get a big run stuffing tackle(s) in there for next year.

I love Thornton and Williams' heart, but heart alone does not get it done at this level. Until this defensive line situation gets resolved, expect the same thing the rest of the year. Guys like William Green will continue to look like Jim Brown against us.

Answer: Lewis says defense is played with 11 players. True. But his actions of going
after Warren Sapp and counting on Daryl Gardener speak louder than words.

Question, from Ernie in Boston: How are the Bengals coping with the fact thatthey made a major mistake by dealing Corey Dillon to our world champions? Do you think they miss
him?

Answer: No, they don't miss him. You're seeing Good Citizen Corey in New England. He is a
magnificent talent who is fitting in well. He'll probably rush for 1,500-1,600 yards, which is
something I predicted the night of the trade when interviewed on Boston radio.

However, Dillon would not behave the same if he had stayed in Cincinnati. He was a cancer
in the clubhouse and the one player who was not in step with Lewis' program in 2003. Rudi Johnson is a fine young talent whose 16-game numbers will be comparable to Dillon's with the Bengals. Dillon had plenty of 50-yard games as a Bengal, too.

Question, from Victor in Barcelona, Spain: Really, following last game via nfl.com, I got
the impression that the problem with the Bengals this year relies mainly on both lines. They both seemed to be dominated most of the game by Cleveland, and I was wondering if Marvin Lewis is trying to fix this situation somehow.

Answer: He is trying to improve them, but the results are not what he had expected. The
inconstency of the offensive line is hard to figure out. The Bengals drafted two defensive
linemen, Matthias Askew and Robert Geathers, but they are both development projects.

Fans frustrated, angry after Browns loss

It's Sunday night, about 10:40. The day's loss is documented for the newspaper. Only two writers remain in the press box at Cleveland Browns Stadium. But the e-mail from Enquirer readers is flooding the in-box. Here's a sampling:

From Ted, "a long-time suffering Bengal fan" in Scottsdale, Ariz.: I have but two words to say -- Jon Kitna.

Question, from Ed, a Miami University graduate and Ben Roethlisberger fan: I am certainly glad that the Bengals got the bye week out of their system. Maybe if the Broncos have eight turnovers, we will have a 34-34 overtime game. Being a Miami grad, I do root for the Steelers when they are not playing the Bengals, so I have something. The most worrisome thing was the shellshocked look on Marvin (Lewis') face in the fourth quarter. How many draft picks do we have this year?

Answer: As a fellow Miami graduate, I, too, am happy to see Ben Roethlisberger's success. He is a nice kid and a potential great NFL quarterback. (I'm a bigger fan of the English and Geography departments thanI am of the football team, though I still root hard for the RedHawks.)

At this point, I believe, the Bengals have seven draft picks in April. Here's two questions back at readers: What position do you draft first if you are the Bengals and where do you think they will end up picking overall?

Question, from Snapper: Please give me something positive to keep believing. I was at thegame today with three Browns fans (including my wife) and got my nose rubbed in it. My wife (who hates the Broncos, for obvious reasons) and I are going to the game Monday night. Do we have a chance, or is the season in the toilet?

Answer: At this point, the best the Bengals might hope for is not to embarrass themselves
on national television against a Denver team that will try to run the ball all night. As for the
season being in the toilet, who knows? There are 11 games left. But it doesn't look promising.

Question, from Daryl, a College Hill native living in San Antonio, Texas: I bought a dish NFL package specifically to watch the Bengals develop this season. Having watched the Cleveland game today, it seems to me that the Bungles are back. It's easy to see that the defense still has no clue, but my question is what happened to a promising offense? I've seen every game this year and don't think that it's all Palmer; specifically, he's a classic pocket passer, so why isn't the team attempting to go vertical in the passing game? Is Chad Johnson the only receiver that can get open? Is (Peter) Warrick's absence (to injury) that significant?

Answer: Warrick's loss hurts the offense in many ways, from removing his blocking ability
and the threat he poses on third down and in the red zone.

From Harold in Chicago: This looks like it will never end.

Question, from grweiler: Mark, are you smoking crack? Bengals in the playoffs? The team is going backwards rather than forwards.

Answer: Don't smoke. Never said this team would make the playoffs but did predict a 7-9 finish, which is beginning to look improbable. Yes, this team is sliding. And you are right. At 1-4 last season, the Bengals were improving. Not this year.

Bengals inactive for Browns

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

CLEVELAND (noon) -- The Bengals have made one change in their starting lineup for the
Browns game, which will kick-off in an hour.

Rookie Landon Johnson will start at middle linebacker in place of fellow rookie Caleb Miller. Kevin Kaesviharn will start instead of injured Rogers Beckett at strong safety, and
T.J. Houshmandzadeh will be at one wide receiver spot in place of injured Peter Warrick.

The inactive Bengals aer cornerbacks Rashad Bauman and Terrell Roberts, Beckett, guard
Alex Sulfsted, tackle Stacy Andrews, Warrick and defensive tackle Matthias Askew.

Coach Marvin Lewis had said on Friday that Rich Braham, coming back from a knee injury
and surgery, will start at center ahead of Jerry Fontenot.

More Bengals e-mail from Enquirer readers

Some reader e-mail on a Wednesday night:

Question, from Wes in Dayton, Ohio: The team is clearly losing the battle on both lines
(offense and Defense). What adjustments have they made to try to fix the problems of run-stopping and opening some holes for Rudi (Johnson) to take the heat off Carson Palmer?

Answer: Not sure what adjustments can be made to improve the run defense. Maybe a drop in
the caliber of competition will help. As Marvin Lewis says, the Bengals have to tackle better and
play their assignments more consistently.

As for the offense, the line isn't doing badly. The run blocking is improving, as witnessed by the improved run production from Rudi Johnson against Baltimore and Pittsburgh. One
of the reasons for the relatively high number of sacks (11) is Palmer might be holding onto the
ball too long.

Question, from James in Middletown: I just have a simple question for you -- I was just
wondering if the Monday Night game against the Broncos will be televised locally or blacked out?

Answer: The Denver game on Monday night, Oct. 25, is indeed sold out and will be shown on
ABC stations locally.

Question, from Jon in Columbia Township: Why do you think the fans of the Bengals have such high expectations of Marvin Lewis in only his second year?

Answer: The 8-8 finish of 2003 might have raised expectations and hopes beyond what this
rebuilding team is capable of delivering. Some of Palmer's mistakes could have been expected, but the defense -- especially against the run -- seems to be getting worse. Imagine how it would have been this season had the Bengals snuck into the playoffs in 2003.

Bengals fans want badly to win as a payoff for 13 years of suffering. The Bengals have delivered just two non-losing records since 1990, as you probably know.

Monday morning reader e-mail

Bengals fans are looking forward to the team getting back on the field after the bye.

Question, from Tom in New Vienna: Why are people starting to panic? The Bengals' only glaring problem is run defense, and that's going to be hard to fix in a season.

Ben Roethlisberger is not surrounded by superior athletes, as you suggested. He is surrounded by proven veterans, a healthy offensive line and a top 10 defensive team. Ben doesn't
have to win games for the Steelers, just don't lose it for them, kind of like (Kyle) Boller in
Baltimore.

Here are some simple solutions:
1 -- We must run the ball for 150-plus yards;
2 -- We must hold opponents less than 150 yards rushing;
3 -- Win the turnover battle.
In order to stop the running game, we need heavyweight Gilbert Brown-type tackles to keep
the linemen off the linebackers.

Answer: Roethlisberger is surrounded by better athletes and a much better team. The
Steelers are an organization with high standards that won't let their team drop off too
dramatically.

Your solutions are not simple. Well, maybe they are simple to articulate, but
accomplishing them -- for the Bengals -- will be difficult. The Browns should run the ball 40
times against the Bengals.

Question, from Sheal: As long-time Season ticket holder since 1967 at Nippert Stadium,
plus all of Riverfront Stadium, I speak somewhat knowingly and rightfully about our disappointing Bengals team this year. Namely, we changed for much better last year by bringing in Marvin Lewis, except I was under the impression that his principle expertise was as a highly experienced defensive coach, right? And he brought in his own staff of defensive experts.

All I can see right now is that we are in the very unhappy "rebuilding-year" syndrome.
It's just one big disappointing pain in the butt.

Answer: Lewis is rebuilding, but it's fair to question his choices of staff and defensive
free agents and draft picks. Eight of the 11 starters on defense are new since his arrival. And
he had a big hand in picking the six defensive players of the team's top seven picks this past
draft.

Still, Lewis is an extremely bright coach whose track record as a defensive coach is
impressive. The dominating Baltimore defense of 1999-2001 took Lewis and Ozzie Newsome three years to build.

Question, from John in Fairfield Township: I read your Bengals blog and could not believe it.
Five interceptions in a the fourth quarter is not a problem?
Thirty-one consecutive possessions without a touchdown is not troubling?
A 58.8 quarterback passer does not contribute to losing?
What boat did you just get off?

Answer: Carson Palmer's play, which almost won the Jets game and did help win the Miami
game, is far less of a problem than the run defense.

One hundred sixty five point eight yards a game against the run is the single biggest
problem with the Bengals.

Put Palmer on the Steelers and Roethlisberger with the Bengals and see what would happen.

Readers upset about Bengals start, Lewis, Palmer

Bengals fans are frustrated with the apparent backward slide of the Bengals in their
evolution as a team.

Question, from Andrew in Denver: I realize it's not the best time to bring this up, but
the Bengals have drafted a lot of skill players since Marvin Lewis has been with the Bengals. Not counting (Eric) Steinbach, the other lineman taken are projects or late-round selections. It's
obvious success is determined in the NFL from the lines. Why have we neglected this area for so long? It's great to have wonderful wide receivers, but if the quarterback doesn't have time to
throw, they're not getting the ball. A good defensive line can make sub-par corners look great.
It never works the other way around. The Bengals' philosophy puzzles me. Can you explain this to me?

Answer: The Bengals draft the best player available. That means they don't go too far
down a list at a specific position. In 2003, holding the No. 1 overall pick, they were almost
forced financially to take a quarterback. Then they took Steinbach at the top of the second
round. Great pick.

In 2001, they took defensive end Justin Smith with the fourth overall pick. In 2002, they took left tackle Levi Jones with the 10th overall pick. Smith has been solid, not spectacular. Jones has exceeded expectations.

So the Bengals have taken linemen, albeit the two first-rounders before Lewis arrived. The Bengals weren't convinced there were any first-round quality defensive linemen left
when they picked in 2004, so they traded down twice. Chris Perry seems like a luxury pick now, but he might end up being the featured back as early as next season if the Bengals can't reach a
long-term deal with Rudi Johnson.

Lewis signed three veteran free agent defensive linemen in his first year: John Thornton,
Duane Clemons and Carl Powell. Then Lewis tried to sign Warren Sapp. Then the Bengals had a deal with Daryl Gardener, which never happened because Gardener's back went bad. He has tried to rebuild the defenisve line with veterans.

Question, from Simon in Lebanon: Carson Palmer's biggest problem seems to be he only
throws to the primary option for each play. We could go to maximum protection and just have two or three receivers in passing plays. At least this would keep him protected, and he'd have fewer reads to make. ... I still prefer that Carson continues to learn and grow than go back to Kitna.

Answer: Palmer is the future. Kitna had a great season in 2003, and it produced 8-8. He
faded down the stretch. Other people disagree -- as we'll read later on -- but the defense is by far the biggest problem with the Bengals. Not Palmer.

Question, from Brian in Norfolk, Va. (originally from Forest Park): Why do they continue to draft the likes of Palmer, (Akili) Smith and (David) Klingler? Why does the defense make other rookie quarterbacks look like seasoned pros? It's sickening to watch. Well, there's always next year.

Answer: Palmer is a future star. The team around him, while superior to what Smith and
Klingler had as first-time starters, is still not playoff-caliber. There is no comparing Palmer
to Smith and Klingler. Palmer is a superior talent.

Question, from Brian in Dayton, Ohio: How long can we stay with Palmer? Kitna was
excellent in 2003. Palmer might be the future, but we fans have been saying `next year' since
1990. The Bengals should field the best players they have and let the learning happen in training camp and during the week. If we have to watch yet another player grow/mature, ticket price should be reflective a semi-pro team.

Answer: Marvin Lewis said Monday that he will stay with Palmer until he thinks Palmer is
responsible for losing games. Palmer is not losing games. There are other problems greater than
Palmer's learning curve -- again, the defense.

Question, from Brent in Brea, Calif.: Your response to Alex on Monday, Sept. 27, you
called the Bengals a "rebuilding" team. I am wondering exactly when the Bengals started
"rebuilding." Didn't they start this process in 1991? Also, I don't want any players or coaches to "humbly" accept responsibility for a poor showing, or to say that they are going to keep working.

Unfortunately, the Bengals are still the Bungles, and Marvin Lewis' relationship with other coaches, players and the media has given him undue amnesty for the terrible showing thus far. Look what Bill Cowher has done with Big Ben. The Steelers have been the antithesis to the Bengals for as long as I can remember.

Answer: Ben Roethlisberger is surrounded by a better team and working in an organization
that has been solid for three and a half decades. Lewis is trying to solidify an organization
that had been ineffective for 13 years.

Question, from Hubert in Kalamazoo: If Marvin Lewis continues to fail in turning this franchise around, maybe he should be fired. Another alternative would have some corporations in Cincinnati buy the Bengals out and give (Mike) Brown a new hobby, like needlepoint. He sure does not know how to run a team in the NFL. I've watched this franchise since 1968 and have never seen such incompetence.

Answer: Wow, fans are mad. Such comments about Lewis are extemeley premature. He is the right mix of personality and talent to work well with Brown and his family. The season is just four games old. A lot can happen in 12 games. Look at last season, for example. Perhaps some of Lewis' personnel decisions on defensive players can be questioned at this time, but not the overall job he has done.

Anybody who didn't see the potential for a step backward this season, particularly early, wasn't realistic in their expectations. Lewis is building a solid foundation and is still fielding a more competitive team more consistently than any Bengals coach since Sam Wyche.

Sunday Bengals inactives

BY MARK CURNUTTE
Enquirer staff writer

PITTSBURGH (12:10 p.m.) -- As expected, the Bengals de-activated wide receiver and safety
Kevin Kaesviharn for the game today against the Steelers.

The Bengals also de-activated safety Kim Herring, defensive lineman Carl Powell, center
Rich Braham, offensive lineman Stacy Andrews, defensive tackle Matthias Askew and Casey Bramlett, who is the third quarterback.

Warrick was downgraded to doubtful on Friday with a shin injury. T.J. Houshmadzadeh will
start in his place. Kaesviharn was downgraded to doubtful Friday with back spasms. Rookie Madieu Williams starts at free safety. Jerry Fontenot will make his third consecutive start in place of Braham.

The Bengals are 1-2. The Steelers are 2-1. The Bengals will be trying to break a 41-game
losing streak on the road to teams with winning record. The Bengals defeated the 6-5 Steelers by a 16-12 score on Dec. 2, 1990. The streak reached 41 on Dec. 21 when the Bengals lost to the 11-3 Rams in St. Louis.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com