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.