QB Kitna to start for Bengals against Giants

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer
(11:55 a.m.) -- Bengals backup quarterback Jon Kitna will make his second consecutive start today against the Giants, and starter Carson Palmer has again been designated as the emergency third quarterback.

Palmer has a sprained left knee and has not practiced since suffering the injury two
weeks ago at New England. Rookie Casey Bramlet will again be the second quarterback.

The other inactive Bengals are starting defensive end Duane Clemons, safety Rogers
Beckett, running backs Chris Perry and Quincy Wilson, guard Alex Sulfsted and defensive tackles Greg Scott and Terrance Martin.

Beside Kitna, other changes in the starting lineup for the Bengals are left defensive end Carl Powell and cornerback Keiwan Ratliff. Cornerback Deltha O'Neal is active, but he will not
start.
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Readers express QB opinions

So much e-mail. So little time. Nothing brings out the reader e-mail like a Bengals loss.
Beside Chris Perry, most of the letters deal with the quarterback situation.

Question, from Robert in Clarksville: What's the real reason Chris Perry is not playing?
Have we another Akili Smith on our team: grab your siging bonus and afraid to play?

Answer: Smith wanted to play. So does Perry. As you probably know by now, he has seen a
specialist to to try to determine the extent of the abdominal strain and why it has taken so long
to heal.

Question, from Anonymous: Was there ever any doubt about Carson Palmer being a great
draft pick? Jon Kitna's performance on Sunday should put that question to rest. You have to
believe that had a healthy Palmer played against Buffalo, the Bengals would have prevailed.

It is such a shame that the great defensive play by Cincinnati was wasted by the poor performance of Kitna. My concern at this point would be finding a suitable backup for Palmer for next season.

Answer: Kitna is a better quarterback than he showed Sunday. Much better. But Palmer is
developing into a star. Kitna is a good backup.

Question, from Mark: Your comparison of Palmer to Kitna is wrong (Monday, Dec. 20). You
are comparing apples and oranges. Kitna's play in one game doesn't put Palmer's entire year in
perspective and to think it does is not logical.

If Kitna had a great day and the Bengals win, I bet you don't even write the article. Physical ability can overcome lack of experience for a while and then you either learn or get sacked. Take a look at Bengal history with young quarterbacks: Right now Palmer just has more
physical ability than any.

The real test is if he learns from his experience. Hopefully Kitna is helping him learn which is what an excellent quarterback and a real teammate does.

I don't know Jon Kitna, don't know Carson Palmer and I am not a fan of either one, but
your article was wrong.

Answer: I disagree. Kitna played worse than I thought he would. As I wrote above, I think
he is better than he showed. But I stand by my point that Palmer has developed into a fine
quarterback.

For a player with just a dozen starts, Palmer is ahead of the curve. Palmer is learning from his mistakes. He is much better than Akili Smith or David Klingler. Palmer already is showing that he's an excellent teammate. So is Kitna.

Question, from Dave in Canfield: For all of the times Kitna has yelled at Palmer coming
off the field after a turnover, I wonder if Carson returned the favor(s) Sunday?

Answer: Kitna isn't yelling at Palmer in a critical way. Kinta is like a second quarterbacks coach on the sideline and Palmer's biggest fan and supporter. They have an excellent relationship.

Question, from Tom: No doubt Jon Kitna is a good Christian man, and a wonderful father,
but it's his time to leave the game. Palmer is the real deal, and it is exciting just to watch
him handle the ball. Now we need a strong second string QB.

Answer: It's not time for Kitna to leave. Yes, he played poorly. With the exception of Rudi Johnson, not much good happened on offense against the Bills. But get rid of Kitna? No way. Not unless another team offers a lot in a trade.

The Bengals are fortunate to have Kitna. And Kitna's many contributions can be seen in Palmer's development.

Question, from Steve in Mt. Lookout: Will Casey Bramlet get any snaps in these last two games?

Answer: Unlikely. Not unless both Palmer and Kitna can't play.

Kitna officially to start at QB vs. Bills

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

(12:10 p.m.) -- Carson Palmer will be the designated third quarterback today for the Bengals, and Jon Kitna will make his first 2004 start for the Bengals against Buffalo.

Rookie Casey Bramlet is the second quarterback and active for the first time this season.

Palmer (knee) is one of five starters out because of injury. Inactive starters are
cornerback Deltha O'Neal (ankle), center Rich Braham (knee, injured reserve list), strong safety
Rogers Beckett (neck) and defensive end Duane Clemons (knee). Starting are cornerback Keiwan Ratliff, center Jerry Fontenot, safety Kim Herring and defensive end Carl Powell.

Herring will play free safety, and Madieu Williams shifts from free safety to strong safety. Also inactive are running backs Chris Perry (abdomen) and Quincy Wilson (signed Saturday
off Atlanta's practice squad) and defensive tackle Greg Scott.

The Bengals are 6-7. The Bills are 7-6. Both teams are still alive for an AFC wildcard
berth.
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Palmer still questionable for Bills; Braham doubtful

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

Carson Palmer remained listed as questionable for the game Sunday against Buffalo.

The Bengals quarterback was receiving treatment on his sprained left knee from team medical personnel and could not attend the weekly quarterback news conference late this morning.

Jon Kitna spoke at the news conference, but his appearance did not mean he would necessarily start.

"He has improved some. We'll see," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said early this afternoon of Palmer. "He's still in his brace."

Palmer stiffly walked through the locker room with the brace on his leg.

Kitna would start if Palmer can't play. Rookie Casey Bramlet would move up to No. 2, and Palmer would be the emergency third quarterback, Lewis said.

Lewis said he would make his decision on who starts at quarterback well before the game but would only announce his decision at game time.

The Bengals also could have another change in the middle of the offense. Center Rich Braham (knee) was downgraded to doubtful today, Lewis said. Braham was seen walking on crutches in the locker room.

Jerry Fontenot, acquired after the season began, would make his fourth start if Braham can't play. Fontenot, a 16th-year player, started Games 2-4 for the Bengals.

Beside Palmer, defensive lineman Duane Clemons (knee), safety Rogers Beckett (neck) and cornerback Deltha O'Neal (ankle) were listed as questionable. Clemons, who leads the team with 6.5 sacks, wore a leg brace in the locker room. Only O'Neal is expected to participate in parts of practice this afternoon.

Linebacker Kevin Hardy and rookie running back Chris Perry were probable, Lewis said.

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RB Perry active for Patriots; CB Ratliff to start

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (12:12 p.m.) -- Rookie running back Chris Perry is active for the Bengals for the first time since Oct. 17 at Cleveland. He had missed seven consecutive games because of a strained abdominal muscle.

Cornerback Deltha O'Neal (ankle) was a surprise scratch today. Rookie cornerback Keiwan Ratliff will make his third start. Ratliff will be one of three rookies to start on defense against the Patriots, joining middle linebacker Landon Johnson and strong safety Madieu Williams.

The Bengals also de-activated strong safety Rogers Beckett (neck). Williams moves to strong safety, and Kim Herring will start at free safety. The Patriots have de-activated two starting pass catchers, tight end Daniel Graham and wide receiver David Givens. Givens is the team's leading receiver with 52 receptions, while Graham has a 12.4-yard average on 25 receptions with five touchdowns.

Other Bengals inactives: third quarterback Casey Bramlett, offensive tackles Alex Sulfsted and Stacy Andrews and defensive tackles Greg Scott, Terrance Martin and Shaun Smith. The Bengals are 6-6. The Patriots are 11-1 and have won 17 in a row here at Gillette Stadium.

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RB Perry active for Patriots; CB Ratliff to start

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (12:12 p.m.) -- Rookie running back Chris Perry is active for the Bengals for the first time since Oct. 17 at Cleveland. He had missed seven consecutive games because of a strained abdominal muscle.

Cornerback Deltha O'Neal (ankle) was a surprise scratch today. Rookie cornerback Keiwan Ratliff will make his third start. Ratliff will be one of three rookies to start on defense against the Patriots, joining middle linebacker Landon Johnson and strong safety Madieu Williams.

The Bengals also de-activated strong safety Rogers Beckett (neck). Williams moves to strong safety, and Kim Herring will start at free safety. The Patriots have de-activated two starting pass catchers, tight end Daniel Graham and wide receiver David Givens. Givens is the team's leading receiver with 52 receptions, while Graham has a 12.4-yard average on 25 receptions with five touchdowns.

Other Bengals inactives: third quarterback Casey Bramlett, offensive tackles Alex Sulfsted and Stacy Andrews and defensive tackles Greg Scott, Terrance Martin and Shaun Smith. The Bengals are 6-6. The Patriots are 11-1 and have won 17 in a row here at Gillette Stadium.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

Reader e-mail for an early Saturday morning

It's time to clean up the e-mail basket. And off we go ...

Question, from Martin in Honolulu: Is Peter Warrick on IR?
Answer: Yes, he was placed on injured reserve, ending his season, on Nov. 5.

Question, from Gus in Milan, Tenn.: Do you think there is much of a chance the Bengals
will pass on Rudi Johnson and go after hometown boy Shaun Alexander?
Answer: The intent now seems to be to reach a suitable agreement with Johnson. If money
is what eventually drives Johnson away from the Bengals, Alexander is out of reach, too. His
asking price will be greater than Johnson's.

Question, from Matthew in Oxford: Besides resolving the running back situation, what do
you think is the Bengals' most glaring need this offseason?
Answer: Acquiring depth on the defensive and offensive lines.

Question, from Jamaal in Mount Laurel, N.J.: In your opinion, who is the most important for the Bengals to sign? Is it TJ (Houshmandzadeh) or Rudi this year, or Peter Warrick next year?
I feel that the guy that they can let go is T.J. (no disrespect at all), and I feel that Rudi,
and especially Warrick, are very important. Hopefully people don't forget how valuable Peter is
to this team.
Answer: Peter Warrick is the most valuable player on the offense. His contract is not up
until after the 2005 season. There should be no reason the Bengals can't sign Johnson and
Houshmandzadeh. They will have more cap room next year. Much of the $10 million in dead cap space -- cap dollars still committed to players no longer on the roster -- will disappear next year.

Question, from Jim in Alexandria, Ky.: I know the schedule The Bengals play rotates every year, and some of the games depend on their record this year, but can you tell me which divisions they will play next year other than their own?
Answer: Yes, I can. The Bengals play the AFC South and NFC North next season. They have
home games against Houston, Indianapolis, Green Bay, Minnesota and the same-place finisher in the AFC East (right now, third-place Buffalo). They will have road games at Jacksonville, Tennessee, Chicago, Detroit and the third-place team in the AFC West (Kansas City).

Ravens Jamal Lewis inactive for Bengls today

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

BALTIMORE (11:50 a.m.) -- Bengals safety Rogers Beckett will not be active this afternoon
against the Ravens because of a neck injury. Former Ravens safety Kim Herring will start at free safety, with rookie Madieu Williams shifting to strong safety.

Cornerback Deltha O'Neal, who has an injured ankle, will start. The other inactives are
running back Chris Perry, guard Alex Suflsted, offensive tackle Stacy Andrews and defensive
linemen Greg Scott, Terrance Martin and Shaun Smith.

For the Ravens, running back Jamal Lewis (ankle) is inactive. Chester Taylor will start
at tailback.

The Ravens also will be without starting right guard Orlando Brown, which should further
weaken their running game. Cornerback Deion Sanders, the nickel back, is out, too.

The Bengals are 5-6. The Ravens are 7-4. The Bengals are trying to snap a 42-game losing
streak on the road to teams with winning records. It dates to December 1990.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

Readers concerned about Rudi's future

Rudi Johnson and the Bengals situation at running back dominate reader e-mail.

Question, from Gus in Tennessee: Any chance the Bengals lure Shaun Alexander back home?

Answer: No. If some $4 million-$5 million for Rudi Johnson is too much for the Bengals,
Alexander, the Boone County native, would be wanting much more.

Question, from Michael in Dayton, Ohio: I know the reasons that the club gives for
drafting Chris Perry -- (running backs coach) Jim Anderson loves Perry. But why didn't they see how Rudi did this year and then if he wasn't the real deal, draft a running back in 2005?

The club now has two choices: Sign Rudi for what (he wants) or let him go and hope Perry is the
answer.

Answer: Anderson's string of successes can't be discounted. He's one of the top running
backs coaches in the NFL and has been right far more often than wrong in judging talent.

You'd probably like Perry a lot if he could just get past the injuries and get on the field. The Bengals might have drafted Perry because they already had a sense -- having gone through negotiations with Johnson as a restricted free agent -- that Johnson's long-term asking price might too be too high for them.

The plan has back-fired, at least this season, because they haven't been able to see what Perry could do on the field. Perry was somewhat of an insurance policy for Johnson's departure and still is. The team might have to gamble on Perry being able to be the featured back next season if Johnson leaves.

Question, from Matt in Cincinnati: Do you think the Bengals should let Rudi Johnson go?
Do you think they will use that money to go after a FA? and if so, who?

Answer: They should do everything possible to re-sign Johnson. He fits well here on many
fronts. If he goes, they'll probably sign a lower-price veteran free agency and let the free
agent and Perry battle for the starting job at camp.

Question, from Matt in Evendale: With Peter Warrick's injury, contract situation, and the
need for another receiver to take the pressure off of Chad Johnson, do you think the Bengals will take a run at Mike Williams of USC during the draft?

Answer: Warrick should be back 100 percent for training camp. He is the most valuable
player on the team, and he and Johnson help each other play better. Houshmandzadeh probably can be re-signed as a productive third receiver. They have greater needs than wide receiver if
Warrick is healthy.

Question, from Tim in Goshen: What are the chances the bengals will resign both Rudi and
T.J. to a contract for the 2005 season?

Answer: The chances that Houshmandzadeh will be back are better than the odds of Johnson's return, simply from a money standpoint.

Lewis: Signing Rudi a priority

By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said this afternoon that re-signing tailback Rudi Johnson remains a top priority.

"Same priority as it was when we started the season," Lewis said.

Johnson, who is sixth in the NFL with 1,049 rushing yards, will be an unrestricted free agent after the season unless he re-signs with the Bengals.

The normally accessible Johnson spent no time at his locker during the 45-minute media window this afternoon.

While walking quickly to a meeting, Johnson described the process as "slow motion."

Also making news today, right tackle Willie Anderson was announced as the team's winner of the Ed Block Courage Award. It honors NFL players who demonstrate values of sportsmanship and courage. Anderson has overcome a right knee injury to start every game, extending his consecutive start streak to 75. Anderson also dealt with the death of his father during the season.

The early injury report has safety Rogers Beckett (neck), running back Chris Perry (abdomen), wide receiver Cliff Russell (concussion) and defensive tackle Carl Powell (knee) as questionable.
Rookie defensive tackle Matthias Askew (knee) is expected to miss the game.

And Lewis said the following players would be probable: cornerback Deltha O'Neal (ankle), wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (ribs) and linebacker Caleb Miller (ankle).

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