Training camp reader e-mail responses

It's Thursday, Aug. 4, about 12:30 p.m. Time for a few reader
questions that have come in about the Bengals:

Letter 1, from Matthew in Rahway, N.J.: Is the holdout of David
Pollack due more to lingering 1990s Bengals front office negotiating
tactics, agents wrangling over what equates to NFL pennies,
or a little of both?

If you had to pick one, which of the first two draft selections
would the Bengals miss more this season, Odell Thurman (had he
stayed out) or Pollack?

And, finally, do you think it's possible the Bengals will be
less likely to name rookies the starter before they sign their
contracts in the future? Is this something that's making the
negotiations more difficult, too?

Answer: Good questions from the home state of the great Bruce
Springsteen. (I missed his show in Cincinnati the other night,
but, based on what I heard, he was his usual incomparable self.

And before I jump into football, I'd also like to recommend Son
Volt's new CD, "Okemah and the Melody of Riot," to any one who
likes great Americana-style rock 'n' roll with politically-oriented
lyrics; take a listen to "Jet Pilot." (Okemah, by the way, is Woody
Guthrie's hometown.)

OK, football. The constant in Bengals rookie negotiations is
management. It's their choice how and on whom to spend their
money, but it seems silly to have -- as Matthew refers to it -- NFL
pennies keep the top draft pick out of training camp. The organization
and agent share equally in the holdout, an issue not unique to the Bengals.

Pollack is more valuable to the Bengals than Thurman. Obviously
a higher-rated player, Pollack can do more in terms of rushing
the passer and adding another solid defender against the run.

I'm also not so sure coaches are going to be able to keep Landon
Johnson off the field this year. He does too many things well.
right now, Johnson and Brian Simmons are the two linebackers
left on the field in nickel passing downs when cornerback Keiwan
Ratliff comes in as the fifth defensive back.

And, finally, it wouldn't seem a depth chart would hurt or help
contract negotiations. Marvin Lewis is quick to point out that
it's just a piece of paper that's put together in "37 seconds"
for reporters.

Letter 2, from Tom in Saylor Park: I am thinking of a 10-6
season with a trip to the playoffs. If Carson (Palmer) and Chad
(Johnson) get hooked up, it could be even better. I sure hope we
are getting someone that is mean and tough enough to replace
(linebacker Takeo) Spikes.

Now I have a gripe for one of your fellow "Enquirer" writers.
Cornhole the game was invented by the great people on the West
Side of Cincinnati, not somebody on the East Side who decided to
play it at his bar.

Answer: A 10-6 finish is a possibility, but it would seem from
this perspective that a playoff berth depends more on the
defense.

As for cornhole, don't ask me. I'm from a farm town in
north-central Illinois. The only corn out there is in the
fields.

Letter 3, from Wally: Is Kevin Greene a player or a coach?

Answer: He is a coaching consultant in camp for about six days
working with the linebackers and outside pass rusher, such as
defensive end Justin Smith. He might have been brought in by
Lewis to work with Pollack, but Smith has been Greene's most
attentive student. Greene is retired as a player.