Reds news
Today the Reds added to the 40-man roster RHP Enerio Del Rosario, OF Chris Heisey, RHP Logan Ondrusek, RHP Jordan Smith, IF Chris Valaika, LHP Philippe Valiquette and LHP Travis Wood.... the Reds also outrighted off the roster RHP Daryl Thompson, while OF Laynce Nix refused an outright assignment and elected free agency....C Craig Tatum was claimed off waivers by Baltimore....the Reds current 40-man roster includes 40 players.

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Guest update
Jim Tracy, NL Manager of the year, Rockies....Hamilton product

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Been to your mailbox yet?
Did you get your Bengals playoff ticket invoice today?
The invoice says, "The Bengals have been authorized by the NFL to invoice for the 2009 playoffs.
Playoff tickets are sold on a two game basis only. Payment in full must be received by Tuesday December 8, 2009."
Price range
Club 1: $584
Club 2: $484
Clube 3-4: $340
Lower Level: $242
All canopy: $219
From the fine print. Super Bowl: If Bengals are a participant, only those season ticket accounts purchasing all invoiced playoff tickets are eligible for drawing.
Payments for playoff games not hosted by the Bengals will be credited towards your 2010 account.

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Show preview
Guest
Forrest Gregg, former Bengals coach
Topics
Bengals-Raiders: Are you worried? It this a letdown game? trap game?
LJ: What do you expect from Larry Johnson Sunday?
The Ultimate Book of Sports Movies: What heads your list?

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This is only #96 on the list of The Ultimate Book of Sports Movies...that's bull.
I love Vision Quest.

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Big East basketball
*The Big East is now 35-0 in the 2009-10 season after five more wins Thursday night. The Big East is the only conference in the nation without a loss this season.
*Two games with nationally ranked teams on each side take place as part of Friday's Big East schedule. Syracuse, ranked No. 24 in the ESPN/USA Today poll, meets No. 6/4 North Carolina in the championship game of the 2K Sports Classic at Madison Square Garden No. 5/6 Villanova takes on No. 18/21 Dayton in the second round of the O’Reilly Auto Parts Puerto Rico Tip-Off in San Juan, P.R.

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Stephanie Spielman, wife of former OSU LB, dies at 42
AP
Stefanie Spielman, the wife of NFL and Ohio State star Chris Spielman who led a public fight against breast cancer, died Thursday after a lengthy battle with the disease. She was 42.

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Book signing
Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Rookwood Pavilion
Former Bengal coach Forrest Gregg and Andrew O'Toole discussing and signing
Winning in the Trenches: A Lifetime of Football
Tuesday, November 24 at 7:00 PM

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In honor of the debut of The Blind Side today.....
Which sports movie heads your list?

From the authors
We set five standards judging every sports movie
1. It needs to have a powerful story, a great script.
2. It needs to have three-dimensional characters, heroes and bums who make you care about their lives.
3.Of course, it needs to have topflight sports action.
4. It needs to create goose bumps. There must be at least one scene in the film that sends shivers down your back or raises a lump in your throat.
5. And it needs to be realistic....but not too much so. Because a powerful sports movie lets us stretch our imagination, allows us to dream.

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One year ago today: I got my pacemaker
I'll never forget sitting in the emergency room going over the game notes for UK vs North Carolina that night and preparing for my show. I had stopped at the hospital on my way to work. I'd had some minor discomfort in my chest for about 36 hours. I figured I'd get checked out.
While on the exam table, hooked up to a monitor with a bunch of wires, I started to feel crappy.
Next thing I know eight doctors and nurses were surrounding me. I was told I had passed out and my heart had stopped.....for 60-seconds......and then I came out of it on my own.
I didn't believe them. Then they showed me the print out of a flat line from 12:45pm to 12:46pm.
Cardiologist's Sheldon Brownstein and Stuart Steinberg were called in. Brownstein didn't believe the chart.
He told me that in 60 combined years of cardiology the two of them had never heard of someone flat-lining for 60-seconds and coming to on their own. I think Brownstein was like House (TV show) at that point and became very intrigued with my case.
I've always been one that fainted easily. Brownstein told me my heart may have stopped when I'd fainted in the past and I just never realized it. I was lucky to be hooked up to a heart monitor this time. Rather than risk it happening when I was driving or alone, we opted for the pacemaker.
The procedure lasted about 45-minutes. No big deal. I got to go home two days later and insisted I be able to attend The Cheetah Girls concert with Peyton that I had promised her. We did.
I rarely think of the pacemaker these days. I will get a replacement in about ten years.
My heart is fine. No damage. I didn't have to change my diet or eating habits.
My heart simply stopped when I fainted. The pacemaker will now remind it to start if it happens again. The pacemaker is set up to "fire" if my heart rate drops below a certain number of beats per minute. It fires a lot while I'm sleeping, but I have never really felt it.
If you experience any chest pain don't fool around...get checked out.
I actually went to the emergency room that day after remembering the heart issues that John Fay of The Enquirer had experienced during the baseball season.

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On this date: The band played on

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Bengals have easy out if they lose their gamble with LJ

Picks by Peter
Peter King, SI
Raiders season-ticket holder called our Sirius NFL Radio show the other morning. Pleaded with me to tell him what to do to try to appeal to the Raiders to change administrations and get someone in there to replace Al Davis. I had no answers. Because there are none. Oakland's on an insane merry-go-round. Al, I assume, will fire Tom Cable and hire another coach ill-equipped to deal with Weirdville out there.
Prediction: Cincinnati Bengals 26, Oakland Raiders 10

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Autograph signing
Former Bengals All-Pro Safety David Fulcher will sign autographs Sunday at Tailgaters in Dayton during the
Bengals/Raiders game starting at 3pm. Bobbleheads Pictures Hats and more. Proceeds will benefit his foundation for MS research.

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3 strikes and your'e out: Time is right at ND
Chicago Tribune
Let's not overcomplicate a process that already should have begun at Notre Dame.
If Jack Swarbrick decides Brian Kelly is his top candidate, he should make the Cincinnati coach an offer. Notre Dame's athletic director should give him an exclusive, 48-hour negotiating window after which any potential deal will be withdrawn.
If news leaks, the offer is off the table.
See? Simple.

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Leake finishes whilrwind year strong
MLB.COM
Leake allowed two hits and struck out four over four shutout innings as the Peoria Saguaros defeated the Mesa Solar Sox, 8-1, in the final game of the Arizona Fall League regular season.
Leake ended up with 9 1/3 scoreless innings after finishing his junior season with the Sun Devils with a 16-1 record.

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The Joy of Daphne
Gallery of the weekend....enjoy....careful viewing

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If the Bengals need help at LB

How about Danielle Moinet of the Chicago Bliss?

Show preview
Guests
Mick Cronin, 6:10
Bengals Roundtable with John Thornton, 6:30-8pm

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Former UC coach impressed by Bearcats
OneGreatSeason.com
"I take no responsibility for UC being where it is today; that is for others to determine," Murphy said. "I love watching UC on TV the few chances I get. The university, the physical plant and facilities and the success of UC football are impressive and something for anyone connected with UC to take great pride in."

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UC football news
CINCINNATI---University of Cincinnati wide receiver/kick returner Mardy Gilyard was named one of 15 Players to Watch for the 2009 Walter Camp Football Foundation Player of the Year award, the fourth oldest college football award in the nation.
He leads the BIG EAST Conference in total receiving yards, catching 68 balls for 930 yards and eight touchdowns. He has three 100-yard receiving games and has caught a pass in 15-straight contests.
Gilyard, the 2008 BIG EAST Special Teams Player of the Year, has helped UC lead the BIG EAST in both kickoff and punt returns. He ranks sixth nationally and leads the BIG EAST, averaging 180.1 all-purpose yards per game.
The 15-player list includes four quarterbacks, four running backs, four wide receivers and three defensive standouts.
A list of five finalists will be announced on Wednesday, December 2. The 2009 Walter Camp Player of the Year recipient, who is voted on by the Football Bowl Subdivision head coaches and sports information directors, will be presented live on Thursday, December 10 during the 6 p.m. edition of ESPN Sports Center.

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The Cuddle....revisited
Oakland will start Bruce Gradkowski at QB on Sunday.
Anyone remember October 15, 2006?
The Bengals led 13-7 at Tampa Bay with 2:35 remaining. Justin Smith sacked Gradkowski to seemingly give the Bengals the win. But Smith was called for roughing the passer, giving the Bucs the ball at the Bengals 25-yard line. Tampa Bay rallied and won the game 14-13 on an 8-yard TD pass to Michael Clayton with :35 remaining.
The winning play, on 4th and 3, was originally ruled incomplete when the ball fell out of Clayton's hands diving to the goal line. But the play was overturned on replay and ruled a catch.
The Bengals did have one last chance but Carson Palmer was sacked on second down.
Marvin then passed up a Hail Mary pass.
Shayne Graham was forced to try a 62-yard field goal that was short and wide right.
Marvin's classic line about the roughing the passer penalty was...."I guess you have to cuddle him to the ground".

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NFL vs unruly fans: League out to protect game day experience
USA Today
Kevin Grady, 33, hopes tailgating limits will reduce the fan misbehavior he has seen at many NFL stadiums. He points to a tailgater passed out in a trailer more than two hours before the Jets' 1 p.m. kickoff Sunday. "See that guy? Put that in your story," says the teacher from Meriden, Conn

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Once mighty OSU-Michigan rivalry now just another game
USA Today
This week, the game has become a shell of its former self. It's so diminished that its only tangible impact will be to determine if the embattled Wolverines become bowl eligible. The Rose Bowl has been decided; the Buckeyes are going. The Heisman Trophy race is going on without the Big Ten again this year. So, too, is the national championship battle.

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Goooooooooo Celtics!
Alison Preston of the Boston Celtics dance team. Careful viewing.

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*Big East basketblal teams are a combined 30-0 going into Thursday's schedule.....the only conference in the nation without a loss in 2009-10.

*UC football #1 in academics among BCS Top 10

*Top 25 Football Broadcasters

*Bengals take FB with 29th pick in 2010 draft

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Sad
How embarrassing was Miami football last night? They lost 42-17 at home to Buffalo in front of 7,983 fans.
Buffalo toyed with the Redhawks.
The Redhawks finish the season 1-11, outscored 410 (34.2) to 187 (15.6).
Miami averaged 11,810 fans this season.
For the season they were outscored 109-27 in the 1st quarter this season and 109-38 in the 3rd quarter.
It's a shame what has happened to that program since Terry Hoeppner left.
And is there much hope for 1st year Coach Mike Heyward? Anyone inspired by that guy?

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Dad went to bat for Dusty
Sacramento Bee
Without his father's permission, Dusty Baker signed a contract with the Atlanta Braves after graduating from Del Campo, despite having a basketball scholarship to Santa Clara. His father filed a lawsuit against the Braves and won, withholding half the signing bonus until Dusty was 21. If Dusty Baker were to attend college today, his father arranged it so the Braves would still have to pay his tuition.

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Raiders bench Russell, Gradkowski to start vs Bengals
Oakland Tribune
This will be just the second start for Gradkowski since 2006. He started one game last year in Cleveland and 11 games as a rookie for Tampa Bay in 2006. Gradkowski is 17 for 30 for 163 yards and two interceptions.

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Freekbass to perform in town
My guy Freekbass is going to be playing in town next Wednesday, Nov.25(Thanksgiving Eve) at the
20th Century Theatre in Oakley. The show is all ages, and tickets are available at ticketmaster or venue box
office. Doors are at 8pm.

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Cool high school football exhibit
From Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County
There is also a panel discussion in
conjunction with the exhibit to take place on November 28. In conjunction with
the exhibit, players, coaches and sports writers will swap stories about
Cincinnati's rich high school football heritage on Saturday, November 28 at 2:00
p.m. in the Main Library's Reading Garden. Besides the authors and the
researcher of the book, some of the coaches featured as panelists include Steve
Klonne, who led Moeller to State Championships in 1982 & 1985; Steve Specht, who
played for St. Xavier in 1986 and went on to lead St. Xavier to state
championships in 2005 & 2007; and Ben Hubbard who led Fairfield to victory in
1986. Otis Williams, who played All-City for Withrow in the 1950s and later
became gained fame as a musician who recorded hits through King Records, will
also be on the panel.

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Cast a vote for a local guy
The Thoroughbred Times has published its nominees for end of the year honors
in several racing categories and among them is John Engelhardt who has
hosted "The Regular Guy" handicapping show from River Downs over the past
ten years. He is named in the category that features Best On-Air Racing
Analyst.
"I had no idea I was even nominated," stated Engelhardt who is also the
Director of Publicity and Public Relations at the Cincinnati thoroughbred
racetrack. Considering that we broadcast from a smaller racing market, it's
an honor to be named alongside New York's Andy Serling, Keeneland's Mike
Battaglia, Ron Nicoletti from Gulfstream Park and former River Downs
announcer Terry Wallace, who does an outstanding job from Oaklawn Park -
just to name a few."
For a view of all of the nominees and categories go to
www.thoroughbredtimes.com

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Happy Birthday

Meg Ryan turns 48 today

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Disruptive behavior a winning formula for Larry Johnson
Charles Robinson, Yahoo
In the end, the cost was minimal; maybe only to the remnants of Larry Johnson’s good name. But football is a bottom-line realm, where numbers trump reputation. And when it comes to the numbers, Larry Johnson crushed the NFL establishment this week.

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Collaros due in court

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XU the gem of school because it does things the right way
Paul Daugherty SI
This one's for anyone who refers to Xavier University as "Eggs-avier" or, come on, "Eggs-avier of Ohio'" when crunching a bracket in March. The other Xavier is in New Orleans. Fine institution. Not basketball-relevant. Eggs-avier of Louisiana.
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Bengals' Scott won't run from troubled past on way to stardom
Gregg Doyel, CBS Sports
Ownership of his checkered past is one reason to believe Scott won't checker his future as well. Maturity is another reason. He turns 26 in February, a long way from the teenager who was kicked off his high school team for fighting, and even from the college freshman at Central Arkansas who was kicked off that team for fighting...and then for striking at a coach who was breaking up the fight.

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Reds Top 10 Prospects
Baseball America

Top-10 Prospects:
1. Todd Frazier, of/2b/3b
2. Yonder Alonso, 1b
3. Mike Leake, rhp
4. Chris Heisey, of
5. Juan Francisco, 3b
6. Yorman Rodriguez, of
7. Travis Wood, lhp
8. Matt Maloney, lhp
9. Brad Boxberger, rhp
10. Zack Cozart, ss
Best Tools:
Best Hitter for Average: Yonder Alonso
Best Power Hitter: Juan Francisco
Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Yonder Alonso
Fastest Baserunner: Theodis Bowe
Best Athlete: Yorman Rodriguez
Best Fastball: Brad Boxberger
Best Curveball: Mike Leake
Best Slider: Mark Serrano
Best Changeup: Travis Wood
Best Control: Matt Maloney
Best Defensive Catcher: Chris McMurray
Best Defensive Infielder: Miguel Rojas
Best Infield Arm: Juan Francisco
Best Defensive Outfielder: David Sappelt
Best Outfield Arm: Yorman Rodriguez

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Bearcats land big man
BearcatLair.com
The Bearcats have signed 6'10 225 C Kelvin Gaines from Jacksonville Flordia. Gaines held offers from UCONN, Georgia, Memphis, Oklahoma, and Miami (FL). He joins Justin Jackson as officially signed members of the 2010 class.
Scouting Report from someone that has watched Gaines play on several occasions.
"He's got a pretty good view of himself. He knows he needs some polish on the offensive end, and he's willing to put in the work there. I've been doing this a long time and he is one of the best shot blockers I have ever seen. His timing is amazing on the defensive end, and he's a guy that if he keeps working hard has a chance break Kenyon Martin's career shot blocking record at UC."

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Bengals skipping the character test
Dave Fleming, ESPN
By signing running back Larry Johnson this week the Cincinnati Bengals confirmed for me, once and for all, that the reason they are now among the AFC elite is largely because of the team's brilliant, progressive and fiscally ingenious approach to player character.
For the most part, the Bengals couldn't care less about it.

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Benson won't practice Wednesday

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Must see streaming...tonight!
Steven Seagal Lawman

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Cardinals interested in Dunn if they can't keep Holliday

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MLB free agent watch list

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Bengals news
Bengals rookie HB Bernard Scott today was named the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week by the NFL Scott returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown to help lead Cincinnati to an 18-12 victory at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. In a game that decided current first place of the AFC North, Scott's score was the only touchdown by either side (the game included eight combined field goals by both teams otherwise). It gave the Bengals a 6-3 lead at the time, and it proved to provide the winning point margin.
In his first action as the No. 1 kick returner this season, Scott returned five total kickoffs for 206 yards (41.2-yard average) at Pittsburgh. Those 206 KOR yards rank as the third highest single-game total in Bengals history. Scott’s 96-yarder was the team’s first for a TD since Nov. 4, 2007, when WR Glen Holt returned one 100 yards at Buffalo.
Scott, a sixth-round draft pick out of Abilene Christian, has seven kickoff returns for 261 yards (37.3-yard average) for the season.
This the third time this season that a Bengals player has received an AFC Player of the Week honor. DE Antwan Odom, currently on the team’s Reserve/Injured list, was named Defensive Player of the Week for his five-sack performance at Green Bay in Week 2. QB Carson Palmer earned the AFC Offensive Player of the Week honor for his play in Week 7 vs. Chicago.
The last Bengal to win an AFC Special Teams Player of the Week award was WR Tab Perry in Week 13 of 2005.

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Happy Birthday

Jay Hook turns 73 today
He pitched for the Reds from 1957-61.
He was a bonus baby signed by the Reds out of Northwestern University.
He made his major league debut in 1957, having not spent a day in the minor leagues.
He was 11-18 mark in 1960 for the Reds.
He was a member of the original New York Mets and won their first game in franchise history April 23, 1962. He would lead the Mets in starts (34) and complete games (13) in their inaugural season.

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Bengals give tryouts to Galloway, Doss and Johnson

QB Russell remains Raiders' starter...for now

Earl Bruce fires on Michigan

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Scouting the opposition: The Raiderettes

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I love Charlie Coles

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UC football delivers big TV ratings
*West Virginia at Cincinnati ESPN2, Friday, Nov 13 at 8:00pm rated 2.64
*Highest rated ESPN2 telecast of the year for any conference thus far on the network
*Second highest rated ESPN2 game ever involving a Big East team (WVU at USF, 9-28-07= 2.72)
*Highest rated ESPN or ESPN2 Friday telecast of the year for any conference thus far on the network
* Fourth highest rated ESPN2 telecast of all time ( LSU @ Tenn 3.10 (2005-Mon 9/26); Hawaii @ Boise State 2.75, and WVU-USF 2.72, both in 2007)
*Fourth most viewed ESPN2 game of all time (behind those above)
* Second most viewed ESPN2 game ever involving a Big East team (2,599,568 viewers) (USF was slightly higher)
Cincinnati market ratings
*UConn at Cincinnati ABC, Sat, Nov 21 at 8:00pm ;
Recorded a 22.4 rating in Cincinnati DMA on WCPO
*West Virginia at Cincinnati ESPN2;
Recorded a 17.5 rating in Cincinnati DMA on ESPN2
*Point of Comparison: Cincinnati DMA rating on Fox WXIX for Orange Bowl was 27.4 .

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LJ doesn't deserve another chance
The National Football Post
L.J. has gotten plenty of second chances the past six years. The Bengals just gave him another one. Why this is a good idea I don’t know. But I do know I’ll be watching the situation with great interest, waiting to see how he deals with being the fourth running back on a playoff-bound team. My guess? Not too well

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A chance to help
The Hughes HS wrestling team is taking a trip to Tennessee for a tournament.
They are in need of money to help finance the trip.
To help raise money the team is selling parking for the Elder and Anderson game on Saturday at Hughes High School (right down the street) on Clifton
This is from Coach Godbey:
We are in need of money for hotels, transportation and food for these kids. Last year we were able to get hotel rooms for around $40 a night. Anyone that is willing to donate would in return receive a team picture from us in Tennessee with a gracious thank you note from the team.
We are leaving school on Sunday December 20th around 2pm.
We are traveling to Pigeon Forge High School in Pigeon Forge Tennessee.
We will wrestle ten matches in two days starting on the 21st.
We will return home on the 22nd.
My contact information is
Joe Godbey
Head Wrestling Coach
My email is coachgodbey@hotmail.com

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Bengals news
Bengals HB Bernard Scott is among five finalists for Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week honors for games played Nov. 12-16, the NFL announced today. Fan voting will determine the winner, and fans can vote for one of the finalists on NFL.com/rookies through Friday at noon. The winner will be announced Friday evening on NFL.com/rookie. Scott, a sixth-round draft choice from Abilene Christian, was a key performer in last week’s 18-12 Bengals victory at Pittsburgh. He scored the game’s only touchdown on a 96-yard kickoff return and averaged 41.2 yards for five returns for the day. His 206 total kickoff return yards for the game rank third in Bengals history. Scott also had 54 yards from scrimmage in the victory, rushing 13-for-33 and adding a 21-yard reception.
Signed free agent HB Larry Johnson, a seventh-year player with 6015 career rushing yards and two Pro Bowl appearances. Johnson (6-1, 230; Penn State) has seen all his previous action with the Kansas City Chiefs, who selected him in the first round of the 2003 draft (27th overall). Johnson played in Games 1-7 for the Chiefs this season, rushing for 377 yards on 132 carries and adding 12 receptions for 76 yards. He was released by Kansas City on Nov. 9. He earned Pro Bowl berths in the 2005 and 2006 seasons, with 1750 rushing yards in ’05 and 1789 yards the following year. He has 30 career games of 100 or more rushing yards and has 55 career rushing TDs.
Waived second-year DT Orien Harris of Miami (Fla.). Harris was signed Oct. 20 as a free agent and has played in one game.
Terminated the contract of WR Antonio Chatman, releasing him to free agency. Chatman was released from the Reserve/Injured list. A seventh-year NFL player, Chatman opened the 2009 preseason with the Bengals but suffered an ankle injury in practice on Aug. 7. He was placed Sept. 5 on Reserve/Injured and has completed his rehab.
Terminated the contract of TE Ben Utecht, releasing him to free agency. Utecht was released from the Reserve/Injured list. A fifth-year NFL player, Utecht opened the 2009 preseason with the Bengals but suffered a concussion in practice on Aug. 5. He was placed Aug. 31 on Reserve/Injured and has completed his rehab
Signed S Brannon Condren to the practice squad. Condren (6-1, 205; Troy) is a third-year NFL player. He opened 2009 with Indianapolis, but was waived on July 29. A fourth-round draft choice of Indianapolis in 2007, he played in eight games for the Colts that season, with two tackles, a pass defensed and four special teams tackles. He was waived by the Colts on Aug. 30, 2008. Later in ’08, he was inactive for four games with St. Louis and played in four games for Miami, with three special teams tackles.

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Cloning fans
CINCINNATI---The Cincinnati Cyclones set a club record for regular season weekday attendance, drawing 8944 for the Ohio Lottery presents Education In Hockey Day game played this morning. The previous regular season weekday attendance record of 6211 was set in a 2-1 shootout win over Idaho on Wednesday, February 18, 2004 during a NASCAR Night promotion. The club also takes over the ECHL lead for average attendance with today's crowd.
The 8944 is the largest regular season weekday attendance in the ECHL in at least ten years. The biggest weekday attendance in 2008-09 was 8115 for Stockton at Ontario on March 18, 2009. The biggest during the three seasons (2006-07 to present) that the Cyclones have returned to ECHL play was 8661 set when Las Vegas visited Bakersfield on November 14, 2007.

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Catch you Wednesday
I'm off today
Reds Hot Stove 6-7pm
Xavier basketball, 7pm
I'm back Monday 6-7pm with Bengals Sports Talk with Lap and Trump

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Did you know?
Big East basketball has a combined 22-0 record thus far in 2009-10. The Big East and Big 12 are the only conferences without a loss to this point.

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Dig a little deeper
Dan Hoard, GoBearcats.com
I'm not disputing that the Bearcats were not as intense as they should have been
at the start of Monday's season-opener against Prairie View A & M, but frankly,
that's not unusual for an early-season matchup between two schools from opposite
ends of the college basketball spectrum. It's not an indictment of Mick Cronin
any more than Kentucky falling 18 points behind Miami is an indictment of John
Calipari.

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(Baltimore Sun photo)
Get well Haruki
Best wishes to former Bearcat Haruki Nakamura who broke his right ankle Monday night in the Ravens' game vs the Browns.

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Weis should not be back for 6th season
David Haugh, Chicago Tribune
Nothing that happens in Weis' final two games possibly could alter any logical conclusion drawn by Swarbrick about the state of affairs in Year 5. In fairness to a once-proud football program and Weis, end the charade now, Notre Dame.
Through 60 games, Weis has proved to be nothing more than Bob Davie with better bling. Going 35-25 at Notre Dame wasn't good enough for Davie to return for a sixth season. Nor should it be for Weis.

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Bengals' recent success too late for some
Dayton Daily News
After years of frustration and just two winning seasons since 1990, Bengals fans deserve a winner. I have to wonder, though, is it too late?
For some fans it is. I know a few Bengals fans who in recent seasons hopped off the bandwagon.

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Time for Irish to make the change
Al Lesar, South Bend Tribune
Bag the bowl. Circle the wagons. Round up the usual suspects. There's no quick fix for the negativity surrounding the Notre Dame football program.
Charlie Weis' hand-over-heart promise to do better after last season won't cut it this time.

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LJ to officially join Bengals today
KC Star

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UC, TCU title worthy?
SI
After seeing Cincinnati in person, I believe the Bearcats -- while certainly fun to watch -- aren't in the same class as Florida/Alabama/Texas. There's no disputing their offensive firepower, but their defense isn't BCS-caliber. They'd also suffer in a national-title matchup due to their lack of a physical red-zone option.

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LJ reaction
Wow...what a difference a week makes. Last Thursday night I made the case for bringing in Larry Johnson.
I was mocked. I might have been called names.
89% of those voting in the poll question said NO to LJ.
Not even a week later the poll is running 76% YES to LJ. What changed?
As I said Thursday night........even before Ced was hurt.....why not?
LJ fills a position of need
Cedric already had 198 carries....and was on pace for 396, the 7th most carries in NFL history.
Benson's career high is 214....meaning he's about to hit uncharted territory for his NFL career.
Most teams rely on at least two backs to carry the load
It's going to get cold and snowy and tough down the stretch
LJ could give you 10-15 carries a game to spell Cedric
Nobody was going to feel comfortable handing things to a rookie down the stretch, in cold weather (Bernard Scott)
No way you can count on Scott to carry 25 times
This team has been built on second chance guys/castoffs
LJ would be moving from a losing situation to a winning situation
He averaged 4.5 yards per carry last year
If he wants to keep his career alive, he will play with his head on straight here.
Use the final half of the season for LJ to rebuild/polish his resume and to help the Bengals
This is a strong locker room with good leaders. As Marvin said, he has problem fixers....guys that have taken ownership of the locker room. Let them keep LJ in line. He does it their way or hits the highway
What's the downside? There isn't one.
I can't figure out why everyone thought this was such a bad idea.
What do they have to lose?

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Cedric the signer
Just a reminder that Cedric Benson will be signing autographs at the Pro Shop, 12-1pm Tuesday, 200 tickets will be handed out starting at 10am.

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Who do Notre Dame fans want as their coach next year?
Bob Stoops 31.9%
Brian Kelly 25.53%
Jim Harbaugh 19.95%
John Gruden 14.89%
Charlie Weis 8.51%

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Ruling the Buckeye State
WhatIfSports.com
In 10,000 simulations between Ohio State and Cincinnati, the Bearcats win three-quarters of the time--- 75.2% to be exact---and by an average final score of 30-23. With such a convincing victory, maybe the question shouldn't be which team is the best college team in Ohio, but which team (after the Bengals) is second best at any level in the state of Ohio (and if the Browns would finish fourth or worse in that debate).

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The bests of times?
The Bengals (7-2) and Bearcats (10-0) have a combined 17 wins.
The two teams have at least 10 games remaining (UC 2 regular season+ bowl game/Bengals 7 regular season games).
The most wins by the Bengals/Bearcats combined since 1968 (first year of Bengals)
20: (1981) Bengals *14/Bearcats 6 (*includes 2 playoff wins)
19: (1976) Bengals 10/Bearcats 9
17: (2009) Bearcats 10/Bengals 7
17 (1988) Bengals *14/Bearcats 3 (*includes 2 playoff wins)
17 (2007) 10 Bearcats/7 Bengals
17 (1975) 11 Bengals/6 Bearcats

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SOS
From Statman
Remaining strength of schedule

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UC news
CINCINNATI--- The University of Cincinnati football team will face Illinois at noon on Nov. 27 on Senior Day at Nippert Stadium and the game will be televised nationally by ABC, the BIG EAST Conference office announced Monday.
The No. 5 Bearcats (10-0) will face off against the Fighting Illini (3-7) for the first time.
Tickets for the game are sold out.

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Cedric the signer
Just a reminder that Cedric Benson will be signing autographs at the Pro Shop, 12-1pm Tuesday, 200 tickets will be handed out starting at 10am.

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Reds news
CINCINNATI---President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Walt Jocketty today announced that the Cincinnati Reds and C Ramon Hernandez have agreed to terms on a 1-year contract through the 2010 season with an option for 2011. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
"We're very happy to have Ramon back for next season," Jocketty said. "He provides us with stability behind the plate, both offensively and defensively. Last season he showed his versatility by playing first base for an extended period of time. Re-signing him was a priority for us this off-season."
In 81 games last season Hernandez hit .258 with 13 doubles, 5 HR and 37 RBI. With Joey Votto on the disabled list in June, Hernandez started at first base in 18 of the Reds' 21 games. From July 20-September 18 he missed 57 games while on the disabled list with a left knee injury that required surgery.

Today the Reds announced that Class AAA Louisville's coaching staff will include manager Rick Sweet, hitting coach Adrian Garrett, pitching coach Ted Power and athletic trainer Tomas Vera.
Class A Lynchburg's coaching staff will include manager Pat Kelly, hitting coach Tony Jaramillo, pitching coach Rigo Beltran and athletic trainer Dale Nitzel
Rookie league Billings' coaching staff will include manager Delino DeShields, hitting coach Alex Pelaez, pitching coach Bob Forsch and athletic trainer Charles Leddon
Rookie Arizona League Goodyear's coaching staff will include manager Julio Garcia, pitching coach Tom Browning, hitting coach Jorge Orta, head athletic trainer Clete Sigwart, assistant athletic trainer Charlie Rodriguez and strength and conditioning coach Zach Gjestvang.

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NDCQ
According to what Rey Maualuga has "tweeted" at various times in the past.....it's
Not
Dead
Can't
Quit!!

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UC gets Va Tech at FedEx Field in 2012
LANDOVER, MD.---The University of Cincinnati football team will play its 2012 contest against Virginia Tech at FedExField, the Landover, Md., home of the Washington Redskins, UC Director of Athletics Mike Thomas announced Monday.
"This is an exciting opportunity to play a top-flight opponent in one of the top football facilities in the country," head coach Brian Kelly said. "I have a great deal of respect for Frank Beamer and the Virginia Tech program and we are looking forward to renewing our rivalry. We also have an opportunity to play a game in our nation's capital and expose a new group of fans to what Bearcats football is all about."
UC and Virginia Tech have met nine times on the gridiron with the Hokies holding a 5-4 advantage in the all-time series after winning the past two contests. The series in neutral site games is tied at one win apiece. The two squads last met in the 2009 FedEx Orange Bowl with Virginia Tech earning a 20-7 win. The previous neutral site matchup took place in the 1946 Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, an 18-6 UC win.
"As the program has gained more national notoriety over the last few years with national rankings, a BIG EAST championship, and last year's BCS appearance in the Orange Bowl, we are always looking for opportunities to grow our brand beyond Cincinnati and the state of Ohio,"Thomas said. "These types of games are important to the development of our championship program and help to expand our exposure on a national stage."
"We are excited to have Cincinnati and Virginia Tech playing at FedExField," Redskins Chief Marketing Officer Mitch Gershman said. "This game, a rematch of the 2009 Orange Bowl, highlights two outstanding programs and continues FedExField’s commitment to hosting the most competitive and nationally acclaimed matchups in the country."
The game marks the Bearcats' initial visit to FedExField, while it will be the third trip for Virginia Tech, joining a 2004 contest with Southern California and an upcoming matchup with Boise State in 2010.

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UC trustees asked to sign off on practice bubble
Cincinnati Business Courier
University of Cincinnati trustees will consider a financing plan for a $10.7 million practice bubble that will let UC's football team prepare for bowl games indoors.

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Stoops/Ferentz for ND job?
Chicago Sun Times
If athletic director Jack Swarbrick decides Weis' Notre Dame career is over after his fifth season, a source said Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops and Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz will be in the mix to replace him. The source said Stoops has told confidants he would be interested in talking to the Irish.

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Reds re-sign Hernandez
Fox Sports

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Next up: Raiders
QB JaMarcus Russell yanked for second time in three games

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What they are saying

Must read on Mike Zimmer
Peter King, SI
"The thing is, it's so hard to be happy, even with how well the team is doing. We beat Chicago really bad a couple of weeks ago, and I go home, and I was just miserable. I've been sleeping on the couch because I just can't get back into our bed. I'm getting ready to go back in there, but I can't just yet. That's tough.''
Owner Mike Brown and business manager Bill Connolly were superb in flying both sides of the family to Cincinnati for the funeral, and arranging a dignified service, which Zimmer says he'll never forget.

These Bengals have perspective
Bob Hunter, Columbus Dispatch
These Bengals do seem to have a sense of value that escaped so many of their predecessors.

My Top 5/Clark Judge, CBS Sports
1. Indianapolis
2. New Orleans
3. Minnesota
4. Cincinnati
5. New England

Bengals lead tandem of teams making statements
NFL.COM

Bengals fever hits Cincy
Don Banks, SI
Cincy suddenly looks like 12-4 or 13-3 material to me, and a first-round bye is definitely in play.
These are not your father's Bengals
Peter King, SI
I watched nearly every snap of this game, and that last series showed the defensive depth of Cincinnati. The two linemen who had the best games were end Johnathan Fenene and tackle Domata Peko, and they weren't even heard from on the series. Fenene sacked Roethlisberger twice, batted down a pass and had six tackles. Peko's no sacker, but he's a line-collapser.

Don't laugh, Bengals are for real,
Clifton Brown, The Sporting News

(AP photo)

New order in AFC North
John Saraceno, USA Today
The formula isn't new. Truth is, Marvin Lewis helped refine it while working as an assistant coach for two rival AFC North teams that his Cincinnati Bengals suddenly own, at least this season.

Small things lead to big win for Bengals
Jason Cole, Yahoo
After years of depending on Palmer’s right arm to fill up box scores and put up points, the Bengals have made the transition to a new philosophy. They played small ball, beating the defending champion Steelers 18-12 at Heinz Field. In fact, as odd as this may sound, the Bengals outsmarted the Steelers.

Winners and Losers
Charles Robinson, Yahoo
Bengals: This was one of the more superb game plans I’ve seen in a while

(AP photo)

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Things I'm told
Former Bengals All-Pro safety David Fulcher has expressed interest in the Mason High School football job.
I think he'd be a tremendous hire.

*****

Can't we just live in the moment, and enjoy?
"I don't want to take anything away from the Bengals and their hard
work and long-deserved success.
But does 7-2, 5-0 really distract us, as fans, so quickly, so
easily, so completely from railing against MB? If MB had hired a good
football person as GM a long time ago, couldn't all this have come
three or four years sooner?
Is it really the right time to let MB off the spit the fans have
been roasting him on the last four or five years? Has WhoDeyRevolution
disbanded, gone further underground, or just gone back to the planning
board?" -Allan

***

Oh no
ESPN has announced that Jon Gruden has reached a new multi-year deal for an expanded role with the network.
Scratch his name off the Notre Dame list.

****

Irish Stewed: Fun with numbers
UHND.COM
0.33: The combined average number of college games coached by Gerry Faust, Bob Davie and Charlie Weis when they took the ND job.
196: The combined average number of college football games coached by Ara Parseghian, Dan Devine and Lou Holtz when they took the ND job.
231: The number of games Brian Kelly will have been a college football head coach at the end of the 2009 season.

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He was saying?

****

Defining drives and stands
The Steelers tied the game 12-12 with a field goal on the opening drive of the 4th quarter.
The Bengals offense then drove for a field goal for a 15-12 lead (9 plays, 50 yards)
The defense then forced a three and out for Pittsburgh.
The offense then added another field goal for a 18-12 lead (11 plays, 54 yards)
The defense then stopped Pittsburgh on downs.
Ballgame.

*****

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How the West was lost
Next up for the Bengals is a trip to Oakland
Bengals playing out West in frachise history
Oakland/LA Raiders: 1-13....lone win iwas in LA 1988 (0-9 in Oakland)
Seattle Seahawks: 3-4...last win was 1994
San Diego Chargers: 5-9....last win was 2003
San Francisco 49'ers: 1-5....lone win was 1974
Arizona Cardinals: 0-2
Total: 10-33...including 1 of last 10. Their last win out West was 2003 in San Diego, prior to that their last win was 1994 in Seattle

PS
At Jets: 2-10......seven straight losses...last win was 1981
At Vikings 0-4
Combined record on road vs upcoming opponents, Raiders (at Oak), Chargers, Jets and Vikings: 7-32

****

The opening line
Bengals -9 vs Raiders
OSU -12 vs Michigan

*****

Bengals home free only if Ochocinco keeps buttoned up
Gregg Doyel, CBS Sports
Only Chad Ochocinco can screw this up for Cincinnati.
And you know what I'm talking about.

****

Solid Bearcats don't have title game look
Gregg Doyel, CBS Sports
Beating West Virginia 24-21 is good, but it's not good enough. Not for the stakes at hand, stakes that are much bigger than the Big East championship or even an undefeated season. No. 5 Cincinnati has had the misfortune of bearing down on a 12-0 season in a year in which there could be as many as five undefeated teams entering the bowl games, which means Cincinnati has to be better than perfect.

*****

BCS
UC stays at #5....the computers continue to love them...placing them at #3 in the computer average
Top 8 remain the same
Pitt is #9
OSU moves into Top 10 at #10

****

This 'n That

*I went to bed...with Colts down 31-14. Damn
*How often have Bengals won back to back games as underdogs?
*City of Cincinnati: 17-2...Bearcats and Bengals
*"I'm so disappointed in the Steelers....they have lost their identity." Terry Bradshaw. "I'm now a believer in the Bengals.
*My prediction: Broncos will NOT make the playoffs
*TJ....9 catches for 165 yards...Seahawks lose...bummer
*"Just an inexcusable performance by the Steelers...they were at home, Cedric Benson went out early and Carson Palmer didn't have his fastball," Tom Waddle, (former Moeller/Bears WR), on NFL Network
*Most overrated teams in the country: USC Trojans and Dallas Cowboys
*Has college basketball started?

****

(US Presswire)

*****

Sing it Santana!

****

Who Deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey!
*Oh baby
*7-2....5-0 in the division...5 straight wins on road....10-2 in last 12 games
*Ties 2nd best start in franchise history. Best 8-1 in 1975. Other 7-2 starts: '76, '81, '82, '88, '05
*Sweep of Steelers and Ravens! 2nd sweep of Pittsburgh since '91
*They man up, play physical, play tremendous defense, and win on the road
* I would start grabbing your seat at Dickmann's for Monday night
*Steelers offense had scored 27+ points in each of their previous 5 games...a franchise record
*Wow, wow, wow...how 'bout the defense in the redzone? 4 trips by Pittsburgh...18 snaps inside 20....0 TD's!
*3rd down defense....3 of 15 today..0 for last 10......1 of 10 last week...that's 4 of 25 last two games
*4 sacks, 4 passes batted down
*CB's: Ben completed just 12 of 29 passes to his WR's. Flacco completed just 5 of 18 to WR's last week....that's 17 of 47 in last two games.
*Ben was just 50% in the air...20 of 40...and sacked 4 times
*Next man up! They play without Odom, Rivers, R. Williams, Henry and lose Benson
*Nice step-up by Scott, B. Johnson, M. Johnson and Morgan
*What a final drive to take time off the clock and get the FG....HUGE.
*Trent had a hand on the football all day..he hits and wraps as well
*M. Johnson was getting pressure all day
*DL sacks Ben four times......nice job without Odom
*Thought sure the missed PAT and FG was going to kill them.
*Scott's kick return and 4 FG's make up for some brutal special teams play and penalties
*No idea how Huber mishandled the snap on the PAT (can't O'Sullivan do that?), and he had a poor low punt...BUT... that 48 yd boot from the backline of the endzone, with no return, was HUGE.
*How about tip by Trent and pick by Frostee?
*Big catches by L. Coles
*Hmmm, what will people complain about in the post-game now?
*Zero turnovers by the offense

****

Quote of the day
Q: "How sweet is this?" Dave Lapham
A: "This is so sweet I'm almost diabetic right now," Bengals LB Brandon Johnson

****

What's left?

Bengals
Nov 22 @ OAK 4:15 PM
Nov 29 CLE 1:00 PM
Dec 06 DET 1:00 PM
Dec 13 @ MIN 1:00 PM
Dec 20 @ SD 4:05 PM
Dec 27 KC 1:00 PM
Jan 03 @ NYJ 1:00 PM

Steelers
Nov 22 @ KC 1:00 PM
Nov 29 @ BAL 8:20 PM
Dec 06 OAK 1:00 PM
Dec 10 @ CLE 8:20 PM
Dec 20 GB 1:00 PM
Dec 27 BAL 1:00 PM
Jan 03 @ MIA 1:00 PM

*****

Saints will host in D-3 playoffs
The Saints (10-0) won the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) to claim the conference's automatic bed to the playoffs and are the No. 2 seed in the Wesley (Del.) College regional.
DePauw (7-2) is the region's No. 7 seed and and automatic qualifier into the playoffs after winning the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC)
Tickets for the game will be $7 for adults and $5 for students, senior citizens and children. There will not be presale tickets available as tickets will only be available on game day at entrances to The Bank of Kentucky Field. Gates will open at 10 a.m. on game day. Per NCAA policy, no complimentary passes will be accepted.

*****

Buckeye state?
ESPN
"They can chill up there and run the ball all day in the Big Ten,"Gilyard said Friday night, after UC beat West Virginia 24-21. "We'll be down here gunslingin', throwing the football and having fun and winning games."

*****

UK football news
LEXINGTON, Ky.---Quarterback Mike Hartline will have surgery on Tuesday to repair the cartilage damage in his knee, Coach Rich Brooks announced Sunday.
Hartline sustained a torn medial collateral ligament and torn cartilage on Oct. 10 during the South Carolina game. After missing four games, Hartline’s MCL healed and he played briefly at Vanderbilt on Saturday, completing 2 of 6 passes for 10 yards. However, the cartilage injury limited Hartline's mobility.
"Visited with Mike Hartline today and we're going to go ahead and operate on that knee and get that cartilage repaired," Brooks said. "Under the quickness and speed of the game, it responded a little differently than it did in practice. We decided to go ahead and get it fixed, which means he'll miss the last two games (of the regular season) and should be ready for bowl practice.
"We knew before anything could be done on the cartilage, the medial collateral ligament had to tack down, which it did. We could have done it last week and operated on the cartilage, but when the game starts flying as fast as it does in the SEC, and try to plant and move and go, it just wasn't functioning correctly, so we decided to go ahead and get it done on Tuesday morning."
True freshman Morgan Newton has started the last five games. He has completed 58.9 percent of his passes (43 of 73), for 402 yards and two touchdowns. He also has rushed for a net 86 yards and two touchdowns.
UK-Georgia Set for ESPN2: The Kentucky at Georgia game on Sat. Nov. 21 has been set for telecast on ESPN2. Game time is 7:45 p.m.

*****

CBS NFL Today on Ocho
"I would have fined him $2000,000. You can't have people watching the NFL for the first time or non avid fans watching and wondering if you can really influence a game like that. Clearly 5,10,20 thousand dollars fines are not enough for him to get the message," Shannon Sharpe
"If they suspend him a game, then it hurts his teammates, and maybe he gets the message," Dan Marino
"Something has to be done," Bill Cowher

****

David Fulcher autograph signing
Former Bengals All-Pro safety David Fulcher will sign autographs from noon til 4 during the Bengals game.
Proceeds will go towards his foundation for MS research and the All Pro Sports Football Program.
He will have 8x10's 5x7's Bobbleheads and more.
Milford Applebee's off of Route 28.

****

Everybody a loser in OSU's disgusting 'victory'
Gregg Doyel, CBS Sports
Ohio State won on the field. But everywhere else, Ohio State lost. Its rock-solid reputation? Its badass mojo? Gone. The only less impressive "winner" than Ohio State on Saturday was the Big Ten, which is worse than anyone thought---and most of us thought it was pretty bad -- if this squeamish, gutless bunch of Buckeyes is the best the conference has to offer. Maybe next year the Rose Bowl should court the champion from the MAC. Or the best team in Division I-AA. Anyone but the Big Ten, if this is what Big Ten football is all about.
Suggestion for the Big Ten banner: a white flag.
Because both teams--but most egregiously Ohio State---quit.

*****

Rose's for OSU, yet fans still bitter about UC
Emailer of the day
"Unfortunately for UC fans, even if they win the Big East, they won't have a
chance to face off with the Buckeyes to try to knock off big brother. That's
what happens when you are so rich in tradition and your conference is as well
and are tied into a BCS bowl. On top of that, UC loses Brian Kelly and may
never be in this position again. It has been fun listenning to these brand new
college football fans and you jab at the best program in Ohio. Too bad its over."
Mike H.

****

Bradon Jennings goes scoreless in 1st QT for Bucks...winds up with 55 last night

Boras says MLB owners are crying wolf

Jim McMahon was Ochocinco of his day

Former UK Wildcat suffers serious knee injury

*****

Onions for BK!
Dan Hoard, GoBearcats.com
More than any other coach I've even been associated with; the dude is completely fearless about being second-guessed. Then again, why worry about criticism if you're the football equivalent of King Midas?

*****

A run for the Roses
Postgame press conference after Ohio State's 27-24 overtime win over Iowa Saturday at Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio.
Jeff Throop, Acting President, Tournament of Roses
Jim Tressel, Head Football Coach, Ohio State University

****

Jocketty: "We're close"
Chicago Tribune
"We're close," Jocketty said. "We won't have (injured starter Edinson) Volquez for the first half of next season, which hurts us, but what the last couple of months showed us was we have a good young, aggressive club... In our division, we're close."
Jocketty may be right. But he's dealing with owner Robert Castellini's desire to cut a payroll that stood at only $71 million last season

****

High 5
Jerry Palm (CollegeBCS.com) told Ken Broo, of Sunday Morning Sports Talk, he believes UC will remain at #5 when the BCS rankings come out Sunday afternoon.

****

A rock upon which the Bengals rebuilt

*****

Bengals on short list for Larry Johnson
ProFootballTalk.com
It's no surprise, then, that we're catching wind of rumors that the Bengals are on the short list to add veteran tailback Larry Johnson. Though Cedric Benson is thriving, Johnson's presence would bolster a depth chart currently consisting of Bernard Scott and Brian Leonard.

****

Mike Brown speaks
FoxSports
As the Bengals owner candidly told FOXSports.com on Friday, "We aren't like Indianapolis that just tears people apart week after week or New England."
"We've put together a pretty good season to this point, but for the most part, it's been very close games," Brown said from inside his office at Paul Brown Stadium. "It's too early for congratulations. We're at the midpoint of this season. Who knows what the second half will bring? We're just fighting and scrapping and we'll see where it goes."

******

H1N1
Casey got his shot today (huge relief). We stood in line at Walton Verona High School for two hours Saturday afternoon. As Casey said, "It's like waiting in line at Kings Island, minus the fun". When we walked out he said, "can I get those two hours back Dad?". What a scene as we were walking to the school. You could not park at the school. Shuttles were being offered. You could see people walking from all directions. It looked like a scene out of the TV show Jericho....people walking from nowhere....after a disaster....to stand in line for help.
We played the Sports Name Game to pass the time. We tried to name a player in each sport with a last name representing each letter in the alphabet. We got stumped on U in MLB...and somehow missed Chase Utley/Dan Uggla.

***

Things noticed
AP
HANOVER, Ind.---Sophomore wide receiver Daniel Passafiume set an NCAA all-divisions record with 25 receptions in Hanover College's 42-28 loss to Franklin College on Saturday afternoon.
Passafiume, a St.Xavier High School graduate, had 153 receiving yards, including two 3-yard touchdown passes from fellow sophomore C.J. Croft.
Passafiume broke the NCAA record of 24 receptions shared by Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, who did it for Mississippi Valley State against Southern University in 1983, and Brown's Chas Gessner, who did it against Rhode Island in 2002.

*****

Saints marching on
(CINCINNATI, Ohio)----The 10th-ranked Thomas More College football team defeated 17th-ranked and across-the River rival, the College of Mount St. Joseph, 42-10, today (Saturday, November 14, 2009) in Bridge Bowl XIV at Schueler Field in Cincinnati, Ohio.
With the win the Saints improve to 10-0 for the fourth time in school history and with the loss the Lions fall to 9-1 overall.
The Saints will find out today where they will be playing next Saturday when the NCAA Division III Football Committee releases the NCAA Division III Football Playoff brackets sometime between 3 and 3:30 p.m. on ESPNews. The brackets will also be released on the NCAA’s Championship Web site at www.ncaa.com and the College's athletic Web site at www.thomasmore.edu/athletics when they become available.

Mustard arrives in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Post Gazette

****

TV timeout
Wow.....there are few things more mind numbing as a fan than sitting at a football game and dealing with TV timeouts. Holy cow. There is just so much dead time. As much as I love having season tickets.....I miss having a remote in my hand to flip to another game or run to the fridge. Honestly, it's painful. Maybe UC can add more video features on the scoreboard to get our attention off the fact we are sitting and nothing is going on. Last night's game lasted 3:08....it felt like 4:08.

*****

Touchdown Bearcats?
Huge momentum swing Friday night!
UC trailed 14-7 with about 5-minutes left in the half. Isaiah Peed fumbled at the goal line...UC's 2nd of the game after not losing a fumble in the first nine games.
The air went out of Nippert. There was a growing feeling of "this might not be UC's night" in the stands.
I joked you could hear the Rocky theme starting to play.
WVU players headed to the sidelines thinking they had the ball.
The review took forever.
When the reversal was announced you should have seen the reaction on both sidelines.
We sit on the opposite end of the field. I have not seen the replay yet. What did you think?
Photo courtesy: The Enquirer/Ernest Coleman
Game Photo Gallery

****

TJ: "Too early to say I regret anything
Seattle PI
"I don't regret anything right now because it's too early to say I regret anything," he said. "Obviously I'm human just like anybody else. I've thought about it. I like football so I follow the NFL.
"And I wouldn't say I follow the Bengals, but I am aware of what's going on. And I'm human like anybody else. So I'm looking at it, like, 'Ahh, would you believe it?' But it is what it is."
Comparing Seattle's locker room to the Bengals:"It's different. It's more loose here. That's why I'm (ticked) off that we're losing. There's a lot of uptightness in Cincinnati. Like right now they're playing the Steelers, they're nervous. I've been there. I hope they win, but I know how the coaches came in when we played Pittsburgh like they were going to play (themselves).

*****

Finining Ochocinco over bribery jest is a joke
Union Tribune
Judging by the fine, this is just as serious to The League as a helmet-to-helmet hit on a quarterback. Really, Roger, loosen your tie and lighten up.

*****

Ex-USC teammates reunite in Pittsburgh
Post Gazette
Two former college roommates will reunite tomorrow on the North Shore.
The bearded guy from the foothills southeast of Los Angeles and the long-maned Samoan raised in Oregon will get together after last seeing one another up close and personal Oct. 28, 2007.

****

Here they are: The OSU uniforms for the Michigan game

*****

What they are saying about UC-WVU

QB drama more interesting than Kelly to ND
Mike DeCourcy, The Sporting News

West Virginia players could have used some help
Gazette Mail
Buried in all the hype of Friday night's Big East football showdown between West Virginia and host Cincinnati was a scoreboard film clip.
The ESPN2 crew was in the Queen City. There were the parachutes beforehand. Fireworks.
Late in the game, though, the clip played at Nippert Stadium. And it has to explain how WVU's team and fans feel today.
It was a clip of Otis Day and The Knights in "Animal House."
Singing "you know you make me want to shout.''
At the Mountaineer coaches. At the game's officials.
And not in glee.

*****

Agonizing setback
Gazette Mail
West Virginia had plenty of opportunities Friday night to seize control of its game with unbeaten and No. 5 Cincinnati. But the Mountaineers, in one fashion or another, blew almost every one of them.

******

A rarity: Bengals vs Steelers a really big game
AP
They've had running backs named Ickey and Rocky, quarterbacks named Bubby and Boomer.
A Brown founded the Bengals and an ex-Brown named Chuck Noll forged the Steelers' transformation from a doormat into a dynasty.

Good pub
ESPN's Outside The Lines spent the first 13-minutes of the show on the renaissance of football in the city of Cincnnati. The show highlighted the rise of the Bengals and Bearcats.
"After a debocle of a decade, big time football is back in Cincinnati..."
"Cincinnati went from a proud football town in the 80's.....to a sorry state of gridiron ghastliness.......and now football has clawed its way back to the top"
ESPN interviewed Bill Koch and Paul Daugherty of The Enquirer.

****

Guest update
LaVandez Jones, UC grad, at viewing party for UC-WVU in Beijing, China, 6:20
Dustin Grutza, former UC QB, 7:10

****

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Video tease
Consider this a work in progress. I'm playing around with the camera to see what I can figure out and what I can do.

****

Bengals news
Placed S Roy Williams on the Reserve/Injured list. Williams, an eighth-year NFL player, has missed three of the last four games due to a forearm injury suffered Sept. 27 vs. Pittsburgh. He started this season's other four games, with 30 tackles and three passes defensed.
Signed WR Maurice Purify to the roster from the Bengals practice squad. Purify (6-3, 226; Nebraska) is classified a first-year NFL player. He was with the Bengals in preseason, logging four receptions for 46 yards. He was waived Sept. 5 and signed Sept. 6 to the practice squad. He spent a portion of his rookie 2008 season on the Bengals practice squad.

*****

Show preview
Sports Talk 6:06-7:30
Guests
Rod Huber, Mt St Joe football
Jim Hilvert, Thomas More football
Topics
Two tickets to paradise: Which game would you most like to attend involving area teams this weekend?
Bengals-Steelers: Most outsiders are picking Pittsburgh. Is this the "bubble burst" Sunday?
Sports Superstitions: It's Friday the 13th. Have any superstitions as a fan?
Ocho-too-much?: What do you think of the NFL fining Chad $20,000 for his "attempted bribe"?

*****

Defense at core of Bengals' success
Peter King, SI
Three things have changed about the Bengals, who enter Heinz Field on Sunday tied for the AFC North lead with the Super Bowl champion Steelers:

******

DVR Alert: Clawing Back.....a football renaissance in Cincinnati
ESPN's Outside The Lines , 3pm this afternoon
Cincinnati football is clawing its way back into national prominence on both the pro and collegiate level. The Bengals, coming off three sub-par seasons, are tied for first in the AFC North with a 6-2 record. Amidst rumors that University of Cincinnati Coach Brian Kelly could leave for Notre Dame, the Bearcats have exceeded expectations this year with a 9-0 record to lead the Big East. Today on "Outside the Lines," while Cleveland's sports identity hangs on the future of LeBron James' NBA career and the promise of Brady Quinn as Browns' quarterback, we explore Cincinnati's football renaissance. -ESPN.COM

******

Wow...how about the weekend?
Which would you most like tickets for?
*Bengals-Steelers... 1st place in the AFC North up for grabs, and just the fourth time in history they have met with winning records in the second half of the regular season.
*UC-West Virginia...national TV, Bearcats looking for first 10-0 start in school history
*The Bridge Bowl.... Mt St Joe vs Thomas More...both 9-0, Top 25 ranked and headed to D-3 playoffs
*Elder-St X Saturday at Nippert....plus the rest of the area HS football
*OSU-Iowa....for a the Big 10 title and a trip to the Rose Bowl
*Xavier basketball and the debut of Chris Mack vs Youngstown St
*Kentucky basketball and the debut of John Calipari vs Morehead St

*****

Yea, pretty much
"The very appearance of impropriety is not acceptable. Your conduct was unprofessional and unbecoming an NFL player." Ray Anderson, the NFL's executive vice president of football operations in a letter to Chad Johnson.

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Oh yea: The Who to perform at halftime of the Super Bowl

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Chad fined $20,000
ESPN

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Picks
Peter King, SI
I find it amazing that the Bengals are 4-0 in AFC North games, 3-0 against the Big Two (Ravens, Steelers) and if they lose this game, they'll be a game out of first in the division. This is a much bigger game for Pittsburgh than Cincinnati, because a loss by the Steelers would put them two games out, in effect (one plus the head-to-head tiebreaker), and the Bengals have Oakland, Cleveland, Detroit and Kansas City as four of their final seven games. Sense or urgency, plus playing at home, plus a good shot to stone Cedric Benson....that's why I'm a Steeler man Sunday.
Prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers 20, Cincinnati Bengals 13

The Sporting News: All 7 picked Pittsburgh
ESPN: All 4 picked Pittsburgh

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CBS guru: 1 loss in SEC trumps 12-0 elsewhere
USA Today
But going undefeated isn't everything. The schedules for TCU, Boise State and Cincinnati, he says, don't match those of SEC teams. "You wouldn't pick the season-long winner of (golf's) Nationwide Tour to go against the best PGA Tour player and say whoever wins is the best golfer."

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A UC football viewing party from Beijing tonight
Enquirer
Jones and more than 20 other UC alumni will have some Skyline Chili and watch their red-hot Bearcats (9-0) on ESPN2 at The Rickshaw, a diner/bar in one of Beijing's main entertainment districts.

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LeBron will give up #23 out of respect to MJ, encourages others to do the same

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Coach lives for UC football
Charleston Daily Mail
In a state that tilts heavily toward Mountaineer football, Larry Mullins, the assistant football coach at John Adams Middle School, is a little bit of an outsider.
Mullins, 68, is one die-hard University of Cincinnati fan--- literally.
Just take a look at his grave marker.

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Benson's revival turns run game into big emphasis for Bengals
USA Today
About this time last year Cedric Benson began finding his comfort zone with the Cincinnati Bengals, who in turn have found assurance in giving the tailback all the work he can handle.

The Sporting News: Previewing Bengals-Steelers

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Rooting interest
Notre Dame vs Pitt
Who does a UC fan root for?
Do you root for ND to help Charlie Weis keep his job?
Do you root for Pitt to keep their high BCS ranking for when UC faces them the final game of the regular season?

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Kelly can, likely will, leave UC
Wheeling News Register
Cincinnati football fans, get ready to get nervous.
Again.
If there's one thing football success at a school not known for football success causes, it's sleepless nights--- for the season ticket holders.

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Bitter email of the day. What school do you think he roots for?
"Friday night is for high school football. Real college programs play on Sat! UC can win out and still not play for the BCS title game. They will just get their butts handed to them like Virginia Tech did last year."
Shawn

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Bengals come together on and off field
LA Times
"We've got a good locker room; there are no cliques," the former USC star said this week, taking a break from his preparation for the Steelers. "I've been on a number of teams where there are guys you can't stand seeing walking into the facility on a Wednesday. Guys that are jerks, or just don't care, or are just here for the paycheck. We don't have one guy on the team like that. That's huge. Coming into the locker room and just seeing guys here early, guys coming out drinking coffee because they just got done watching film. That hasn't happened in the past."

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What if UC sold stock in their football program?
CNBC
It might seem a bit strange, but this plan is absolutely brilliant. Before you give away something that's really valuable, why not try to make money off giving away almost nothing? And when is the best time to give away nothing? When your most high-profile team is red hot.

Boise St begins selling stock in Broncos sports
Chicago Tribune
The Boise State Athletic Department is searching for fans willing to shell out $100 to own a piece of Bronco sports----or at least sort of.

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Alonso focusing on basics in Arizona
MLB.COM
The secret of Yonder Alonso's success comes from sticking with the basics.
Alonso drove in two key runs for Peoria in the Saguaros' 6-3 victory over the Scottsdale Scorpions on Thursday afternoon.

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Showdown Saturday: Bridge Bowl XIV
Mt St Joe vs Thomas More
For the first time in the history of the Thomas More/Mount St. Joseph rivalry, both teams are entering the game unbeaten and ranked in the top 25.The game will feature 134 players that played high school in the area, including 52 who crossed the river to do so.

Show preview
Sports Talk, 6:06-6:30
Bengals Roundtable with John Thornton, 6:35-8pm

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FSO bouncing UC, XU for Blue Jackets and Cavs
John Kieswetter, Enquirer
Yes, Xavier and UC basketball fans should get should get used to being slammed against the boards by the Blue Jackets and slam dunked on by the Cleveland Cavaliers, thanks to FSO. Ten local college basketball games---starting with XU's opener 7:30 p.m. Friday with Youngstown State---have been bounced off Fox Sports Ohio this fall in a FSO programming philosphy change giving statewide preference to pro sports telecasts.

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Carrying the load
Here is a breakdown of how some teams in the playoff picture distribute carries to their RB's.
Look at the Bengals reliance on Cedric compared to most teams.
Bengals: Benson 198, Scott 16
Steelers: Mendenhall 100, Parker 60, Moore 25
Colts: Addia 116, Brown 46
Broncos: Moreno 114, Buckhalter 64
Texans: Slaton 116, Moats 54, Brown 43
Patriots: Maroney 81, Taylor 45
Cowboys: Barber 98, Choice 51, Jones 45
Saints: Bell 94, Thomas 83, Bush 49
Eagles: McCoy 83, Westbrook 41, Weaver 20
Vikings: Peterson 163, Taylor 45
Packers: Grant 149, Jackson 12
Falcons: Turner 156, Snelling 16, Norwood 19
Chargers: LT 91, Sproles 49

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Come and get 'em
Fox Sports
The Reds are not cutting payroll, but they are looking to free up dollars and create flexibility for other moves. Thus, everyone on their roster is available except first baseman Joey Votto, outfielder Jay Bruce and third baseman Scott Rolen, according to one source with knowledge of the club's thinking.
The team's highest-priced players---closer Francisco Cordero, second baseman Brandon Phillips and right-handers Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo---all are in play.

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How about LJ?
The Sporting News
Ten observations and opinions after Week 9 from two NFL scouts, one from an NFC team and the other from an AFC team:
1. If my team needed a back and it had a strong locker room with strong leaders, I'd sign ex-Chiefs RB Larry Johnson. He's still a powerful runner, and he can wear down defenses. Kansas City's line was a detriment the last two years, and he was doing a lot on his own---with average success. You put him behind a good line and I think he'll have a new-found spring in his step.

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Autograph signing
Former Bengals All-Pro safety David Fulcher will be signing autographs at the Milford Applebee's November 15 at 1 pm. Proceeds will benefit his foundation for MS research.

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Event for a cause
From John Thornton
Please join us Monday November 16th from 6-9pm at Embers as we raise money for The Bethany House and other families in the Cincinnati area. We are helping with Thanksgiving meals. Details are posted below. I will post this a few times leading up to the event. Marvin Lewis will be joining the other players on the flyer in providing gift bags to be raffled off at Embers. Space is limited in Embers, so we will stop taking RSVP?s once we reach capacity. Thank you.

Click here for more

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Pro Shop Signing/Paul Brown Stadium
Cedric Benson
Tuesday November 17 (Noon-1pm)
*PLEASE NOTE:
For crowd control purposes the Bengals Pro Shop reserves the right to institute a ticketing system. This should limit the number of tickets handed out to no less than 200. No photos and only one autograph per person. Tickets will be handed out starting at 10 am on Tuesday.

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Talking playoffs

How do you define success?
A year ago at this time the Bengals were 1-8.
In training camp this year we debated the over/under on wins by the Bengals of 6.5?
Now they sit 6-2 at the midway point. They have topped last year's win total by two games.
Does that spell success? Would a winning season be a success?
Consider how our expectations have changed. Do you know expect them to make the playoffs?
It seems we have become conditioned to talk about our teams in terms of hoping to simply be better than .500.
We have lowered our bar. The Reds are working on nine straight losing season. The Bengals have had one winning season since 1990 We spend time discussing getting to 82 wins or 9 wins, not division titles and playoff appearances. Is the bar for the Bengals now raised at the midway point of the NFL season?
Last night I asked ESPN's Tom Jackson if this team was a legit playoff team and he said yes.
So it's now playoffs or bust...right? To miss the playoffs now would be to fail? A winning season won't be enough....will it? 10 wins won't be enough. Right? It's easy to decide if a season was a success when it's over.
How do you define what "success" would be for this season at this point?

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Event for a cause
WHO: Former Bearcat and current Houston Texan (#98) Connor Barwin
WHAT: Signing at the University of Cincinnati's Bookstore. All proceeds will be donated to honorary Bearcat, Mitch Stone. $10 per item which includes an 8x10 autographed photo. Limit two items per person. CASH ONLY.
WHEN: Friday, November 13, 2009 6pm-7pm
WHERE: University of Cincinnati's Book store at: The Tangeman University Center 2766 UC Main Street
"I have so many awesome memories of being a student and a football player at UC," says Barwin."I consider Cincinnati my home, and I'm excited to be part of Mitch's success."
Follow Connor Barwin on Twitter @Cbarwin and www.ConnorBarwin98.com

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Where would you want your ashes spread?
Washington Post
From baseball parks to football stadiums to golf courses, sporting venues regularly field requests to scatter a loved one's cremated remains at the pitcher's mound, under a goal post or on a fairway overlooking the sea---anywhere a sports hero has trod and triumphed.

*****

Anywhere else, Jr's signing might be rediculous
Seattle PI
Ken Griffey Jr.---mascot.
Ken Griffey Jr.---World Series champion.
Those are the extremes against which the debate can be framed for one of the oddest roster maneuvers a major league baseball team has ever made.
What club locks up the 25th roster spot for the new season--- in early November?

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West Virginia to face UC's dual-QB threat
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
There is a belief by various writers and media types who cover the Big East that Cincinnati might have the best two quarterbacks in the eight-team league.

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Signing day winners: All eyes on Ohio State
Mike DeCourcy, The Sporting News

*******

Griffey Sr to be Dragons' hitting coach
Dayton Daily News
"They (the Reds) asked me to do it," said Griffey, who is spending this winter as commissioner of the new Florida Winter Baseball League. "I just want to get on the field doing what I'm capable of doing."

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LaSalle product has pocketful of catches for Buckeyes
Columbus Dispatch
"It was probably the second-hardest thing in my life as far as playing football," Posey said. (The hardest was not getting to play with the varsity his sophomore season at Cincinnati LaSalle.) "But I felt like I paid my dues and learned a lot last year."

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Steelers surprised by Ben's admission
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
"I wasn't a good leader early on and I wasn't the best teammate I could've been the first couple of years," Roethlisberger said. "I was invincible; I was Superman. I was probably a little too confident, a little too cocky at times."
During his first couple of years in the NFL, it wasn't uncommon for Roethlisberger to isolate himself from people, teammates included. It was common practice during meals at training camp for Roethlisberger to either sit at a table by himself or take his food back to his dorm room.

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How a Styx song became the anthem for the Steelers

****

Artist applauds Reds greats

*****

Carson Palmer=Ben Sheets
ThePigskinDoctor
Don't look at the overall records, these guys are all-world talents who've been stuck on mediocre teams. Both former first-rounders have been in the "best in the game conversation" at some point, yet both have been set back with major injuries in their primes. Still plenty left in the tank.

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Booking signing
"Bearcats Rising", by Josh Katzowitz
Thursday night, 6pm/Barnes and Noble Newport on the Levee
Kevin Huber of the Bengals will be there as well.

*****

He's a real funny man
Marvin Lewis won't allow Chad Johnson to send mustard to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Darn. That would have been hilarious. Or not. Mustard to the Steelers. Deodorant to the Ravens.
Now that's comedy. Hang on while I wipe the Diet Coke that I just spit out of my nose.
Maybe it's me. Maybe I have lost my sense of humor. But Chad Johnson the comedian/promoter does nothing for me. I don't find him funny. I don't find him all that intelligent. In fact, I find him lacking any depth.
I say Chad Johnson, because honestly, Ochocinco is stupid. Maybe I should just say Media Whore.
Despite all the "team" success he's bent on continuing to grab the spotlight and make things about him.
It's old. It's tired. It's silly, It's predictable. It's boring.
How about taking the time spent thinking up those brilliant ideas for packages and working on ball security?
These aren't funny times. These aren't time for pranks. It's not recess. The NFL isn't about wedgies and spitballs.
It's time to man up for eight more games, facing bad weather and adversity and make the playoffs.
See anyone else on this "team" is trying to stand out from the pack?
See anyone else on this "team" running in front of every camera they can find?
This "team" is about running the ball and defense. It's hard nosed. Physical.
The identity has changed. Chad thinks it's about him, but his actions don't happen in a vacuum.
His actions impact the opposition. And that in turn impacts Chad's teammates.
Shut up. Catch the ball. Sounds so simple.

******

****

Collaros exceeding expectations
ESPN
"You won't believe this story," Steubenville (Ohio) High School coach Reno Saccoccia starts as he launches into a tale from Collaros' sophomore year in high school. The team's starting quarterback got injured in the playoffs, and Saccoccia was forced to move Collaros from receiver to under center. On his third play at quarterback, Collaros ran a draw play 72 yards for a touchdown.

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Madieu Williams: An athlete of the rarest kind
FanHouse.com
Madieu Williams hasn't changed his surname to reflect his Minnesota Viking's jersey number, 20. He doesn't star in a reality television show circling around his life. He doesn't even tweet.
He is the anti-Ochocinco, the mirror opposite of T.O., the quietude in the cacophonous world of the modern professional athlete.

*****

Show preview
Guests
Tom Jackson, ESPN, 6:34
Dave Lapham, Bengals Sports Talk, 7:06-8pm
Topics
Bengals then and now: 2005 vs 2009

*****

Jr re-signs with Seattle

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Reds aren't in fire sale mode....at least yet
John Fay's blog

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Bengals: 2005 vs 2009
WhatIfSports.com
Paul Bessire of What If Sports decided to simulate the 2009 Bengals vs. the 2005 Bengals 10,000 times.
The 2009 team wins 57.3% of the time and by an average score of 26-22.
Included is a boxscore.

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Reds could be forced to move Phillips, others
FanHouse
Cincinnati's 2009 payroll was about $71 million. General manager Walt Jocketty said during a break Tuesday at the GM Meetings that he "might" have to move some high-salaried players to meet the 2010 goal.
"We're going to probably have less to spend this year than we have in the past," Jocketty told FanHouse. "It just depends on how ticket sales go this offseason."

*****

You've got to be kidding me
Reds need to slash payroll.
Reds could explore trading Phillips, Harang or Arroyo.
Reds payroll will be dictated by ticket sales in the off season.
Did Carl Lindner give his talking points to Walt Jocketty and Bob Castellini?
The Reds have nine consecutive losing season. And the Reds are dropping the team's payroll into your lap?
You must buy tickets or times will be tough and players will have to go?
So...it's on us to cover for their mistakes?
If that is the case...then sell the team. Fold up shop. Go sell vegetables.
The fans didn't sign Wily Taveras and decide to pay him 4-million dollars this year.
The fans didn't take on Scott Rolen's salary when the team was already in a financial bind.
The fans didn't buy a 9-million dollar scoreboard.
Nothing says 2010 like a payroll slash!
Why would the organization have ANY reasonable expectation that season ticket sales would increase this off season? Was it the addition of a new pitching coach that will drive fans to the ticket window? Maybe it will be trading the Gold Glove 2B? I don't know whether to laugh or to cry.
There is no chicken or the egg debate here.
This organization can't keep putting things on the fans. The Reds can't wait for your money to dictate their moves.
It's the other way around. How about investing in the product and improving the product?
Fans will support a winner.
Fans won't continue to be played by the organization.
There are not enough bobble heads or Reds Fest booths to make them continue to overlook what's going on.
The fan response to the team going 27-13 in the final 40 games of the season, best in MLB, was lukewarm at best. Now, now......they hear that payroll will have to be cut and players may have to be traded.
How do the Reds expect that message to be received? You think it was comical when 9,213 fans filled GABP on nights in August and September? How funny will it be when 7,267 fill GABP in April through September?

*****

I wrote this August 11

Things thought of while watching Kip Wells last night
As the Reds look to 2010 they can talk all they want about their plan and their prospects to make them better. The fact is this team is going to have to buy some credibility in the off-season. You can only sell hope and a "plan" for so long before fans need evidence and progress. That time has arrived.
Fans are losing what faith they have in this organization.
This organization can't rely on season tickets in the upcoming off-season to set their budget. Those season ticket numbers will be even lower this coming off-season.
This is about the organization realizing they must spend money on talent to make money. And more importantly, spend that money wisely. If the Reds put a winning product on the field, the fans will show up, they are starved. But set your payroll around selling fans on hope, band aides, retreads and bobble-heads, and Bob may as well sell the team, he will lose his shirt and the vegetable cart next year.
I understand a small market team needing to have a plan and relying on scouting, drafting and developing.
Heck, I preached the plan for most of the summer.
But you still have to execute it wisely.
Thanks to four different GM's in seven years , this organization continues to play catch up in scouting, drafting and developing. And bad contracts have painted the franchise into a financial corner.
A "plan" can't get them out of it quickly enough....not for a fan base subjected to losing season after losing season.
They need to win. That will take instant ML talent. Not "hope" that prospects can be ready in 2010.
I've grown weary of "updside" and "high ceiling".
As Bud Selig said in the St Louis Post Dispatch this week, "winning is a cure,".
Look at the Cardinals. They put a winner on the field. Fans show up. That allowed St. Louis to add 7 million dollars to payroll and get Holliday, Lugo and DeRosa.
The Reds got rid of the salaries of Jr and Dunn, gave raises to players, paid Willy Taveras 2-yrs 6.25 mill and bought a 9-million dollar scoreboard. How has that worked out?
The Reds can't keep rolling out seasons that are done by July. They are forfieting August and September each year. Kids may be back in school, and football may be starting, but think of the money to be made in the last two months..... if your team is in the race.
Imagine what the Reds could do if they decide to buy some credibility this off-season....instead of putting the budget in the hands of the fans. Fans that will be asked to support a team working on a decade of consecutive losing seasons in 2010.

*****

Old school: The NFL Today on CBS

Did you check out ESPN's 30 for 30 documentary "The Legend of Jimmy The Greek" last night?
Wow. Spectacular. What a sad story of the life and times of former CBS sportscaster/handicapper JimmyThe Greek Snyder. Snyder was on CBS's NFL Today pregame show for 12 years.
Dan Rather called him an "American Tragedy"....someone perfect for TV...a real person that could get into people's homes beyond the flat screen of TV. Snyder climbed to the top of the world and fell to the bottom.
He lifted gambling from the backroom whispers and made it popular conversation in the living room.
He was one of the most recognizable figures in America at the time. He was doing numerous TV commercials.
The NFL Today pregame was must see TV in an age without the Internet or ESPN. People made it a point to be home from church in time to watch. I loved the old graphics and scoreboards used on the show. Snyder had to walk a thin line with the NFL when it came to picking games on the air. He didn't mention a point spread. If he like a team favored by 6 points he would simply say he liked them to win by more than a touchdown.
The behind the scenes look on the set of the NFL Today show was tremendous with Brent Musburger, Phyllis George, Irvn Cross and Snyder. There were battles including a barroom brawl where Snyder punched Musburger. Snyder never respected George, "the dame", and made her cry just before air-time one Sunday.
The documentary details Snyder's downfall over remarks about black athletes on Martin Luther King Day in 1987 that led to his firing. Snynder was reduced to nothing in the end. Friend winced when they saw him. He would ask for "a couple of bucks". Few showed up for his funeral in Steubenville, OH. Former CBS Sports Director Robert Fishman said he placed a $2 winning ticket from the track in Snyder's casket so he could go out a winner.
Must see if you missed it.

******

Anyone for Jermaine Dye? Not me

Kyle Rudolph likely done for regular season

******

2005 vs 2009
"We're much more mature. We're a better team," Palmer said after he lifted his record to 8-3 against Baltimore with his seventh game of at least a 91 passer rating against the Ravens with a 91 by firing for 224 yards on 20-of-33 passing for a touchdown, as well as no interceptions for the second straight game. "We were kind of young dumb. This team understands how rare this opportunity is. Not just happy to be there. Guys take a lot of pride in where we are and are going to take a lot of pride as the season goes on to finish this season out right...It's a different team."Bengals.com

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More BK in South Bend papers
South Bend Tribune
One of the names already thick in the speculation mix as a possible successor to Weis is Cincinnati third-year coach Brian Kelly, on the brink of coaxing the Bearcats to a second straight BCS appearance and third straight season with double-digit wins.
"You have to remember the older players there were recruited by former Cincinnati coach Mike Dantonio (now at Michigan State)," Lemming said. “Brian Kelly is still an unknown in recruiting, but he certainly has gotten results on the field.
"The two head coaches in the Big East who do have very strong recruiting reputations are Pitt's Dave Wannstedt and (Rutgers') Greg Schiano."

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Tomlin calls Bengals game "big"
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
"A very hot football team. Respect those guys."
Tomlin later reiterated that this upcoming Heinz Field collision with similarly 6-2 Cincinnati is a "critical matchup" and another instance of "classic AFC North warfare."

*****

Big East deserves more respect
Rick Bozich, Louisville Courier Journal
This one will earn me a $30,000 fine from the Southeastern Conference commissioner's office for trash-talking, but guess which conference has more teams in the Top 25 of the latest Bowl Championship Series rankings--- King Football (the SEC) or King Basketball (the Big East)?

*****

Carrying a heavy load
At the midway point of the season Cedric Benson has 198 carries for 837 yards.
He's averaging 4.2 yards per carry and 104.6 yards per game.
At his current pace Benson would carry 396 times for 1674 yards.
396 carries would rank 7th most attempts in a season in NFL history.
He leads the NFL in carries by 33 carries. (Stephen Jackson, Rams, 165)
His career high for carries in a season is 214 (2008)
Most rushing attempts since 2002:
416 Larry Johnson (2006)
392 Ricky Williams (2003)
387 Jamal Lewis (2003)
383 Ricky Williams (2002)
376 Michael Turner (2008)
372 LaDainian Tomlinson (2002)
371 Curtis Martin (2004)
370 Shaun Alexander (2005)
363 Adrian Peterson (2008)
361 Rudi Johnson (2004)
360 Edgerrin James (2005)
Most rushing attempts in a season, All-Time
416 Larry Johnson (2006)
410 Jamal Anderson (1998)
407 James Wilder (1984)
404 Eric Dickerson (1986)
403 Eddie George (2000)
397 Gerald Riggs (1985)
393 Terrell Davis (1998)
392 Ricky Williams (2003)
390 Eric Dickerson (1983)
390 Barry Foster (1992)

Anyone for Larry Johnson to lighten the load?

*****

Red Sox: Harang and Votto?
MassLive.com
The Reds are looking to cut payroll this offseason, as MLB Trade Rumors highlighted last night. If they're willing to take on a big salary, it'd be interesting to see if the Red Sox could land starting pitcher Aaron Harang ($12.5 million 2010 salary) and first baseman Joey Votto, 25, who has blossomed into a slugger in his first two full seasons in the big leagues, hitting .322/.414/.567 with 24 home runs in 2009 while playing primarily in Great America Ball Park, which favors pitchers. Harang finished with a 6-14 record in 2009, but had a strikeout/walk ratio of 142/43 and has an overall track record for eating up innings (he has 13 complete games and six shutouts since 2004).

*****

Small market GM's searching for ways to level playing field
Chicago Tribune
Baseball is the only one of America's four top team sports without a salary cap. And as Athletics general manager Billy Beane was saying Tuesday at the GM meetings, that all-for-one financial approach of the NFL is a pretty sweet deal.

****
Browns work out St X product
ProFootballTalk.com

*****

Then and now: 2005 Bengals vs 2009 Bengals
How do you size up this match-up? Which team gets the check mark when it comes
to offense...defense...position groups?
Points scored per game:
2005: 26.3
2009: 22.5
Passing offense
2005: 67.2%, 3820 YDS (238.8), 32 TD, 14 INT
*2009: 61.5%, 3500 YDS (218.7), 28 TD, 14 INT (*projected)
Rushing offense
2005: 1910 YDS (119.4), 4.2 AVG, 15 TD
*2009: 2080 YDS (130.0) 4.2 AVG, 14 TD (*projected)
Points allowed per game:
2005: 21.9
2009: 16.9
Passing defense
2005: 62.4%, 3569 YDS (223.1), 21 TD, 31 INT
*2009: 62.8%, 3866 YDS (241.6), 20 TD, 20 INT (*projected)
Rushing defense
2005: 1850 YDS (115.6) 4.3, 16 TD
*2009: 1342 YDS (83.9) 3.8, 8 TD (*projected)
Sacks recorded
2005: 28
2009: *42 (projected)
Sacks allowed
2005: 21 (Franchise record at the time)
2009: *24 (projected)
2005 (11-5)
Coach: Marvin Lewis
QB: Carson Palmer
RB: Rudi Johnson, Chris Perry
FB: Jeremi Johnson
WR: Chad Johnson, TJ H, Chris Henry, Chris Perry, Kevin Walter
TE: Matt Schoebel, Reggie Kelly
OL: Levi Jones, Eric Steinbach, Richie Braham, Bobbie Williams, Willie Anderson
DL: Justin Smith, Bryan Robinson, John Thornton, Robert Geathers, Shaun Smith, Duane Clemons
LB: Landon Johnson, Odell Thurman, Brian Simmons, David Pollack, Caleb Miller
CB: Deltha O'Neal, Torey James
S: Ifeanyi Ohalete, Kevin Kaesviharn, Madieu Williams
K: Shayne Graham
P: Kyle Larson
KR: Tab Perry
PR: Keiwan Ratliff
2005 highlights: Bengals started the season 4-0 and were 6-2 at the midway point. After clinching AFC North in Detroit, they lost their final two regular season games vs Buffalo and Kansas City. Chad and TJ combined for 175 catches and 2,388 yards. Carson led the NFL in TD's (32), completion %(67.8) and TD/INT differential (32-12). Rudi Johnson rushed for 1,458 yards and 12 TD's. Chris Perry had 51 catches out of the backfield. Odell Thurman led the team in tackles, as a rookie, with 105. He added five interceptions, four forced fumbles and 1.5 sacks.Deltha O'Neal recorded 10 interceptions. Bengals led the NFL in turnover differential at +24.
Pro Bowlers: Willie Anderson, Chad Johnson,Shayne Graham, Deltha O'Neal, Carson Palmer.
2009 (6-2)
Coach: Marvin Lewis
QB: Carson Palmer
RB: Cedric Benson, Bernard Scott, Brian Leonard
FB: Jeremi Johnson
WR: Chad Johnson, L. Coles, Andre Caldwell, Chris Henry
TE: JP Foschi, Daniel Coates, Chase Coffman
OL: Evan Mathis, Nate Livings, Andrew Whitworth, Kyle Cook, Bobbie Williams,
Dennis Roland
DL: Robert Geathers, Antwan Odom, Domata Peko , Tank Johnson, Frostee Rucker, Jonathan Fanene, Michael Johnson, Pat Sims
LB: Keith Rivers, Dhani Jones, Rey Maualuga
CB: Leon Hall, Johnathan Joseph, Morgan Trent
S: Roy Williams, Chinny, Chris Crocker
K: Shayne Graham
P: Kevin Huber
KR: Andre Caldwell
PR: Quan Cosby