Through Monday....YOUR votes will narrow down our field of 64 to this year's Battle of the Babes Champion. In the 2010 Bracket, there are 4 different regions:
The East Region...featuring the remaining hottest actresses.
The South Region...featuring the remaining models and other babes famous for being hot.
The West Region...featuring the remaining hottest musicians and performers
The Midwest Region...featuring the remaining hottest athletes
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL BRACKET
We're narrowing down the field, region by region, every day....based on YOUR votes. You can vote as many times as you want...so check back often throughout the day to make sure your favorite moves on! Today we begin the ELITE 8 VOTING in the EAST AND SOUTH REGIONS....
EAST REGIONAL FINAL
#5 Elisha Cuthbert vs. #6 Jennifer Aniston
*****start poll*****
SOUTH REGIONAL FINAL
#1 Marisa Miller vs. #2 Heidi Klum
*****start poll*****
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Anybody else concerned about Aaron Harang? As I said a few weeks ago, I don't ever really get too excited / upset about spring training stats and performances...but I have to admit, after hearing Harang's start yesterday against San Diego, I'm getting a little uneasy. In a 4.2 inning stint, he allowed 4 earned runs on 5 hits. And while he punched out 6 batters, it was another rocky outing for the supposed "ace" of this staff in his final tuneup before next Monday's Opening Day start. In 4 starts this spring....Harang has thrown 13.2 innings, allowing 24 hits, 16 runs, 5 BB, 15 K and an ERA of 9.88. Not good.
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Chapman appears headed to the minors
Mark Sheldon, Reds.com
It appears to be a virtual certainty that Aroldis Chapman will begin the season in the Minor Leagues. Reds general manager Walt Jocketty all but said so on Tuesday. Chapman had back spasms during his March 22 start and hasn't been stretched out enough to open the season with the Reds. He will most likely begin somewhere in the Minor Leagues, which hasn't been determined.
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Reds have ability to meet expectations.....There have been few mentions about big things to come or rhetoric about breakthroughs in Reds camp. "We haven't had a winning season in this organization in nine years," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "You have to have a winning season first." Could this finally be that season? There are reasons to believe it will.
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We have our pitching matchup for Opening Day....Chris Carpenter, who has been on track to start Opening Day since before Grapefruit League games started, was formally confirmed as the St. Louis Cardingals starter for April 5 against the Reds in Cincinnati.
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Reds Prospects to watch in 2010....
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Here's your daily reminder to join us next Monday at Gameworks for Opening Day.....We'll be broadcasting LIVE from Gameworks in Newport on the Levee from 8am-Noon. Mo and I will be there, as will a full slate of guests, including Miss Ohio...great prizes, awesome food, and a whole bunch of fun leading up to the Reds/Cardinals season opener. Hope to see you there!!
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Palmer optimistic about 2010.....While offseason workouts are mostly optional, about 85-90 percent of the Bengals were in attendance for the first day at Paul Brown Stadium. Two people who were not there were offensive guard Bobbie Williams and tight end Reggie Kelly, but quarterback Carson Palmer is optimistic that both veterans can be re-signed
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Palmer needs targets to re-establish passing game
CBS Sports
Lewis had the Bengals go to more of a running style offense last season, in part because they didn't have the weapons outside to stretch a defense. Carson Palmer didn't look as sharp as in the past, but the playoffs masked the problems. Palmer has to bounce back this season. The Bengals have to throw the football better, and they will. Palmer is still an elite passer, and if they're going to have a chance to get to a Super Bowl it will be on his right arm, not the legs of a running back.
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Can the Bengals maintain their success?
James Walker, ESPN.com
The last time the Bengals posted back-to-back winning seasons, Ronald Reagan was President, the television show "Cheers" made its debut, and quarterback Carson Palmer was only 3 years old. The year was 1982, when a strike-shortened NFL season left Cincinnati with a 7-2 record coming off a 12-4 campaign and a Super Bowl run the previous year. Twenty-eight years have passed, and the Bengals haven't been able to duplicate the feat. But this year presents a golden opportunity for one of the NFL's most inconsistent franchises to end its infamous streak.
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Maualuga says rehab has been a "life changer"
ESPN.com
Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga was emotional in explaining his past troubles Monday. After serving about a month in rehab following an offseason arrest for DUI, Maualuga discussed it for the first time with the media during the start of Cincinnati's offseason program.
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More on the "New Rey"
Joe Reedy, Enquirer
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Matt Jones set for 2nd chance.....On a Bengals team that has become well known for taking in castoffs and giving second chances, Matt Jones is the latest player trying to show that he has learned from his mistakes. Jones, who signed a one-year contract with the Bengals last month, will be in Cincinnati with most of the team on Monday, when the offseason conditioning program begins. It's the first step on the road back to the NFL for Jones, who was a first-round draft pick by Jacksonville in 2005 but sat out last season due to inconsistency on the field and drug and legal problems off of it.
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Steelers are no better than the Bengals
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
These days, the Steelers are no different than the Cincinnati Bengals were a few years ago when they were a national joke because their players couldn't stay out of trouble. Star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is facing sexual assault allegations in two states. Things are such a mess with the second case involving a 20-year-old college student in Georgia that the Steelers, at least for the moment, don't want Roethlisberger around their South Side practice facility to work out with his teammates because he would cause a distraction. Above and beyond?
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Tight End Draft Rankings
ProFootballTalk.com
1. Jermaine Gresham, Oklahoma.
Gresham missed all of 2009 while rehabbing from surgery to stitch together torn knee cartilage, but is a dominant red-zone receiver with speed to stretch the field and the necessary frame to develop into an impact run blocker.
Draft Prediction: Chiefs, No. 36 overall.
2. Rob Gronkowski, Arizona.
Rumors are circulating that Gronkowski suffers from spinal stenosis -- the same condition that prematurely ended Redskins left tackle Chris Samuels' career -- but if healthy, "Gronk" is the draft's most complete tight end.
Draft Prediction: Rams, No. 65 overall.
3. Jimmy Graham, Miami.
A former top-60 basketball recruit, Graham played just one year of college football but combines 4.5 speed with massive hands (10 5/8") and an ideal build (6'6/260), and does not lack the physicality to grow into an adequate blocker.
Draft Prediction: Ravens, No. 57 overall.
4. Dennis Pitta, BYU.
The Cougars' all-time receptions leader, Pitta will turn 25 in his rookie season after taking a two-year Mormon mission in college, but is a terrific athlete with soft hands and plenty of strength.
Draft Prediction: Chargers, No. 91 overall.
9. Anthony McCoy, USC.
McCoy scored just three career touchdowns at USC, but learned to block in Pete Carroll's pro-style system and averaged 20.8 yards per catch as a senior.
Draft Prediction: Bengals, No. 54 overall.
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NCAA Expansion now thought to be "likely"
USA Today
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Local QB commits to Bearcats....Badin junior QB Patrick Coyne orally committed to UC on Monday night, becoming the first Cincinnati-area player to commit to the Bearcats from the 2011 class. Coyne, who is 6 feet 2 and 225 pounds, also had offers that included West Virginia, Wisconsin, Illinois, Akron, Bowling Green, Boston College, Minnesota, Buffalo, Toledo and Ohio University.
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Kentucky doesn't get its money's worth out of Calipari
CBS Sports
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Cyclones goalie recalled to AHL
Official Release
The Cincinnati Cyclones, ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens and Nashville Predators, announced this afternoon that goaltender Robert Mayer has been recalled by the Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL). It is the fourth time this season that Mayer has been recalled by Hamilton or Montreal (NHL).
Mayer, 20, is in his rookie season and has posted a 19-10-1 record with a 2.81 goals against average- fifth-best in the ECHL. Robert has turned in a pair of shutouts for the Cyclones as well. He had an eight game unbeaten in regulation time stretch (7-0-1) from January 27 through March 5.
The recall of Robert Mayer is the 30th recall of a Cincinnati Cyclones player by an American Hockey League team. A total of 16 different players have been involved with promotions among seven different teams. Cyclones players have participated in 220 AHL games this season.
The Cyclones play at Kalamazoo on Wednesday looking to gain a share of the North Division lead. The team comes home on Friday (April 2) for its final home game of the regular season on U.S. Bank Fan Appreciation Night against Johnstown. Hundreds of prizes worth more than $5000 will be given away to guests that night. Dollar hot dogs, dollar pizza slices and dollar beers will be available all night. The regular season ends with a visit to Wheeling onSaturday (April 3) night.
Tickets for the 2009-10 Cincinnati Cyclones season are now on sale. The Cyclones Sales Department can be reached at 513-421-PUCK, extension 3. The Cyclones have selected Friday night games carried on ESPN 1530 and all contests aired on their website at www.cycloneshockey.com. The next game carried on ESPN 1530 will be Friday, April 2 when Johnstown visits at 7:30pm on U.S. Bank Fan Appreciation Night.
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Miami's longtime sports information director dies at 69....Dave Young, the longest tenured sports information director in Miami University history, died Monday at age 69. Young served Miami from 1967 through 1991, he dealt with volatile coaches from Bo Schembechler to Joby Wright. A 1992 inductee into the CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America) Hall of Fame, Young also is a member of the Miami Athletics Hall of Fame, being inducted in 1995.
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Wednesday Food Porn....introducing the Bacon Bouquet....
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Real or Fake Video of the Day: "The Claw"......I'm going fake...
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FAIL of the day....you know why they put warning labels on stuff....
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The absolute best bench-clearing hockey brawl you'll see today...
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A MAJOR cat fight in the making....
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Another example that proves Foreign TV > American TV....
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The NEW Tecmo Bowl.....see the trailer....
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Although a little on the nerdy side...this is a pretty tremendous video....
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For the next few weeks....YOUR votes will narrow down our field of 64 to this year's Battle of the Babes Champion. In the 2010 Bracket, there are 4 different regions:
The East Region...featuring the remaining hottest actresses.
The South Region...featuring the remaining models and other babes famous for being hot.
The West Region...featuring the remaining hottest musicians and performers
The Midwest Region...featuring the remaining hottest athletes
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL BRACKET
We're narrowing down the field, region by region, every day....based on YOUR votes. You can vote as many times as you want...so check back often throughout the day to make sure your favorite moves on! Today we conclude Sweet 16 voting in the MIDWEST REGION...
#1 Anna Kournikova vs. #12 Leryn Franco
*****start poll*****
#2 Natalie Gulbis vs. #3 Maria Sharapova
*****start poll*****
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Since I was traveling back from Ft. Wayne yesterday.....I didn't get to properly say GO MIAMI!!!!!!! They clinched a spot in the Frozen Four for the 2nd year in a row with a thrilling Double Overtime win over archrival Michigan. The RedHawks will face Boston College on Thursday, April 8th at 8:30pm. I will be blogging LIVE from Ford Field...can't wait!! Thanks to all the people that followed the live blog on Sunday night!
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Join us next Monday at Gameworks for Opening Day.....We'll be broadcasting LIVE from Gameworks in Newport on the Levee from 8am-Noon. Mo and I will be there, as will a full slate of guests, including Miss Ohio...great prizes, awesome food, and a whole bunch of fun leading up to the Reds/Cardinals season opener. Hope to see you there!!
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The Bengals today signed five players who were with Cincinnati in 2009:
- LB Abdul Hodge signed as a restricted free agent. Hodge (6-0, 240; Iowa) is a fifth-year NFL player in 2010. He played in every game last season and finished fourth on the special teams with 11 tackles. He had eight tackles on defense.
- Also signed today were four players whose exclusive rights the Bengals held for 2010 -- S Kyries Hebert, G Nate Livings, QB Jordan Palmer and OT Dennis Roland. All four are third-year NFL players in ’10. Hebert (6-3, 220; Louisiana-Lafayette) played in 15 games plus the Wild Card playoff last season. He was the special teams captain and tied for second in special teams tackles (12). Livings (6-5, 330; LSU) played in 14 games, with nine starts at LG, helping lead a team-record total of eight 100-yard rushing games by individual backs. Palmer (6-5, 235; Texas-El Paso) did not play in ’09, but was in uniform for every game as the designated third QB. Roland (6-9, 325; Georgia) played in every game with 12 starts. He was the team’s starting ROT for the final 11 games as well as the Wild Card playoff.
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For the next few weeks....YOUR votes will narrow down our field of 64 to this year's Battle of the Babes Champion. In the 2010 Bracket, there are 4 different regions:
The East Region...featuring the remaining hottest actresses.
The South Region...featuring the remaining models and other babes famous for being hot.
The West Region...featuring the remaining hottest musicians and performers
The Midwest Region...featuring the remaining hottest athletes
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL BRACKET
We're narrowing down the field, region by region, every day....based on YOUR votes. You can vote as many times as you want...so check back often throughout the day to make sure your favorite moves on! Today Sweet 16 voting continues in the WEST REGION...
#1 Carrie Underwood vs. #13 Faith Hill
*****start poll*****
#3 Nicole Scherzinger vs. #15 Britney Spears
*****start poll*****
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Join us next Monday at Gameworks for Opening Day.....One week from today, we'll be broadcasting LIVE from Gameworks in Newport on the Levee from 8am-Noon. Mo and I will be there, as will a full slate of guests...great prizes, awesome food, and a whole bunch of fun leading up to the Reds/Cardinals season opener. Hope to see you there!!
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Mike Brown says he'll vote for OT change in regular season....At a hastily-arranged news conference the NFL announced Tuesday that owners approved the new two-possession rule for overtime in the postseason. It passed with four votes to spare, 28-4, and the Bengals were one of the four no votes. But if it comes up for a vote as expected in May to extend it to the regular season, Bengals president Mike Brown said he'd vote for it.
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Bengals still interested in Pacman Jones??.....
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Dhani tackles Mt. Everest....Dhani Jones, the Bengals middle linebacker who loves being in the middle of it all, takes on the Super Bowl of mountains this week when he attempts to climb Mount Everest. It’s the stunning 10th and last episode of the second season of his Travel Channel series Dhani Tackles The Globe, and it’s not exactly a game at Mile High Stadium. "It’s four miles up. We’re going to go about 23,000 feet, a mile short of the top," Jones said Friday. "If you’re going to jump off a bridge, you don’t want to start out jumping off the highest bridge. I’ll get a taste and I’ll be back."
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Local product to kick for UC....CHCA senior kicker Joe Reifenberg will continue his academic and football career at the University of Cincinnati. Reifenberg, who is 6 feet 2, 180 pounds, was awarded the Carl H. Lindner Honors - PLUS Program Scholarship at UC. It is a full academic scholarship and he will continue his playing career as a kicker for UC, according to CHCA coach Eric Taylor.
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You know what they say about all good things...."24" to end after this season
Entertainment Weekly
Fox confirmed today that after eight seasons, 24 will air its series finale on May 24. Star Kiefer Sutherland told EW.com that producing a ninth season for another network like NBC was not an option because he and executive producer Howard Gordon were ready to call it quits.
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For the next few weeks....YOUR votes will narrow down our field of 64 to this year's Battle of the Babes Champion. In the 2010 Bracket, there are 4 different regions:
The East Region...featuring the remaining hottest actresses.
The South Region...featuring the remaining models and other babes famous for being hot.
The West Region...featuring the remaining hottest musicians and performers
The Midwest Region...featuring the remaining hottest athletes
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL BRACKET
We're narrowing down the field, region by region, every day....based on YOUR votes. You can vote as many times as you want...so check back often throughout the day to make sure your favorite moves on! SWEET 16 VOTING RESUMES MONDAY....
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For the next few weeks....YOUR votes will narrow down our field of 64 to this year's Battle of the Babes Champion. In the 2010 Bracket, there are 4 different regions:
The East Region...featuring the remaining hottest actresses.
The South Region...featuring the remaining models and other babes famous for being hot.
The West Region...featuring the remaining hottest musicians and performers
The Midwest Region...featuring the remaining hottest athletes
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL BRACKET
We're narrowing down the field, region by region, every day....based on YOUR votes. You can vote as many times as you want...so check back often throughout the day to make sure your favorite moves on! Today Sweet 16 voting continues in the SOUTH REGION...
#1 Marisa Miller vs. #4 Brooklyn Decker
*****start poll*****
#2 Heidi Klum vs. #14 Brooke Burke
*****start poll*****
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Xavier drops a heartbreaker to Kansas State in Double OT thriller, 101-96.....
- This game is what March Madness is all about....back and forth action all game long. Plenty of lead changes. Amazing game-tying shots. And Gus Johnson calling all the action. All that was missing (from a local perspective) was a Xavier win. Jordan Crawford was absolutely clutch, as was Terrell Holloway. Amidst a bunch of lineup changes, a rookie head coach, and a tough non-conference schedule...the Muskies make the Sweet 16 again. Musketeer nation should be proud of their team today. WOW what a game.
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Miss the game last night? Lance has the highlights....
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Kansas St, Xavier put on a show for the ages
Gregg Doyel, CBS Sports
We might see a better team over the next 10 days, but we won't see a better game. Definitely not in the 2010 NCAA tournament. Another game this season, better than Kansas State and Xavier gave us? No way. You're not that lucky. Neither am I.
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Double OT thriller
Kelli Anderson, SI
Finally, someone missed. Xavier's Jordan Crawford missed a three-pointer and then his teammate Brad Redford missed another, and finally it was over. After 50 minutes and 197 points in the most epic battle in this most epic of NCAA tournaments, Kansas State could finally move on.
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Butler knocks off #1 seed Syracuse to advance into Elite 8....
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Reds dream big with Chapman
Peter Gammons
To be a franchise-changing pitcher, Chapman needs to pitch in the Minor Leagues; truth be told, the Reds' first-round pick from last June's Draft, Mike Leake from Arizona State, may be closer to The Show, but they can dream on Chapman and think about the franchise's future. The back happened. OK. Those things are part of the adjustment. The arm angle and the changeup and the tilt of the breaking ball are parts of the adjustment. He is different out of the stretch. He has trouble holding runners. Dusty pointed out that he'd hardly ever run the bases, which National League pitchers have to do. "Confused" is the way one coach put it.
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Things heard....C Trent told Mo that the 5th starter job is down to Mike Leake, Travis Wood, or Aroldis Chapman.
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More on the 5th starter
John Fay, Enquirer
The Reds have been reluctant to add or subtract from their list of candidates for the No. 5 spot in the rotation. But the pitching schedule seems to point to a decision between right-hander Mike Leake or left-hander Travis Wood. Consider: Wood's and Leake's days line up so April 11, which would be the first start for that spot in the rotation, falls on their normal day. None of the other pitchers in the race for the No. 5 spot - Kip Wells, Matt Maloney, Micah Owings, Justin Lehr or Aroldis Chapman - is on the schedule for more than three innings. General manager Walt Jocketty would not go so far as to say the competition is down to Leake or Wood.
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Bengals visit meet with draft prospect
ESPN.com
The Cincinnati Bengals will meet with Texas safety Earl Thomas on April 1-2, a source told the AFC North blog Thursday. Thomas is a first-round prospect and widely regarded as the second-best safety in this year's draft behind Tennessee star Eric Berry. The Bengals have the No. 21 overall pick and safety is one area they may look to get younger and add more depth. Their defense was rated fourth, but covering tight ends and slot receivers was one of the unit's few weaknesses last season. Cincinnati also was hit hard by injuries to veteran safeties Roy Williams (arm) and Chris Crocker (ankle).
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Bengals on the clock
NFL.com
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Five NFL offseason moves that made no sense
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News
4. The Bengals sign Antonio Bryant instead of Terrell Owens. Proponents of this move point to the fact that Bryant just turned 29 and Owens is 36. Bryant is a great talent and showed just how good he can be when he put it all together for a stellar 2008 comeback season with the Buccaneers.
Both receivers were stuck with shaky quarterback situations last season, but Owens was the healthier, more durable and more productive receiver. Owens is at his best providing a first-year impact for a contending team, like the playoff-caliber Bengals.
With all the attention Chad Ochocinco draws, T.O. would have thrived in a T.J. Houshmandzadeh-type role and as a premier red zone target for Carson Palmer. Instead, Bryant comes in as a high-priced enigma.
BY THE NUMBERS
Antonio Bryant in 2009: 39 catches, 600 yards, four TDs
Terrell Owens in 2009: 55 catches, 829 yards, five TDs
MY TAKE: Okay Vinnie....you compare the stats of both Bryant and Owens yet fail to mention that Bryant only started in 13 games last season while Owens played and started in all 16. Secondly, T.O. was going to be AT BEST a one year answer for this team. And you say Owens is more productive and durable? Owens' production has decreased steadily over the last three seasons and he's going to be 37 years old in December. Will Owens be more durable or less durable as he gets older? That's what I thought. Finally, on a team that's already had to overcome a bunch of identity crises, how would bringing in a proven locker-room killer in T.O. be a GOOD thing for the Bengals? It wouldn't. Sorry, Vinnie.
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Bengals officially sign Rashad Jeanty
Official Release
The Bengals today re-signed LB Rashad Jeanty, who led Cincinnati’s special teams in tackles in 2009. He had become a restricted free agent on March 5. Jeanty (6-2, 247; Central Florida) is a fifth-year NFL player in 2010. He played in 15 games with one start for Cincinnati in 2009. He had 14 special teams tackles and also had 16 tackles on defense. He had a career-high 97 tackles on defense in 2008, ranking fourth on the team. Jeanty has played his entire NFL career with Cincinnati, since signing as a free agent in 2006. He played from 2003-05 with Edmonton of the Canadian Football League.
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AFC North Stock Watch
ESPN.com
Rising
Steelers and Bengals draft picks: The two teams gained a combined five compensatory picks this week in the NFL draft, which are awarded to teams that lost more significant free agents than they signed last season. That gives Pittsburgh and Cincinnati tremendous flexibility to draft additional talent, sign restricted free agents or pull off trades. The Bengals received valuable compensatory picks in the third and fourth rounds. The Steelers were awarded three extra picks -- two in the fifth round and one in the seventh. They were the only two teams in the AFC North to get compensatory picks this year. Cincinnati and Pittsburgh have nine and 10 total draft picks, respectively.
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I smell a conspiracy to cover up Ben Roethlisberger's sexual assault case....
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Dancing with the Stars Odds....
Evan Lysacek............2/1
Erin Andrews.............5/1
Chad Ochocinco........7/1
Nicole Scherzinger.....7-4* (favorite)
Aiden Turner..............30/1
Niecy Nash...............50/1
Pamela Anderson......15/2
Shannen Doherty.......20/1
Jake Pavelka.............10/1
Kate Gosselin...........30/1
Buzz Aldrin...............100/1
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Miami begins their quest for a National Championship TOMORROW.....the RedHawks are the overall #1 seed in this year's field of 16. They'll face #16 Alabama Huntsville from Fort Wayne at 4pm on ESPNU. GO HAWKS!!!
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Cyclones forward Maxime Lacroix recalled to AHL
Official Release
The Cincinnati Cyclones, ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens and Nashville Predators, announced this afternoon they have had forward Maxime Lacroix recalled by the Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL).
Lacroix, 22, is in his second professional season and first with the Cyclones. In 38 games with Cincinnati, he has 17 goals and eleven assists for 28 points. Maxime is being recalled for the third time this season since originally being assigned to Cincinnati on December 11.
Lacroix is one of sixteen Cyclones player to earn a promotion to the American Hockey League, as he joins Hamilton—which is the top affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens (NHL). It is the 27th time a Cincinnati player has earned an AHL opportunity in 2009-2010. The club has had players appear in 212 games at the American Hockey League level and has lost 232 man-games due to these promotions.
The Cyclones are currently in second place in the ECHL’s North Division, one point behind Kalamazoo.
Cincinnati has secured a Kelly Cup playoffs berth and is fighting for home ice in the opening round of the postseason. Saturday night (March 27), Kalamazoo is in for its final regular season visit of the year with a 7:30pm start on Premium Beer Night—with Heineken Light sold for five dollars for a 16 ounce serving. The club is at Johnstown Sunday (March 28) at 2pm. Both games can be heard on the club’s website at: www.cycloneshockey.com.
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Friday Food Porn....Introducing Inside-Out Spaghetti & Meatballs
A giant meatball stuffed with spaghetti, marinara sauce and ricotta cheese.
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Whoever thought of this idea is a genius.....
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Let me put on my surprise face....
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When you combine "Willy Wonka" with "Saw"....
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For the next few weeks....YOUR votes will narrow down our field of 64 to this year's Battle of the Babes Champion. In the 2010 Bracket, there are 4 different regions:
The East Region...featuring the remaining hottest actresses.
The South Region...featuring the remaining models and other babes famous for being hot.
The West Region...featuring the remaining hottest musicians and performers
The Midwest Region...featuring the remaining hottest athletes
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL BRACKET
We're narrowing down the field, region by region, every day....based on YOUR votes. You can vote as many times as you want...so check back often throughout the day to make sure your favorite moves on! Today Sweet 16 voting begins in the EAST REGION...
#1 Jessica Alba vs. #5 Elisha Cuthbert
*****start poll*****
#2 Megan Fox vs. #6 Jennifer Aniston
*****start poll*****
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Xavier ranked #15 in Forbes annual list of 20 most valuable teams
Forbes.com
15. Xavier Musketeers
Team Value: $14.4 million
Profit: $9.1 million
Head Coach: Chris Mack
Conference: Atlantic 10
Previous Value Rank: 17
Cincinnati, Ohio, Metro Population: 2,155,137
Xavier, which generated $4.2 million from seat licenses last year, is the most valuable team from a non-major conference and one of only four teams whose value rank has increased for two consecutive seasons (the others: Kansas, Syracuse and Arkansas).
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Xavier / Kansas State Preview
Sporting News
Three reasons Xavier will win
1. Eventually, superior offense triumphs. The Musketeers can score from a variety of positions: down low with Jason Love or Kenny Frease, driving the ball through Mark Lyons, Terrell Holloway getting fouled or, most notably, Jordan Crawford in just about every way imaginable. Although K-State is a terrific defensive team, Crawford showed against Pitt he needs only a few moments to turn the game in his team's favor.
2. Experience. This whole "we're really good" thing is all new to Kansas State, but 2010 is the third year in a row Love has played in the Sweet 16, and it's the second trip for Holloway and power forward Jamel McLean. It's hard not to feel satisfied when you've been celebrated as a Sweet 16 team for the better part of a week, especially when it's the first time you've ever been there. Xavier knows what it's like to get this far and lose. It's more fun than losing in the second round, but less fun than whatever lies ahead.
3. Motivation. Kansas State is the only team that really hammered the Musketeers this season. They lost narrowly to such capable teams as Baylor, Marquette and Temple, but they never were in the game in their 15-point loss in "the Octagon of Doom." K-State might put more stock in that victory than it's worth, and Xavier definitely will want to show it's a better team than it appeared on that night. It should be a different game now that it'll be played on a (decidedly) neutral court.
Three reasons Kansas State will win
1. Those doggone guards. Tradition dictates at some point K-State will need to balance its offense to continue advancing, but it's also possible we've not seen a combination quite the same as Denis Clemente and Jacob Pullen. Look how close Saint Joseph's came to making the Final Four in 2004 with Jameer Nelson and Delonte West doing nearly all the damage for the Hawks. This duo isn't quite at that level, but then, the K-State defense is so much better Clemente and Pullen might not need to be.
2. That doggone defense. Through athleticism, depth, execution and sheer force of will the Wildcats have forced some tremendous teams away from their systems and their primary scorers. This is a remarkably tenacious defensive team. Xavier saw the Wildcats at their best, and jumping back into their company cannot be a pleasant notion. They are physically punishing and do a great job of making it no fun to posses the ball against them. That's the part of the game everyone's supposed to enjoy.
3. That doggone coach. Some commentators are bothered by a coach who is harsh and pushes his players as stridently as Frank Martin does the Wildcats. What a crock. A coach does what works for him, within the boundaries of the rules and good sportsmanship. Martin has had to fight harder for respect in this position than probably every coach in the tournament. And he has earned it. And now people are going to quarrel with his style?
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Three cheers for Mike Brown
Ludwig at Large
Mike Brown - the owner, president and general manager of the Cincinnati Bengals - isn’t correct about a lot of things. Draft picks, mainly. But he was right to vote against the NFL’s latest rule change at the league meetings in Orlando, and he was right to vote “no” on the 2006 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). I’m totally against the NFL’s new overtime rule. It’s stupid for several reasons...
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Overtime debate still simmers
Geoff Hobson, Bengals.com
When you’re holding the Vince Lombardi trophy in large part because of your guts and moxie, you can pretty much say anything you want. Enter Saints head coach Sean Payton, who had no problem Wednesday taking on Lyndon Baines Goodell and the way the NFL conducted Tuesday’s 28-4 vote to change the overtime rule in the playoffs. Roger Goodell wanted the two-possession rule and he showed how effective he is as a commissioner when he pushed through a proposal that looked dead on the first day of the meetings. But he also teed off his coaches.
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Maualuga praised by former coach
Joe Reedy, Enquirer.com
Former Southern Cal coach Pete Carroll had to deal with a couple off-the-field incidents while Rey Maualuga was there. While he was disappointed in Maualuga’s DUI two months ago in Kentucky, the first-year Seattle coach is confident that the second-year Bengals linebacker will get things back on track.
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Bengals, Bobbie Williams continue negotiations.....
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John Thornton's pick at #21
AllProBlogger.com
I know all is quiet on the draft front but if things fall into place, I’m still putting my money on USC Safety Taylor Mays being the pick at #21 for the Cincinnati Bengals. Why? It’s simple. The Bengals starting safeties are 30 years years old, their starting corners are in their 4th and 5th seasons. Roy Williams has ended the season on IR the last few years, and owner Mike Brown fears older players with an injury history. Yes Roy has a one year deal right now, but that is a good deal for the Bengals. Chris Crocker can play well in the run game and cover in the pass game because he came into the league as a cornerback. But behind those two you don’t really have a future starting safety.
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Reds playing wait and see with Chapman
Mark Sheldon, Reds.com
Cuban sensation Aroldis Chapman's back spasms have created questions that were mostly without answers in Reds camp on Wednesday morning. There was no idea yet when Chapman would resume throwing or if the injury torpedoed his chances to make the Reds' rotation as the fifth starter.
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Dickerson lets his play make case....It didn't go over well when Chris Dickerson talked the talk. But the Reds outfielder has walked the walk, too, and no one can call that into question this spring. Last month near the start of camp, Dickerson irritated manager Dusty Baker when he publicly aired his disappointment of a perception that he was being overlooked for center field. It appeared that it was Drew Stubbs' job to lose. Whether or not that was the case then, it's a wide-open battle now. Dickerson is batting .371 (13-for-35) with one home run, six RBIs and a .405 on-base percentage. He was already in the hunt for the vacancy in left field when camp opened.
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Reds 1990 Hall of Fame Museum exhibit set to open....
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UC football add big WR....If there’s a prize for beating the recruiting bushes and landing some late talent, Butch Jones and his Cincinnati staff have to be a finalist for the award. After adding a number of talented players including Munchie LeGaux in the days just prior to National Signing Day 2010, the UC football program pulled a rabbit out of its helmet when Kenbrell Thompkins officially became a Bearcat Wednesday. Thompkins is considered by many to be the No. 1 junior college wide receiver in the country and had signed a letter of intent in December to play at Tennessee but never attended classes.
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Thursday Food Porn....introducing Devil’s Food Cake Mix
A buttermilk cake using 2 Bags of Reeses topped with a frosting made from 1/2 cup of peanut butter, dark chocolate and heavy cream garnished with Reeses Peanut Butter Cups.
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How to turn your wimpy car engine into a V8 with just your cigarette lighter....
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WTF of the day....wait til you read the story that accompanies this photo....
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Now THIS is a hockey fight....
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Disney using the "jiggle test" for casting of new Pirates of the Caribbean movie...
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For the next few weeks....YOUR votes will narrow down our field of 64 to this year's Battle of the Babes Champion. In the 2010 Bracket, there are 4 different regions:
The East Region...featuring the remaining hottest actresses.
The South Region...featuring the remaining models and other babes famous for being hot.
The West Region...featuring the remaining hottest musicians and performers
The Midwest Region...featuring the remaining hottest athletes
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL BRACKET
We're narrowing down the field, region by region, every day....based on YOUR votes. You can vote as many times as you want...so check back often throughout the day to make sure your favorite moves on! Today you get to vote on the MIDWEST REGION...
#1 Anna Kournikova vs. #8 Amanda Beard
*****start poll*****
#2 Natalie Gulbis vs. #7 Jennie Finch
*****start poll*****
#3 Maria Sharapova vs. #6 Ashley Harkleroad
*****start poll*****
#4 Canadian Curler vs. #12 Leryn Franco
*****start poll*****
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XU improved since loss to KSU.....More than three months ago, Kansas State handed Xavier the worst non-conference loss of its young season, a 71-56 thumping on the Wildcats' purple-accented court. Neither players nor coaches emerged from the locker room until 30 minutes after the defeat in Manhattan, Kan. When they did, they had little good to say about their performance. Twenty-six games later, the sixth-seeded Musketeers have played their way into a third straight NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 appearance. Perhaps it's only fitting that they're preparing for a rematch with second-seeded K-State, a team whose early season lessons have ultimately prepared the Muskies.
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Chapman not likely to start year in Cincinnati rotation
John Fay, Enquirer
Dusty Baker wouldn’t speculate after the game, but you’ve got to think that Chapman won’t be in the rotation to start the year. The Reds need a fifth starter on April 11. Chapman’s only gone three innings once. He’s sure to be shut down for a few days at least, so it will be impossible for him to get his pitch count to where it needs to be in a little over two weeks.
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Why every Sweet 16 team has a shot to win National Championship
Fox Sports
NO. 1 KENTUCKY
Why: Um, because they have more talent than anyone in the country. Freshmen John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins are both legit first-team All-Americans, Patrick Patterson is a potential double-double each and every night and frosh Eric Bledsoe could be a featured guy on just about any other team. John Calipari has done a masterful job keeping all the talent and egos in check.
Why not: I’m not buying the youth excuse, but what I am buying is that these guys still aren’t a collection of knock-down shooters. Bledsoe has gotten hot from the perimeter, but if he cools off, the Wildcats could struggle against a zone defense.
NO. 2 Ohio State
Why: Evan Turner - The Buckeyes junior does it all. He made the transition to point guard this season and has been the best player in the country. His numbers are astonishing — especially remembering he missed six games recovering from two broken bones in his back. There have been instances where a player can carry a team to the Final Four and the national title — and Turner is capable because of his exceptional versatility.
Why not: Thad Matta is doing this with basically four players and no depth. It’s Turner, David Lighty, William Buford and Jon Diebler. If Turner has an off game now, Ohio State is history. The Buckeyes also have no productive size, which means that Turner has to get 10 rebounds per game.
NO. 6 Xavier
Why: Rookie head coach Chris Mack has a bunch of tough, hard-nosed kids with chips on their shoulders. Above all, they have quality guard play. Indiana transfer Jordan Crawford was somehow snubbed for A-10 Player of the Year honors, but he’s capable of taking over the game and has matured in his decision-making. Terrell Holloway has become a quality floor leader, while Jason Love is also a capable big man.
Why not: Xavier is too reliant on Crawford to get 20 to continue winning. If Crawford goes cold, who else picks up the slack? Holloway isn’t a potent scorer, and guys like Dante Jackson and Jamel McLean are only role players.
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Kentucky / Cornell Preview
Sporting News
Three reasons Kentucky will win
1. John Wall. Cornell point guard Louis Dale is a wonderful player and acquitted himself well against such players as Kansas' Sherron Collins, Wisconsin's Trevon Hughes and Harvard's Jeremy Lin. Wall is a different deal, though. Wall, at his best, changes every game he enters. Which is not to say Wall will punish Dale, only that the challenge he represents is greater than anything Cornell has faced to date. With his athleticism and skill, Wall can control the game.
2. DeMarcus Cousins. Cornell coach Steve Donahue has noted how Cousins dominates the boards without needing to play in the air. The Big Red usually control the action below the rim, but with his muscle and his acumen, Cousins can command the lane and dominate the boards. The Wildcats also can move the ball inside and force Foote to defend Cousins, perhaps nudging him into foul trouble. Foote encountered no such difficulty in the first two rounds but was disqualified from three prior games.
3. Answers. Kentucky's greatest advantage is that it can endure rough games from one or two of its primary scorers and find others to pick it up on the bench. Cornell is heavily reliant on Dale, Wittman and Foote. If Kentucky can do an adequate job defending one or more of them, it probably should be able to generate the necessary production to beat Cornell and advance.
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New NFL Overtime proposal passes
ProFootballTalk.com
The National Football League owners have approved a change in overtime, starting with the playoffs following the 2010 season, that will modify the sudden-death format and prevent a team from winning a game with a field goal on the opening possession. The vote was 28-4, with the Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings, Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals voting against. It needed at least 24 votes to pass.
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More on the OT rule change
Joe Reedy, Enquirer
For postseason games, following a coin flip and an intermission of no more than three minutes after the end of the regular game, the following shall apply:
- Both teams must have the opportunity to possess the ball once during the extra period, unless the team that receives the opening kickoff (Team B) scores a touchdown on its initial possession, in which case it is the winner.
- If the team that possesses the ball first scores a field goal on its initial possession, the other team (Team A) shall have the opportunity to possess the ball. If Team A scores a touchdown on its possession, it is the winner. If the score is tied after Team A’s possession, the team next scoring by any method shall be the winner.
- A player is in possession when he is in firm grip and control of the ball inbounds (3-2-7). The defense gains possession when it catches, intercepts, or recovers a loose ball.
- The opportunity to possess applies only during kicking plays. A kickoff is the opportunity to possess for the receiving team. If the kicking team legally recovers the kick, the receiving team is considered to have had its opportunity. A punt or field goal that crosses the line of scrimmage and is muffed by the receiving team is considered to be an opportunity to possess for the receiving team. Normal touching rules by the kicking team apply.
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UC has progressed, but not enough
Bill Koch, Enquirer
The Bearcats have gone from the dominant team in Conference USA to an also-ran in the Big East. They have posted three winning seasons and made two appearances in the National Invitation Tournament, along with one rather sad appearance in the College Basketball Invitational. That’s not good enough for the UC basketball program, which was ranked 17th nationally last fall in the ESPN/Sagarin all-time rankings.
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Could John Calipari be a "One and Done" at Kentucky??....
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Wednesday Food Porn....introducing Chocolate Covered Cinnamon Nachos Topped With Chocolate Mousse
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Erin Andrews is very expressive.....
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Chad Ochocinco's Dancing with the Stars debut...
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Chapman struggles, leaves game early with back spasms..... Aroldis Chapman was scheduled for four innings but lasted just 1 2/3 frames with four unearned runs on two hits with two walks and two strikeouts. He was lifted for precautionary reasons with a stiff lower back.
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Reds transactions....Following yesterday’s game, the Reds optioned to Louisville OF Chris Heisey and reassigned to minor league camp IF Zack Cozart and IF/OF Todd Frazier.
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Still no news on 5th starter
John Fay, Enquirer
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All 145 Reds TV games will be in HD
Official Release
FOX Sports Ohio announced today the entire 2010 Cincinnati Reds 145-game telecast schedule will be in crystal clear high definition. Henry Ford, Senior Vice President and General Manager, FOX Sports Ohio, made the announcement.
“We’re proud and very excited that we will produce and deliver ALL 145 Reds games in High Definition this season,” stated Ford. “You can feel the fan excitement for Red’s baseball growing throughout Spring Training. Folks logging on to foxsportsohio.com are following the nuances of player development and expressing interest in daily recaps of what’s going on in Goodyear. As we head into the regular season, we are delighted to continue that momentum and heighten the fan experience with enhanced telecasts in HD.”
As previously announced, FOX Sports Ohio begins its 145-game schedule of Reds baseball with the team’s home opener on Monday, April 5 at 1pm against division rival St. Louis Cardinals at Great American Ball Park.
FOX Sports Ohio is also happy to partner with Local 12 WKRC-TV to simulcast Reds Opening Day.
Local12 Vice-President and General Manager Les Vann said, “Local 12 WKRC-TV is proud to partner with Fox Sports Ohio to bring you the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day Game! There is nothing more local than the tradition and pride of The Cincinnati Reds and the history of opening day baseball, right here on Local 12. We would like to thank Fox Sports Ohio and the Reds for this partnership.”
Coverage will begin with Reds Live pre-game show, presented by Ray St. Clair Roofing, at 12:30pm. Jim Day, Jeff Piecoro and Brian Giesenschlag will take the field to feature all the Opening Day festivities.
FOX Sports Ohio is proud to announce two new production enhancements for the 2010 season: FOX Trax and X-Mo.
FOX Trax is the newest broadcast enhancement that presents statistics about pitches in real-time. Powered by Major League Baseball’s official pitch tracking system, FOX Trax will show viewers new and compelling data elements such as break, release and end speed, spin direction and pinpoint location of the ball as it crosses the front of home plate. Combined with a pitch type classification graphic, viewers will have more insight into pitcher strategy that will make the action even more engaging and exciting.
X-MO is a high speed camera/replay device that will bring viewers incredible clarity on replays. X-MO will be able to slow an image down to 3,000 frames per second versus a normal frame of video which is 30 frames per second. Therefore, Reds fans will be able to see plays slowed down to 100 times their normal speed. Using this amazing technology, game details such as the rotation of a pitch or the splintering of a bat will now be seen in crystal clarity.
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T.O. to Bengals unlikely says Rosenhaus
Joe Reedy, Enquirer
For those hoping for Terrell Owens to still possibly sign with the Bengals after his visit two weeks ago, his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, basically ruled that out. "I don’t think it’s a realistic possibility and see how it would work playtime wise," Rosenhaus said. "He liked his visit to Cincinnati a lot and we were very close to getting something done before they signed Antonio Bryant, but it was a real good experience."
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Bengals get 3rd and 4th round Compensatory Picks.....
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Ten AFC North Mysteries
ESPN.com
5. Matt Jones, WR, Bengals
2009 stats: Did not play
Why: Jones also was out of football until the Bengals gave him a call with hopes of improving their passing game. This offseason Cincinnati added Jones and Antonio Bryant and they probably will acquire a tight end in the draft to give quarterback Carson Palmer more options. Although it's a cheap and low-risk move by Cincinnati, reportedly the Bengals were not impressed with Jones' workout and signed him anyway. But the good news is the season doesn't start until September.
Mystery rating: 8.5
4. Andre Smith, OT, Bengals
2009 stats: Six games, one start
Why: The Bengals still do not have a firm grasp on what they have in last year's No. 6 overall pick. After agreeing to pay Smith a maximum of $42 million, Cincinnati cannot afford to wait another year with him on the sideline. Smith's rookie year could not have gone any worse. It started with a contract dispute that caused the right tackle to miss all of training camp. Then a foot injury sidelined him for most of the season. He got his feet wet toward the end of 2009, but additional offseason surgery is an early hurdle Smith has to overcome this year.
Mystery rating: 8.8
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Xavier playing above mid-major status
ESPN.com
As Jordan Crawford popped the front of his jersey and Dante Jackson waved the Xavier flag in front of hundreds of navy-clad fans, Xavier's band struck up an old but familiar tune: Aretha Franklin's "Respect." Whether the choice was conscious or not, it was fitting. Unequivocally -- not as a "mid-major" or "non-BCS", but unequivocally -- Xavier deserves your respect. With its 71-68 win over No. 3-seed Pittsburgh Sunday night, Xavier became one of two programs in the entire country to advance to the Sweet 16 the past three years. The other is Michigan State. Guess which one gets more ink?
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Musketeers take umbrage at mid-major tag
Shannon Russell, Enquirer
Xavier and Michigan State are the only teams in college basketball headed to a third consecutive Sweet 16. So Musketeers coach Chris Mack didn’t take well to a reporter who asked about the program’s “identity as a mid-major” following its 71-68 defeat of Pittsburgh in an NCAA Tournament second-round game at the Bradley Center. “I really take offense to the comment,” Mack said. “We don’t look at ourselves as anything but a high-major program, from the way we travel to the way we recruit to the amenities our kids enjoy.”
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Xavier's success goes against its hated mid-major label
Jerry Palm, CBS Sports
Xavier knocked off Pittsburgh 71-68 to advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament, and in case you haven't noticed -- and the Musketeers think it's about time you did -- this is a pretty darn good program. This will be their third consecutive trip to the Sweet 16, an accomplishment matched only by Michigan State. Not Kansas, which is already gone. Not North Carolina, or Kentucky, or any of the other blue bloods. And not Gonzaga or Butler either, two programs that many consider to be high majors playing in mid-major leagues.
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For the next few weeks....YOUR votes will narrow down our field of 64 to this year's Battle of the Babes Champion. In the 2010 Bracket, there are 4 different regions:
The East Region...featuring the remaining hottest actresses.
The South Region...featuring the remaining models and other babes famous for being hot.
The West Region...featuring the remaining hottest musicians and performers
The Midwest Region...featuring the remaining hottest athletes
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL BRACKET
We're narrowing down the field, region by region, every day....based on YOUR votes. You can vote as many times as you want...so check back often throughout the day to make sure your favorite moves on! Today you get to vote on the WEST REGION...
#1 Carrie Underwood vs. #8 Katy Perry
*****start poll*****
#3 Nicole Scherzinger vs. #11 Christina Aguilera
*****start poll*****
#7 Kellie Pickler vs. #15 Britney Spears
*****start poll*****
#12 Shakira vs. #13 Faith Hill
*****start poll*****
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Tuesday Food Porn....introducing Velvety Balls
Red velvet cake mixed with cream cheese frosting, rolled into balls and dipped in dark chocolate with a white chocolate swirl.
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FAIL of the day....parent of the year nominee....
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Rolled up magazine self-defense....
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What in the hell is this cat looking at?? The video is tremendous...
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13 most annoying ad characters of all time....
My vote is for Mr. Six...
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Is your bracket busted yet? I can safely say...mine is. I had Kansas winning it all in most of my brackets and Villanova in the Final Four in a couple. After watching the Jayhawks game and then Kentucky's...I've got no doubt that UK is looking more and more like a championship team. Granted, Wake Forest didn't play their best game....but the Wildcats were flat out flying.
As for the Muskies...they hold on to beat Pittsburgh to earn a spot in the Sweet 16. Chris Mack's team will face 2nd seeded Kansas State on Friday. How's this for a stat: Six teams have made the Sweet 16 four times since 2004...Duke (5x), Kansas, Villanova, UNC, Michigan St., and Xavier.
Meanwhile, the Big East is a FAIL...of the record-tying 8 teams in the tourney this year....only 2 remain.
SWEET 16 Dates / Times:
THURSDAY
Butler / Syracuse - 7:07pm
Washington / West Virginia - 7:27pm
Xavier / Kansas St - 9:37pm (approx)
Cornell / Kentucky - 9:57pm
FRIDAY
Tennessee / Ohio State - 7:07pm
St. Mary's / Baylor - 7:27pm
N. Iowa / Michigan St - 9:37pm
Purdue / Duke - 9:57pm
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Xavier gets sweet revenge
Shannon Russell, Enquirer
Xavier is headed to the Sweet 16 for a third straight season. The sixth-seeded Musketeers downed third-seeded Pitt in a 71-68 second-round game Sunday at the Bradley Center. Xavier (26-8) advances to face No. 2 seed Kansas State (28-7) Thursday in the West Regional in Salt Lake City, Utah. It should be a doozy of a rematch, since one of Xavier’s worst losses came at the hands of the Wildcats earlier this season.
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UC takes on Dayton TONIGHT at 9pm in the second round of NIT....After a four-year hiatus, the University of Cincinnati will meet Dayton for the 90th time - UC’s second-oldest and third longest rivalry in program history. The Bearcats own a 59-30 advantage in the series and have won 14 of the last 16 meetings dating back to the 1989-90 season - UC’s first in Fifth Third Arena. Cincinnati won the last outing on Dec. 22, 2005, 81-63, in the Las Vegas Holiday Classic behind a combined 40 points by Devan Downey (21 pts.) and James White (19 pts.)
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On Sunday, Tiger Woods spoke with ESPN's Tom Rinaldi in the first public interview since his transgressions became public. Topics included the car accident, his time in rehab, and his upcoming return to golf at the Masters. Here is the complete transcript of the interview:
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Fifth starter race still crowded
Mark Sheldon
The fifth starter competition still has seven contenders left -- Aroldis Chapman, Matt Maloney, Micah Owings, Justin Lehr, Kip Wells, Travis Wood and Mike Leake. Surprisingly, no one besides Mike Lincoln has been told they are out -- yet.
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Too soon to plant Dickerson in center field
John Fay, Enquirer
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Cordero enjoying smooth spring.....About one year ago, as closer Francisco Cordero was in the midst of posting a 12.10 Spring Training ERA, Reds fans were stocking up on brown paper bags to hyperventilate. Mass hysteria subsided and order was restored quickly once Cordero flipped the switch for the regular season. He saved his first 15 games and converted 39 of 43 chances overall. There was one Reds representative to the National League All-Star team and it was Cordero.
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Volquez begins throwing off the mound....
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Bengals moves solid, but there's work to do
Joe Reedy, Enquirer
Through two full weeks of free agency it is safe to say the Bengals have taken the right steps in free agency. They signed an experienced and proven second receiver in Antonio Bryant while re-signing defensive tackle Tank Johnson and safety Roy Williams. This is different than the past couple seasons where the Bengals had notable losses. In 2008, it was Justin Smith and Madieu Williams while last year it was T.J. Houshmandzadeh. On Thursday, coach Marvin Lewis said of free agency so far: "There has been a big commitment upstairs and I'm glad we were able to do those things and I hope the fans feel the same way."
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Tebow would energize Bengals
Ludwig at Large
NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay said the best NFL team for Tebow would be Indianapolis or New England, where he could be groomed behind Peyton Manning or Tom Brady. I like the way McShay thinks. He’s right on the money. But I’d like to take this opportunity to add a franchise to his list — the Cincinnati Bengals. I envision Tebow landing in The Nati and serving as Carson Palmer’s understudy. The critics say, “Why?” I say, “Why not?” The Bengals need a solid backup quarterback. Tebow just happens to be a charismatic leader who will energize the club’s fan base and bring huge crowds to training camp at Georgetown College.
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Dhani tackles Mt. Everest
Geoff Hobson, Bengals.com
Dhani Jones, the Bengals middle linebacker who loves being in the middle of it all, takes on the Super Bowl of mountains this week when he attempts to climb Mount Everest. It’s the stunning 10th and last episode of the second season of his Travel Channel series Dhani Tackles The Globe, and it’s not exactly a game at Mile High Stadium. "It’s four miles up. We’re going to go about 23,000 feet, a mile short of the top," Jones said Friday. "If you’re going to jump off a bridge, you don’t want to start out jumping off the highest bridge. I’ll get a taste and I’ll be back."
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Enjoy Crawford while you can
P-Doc, Enquirer
Jordan Crawford’s an assassin. All the great scorers are. Crawford doesn’t want to beat you. He wants to lay you out and leave you begging. Which is what he did to Minnesota in the second half Friday. Enjoy Crawford while you can. If he has another game or two like this one – 28 points, six rebounds, five assists, one turnover -- his stay on Victory Parkway will have been as brief as it was memorable. Career-wise, there won’t be much point in him coming back, unless he really, really likes hangin’ with Sister Rose.
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MIAMI HOCKEY earns the overall #1 seed in NCAA Tournament.....they'll begin their quest for a National Championship this weekend when they face No. 4 seed Alabama-Huntsville in Fort Wayne Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. The game will be aired live on ESPNU. If Miami wins, they would face the winner of the Bemidji State vs. Michigan game on Sunday night.
Here's how the NCAA Hockey Tournament breaks down....
Midwest (Fort Wayne)
1. Miami vs. 16. Ala.-Huntsville
8. Bemidji State vs. 9. Michigan
East (Albany)
2. Denver vs. 15. RIT
7. Cornell vs. 10. N. Hampshire
West (St. Paul)
3. Wisconsin vs. 14. Vermont
6. St. Cloud vs. 11. Northern Michigan
Northeast (Worcester)
4. Boston Col. vs. 13. Alaska
5. North Dakota vs. 12. Yale
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Coors Light Cyclones Coaches Show...It's another Monday night of hockey conversation tonight at Jefferson Hall in Newport. The Cyclones fell out of 1st place this weekend, so the final handful of games are critical. We'll chat with the coach, Chuck Weber from 7-8pm....hope to see you there!
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Miami U basketball to host UC in Oxford next season....Miami, a long-time local rival of the University of Cincinnati, joins the University of Dayton on UC's basketball schedule next season, with the Bearcats traveling to Millett Hall in Oxford for the first time since 1993. The two schools have played each other eight times since then, but all of those games have been either at Fifth Third Arena or U.S. Bank Arena.
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For the next few weeks....YOUR votes will narrow down our field of 64 to this year's Battle of the Babes Champion. In the 2010 Bracket, there are 4 different regions:
The East Region...featuring the remaining hottest actresses.
The South Region...featuring the remaining models and other babes famous for being hot.
The West Region...featuring the remaining hottest musicians and performers
The Midwest Region...featuring the remaining hottest athletes
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL BRACKET
We're narrowing down the field, region by region, every day....based on YOUR votes. You can vote as many times as you want...so check back often throughout the day to make sure your favorite moves on! Today you get to vote on the SOUTH REGION...
#1 Marisa Miller vs. #9 Bar Refaeli
*****start poll*****
#2 Heidi Klum vs. #7 Denise Milani
*****start poll*****
#4 Brooklyn Decker vs. #5 Sara Underwood
*****start poll*****
#6 Carmen Electra vs. #14 Brooke Burke
*****start poll*****
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Monday Food Porn....introducing the Bacon Mug
A giant mug made out of bacon filled with cheddar cheese.
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Time Waster of the Day: The Gus Johnson Soundboard
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Now YOU can have your very own Jetpack...
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Coolest elevator ad you'll see today....
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**************************
For the next few weeks....YOUR votes will narrow down our field of 64 to this year's Battle of the Babes Champion. In the 2010 Bracket, there are 4 different regions:
The East Region...featuring the remaining hottest actresses.
The South Region...featuring the remaining models and other babes famous for being hot.
The West Region...featuring the remaining hottest musicians and performers
The Midwest Region...featuring the remaining hottest athletes
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL BRACKET
We're narrowing down the field, region by region, every day....based on YOUR votes. You can vote as many times as you want...so check back often throughout the day to make sure your favorite moves on! Today we begin Second Round voting in the EAST REGION...
#1 Jessica Alba vs. #8 Eva Mendes
*****start poll*****
#4 Jessica Biel vs. #5 Elisha Cuthbert
*****start poll*****
#6 Jennifer Aniston vs. #14 Emmanuelle Chriqui
*****start poll*****
#2 Megan Fox vs. #10 Scarlett Johansson
*****start poll*****
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© 2010
