The Colonel's Quarters

The SEC Grows

2012-01-04T12:05:00.003-05:00

As the 2011 CFB season draws to a close, it marks the end of Texas A&M and Missouri as members of the Big 12 Conference. They now move to the highly competitive SEC. Both great additions for the football world of the Southeastern Conference, but also in the basketball world, where the SEC has been less than stellar the past few years.

In football, the Missouri Tigers should become immediate contenders in the SEC East. Would seem that entering 2012, South Carolina is the team to beat. Champion Georgia should be slightly better than 2011. Florida will have a new OC for the second straight year. Vandy is a wildcard. Will they improve off 2011, or regress to the Vandy most people know? Tennessee and Kentucky need some serious rebuilding work done. The SEC West, clearly the stronger of the 2 divisions, adds a good Texas A&M team. Add them to LSU, Alabama, Arkansas, and Auburn and it's a fight to see who survives. Mississippi and Mississippi State have a tough road ahead.

Both Mizzou and A&M add a boost to a seriously deficient basketball league. Outside of Kentucky, Bruce Pearl era Tennessee, and the occasional Billy Donovon Florida squad, the SEC has mounted no serious threats in the NCAA tournament. Missouri is a legit top 10 program, heading into a division where they could give Kentucky a serious challenge. A&M moves into the SEC West and probably becomes the top team in the weaker of the 2 divisions. Should make for an interesting 2012-2013 basketball season.

15 Days Left

2010-08-18T14:43:00.003-04:00

Until the beginning of College Football Season. Once again this year, the South Carolina Gamecocks are kicking off the coverage. Thursday, September 2, 7:30pm in Columbia. It's the Gamecocks and Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles. This could be a big season for South Carolina. The most talented group Spurrier has had in his time as the head Gamecock. Could this be the year that South Carolina breaks through in the SEC East?

"Air Coryell" Grounded

2010-07-02T08:12:00.003-04:00

Coach Don Coryell has died at age 85. Few who grew up during the 1980's will EVER forget the "Air Coryell" offense of the San Diego Chargers. They racked up points like a pinball machine and, unfortunately for them, also allowed other teams to rack up points like a pinball machine.
Probably the greatest team to never make a superbowl, the Charger were of course led by Coryell and QB Dan Fouts and were probably involved in 2 of the most famous NFL playoff games, in back to back weeks. The 1981 AFC divisional match up in Miami versus the Dolphins, which saw Kellen Winslow do just about everything in helping the Chargers to make the AFC Championship. Then of course, that Championship game was played right here in Cincinnati, in a -59 degree windchill. The Bengals came away 27-7 winners and halted perhaps San Diego's best chance at the Superbowl.
Coryell was an offensive innovator that would see his style tinkered with until it turned into the run and shoot offense of the 1990's. A lot of teams used it, but none ever ran it as well as San Diego and the original "Air Coryell".

Rest In Peace, Coach.

NBA Draft relevant TV again?

2010-06-25T13:49:00.002-04:00

Last night's NBA draft was actually worthy TV viewing. The NBA's one and done rule (while completely stupid) cut out all the High Schoolers to the NBA, eliminating a lot of people no one has ever heard of. And the number of over seas players drafted was WAY down compared to previous years. So the NBA draft actually finally consisted of College players that the nation was aware of and had seen play. Now the NBA needs to work on keeping some players (:cough: :cough: Daniel Orton) in college to work on their game a little bit. It will make college basketball better, and make the NBA draft even more worthy of prime time TV.

This Just In!!!!

2010-04-08T12:17:00.003-04:00

Tiger woods tees off at the Masters at 1:42pm. Just in case you missed it any of the 7+ Million times ESPN alerted you. I, for one, say who cares?! Didn't watch Golf on TV before Tiger, during Tiger, during the scandal, nor will I watch it now. Golf on TV tends to be slow and boring.

The Masters is already an all too entirely self-important event, and now they have a vehicle to remind everyone of that. For those reasons, I will not be tuning in for the 37th straight year.

Greatest Ever?

2010-04-06T14:46:00.003-04:00

Some people are saying last nights Butler vs Duke final was the greatest NCAA championship game ever. Far from it. Sure, it was close with an exciting finish, but it wasn't a great game. It was good, but not great. In my opinion, the best final game ever was the 2008 Kansas vs Memphis final. Followed by the 1985 Villanova upset of Georgetown. NC State over Houston would be third. I remember a lot about those games. In a few months, all anyone will remember from last night is that Butler almost won it twice in the last 10 seconds, but both shots bounced off the rim. Outside of that, the game and the players were rather forgettable.

My Brackets live on....Halfway

2010-03-26T16:17:00.002-04:00

Half of my Final Four teams remain heading into Friday night action. West Virginia overcame a slow start to knock out a pesky Washington team. Butler killed the one side of my bracket with a win over Syracuse. I'm sure the final four match-up of Kansas vs Syracuse would have been really entertaining, but it will be K-State or Butler vs the Northern Iowa/Michigan St./Tennessee/OSU survivor.

Baylor was the other final four team in my brackets, hopefully they can survive St. Mary's tonight.

Sweet 16 begins tonight

2010-03-25T14:46:00.003-04:00

Tonight begins regional semi-final action in the NCAA basketball tournament. My pick to win it is the West Virginia Mountaineers (still alive, in spite of all the upsets that occurred during the tournaments first weekend.) But WVU goes into the regionals without the services of point guard Darryl Bryant, who suffered a broken foot during practice. Could this be the second time that Bob Huggins is bitten by the broken bone bug? Surely everyone remembers the Kenyon Martin leg injury that quite possibly cost the Cincinnati Bearcats an NCAA title.

Here's to hoping that Huggs and West Virginia can overcome this and make my bracket shine.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day

2010-03-17T15:09:00.003-04:00

9th Region Final

2010-03-08T10:24:00.002-05:00

I had the opportunity of a lifetime yesterday at the Bank of Kentucky Center on the campus of Northern Kentucky University. As most people know by now, the Newport Wildcats routed defending 9th Region and state champion Holmes, 60-34. It was a very enjoyable game to watch, but I had the added pleasure of sitting next to Covington Catholic coach Mike Listerman for most of the game. That man LOVES basketball.

Having gone to Covington Catholic and seen Coach L as a coach and a teacher, I had (and still have) the utmost respect for him. Yesterday, I saw a side I had yet to see. He was excited by the great performance of a basketball team. Every time a great play was made, he was laughing and jumping with an excitement usually reserved for the fans in the student section. It made my watching the game that much more enjoyable.

Now, of course, once a coach, always a coach. There were times when, even as a spectator, he was working officials, watching the clock and thinking outloud about game strategy. That part of Coach L I have seen many times, but yesterday it seemed 100 times more enjoyable.

The Match-Up Is Set

2010-01-25T09:54:00.002-05:00

Saint versus Colt in South Florida.

The Colts are making their 4th Super Bowl appearance and looking for their 3rd win. For the Saints, this is their first shot.

I predict the Saints will reverse the recent trend of first time losers and beat the Colts, 35-30. MVP Drew Brees throwing for 3 TD's

Lofton from DOWNTOWN!!

2010-01-20T10:31:00.000-05:00

So this is Hell unleashed?

2009-12-11T16:22:00.003-05:00

On who? The fans of Pittsburgh? If coach Mike Tomlin is going to promise to unleash Hell in December and not go quietly, then how does this team lose to the Raiders and the Browns in back to back weeks after his statement. Perhaps the Steelers just aren't the intimidating hit you in the mouth team that they thought they were. Enjoy watching January football at home, guys. Maybe if your lucky, you can catch a Bengals game on the tube.

WHO DEY!!!!!

The Notre Dame search goes on

2009-12-10T15:39:00.005-05:00

It may be Brian Kelly, it may not be Brian Kelly. At this point, count me among the masses that no longer care. Notre Dame is really the only entity that finds Notre Dame football still relevent to the BCS Era. In truth, the Irish haven't been in a relevant National Championship position in 22 years. The rest of college football has caught and surpassed the Golden Dome. USC and the SEC's "dominance" of the last decade, as well as powerhouses from the Big 12 and the ACC and SEC emerging have made Notre Dame football an average program that can't just wave their hands and land the top recruits.

It's time for the Fighting Irish to drop their arrogance and join a conference and stop the self importance that they put forth to the public. Only then will Notre Dame regain relevance in College Football.

25 and Counting!!

2009-11-30T16:01:00.003-05:00

A quarter of a century has now passed since Kentucky has last beaten the Volunteers in football. Tennessee's 25th straight win came Saturday as Montario Hardesty rumbled 20 yards for a TD in overtime to give the Volunteers a 30-24 win. The game was pretty much dominated by Tennessee who racked up nearly 500 yeards of offense to just about 250 for the Wildcats. UT turnovers and 101 yeards from Randall Cobb helped KY keep it close, but the Cats just weren't able to clear the hurdle yet again.

Seriously!? The Raiders?!

2009-11-23T11:03:00.003-05:00

How does this Bengals team lose to the Raiders? Perhaps the 2nd most dysfunctional team in the NFL, behind Cleveland, and the Bengals let them hang around and lose in the final seconds.

I hope today begins 7 solid days of Marvin chewing this team a new one. Kiss Thursday goodbye. If your lucky, you can call your families and wish them a Happy Thanksgiving during a break from wind sprints or something.

I would imagine that the games against Cleveland and Detroit will look similar to the Chicago Bears game. If not, I really question if this team as any intestinal fortitude to win a playoff game, should they be lucky enough to make it there.

5-0 in the division! WHO DEY!!!!!!

2009-11-16T15:42:00.004-05:00

Once again, the defense comes up big and downs the hated Steelers!!! For all the talk all week and season about the fact that Big Ben moves well and keeps plays alive, the Bengal D sacks him 5 times and got pressure on him every pplay of the final Steeler drive.

Sweeps of the Ravens and Steelers and a game remaining against the Browns and it looks as if the Bengals will go undefeated in the AFC North. With remaining games against the Raiders, Lions and Chiefs, the Cincinnati Bengals are looking at a potential 2 seed in the AFC playoffs (baring a let down by either them or the Indianapolis Colts.

Pro Football has returned to Cincinnati!!!

Ocho Cinco fined $20K for "Bribe Attempt"

2009-11-13T16:55:00.002-05:00

So Chad was fine 20 grand for his $1 joke during a replay. Normally I don't mind Chad's joking around, and I didn't in this case either. But I think the NFL was right in fining Ocho for the joke. Coming off a MLB World Series where umpiring decisions were under the microscope at every turn, and in light of the ongoing Tim Donaghy/Crooked NBA Officials scandal, the NFL had to come down hard on ANY referances that officials weren't on the up n up. So Chad had to take the fine, and if a hat is passed to pay the fine for him, I'd chip in a buck.

I'll be the first to admit....

2009-11-09T12:32:00.004-05:00

I do not fully understand the rules of soccer, but how was this lady allowed to keep playing? I would think after a certain point, the rules would dictate that she have a seat for the remainder of the match.

59 Points??

2009-10-29T09:00:00.003-04:00

The Charlotte Bobcats could muster only a 59 point effort last night against the Boston Celtics. How does an NBA team, playing a 48 minute game manage only 59 points? When I was growing up, I would routinely watch NBA games, and they all ended with scores like 121-115. Teams had no problem hitting triple digits. Now we have teams that struggle to hit half that.

A Good Loss?

2009-10-21T11:26:00.001-04:00

As we all know by now, the Cincinnati Bengals dropped an 11 point game to the Houston Texans on Sunday, ending their 4 game winning streak. But was that all bad? Perhaps now this team understands that it takes more than 4 minutes of football to win games. Maybe now the Bengals will show up and play 60 good minutes of football and not rely on the final 2 minutes of halves to decide games. We can only hope.

PS, Receivers need to learn how to start catching passes.

Simon looking to stay Perfect

2009-10-15T16:02:00.002-04:00

The Simon Kenton Pioneers (6-1, 3-0) are looking to do what few people thought possible in NKY's difficult Class AAAAAA district, go undefeated. This week, the Pioneers will take on Boone County, a team usually in the mix for a district title. This season, the Rebels have struggled to a 3-4 record, but are still a dangerous team on any given night.

Simon Kenton has the offensive power to make this game a bit of a blowout, as they have against, Cooper, Ryle, and Conner already. I'd look for the Pioneers to win this game because they do have such offensive weapons and Boone County has had trouble making tackles and defensive stops this season. SK should be highly successful this week, but don't rule the Rebels out.

After this week, SK has only a district game against an injury depleted Campbell County team remaining. Look for the Pioneers to go undefeated in the district....a marvelous feat in any year.

The Underrated Rivalry

2009-10-08T14:45:00.003-04:00

This week brings about the 130th Gridiron meeting between the Bellevue Tigers and the Dayton Green Devils, the most played rivalry in the Commonwealth. Certainly there are more High Profile rivalries in the state (CovCath/Highlands, Trinity/Xavier, Beechwood/NCC) but there are few that are more passionate. When the Tigers and the Devils meet, it's not just the schools battling for bragging rights, it the towns themselves. The game won't always be the prettiest, but you can but your bottom dollar that it will be one of the hardest fought match-ups of the season.

Brossart needs to Stay tough

2009-10-05T15:16:00.004-04:00

The Bishop Brossart Mustangs football team may be to the point of getting down on themselves a little bit. After beginning the season with the first 3 wins in the history of the schools Varsity program, the 'Stangs have now dropped 3 straight games (although one was a 2-0 forfeit loss to E'Town, a loss that most people don't feel the Mustangs should have been stuck with.) The Mustangs need to keep their heads up, however. They've dropped district games to Bellevue and Ludlow, but they still have a very real shot at a playoff spot. It's now pretty clear that in NKY's Class A district that Beechwood and Bellevue will probably claim the top 2 playoff spots, the Bellevue/Beechwood game deciding the order. Ludlow is on pretty solid footing for the thrid spot. That leaves Brossart, Dayton, and Brossart to slug it out for the 4th and final Class A playoff spot. Brossart still has games agains all 3 of those teams, and they are all games that Brossart has a chance to win.

They've battled through H1N1, and a loss that they didn't earn. It'd be sad to see the Mustangs lose out on a playoff spot because of low morale. They just need to hang in there, and good things will happen.

Take That Pittsburgh

2009-09-28T15:24:00.002-04:00

Finally, The Cincinnati Bengals beat the hated Pittsburgh Steelers in front of the home fans for the first time since 2001. Hopefull the ghosts of Carson's knee and the "locker room brawl" have been laid to rest and this team can go on to bigger and better things.

It seemed for 3 1/2 quarters that the song remained the same. Bengals make copious amounts of three and oputs, giving the Steelers chance after chance to put the game away....But Pittsburgh failed to do so. Down the stretchm the Bengals made all the plays, and sent the Steelers back to the 3 River city with a 1 & 2 record and behind the bengals and 2 behind the Baltimore Ravens.

Brian Leonard, You are THE MAN!!!

And someone hand Hines Ward a terrible hanky, he's probably crying in post game interviews again.

Gamecocks kickoff the NCAA FB week again

2009-09-23T16:02:00.001-04:00

Thursday night on ESPN, It's South Carolina hosting the Rebels from Mississippi. This will be the first real test for #4 Ole Miss. If the Gamecocks can come away with a win at home, I will go a long way to helping them become contenders in the SEC east. Look for a hard fought high scoring affair, similar to the SC-Georgia game from a couple weeks ago.

Only in Cincinnati Sports

2009-09-16T13:04:00.004-04:00

The Bengals lose on one of the more fluke plays in the history of professional football and before you can catch your breath, the Reds are officially eliminated from playoff contention in Major League Baseball. What a whirlwind couple of days, huh fans.

I don't think the Bengals are as bad off as the entire fan base/media world is making it seem. Do they need to finish drives and put points on the board? Absolutely!! But the offense moved the ball quite well in the first half. They just needed to capitalize on drives. If they are able to finish, they beat Denver, and handily. Defensively, they played very well. A lot better than any Bengal defense I can remember since the early 1980's when they had the top ranked defense in the NFL. They had one freakish play happen to them at the end of the game, and unfortunately, it overshadows everything GOOD they did in that game.

The Reds? Yeeesh! I don't know. Pitching cures everything in MLB it seems, so maybe they should concentrate their time and money on that. And good pitchers too!! Not someother teams cast offs recovering from "Tommy John" surgery.

Bengals on Television

2009-09-11T16:01:00.002-04:00

The Cincinnati Bengals managed to sell out their home opener against the Denver Broncos, after having the deadline extended by 24 hours. I guess that's a good thing for all involved. The Bengals get the money from ticket sales. The people buying them get to see an NFL football game (It's a neat experience), and for guys like me that can't afford tickets, we get to watch them on TV. Lets hope after all the hoops jumped through to get this thing sold out and on TV, the Bengals go out and win. If they lay an egg in this game, they will not sell out the remainder of the season, except for the Steelers game, which doesn't count.

The Final Hard Knocks of 2009

2009-09-09T14:32:00.003-04:00

Tonight, HBO airs the final installment of the 2009 season of Hard Knocks. Overall, I thought the Bengals came out in a positive light. We saw a coaching staff that doesn't accept losing and doesn't accept lack of effort. We saw a QB and team leader that has a firm grasp on his role in the organization, and doesn't want a repeat of the last 3 years. We saw and Ochocinco that likes to have a lot of fun, but also busts his backside to be ready to play. We saw an improving defense and an offense that has all the weapons to return to 2005 form.

We also saw what the rest of the league already knew. Mike Brown runs his team like a mom and pop operation, and looks at the bottom line every chance he gets. I always got the feeling that Mike Brown wants to win championships, but not winning them doesn't sting as much as long as there is a profit in the end. That is one thing that Hard Knocks didn't change in my perception of the Cincinnati Bengals.

Great job by HBO and the Cincinnati Bengals on a good season.

Way to go Dawgs!!

2009-09-08T16:26:00.003-04:00

The Georgia Bulldogs were the one SEC team to lose in the opening week of the College football season. Granted, the Dawgs were on of the new to actually a top caliber conference opponent in Oklahoma State (South Carolina played NC State, LSU went to Washington.) I'll give them more credit for playing an losing to the Cowboys than I will to Florida for beating the tar out of Charleston Southern, or Tennessee for playing WKU, a team playing their first game as a full fledged DI team.

What's more valuable in the first week of the year, a win, or competition to help your team get better?

Bad start on all levels for the University of Oregon

2009-09-04T14:34:00.002-04:00

Not only did they lose an ugly low scoring affair to the Boise State Broncos in Idaho, but the post game actions of Runningback LeGarrette Blount have left a mark on Oregon that may take them all season to erase. His actions against both the Bronco players and fans, as well as his own teammates, have made it a situation that the University must deal with no matter what actions the PAC 10 and the NCAA take. If I was coaching the Ducks, Blount would no longer be on my football team. He's now got a target on his back that will make opposing players and fans try and bate him into more actions like the one we witnessed last night. For the sake of the team, and maybe for Blount himself, his time at Oregon needs to be over.

It has Arrived!!!!!

2009-09-03T14:27:00.004-04:00

COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS HERE!!!!

The 2 big games on tap for tonight feature:

South Carolina at North Carolina State

South Carolina 35 North Carolina State 14

#16 Oregon at #14 Boise State

Oregon 28 Boise State 21

$21 Million for 2 days?

2009-09-02T13:06:00.002-04:00

Two days into practice and Andre Smith breaks a foot? Are you serious? Will he recover? Is he another KiJana Carter? While the prognosis is a fractured foot and he'll be out 7 to 10 days, everyone one very well knows that a bum foot on a 340+ pound guy is NEVER a good thing. He may be back playing in 10 days, but will the foot be 100% healed. It's tough to heal an injury like that when it is constantly having to carry that much body weight. Hopefully the trainers have him off his foot and on a program to shed some fat and build some muscle. The Bengals need Carson to badly to leave it all up to a rookie with a busted wheel.

College Football has Arrived

2009-09-01T10:51:00.003-04:00

Later this week marks the long awaited return of NCAA football. There are a slew of game being played Thursday evening, including Utah State at #19 Utah; #16 Oregon at #14 Boise State, and, of course, the South Carolina Gamecocks will travel to Raleigh, North Carolina to take on the North Carolina State Wolfpack. Is this the Ole' Ball Coach's "Make or Break" season in Columbia...Time will tell.

Of course, the Cincinnati Bengals also close out the preseason portion of the schedule against the Indianapolis Colts. Once again, the game hasn't sold out and will probably be on 11:35 tape delay. That means I won't stay up to watch it. So it will be a night totally dedicated to watching College Football with my family.

Andre Smith signs

2009-08-31T14:31:00.001-04:00

Finally, the Bengals have signed first round pick Andre Smith. Now that he's in the fold, he had better work is butt off to learn the system and get to protecting Carson. I see him playing the entire game Thursday, and getting plenty of reps in practice, so that by week 2 or 3 of the regular season, he's ready to step into the starting role and earn the money the Bengals are paying him.

Rams 24 Bengals 21

2009-08-28T14:16:00.002-04:00

Not much to say about this one. I watched as far as Quan Cosby's punt return for a TD. Tape Delayed games at 11:35 on a Thursday night just don't work. With 2 kids and a busy Friday ahead, no way was I staying up to watch a game that means nothing. Hopefully next Thursday sells out....But I'll be watching South Carolina and North Carolina State on ESPN.

Preseason Game #3

2009-08-27T13:57:00.002-04:00

The Bengals finally play a home game tonight against the Saint Louis Rams. Not looking for too much tonight. I want to see the defense to continue to improve, and I want to see the offense begin to work in some more weapons (AKA a tight end.) Since Carson won't play again tonight, I'm not overly concerned with how Chad, Laverneus, Chris Henry and the rest of the WR's click with the QB (be it Jordan Palmer, JT O'Sullivan, or both.) As long as the offense is clicking by opening week against Denver, I'll be happy. But I would like to see more than 7 points put on the scoreboard.

CovCath's theme for this season is, "Back to the Future"

2009-08-26T15:41:00.002-04:00

In keeping with the theme, I'd love to see them go back to the helmets they wore in the early 1980's, when I was a kid running around on the sidelines in the days before CovCath had their own field.

The current helmet logo is nice, but is now 25 years old. In my opinion, it's time for a change.

Congratulations to the Bishop Brossart Mustangs

2009-08-25T16:29:00.003-04:00

Bishop Brossart entered the win column for the first time as a varsity football team with a 22 - 19 victory over the Betsy Layne Bobcats. Brossart now has a very legitimate chance to start the season 3 - 0, as their upcoming games are against Bracken County and Jenkins. Congratulations go out to coach Matt Reinhart and his staff as well as the Mustang players on the first of what is hopefully many wins.

While I don't look for Brossart to contend for a playoff spot this season, getting some wins under their belt will go a long way toward building the program into a playoff contender next season, and many seasons to come. Keep up the hard work.

What a GREAT weekend for football!!!

2009-08-24T10:23:00.002-04:00

Growing up, my dad was one of the team doctors for Covington Catholic, so I have been going to High School Football games sine I was about 5 years old. Never in my 32 years of attending games can I ever remember an opening August weekend that was as nice as we saw on August 21 and 22, 2009. The temperatures were awesome, nice breezes blowing and no rain. It sure beats the heck out of 95 degrees and 90% humidity, leading to heat delays and an increased number of water-breaks. Let us hope and pray that the remainder of the season can be as nice as opening weekend was. It will make everyones job much, much easier.

Rightfield, Bugs Bunny, Leftfield Bugs Bunny, Catching...

2009-08-21T10:40:00.002-04:00

The Bengals come out of Foxboro with a 7-6 win over the Patriots. Never in a million years would anyone have figured that the winning point would have come off the to of one Chad Ochocinco. Clearly it was the highlight of the evening. Not only did Chad kick, but he did it effectively. Certainly no one is comfortable if cincinnati goes into the regular season with Chad holding down kicking duties, but it's a comfort to know someone has the ability if needed. Hard to believe, ain't it....Chad there for the team, not himself.

The other highlight of the night was the Bengals defense. They were flying to the ball, and hitting people. Maualuga looked great in his first action, and all the defensive line got pressure on the NE QB's, we haven;t seen a lot of that in recent years. This should make week 3 of Hard Knocks a lot of fun. Hopefully the Bengals can keep this momentum going.

Hard Knocks reaction and Preseason game #2

2009-08-20T15:22:00.003-04:00

Last nights Hard Knocks was good. Didn't like it as much as the first week, but it was still a good 50 minutes of TV. Hearing Carson be relaxed enough to cut up during practice was fun. Marvin explaining how banks work to Ochocinco was just priceless, and I think all parents felt for Tank Johnson trying to put together his little girls' bunk beds with cryptic directions, pictures, and 1000 nails. Looking forward to next Wednesday

Tonight brings game #2 of the preseason, at the New England Patriots. What I want to see tonight is J.T. O'Sullivan and Jordan Palmer be effective with the #1's in the line-up. I want to see Chris Henry and Chad Ochocinco show improvement in attitude and effort (granted they won't be in the game too long.) And a TE still needs to step up and assume the Reggie Kelly role.

Hard Knocks, Episode #2

2009-08-19T13:40:00.003-04:00

Tonight brings us episode #2 of Hard Knocks: Training Camp With the Cincinnati Bengals. What do we hope to see out of tonights show? I for one hope to see that the whole keeping Carson Palmer out of the Patriots game is purely a precaution, and nothing to be worried about. I also want to see the clips from last Fridays game vs the New Orleans Saints. I want to see who the coaches are excited about after a game. Hopefully, the same guys I was glad to see play well.

Most importantly, I want to see a coaching staff that continues to put the pressure on the team to improve and a little less of Mike Brown, and his lack of football knowledge, leading a meeting. Should be an entertaining show. Looking forward to it.

Brett Favre Returning?? Really?? I'm Shocked, SCHOCKED!!!

2009-08-18T15:51:00.003-04:00

Imagine that. Brett Favre isn't retiring after all. This season, it's Minnesota's turn to put up with the circus. Green Bay, New York Jets, and Minnesota down, 29 more clubs to go. I'm sure come January, Brett will retire, only to surface in Arizona next summer, followed by a return to Atlanta in 2011, Detroit in 12, Dallas in 13, New Orleans in 14, and so on. Eventually, I'm sure a 283 year old Brett Favre will touch down in Cincinnati and give Carson Palmer III a push for the starting job.

Please Brett, just call it a career.

Happy Birthday!!!!

2009-08-17T13:17:00.007-04:00

Miles Davis' Kind of Blue turns 50 today. Recorded in March and April of 1959, Miles' masterpiece was released on August 17, 1959.

During the Kind of Blue sessions, Miles Davis provided his sextet with a schematic framework for the modal improvisations that would comprise the album. It is simple and beautiful. 45 Minutes of the best that American music has to offer.

Featuring perhaps the most powerful line up that Jazz has ever seen, it featured Miles on trumpet, John Coltrane on tenor saxophone, Julian "Cannonball" Adderly on alto saxophone, Jimmy Cobb on the drums, Bill Evans on the piano (except for 1 song, Wynton Kelly played piano on "Freddie Freelaoder") and Paul Chambers on bass. All of those men would go on to lead highly successful bands of their own.

If you have never listened to Kind of Blue, I highly recommend you get a copy. If you already own it, put it in and relive the magic.

Knotted at 7 at the Half.

2009-08-14T21:33:00.002-04:00

Bengals and Saints tied at 7 at the break.

The negative: TOO MANY PENALTIES AND TURNOVERS!!!!!

The positives: Chris Henry looks like the 2005 Chris Henry. Bernard Scott. He looks like a quality back up. The D. They looked ok vs the first team Saints O

Preseason Game #1

2009-08-14T13:40:00.003-04:00

Tonight marks the beginning of the Cincinnati Bengals 2009 Season. It would be nice to see them win, but it's not critical. It's preseason, afterall. What I do want to see is an Oline that is capable of taking care of Carson Palmer for the season. I want to see Cedric Benson be the back he was the final games of last season and not the back that couldn't get the job done in Chicago. I want to see Carson, Chad, and Lavernius Coles on the same page. I want to see a TE step up and be productive. But mostly I want to see a defense with some attitude. One that is going to give offenses fits all season long.

My prediction:
Cincinnati 24 New Orleans 20

Hard Knocks, Episode 1

2009-08-13T15:11:00.003-04:00

Did you catch the first Episode of Hard Knocks last night? I thought it was pretty entertaining myself. Marvin Lewis seemed to be a coach that wasn't going to take half-hearted effort this season. Tight End coach Johnathan Hayes was a coach that faced adversity in episode one, losing his top 2 guys, but he stayed stoic and began the process of drilling home the gameplan to rookie Chase Coffman, a guy that's going to have to step up, and fast.

Ocho, was Ocho. But I was glad to see that despite all of his "side gimmicks" he was also a WR determined to erase the memories of last season.

Carson Palmer impressed me as a leader. The scene where he was telling Chad that half-assing it wasn't going to cut it this season was something I think Bengal fans needed to see. It was also nice to see that when Utech went down, Carson's mind was with Ben and his family. A guy that puts people in places to succeed, and cares for them and their families. That's the kind of leader Cincinnati needs on the field.

I was dissapointed (more like terrified) to see that Mike Brown is THAT involved in the player personnel end of things. His idea of brining a Defensive End over to play Tight End has failure written all over it. PLEASE Mike, let the coaches decide who the best 53 guys are. The know those guysand their abilities way better than you do.

And finally, Andre Smith, GET IN CAMP!!!

Vick Close to Signing

2009-08-12T15:13:00.002-04:00

According to reports, Michael Vick will have a job by the end of the week. With a team "with a stable infrastructure.." I take that to mean good ownership, a solid locker room, and a coach NOT on the hotseat (So it's NOT the Cincinnati Bengals, thank god.) The top 3 teams coming to mind would be Green Bay, Pittsburgh, or New England. For competitve reasons I hope it isn't the Steelers, since they are in the AFC North. But then part of me hopes it is the Steelers, so we can watch them and their fans back-track and stutter and stammer their way through explanations about taking chances on players with criminal histories...like they harped on the Bengals for doing just 2 seasons ago.

Yeah, Cincinnati took Chris Henry back.....But Chris Henry was never convicted to a felony. Michael Vick was.

Wednesday Night is the Night

2009-08-11T13:39:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow night begins the HBO series, Hard Knocks. Of course, this season they are following the Cincinnati Bengals. I am interested to see how Marvin and the coaching staff run a practice. I want to see what kind of a leader the Bengals have in Carson Palmer. I expect everyone to be themselves, as they are through every camp, with the exception of Chad Ochocinco. I expect Chad to play to the cameras and promote himself. Honestly, if he has a good season and catches TD's, I don't care how he acts.

Time to End the Pro Football Hall of Fame INSANITY

2009-08-10T11:26:00.005-04:00

As I watched the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremonies on Saturday evening, I saw some very deserving candidates go in. Iwas also constantly aware that there are 2 former Cincinnati Bengals that should be there, but aren't. Quarterback Ken Anderson and Cornerback Ken Riley.

I, for the life of me can't figure out why they never were elected to the Hall. Anderson was one of the greatest QB's in NFL history. Everyone points to the fact that ne never won a Superbowl as the reason he failed to make it. Well, last I checked, Fran Tarkenton, Jim Kelly, and Dan Marino never won Superbowls either. Dan Fouts is in, and he never even played in a Superbowl. Put Anderson in.

As for Ken Riley, everyone with as many as his 63 lifetime interceptions is in the Hall. Sure he played for some not so good Bengals teams...but Dick Butkus and Gale Sayres played for some not so good Bears teams. Neither of those 2 Hall of Famers ever played in a playoff game. Why keep Riley out?

Stop the madness and put Anderson and Riley into the Hall, where they belong.

Who I'd start with

2009-07-30T16:21:00.002-04:00

Seems lateley that all the rage on several social networking sites is to list a top five of something. One that I recieved was to name the top QB, RB, and WR's you'd pick to start a football team. I was laughed at by several people for selecting, as my QB, Roger Staubach. But in my opinion, who better to start a team with. A guy of high morals and tough discipline. A graduate of the Naval Academy who gave up what would have been the first 6 years of his NFL career to serve this country. He was gutsy, and tought quickly on his feet, and didn't earn the nickname "The Dodger" for nothing. Don't know about you, but I'd be pround to have Roger Staubach on any team I was a part of.

Michael Phelps is at it AGAIN!!

2009-07-29T15:03:00.002-04:00

Breaking world records, that is. Phelps has set a new world record in the 200M butterfly at the World Championships in Rome, Italy. Recording a time of 1minute 51.51seconds, he beat the old record by just under 1 second. which is swimming terms is shattering it, is it not. With the 2012 London games a short 3 years away, it seems as if Phelps is priming himself for another run at Olympic History.

The Hit King back in baseball?

2009-07-28T13:53:00.003-04:00

It seems as though Commissioner Bud Selig may consider reinstating Pete Rose and thereby making him eligible for Hall of Fame Induction. It seems like it would be the right time. NFL Commissioner Roger Goddell has just reinstated Michael Vick, and he was only banished for a few months for the brutal slaughter of dogs.

If Pete is getting back in, now seems as good a time as any. The Hall of Fame needs Pete Rose.

There are two monkey wrenches in all this though:
1) Just because Pete is back in baseball doesn't mean that the writers will vote him into the hall.

2) Bud Selig is an idiot.

FOUR More Days!!!

2009-07-27T13:55:00.002-04:00

Until the Cincinnati Bengals report to Georgetown, KY for training camp. Most people seem to think the Bengals are in for a decent year. 10-6? Wild-Card birth? Time will tell, I guess. As a long time Bengal fan I, like most, have adapted a wait and see attitude.

I certainly hope they do well. I can remember the excitement that the 1981, 1986 (although they just missed on the playoffs), 1988, and 2005 seasons brought. Nothing like competitve football late into December to get the tristate into a fever pitch. Something we need after watching the Reds season go down the drain in July.

Mark Buehrle's Hero!

2009-07-24T09:02:00.005-04:00

Congratulations to Chicago White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle for throwing the 18th Perfect Game in Major League history, it is truly an amazing feat. But the man at the top of Buehrle's christmas list now has got to be Dewayne Wise. What an incredible catch to take away a home run that saved everything for Buehrle.

Without Wise, it's just another oh so close 1 hitter. Bravo Dewayne!!

Michael Vick is free again

2009-07-23T15:23:00.003-04:00

Apparently he spent his first night of freedom partying it up in a "gentlemen's club." Way to get off on the right foot. He's got to know that if the powers that be in the NFL are going to consider his reinstatement (should he apply), they will be watching his every move. Mike's got to play it a little smarter from here on out.

About Time Dusty!!

2009-07-21T12:31:00.003-04:00

Seems Dusty Baker was a little aggrivated last night with the baserunning blunder of one Brandon Phillips. So Dusty did what any MLB manager would do, go on a tirade in the media.

My question is; Dusty, Why did it take this long? A week after the All-Star break is when you noticed that this team wasn't getting the job done? Next to last place in the worst division in baseball (luckily for Cincinnati, only 5.5 games out)? This team needed to be called out way before now, like maybe when Bronson Arroyo was in the midst of another horrific outing.

Dusty Baker

Brandon Phillips

Walter Cronkite, November 4, 1916 – July 17, 2009

2009-07-20T10:50:00.001-04:00

Rest In Peace, Sir.

In this day of Tabloid News, it is unlikely we will ever see a broadcaster with his professionalism again.

If this is true, Bud Selig should resign immediately!

2009-07-17T12:27:00.004-04:00

http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/110635-did-mlb-dictate-all-star-pitching?eref=sihp

Everyone in his office should be fired. If you make the game for homefield advantage in the World Series, you have to let the Managers involved play to win. Dictating who plays for how long spits in the face of fairplay.

I realize that the AL won the game, but if this was the directive to the AL, it was to the NL as well.

Whatever the Anti-Midas Touch is, Bud Selig has it.

This just In....

2009-07-16T15:01:00.003-04:00

Brett Favre may play this upcoming season. He's expected to decide on July 30.

Honestly Brett, no one cares. If you want to play, play, if not, retire. Only 2 entities are interested in your ongoing circus. You and ESPN. The rest of the living population couldn't care less.

¿Nelson Cruz?

2009-07-14T13:53:00.003-04:00

Congratulations to Milwaukee's Prince Fielder for winning last nights All-Star Home Run Derby, but who the heck is Nelson Cruz? Why haven't we heard more about this guy?

The first round display put on by the Texas and Milwaukee sluggers were as impressive as we've seen since Boston, when a juiced up Big Mac hit 25 out of fenway (tainted record). If the world didn't know about Nelson Cruz before, he's certainly on the RADAR now.

And, of course, kudos to ESPN for allowing Chris Berman to make an otherwise entertaining event almost completely unwatchable.

Just what the Reds need heading into the break (no pun intended)

2009-07-13T12:45:00.003-04:00

Jay Bruce goes out with a broken wrist just before the All-Star break, and Dusty HOPES to have him back at some point this season. This team is barely hanging around .500 as it is. Now without Bruce, their chances of at least 82 wins just got slimmer.

But at least management has a built in excuse now. Pro Sports in Cincinnati lives for the built in excuse.

Stallworth released after 24 days

2009-07-10T13:10:00.004-04:00

Cleveland WR Donte Stallworth was released after serving 24 days of his 30 day prison sentence for causing a death in a DUI case. When the original sentence was handed down I, like most people, scratched my head. 30 days for taking someones life? But as I see it now, if the man's family was ok with the 30 days in jail (along with the probation and monetary restitution) then we should accept it also.

I doubt Donte will see an NFL field again, however.

Nike takes itself WAY too serious

2009-07-09T11:34:00.002-04:00

By now, everyone's heard the story. Xavier University player Jordan Crawford dunked on LeBron James at some lame camp, but no one will ever see it because Nike has confiscated the tapes of the incident. PLEASE!!! So in Nike's eyes, Lebron got dunked on ergo, Nike is a crappy shoe? What will Nike do when LeBron gets dunked on in a game? Jam all communications feeds all around the world? Call David Stern and ask for a mulligan?

Nike, grow up and quit acting like the neighborhood sore loser who wants to take his ball and go home at the first sign of trouble.

And if the Nike Coproration is so worried about averting public humiliations, how come no one in the meeting room stepped up when these monstrosities were designed?

Ochocinco Tweeting?

2009-07-08T14:30:00.003-04:00

It seems Chad Ochocinco wants to send out updates on Twitter during games this season. If Marvin Lewis, Mike Brown, and the rest of the Bengals organization is wise, CO won't have access to a computer at all during the season, let alone a game. Old Chad EightFive needs to concentrate on catching passes, or else people will be tweeting about his head on the chopping block.

22 - 1?!?!?!?!?

2009-07-07T13:17:00.002-04:00

Way to start off the last week before the All-Star break. At least it was the reigning world champions.

R.I.P. Steve McNair

2009-07-06T09:16:00.002-04:00

It's a sad situation to say the least. We, as fans, look at professional athletes like they have the world in the palm of their hands. We never really know what's going on behind the scenes.

Tennessee recruits a 13 year old?

2009-07-01T16:37:00.002-04:00

Normally I'd scratch my head and blast a school for such a thing, but this is Evan Berry. His dad was a star running back at Tennessee, and his older brother is perhaps the top safety in college football this upcoming season, and the Vols best player. Let's face it, Evan Berry was going to Tennessee anyway. It wasn't as if Lane Kiffin had to be in his house talking up the Volunteer program. All that was done was offering a kid that was going to UT anyway.

MLB All-Star Game

2009-06-30T15:33:00.003-04:00

2 weeks away from the "Mid-Summer Classic", to be held in the new Busch Stadium in Saint Louis. While I don't watch a lot of baseball on TV (I'd rather watch it live), I always catch this game. But changes need to be made:
1) Enough with saving Bud Selig's butt. Turn the game back into what it used to be, fun. It doesn't have to mean anything. Stop making it for the World Series HFA. And if it is for HFA, why are the managers forced to take someone from every team?
which leads to point
2) Don't force the managers to take at least 1 person from every team. No offense to the Washington fans out there, but I don't think any Nat deserves a spot on the All-Star team. And while I don't want to watch a roster filled with 7 Yankees or Red Sox, I certainly son't want to watch a kid who should be in AA ball playing, simply because he's the best player on a bad team.

Mariano Rivera gets #500

2009-06-29T13:05:00.000-04:00

And I say Big Deal. In MLB's increasing desire to wreck the national past time, they've made it too easy to "earn" a save. Pitching to 3 batters with a 3 run lead and getting credit for a save just doesn't cut it with me. I have more respect for the older save numbers. Where guys had to hold a 2 run lead for 3 innings.

If we're going to toss out HR records as fraudulant, the save records ought to follow shortly after.

Congratulations to T-Will and Earl Clark

2009-06-26T09:41:00.004-04:00

Terrence Williams is now a New Jersey Net

And Earl Clark is a Phoenix Sun

Best of luck to both players. Hope you have outstanding NBA careers.

NBA Draft

2009-06-25T15:20:00.006-04:00

Tonight brings us the annual NBA Draft. Somehow it is still on television, although I've never met anyone that actually watches it.

I won't be watching. However, I am interested in 2 picks. Can't wait to see which team (or teams) select University of Louisville players:
Terrence Williams

and

Earl Clark

Having spent my entire life as a Louisville Cardinals fan, these guys are two of the most exciting players I've ever seen in U of L uniforms. Can't wait to see how they do at the professional level.

Welcome to the Colonel's Quarters

2009-06-25T10:36:00.000-04:00

This is the blog where we can discuss sports and more.

Sports is my job and one of my many passions. On this site, we will get into it all. Sports, Music, Movies, Television, and whatever else this wacky world has to offer up.

So feel free to come on in and kick your feet up.