Heard it from Hoard GoBearcats.com I don't know if UC will upset Connecticut on Saturday, but I'm confident that the Bearcats will give maximum effort on defense. Practice the day after the Providence loss was as physical and intense as any practice I've seen at UC in the 13 years I've been around the program.
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Want hoops? Get hoops....Saturday 1530 HOMER's Full Court Press airs this Saturday from 12-12:30 leading into UK basketball. It's hosted by Mark Chalifoux. He will cover the local and national scene and take your calls.
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Show preview Topics BCS championship: What do you think? Do we have a clear national champ now? Based on the poll question it appears NO. UC hoops: Did your hear what Anthony Buford told me the issues UC faces? Wow. XU hoops Reds: Can somebody explain the fan fascination with going after Manny Ramirez? Bengals: Saturday is the anniversary of the Freezer Bowl....January 10, 1982. Where you there for the most memorable game in franchise history? Share a memory. Ultimate Power Lunch
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An idea? As much fun we have fun with movies....what would you think about picking a 1980's movie each Friday and caling it our 80's Movie Of The Weekend? We could discuss the lines, moments and characters that we remember. It would be a movie we recommend people rent and watch again that weekend. Send me your email nominations and I'll pick ONE to discuss each Friday. Thoughts? Would it work? Would it peak your interest? Would it be fun? Maybe we give it a test run next Friday?
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Ultimate Power Lunch Barack Obama had the ultimate power lunch Wednesday...lunch with four U.S. Presidents. Who would be at the table for your power lunch? Give me four living individuals that have similar backgrounds....all in music, sports, movies, etc., that you would like to lunch with and talk with.
(NESN) Bronson, who is in town with his band to play Showcase Live! this weekend, said that when his National League teammates catch him eyeballing a Sox game they tell him to "Cut the cord! You're not in Beantown anymore!" Watch the interview
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Final AP Top 25 1. Florida 13-1 1,606 (48 first place votes) 2. Utah 13-0 1,519 (16 first place votes) 3. USC 12-1 1,481 (1 first place vote) 4. Texas 12-1 1,478 5. Oklahoma 12-2 1,391 6. Alabama 12-2 1,264 7. TCU 11-2 1,193 8. Penn State 11-2 1,153 9. Ohio State 10-3 1,013 10. Oregon 10-3 997 11. Boise State 12-1 938 12. Texas Tech 11-2 916 13. Georgia 10-3 903 14. Mississippi 9-4 857 15. Virginia Tech 10-4 712 16. Oklahoma State 9-4 534 17. Cincinnati 11-3 506 18. Oregon State 9-4 467 19. Missouri 10-4 435 20. Iowa 9-4 317 21. Florida State 9-4 246 22. Georgia Tech 9-4 223 23. West Virginia 9-4 144 24. Michigan State 9-4 138 25. BYU 10-3 137
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A loook back at the year in college football The Sporting News Today Most surprising team: Cincinnati...Brian Kelly used five...count 'em...five QB's and somehow navigated UC to their first Big East Championship and BCS game.
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Hockey players are just different Adam Burish, Chicago Blackhawks Hockey players are proud of the reputation we have created of being good people. Sometimes that means less coverage. Hockey players are fine with that. If you were to go down by the locker rooms after a hockey game, you will not see players walking out with wild jewelry, crazy clothes, or hats. Just your normal, black-and-gray suits, and players stopping to make sure a kid receives his autograph. There is a code amongst hockey player that you hear in all sports, but it's at a higher standard here. When you are on a team, you are a part of a "family", and you do not do anything to put yourself above your family. You don't blast your teammates to the media, you don't dress for attention, and you don't get yourself in the media for reasons outside of your job, and if you do it is dealt with.
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Things noticed The Boston Celtics recalled Bill Walker from the NBA Developmental League.
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Big game Bob? Bob Stoops: 0-5 Last five BCS games 2004 Sugar-LSU 21 Oklahoma 14 2005 Orange-USC 55 Oklahoma 19 2007 Fiesta-Boise State 43 Oklahoma 42 (OT) 2008 Fiesta-West Virginia 48 Oklahoma 28 2009 BCS championship-Florida 24, Oklahoma 14 Outscored 191-117 (38-23.4 avg)
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Email of the morning From David "It's confirmed...5 BCS losses in a row...Chokelahoma"
Kelly, UC close to new deal Enquirer "I grew up there and watched BC," he said. "We've got a great deal of respect for their program, but that's not a job I would be interested in. At the end of the day, I've got a better situation here at the University of Cincinnati."
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Martin will return to Taft Enquirer Martin, a former Bengals wide receiver, became Taft head coach in 2002. He revived a moribund program and took it to the brink of playoff berths in recent years. Martin announced his resignation late in the '08 fall season, with plans to pursue college assistant jobs. Martin said he had offers from one Division I college and a Division II college to be wide receivers coach, but reconsidered and is returning to Taft.
Bauer becomes a political football as he faces a Senate hearing on his torture tactics, a sore subject from some of 24's critics (and actors) that eerily echoes real life. And though he's quickly called away to face the day's crisis, "the impact of the Senate hearing lasts with him the entire day," Sutherland says. "He starts to question himself. If you're doing what Jack Bauer does for a living, the second you start to question yourself, you can't do your job."
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50/50 Chad and TJ both return? Pro Football Weekly A source close to the Bengals suggests that it's less than "50-50" that the Bengals bring back both halves of the WR tandem of T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Ocho Cinco in 2009. The Bengals have to decide whether to give Houshmandzadeh the franchise tag or let him test unrestricted free agency. The Bengals have not ruled out designating Houshmandzadeh as their franchise player. If Houshmandzadeh can be re-signed, a decision to try to trade Ocho Cinco could be an easier one to make. However, Ocho Cinco, who is signed through 2011, comes off one of the worst seasons of his career, and his market value likely has fallen. Were either of the Bengals' top two receivers to depart, it's likely 2008 third-round pick WR Andre Caldwell would have a great shot at stepping into the starting lineup.
Nice feature on Dick LeBeau NY Times Two years ago at Carolina, in the fourth quarter, with Pittsburgh ahead, one of the Steelers' defensive backs intercepted the ball and began celebrating before the play was over. LeBeau was irate. "He really got in this guy's face and chewed him out," recalled Ken Whisenhunt, the team's offensive coordinator at the time and now head coach of the Arizona Cardinals. "Because he thought that that was fundamentally disrespectful to the game."
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Gators stength coach has UC ties NY Times Marotti started at Cincinnati in 1990 at age 25, the youngest strength coach in the country. Since then, he has trained 87 N.F.L. draft picks, including seven first-rounders. Meyer had heard about Marotti, and while recruiting in Cincinnati, he would slip into the weight room to watch workouts. Marotti's command and presence while managing 450 athletes as a one-man staff impressed him.
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Playoff party David Fulcher is having a playoff party for his foundation this Saturday at Putters in Maineville. The party starts with the second game at 8. Some of his former teammates will be there like Robert Jackson, Ira hillary, Louis Breeden, Barney Bussey, Issac Curtis and maybe Bobby Williams,Kenny Watson and Shane Graham. There will be raffle prizes and autographs available. All the proceeds benefit The David Fulcher Foundation for MS.
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Vote for our guy Josh Sneed Voting for the Comedy Central's Stand-up Showdown is underway. Top 20 vote getters will have their special aired Sunday January 25th. You can vote once per day and text as many votes as you like. Voting ends Jan 23.
The Wire: 5 Season "Rap" up (HBO) All five seasons of HBO's hit series, The Wire, "rapped" up... in 5 minutes Outstanding! Thanks to C. Trent for the heads up Careful viewing
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Surprise find: A 139-year old baseball card Hartford Courant The card is actually 139 years old. It, and a handful of others like it, are considered the first baseball cards. Sports card collectors call the find "extremely rare" and estimate the card could fetch five, or perhaps, six figures at auction.
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THIRTY-NINTH ANNUAL ROGER BACON SPORTS STAG THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2009 - SOCIAL 6:30 PM - DINNER 7:30 PM An evening of fun, food, drink and camaraderie!! All proceeds benefit the Roger Bacon Athletic Program BRON BACEVICH AWARD Bill Brewer Head Basketball Coach 1994-2005 2002 State Championship Team TOM ROEBEL FELLOWSHIP AWARD Dr. Tim Kremchek M.D. Medical Director/Chief Orthopedic Physician Cincinnati Reds HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES Don Reichert '54 William "Pat" Case '64 Bob Jasper '71 Adrian Breen '83 For additional information call the Athletic Department at 618-7016
Wednesday, January 7, 2009, 05:37 PM EST [General]
Beanie to the NFL COLUMBUS, Ohio - Two-time Ohio State MVP Chris "Beanie" Wells is entering his name into the 2009 National Football League draft, he announced this afternoon. A statement from Wells: "This has been a difficult decision, but in the best interest of my family, I have decided to enter my name into the 2009 National Football League draft. "I want to thank my teammates, my coaches, my teachers and the academic advisors for all they have done, and I definitely want to thank the Buckeye fans for all their support. Ohio State has become like a family to me, and it will always be that way. "There are a lot of things I know I will miss: just being in the locker room, spending time with my teammates, playing in the Michigan game, just all the aspects of being at Ohio State that make it such a special place. But in the best interest of my family, it's time to move on and take a chance at fulfilling my lifetime dream of playing in the NFL. "I will always appreciate everything Ohio State has done in helping me grow up and become a man, and I will always be a Buckeye." In three seasons, Wells rushed for 3,382 yards, fourth best in Ohio State history. Voted the Buckeyes' MVP in 2007 and 2008, the Akron native had 16 career games of 100 yards or more and scored 30 career touchdowns. He set the Ohio State-Michigan game rushing record with 222 yards in 2007 "Ohio State football will miss Beanie's big runs, but we will also miss his big smile," says OSU head coach Jim Tressel. "He has been a tremendous teammate and one of the all-time great performers in the greatest rivalry in college football. He will always be an ambassador for Ohio State and all of us wish him well." The National Football League draft will be held April 25-26, 2009, in New York City. January 15 is the deadline for players to declare their early entry into the draft.
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Can you just enjoy tonight? Jason Whitlock, KC Star I'm going to enjoy tonight's game. I'm hoping we see an overtime thriller. The playoff people would love to see a boring, one-sided romp so they can use the game as a prop to argue for a playoff system. Don't you get caught up in the silliness. Tonight, appreciate what we have rather than what we don't.
Boycott the BCS! Bill James, Slate This isn't a national championship-it's a big-money waltz. The only role that the computer rankings play in this is that they're there to take the fall when the system doesn't work-and it doesn't work most of the time. When it doesn't, you can put the blame on the greedy small schools that wanted to milk money from the big football factories, on the greedy big schools that wanted to keep as much money as possible in the fewest possible hands, on the lunk-head football coaches who can't program a computer to play tic-tac-toe but want to make all the rules, or on the Congress that sits idly by and watches it happen. You guys want to make a mess of this, you can make a mess of it without our help.
Show preview Guests Rich Franklin, previews his UFC fight David Fulcher, talks NFL playoffs Chuck Weber, talks Cyclones Topics BCS Florida-Oklahoma: Who wins? Why? College hoops Reds
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Things noticed Timothy Cooper of Pendleton County's varsity basketball scored 29 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter Tuesday night. The third highest total in Kentucky HS Basketball history. The record....50 Billy Miller (Nancy) vs. Pineknot, 1976
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Return of Hairston doesn't resolve numerous concerns Scott Priestle, Columbus Dispatch Alex Gonzalez missed the previous 1 1/2 seasons because of knee injuries. Hairston and Jeff Keppinger were, at best, adequate in his place. Among the 50 players to spend at least 250 innings at shortstop last season, Keppinger ranked 41st and Hairston 47th by Revised Zone Rating, meaning a lot of balls trickled through the infield. Meanwhile, the new center fielder and leadoff hitter -- Taveras -- ranked last in the majors in slugging percentage last season and in the bottom 10 percent in on-base percentage among players with enough at-bats to qualify. It seems Jocketty and his staff are waiting for some prices to drop while also being careful not to mortgage the club's future. He has held onto the Reds' best prospects while committing only $6 million in payroll beyond 2009.
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Would win make OU greatest program ever? Wall Street Journal Suppose Oklahoma defeats Florida Thursday in a mild upset. We'd know who this season's national champion would be. But what about college football's all-time No. 1?
(AP/Getty Images)
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Bravo Boston College! Dan Wetzel, Yahoo Sports The boss told the employee that if he did something he'd be fired. The employee did it. Like 99 percent of us would, the employee got fired.
Simply amazing stat of the day Oklahoma and Florida are seperated by less than a minute in total time of possession for the season. Florida averages 7.2 yards per play to OU's 7.1. But because of the no-huddle, the Sooners have run 236 more plays than Florida this season. As a result, Oklahoma has 7,307 yards of offense to Florida's 5,751. Sam Bradford gets the ball from the center an average of 22.4 seconds after the end of the previous play.-The Sporting News
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Doyel on BCS game and SEC fans CBS Sports The arrogance of SEC football is astonishing, and I say that not only as a card-carrying member of CBS, home of SEC football, but also as a graduate of the University of Florida. Hey, just being honest. That's my story. That's my background. Those are my influences.
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Bet of the night I didn't make Boston College was an 18.5 point favorite over Harvard last night. Coming off the upset of North Carolina Sunday it was perfect letdown game. Sure enough: Harvard 82 Boston College 70
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Cross Baldelli off the list ESPN Baldelli recently underwent a series of tests as Massahusetts General Hospital and the results were positive. The Red Sox were struck by Baldelli's persona and are optimistic he can be a significant contributor in 2009.
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UC observations from court side: Providence 87 UC 79 *They played like horse crap for about 30 minutes and then played fairly well and hard for about the final 10-minutes. So much for me calling it a "statement" game for the fans after Sunday's performance. *Mick said he thought he had 4 guys playing hard enough going into last night, and then said he lost one last night. 3 guys playing hard? Unacceptable. *The sad thing is...in the Big East pecking order Providence on the road is a better team than UC. *UC guys appears lost, out of position and looking to Mick on the bench too much. *I'll give UC credit for this...down 65-53 with 10:14 to go they went on a 13-1 run to tie. Providence then went on an 11-2 run to go back up 9. I thought UC was dead. But UC went on a 9-2 run and it was a 2 point game with about a minute left...The Shoe was rockin' *In the final 90 seconds two loose balls went to Providence...and then a dagger three from the corner ended it. *Wondering how UC is playing? Just look at Oscar Robertson's face during a game. *Ref Tim Higgins: Dead or alive? *What's happened to the defense? Providence shot 59% in first half and 56% for the game. They drained 12 three pointers, hitting 50%.(29% on the year coming in) *UC makes way too many lazy defensive plays. It appears sometimes the hand in the face attempt is just for show. And transition defense anyone? *Overall, crowd was as ticked as I've heard in a long time at The Shoe. They booed UC off the court to a timeout down 49-37 with 17:52 left in the game. More shouts of "you got do this/that", and "come on!" than I've ever heard. *Crowd even booed the half court shot at halftime....it was justified. *How about the student that hit the ft, 3pt'er and almost the half court shot? Can Mick give him Mitchell's scholarship? *UC can't hit 3's..but they keep firing them up and up and up *I've never seen a team step out of bounds so much after receiving passes...unreal. *I'll give Mike Williams credit. He was active early and often scoring 20. But he's gotta get more than 4 rebounds. *Vaughn is simply a stud. Everyone know he's the scorer and he still scored a hard fought 20. He went coast to coast, fouled about 5 times (no call) and hit a sweet pull up floater. *Dixon showed some flashes...put it on the floor, drove and scored....later soared for a follow slam. *Bishop played well...and did a lot of ball handling for Vaughn *Loved the two hand slam and a miss ft tip in by Gates. But he wasted a foul 26 ft from the basket and when he left his feet on a pump fake. *You've gotta hope Mitchell and McClain transfer so they can use the scholarships. Seemed like Mitchell played 10-seconds in the 2nd half...he was 1-7. McClain DNP. *Sat next to and talked UC hoops with Chad Brendel of Bearcat Lair *6,612 in the house. As friend said to me, "Lance, you weren't here in the 80's....it's beginning to feel like that again. *I think Mick's got a problem... He'll always have the die hards, he lost the Huggs people....and he's losing the fence sitters. Those deciding if it can be turned around. *The light up ahead is a train...called UConn on Saturday Your thoughts and observations?
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Hairston reaction C. Trent's blog "Cincinnati took a chance on me last year. I knew if it was close, I'd be back with Cincinnati. I told Dusty last year I was healthy for the first time in three years and you'll be surprised. I'm a loyal person, I wanted to come back to Cincinnati because they gave me a chance when nobody else did."
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Suggestion Box I'm looking for your topic/guests ideas with football season nearing an end. Consider what is now off the table from our weekly conversations: -30 minutes with Lap each Wednesday -15 minutes of Marvin each Monday -10 minutes with Brian Kelly each Monday -20 minutes of Fantasy Football with Dan Clasgens - 3 hours of Bengals Breakdown on Friday That's 4 hours 15 minutes that opens up. What are you looking for? And I'd like your reaction to emailer Tim who is upset by fun topics like yesterday's Wii Fit talk. He said: "Had to turn your show off around 4:30 today. Unfortunately for you, when I turn on a "SPORTS TALK SHOW", I expect sports (FB, BB, Baseball, GOLF, NHL, NASCAR ETC)."Please stay on topic, sports. If not, please retitle and sell your program under a different subject. I found it ironic because I more reaction from those that had a funny Wii Fit story than OSU-Texas, Carson's elbow or Reds talk yesterday. I don't know about you...but I have no desire to talk only sports 15 hours a week on the air. And I figure you guys enjoy more in life than just sports...stuff like tv, movie, music, women. I get tired of hammering away the same "trade this guy", move this guy to that position, why aren't fans going to this game, Mike Brown blows, etc. Do you?
Dinner/Dance Benefit Ashley Thompson is a member of the Front Office at the Florence Freedom Baseball Club. She was diagnosed with cancer in February of 2008. In July, after being in NYC receiving radiation treatments, she was declared cancer free. She went back to NYC in the beginning of November for a routine scan. The results showed that not only the cancer is back, but it has spread to her lungs. The Freedom are trying to raise money, not only to help her out with medical bills, but with living costs as well. Any donations would be greatly appreciated. Saturday January 10, 2009 8pm-1am Florence Lions Club 29 Lacresta Dr, Florence, KY, 41042 Tickets are $20, or in advance two (2) for $35. Tickets will include food and drink vouchers. Please make checks payable to the Ashley Thompson Benefit Fund. Mail checks to: Elizabeth 429 Larkspur Ct Edgewood, KY 41017 If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Elizabeth at equatman@florencefreedom.com or 859-380-3504.
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The 28th Annual Covington Catholic Hall of Fame Celebration At The Gardens of Park Hills 2008 Inductees: Jack Abeln '70 Contributor, Brian Clemons '83 Basketball, Mike Dacey '90 Soccer, Barry Jones '91 Football, Artie Steinmetz '97 Football Date: Tuesday 01/27/09 Time: Social Hour 6:00 p.m. Dinner 7:00 p.m. Master of Ceremonies: Chris Welsh, Color Analyst for Cincinnati Reds Featured Speaker: Dave Lapham, radio personality and former Cincinnati Bengals OL Contact Mike Guidugli at 491-CCHS (2247)
It's official Boston College has fired football coach Jeff Jagodzinski
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Bengals rule the tube The Bengals’ 2008 season finale nearly doubled the second-place program in Cincinnati television ratings for the week of Dec. 22-28, and since late 2004, every week including a Bengals game has seen the Bengals as the top-rated program in the Cincinnati market. The Bengals have now led local ratings for 68 consecutive applicable weeks, including the last four full NFL seasons (2005-08). The run began on Dec. 5, 2004, when a wild Bengals win at Baltimore led the Cincinnati rankings. It extended to 68 consecutive games when the 2008 finale vs. Kansas City drew a 23.5 rating, easily outpolling the second-place program, which was also an NFL game -- Dolphins vs. Jets at 12.5. The Bengals’ rating more than doubled the top non-sports program, “Two and a Half Men,” which scored 10.4. The rating number indicates the percentage of market households tuned to the game — including those not watching TV at the time. Bengals games have dominated the ratings despite being played most often in the afternoon, when overall TV viewership is not as high as during evening hours. The highest Bengals rating during the streak has been 45.5 for the Pittsburgh playoff game on Jan. 8, 2006.
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Show preview Topics Reds: Hairston in the fold. Is he enough? What is his role? Where does the run producing bat come from? BCS: If you aren't a playoff guy, what do you tell Utah? Take your pick: Would you rather coach a top NCAA football program or a top NFL team? Why? Ethics in sports: Would you fire the Boston College football coach for interviewing with the Jets?
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BC set to fire coach after interview with Jets ESPN "It's just a matter of putting two and two together," Chris Cameron, BC's associate director for media relations, said Tuesday night. "He was told by Gene on Saturday that if he went on the interview he'd be fired."
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The Jerry Hairston impact In '08 he hit .326 with 15 stolen bases in 80 games, making 62 starts. The Reds were 35-27 when he started and 39-61 when he did not. Here are games started by position and team record SS 18-15 CF 11-4 RF 3-2 LF 1-3 2B 2-3 When he batted leadoff the Reds were 25-19. He's 32-years old. He missed 44 games during three stints on the DL. He's played more than 86 ML games once since 2002.....and played +100 ML games three times in his career. He batted .326 last year. His career batting average is .260
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Possible topic? Tuesday night ABC aired "What Would You Do?" The show is based on producers concocting scenarios for social tests and finding out how people will handle the situation. Not all the social experiments are serious...some are funny. Got any scenarios we could kick around...not only related to sports...but your workplace, your relationship, family, etc.? Think it has any legs? Got any ideas?
"He was rolling," Paul said of West. "When he's going like that, we're going to feed him for the rest of the game. He was hitting all types of shots . . . .floaters in the lanes, step-backs. That's why he's an All-Star."
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Hef's new girl NYDaily New Hugh Hefner has quietly added a new girlfriend to his posse. And she's a "good girl." "I'm a good girl, for the most part," new Hef gal pal Crystal Harris writes on her MySpace page. Gallery
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Things I'm told: Reds draft pick declares for NFL draft Reds 11th round draft pick Andrew Means (6'0 215) has declared for the NFL draft and will begin training for the NFL combine at Ignition with Cliff Marshall here in Cincinnati...Andrew will still report to Reds spring training on time and will await the results of the NFL draft before deciding on his immediate future. We talked with Andrew on the show the day he was drafted. Means had 34 catches for IU this season, for 450 yards (13.2) and a TD. Means played 22 games for Reds Rookie Ball Billings this past season hitting .231 with 3 HR's and 6 SB's. He homered twice with 7 RBI's in their first half division clinching game in July.
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Would you rather coach a top college or NFL team? "When you have one of these great and special jobs that year in and year out you have a chance to win your conference championship or (are) in the national championship hunt ... I think it's fair to say in same cases we may have better jobs than some NFL jobs," says Stoops, closing out his 10th season with college football's eighth-winningest program. "So the allure, some of it, isn't as great as it used to be."USA Today
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Hot or Not? Happy Birthday Katie Couric.....52
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Detroit columnist resigns over flap with Lions coach USA Today A Detroit News sports columnist has left the paper, two weeks after he was criticized for asking Lions coach Rod Marinelli if he had wished his daughter had married a better defensive coordinator.
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UC hoops stuff Bearcat Sports Page Players call "players only" meeting....hear what Deonta Vaughn had to say
(Photo by Tony Tribble/AP) In an indication that the incumbent Alex Gonzalez won't be healthy enough to start the season, Hairston will become the Reds' new everyday shortstop and can earn up to $4 million next season through the incentive-laden deal.
A new season began last night...classic Nip/Tuck. Nothing like an intro with a TV MA LSV Warning...."Mature Audience, Language, Sexual Situations and Violence...contains nudity....viewer discretion advised" What a scene with the stabbing of Sean. And the scene involving the wheel chair. That show lost its way last year, hope it's refocused this year.
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What they are saying about UC-Providence Providence Journal "Cincinnati is a good ball club," said Davis. "No team in the country is going to shoot as well as Marquette did (with 15 threes) that game. That loss only counts one game. I'm sure they're excited about coming home."
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Quote of the day Jim Calhoun on Bob Huggins "To throw out what John Beilein has taught kids -- for any of us -- would be absolutely crazy," UConn coach Jim Calhoun said. "The one thing Bob is not is crazy. "He's nuts but he's not crazy." Calhoun said he appreciated the way Huggins absorbed some of Beilein's teachings into what the Mountaineers run these days. "He's got the combination of the back cuts, five-out motion and then combined it with some of his tough, physical play," Calhoun said. "And they're a tough, physical team."-News Times
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Bearcats land a big man Bo Jesse, The News Record "Thomas is a great addition for our program, said head coach Mick Cronin. "He started a lot of games and had some big games as a freshman at Oklahoma State."
More on thetransfer NewsOK.com "After several conversations with Ibrahima over the past week, we have decided that it is in the best interest of both he and this basketball program if we parted ways,” Ford said in a statement. "We are looking for players who are fully committed to doing whatever it takes to make this program successful. The guys currently on this team are dedicated to doing just that.”
Do you want to play a game? Here is Tuesday's Who Am I? Clue: I'm the only player to win three consecutive Silver Slugger Awards at three different positions. Who Am I?
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Here is your LF for 2009 FoxSports Both Swisher and Xavier Nady are drawing significant interest, according to major-league sources. The Yankees are not in a rush to trade either; their only desire is to make the best possible deal. The versatility of both players is appealing; Nady plays both outfield corners and first base, while Swisher plays all three outfield positions and first.
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Q/A with my guy Freekbass HomeGrownMusic.net Freekbass is by far one of the most talented bass players performing today. I had a chance to chat with Chris Sherman (a.k.a. Freekbass) about his new album and his collaboration with Bootsy Collins, Bernie Worrell, Buckethead and Mike Gordon.
Guest Joe Sheehan, Baseball Prospectus Topics OSU-Texas: Wow...what a finish. How much play does this game get today? Will it be OSU fans or OSU bashers? I've been told we don't talk/cover OSU enough. It wasn't a blowout. Does that take the sting out of another BCS bowl loss for OSU fans? Was it a choke? Did OSU get a bad spot? College football College Hoops Reds Suggestion Box Top 10 news conference meltdowns Wii Fit: Anyone have it? Who Am I?
CTR: There seems to be an opening in left field going into spring training -- how excited are you to get to spring and win that spot? CD: Very excited, it's always exciting to have the opportunity to prove yourself, I think its something that should everyone should aspire to. To compete, to open eyes, to let people know that you belong at the top.
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Anyone have Wii Fit? We got it for Christmas. I tried it for the first time yesterday. Very disturbing that my Wii Fit Age was projected as 58. What the? After yesterday's workout I woke up feeling like my body had been twisted into a pretzel. Observations: *It's actually pretty cool....with Yoga, aerobics, strength and balance training. *The female trainer should look and sound hotter *The tight rope walk is impossible *The hula hoop is almost impossible to catch over your head *The tree pose is a killer
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Latest RPI From Jerry Palm, CollegRPI.com, 8:12 AM Top 100 1 Pitt 3 Butler 4 Xavier 9 Miami 12 OSU 43 Dayton 53 Cincinnati 74 Kentucky
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Help the Comets and have some fun The Kings Comets, amateur / minor league football team, is having a comedy benefit on Saturday, January 17th at Cavanaughs Irish Pub (7340 Kingsgate Way West Chester, OH 45069). Nationally known comedian Steve Caminiti performs at 9PM. The Comets are a non-profit organization and are using this event to raise money to fund their football team. They have had over 40 players and 3 coaches that have gone on to sign with arena/indoor pro contracts or to play in Europe. WR Mardy Gilyard of UC played for the Comets in 2007 before his return to UC. They provide players a chance to continue their dream and move on to play collegiately or professionally.
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Reds: The OBP pit Baseball Prospectus As much as the Reds needed a center fielder, they needed OBP more. This lineup spot would have been better used on one on the many corner outfielders lurking on the market, leaving Jay Bruce to patrol center field for another season. Adding Taveras to the many low-OBP right-handed batters already in Cincinnati is likely the straw that breaks the offense's back. When Joey Votto hits .304 with 31 homers and 77 RBI next year and gets derided as "unclutch," remember this signing.
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Top 10 news conference meltdowns TheLoveOfSports It's time to replay the supermix of the most outrageous press conference moments of all-time. Try not to throw any chairs on your way through this list.
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What they are saying in Columbus The Columbus Dispatch GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Texas' one quarterback proved superior to Ohio State's two last night, but only barely.
Quote of the day "It's a loss. We can't be proud of close games," Terrelle Pryor said. "These are the type of games you have to take over and win. Hanging in there is not good enough."
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What they are wondering in Columbus The Columbus Dispatch Just wondering: What hurts worse, losing by blowout or by a hair? Probably the former, right? A close loss can be devastating, but at least it leaves the pride intact. What happened out here against Florida and down in New Orleans against LSU leaves a bad taste for a long, long time. How the team sees it: We can hold our heads high. How the pollsters will see it: Buckeyes are the cream of a curdled Big Ten. How Buckeye Nation will see it: We showed up, so it's time for the critics to shut up.
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OSU photo of the day: No Mas From emailer Scott Z
"No more BCS games. No more Pac 10 teams. No more SEC teams. No more Big 12 teams. I can't handle it anymore."
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OSU reaction of the day From emailer Craig "Does that take the sting out of another BCS bowl loss? No. I'm a 45 year old lifelong Buckeye fan who saw his first game in The Shoe when I was 7. I find it completely unacceptable that when I am asked the question "when was the last time the Buckeyes won a big game?", my answer is "years ago". These juniors, seniors, and coaches are the biggest group of underachivers that I have ever watched play football for OSU. I don't know how many years Tressel has left, but it is too many. I'd much rather have Brian Kelly. They have lost 5 in a row to top 5 opponents and early next season USC will make it 6. Unacceptable."
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My random Fiesta Bowl thoughts *Hell of a final drive by Colt McCoy...dang *Give OSU credit for a rally from 17-6 in the 4th to take the lead *Colt McCoy is the greatest athlete name of all-time. Is he the new QB on Friday Night Lights? *How about Colt's girlfriend? *Fox coverage was poor. Poor audio. Lack of replays. Studio show analyst are a total waste of time. Broadcast team was weak. *Pryor appears to be a better RB and WR than QB at this point *Wonder what NFL teams think of Beanie Wells and his durability? *I thought the refs got the 4th and 3 call correct *Loved that fade pass from Boekman to Pryor *Why was Pryor running out of bounds so much? *Rugby style punts are weak *How about Quan Cosby? Wow.
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OSU notes No. 3 Texas (12-1) 24 vs. No. 10 Ohio State (10-3) 21 The University of Phoenix Stadium Glendale, Ariz. Jan. 5, 2009 Attendance: 72,047 (sellout) *Ohio State ends its 119th season of play with an 808-307-53. The win total ranks fifth all-time in college football. The only other schools to have 800 or more wins are Michigan (872), Texas (832), Notre Dame (831), Nebraska (825), Ohio State (808) and Penn State (800). *Jim Tressel's record with the Buckeyes now is 83-19, he is 4-4 in post-season bowl games (and 4-1 in the Fiesta Bowl) and he has a career record of 218-76-2. *Ohio State is 4-3 in BCS bowl games and 18-22 in all bowl games. *Terrelle Pryor and Todd Boeckman were each in the starting lineup. Pryor split out wide as a receiver with Boeckman under the center. Boeckman completed a 14-yard pass play to Brian Robiskie to open the game. *Using mostly Pryor but also Boeckman quarterback, Ohio State passed for 176 yards in the game. *Chris "Beanie" Wells added 106 yards to his career rushing total and Ohio State's fourth-leading rusher of all-time now totals 3,382 yards. The 100-yard game was his 17th. *Texas' defense came into the game ranked 21st nationally allowing 18.6 points per game *Ohio State rushed for 203 yards against Texas' No. 2 rated rushing defense (73.5 ypg). *Ohio State came into the game ranked sixth in the nation in pass defense (164.33), seventh in scoring defense (13.08 and eighth in total defense (279.25). Texas came into the game ranked fifth nationally in scoring offense (43.9), ninth in total yards (476.4) and 11th in passing yards (299.5). *Ohio State allowed 24 points tonight, 414 passing yards and 486 total yards to the Texas offense. *The 414 passing yards by Texas was a season high against Ohio State. The previous high was 241 yards by Illinois. *The 6-3 score at halftime was the second-lowest scoring first half in Fiesta Bowl history. *Former Buckeyes Vernon Gholston and Larry Grant were on the sidelines cheering for the Buckeyes. There may have been others, but they just weren't identified at press time.
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BCS BS BCS bowl ratings were down for the first three games. No, you don't say. Doesn't a BCS championship game render the rest of the bowls meaningless to everyone except the fans of the teams involved in a bowl game? Can you imagine the drama of a win or go home playoff? Can you imagine Utah, Texas and USC now advancing? What am I missing? The smugness of the NCAA kills me. They take care of the big conferences and feed a couple of scraps to the little brothers. They give us 1 vs 2 to decide the national title and leave us with 33 other bowls that don't impact the title game. But hey, they let us debate the merits of Utah, Texas, USC, and the winner of Okl-Florida..... Can't wait til Thursday. Oklahoma and Florida decide the BCS's national champion. The fans debate who should be the champion. How is that a good thing?
An old habit was sadly kicked New Year's Day Michael Wilbon, Washington Post Sometime around 2 p.m. on New Year's Day 2009, after watching the first two periods of the NHL's Winter Classic outdoors at Chicago's Wrigley Field, I announced that I was leaving the house to take a drive. My wife, astounded, said: "You've never left the house on New Year's Day in the whole time I've known you. Is there something wrong with you?" Well, yeah, something was seriously wrong. The bowl games, for the first time in my life, didn't matter
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The difference in expectations..Colts to Bengals Time for Dungy to go Indy Star As much as we all respect and like the man, the numbers cannot be ignored. In seven playoff seasons here, Dungy's teams were one-and-done four times. Twice, after advancing in the playoffs, they got rolled in New England, barely competitive in either game. And, of course, they won a Super Bowl. It's not just his record here. He had the same reputation in Tampa, where he built what had been a laughingstock of a franchise into a perpetual contender. He had to leave before the Bucs got over the top and won a Super Bowl under Jon Gruden.
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Reds email of the day From listener Mike "I think its about time we raise some serious concerns about the Reds. Our list of potential free agents took a major hit yesterday with Burrell and Bradley signing elsewhere. Why is it that we talked all last year about cutting Dunn and Griffey's salaries and then we hit the off-season and everyone is too expensive? I thought we got those guys off the books so we could get an impact signing. And now nothing? Burrell for 8 million a year? I'm not the biggest Burrell fan but for 8 million a year, I would take him. This is getting ridiculous now. You expect Willie Taveras and Ramon Hernandez to get the fans excited? What happened to all the money we had to spend this offseason? And honestly, who is left for us to sign? If we don't land Baldelli, this year is in trouble. Even if we do, is that enough? I'd like to be positive going into a new season but I honestly feel less optimistic at this point than I was last year. I don't think we have improved at all in the offseason so far. We lost Affeldt and signed Rhodes. I would consider that a downgrade. Hernandez is decent but more of a glorified Javier Valentin more than a major impact player. And Willie Taveras? This could be another Corey Patterson situation. Let us not forget that we lost our 100 RBI guy in Adam Dunn. On paper, I fear we look worse. I don't think the leaders of the division are looking back at the Reds and are worried. 5th place in the Central Division may have been a great prediction by Hal McCoy. Am I the only one frustrated about this? I know its only the first week of January, but when is it OK for us to start being frustrated? The free agent market is starting to look slim." Mike
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Jocketty tries to gauge the market Enquirer Is there any interest in outfielder Andruw Jones, who the Los Angeles Dodgers are expected to release or trade? "It's something we've discussed. We're trying to get someone down to see him play (in Winter Ball). We've got to get some more information. We've had no discussions with the Dodgers."
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On this date: January 6, 1973 The animated Saturday morning TV series of shorts called Schoolhouse Rock premieres on ABC this day in 1973 with "Multiplication Rock." The short musical cartoons featured lessons in math, history, science, grammar, and more, with classics like "Conjunction Junction," "Interjections," and "The Preamble to the Constitution."
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Heard it from Hoard GoBearcats.com The cupboard isn't exactly bare at UC. Tony Pike will enter a season knowing he's the starting quarterback for the first time in six years. He'll have spring ball and preseason camp to refine his skills, and I believe he'll benefit from the tough lessons learned against the Hokies. With Pike distributing the ball to weapons like Mardy Gilyard, Marcus Barnett, D.J. Woods, Isaiah Pead, Jacob Ramsey, and John Goebel, I predict the 'Cats will have the highest-scoring offense in the conference next year.
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Urban Meyer praises the Bearcats Palestra.Net Florida head coach Urban Meyer took some time out of his long media day press conference to chat about his alma mater, the University of Cincinnati. He's obviously thrilled about the Bearcats' BCS season. Ryan Cost of palestra.net has more.
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Recruiting note Jesuit (Tampa, Fla.) WR Erick McGriff gave Kansas its second commitment of the weekend, Scout.com reported. He also reported scholarship offers from Auburn,Troy and Cincinnati. McGriff (6-4, 190) is the son of former Major League Baseball star Fred McGriff. "I just thought it was a real good fit for me," McGriff told Scout.com. "I liked it, my parents liked it and I think I'll have a real good opportunity in their offense. ... I was planning on going (on an official visit) to Troy this month, but I'm not going to be taking that one now. I'm pretty comfortable in my decision." - Brian McLaughlin, The Sporting News Today
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Bengals note From Steven Sharp Here is a list of the players for the North and South teams for the 2004 Senior Bowl, when the Bengals coaching staff coached the North Team. Future Bengals (that I noticed -- I could have missed one or more): Ronnie Ghent, Louisville Alan Reuber, Texas A&M Greg Brooks, Southern Mississippi Keiwan Ratliff, Florida Madieu Williams, Maryland Alex Stepanovich, Ohio State Kyle Larson, Nebraska Senior Bowl players that the Bengals selected in the 2004 NFL Draft: Keiwan Ratliff (Round 2 (49th overall) Madieu Williams (Round 2 (56th overall) Greg Brooks (Round 6 (183rd overall)
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Jack is back "24" returns Sunday night.....with a two night season premiere. This is the life size Jack Bauer cutout that I got from FOX today...along with a DVD of the first two hour episode. Jack is watching over my office at home. Don't mess with either of us.
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Hoxworth/Cyclones Blood Drive On Tuesday, January 6, 2009 Hoxworth Blood Center, University of Cincinnati has partnered with the Cincinnati Cyclones to host a community blood drive. The drive will be held at U.S. Bank Arena between the hours of 10:00am and 4:00pm. Parking is free at the Public Landing, Mehring Way and the U.S. Bank Arena Parking Lot. All donors will receive a voucher for free admission to a Cincinnati Cyclones Hockey Game! "We encourage all Cyclones fans to join us at U.S. Bank Arena and give the Gift of Life through blood donation" said Chuck Weber, Cyclones Head Coach. "We know that our fans are always helpful, caring and responsive and they will step up to meet the needs of patients in our community "We are proud to be partnered with the defending Kelly Cup Champions on this special blood drive, said Alecia Lipton, Hoxworth spokesperson. "Coach Weber, the players, and the entire Cyclones organization have been very supportive and we hope to help save many lives through blood and platelet donations."
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Check out this blast from the past From emailer Tom Video of the 1956 Cincinnati Reds appearing on What's My Line. Ted Kluzsewski is the spokesman for the team. Team members include Frank Robinson in the front row and Joe Nuxhall at the right side of the back row. Ted introduces all of the team members at the end of the video.
Other stuff...from listener Steven Sharp "What's My Line?"CBS.....June 24, 1956 11 Guys from Cincinnati The Reds present for the episode: Ted Kluszewski, Johnny Temple, Wally Post, Gus Bell, Frank Robinson, Ed Bailey Ray Jablonski, Smoky Burgess, Roy McMillan, Johnny Klippstein Joe Nuxhall Birdie Tebbetts was the Reds manager referenced during the show. Sadly, I think that Frank Robinson is the only person (Reds players, host, panelists, and announcer) from the episode who is still alive. Earlier that date: Sunday, June 24, 1956 Cincinnati Reds at Brooklyn Dodgers Ebbets Field Game 1 of DH Cincinnati 10 Brooklyn 6 Ed Bailey homered three times (1st inning, 5th inning, and 7th inning) and drove in six runs to lead the Reds to victory in Game 1 of the doubleheader. Game 2 of DH Cincinnati 2 Brooklyn 1 Joe Nuxhall pitched a complete game and outdueled the combined pitching of Don Drysdale and Clem Labine, 2-1. Bob Thurman and Frank Robinson hit solo home runs to account for the Reds runs.
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Would the world end if the Reds added a left handed bat? The fact is the Reds need any batter that can hit right handed pitchers. They were last in MLB hitting vs right handed pitchers in '08. Stats vs RHP BA .243 (30th), OPB .314 (28th), SLG .403 (23rd) OPB .716 (25th) Stats vs LHP BA .257 (21st), OBP .336 (16th), SLG .420 (14th) OPS .756 (14th) Here is their W-L record in 2008 Reds vs LHP: 30-25 record Reds vs RHP: 44-63 *The players that hurt the Reds vs RHP were Phillips (.247), Encarnacion (.235) and Keppinger (.225). *Two of the three poorest hitters vs LHP are gone, Jr. (.212) and Dunn (.200)....Bruce remains (.190). '08 splits .vs LHP/RHP Keppinger .360/.225 Hairston .345/.316 Phillips .296/.247 Edwin .292/.235 Dickerson .286/.309 Jr .212/.261 Dunn .200/.248 Bruce .190/.286 Herandez .283/.245) (O's) Here is what ML hitters did in 2008 LH vs LHP .247 LH vs RHP .271 RH vs LHP .271 RH vs RHP .257 So....if the Reds have trouble hitting RHP.......and LH hitters hit RHP better than RH hitters hit RHP...shouldn't the Reds consider adding a LH bat...assuming that player has the desired splits? Consider the career splits of a LH bat like Bobby Abreu vs RHP.308/ LHP.280 Last thee years: .292/.292 I'm not saying they necessarily need to add Abreu....I am saying the should not limit their search to a RH bat.
Bengals news The Bengals coaching staff today was named as coaches for the North squad in the 2009 Under Armour Senior Bowl. The game will be played at 7 p.m. (EST) on Sat., Jan. 24 at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala., with television coverage on the NFL Network. The assignment is the second at a Senior Bowl for a Bengals staff led by head coach Marvin Lewis. Following the 2003 season, Lewis’ first as Bengals head coach, the Bengals coached the 2004 North squad in a 28-10 loss to the South, led by Marty Schottenheimer and the San Diego Chargers. This year, the South squad will be coached by Jack Del Rio and his Jacksonville Jaguars staff. “Coaching in the Senior Bowl was very valuable to us in 2004, and we are excited to once again have this opportunity,” Lewis said. “The top talent is always going to be at this game, and there’s nothing like the evaluation you can get from actually coaching these players in practice and game situations.” Lewis also coached in the 1998 Senior Bowl, as defensive coordinator on the Baltimore Ravens staff that directed a 31-8 victory for the South. “The hands-on work you do gives you a great insight into how guys learn and understand,” Lewis said. “The work at a game like this is very fundamental, but it still can tell you a lot.” This year’s game is the 60th Senior Bowl. The game originated in Jacksonville, Fla., in 1950, but has been played annually in Mobile since 1951. The South leads the series, 28-25-3. Three games (1991-93) were played with an AFC vs. NFC format, rather than North vs. South. Senior Bowl practices are attended by general managers, head coaches, assistant coaches, scouts and other front office personnel from all 32 NFL teams. The Bengals’ contingent, including athletic training, video and equipment staff, will depart for Mobile on Sunday, Jan. 18. No Bengals staff had coached in the Senior Bowl prior to 2004. As of today, four players from the University of Cincinnati’s 11-3 Orange Bowl team have accepted invitations to play in the game for the North. The four are OL Trevor Canfield, DBs Mike Mickens and DeAngelo Smith, and P Kevin Huber. Other additions are possible.
Show preview Guest John Thornton, talks NFL playoffs, in studio 4pm Topics College hoops: UC, UK, XU.... NFL playoffs College football: Texas vs OSU...who are you rooting for? Orange Bowl: Did you go? Tell me a story of the experience Reds
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On this date: January 5, 2004 After 14 years of denials, Pete Rose publicly admitted that he'd bet on baseball while manager of the Cincinnati Reds.
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Orange Bowl ratings low CNNSI The Cincinnati-Virginia Tech Orange Bowl played on New Year's night drew a paltry 6.1 overnight rating for FOX, shattering the previous low of 6.98 set by the 2007 Wake Forest-Louisville Orange Bowl. By point of comparison, the Dec. 27 Florida State-Wisconsin Champs Sports Bowl drew nearly the same-sized audience.
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Clones news CINCINNATI, Ohio – The 2008 Kelly Cup champion Cincinnati Cyclones, announced today that they have placed defenseman Conrad Martin on the club’s suspended list and traded forward Michael Cohen. Martin, 26, quit the team on Monday morning. Conrad will be heading to Austria to play hockey. He has been placed on the Cyclones suspended list and his rights are maintained by the club. He will be unable to play hockey for any other North American professional hockey team while under suspension. He is the sixth player to have been placed on the suspended list this season. The six-foot-one, 195 pound native of Toronto, Ontario appeared in 23 games with the Cyclones this season and had four assists and 28 penalty minutes. “It’s unfortunate that this has happened,” Cyclones Head Coach Chuck Weber said. “We can’t compete with the economics of the offers that come from teams in Europe. It is frustrating to watch players leave, but we will continue to press forward and field the best team that we can.” In other news, forward Michael Cohen has been traded to the Phoenix Roadrunners to complete the trade for Tom Sawatske that was executed on October 28. Cohen becomes the ‘future considerations’ in that trade. Michael netted eleven goals and seven assists for 18 points in 31 games with Cincinnati this season.
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Sunday playoff observations *Former Bearcats shine Two former Bearcats helped the Eagles win over Minnesota Sunday. DE Trent Cole had a game high 14 tackles. TE Brent Celek had 6 catches for 56 yards. I also couldn't help but notice Eagles WR DeSean Jackson, the "human pogo stick," and think of Jerome Simpson. Jackson, the first round pick, had a 62 yard punt return, averaged 21.8 yards on his returns and added a 34 yard catch. *Ravens: Hey Bengals, make a note of TJ H.....I mean Derrick Mason. He's the guy that made the big catches for first downs Sunday. He turns 35 later this month. He caught 80 balls this year...going over 1,000 yards for the 7th time in 8 years. How about Ed Reed? I've never seen a guy turn games on defense like he does...Amazing.
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Big 10 commish not depressed by Big Ten's bowl showing Chicago Tribune The Big Ten's drought has reached nearly biblical proportions. Or so it seems. The league is 1-5 this bowl season, 9-19 over the last four years and has lost five consecutive Bowl Championship Series games. That streak makes Monday night's Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Ariz., another crucial test of credibility.
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Redskins rally behind Chris Norwell Community Press Chris Norwell has set school records on the hardwood, played in the Rose Bowl, and played in an NFL preseason. Now he is facing his toughest challenge yet. Norwell was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in October 2008. The 2003 Anderson graduate and his family have received an outpouring of support from the Anderson community since Chris was diagnosed with cancer. On Sunday, Feb. 22, Anderson High School will host a fundraiser for Norwell and his family to help offset his mounting medical costs. “Once a Redskin…Always a Redskin” will feature a 3-on-3 basketball tournament, a silent auction, and a split-the-pot raffle.
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Beer pong on verge of being a sport AP With a $50,000 prize on the line, more than 400 teams flocked to the Flamingo hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip for a chance to bring their skills out of the bar and into the big time. They wore matching uniforms and talked about focus and strategy.
Mark Curnutte moves off the Bengals beat I want to wish the best of luck to Mark as he moves to the Local Section of the Enquirer after nine years covering the Bengals. I consider Mark a true pro. He's an "old school" journalist. He's classy and always traveled the high road. The story and getting the story right was always more important than the attention he would get for it. I consider him a friend. I will miss having him as part of our Friday show during the season.
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My stat of the day UC has scored 95 points in their last two game combined: 45 vs Memphis 50 vs Marquette. The 95 points is the fewest scored in back to back games in 25 years, since UC scored 90 points in consecutive games in 1984.....a span of 791 games. January 7, 1984 vs Louisville, lost 51-37 January 11, 1984 vs Virginia Tech, lost 70-53 UC finished 3-25 that season under Tony Yates. Earlier that year they scored 61 points combined in consecutive games. (Including the UK slow down game 24-11)Lowest two game scoring totals for UC since scoring 90 in January 1984 95: 2009 96: 1984 97: 2007 101: 1984 103: 1986 104: 1984 105: 2008 (twice)
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Say what? "Marquette shot lights out today. I don't know if anybody in the country was going to beat them," said coach Mick Cronin. Ummmm....was Marquette shooting alone in a gym? Do you think the fact that UC played no perimeter defense contributed to Marquette's 15 3's?
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The dagger from Edgar
(Lexington Herald Leader photo)
Did you see the end of UK-UL? Wow. UK was fighting back all game, falling behind by 12 at one point. Down one with 90-seconds left UK turned it over back to back trips down the court. UL went up 7 with :48. CBS announcer Kevin Harlan declared the game over and marked it as a turning point in the season for UL. Kentucky then forced back to back turnovers and tied the game with :18. UL guard Edgar Sosa dribbles up court and sets up just inside midcourt. The clocked ticked down...10, 9, 8, 7....I'm screaming, "you better go, you better go". With :03 he pulls up from 26 feet and drains a cold blooded three pointer to win the game. Patrick Patterson is a beast and Jodie Meeks is a stud for UK. But UK commits way too many turnovers. Love Clark Kellog as game analyst. CBS stat of the day: UK has now lost 17 of their last 19 games vs ranked opponents....including six in a row.
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How embarrassing What a sad day for UC basketball. UC trailed Marquette by 40, 84-44 at one point, before losing 84-50 . I got news for ya, UC 'aint getting better. The last two games (Memphis/Marquette) have dealt a serious blow to my optimism. How about that offense? 95 points....in the last two games COMBINED. UC doesn't have a player on the roster, other than Vaughn, that can really even dribble the ball....forget about passing the ball, and shooting the ball. And Vaughn was scoreless Sunday.....0-8 shooting. It's really sad to see the lack of fight/effort from this team. They shoot too early in possessions....with no concept of what a good shot is.....and show no desire to work to get a good shot. Hate to bang on college kids, but McClain and Mitchell are worthless....and Mike Williams is headed for that list. I'd rather have the scholarships. Mitchell is the guy nobody wants to play with on the playground because he shoots everytime he gets the ball...no matter how bad a shot he's taking. Hicks and Maxiell would strangle guys on this team over lack of hustle. Mick keeps saying they are young. Butler walked into Cintas with three freshmen starters and beat Xavier....and is 12-1. Defense: What defense? Anyone care to guard a 3pt shooter? Marquette hit 15 of 25 3's.....pathetic. Nobody capable of staying with Marquett man to man, nobody with a desire to rotate quickly enough in zone. Offense: UC hit 18 of 55 (33%), 3 of 19 on 3's (16%)...with 15 turnovers Consider against Memphis they shot 26% from the field and were 3-16 on 3's (19%)...with 20 turnovers and 5 assists. Lord have mercy on this team when it plays UConn, Pitt, Georgetown, UL..... Mick said his message to the team after the game was, "I told you so......we lack effort and focus...and really haven't played hard since Mississippi St" Totally unacceptable! I posted this about a month ago...and it's still an issue They don't play hard enough They didn't match Xavier's fight out of the gate. They didn't match Eastern Kentucky's fight out of the gate. "When a team comes out and plays to win the way Eastern Kentucky did, you've got to match them," Cronin said. "We did not match their intensity and we almost paid the ultimate price." From the XU game: "We didn't set the tempo as the starting five. We came out sluggish, and it carried over," Deonta Vaughn said. From the FSU game: "I give our effort an F. We didn't play hard. We got exposed. We didn't play with a lot of mental toughness," Deonta Vaughn said. Mick questioned their effort in the exhibition game vs NKU. Should not be happening
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Anyone for Andruw Jones? The deal is expected to shave $12 million from the Dodgers' 2009 payroll and cut Jones' salary next season to about $5 million. If the Dodgers cannot trade him, even at that discounted salary, then Jones can ask for his release before spring training, the source said-LA Times
Fiesta Bowl could turn into referendum on Tressel Columbus Dispatch This Fiesta Bowl, then, is an important moment for Tressel the coach, at least in terms of the public's perception of him. He has gone from being the guy who always wins the big one to the guy who never does, which in the $3 million world of college coaching can be a dangerous place to live.
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Colts underachieve...again Indy Star Let's just say it how it is: The Colts are the ultimate paper tigers. And if you don't like the Atlanta Braves comparison -- multiple postseason appearances, one championship -- feel free to come up with your own. But how can a franchise be so routinely dominant year after year, and yet be found so routinely lacking when the brightest lights are shining?
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Bearcats and a Buckeye added Houston, TX - With a little over two weeks left until kickoff, more players names were added to the 84th East-West Shrine Game, which is scheduled for Jan. 17 at the University of Houston's Robertson Stadium. The East team adds 10 new players this week - Connor Barwin and Brandon Underwood from Cincinnati, Alex Boone from Ohio State, Graham Gano from Florida State, David Johnson from Arkansas State, Aaron Kelly from Clemson, Darius Passmore from Marshall, Korey Sheets from Purdue, Tyrell Sutton from Northwestern and Javarris Williams from Tennessee State. WHAT: 84th Annual East-West Shrine Game WHO: Top NCAA College Football Players WHERE: University of Houston, Robertson Stadium, Houston, Texas - Televised on ESPN2 WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009 - 3 p.m. CST kick-off
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What they are saying about Xavier-Virginia News Leader Xavier laid an 108-70 pounding on the Cavaliers last season in Cincinnati, and this one wasn't much better. Don't let the final score be deceptive, as it wasn't that close. Xavier led by as many as 28 points in the second half before letting off the throttle.
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Saturday playoff thoughts *Who wants to see the Chargers continue in the playoffs? What a bummer that Indy is out...I love Manning and Dungy. It's bad for the NFL they are out. *It's silly that a 12-4 and 11-5 team has to go on the road to play at 8-8 and 9-7 teams. I don't care if the 8-8 teams won their divisions or not. What is more important...winning the most games or winning a weak division? Serious flaw the NFL has to address. *Amazing to watch other teams get pressure on the QB....wish the Bengals could do that. *Hard to root for Edgerrin James when he gripes all week about wanting out...because he's not getting carries....when everyone else is excited about the first home playoff game in 61 years. Selfish. Hey Edge....zip it. *Tom Hammond calls a really good game...and should be doing more. *Chris Collinsworth is outstanding *How about Sproles? Wow. *I'll continue to say it....NFL OT is silly.
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MLB Network Love it! Did you watch Don Larsen's perfect game? Love the Hot Stove show, the ticker, and the studio sets honoring Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson. Barry Larkin will be very good as a studio analyst. ESPN's Baseball Tonight has to be feeling a little heat.
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What a cool story ESPN's NFL Countdown had a feature on Peyton Manning Saturday morning. It detailed the letters that Manning has written to now retired NFL players he played against. Players like John Lynch, Troy Brown, Trent Dilfer, and Curtis Martin. He thanked them for the way they played and respected the game and how they carried themselves on and off the field. He called it an honor to play against them and a privilege to play with some in the Pro Bowl. Each player remarked how amazing it was that in a day and age of text, email and voice mail, Manning's letters were handwritten.
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OSU football news SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - The No. 10 Ohio State Buckeyes and the No. 3 Texas Longhorns are just two days away from meeting for the third time in their storied histories and the third time in the last four years. The setting is the 38th Annual Tostitos Fiesta Bowl and the site is the University of Phoenix Stadium (cap. 73,000), located in Glendale, Ariz. Game time is 8 p.m. EST (6 p.m. Mountain Standard Time). Not much to report from the practice fields. Saturday in Scottsdale was a no-media day. The team practiced for about 90 minutes in "shells" at Pinnacle High School, opting for an early afternoon workout vs. the late morning workouts that has been the norm to date. TV - FOX will carry the game nationally with Matt Vasgersian, Tim Ryan, Laura Okmin and Chris Myers describing the action. Team Jerseys - Ohio State will wear its white jerseys and use the west bench. Texas will wear its dark - burnt orange - jerseys and use the east bench. Series History - The series between the two schools is tied at one win apiece. The Longhorns won the first meeting, 25-22, on Sept. 10, 2005, in Columbus, while the Buckeyes won the second meeting, Sept. 9, 2006 in Austin, 24-7. BCS Bowls - Ohio State is 4-2 in BCS bowl games while Texas is 2-0. Fiesta Bowls - Ohio State is making its sixth appearance in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl and has won four consecutive Tostitos Fiesta Bowl games. Texas defeated Penn State, 38-15, in its only previous Tostitos Fiesta Bowl appearance, Jan. 1, 1997. Ohio State Fiesta Bowl Results Dec. 26, 1980 Penn State 31, Ohio State 19 Jan. 2, 1984 Ohio State 28, Pittsburgh 23 Jan. 3, 2003 Ohio State 31, Miami 24 (2OT) Jan. 2, 2004 Ohio State 35, Kansas State 28 Jan. 1, 2006 Ohio State 34, Notre Dame 20 The Coaches - Ohio state coach Jim Tressel is 4-0 in prior Fiesta Bowls, including a 31-24 double overtime win over Miami to win the 2003 national championship. He was the Ohio State quarterbacks, receivers and running backs coach for the Buckeyes when they defeated Pittsburgh in 1984. Tressel is 4-3 in all bowl games and 83-18 in his eighth season at Ohio State. Texas' Mack Brown is coaching in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl for the first time. He has guided Texas to four consecutive bowl wins - a school first - and he is guided Texas to 11 consecutive bowl games in his 11 years as coach. He is 114-26 at Texas and 87-15 the last eight seasons. Return Plans - The Buckeyes will charter back to Columbus following the game Monday night with an early Tuesday morning arrival planned (as long as there are no delays). One more thing: there were clouds in the sky today...a six-day first. Team Visits Stadium Tomorrow Ohio State concluded its game preparation at Pinnacle High School Saturday. Sunday, the Buckeyes will conduct a walk-through at the University of Phoenix Stadium at 1 p.m. The walk-through is closed to the media. Coach Jim Tressel will take part in one final press conference Sunday at 9 a.m. at the Camel Back Inn and Resort Spa. Texas coach Mack Brown will be at the podium at 8:30 a.m.
Again, I doubt anyone missed any fascinating insight to Monday's game by not talking to Pryor, but it was a terribly disrespectful move by Tressel, who put the usually cheerful Fiesta Bowl officials in a tough spot, considering everything they've done for him and his team. It was like paying Aerosmith to show up at a party and having everyone show up but Steven Tyler. Sure, you don't mind seeing Joe Perry, but that's not what you came for.
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UK post-game AutoZone Liberty Bowl Final Score: Kentucky 25, East Carolina 19 Attendance: 56,125 * Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium -- Memphis, Tenn. *With the win, Kentucky improves to 7-6, and with the loss East Carolina falls to 9-5 *UK's win marks its third consecutive bowl win, a first in the 118 seasons of Kentucky football. UK beat Clemson and Florida State in back-to-back Music City Bowls the last two seasons. *The Wildcats played in their third consecutive bowl game for the first time since the 1949-50-51 teams. *Kentucky has won 14 consecutive non-conference games, the second-longest active streak in the nation, behind only LSU, which has won 19 straight non-conference games. *Trailing 19-16, Kentucky came from behind in the fourth quarter for the victory. It marked the ninth time over the last 31 games that UK came from behind in the fourth quarter to win the game. *Kentucky notched its seventh win of the year. The last time UK won at least seven games in three consecutive seasons was 1949-50-51. *Team Game Notes *When David Jones returned the second-half kickoff for a touchdown, it marked the first time in school history that two Wildcats returned a kickoff for a TD in the same season. Derrick Locke had a 100-yard TD return vs. Western Kentucky. *Kentucky wore blue pants and white jerseys for the first time since the 2002 season and for the first time in the Coach Rich Brooks era. *Coach Rich Brooks got his 32nd victory as head coach of the Wildcats, tying Harry Gamage for fifth place on the UK career win list. *Senior defensive end Ventrell Jenkins was selected the Most Valuable Player of the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, highlighted by his 56-yard fumble return for the game-winning touchdown. Jenkins also had four tackles and was credited with a blocked extra point. *Sophomorequarterback Mike Hartline was Kentucky's Offensive Most Valuable Player. He completed 19 of 31 passes for 204 yards and one touchdown. *Senior running back Tony Dixon had a career-high 28 carries for a season-high 89 yards. He also ran out the clock with six consecutive rushing plays, earning two first downs to clinch the victory. *Twenty-one Wildcats played their final game at Kentucky, including 16 seniors and five juniors who are giving up their final year of eligibility. *Game moments *Defensive tackle Ventrell Jenkins blocked a PAT. The block was UK's 26th blocked kick during head coach Rich Brooks six seasons, the fifth block this year. *On the opening kickoff of the third quarter, cornerback David Jones gave UK some immediate momentum, breaking a Liberty Bowl record by running the kick back 99 yards for a touchdown, making it 16-9 after East Carolina blocked the PAT. It was the first career touchdown return for Jones. *Johnny Williams and Myron Pryor stopped up a Norman Whitley rush for a loss of three yards, forcing a fumble that Ventrell Jenkins scooped up and ran for a 56-yard touchdown, giving UK a 25-19 lead after Lones Seiber had his PAT blocked (3:02). The return marked the second longest fumble recovery for a touchdown in Liberty Bowl history.
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The coolest thing I watched while on vacation Check out this jump New Year's Eve on ESPN. Robbie Maddison jumps his motorcycle over 120 feet to the top of the Arc de Triomphe at the Paris Las Vegas. Then he came back down.
