Good Morning, It's Tuesday November 17, 2010
The Cleveland Browns just provided a new low in Monday Night Football history. I can't believe I spent two hours watching it.
SECOND CHANCE BENGALS
It sure sounds like longtime Chiefs running back Larry Johnson is about to become a Cincinnati Bengal. James Walker reported the story on ESPN Monday and the Bengals admitted that they've been talking to Johnson since he was released by Kansas City last week. Marvin Lewis says if Johnson is signed, he'll come here as the Bengals fourth running back. He says Johnson is no threat to Cedric Benson, Bernard Scott or Brian Leonard.
INSURANCE POLICY
The Bengals are interested in Johnson because Cedric Benson has been dealing with a hip injury since last week. He was able to start on Sunday against Pittsburgh, but it was clear he couldn't cut.
THE RISK
Johnson was a super back in the NFL in 2006 when he gained 1,700 yards, but he been a super distraction with bad decisions on and off the field. Some have said he has an "anger" problem...he claims he just has a "competitive" problem. He could create waves in the Bengals locker room which seems to have a great chemistry. If he's signed, I believe it's because Marvin Lewis has enough confidence in his clubhouse leadership.
THE REWARD
I think this is the case of a guy who is okay as long as his team is winning. The Chiefs were 2-7 and going nowhere. We've seen some of that stuff here. Carl Pickens comes to mind. But if he can carry the load while Benson is getting better, he's worth the risk. Fans want ownership to show them they're serious about winning. That's what this does. A lot of things are forgiven if you help the hometeam win.
IT'S HAPPENED BEFORE
The Bengals have a long history of miscreants. But Chris Henry, Frostee Rucker and Cedric Benson have all reformed as the Bengals got better. It's not like this is new territory. Larry Johnson just might the latest reconstruction project.
RAVENS 16 BROWNS 0
The Browns lost their ninth straight game at home. Brady Quinn is 1-6 as a starter.
SIGN OF THE TIMES
TV spotted a sign at Browns Stadium Monday night that read "At least One Team in Ohio can Beat the Ravens...Who-Dey"
IT ENDED BADLY
We'll know more today, but Josh Cribbs was taken off the field on a stretcher and then right to an ambulance after the game. The Browns were running one of those crazy plays where guys flipped the ball to one another as the clock ticked down. Cribbs got rid of the ball, but then he got nailed by Ray Lewis.
BEST PART OF THE GAME
I think I watched because I enjoyed the conversation between Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski on ESPN. Gruden was born in Sandusky and Jaws played college ball at Youngstown State, so they had many
recollections of the old Browns, football in Ohio and Paul Brown. I thought they were very entertaining.
THE SIDE SADDLE T
When Jaworski was the quarterback at Youngstown State, I was a high school kid, who helped out a local broadcaster Don Gardner doing the YSU games. The Penguins were coached by Dike Beede who used to run a side saddle T offense. Jaws wouldn't line up behind the center...he would position himself about a yard behind the left guard. There were two setbacks..and there was a wingback who would always go in motion.
The center would flip the ball to the left where Jaws was positioned. I've never seen anything like that since.
I'LL BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW
Dike Beede coached Youngstown football for about 30 years. He's given credit for inventing the penalty flag. Officials used whistles and hand motions to indicate a penalty in the old days. Beede had his wife sew a flag together and he convinced the officials to use it in a game. Somebody noticed and liked the idea.
THIS BUD'S FOR YOU
The owner of the Tennessee Titans Bud Adams was fined $250,000 by the NFL for giving the finger to Buffalo Bills fans at Sunday's game in Nashville. Tennessee won the game 41-17.
TIT FOR TAT
I don't endorse what Bud Adams did, that wouldn't be prudent as George Bush used to say. But over many, many years when the Bengals team bus pulls into the stadium in Buffalo, fans of all sizes and ages stand there giving us the middle finger salute. I've never understood it, but it happens every time.
MORE BEARCATS ON TV
UC football is like a TV pilot that went so well, they've ordered more episodes. ABC announced Monday that the Bearcats game vs Illinois on Friday November 27 will be nationally televised at Noon. There's a good chance the game against Pitt a week later will also get ABC coverage.
OUR SATURDAY SCHEDULE ON CHANNEL 9
Noon: Ohio State vs Michigan
3:30: Penn State at Michigan State
8:00: Kansas at Texas
ORANGE BOWL REMATCH
UC and Virginia Tech, who played in January's Orange Bowl will meet in 2012 at Fedex Field in Washington DC.
MONDAY NIGHT HOOPLA
UC beat Prairie View A&M Monday night 69-62. The Cats trailed by 15 in the first half. As Mick Cronin put it, "we were overconfident without reason." Deonta Vaughn who scored 15 points said "we came in not ready to play." Wait a minute! This was the first game of the season. Shouldn't these guys be pumped and anxious to play?
IT HAPPENS EVERYWHERE
UC didn't have the only close call. Kentucky needed a last second shot from freshman star John Walls to beat Miami 72-70. Kenny Hayes hit a three pointer with six seconds left to tie the game at 70. Walls hurried the ball up the court and hit a short jumper for the win
BAD SCHEDULING
Charlie Coles always gets his team ready to play and it's a tough opponent for a young but talented UK team. Nick Winbush had eight three-pointers and 26 points for Miami. The Redhawks led by 18 points in the first half.
ICY MORNING
The Cyclones play this morning at US Bank Arena against Trenton. This is "Education in Hockey Day" and 16 college educated players for the Cyclones will teach lessons in math, science, geography and phys ed.
RAMON RETURNS
The Reds have struck a one year deal with catcher Ramon Hernandez for 2010. He played in 81 games in 2009, 18 at first base when Joey Votto was out. Hernandez missed considerable time with a knee injury, but he came back strong at the end of the season.
TUESDAY NIGHT BASKETBALL
Bowling Green is here tonight to play Xavier at 7:30. Former Withrow star Louis Orr is head coach of the Falcons. It's interesting to note that when Louis was an assistant coach on Pete Gillen's staff at Xavier in the early 90's, present day Xavier coach Chris Mack was a player on the team.
SHE HAS TO BE A SAINT
Today is my wedding anniversary. Kathie and I have been married for 36 years. I don't think the rule is officially sanctioned by the Catholic church, but any woman married to somebody in the TV business beyond 25 years should be automatically considered for sainthood.
Enjoy your Tuesday..
See you on TV
Popo
