CNATI: Cincinnati OH Sports Journalism

One of my favorite trivia questions for Reds fans... who was the last Red to wear No. 10 before it was retired for Sparky Anderson?

The answer is the immortal Jason Romano.

Romano was a nice guy that the Reds picked up off of waivers from the then-Devil Rays in 2004. It was one of those deals that seemed like kept getting made, just a guy and he became a symbol for my friend and then-Reds beat writer Marc Lancaster. And so, when Marc got married in 2007, I was his best man and his wedding gift was a game-used Jason Romano bat I picked up at RedsFest. Sure, it's no Dick Pole half-jersey, but it was well-received by the groom (if not the bride).

* Before we get into the sports stuff, CNati.com publisher Lee Heidel was in town this weekend and we got quite a bit of work done, including a staff dinner with some of our writers and photographers.

One of our biggest points of discussion was advertising. If you're a business interested in advertising, let me know. Without advertising, I don't know how long we'll last.

* And that comes back to our Spring Training fund drive in its final week. Sure, we've surpassed the goal, but the more we get, the more we can do. With some more money, we'd be able to send out a photographer to Goodyear, Ariz., to help in our coverage and our Spring Training guide.

* Another thing that we talked about, we have a Kindle set-up, so you can subscribe to CNati through Kindle. We haven't advertised it, but it's here.

* We also worked on some audio and video stuff. A podcast will be coming soon (really, as soon as it gets through the iTunes screening process) and we played with what we're doing on video, so that I can produce both the podcast and video from spring training. I'll post a short Chris Heisey interview video later.

* More pub for CNati, even though they misunderstood that when we said "light-weight" we were talking in a design way, not our content.

Anyway, people are taking notice, which is good. My friend Mark Zuckerman was the Nats beat writer at the Washington Times when the paper decided to cut its sports coverage. He's hoping to follow in my lead and go to spring training on the heels of his readers. I wish him luck and hope he has readers half as awesome as mine. If you know some Nats fans, send them his way.

* As for the game, it was entertaining. But honestly, my friends were more interesting. I was at a Super Bowl party that not only had an NFL player, but also a Olympic gold medalist and some of the best friends you can ever have. So, I saw much of the game, but not all of it. Anyway, it was a heck of a game -- or at least what I saw -- and I didn't give ma prediction beforehand, thinking it was kind of a toss-up, which it was (or as much as it could be for a 2-touchdown win.)

* Yahoo! has a breakdown of the play.

* How about the stones to call an onsides kick to open the second half? That was just awesome.

* Speaking of halftime, Greg Kot of the Chicago Tribune has a review of the Who's halftime show.

I thought it was good, even if it's not really the Who without Entwistle, perhaps the most important bassist in rock history (before you say it, Paul wasn't a bassist, he played bass). I think he gets overlooked quite a bit, especially behind Keith Moon.

* Rey Maualuga is headed to the Betty Ford Center and could miss some of the team's workouts, but that's a small price to play. Good for Rey.

* Terrell Owens says he'll change his name to Ocho Uno if he's a Bengal next year.

* So next year, the Patriots won't have an offensive or defensive coordinator. Odd.

* The Super Bowl directed by Quentin Terantino, Wes Anderson and others. The Wes Anderson one, of course, is the best.

* The unsigned All-Star team as pitchers and catchers pack their bags.

* There are five Reds in this list of the Top 50 prospects from Project Prospect.

* If you missed RedsFest this year, Redleg Nation put together a video from the festivities.

* The Indians may be interested in Jonny Gomes.

* Adam Dunn says he was surprised how much he's enjoyed playing first base.

* I really feel sorry for the Louisville Bats mascot, Buddy. That's not what you do to a buddy, pal.

* An argument that the Winter Olympics are for sports fans who like sports. I agree, I love the Olympics, especially the wacky winter ones. It's competition and it's fun. I don't need to know every participant or rule of every sport to enjoy it. And hey, it's still better than watching the NBA.

* Sad story out of Oxford where Miami hockey manager Brendan Burke died this weekend. Check out a story from ESPN in December about Burke, the son of Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke, coming out.

* I have to admit, I was worried about Cop Out being terrible and unfunny, because the trailers I'd seen so far were not funny. The redband trailer is much, much better.

* The guy who ripped apart The Phantom Menace on YouTube is back with a review of Avatar.

* With a new Drive-By Truckers album coming out soon, there's gonna be plenty of DBT press. Billboard has a Q&A with Patterson Hood and then more on the new documentary.

* Lifetime movie or Megadeth song?

* The Oxford American on the late Vic Chesnutt

* USA Today has a Q&A with Nikki Sixx. 

 
 

Pete Rose!

Two weeks until pitchers and catchers report. I'm pretty excited about that. You?

I did have a reader yesterday tell me "there's too much baseball stuff for me" but we all know I love baseball, so there'll never be too much baseball stuff for me.

* What could be better than the Reds getting rid of Willy Taveras? A divisional rival picking him up.

* Thanks to Rodger for sending me this link, a ranking of the statues in baseball, and the Reds statues come in third. I've always been a fan of the set-up at GABP. But I wouldn't mind Pete Rose on first.

* The Reds Hall of Fame and Museum will have a membership drive with Tom Browning serving as a celebrity bartender at By Golly's Bar and Grill in Milford on Tuesday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

* If they did this at Kauffmann Stadium or Sanford Stadium, the DLP might be nervous.

* Stanley Wilson, of course, leads this list of worst Super Bowl weeks ever. It also has Eugene Robinson. My old boss was a huge Eugene Robinson guy -- always kissing his ass and talking about how great he was, what a great family guy, what a great Christian, all that. He didn't have much to say after that.

* Speaking of Super Bowls, I love this blog that is pitting the nation's 44 Super Bowls vs. its 44 presidents, it's the America Bowl. Super Bowl 16 goes down to President 16, not even Joe Montana can beat ol' Abe Lincoln.

* Former NFL player Sean Jones and track legend Al Joyner respond to the Tim Tebow ad. They do it well and respectfully, I believe.

But there is a Vacation reunion commercial.

* Caught the end of last night's X game. Jordan Crawford is just fun to watch. He could be the difference between an early exit and a run in March. He's the type of player that can give you a run.

Speaking of March, tonight's game may define the Bearcats' March. They need to win this one and our own Paul Dehner Jr. will be there in South Bend, Ind., to see what's going on there.

* Stay classy Mountaineer fans. I covered a game there and was amazed by the ammount of booing that went on and the other things I heard and a bunch of Mountaineer fans got on me. I don't think I was wrong. I wonder what Sam Wyche would say about that.

* The story of Jaques Plante and the mask.

* I'm pretty excited to see what Michael Gondry does with the Green Hornet.

* If I actually had any money, I'd want a SlingBox now that AT&T is letting it stream over 3G on the iPhone.

* The Hold Steady has a quick Northeast Tour coming up, maybe I can deadhead it with Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Mo-town. Or maybe just oen of 'em. A four-hour drive is nothing for the Hold Steady. I did check, the Reds are at Florida those dates, but I could do Mo-Town and then be in Pittsburgh the next night for Reds-Pirates. It's an idea.

Glenn Braggs days until pitchers and catchers report.

Braggs was the first pro athlete I ever interviewed. It was my senior year of high school and we had a research paper that required not only library research, but also an on-site visit and interview.

I, of course, wanted to write about baseball. Since I lived in Japan at the time, my paper was on the differences between Japanese and American baseball. The research was easy, I'd already read all Robert Whiting's books, and an on-site visit, well, that was easy too -- I'd go to a game. Sounded like a great idea to me.

It also sounded like a good idea to my friend and teammate John Almazon, so he came along.

We went to a Yokohama BayStars game and got there as soon as gates opened, so we could get in during batting practice. The two of us stood in right field and yelled for Braggs when he was fielding.

Braggs looked up at us and said, "Hey guys."

We told him what was up, he said the team was leaving on a road trip after the game, but he'd get ready and meet us in the parking lot before he boarded the bus.

Sure enough, several hours later, he remembered and was out there for us and we talked to him for 10 minutes or so. He couldn't have been nicer and John and I were so excited that when we shook his hand, we'd touched a World Series ring.

John and I both got A's on our papers. I used that interview at least two other times, once for a freshman English paper and another for a senior history class, Japan and the Samurai. I got A's on both of those too.

I met Braggs at RedsFest and told him the story. He didn't remember me or doing it, but was very nice about it. I didn't expect him to remember, but he's as nice of a guy as I remembered.

I'll put something up on the main site later for that.


* The Reds are among the teams interested in Kris Benson.

* Or would it make sense if Benson went to the Nationals? A look at the Nationals' astonishing history of serving as the last stop otu of the big leagues.

* Expect the Nationals to be at this showcase for older players.

* John Heyman looks at baseball's off-season losers, all of whom didn't spend enough. It includes two NL Central teams and one in Ohio, none of which are the Reds.

* Today is National Signing Day for college football -- it's like Christmas for people who spend way too much time thinking about 17-year old boys. I'm still amazed by the cottage industry for recruiting coverage. The only people who have figured out how to make money on the internet is the porn industry and recruiting coverage.

So, when you hear rankings today, what will they mean?

According to this study by Jon Solomon of the Birmingham News, not all that much.

Solomon went back to look at the recruiting classes from 2005-09, and five of this year's AP Top 10 were not in the Top 20 of recruiting rankings in that time. UC was never ranked in the Top 45 classes in any of those years -- and neither were TCU or Boise State.

Only 39 percent of the All-Americans were ranked in the Top 10 of their positions by Rivals.

Anyway, some really good stuff. Be sure to read it.

* Our own Paul Dehner Jr. looks at UC's past recruiting rankings.

* And really, the hat shuffle is so cliche. Although, I did like the take Andre Smith took with it, putting on the houndstooth hat. But, again, that was several years ago.

* If you're desperate for some signing day action, check out the Miami RedHawks' "reality show"

It's a good idea, but am unsure how much people will check it out. If they did it at Ohio State or Tennessee or Texas or Florida, it may break the internets.

* I give some respect to Rey Maualuga for pleading guilty and taking his punishment. I hope he lives up to his word that this will be his last drunk driving arrest. He had a couple of alcohol-related incidents in college, so it's not exactly the first time.

And while I'm no lawyer, watching the video of his arrest and his admissions to the police officer of what he'd been drinking, I'm not sure what kind of defense he'd have if he pleaded anything but guilty.

* The OCNN Super Bowl Media Day highlights are slightly entertaining, but I like my friend Bradley getting into the frame and looking bored to be there when they talk to Jon Stinchcomb.

* If these pictures are real, they're amazing -- of Brett Favre's ankle and hamstring after the Saints game.

* An interesting angle on Tim Tebow and his upcoming commercial. Do you need to be saved by a quarterback? Or H-back?

* Poz on NFL Films. There are days when I don't know if I like the NFL or just NFL Films.

* This Cincinnati Mohawks jersey is incredible.

* I'd been thinking about a Dalton tattoo for a while... but now that someone else has my idea, I guess I can't do it.

* I love Zach Galifianakis, but I don't know how he'd translate to SNL.

* My friend Matt found this link to some Wilco bootlegs. This may take up much of my day.

So, here's what I think the Reds' Opening Day lineup will look like (not what I think would be best -- of course, I'm not a huge lineup nitpicker)

It will be against either Cardinals right-hander Adam Wainwright or Chris Carpenter, either way, a tough matchup.

1. Drew Stubbs cf -- when asked yesterday, Jocketty said he still saw Stubbs as the guy to beat at leadoff and center

2. Orlando Cabrera ss -- Jocketty also gave some of the "little things" answers about moving runners over and the such. Cabrera has traditionally hit second, is comfortable there and has good contact rates.

3. Joey Votto 1b -- this is the one we can all agree upon (I think)

4. Brandon Phillips 2b -- yeah, I know, everyone hates it because he's not the prototypical cleanup guy, but I'm not sure there's a better option

5. Scott Rolen 3b -- he doesn't have the power he used to (3 homers in 162 PA for the Reds last season) to be in that four spot, but gives Phillips some good protection

6. Jay Bruce rf -- Rolen's bat trumps the L/R/L/R construction. Bruce needs to be like he was after coming back from his injury.

7. Ramon Hernandez c -- I believe Ryan Hanigan's proven himself and should be the No. 1 guy, but I'd expect a more even split between the two, as long as both are healthy. The Opening Day nod goes to the vet.

8. Chris Dickerson lf -- This spot may rotate quite a bit, but Dickerson gets the nod against the right-handed starter

9. Aaron Harang p -- He's had his struggles, but there is still confidence in him and I don't know that Bronson Arroyo, Johnny Cueto or Homer Bailey have proven enough to unseat the incumbent Opening Day starter.

No matter what Devin Mesoraco's shadow says, there's only Darnell McDonald to go until pitchers and catchers report. And two weeks until I head to Arizona.

* With the other transaction yesterday, I like the Cabrera move a little more. Basically, the Reds and A's did a salary swap of guys they don't want. If you consider it about a wash, I'd rather have Orlando Cabrera and Aaron MIles than Willy Taveras and Adam Rosales.

I'm still not sold on Cabrera being the solution to this team, but they are better than a year ago, I think.

* FanGraphs gives the signing a lukewarm thumbs up. I can buy that.

* When I talked to Walt Jocketty yesterday, he said the team is still talking to Jonny Gomes. I'd love to see Gomes back.

Also, if Gomes does come back, does that let you know to hamper some knee-jerk reactions (my own included that Gomes likely wouldn't be back) to things like their decision not to tender him a contract and go to arbitration? Or not DFAing Willy Taveras on the last day of the season? There are plans and everything isn't as immediate as we want it. Just because the Reds didn't sign a shortstop at the Winter Meetings, they got one now, and for a lower price.

* It seems we'll be going through this for the next couple of years, even if we're getting used to it. Jon Miller won the Ford C. Frick Award. I really don't expect Joe Nuxhall to ever win it. I'd be excited if he did and would be in Cooperstown to celebrate, but I just don't expect it to ever happy. Joe is one of my favorite people I've ever met and I'm honored to have known the man -- but he's not well-known or beloved outside Reds country. Technically, he wasn't the best announcer, but he and Marty made the best team. I wish he'd make it, but I don't see it ever happening. And I hope I'm wrong.

As for Miller, I like listening to a Miller game, especially on the radio. I'm not upset by the choice.

Of course, I don't hate announcers or notice them as much as most people I know -- I don't listen to every word -- and being at the ballpark, there's a lot of days where I'm not listening to them at all.

* I'm as excited about the Super Bowl as I am the Pro Bowl. I'm not sure why. I think it's the build-up, the live-looks at the media day, the 20-hour pregame show.

* Joe Kay of the Associated Press on the Ochocinco News Network.

* And I'm more excited about the Super Bowl than I am National Signing Day.

* The New York Times looks at what Big 10 expansion could do to the rest of the conferences.

* The Cincinnati Rollergirls have announced their 2010 schedule. Go check 'em out, it's a ton of fun.

* An interview with Bill Watterson, the reclussive creator of Calvin and Hobbes. It's his first in 15 years and, well, I guess I never noticed how much he looks like Calvin's dad.

* One of my favorite shows of the late 90s, early 2000s, Daria, is coming out on DVD. It was the spin-off of Beavis and Butthead, but very, very different.

* This is a killer tour -- My Morning Jacket with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. It's coming to Columbus on May 2.

17 days until pitchers and catchers report, although No. 17 Javier Valentine won't be one of them, nor will current No. 17 Laynce Nix, but he'll be along a few days later.

* As for this weekend's signing, I'm not a big fan -- unless it means last year's bad pickup is dropped from the roster to make room. Cabrera is an offensive upgrade, but he's 35 and on the decline defensively, so I'm not so sure he's an overall upgrade.

I think this blog, Redlegs Baseball, does a good job rounding up the difference -- and that doesn't really mention the difference in price. If this team is continue to be "above budget" and use that as an excuse, the $3mm for Cabrera vs. the league minimum for Janish can't be ignored.

Also, as much as everyone -- myself included, I was against the deal from the get-go -- Cabrera has a career .322 OBP and Willy Taveras is a career .321. (Janish was at .296 last year.)

* Our friends over at Baseball Prospectus has changed their PECOTA standings a tad and taken away a win from the Redlegs, who are still projected to finish second in the NL Central, but with an even .500 record at 81-81. I'm still thinking 78-80 wins, so they're not far off of what I'm thinking.

CAIRO is more optimistic than either PECOTA or I -- calling for 85.5 wins. Rob Neyer calls the Reds a contender for the Wild Card.

* The Ford Frick Award will be announced this week. I'll be disappointed again, I'm afriad when Joe Nuxhall isn't the winner.

* You want good news? Not only was Juan Francisco a Dominican League All-Star, he also won a Gold Glove. His glove has been a question his entire career. Not sure about the award, but it can't be a bad sign.

* A great roundup of the Columbus Reds caravan event. Add assistant GM Bob Miller to the list including Thom Bernnaman of those who are guaranteeing a winning season. Bob Castellini said so last year. He was wrong.

* You want to be sick? Check out what Sarasota is doing for the Orioles after screwing the Reds. And it's going to cost the city a ton more than what the Reds offered.

* The Hardball Times ranks team nicknames and they aren't real fond of the Reds. I do like the Mariners, btu as a former headline writer, I think they have the Diamondbacks way, way too high.

* The Negro Leagues Museum is in financial trouble. Some big leaguers were honored there this weekend and many showed, the game's best player was in KC and didn't show.

* The replacement players are still replaced on MLB video games.  

* AFC! AFC! AFC! Oh, the pride beaming from an AFC city on the conference's triumphant victory in the Pro Bowl.

* If you missed this story on Friday, check out Amy K. Nelson's story about Chad Ochocinco and his connection with a fan.

* Keep an eye out for Jonathan Fanene's little brother.

* NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says an uncapped year in 2010 is "virtually certain."

* A good game for UC's Mardy Gilyard at the Senior Bowl, where he was the offensive player of the game. The Sporting News says he has "locked up a spot between picks 20 and 45" of the draft.

* I defended Tim Tebow and his commercial the other day -- to me, fair is fair -- and it's terrible CBS won't show this ad from a gay dating site just because it has two men (pretending) to kiss each other in a way that's not for laughs.

* My friend Doug continues his list of the 50 most loathsome people in college football -- and from 30-21 has a couple of media members, including two who reside in Cincinnati, Thom Brennaman and Gregg Doyel. I consider both friends, but can certainly understand the sentiment. My favorite line is on Bill Simmons, "At this point, he's the sportswriting equivalent of 5 1/2" floppy disks or leaded gasoline: useful for a while, quaint in their own way, but the world has moved on."

* How about that Herschel Walker? At 47, not only is he ripped, but he kicked the crap out of some guy. Maybe he can petition the NCAA to play that fourth year... 

* A study shows nobody likes newspapers on eReaders. Of course, it could hurt that in the study, done by a college professor of mine, used the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, which has gone to pot in the last couple of years. The study says younger readers want more features and older readers don't like not being able to do the crossword. Certain devices could do both.

* Cheeseburger flavored Doritos?

* More on beards being cool.

From BoDog.com

My favorites are the things that have zero to do witht he game. And I'll take the over on times we see Archie Manning, Kim Kardashian and Hurricane Katrina references. The o/u on Pete Townsend's windmills is 5, I think I'm taking the over, too.

Super Bowl XLIV Odds

Indianapolis Colts        -6

Over/Under                  56.5

 

New Orleans Saints Total Team Points

Over/Under                    25.5

 

Indianapolis Colts Total Team Points

Over/Under                    31.5

 

Super Bowl Media Props

What will the TV Nielsen Rating be?

Over/Under                    42.5

 

How long will it take Carrie Underwood to sing the National Anthem?

Over/Under                    1 minute 42 seconds

 

Which Super Bowl commercial will have a higher rating on USA Today's annual Ad Meter?           

Anheuser-Busch / Budweiser      2/3

Doritos                                      9/4

Coca-Cola                                 13/2

Go Daddy.com                          8/1

Career Builder                            8/1

Family First                               12/1

Other                                        5/2

 

How many current NFL Players will be arrested during Super Bowl Week?

Over/Under                    0.5

 

What Color will the Gatorade be that is dumped on the Head Coach of the Winning Super Bowl Team?    

Yellow                                       1/1

Clear/Water                               7/5

Orange                                      4/1

Lime Green                               5/1

Red                                          12/1

Blue                                          12/1

 

What side of the ball will the Players that perform the Gatorade Shower be from?

Offensive                       +140

Defensive                      -170

 

Who will the Super Bowl MVP of the Game thank first?

God                                          4/5

Teammates                               8/5

Does not thank anyone               4/1

Family                                      11/2

Coach                                       10/1

 

How Many Times will CBS show Archie Manning on TV during the Game?

Over/Under                    2.5

(Wager is on the number of times Archie Manning will appear on TV during the Game (from kick off until final whistle). Live pictures only, Any Taped Pictures or Past Video does not count towards wager.)

 

How Many Times will CBS show Eli Manning on TV during the Game?

Over/Under                    2.5

(Wager is on the number of times Eli Manning will appear on TV during the Game (from kick off until final whistle). Live pictures only, Any Taped Pictures or Past Video does not count towards wager.)

 

How Many Times will CBS show Kim Kardashian on TV during the Game?

Over/Under                    2.5

(Wager is on the number of times Kim Kardashian will appear on TV during the Game (from kick off until final whistle). Live pictures only, Any Taped Pictures or Past Video does not count towards wager. Person must be in attendance for wager to have action.)

 

How Many Times will CBS show Tony Dungy on TV during the Game?

Over/Under                    1.5

(Wager is on the number of times Tony Dungy will appear on TV during the Game (from kick off until final whistle). Live pictures only, Any Taped Pictures or Past Video does not count towards wager. Person must be in attendance for wager to have action.

 

How Many Times will CBS show Bourbon Street on TV during the Game?

Over/Under                    2

(Wager is on the number of times Bourbon Street will appear on TV during the Game (from kick off until final whistle).)

 

How Many Times will CBS show South Beach on TV during the Game?

Over/Under                    2

(Wager is on the number of times South Beach will appear on TV during the Game (from kick off until final whistle).) 

 

How Many Times will CBS announcers fully mention Hurricane Katrina during the game?

Over/Under                    3

(Wager is on the number of times announcers specifically say "Hurricane Katrina" during the Game (from kick off until final whistle). Live pictures only.)

 

If the New Orleans Saints win will Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush be engaged by July 31st 2010?

Yes                                          +135

No                                            -165

 

What color top will Kim Kardashian be wearing at the Super Bowl?

Black                                        6/5

White                                        7/4

Any Other Color                         7/5

 

Which CBS Show will get the most Promo's during the game?         

Undercover Boss                        1/1

CSI Miami                                 7/2

NCIS                                         4/1

CSI                                           5/1

NCIS LA                                    10/1

Big Bang Theory                        10/1

How I Met Your Mother               10/1

Two and a Half Men                    14/1

 

Will a member of the Who smash a guitar on stage during the halftime show?

Yes                              +120

No                                 -150

 

How many times will Pete Townshend do his legendary windmill move?

Over/Under                    5

 

If any member of the Who smashes their guitar what does the guitar hit first?          

Floor                                         2/3

Speaker                                    2/1

Microphone                               3/1

Drummer                                   100/1

Fan                                           100/1

 

Will they show a replay of Tom Benson celebrating the missed field goal against Tampa Bay from the regular season?

Yes                              +350

No                                 -500

 

Will they show clothing apparel proclaiming the Super Bowl Champion before the final whistle?

Yes                              -130

No                                Even

 

Super Bowl XLIV - What will happen with the Stock Market the day after Super Bowl XLIV?

New Orleans Saints Wins Market Up                   7/2

New Orleans Saints Wins Market Down               4/1

Indianapolis Colts Wins Market Up                      8/5

Indianapolis Colts Wins Market Down                  9/5

 

Super Bowl Game Props

Coin Toss

Heads                                       -105
Tails                                         -105

 

Team to win opening coin toss

New Orleans Saints                   -105

Indianapolis Colts                       -105

 

Team to score first in the game

New Orleans Saints                   +115

Indianapolis Colts                        -145

 

Will the team that scores first in the game win the game?

Yes                               -180

No                                +150

 

Longest Touchdown in the game

Over/Under                    51.5 yards

 

Longest Field Goal in the game

Over/Under                    44.5 yards

 

Will there be a defensive or special teams touchdown scored in the game?

Yes                              +150

No                                 -180

 

Will either team score three unanswered times in the game?

Yes                              -200

No                                +160

 

Player Odds

Odds to win 2010 Super Bowl XLIV MVP        

Peyton Manning (IND)                2/3

Drew Brees (NO)                        9/4

Pierre Thomas (NO)                   10/1

Reggie Bush (NO)                      10/1

Joseph Addai (IND)                    10/1

Reggie Wayne (IND)                   10/1

Dallas Clark (IND)                      12/1

Marques Colston (NO)                12/1

Pierre Garcon (IND)                    14/1

Mike Bell (NO)                           20/1

Devery Henderson (NO)              20/1

Jeremy Shockey (NO)                20/1

Austin Collie (IND)                      20/1

Donald Brown (IND)                    25/1

Robert Meachem (NO)                25/1

Darren Sharper (NO)                   28/1

Dwight Freeney (IND)                 30/1

Robert Mathis (IND)                    40/1

Jonathan Vilma (NO)                  40/1

Will Smith (NO)                         50/1

Lance Moore (NO)                      50/1

David Thomas (NO)                    50/1

Antoine Bethea (IND)                  50/1

Gary Brackett (IND)                    50/1

Clint Session (IND)                     50/1

Garrett Hartley (NO)                   75/1

Matt Stover (IND)                       75/1

 

Total Passing Yards - Drew Bress

Over/Under                    300.5

 

Total Passing Yards - Peyton Manning

Over/Under                    300.5

 

Player to score the first TD in the game                     

Joseph Addai (IND)                    11/2

Dallas Clark (IND)                      6/1

Reggie Wayne (IND)                   13/2

Pierre Thomas (NO)                   15/2

Marques Colston (NO)                8/1

Reggie Bush (NO)                      17/2

Robert Meachem (NO)                10/1

Austin Collie (IND)                      10/1

Lynell Hamilton (NO)                  12/1

Jeremy Shockey (NO)                12/1

Pierre Garcon (IND)                    12/1

David Thomas (NO)                    15/1

Donald Brown (IND)                    15/1

Mike Bell (NO)                           15/1

Devery Henderson (NO)              15/1

Lance Moore (NO)                      20/1

Drew Brees (NO)                        25/1

Peyton Manning (IND)                30/1

No TD scored in the game          150/1

 

Who will record the most Receiving Yards in the game?       

Reggie Wayne (IND)                   5/2

Marques Colston (NO)                3/1

Dallas Clark (IND)                      7/2

Pierre Garcon (IND)                    4/1

Devery Henderson (NO)              7/1

Reggie Bush (NO)                      8/1

Robert Meachem (NO)                15/2

Pierre Thomas (NO)                   10/1

Austin Collie (IND)                      10/1

Joseph Addai (IND)                    12/1

Lance Moore (NO)                      15/1

Jeremy Shockey (NO)                18/1

 

Historical Matchups

HISTORICAL MATCHUP - Total Passing Yards, which will be higher?

Peyton Manning Super Bowl XLIV                                    -300

Peyton Manning Super Bowl XLI (247 Passing Yards)            +240

 

HISTORICAL MATCHUP - Total Rushing Yards, which will be higher?

Joseph Addai Super Bowl XLIV                                        +175

Joseph Addai Super Bowl XLI (77 Rushing Yards)                 -215

 

HISTORICAL MATCHUP - Total Receiving Yards, which will be higher?

Reggie Wayne Super Bowl XLIV                                      -200

Reggie Wayne Super Bowl XLI (61 Receiving Yards)             +160

 

HISTORICAL MATCHUP - Total Receiving Yards, which will be higher?        

Dallas Clark Super Bowl XLIV                                          -400

Dallas Clark Super Bowl XLI (36 Receiving Yards)                 +300

 

HISTORICAL MATCHUP - Total Passing Yards, which will be higher?

Drew Brees Super Bowl XLIV                                          +120

Dan Marino Super Bowl XIX (318 Passing Yards)                   -150

 

HISTORICAL MATCHUP - Total Passing Yards, which will be higher?

Drew Brees Super Bowl XLIV                                           -300

Peyton Manning Super Bowl XLI (247 Passing Yards)            +24

20 days until pitchers and catcher report.

* Not that it's news to my daily readers, but I'm a complete idiot. I have this feeling that I had to do something this weekend, and I can't for the life of me remember what it is. I know Sunday I have a broomball game, but I was thinking it was something on Saturday. If I told you I was going to do something on Saturday, please let me know. I feel like a complete idiot.

Speaking of, I'm screwed because for some reason the spell check on Firefox isn't working. So, you may see some really silly, stupid words misspelled.

* Baseball Prospectus has its PECOTA projections up, and has the Reds finishing second in the NL Central with an 82-80 record, trailing the 89-win Cardinals.

* Keith Law of ESPN has his top 100 prospect list (it's for insiders), Aroldis Chapman is No. 16, Todd Frazier is No. 66, Mike Leake is No. 72, Yonder Alonso is No. 76 and Chris Heisey is No. 88.

Law has Zach Stewart at No. 55, Stewart was the key piece of the Scott Rolen trade.

* Jim Edmonds has signed with the Brewers in his attempt to play for every NL Central team. I guess he knows all the stadiums well enough to know just which balls he can dive for when he doesn't need to dive.

* Nick Markakis has an awesome beard.

* Did Mike Bacsik grove a pitch for Barry Bonds' 756th? Bacsik says he didn't, he was "just crappy enough to do it without trying."

* Another Cuban player defects, this time a 26-year old first baseman/outfielder.

* Chad Ochocinco wants to kick in the Pro Bowl, Bengals fans wish he'd have kicked in the playoffs.

* This is one of the coolest pieces of college football memorabilia I've ever seen -- Joe Paterno's glasses.

* RIP J.D. Salinger. I know it's cliche, but I read The Catcher in the Rye at least once a year.

* An interview with Michael Chabon about one of my absolute favorite books, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay

* Suzanne Vega is back, she has one of the more underrated albums of the early 90s, to me, 99.9 F.
 
* Vanity Fair looks downs its nose at the Creation Museum and Cincinnati.

* My favorite Top Chef contestant, Kevin Gillespie, has dropped out of the Bocuse d'Or.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Came down here to see what was going on with the Reds caravan, about 750 people joined me.

Nothing too exciting, really.

Only one fan asked a question of Bob Castellini, who was making one of his three stops on the caravan. The question was about getting an All-Star game.

"We'll get it," Castellini said. "We're on the case."

Thom Brennaman, the MC, noted that the games were picked "two or three years in advance" and Castellini jumped in, "more than that."

From what I hear, there's a chance at the 2017 game or the 2019 game. Baseball has said they could have the 2019 game -- the 150th anniversary of pro baseball -- but the Reds want the 2017 game.

I asked Walt Jocketty about Orlando Cabrera, and he said they've certainly had some interest and talks with him. As far as Jonny Gomes, they've talked more with his agent. With musical chairs going on with outfielders, Gomes could be left standing.

Overall, Jocketty said, "we are over budget." As for any additions, they'd have to be "reasonable and something that fits what we're trying to do." So basically, it'd have to be someone who agrees to a minor league deal, it doesn't look like they're willing to change the 40-man roster.

As for another off-the-wall rumor (Gary Sheffield), Jocketty said, "no."

During a Q&A with fans, someone asked him if he'd talked to the agent for Johnny Damon, Jocketty responded, "Johnny who?"

He then said he'd talked to Scott Boras, but "I don't think we'll be able to do that." He then added that "they think he's still with the Yankees."

Another question was about Edinson Volquez, and he said he was doing "great" and he hopes Volquez can return in early August.

Jocketty also said he expects Yonder Alonso to start the season in Louisville and still sees him as a year away from the big leagues.

Also on the trip was Todd Benzinger, who was asked which players he's seen at Dayton that could have an impact in Louisville soon. He mentioned shortstop Miguel Rojas, a 20-year old shortstop. "He's as good defensively as anyone in the game, the big leagues included."

Here are some photos from the Reds' Michael Anderson: