Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Happy Wednesday.

Who knew the Reds could hit? After the first week of the season, the buzz was about the pitching and the buzz kill about the Reds inability to hit the ball. Did you watch the game Tuesday night? Ten runs, two big three run home runs from Ryan Hanigan and Jonny Gomes and the Reds have now won three straight.

Look, I don't think this team is going to be in the World Series this year. It'll do well just to be in a position to play for a post season spot when the month of September rolls around. But finally, the team has some life to it. The Reds have given their fan base a lost generation. They've been to the playoffs exactly twice in the last 20 years. And if a generation is defined as 25 years, there is really no one alive under the age of 25 who can remember what it's like to have a good baseball team in our town.

When you have a lost generation, you're really talking about 50 years, not 25. Because not only is the under 25 crowd missing the thrill of growing up with a winning team in their town, they're also less likely to support that team when they have kids.

I used to be the color commentator on the University of Maryland football games a few years back. Because of that, I always watch the Terps when they're on TV. I saw several of their games last season and became a fan of offensive tackle, Bruce Campbell. He's big, 6-7 about 325 and looks to be a power blocking pure left tackle. I've said I'd love him to be available when the Bengals pick at #21 in the first round of next week's draft. But I'm hearing this about Campbell from a lot of football watchers I listen closely to: his stock rose dramatically after a terrific NFL Combine and pro workout day. But the game tapes tell a different story about him. I'm told he's going to have a tough time adjusting to the pro game. Oh well....

The Bengals wouldn't consider trading a high pick for the Broncos' wide receiver, Brandon Marshall, would they? Probably not, after signing Antonio Bryant this off season. Marshall is available, after signing his tender offer this week. But imagine him lining up alongside Ochocinco, Bryant and Andre Caldwell. Would there be a better four wide receiver set in the league?

Draft expert, Frank Coyle, from www.draftinsiders.com joins me again this Sunday morning on 700 WLW. Frank's one of the best in the biz and his draft yearbook is a 'must' for anyone who's into the NFL. A lot of mock drafts have the Bengals taking Oklahoma State wide receiver, Dez Bryant. Coyle told me the Bengals should run from this guy. Bad news, he says, on and off the field.