Not a great final tune up for Bronson Arroyo tonight. He went five, but gave up three runs. That's still better than the numbers Aaron Harang has been posting this spring and a light year past where Eric Milton is at this time. So I wouldn't be too concerned

Arroyo starts the second game of the season, next Wednesday against the Cubs.

That mid season trade Wayne Krivsky engineered in 2006 isn't looking so hot tonight. Felipe Lopez and Austin Kearns will be in the Nationals "everyday 8" line-up. Thursday, the Reds put pitcher Bill Bray on the DL and sent Gary Majewski to the minors. But both could be with the 'big club' within a month.

It's almost amazing, but Chris Denorfia has gone from fighting for a spot on the Reds roster to out for the season. Denorfia found out Thursday, his sore forearm is really a blown ligament in his elbow. He'll need Tommy John surgery.

Temperatures predicted in the mid-70's for Opening Day in Cincinnati. Which means it'll probably snow.

Now five days and counting until opening day. Both Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo have one more shot to get it right in spring training. Harang will toss on Wednesday, Arroyo will throw on Thursday.

Spring numbers mean nothing. That’s why you can’t get too worked up over Harang struggling this spring and Arroyo lighting it up.

Hitting is the same deal too. Adam Dunn is at .383, but has struck out every four at bats this spring. Josh Hamilton, the modern day Roy Hobbs is hitting .403, Brandon Philips is picking up where he left off last season, hitting .350.

The biggest concern is Ken Griffey, Junior, who didn’t get into a game this spring until last Sunday. Junior has three hits in his first ten at bat, including a sweet bunt down the third base line Tuesday night against that shift a lot of teams like to throw at him. I’d love to see that a lot more in 2007.

And, with just days to go before the start of the baseball season…my picks?
American League, Yanks in the East, Tigers in the Central and Oakland in the West. National League? Philies, Cards and Dodgers. Wild Cards, Mets in the NL, White Sox in the AL.

Now, check out my web site: www.kenbroo.com. The latest Broo v. Broo is up and running and the boy and I have some hard core opinions on a lot of what's going on in sports. Also up there, the latest "Broo View Podcast". I've got an indepth interview with Reds outfielder Adam Dunn. Later this week, I'll have an indepth interview with Ken Griffey, Junior. Check them out, in the "Podcasts and More" section at www.kenbroo.com.

It's official. When Ken Griffey, Jr, is healthy enough to play again, it will be in right field, not center. That's what Reds manager, Jerry Narron, said today, after the Reds lost to the Tigers in an exhibition game. Junior has been out of commission since breaking his wrist in December, while playing with his kids. He's taken batting practice, outfield practice, he's run, and he's thrown the ball. But Junior hasn't played in a game yet. He could play as early as Thursday, when the Yankees play the Reds in Sarasota.

Here's what I'm told. Junior knew about this move to right field as early as February, when he first reported to camp. He was also told, by Narron, that he would play some centerfield. But Narron backed off that as camp began. I'm also told, one of Junior's big concerns about the move has been the lack of a bona fide centerfielder to replace him. Ryan Freel will get the start in center. But Freel is a utility player with a penchant for getting hurt, and hurting other people.

Junior has been consistent about this: he has never raised the issue and has told Reds management he will play wherever they want him to.

Check out my web site, www.kenbroo.com. The latest edition of Broo v. Broo will be posted sometime over night. It's a really, really good one this week.

Ken

Rare is the team that can win a championship without struggling along the way. And such is the case in this NCAA Tournament with the Ohio State Buckyes. They entered the tourney the number one team in the USA and one of four number one seeds. Saturday, it almost came to a crashing halt.

Here they were, down nine to ninth seed Xavier, an upstart school from Cincinnati. Three minutes remained….when the Buckeyes got a wake up call. First, a three point shot by Jamar Butler…and then, Mike Conley Junior stole Xavier’s inbound pass.

Xavier would lead by three with nine seconds to play. But senior Justin Cage, playing the game of his life with 25-points on eight of eight shooting from the field…missed the back end of a 1-and-1. OSU got the rebound….actually, Conley did…and without calling time out streaked to forecourt where he found Ron Lewis. Lewis was playing the game of his life, 24 points…but three more were to come….with only two seconds to play.

That tied the game. But for all intents and purposes, Xavier was sunk. Zapped. Lewis could see it in their eyes.

In overtime, Xavier took a quick two point lead….but then Conley ripped off seven straight points. And Ohio State survived and moved on. Their coach, Thad Matta, left Xavier in a lurch three summers ago to take the Ohio State job. He knew, at the end of regulation, his team could be drained from having to play catch up the entire second half…or…Xavier could be stunned from being caught. I asked Matta how he kept his team from falling down the drain.
For his answers, head onto over to my web site www.kenbroo.com and click on the "Podcasts & More" section. Check out my latest "Broo View Podcast" for comments from Matta and OSU stars Mike Conley, Jr. and Ron Lewis.

Other observations from opening weekend of the NCAA Tournament? Stanford, Illinois and Arkansas proved their critics were right. Fast exits in lopsided losses showed none of the three belonged in this tournament.

Butler’s win over Maryland in the round of 32 has a lot of people thinking the Bulldogs are back to where they were in December.

And the easiest upset from the opening round to pick turned out to be Winthrop over Notre Dame. Just about every expert had that one.

My two champions from my two brackets remain Kansas and Memphis. We’ll see.

I've got Kansas winning it all. Which will undoubtably be the kiss of death for the Jayhawks. But as we begin the first week of "March Madness", they seem to have the easiest path to the title. We'll see.

I don't see a mid major having the kind of run this season that George Mason had last year. I just think the 1's and 2's are very strong. But you know there will be an opening round upset. My pick for that: Winthrop over Notre Dame.

I got a lot done in my recent trip to the Reds spring training complex in Sarasota, Florida. I saw three complete games and parts of two others. Three things struck me (and no, none were foul balls)

The Reds starting pitching seems to be a lot better this spring than last. Bronson Arroyo and Aaron Harang are a solid 1-2, or 2-1. Eric Milton is always a dicey deal. But he did keep the ball 'down' in the outing I saw last week. Kyle Loshe didn't pitch. He was nursing a sore hamstring. But Paul Wilson did. And he looked terrific. I know it's only one outing in the spring. But if Wilson is back from his shoulder surgery, the Reds may have a real bargain.

I loved what I saw, and heard, from Josh Hamilton. I did an extensive interview with Josh that will appear on WLWT in Cincinnati and an audio portion of it on www.kenbroo.com. Check back later in the week for both. Hamilton has hit the ball well this spring. True, he's not seeing the entire repetoire that pitchers have. But he has one of the sweetest swings in camp. His defense is solid. His past is his past. But if that's history now, the Reds may have come up with the steal of the century.

Finally, Homer Bailey isn't ready for the majors. He's close. But when I saw him last week, he was not making the 'in game adjustments' good pitchers have to make in the majors. His fastball is mid-90's. But, it was flat and worse, high. With the need for a fifth starter only marginal early in the season...two or three times between opening day and June 1, my guess is Bailey will start in AAA. Good for him. He needs the time.

Hello from sunny and warm Sarasota, Florida. I'm spending the week at the Reds spring training facility. Check in at www.kenbroo.com mid day Wednesday. I'll have my latest "Broo View" podcast up and running with some thoughts from Reds' ace, Aaron Harang.

I've caught part of one game and most of another since arriving on Monday. The Reds beat the Phillies Monday, 9-8 on a suicide squeeze expertly executed by relief pitcher Brian Meadows.

Tuesday some of the Reds regulars and a couple of their big league pitchers took a short bus trip up to St Petersburg and beat the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Adam Dunn and Scott Hatteberg each went two for three. And after a not so hot spring start, pitcher Eric Milton rebounded with a decent three inning one run effort.

They play the Yankees Wednesday night in Tampa. I'll have more before that game, on www.kenbroo.com.

A good man is leaving Cincinnati. The Bengals cut Brian Simmons today. Head Coach Marvin Lewis inherited Simmons, when Lewis arrived in town back in 2003. By then, Simmons was a fixture on a not so great Bengals defense (it still isn't even good), a former first round draft pick in 1998.

Simmons game was never physical. He was athletic, very active around the ball and involved in tackles. But his elongated neck left him susceptible to injury. "Stinger" was a word you heard a lot, when Simmons came up with an injury. But, oh, could he play. It's not a secret, when Simmons was out for a month with an injury, opponents exploited the Bengals defense by using their tight ends. Simmons was the only Bengals linebacker who looked like he had a clue how to deal with a pass catching tight end.

But as good a player as Brian Simmons was around here, he was a better man. After a loss, and there were plenty of those in his nine years in Cincinnati, Simmons would always talk to the media. On Wednesdays before games, media days when papers and TV stations gathered their interviews for the upcoming games, Simmons was always available. A lot of his team mates dodged the media, some even leaving the building.

Today reminds all of us that above everything else, the NFL is a business. It's not "what have you done for me lately." It's more like "what can you do for me right now"? The Bengals obviously believe their money can be better spent on a younger, stronger linebacker, someone who may be a better player. It's a slippery slope for this team, which has brought in its share of thugs in recent years.

The Bengals may find a better player. But they won't find a better man than Simmons. Good luck Brian. You deserve it. And thanks.

I'm back from an enjoyable (well almost) Saturday at my alma mater. Veterans to this blog know that I live and breath Ohio University sports. Veteran channel 5 viewers in Cincinnati, Ohio, heard me Friday night say no other games this weekend mattered except the one between Ohio and Kent State Saturday. I said it tongue firmly planted in cheek, of course. There were a multitude of big games this weekend, not the least of which is Ohio State vs Wisconsin Sunday.

It was great being back at the Convocation Center in Athens, Ohio. It is a virtual replication of the basketball arena at Notre Dame and it has held up well over time. Good seats, great viewing lines and wide concourses. In a lot of ways, the "Convo" was ahead of its time. If you live in Ohio, you should know at least some of your tax dollars were spent wisely.

Saturday was one of those rare family days you experience when your children are older and their lives have taken them exclusively from you. My wife (proud OU grad), son (not an OU grad but we're still proud of him, an assistant prosecutor in Hamilton County) and my daughter (very proud of her, Ohio class of '08 if the GPA hold up) watched our Bobcats take on a very good Kent State team. And by the way, thanks to Ohio graduate assistant coach Doug Dewey for the seats. Doug is a Cincinnatian, a solid student-athlete at Glen Este High School not so long ago.

The Bobcats are struggling these days, having now lost four of their last five. They should've beaten New Mexico State, but ran out of gas after being up 19. They should have beaten Kent State, but could not get a 'stop' in the final ten minutes and were too sloppy with the ball in the final minutes. This current Bobcat team is an enigma: it has balanced scoring, with strong inside play. It could use a true center, but what mid-major school couldn't? The Bobcats could also use a true point guard. The had one, but a young man named Antonio Chatman took a hike on the team earlier in the year for personal problems. It's hurting the 'Cats a lot right now.

Kent State won by two, when, inexplicably, the Golden Flashes were allowed to hold the ball almost at mid court while the clock wound down. That kind of maneuver you rarely see in the NBA anymore. A lay up, seemingly uncontested, with 3.5 seconds to go won the game for Kent.

But other than that, the experience of the event was terrific. The school now allows the students to sit courtside. It reminded me of when I called ACC basketball games on television and we made our trips to Cameron at Duke. And the theatrics of the students were a great side show. I used to think Duke, and to a degree Maryland, students were the best at their good natured bashing of the opponent. The "O" section is right there with them. I asked someone seated near me to point out one of my favorite posters on www.bobcatattack.com, a guy named "Dragon". I don't know how this kid has time to go to class, with all of the posting he does on that board. Sure enough, the person I asked knew who he was.

And, at halftime, they brought back some of the guys who helped make Ohio basketball the tradition that it is. It was good to see Tom Corde again, a Bobcat star some of the years I spent in Athens. If you didn't know, Ohio University is celebrating 100 years of basketball this season.

After an enjoyable dinner at at Stephens, a downtown Athens restaurant (my daughter always seems to 'rope' me into going there as opposed to The Diner, which is my favorite place), it was back on Route 32 West, through the sleet, back to Cincinnati.

I'm writing about this today because I know a lot of my friends and fellow Bobcats read this blog. Maybe some of you haven't been back to Athens for a basketball, or football game in awhile. You should think about doing that. The campus is beautiful, the atmosphere at the events is great, always something going on during time outs, and the teams can use your support. Take a day or a weekend, buy a ticket, and make some noise when you get to Peden or the "Convo".

You can thank me later.

Xavier got done what it had to get done tonight. It beat Rhode Island in a showdown for first place in the Atlantic 10. Justin Doellman was simpy terrific. The senior inside man went 10 of 16 from the floor and dropped in 29 points. Junior guard, Drew Lavender finished with 22 points and seven rebounds. And even more impessive, the Muskies went to the foul line 36 times and made 30 shots. You won't lose many games when you make 83% of your free throws.

I don't think Xavier has the stuff to play deep into the NCAA Tournament. But the mission its been on since the season opener is well within reach. For the first time since joining the Atlantic 10, Xavier's goal is to win the regular season conference title. Now 10-3 and tied for first with UMass (and really ahead of the Minutemen since they beat UMass earlier this season), that should be a realistic possibility.

I spent some time on the phone tonight with Joe Nuxhall. The beloved Reds broadcaster is out of a Florida hospital tonight and back home. In fact, Nuxie under went the first of his chemotherapy treatments immediately after getting out of the hospital. He then went to visit friends at the Reds training complex. After that, it was out to buy a set of tires for the family car.

He continues to battle lymphoma. But he told me tonight, he'll be at Great American Ball Park for Opening Day. We'll roll out the red carpet for you, I told Nuxie. He said "I'll walk on it."

ESPN's poll has Ohio State number one in mens college basketball. AP has Wisconsin number one (though not for long, after Michigan State beat the Badgers on Monday night). I don't think either of them are the best team in the country. Florida is, despite its loss last weekend at Vanderbilt. There is no team in America that wants to face the Gators in the NCAA's.

You think by Bernie Williams refusing to accept a minor league deal from the Yankees, he's actually admitting he doesn't have it anymore? The Yankees aren't in a position to offer him a spot on their 25 man roster. But he would have every opportunity to earn one with a solid spring training. Williams isn't even returning phone calls to Joe Torre or the Yanks GM, Brian Cashman. Sad way for one of the last links to the latest Yankee dynasty to go out.

It's a fascinating story playing out in Sarasota. It could have a happy ending, or one that could be devastating.

The Cincinnati Reds have reported to spring training. Pitchers and catchers reported over the weekend along with a handful of everyday players. Josh Hamilton is there.

Hamilton was the number one overall pick by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 1999. Coming out a small high school in North Carolina, Hamilton was one of the best baseball players in a generation. He could hit for power and average, run, throw and field. Hamilton was the classic 'five tool player'. Within two years, after injuries had prevented him from playing a full season in the minors, Hamilton was mired in a world of alcohol and drug abuse. Instead of standing in the outfield for the Rays, he was flat on his back in a crack house. The Rays were patient, giving him chance after chance. But this past winter, they finally cut their ties with him. Sensing this might happen, the Reds did their homework on Hamilton. The had a first person encounter with him: Reds manager, Jerry Narron, had known Hamilton since the one time phenom was in grade school.

Reds General Manger, Wayne Krivsky snagged Hamilton in baseball's Rule 5 draft, in December. It was a calculated risk. If Hamilton isn't good enough to make the Reds' 25 man roster, he has to be offered back to the Rays for $25,000, half of what it cost the Reds to draft him. If he is good enough, the Reds have found an ultimate bargain, one who has options, the ability to be sent back to the minors without risk of being claimed for three years after this coming season.

Monday, in Sarasota, Hamilton held a 40 minute news conference. He says he's clean and sober. He and his wife brought only one car to spring training, he caries no cash and will have someone handle his meal money on the road this season. He wants no temptations. Hamilton even quoted a verse from the bible. But like most recovering addicts, it all sounds good. The proof will be how he lives his life, not how he talks about it. On a lot of levels, Reds fans can't help but pull for him.

Reliever Gary Majewski, damaged goods when he arrived from DC last summer, is still not healthy. He's been put on a 'pitching program'....not good....The Bears go to the Super Bowl on the strength of their defense, then fire their defensive coordinator, Ron Rivera, Monday...there's a story behind that that's about to explode....Norv Turner surfaces as head coach of the San Diego Chargers. He's flamed out twice as a head coach. But even Turner can screw up with the talent he has in San Diego....Dressed in a black vest and purple shirt Monday night, Kansas State head coach Bob Huggins appeared to be dressed more for hosting a Mardi Gras party, not a basketball game...NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, is bringing in some of the best and the brightest from his game this week to discuss how to cut down on the trouble some of his players get into, off the field. Here's a question: why bring in the 'good guys'? Bring in some of the idiots that get into trouble. And don't ask them how they can stay out of trouble. Tell them if they get into trouble again, they're suspended for a year. Then work it out with the union.

Check out the latest edition of Broo v. Broo. You can find it on my web site: www.kenbroo.com. Broo v. Broo is 'the' most opinionated sports show in cyber space. This week, we deal with NASCAR's cheating, free agency in the NFL, who's number one in college hoops and a myriad of other this.

It was great to see Carson Palmer win the MVP award at this year's Pro Bowl game. It gave us a taste of what it might be like, if Palmer and his Bengals could ever get to that next step and be a legitimate playoff contender. But I have a serious question about the Pro Bowl: what is the point?

Has this game outlived its usefulness? It used to be a nice reward for players who'd had outstanding seasons. Most weren't making a lot of money, so a week paid vacation to Hawaii, with only a few grunts, groans and tackles asked for in exchange was a pretty good deal.

Now, virtually every player selected to play in the Pro Bowl is making hundreds of thousands of dollars every season (some of course, much more than that.) Almost 20 percent of those selected beg off, most with some phantom injury.

And you have to ask why any team would want one of its star players involved in a meaningless game where a serious injury could occur? I'm sure the Saints are asking themselves that tonight, after Drew Brees dislocated his elbow in Saturday's game. The Bengals are breathing easier, after holding their breath watching Chad Johnson go down with what turned out to be only a knee 'tweak'.

I have a much better idea as to how the NFL can address its all star situation. In fact, it's part of this week's Broo v. Broo, which you can find posted on my web site: www.kenbroo.com. Head on over there and check it out. It's in the "Podcasts & More" section.

We're on the verge of some big, big college basketball games this weekend. Xavier plays Saturday night at George Washington. The emerging landscape in the Atlantic 10 would suggest that Xavier needs to win this game if it wants to win the conference champioship. "GW" is just a game behind the Muskies and Rhode Island, who are both just a half game out of first

Indiana and Ohio State will both make the Tournament. But it's all about seeding. Ohio State has a Saturday game against Purdue....Indiana plays Illinois. And Kentucky's Saturday night game at Rupp against Florida will give the Wildcats a good indication if their recent solid play is for real. UK could play Florida three times this season, counting the SEC Tournament.

Finally at .500, Miami plays Ball State in Oxford and UC is trying to finish with dignity, having lost ten of its last eleven. The Bearcats are at Rutgers.

And there's an intriguing game in Athens, where the Ohio Bobcats take on Northern Illnois. Ohio is two games back of Akron in the MAC East. Akron has lost once in conference play, to Ohio. Northern Illinois is dead last in the MAC West, 5-17 overall.

A wild week for the Reds ended Friday without a wimper. But on Tuesday and Thursday, the Reds were spending freely. Between Aaron Harang and Bronson Arroyo, the Reds have invested $71 million over the next four years. Four year deals for pitchers can be dicey (see Eric Milton who only signed for three). But for quality arms, it's the price of doing business these days.

The Reds are paying a little more now, to avoid paying a lot more later. Harang still had two more years before becoming a free agent. But his arbitration salary could have increased to the nine million dollar range next off season. Arroyo still had two years to go before his current contract expired. He too, could be in that seven to nine million dollar range. As scarce as quality pitching is, and with the Reds trolling for even more, these deals make a lot of sense. But get this: the Reds payroll was just a little under $61 million in 2006. In 2007, six players, Ken Griffey, Jr, Eric Milton, Adam Dunn, Kyle Lohse, Harang and Arroyo will earn a total of $45.5 million.

If you're scoring at home, or just lonely, pitchers and catchers report to Sarasota one week from tomorrow. The first workout is Monday, February 19.

It's National Letter of Intent day all over the USA. The best high school football players are signing up for free rides.

Brian Kelly did well. He's been on the job for about 60-days as the head football coach at the University of Cincinnati. Kelly snagged one of the better running backs in the Tri-State, Montez Patterson from Cincinnati Hughes HS. His senior year, Patterson rushed for over 14-hundred yards and 13 touchdowns. At 6-1, Patterson could also be moved to defensive back.

Miami only signed one greater Cincinnati player today. Lakota West linebacker, Alex Kaufman will head to Oxford.

Kentucky took only one Tri-Stater, Holmes wide receiver-quarterback-defensive back-kick returner, Duran Jefferson.

My Bobcats did very well. They got four from the greater Cincinnati area, including two very good defensive lineman. I saw both Wyoming's Jeff King and Harrison's Curtis Meyers play this season. Meyers was very active, good block shedder and run stuffer. And in getting Lakota East wide receiver, Riley Dunlap, the Bobcats get a major upgrade in the speed department.

More scholarships will open up at Ohio. I know of at least one player who's been told he's losing his spot on the team. So Frank Solich may not be done signing players just yet. But for a school that has long abdicated southwest Ohio to Miami, the Bobcats appear to be back in business in these parts.

How does Indianapolis not win this game Sunday? The way I see it, only one way: if Peyton Manning doesn't show up. If he goes to a movie theatre by mistake and gets engrossed in a film, the Bears have a chance. If Manning hits Taco Bell on the way to the stadium and it doesn't go down so well, the Bears have a chance. If, by chance, Manning is abducted by aliens and flown for a rendezvous with the Hale-Bopp Comet psychos, the Bears have a chance.

But if Manning shows up in Miami Sunday night and is the Manning we all have come to know and respect, the Bears don't have a shot.

I know all about the track record for big favorites in this game. I know if you give a good coaching staff two weeks to prepare for a giant, the giant can be slayed. But I don't see it happening Sunday.

Colts 27 Bears 14.

Just posted on my web site, the latest edition of Broo v. Broo. We get into it this week about who'll win Sunday and various other disagreements. Zip on over to www.kenbroo.com and check it out on my "Podcasts and More" page.

Also, get a grin from my latest offering "Broo Ha Ha", a weekly bit of sports humor. It's posted on the front page of www.kenbroo.com

Not exactly local...but an interesting thing on the new contract Barry Bonds has signed. If he's indicted by the federal government in its steroid investigation of major league baseball, the San Francisco Giants can void his contract. Bond's personal trainer is in prison for refusing to testify before the jury whether or not Bonds perjured himself in 2003. Then, Bonds told a grand jury he didn't knowingly use any steroid or performance enhancing drug. Stay tuned on this one. Almost $16 million dollars are on the line.

Just posted today on my web site, www.kenbroo.com is the latest "Broo View". I've got an interview with Cincinnati Reds pitching phenom, Homer Bailey in this latest edition. Also, brand new and on the front page is my latest feature: the Broo Ha Ha of the week. Check it out.

Ken

Chris Henry, spending the night as the guest of Kenton County, Kentucky. Mister Henry, you'll be in the third cell to your right.

A judge in Kentucky put Henry behind bars for 90-days today and then cut that to only two days in jail. And while so light a sentence in real time is interesting, so too were the judge's words to Henry, calling him a 'cancer' on the team and telling Henry he may have cost his teammates their only shot at playing in a Super Bowl.

It was the kind of talk, caught on camera by news photographers in the greater Cincinnati area, that should have been delivered to Henry by his head coach, Marvin Lewis. Maybe it was. Lewis never reveals what he says to any of his players. But he should have made an exception with regards to Henry. What he did started the Bengals down into the legal abyss that nuked their season.

What if Lewis had revealed what he said in private to Henry. Would it not have served as a warning alarm to the rest of that locker room? And what if some one of the other legal offenders who followed Henry to the local police stations this year had heard what Marvin said and were deterred from breaking the law themselves? Would not that have been considered as big a coaching maneuver as any touchdown play? We'll never know.

But we know this. Lewis and the Bengals can't help themselves. The day Marvin promised to get tougher and go back to the kind of disciplinarian he was when he first arrived here, the same day he said that, Lewis went out and signed a free agent who spent almost 300 days in jail for assault and robbery.

Just posted on my web site www.kenbroo.com is an excerpt from last Sunday's Sports Rock! on WLWT Channel 5 in Cincinnati. It's an interview George Vogel and I conducted with UC head basketball coach, Mick Cronin. Just click here and it will take you to the page on my web site with the Cronin interview and other cool audio. Go to the "Ken's Other Gigs" paragraph!

Finally....finally Carson Palmer has spoken out. I say finally because Palmer rarely says anything that close to noteworthy. He's a direct disciple of Marvin Lewis, the king of non informational comments. In this day of 'gotcha' journalism, I'm not sure I blame him. But it was refreshing to hear what Palmer said today regarding the latest Bengal to spend time behind bars, Johnathan Joseph. The rookie cornerback was arrested Monday night and charged with posession of marijuana.

Palmer said, "It has to stop. If it doesn't stop, we're not going to have any fans left." The Bengals quarterback went onto say about nine of his teammates being arrested in the past nine months, "It's ridiculous. We can't get through a month without getting a guy arrested."

The mere fact that Palmer is talking this way publicly may be the best indication that things will be getting better. For years, almost a decade, the Bengals have had no vocal leader in their locker room. Team management did a terrific job of extracting that from the equation, not wanting to be publicly embarrassed by something one of their employees said to the media. They traded that, I suppose, for being embarrassed by DUI's, drugs and resisting arrest charges.

A great way for the Bengals make the jump from pretender to contender is what Palmer finally did today: stand up and assume the responsibility of his position. Like it or not, the quarterback position is one of leadership. It goes with the turf. Look at the Indianapolis Colts, or New England Patriots, the Eagles. All have vocal leaders at quarterback. Let me ask you this: do you think for a minute any of this garbage that's been going on around the Bengals would be tolerated for a moment by Peyton Manning or Tom Brady? They may not have been able to stop it completely. But they'd be vocal enough to prevent some of it.

Palmer took a giant step today. He needs to take another. Next time something blows up on the Bengals, like their playoff hopes did this year against the Broncos and the Steelers, Palmer needs to name names. Nothing drastic mind you, just a gentle 'calling out'.

I could be wrong on this. But I think that may be as big to the general health of the Cincinnati Bengals, as any touchdown pass he'll throw.

Just posted on my web site, www.kenbroo.com is the latest Broo v. Broo. It's the hottest sports opinion show in cyber space. We're talking NFL playoffs, NCAA hoops and whether or not the NHL will ever be on the same level as Major League Baseball, the NFL or NBA.

When you get to www.kenbroo.com, check out some of my other interviews. Go to the menu bar on the left hand side and click "Podcasts & More"

Just posted on my web site www.kenbroo.com is my latest Broo View podcast. Click here, if you're in a hurry and can't get there. I don't take it easy on the Bengals.

Also, I've finally posted a radio interview I did with Ohio University football coach, Frank Solich, earlier this month. It's in the "Podcasts & More" section in the "Ken's Other Gigs" category. But, I'll save you some time today, just because it's Monday. You can click here to listen to my interview with the man who's resurrected the Ohio football program.