Spending T-Day working, anchoring the NEWS believe it or not. Had some great help this evening at 5p & 6p from my colleague Michelle Hopkins. But YIKES! I'm anchoring solo tonight at 11p.

Just posted the latest Broo View Podcast. I have an indepth interview with Brian Kelly, the football coach at the University of Cincinnati, as well as BCS expert, Jerry Palm. You can find the BVP on my my web site, www.kenbroo.com. But if you're in a hurry to get to all of those "Black Friday" bargains, you can also download it here.

When will the NFL give us all a break and NOT schedule the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day. Who cares about tradition, when a team is as lousy as the Lions. Get good first, then we'll put you on national television. Same thing with the Cowboys, but for different reasons. Rotate teams so that every club has a chance to play on T-Day. There are now three games, six teams, who play on this day every year. 32-teams populate the NFL. That means, a team would get to play on Thanksgiving Day every five years or so. That, to me, makes more sense than sticking on a turkey like the Lions, on national television every Thanksgiving Day.

The mess in Cleveland continues. Romeo Crennel appears to be on his way out. Quarterback Brady Quinn's season is over. And, according to our pal Mike Florio (WHO STILL HASN'T ANSWERED ANY OF MY RECENT EMAILS!) general manager, Phil Savage might be shopping for a U-Haul. Check out Mike's videocast.

The Browns will celebrate ten years of futility for their 'new' team (to go with about 40-from the "old" Browns, next season.

Just posted, the latest edition of Bengals Report Podcast. Mark Hardin and I preview the Bengals upcoming game with the Baltimore Ravens this Sunday. Plenty of good 'sound' from Bengals players. The podcast is posted on my web site, as well as right here!

Tomorrow, I'll have another Broo View Podcast ready for downloading. I have indepth interviews with UC football coach, Brian Kelly, as well as BCS expert, Jerry Palm. It should be posted sometime around 2am Thursday EDT.

More, later tonight.

Random thoughts on a ramdom Tuesday night before Thanksgiving.....

Carson Palmer will test his aching elbow on December 7th. If it isn't the size of a Buick on the 8th, he'll play the following Sunday against the Redskins. Here's a thought: why? Palmer says he's bored standing around the sidelines and watching the rest of the Bengals play. Bored is about as nice a word as you'll find to describe the Bengals these days. With nothing on the line (season wise and offensive line wise) it's absurd to put your $100 million quarterback on the field just to soothe his ego. My guess is someone in the Bengals front office realizes the folly of this and tells Palmer to cool it. But then again, these are the Bengals.....

The Bengals should hire the NY Giants' offensive line coach, just so he can tell them how he pieced together the best line in football.....

What happens if the Giants host the NFC Championship game and the Jets host the AFC Championship game. Has any smart 'suit' in the NFL office thought about that prospect?....

If the UC Bearcats beat Syracuse Saturday afternoon at Nippert Stadium, both the Sugar Bowl and the Orange Bowl will be possible destinations. In the BCS pecking order, the Sugar Bowl will get to pick first. This might come down to UC or Utah for the Sugar Bowl. If you're the city of New Orleans, which group of fans would you want spending dollars on Bourbon Street? Right. I think the Sugar Bowl is more of a possibility for UC than a lot of fans think....

BREAKING NEWS...foxsports.com is reporting that Browns quarterback, Brady Quinn is done for the year. His broken finger will make it impossible for him to continue in 2009. Meantime, our buddy Mike Florio at profootballtalk.com (WHO HASN'T RETURNED MY EMAIL MESSAGES IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS!) says Bill Cowher is indeed a possible replacement for Romeo Crennel in this latest video-cast.

Late this afternoon, the Browns' owner said he'll hold Crennel and GM Phil Savage accountable for this mess of a season....but only after the end of the season....

Our latest Bengals Report Podcast will be posted and ready to go by mid-day Wenesday. You can find it on my web site: http://www.kenbroo.com/....

Still piecing together my Sunday Morning Sportstalk show on 700 WLW here in Cincinnati. But among my guests, so far, will be Reds first baseman, Joey Votto and from the nationalfootballpost.com, Mike Lombardi. I should have some addition guests to announce by Friday. If you live outside the greater Cincinnati area, you can listen on line or on Sirius XM channel 173....

Found this on Sports By Brooks. It's some hilarious cheerleader mishaps (hilarious, I guess if you're not the cheerleader involved)....

And as I like to say....folks, you know that's gotta hurt!

Just posted, my latest Broo View Podcast. This week, I chat with former Cincinnati Reds star, George Foster, who wants to join the cast of Dancing With The Stars, the wildly popular TV show. It's on the front page of my web site: www.kenbroo.com. If you're on the run, you can download it here, as well.

Couple of new things to check out on my web site: www.kenbroo.com. I have the latest Bengals Report Podcast posted. Mark Hardin and I preview the Bengals vs Steelers game Thursday night. And, the latest Broo View Podcast is up and running. I've got an indepth interview with foxsports.com's Alex Marvez.

I'm off to Pittsburgh Thursday (driving, five hours of my life I'll never get back) for the Bengals vs Steelers game. This will be a great game to see, if you're into watching natural disasters. The Bengals will start a rookie at left tackle, his first NFL start and a guard that they signed off their practice squad will line up next to Anthony Collins. This, against a defense that's ranked #1 in the NFL in rushing defense, passing defense and over all defense. It's the same Steelers defense that sacked quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick seven times last month, when the Bengals starting offensive line was playing.

And it'll probably snow.

Listen to my Bengals Group Therapy radio show after the game, approximately 1 AM Friday. It should be good for the soul. You can hear it on 1530 Homer in Cincinnati, www.1530homer.com online.

One more time, there was nothing wrong with the hit Steelers' WR Hines Ward laid on Bengals linebacker, Keith Rivers back in October. But it's a back drop for Thursday night's game. More here, from USA Today.

Just finished watching UC toy with Texas Southern. It was a typical D-1 warm-up game. Two things about this game impressed me. One, was the scoring that is now on this UC team that wasn't there last year. Alvin Mitchell and Steven Toyloy look like they're ready to have big seasons. Toyloy, in particular, is a terrific inside addition. He appears to be the perfect compliment to Biggie McLain. The other thing that I noticed was how well UC played tonight without the ball. By that I mean, the the four Bearcats who didn't have the ball either worked to get open, or worked to get the man with the ball an open look.

The Bengals reconvened today for their short work week. Today, they appeared to be wearing pajamas as they worked out for the Steelers game Thursday night. Matching sweat shirts and pants were all the Bengals were wearing.

They may start a rookie at left tackle. Are you salivating yet, James Harrison? Anthony Collins, a 4th round pick from Kansas this past April, hasn't played a down so far in his rookie season. But because of injuries to Andrew Whitworth and Levi Jones, he may start against the number one defense in the NFL. How much do you think Dick LeBeau's offense will abuse him?

Just posted, the latest Bengals Report Podcast. Mark Hardin and I review the Bengals tie with the Eagles. You can find it on the front page of my web site: http://www.kenbroo.com/. If you're in a hurry you can download it here.

Some things that have been rattling around in my head like a broken ping pong ball this weekend…is our baseball team still in business? The free agent signing period began Friday. I hear the Yankees are going to break the bank and sign CC Sabathia. I hear the Braves are hot after Jake Peavy. I hear the Reds think Ryan Hanigan is a good catcher…what?

Why do I think, if Brian Kelly walked into a dice game in Vegas, he’d let it all ride on the first roll? I love cavalier way he deals with the media. But up seven on the road and going for it on four and one from your own 30. and in the first quarter? Really? Same guy who called for a fake punt, with 30-seconds to go and up only five on South Florida last year? BK, I’m with you win or tie, but you almost lost me there brother…

I’m watching the UK-Vandy game last night, and I’m wondering: if Louisville can do it, if Ohio State can do it, if Pitt and UC can do it, why can UK have both a strong basketball and football program? I know UK has had some bad luck in recent years with injuries, but this is the best they can do?

And speaking of UK: VMI? Last year, Gardner Webb and this year VMI. What’s next year for Billy Gillispie, Slippery Rock?

None of the college football games I watched Saturday, none, held my interest. Ohio State toyed with Illinois, Georgia was never really out of control dealing with Auburn and I already told you about UK. But I’m already salivating over the prime time game next Saturday night: Number one Texas Tech at number five Oklahoma. With Pitt playing at UC for the right to go to the Orange Bowl, this time next Sunday I’ll be reporting to you with carpel tunnel syndrome.

And congratulations to Doug Ramsey and the Elder Panthers. They knocked off Colerain in double overtime Saturday night at Nippert. It was terrific high school football. Colerain is a young team, a surprise to even it’s coach, Tom Bolden. Next year was supposed to be a big year at Colerain. But this year was pretty large. If the Cardinals could have held onto the ball, they might be playing next Saturday night, not Elder. But Elder’s defense had a lot to do with Colerain’s turnovers. Elder can run and throw. And it’s a typical Ramsey defense: hit hard, attack the ball. With Anderson still alive, pursuing a back to back championship in division two and Elder in the state semi’s as well, in D-I, Thanksgiving weekend could be very, very large.

He didn't know you can play to a tie in the NFL? Really?

OK, here's the latest Broo View Videocast with my predictions for this, week #11 in the 2008 NFL season. I was three for three last week. Let's see how I do this time.

Predictions for this weekend: Eagles beat the Bengals 30-17. UC beats Louisville 31-10. The Bearcats and the Muskies win their basketball season openers with ease. Elder and Winton Woods play on in the Ohio High School playoffs.

Just posted, the latest Bengals Report Podcast. You can find it on the front page of my web site: www.kenbroo.com. Or, if you're in a hurry, you can download it here.

I'm not an anarchist by nature, however, these guys at whodeyrevolution.com are certainly inventive. Bet if you go to the game Sunday you'll still see a lot of grown men and women in Bengals attire. I wonder how many morons will show up in a '15' jersey? I still see some of them and laugh every time I do.

Good update here from espn.com's Jayson Stark on what MLB teams are looking for in this off season. Are you ready for some Mark Mulder Cincinnati?

I've got a new Broo View Podcast posted on my web site: www.kenbroo.com. This episode has an indepth interview with Sports Illustrated's John Donovan, who's one of the national baseball writers for that magazine and web site. John and I discuss how the bad economy, and the new tax plan President-Elect Obama wants to implement, may affect free agent signings. If you're in a hurry, you can download the show here. But you'll find the entire archive of Broo View Podcasts on my web site, as well as the latest Bengals Report Podcast.

It’s a bye week. The best thing about this bye week is that the Bengals neutered bye week jokes by winning last Sunday. You knew what was coming if they didn’t beat the Jaguars last weekend, right? Bengals bye week, it’s the bye week minus three.

So with no game to preview this week, here are a couple of things I’ve been wondering about. Because there’s nothing worse than me with free time.

Who exactly was it who thought it would be a good idea to begin this season with three third down running backs on the roster, and nobody who could carry the ball effectively on first or second down? Chris Perry, Kenny Watson, DeDe Dorsey (incidentally, do you remember some of the callers we had on my WLW radio show last season salivating over DeDe Dorsey being the every down back?). The three of them are great, if you begin with third down. I don’t know if Rudi Johnson would’ve have done any better than this group. But I do know this: the Bengals had to scramble to find someone, anyone when Perry proved that he isn’t the same running back he was before getting hurt. And I also know this: the Bengals caught a major break when Cedric Benson was on the street, even if it was because of a couple of DUI arrests.

Here’s something else. At what point did it dawn on the Bengals smart guys that they didn’t have a fullback? It certainly wasn’t when Jeremi Johnson showed up in Georgetown like he did his off season training at Hooters. Watching the Bengals line up tight ends in the backfield, hoping they can pick up the blitz has been comical. When Marvin Lewis arrived, Lorenzo Neal was checking out. Neal didn’t want to be around here anymore. But he was on his couch eating Doritos and out of work in September. The Ravens found him. Did the Bengals even look?

I’m sure there’s an answer to this, but not one I’d like or maybe believe, but why do you use two of your top three draft picks to take wide receivers in April and neither has done anything to help you win a game? OK, Andre Caldwell has been hurt. Jerome Simpson was supposed to be some sort of Spiderman leaper with hands as big as Buicks. Where has this guy been. It’s not like this team has a luxury of drafting players for positions of depth.

You knew you had the artist formerly known as Chad Johnson under contract for the next three seasons. And if you want to keep TJ, all you have to do is slap a franchise tag on him this winter. Presto, you wide receiver problems are over. Now you draft two guys at that same position, who you know full well won’t play. Add the ongoing redemption of Chris Henry to the mix and you’ve done something that seven months down the road looks completely illogical. Hello, your offensive line can stop good defenses and your defense has a grand total of nine sacks and five interceptions in nine games.

So I pick up a copy of USA Today this week and there are the salary totals for every team in the NFL. I see the Bengals checking in at number 20, 20th out of 32 teams. That’s better than it’s been. But look at the teams who’ve spent less and gotten more this season: Baltimore, Denver, Indy, New England and Tampa Bay. What do they all have in common? They all have a shot at going to the playoffs. Better shot than our Cincinnati Bengals do. Yeah, of course, there are teams that spent less and stink. Detroit and Kansas City would come to mind. And there are some that’ve spent more and stink. Oakland and the 49ers would come to mind. But how do teams spend less and do better than the Bengals? Less, better?

Now the battle cry from inside the Bengals locker room is run the table and finish 8-8. They would have to win eight in a row to accomplish that. And the last time the Cincinnati Bengals won eight in a row was exactly when? Four in a row, 2005. Seven in a row in 1970. Six wins to start the 1975 and 1988 seasons. Five in a row in the middle of the 1981 season. Eight in a row? That would have been, never…

And that would get them to 8-8. And how many teams have actually qualified for the playoffs with an 8-8 record? Well, the Rams made it in at 8-8 after the 2004 season. It’s happened. Not often. But let’s get real. You watch football. Philly is due in here next Sunday. Then four days later, they have to go to Pittsburgh. And the Ravens and Browns have both beaten this team. Don’t forget that little trip to Indianapolis.

And that leads to this question. Why is Carson Palmer flying around the lower 48 seeing every orthopedic surgeon not named Tim Kremchek? Is it Palmer who’s looking for someone, anyone in a white coat who’ll tell him it’s OK to play? Or is it the Bengals telling him to take these trips? And if you’re in dutch to Palmer for 100-million over the next six seasons after this one why would you even think twice about letting play another down this season?

You know, maybe I’m too cynical for my own good. But along with frustrating the stripes out of me, your Cincinnati Bengals do something else that’s really tedious. They make me think. Fans shouldn’t have to think. They should only have to root. Thinking is a Monday through Friday thing. Even God rested on the seventh day. With the Bengals, no rest for the downtrodden and mentally weary.

Welcome to the weekend! To get you going, my latest video podcast with some NFL predictions for week #10


Must see for me on Saturday is UC's game with West Virginia. The chance to play in a BCS bowl game is riding on this one, for the Bearcats. Defending WVU quarterback, Pat White, will be no small trick. But to win, UC will have to figure out a way to do that.

We'll get to see how some of our college basketball teams are shaping up between now and Monday, starting with Xavier tonight, at the Cintas Center. The Muskies take on Findlay College. Yep, we'll have the highlights on channel 5 tonight at eleven, along with all of the high school football action.

Just posted on my web site www.kenbroo.com is the latest Bengals Report Podcast. This week, Bengals Report executive editor, Mark Hardin and I have a rare thing to talk about: a Bengals win!
You'll hear comments from Marvin Lewis, TJ Houshmandzadeh and Cedric Benson. If you're in a hurry, you can dowload the latest Bengals Report Podcast here. But check out my web site anyway for past episodes of Bengals Report Podcast and The Broo View Podcast.

Random thoughts bouncing around inside my head like a ping pong ball on this Wednesday night...Brian Kelly's name will come up for every head coaching opening from now until/if he leaves UC. It's the reality of coaching at at a non-mega major. But ask yourself this, as I'm sure Kelly has: would he have a better chance of playing in the national championship game by going unbeaten at UC or coaching at a mid to low level SEC or Big 12 school? There are only a few jobs that I think Kelly will be interested in. Boston College, Notre Dame and Southern Cal come to mind. But those gigs are taken. As long as UC makes a genuine effort, and delivers on keeping him happy, Kelly will stay.....Mick Cronin's UC basketball team beat a good exhibition opponent last week. Carleton has smacked around some big time D-1 schools this fall.....Penn State will suffer, unfairly, from Ohio State's poor performances in recent BCS Championship Games. So long as the Nittany Lions remain unbeaten, they'll go. But, if they fall into the "Land of the One Loss" teams, they'll have no shot.....Alabama will not go unbeaten this year....Watch out for Southern Cal. I still think if they have only one loss by bowl time, they could get to the championship game.....

The Tennessee Titans are good, but they're also very lucky. You get both, when you have a team and a season going like Tennessee has....The Giants are the best team in the NFL, terrific 'front seven' on defense, a magnificent offensive line and their three headed attack at running back is just unreal....The Bengals were talking today like they could run the table and finish 8-8, with Carson Palmer suggesting that 8-8 might get them into the playoffs. I thought he had an elbow injury, not a head injury....The only way Chris Perry carries the football again for the Bengals this year is if Cedric Benson gets hurt.....Perry is finished in Cincinnati, after this season....as if he ever started....

Toughest thing to do is get into a sport if your city doesn't have a franchise....the NBA is a non starter for me....the games on TV are great. But you can't follow a team unless you have indepth coverage from your local media. The NHL is the same way.....

Brandon Phillips won a Gold Glove tonight, which goes to the best fielding player at each position. It's well deserved. He actually should have won it last season....Phillips has become the 'face' of the Reds organization. It's a perfect fit....Good luck and best wishes to our new President. Barak Obama has energized the youth of this country like no politician such JFK. Like Ronald Reagan, he's the right person for the job at the right time. But like Reagan, Obama will soon realize what he's promsing and what he can deliver are far different. With our economy in a full-fledged crisis and a continuing war, the President-elect's honeymoon will be short. Reagan endured and flourished with his personality and charm. He delivered. Obama has the same charisma and the same chance. Delivering is an entirely different thing.....

I'll have a new Bengals Report Podcast ready for you to download on Thursday. Mark Hardin and I will be reviewing the Bengals win over the Jaguars. And Friday, look for my NFL Week #9 predictions in my latest video podcast. You can find both on my web site: www.kenbroo.com.

Just posted, the latest Broo View Podcast. It's on the front page of my web site: www.kenbroo.com. If you're in a hurry, you can download it here. But, be sure to head to my site for previous Broo View Podcasts and Bengals Report Podcast.

Great to be the King...Marvin Lewis reacted to his team finally winning a game by giving it six of the next seven days off. Wednesday is the only mandatory day for players to report, with this coming Sunday being the 'bye' weekend. 1-8 never was so great!

Anyone who doesn't think Pittsburgh is at least the second best team in the AFC is insane. Further proof came Monday night, with another outstanding effort by the Steelers defense. Here's cbsportsline.com with the game story.

Stand by, it will only be a matter of days before you'll hear UC Coach Brian Kelly's name linked to the University of Tennessee job. UT adios'd Phillip Fulmer (nice $7 buyout!) on Monday. Kelly's name will come up a lot this winter, as most national football experts still view UC as a 'stepping stone' job. I don't think UT is a destination for Lord Kelly.

Texas Tech was amazingly good in Saturday night's win over Texas. The Red Raiders are now #2 in the latest BCS poll. But Tech is now in the middle of a grueling stretch. Next up, Oklahoma State Saturday night, then Oklahoma and finally Missouri. If Texas Tech navigates through that without a loss, they may leap frog to number one in the BCS poll, regardless of what Alabama may do.

I still maintain Southern Cal isn't completely out of the running for a spot in the National Championship game. But Ohio State is.

Now go vote. As a wise man once said: "If you vote, you may not get what you want. But if you don't vote, you'll surely get what you deserve." Actually, Jerry Springer told me that years ago. You can see him on our election coverage Tuesday night on WLWT Channel 5. Former Secretary of State (Ohio) Ken Blackwell, too.