THE BROO VIEW with Ken Broo

Random thoughts for a random Friday....

The Reds have now officially moved into the non-relevant part of the 2009 sports scene. Call me when the hype for 2010 begins...

I predict by the close of business on Friday the Reds will have done nothing to appreciably improve their chances for 2010. They'll dump either David Weather or Arthur Rhodes and get some minor league suspects in return. Then, we'll hear how great these guys coming to the Cincinnati organization will be, can be, should be....shoot me. I've heard this line of crap for the last 19 years. It never NEVER happens.

You know why the Reds can't/won't make any moves? The economy is horrid and so is the way this team is playing. It was doomed from the start of this season. Pitching, speed and defense? That kind of torque-esh move in a five month span from a power hitting team? I said in the Fall it wouldn't happen. It didn't. The Reds put themselves in this spot by signing Willy Tavares to a $6.8 million contract when the rest of the baseball world was just about asking Willy to pay them to let him play. The Reds put themselves in this spot by signing Mike Lincoln to a guaranteed two year deal. What??? For a guy who couldn't lift a doughnut with his right arm two years ago? The Reds put themselves in this situation by signing Edwin Encarnaction to a guaranteed two year deal this past winter. The problem with EE can be summed up in this phrase: he doesn't have the glove to play third base nor the bat to play the outfield. Wasted millions right there. Architect of those moves: Castellini, Jocketty and Baker. When the gatherings at GABP number 7,000 or so in about two weeks, they'll have no one to blame but themselves.

Wasn't Wayne Krivsky's firing last April supposed to stop the losing? Dude, where's my baseball team?

The Bengals hit the practice field for their first training camp workout later today. 8-8 this season, you heard it here first. They don't have a stable offensive line (just Andrew Whitworth and Bobbie Williams) and because of that, they won't have a dominant running game. Without that, you can't win in any cold weather environment. But 8-8 may set the stage for 2010. Keep hope alive...

But their defense will be a lot better. It won't be as good as what you saw the final couple of games in 2008. The opposition then wasn't very good and the Bengals excelled. But the 'D' could be the best we've seen around here in years...decades..

I hope Mike Brown wears a wireless mic for the Hard Knocks crew. That could be some riveting television. They'll have to hold Mike to a strict limit on four syllable words. My guess is three per segment...

Over/under on Ochocinco blow ups? Four. I'll take the over...

I wonder what Odell Thurman thinks about, when the lights are out and the evening is quiet. I wonder if he thinks about how he blew it. He could be making millions. Instead, he's spending what little money he has left on legal fees. What a waste...

Why am I believing, more and more, that Michael Vick will wind up with the Patriots? Answer: because Bill Bellichick is the one guy who can afford the luxury of Vick on his team, because of the starting quarterback he has.

Two playoff teams will come from the AFC East this season: New England and Buffalo. Two will come out of the North: Pittsburgh and Baltimore. But I think the best division race will be in the South, where anyone of three teams could win it...

Nine wins get you in the playoffs IF you're an NFC team. You'll need eleven in the AFC....

Just booked for my radio show Sunday on 700 WLW, MLB umpire Joe West, due to join me at 10:05 am. I'm taking your calls and welcoming guests from 9am-Noon EDT.

Sports Rock! Sunday night on WLWT NBC '5' in Cincinnati features former Bengal Eric Thomas and talented author, Lonnie Wheeler, who's latest book on Cincinnati area prep stars of yesteryear "Legends" will be a big seller.

I'm with Kentucky Speedway owner, Bruton Smith, in his private box Saturday night for the Meijer 300 at the Speedway. I've never met the man so I'm looking forward to it.

Have a great weekend!