2009: Start of Something New for the Bengals?

So as everyone knows the NFL draft was this past weekend. The two days that can make or break a franchise are over and unlike most years I am completely thrilled with the way the Cincinnati Bengals handled the draft. With the sixth overall pick the Bengals had the choice between Andre Smith from Alabama or Eugene Monroe from Auburn, both great prospects and made the decision to go with Smith. Monroe has less baggage but at the same time they are both great athletes. The Bengals followed this solid pick with what is arguably the biggest steal of the draft by getting Rey Maualuga in the second round. Initially thought to be a mid-first rounder he will be an immediate impact and will solidify the Bengals defense for years to come. They then took another defensive playerin Michael Johnson who has a ton of upside. They followed this pick by taking arguablly the best tight end in the draft followed by the best punter in the nation. They are finally doing what is needed to create a solid franchise. From the loyal fans, Thank You.

Its time for a playoff

Year after year the college football season ends by crowning confernce champions and placing the best teams into bowl games. While this system works to a point it does not always lead to the best two teams playing each other in the National Championship Game. This will again be the case this year. I find it hard to believe that Alabama which is ranked number 1 is better than Florida which is ranked number 4. This however will be figured out in the SEC championship game. Even with this fact no one can tell me that Texas Tech, Texas, and Oklahoma, who are all in the same conference, do not deserve a chance to play in the National Championship game too. To sum it up i believe that a playoff must be created.

The playoff would include all of the conference champions, which this year include Oklahoma, USC, Penn State, Alabama or Florida (yet to be decided), Boston College, UC, Utah, Ball State, Boise State, Troy and Tulsa. There would also be several at large bids which this year would include Ohio State, Texas, Texas Tech, Florida or Alabama (depending on who wins the conference) and Georgia. They would then be placed against each other in basically the same way that the NCAA Basketball sweet 16 is made. They would recieve their rankings from the BCS and then its up to who shows up on gameday. So what do you think?

SPORTS: Overview of Recent Events in the World of Sports

So its been awhile since i've done one of these but i come back to you with a good one. An overview of the recent major sporting news.

I'll begin with the NFL. The Tennesse Titans continued there chase for the perfect season with a 19-16 nail-biting win over the Green Bay Packers. Also, as a side note the Cincinnati Bengals got their first win of the season defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars 21-19. Lets go Bengals!

In college football Texas Tech shocked Texas 39-33 and then got screwed out of a first place ranking, which they deserved. Oh, and Alabama is your new number one. Can you say Texas Tech = National Champions?

The MLB season is now over but not without some drama. After twice being delayed game 5 of the World Series was played and the Phillies rapped up a great season with a World Series victory. Better luck next year Tampa Bay.

In the NBA a major trade happened today when the Denver Nuggets dealt Allen Iverson to the Detroit Pistons. To me that makes them an automatic contender for the NBA title. Yet, I still have to stick with my team... GO SPURS!!!

College Basketball is about to begin, so its time for my preseason picks. The best team, by far, is the Tar Heals of North Carolina. They return their top six players from last year and add two stellar freshman players in Tyler Zeller and Ed Davis. My sleeper is Xavier. Do not, I repeat do not overlook them (I'm talking to you Duke).

Well, thats all I have for you right now. Oh, and if your looking for a great read check out Paul Daugherty's latest article on the Bengal Organization, in which he blasts Mike Brown for the way he is running the Bengals. Thank you Daugherty.

SPORTS: Rays are Going to the World Series

Well, what can be said about the Tampa Bay Rays? They are the best team in the American League this year, period. No arguments. Boston couldn't get it done even with a valiant effort. No one can take away the fact that the Rays beat them fair and square. A seven game series offers more than enough opportunities to win and the Rays capitalized on just enough of them to make their way to the World Series, which is where they belong.

All year they have overcome adversity and they did it again when they absolutely needed to. This is the true David and Goliath story. The little guy coming out on top. It's the feel good story that everyone searches for. While I myself am a Red Sox fan and at the moment am not in the best of moods (if you cant figure out why please read above) I cannot take anything away from a Rays team that out-played them in four of the seven games earning them the right to be in the world series.

I am eager to see the Rays take on the Phillies in the World Series. It is a match-up of two teams that are very young with a ton of talent. It should be an extremely good series featuring many great moments and many tight games. But, I'm sure you saw this coming, GO PHILLIES!!!!

POLITICS: Red States Turning Blue

The election like many other events has its givens. California and New York will vote Democratic. Texas and Virginia will vote Republican. But this year there has been a shake up.

A recent poll from CNN has shown that states that have in the past been safe states for the Republicans are no longer as safe as they seem. Virginia for instance has not voted for a Democratic nominee since the 1964 election, yet a recent poll shows that Obama has a 10 point lead on McCain 53%-43%. The same is true in several other states.

In Colorado, which hasn't voted Democratic in 16 years, Obama has a lead of 4 points winning 51% to 47%.

In Georgia, a state which Bush one handily by 17 points over Kerry, McCain has only a 6 point lead over Obama.

A turning of the tide is being seen. Voters are beginning to realize that voting in a candidate that can turn the country around is more important than being loyal to a party that they have voted for for most of their lives.

SPORTS: New #1 in College Football

With another weekend of upsets behind us the top 25 in college football has once again been shaken up. This past weekend saw #1 Oklahoma get beaten in the "Red River Rivalry" by #5 Texas 45-35, #3 Missouri beaten by #17 Oklahoma State, #4 LSU beaten by #11 Florida, #13 Vanderbilt beaten by unranked Mississippi State and #20 Auburn beaten by unranked Arkansas.

This is the second week in a row where there has been a major shake up in the standings. Now, who does that leave as the #1 team in America if #2 Alabama didn't play?

You might assume Alabama would just move into that #1 spot, but my friend, you would be wrong. Texas jumped all the way from 5th to 1st and claimed the top spot with their upset victory over the Sooners. As a result of the loses by #3 Missouri and #4 LSU the rest of the top 5 also changed. it now goes #1 Texas, #2 Alabama, #3 Penn State, #4 Oklahoma, and #5 Florida. Also as a result of their loses Vanderbilt fell to #22 and Auburn fell out of the top 25.

MUSIC: Paper Trail by T.I.: Album of the Year?

For anyone who may not know who T.I. is, aka those of you who have been living under a rock for the last few years, he is one of the most influential rap artists of our time.

His amazing mixture of head bobbing beats and lyrics that actually have a meaning have created a standard for rap that many artists cannot equal. In a time where the industry is often dominated by artists such as Soulja Boy and songs like "Marco Polo" it is refreshing to have someone whose songs mean something.

"Dead and Gone" is one of my favorite songs on an album that has the potential to be one of the greatest ever made. Every song has the potential to be a hit and several already are including "Whatever You Like" and "No Matter What".

Without a doubt this is my choice for album of the year. Despite the fact that many great albums were released this year I feel that none have the potential for greatness that this album has. If you have not had the chance to listen to this album I highly suggest that you do.