50th edition of My Random Thoughts: Sports, TV, music, food, life.....
Things that popped into my head this week.....
The Bengals made Joe Burrow the highest paid player in the NFL. Ever. Say that out loud. And maybe tear up those old, yellowed, crinkled talking points about the Bengals being cheap and toss 'em in the garbage can?
Playoffs would no doubt be incredible, but I really want this Reds team to at least finish with a winning record. This group deserves to be called winners. 82 wins would be a 20 game improvement from last year. Think about that for a second.
Ever step on Lego pieces in your bare feet that your kids left on the floor?
Over the years, radio legend Jim Scott has called me to say he enjoyed a segment, interview or topic that I did on Sports Talk. Pretty powerful encouragement. Sending thoughts and prayers as he battles ALS.
Wait, Mike Tirico said there will be an * next to the Chiefs losing to the Lions without Travis Kelce and Chris Jones? No. There will be an L. PS....I've always loved the Lions.
A channel called Circle Network is showing Friday Night Lights. I think it's my single favorite TV drama of all-time. Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton are an all-time husband/wife combo. I rewatched the very first episode when QB Jason Street is paralyzed. Damn. So powerful.
I once cracked my sternum when I slipped and tried to catch myself on the parallel bars in 6th grade gym class. I had to wrap my chest with an ace bandage every day for a long time. I struggled with the simple act of buttoning my pants.
Forbes magazine reports the value of the Bengals franchise jumped 17.5% from last year, to $3.5B. Billion with a B. That's a bigger jump than any NFL team. Again, it's on the Bengals to make this roster work, not Joe Burrow.
I collected comic books as a kid. I once wrote a letter to legendary comic book writer Stan Lee asking if he could get Captain America into the Justice League of America. He very kindly explained Captain America was with Marvel Comics and the Justice League was with DC Comics.
Frustration as a kid was when you couldn't find the maroon insert pieces to connect the orange track pieces for Hot Wheels.
You better believe I'll hold my breath when Joe Burrow rolls and scrambles from Myles Garrett on that calf for the first time Sunday.
My Lunch Table Tales might have included me telling some kids that my family owned Lance Crackers.
Explain to me how paying Joe Burrow $55M a year, Ja'Marr Chase $25-30M a year and Tee Higgins $20-25M a year would work? Just enjoy this. Tee is here this year and will be franchise tagged or traded next year.
Hunter Greene was named the Reds nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award. The award is presented to the MLB player who best represents the game through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field. Hunter is the youngest nominee on the list. He's an impressive guy. He gets it.
I'm honored the Bengals have invited me back for my 15th season as co-host of Bengals Line with Dave Lapham on the Bengals Radio Network. The show airs each Monday (6-9pm) on 700 WLW or ESPN 1530.
Joe Mixon was voted a captain by his teammates. Remember that.
FBS teams playing FCS teams is a waste of everybody's time. Oregon 81 Portland State 7, Oklahoma Mississippi 73 Mercer 7, UC 66 EKU 13, Notre Dame 56 Tennessee State 3. Those aren't games. They are scrimmages. Scrimmage in the preseason. Play actual games.
The closest I ever came to failing a class was Calculus at Butler. I had to stand at my professor's desk and watch him grade my final exam when I handed it in. If I had failed, I was going to have to take it during the summer. I passed. Barely.
I'll say it again: This ISN'T the Bengals last shot to win a Super Bowl, but it is THEIR BEST SHOT to win a Super Bowl. The roster, age, health, coach continuity, salary cap status will NEVER be as good as it is this year.
It will be interesting to see which Reds players see their card flip from 'Answer' to 'Question' going into the off-season.
I loved the Sports edition of the Yes & Know Invisible Ink Quiz and Game Book. The pen had an orange cap and you rubbed it on the page to reveal answers. Those were must-have for long car rides.
Remember when your Nerf football got water logged and was never the same after it dried out?
I have the Bengals going 13-4 with losses at Baltimore, at San Francisco, at Jacksonville and one of their final three games (at Pitt, at KC, home CLEV). I considered a Week 2 loss to the Ravens, but couldn't pull the trigger on a Baltimore sweep.
TV shows to go back and watch, if you haven't: Nip Tuck, Rescue Me and The Shield.
When is the last time fans remained happy with a player and the team through the end of a big contract around here?
Elly De La Cruz hit .297 with a .398 on-base at AAA. What the hell would sending him back to Triple-A do? He has to learn to adjust/hit MLB pitching.
My go-to soup as a kid was bean w/ bacon. I bet I haven't had that in over 40 years.
You should stop by our Roundtable Show Thursday at Longnecks in Wilder, KY this week. We talk Bengals, Bearcats, NFL, CFB, 6-9pm.
I can't believe I've done 50 of these Random Thoughts. I had no idea what I was getting into when I decided to try it. Thank you for reading.
Don't worry about things you don't care about.