A FEW MO' THINGS, 12/5/12
Kate Upton. It's been a while.
-We had to cancel the Weekly Wednesday Chat, and today's blog is coming your way late. #ButchWatch Day Three is just way too consuming.
A school and its fan base sit and wait with baited breath to find out what Butch's next move is. Meanwhile, I wonder how many times we'll be having the same conversations and asking the same questions.
Will we be here in a year? Wondering if UC's coach, whether it's Butch or some other guy, is staying or going? Will it be two years? Three? It's not like Brian Kelly's future at UC was only called into question when Notre Dame came calling?
Best guess, and it's just a guess, is that Butch Jones will stay. I hope he does? But would an announcement about him remaining at Cincinnati give us any assurance that in a year, we won't be sitting through #ButchWatch Part Two? And even if both he and the school triumphantly announce that the coach is staying put, will we get any concrete insight into the future of Nippert Stadium, and the athletic department's financial situation as a whole?
And will this community buy in?
The last three football coaches at UC have, at some point, had to publicly beg fans to come to Nippert. Interest and participation in Bearcat football have become inherent topics when the future of the head coach is up in the air.
Is there anything, especially with some much uncertainty surrounding Cincinnati's conference situation, that suggests that in a year, or two, or three, regardless of whom the coach is, that we won't still be wondering if indeed the public will fully buy into UC football?
-Think Mick Cronin is watching all of this with interest?
Put yourself in his shoes. You've watched as UC has raised its football profile, both locally and nationally. You've watched as four coaches in ten years each contributed to the most prosperous decade in the history of the program? And you've seen the school go out of its way time and again to extend coaching contracts and maintain football.
Aren't you wondering what they'll do for you.
UC has extended Mick's deal, and he's gotten a healthy raise. But as the building of the football program has been a collaborative effort, you've rebuilt basketball from scratch, mostly on your own. And you've done it while replacing the most high-profile coach in school history and amid a toxic atmosphere that threatened to stifle growth.
You'll listen to the talk of a new, possibly expanded Nippert, and wonder what Fifth Third's future is.
You'll hear about how the school will keep football viable, when it's success in that sport is relatively new.
You'll wonder how far they'll go to keep coaches who keep looking to leave, when all you've done is remained committed to staying.
A lot of different parties will be interested in what happens during the next few days at UC. Maybe none will be more interested than the school's basketball coach.
-Jamison Hensley sys it's time to start taking the Bengals seriously. I already was....
What has everyone learned from the Bengals' win streak? While the Bengals often make people regret making predictions about them, it's time to start taking the Bengals seriously. They're looking like a playoff team and they're playing like they have something to prove.
"This team is getting better each week," wide receiver A.J. Green said. "A lot of people said it was out of our reach to make the playoffs, but I feel like we have momentum on our side coming down the home stretch of the season."
There's not another team with more momentum on both sides of the ball. That includes teams that have already clinched a playoff spot like Houston, New England and Denver.
The Bengals have hit their stride on offense. Running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis became the first Bengals player in 13 years to gain more than 100 yards in three straight games. Over the past four weeks, the Bengals have averaged 28.2 points and scored touchdowns on 13 of their past 17 trips to the red zone.
Their defense is stonewalling teams from the end zone. The Bengals are allowing 10.5 points during the win streak and have given up one offensive touchdown in three weeks. Over the past four weeks, Cincinnati's D has four interceptions and 15 sacks.
There's also a different attitude with this team. It surfaced against the Raiders two games ago when offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth was ejected in coming to defense of quarterback Andy Dalton. In other words, these Bengals aren't going to be pushed around.
These young Bengals are growing up quickly. Dalton is among the best quarterbacks in getting the ball into the end zone. (His 24 touchdowns rank only behind Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady.) Green is one of the most explosive wide receivers in the game. And defensive tackle Geno Atkins is the best player whom no one outside this division knows about.
-The winter meetings drag on. Ryan Ludwick might sign a deal soon. They might make a deal for Jacoby Ellsbury. I'd be okay with either, depending on the cost.
Can I ask a question about Kevin Youkilis?
If he was from Oregon, or Texas, or New Jersey, or any place other than Cincinnati? Would you be that excited about the Reds signing him?
I didn't think so.
-I'm a Scrooge when it comes to Christmas music, but this is pretty damn good.
-Here's an interesting look at UK's backcourt issues.
-I think you know by now that I love the NBA. But I'm not sure I can follow a league that lists The Pelicans among it's teams.
-On the other hand, there's Rockets announcer Craig Ackerman.
-Sorry for the lateness. One day I'll be dependable. You can depend on a radio show at 3:04 today on ESPN1530. I liked this more than I should have. I'm old.
