Reds
RHP Mike Leake has agreed to terms on a 1-year contract for the 2013 season, avoiding arbitration.

Hamilton leads promising group of Reds prospects

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Bengals
            Hue Jackson will take on new roles on the Bengals coaching staff in 2013, serving as special assistant to head coach Marvin Lewis and as running backs coach.
            Jackson is in his second term as a Bengals assistant, having re-joined Cincinnati in 2012. He was Oakland Raiders head coach in 2011, with an 8-8 record that tied for best in the AFC West. He had two of the NFL’s best rushing attacks during two seasons at Oakland, including 2010 as offensive coordinator. Released by the Raiders after the break-even ’11 season, Jackson spent ’12 in Cincinnati assisting position coaches with special teams and defensive backs.
            “This is all about us getting better as an offensive team,” Lewis said today. “It was a tremendous development for our staff that we were able to get Hue last year, and now I’m excited to expand his role.”
            Jackson is entering his 13th NFL season. In addition to his coordinator and head coaching experience in Oakland, he has been offensive coordinator for two other teams. Before entering the NFL, he coached 13 years in the college ranks.
            “People in football know what kind of offensive mind Hue brings to a staff,” Lewis said, “so he’s going to be great with our running backs. And I’m going to take better advantage of his expertise in all aspects of football and coaching, which is very wide. He will help me be more effective in a number of ways.”
            Jackson takes over the running backs position formerly held by Jim Anderson, who last week announced his retirement after 29 years (1984-2012) in the post. 

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Show preview
6:05, Sports Talk
Guest
Tommy Tuberville, UC football
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Signing Day 2013

Signing day: Coaches checking paper, toner supply and sitting and staring at a fax machine.

Here is what it looks like:

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Reds
Pitching profile: Johnny Cueto
BaseballProspectus
Johnny Cueto spent last season atop the NL Central champion Cincinnati Reds rotation, the culmination of a gradual evolution from erratic bat-missing fly-baller to consistent pitch-to-contact groundball-getter. Not every thrower-to-pitcher transition happens so smoothly, as even the best power-pitching prospects often fail to realize their full potential. But the Reds shepherded Cueto through his maturation process with a nice mix of praise and push, and their patience is being thoroughly rewarded.

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Grass not always......
Two Bengals DL left in free agency last offseason and signed big deals.
Frostee Rucker (Browns): 3 year deal, $12-million, signing bonus $3.5-million.
Jonathan Fanene (Patriots): 5 year deal, $20.5-million, signing bonus $5-million.
Rucker was released yesterday. He played in all 16 games for the Browns, recording four sacks. He became the victim of a coaching change and a change in defensive scheme from a 4-3 to a 3-4.
Fanene, who was dealing with a knee injury, was released in August, having never played for the Patriots.

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Add this to your list
Marty Brennaman was right, The Americans (FX), is must see TV.

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The Bearcat/Musketeer tag team strikes again
The Pacers made it 15 straight home wins with a 114-103 win over Atlanta last night.
David West: 15 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 steals, 3 blocks
Lance Stephenson: 14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block.
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A GABP Winter Classic
Last night we talked about the announcement of the partnership between the Cubs and Northwestern that includes football, baseball and lacrosse being played at Wrigley Field over the next five years. The Reds will announce a new partnership with UC baseball on Friday. What about this idea from Twitter follower Joe Doering (@WJJD57): "Miami vs OSU hockey at GABP get non baseball fans to stadium. Outdoor hockey is great."
I love that idea. That would be a cool concept.

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OSU
Did you watch OSU-Michigan? Wow. That game felt Final 4 like. I didn't get home until after the game had started. I decided to recorded it and get up early to watch.
It was worth it. What a scene, what a game, what a duel between Craft and Burke. No way Craft wasn't fouled on his drive. Thomas had 17 for OSU, but I don't think he got a shot in overtime. How does that happen?

Xavier

(Left to right: Me, Brad Redford, Joe Hughes, Eric Stenger)

Thanks to former Xavier Musketeer Joe Hughes, and current Musketeers Brad Redford and Eric Stenger for stopping by the studio last night. Joe played at XU from 2007-08 to 2010-2011. He walked on and received a scholarship his senior season. The 24 year old, who was recently engaged, talked about his diagnosis with Hodgkins' lymphomas two weeks ago. Brad and Eric talked about shaving their heads and the support the Xavier family is offering. The conversation ranged from serious to hilarious and provided great perspective on what Joe is facing. Keep Joe in your thoughts and prayers. Follow him on Twitter @hughes_33. The hashtag #HughesStrong has been created as well. Special thanks to Xavier Associate Athletic Director Tom Eiser for bringing them by the station.
Listen to the podcast of Joe, Brad and Eric. Interview starts 16:15 of podcast:

Gillen on Xavier

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Did you miss him?

New Louisville Bats manager Jim Riggleman checked in last night.
He talked about Billy Hamilton, Tony Cingrani, Daniel Corcino, Henry Rodriguez and the balance between winning and developing in the minor leagues.

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MLB Fan Cave

Ben Wietmarschen is competing for a spot in the MLB Fan Cave. He sent me this email yesterday:
"I'm a huge Reds fan and a huge Cincinnati sports fan in general (Bearcats NOT Musketeers). I grew up in Cincinnati (Lived in North College Hill, went to St. Xavier, class of '02) but I'm living in New York now pursuing a comedy writing career. Being away from Cincinnati and doing comedy has left me with precious few opportunities to enjoy Cincinnati sports and I'm trying to assure a way for me to be able to watch Reds games this season on an actual TV instead of my laptop."
Check out his video and vote for him HERE

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Reds/NL Central

Cards: Carpenter out for '13, future uncertain
St Louis Post Dispatch
"As you can imagine he's hurting a little bit," general manager John Mozeliak said during a press conference at Busch Stadium.
Asked if he expected to see Carpenter pitch again, Mozeliak said: "It's very unlikely. So, no."
Reds and 700 WLW renew radio rights agreement
WLW to remain flagship of the Reds Radio Network through 2017
CINCINNATI (Feb. 5, 2013) – The Cincinnati Reds and 700 WLW announced today the renewal of the radio rights agreement to broadcast all regular and postseason games through 2017.
As part of the agreement, 700 WLW’s game coverage will serve as the flagship for the Reds Radio Network, one of the largest in sports with 93 affiliates in nine states.
“The Reds and WLW have been linked together for almost 90 years and our fans are very passionate about both,” said Bob Castellini, Reds President and CEO. “We’re excited about continuing one of the best broadcast partnerships in all of sports.”
“We take great pride in delivering Cincinnati Reds programming to Reds Country on 700 WLW,” said Chuck Fredrick, Market President, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment Cincinnati. “We are thrilled to extend our highly successful relationship with the Reds and continue providing great coverage for Reds fans.”
WLW first went on the air in 1922 under the direction of future Reds owner Powel Crosley, Jr. and aired the first broadcast of a Reds game in 1924. Since 1969, WLW has served as the Reds’ flagship station.
“There’s been no greater marriage than Reds radio and WLW radio,” said Hall of Fame Broadcaster Marty Brennaman. “And it’s great for our fans to know that this relationship will continue.”
The 2013 season will mark Brennaman’s 40th year of broadcasting the Reds on WLW and he is one of three Reds radio broadcasters to receive the Hall of Fame’s Ford C. Fricke Award, joined by Red Barber and Russ Hodges.

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Bengals
The Bengals today signed Adam Zimmer, an eighth-year veteran in NFL coaching, as assistant defensive backs coach.
Zimmer has coached previously with the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs, serving both teams as a defensive assistant and assistant linebackers coach. He was with the Saints from 2006-09, a member of the Sean Payton coaching staff that led New Orleans to the NFL championship in ’09 with a 31-17 victory over Indianapolis in Super Bowl XLIV.
Zimmer was with Kansas City from 2010-12. In ’11, Zimmer’s work with linebackers helped Tamba Hali and Derrick Johnson both reach the Pro Bowl, the first instance of two Chiefs LBs getting the nod since 1972. Zimmer’s term in Kansas City ended after this past season with the release of head coach Romeo Crennel and his staff.
Zimmer played defensive back in college, lettering for four seasons (2002-05) at Trinity University (San Antonio, Texas).
“Adam is a good young coach with two great experiences already in the NFL,” said Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis. “He’ll assist our defensive backs coach, Mark Carrier, and I’m very confident he will do a fine job.”
Zimmer is the son of Mike Zimmer, Bengals defensive coordinator since 2008.

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