Bengals

'Hard Knocks' increases pressure on Dalton, Lewis
Adam Schein, NFL.com 
Now, ask yourself this: Is Cincinnati a team that currently has a franchise quarterback?
Take out a sheet of paper. Rank the quarterbacks in the NFL. Where do you have Dalton on your list? I have him as the 22nd-best quarterback in football.
One NFL executive told me on Monday night the ranking was "spot-on," while another wondered why he was "that high on the list."

As franchise tag deadline nears, don't expect many deals
Jason LaConfora, CBS Sports 
Michael Johnson, DE, Bengals: There doesn't seem to be much optimism at all regarding this situation. They haven't been able to agree on a market value and the Bengals are going to have to prepare to franchise all-world defensive tackle Geno Atkins ome 2014 given the chasm that exists in their early negotiations with him. There is some skepticism about how deep the Bengals will dig to keep talent, and with three defensive linemen needing to get paid in the next nine to 10 months, Johnson looks like a goner unless the Bengals step up significantly between now and mid-July.

Bengals can't blame 'Hard Knocks' for losing
Wall Street Journal 
The alleged "curse" of Hard Knocks also appears to be rubbish. The 2001 Baltimore Ravens, who were coming off a Super Bowl win in the season prior to filming, weren't able to repeat, but still managed to win 10 games.

I recently completed a 30x40" canvas painting of Geno flexing the guns. With hopes of getting it signed, I tweeted him and asked if he would be willing to take pictures with the painting. I was surprised to see him quickly reply and agree to do so. I asked if he would meet me at PBS in front of the Pro Shop before the Taste of the NFL event last Wednesday at 6:15pm. Keeping to his word, Geno came walking up the driveway alone and took pictures with me after autographing it the painting.
We chatted for a few minutes. The man couldn't be more down to earth and approachable, and he should be commended for being so fan-friendly and accessible. He didn't need to do this, or even reply to my tweet, yet took the time to go out of his way and meet up.

Just wanted to give a shout out to an elite pro-athlete for a simple good deed when so many of these small deeds go unnoticed. 

MLB

Protecting pitchers must be a priority
Jerry Crasnick, ESPN 
I would love to sit here and pontificate about how Major League Baseball needs to do something drastic -- and soon -- to ensure that pitchers are finally safe from ill-fated line drives through the box. It would be wonderful to never again endure the anxious, gut-churning moments that accompany a fallen pitcher being carried from the field, and waiting for him to flash a "thumbs up'' sign to let the crowd know that he's conscious and in good spirits.
Now for the reality check:

No simple solution for protecting pitchers
MLB.com
 "It's a situation we all kind of fear," Hamels said after the game. "At some point when you make enough pitches, it's probably going to happen. I'm just glad I was able to get my glove in the way and catch it."

Can MLB protect pitchers from inherent danger?
Star Tribune 
Pitchers undoubtedly will resist anything that interferes with their vision, focus or ability to function normally, even if it significantly reduced their risk of head injury. That’s just the competitive nature of professional athletes.
“I’m one of those guys that if somebody said, ‘You have to wear a helmet,’ I’d rather take the chance that I’m either not going to get hit, or if I get hit that I’ll survive,” Twins closer Glen Perkins said.

From October of 2012
MLB puts protecting pitchers on "fast track"
National Post 
DETROIT — Major League Baseball is looking at ways to protect pitchers from being injured by batted balls such as the one that struck Doug Fister in the head, and says hat liners are a possibility in the minors next year.
The safety issue is on a “fast track,” MLB senior vice-president Dan Halem said Friday night.
“Hopefully, we can come up with something,” he said. “We’re making progress.”

Last Saturday

Baseball Caps
I added to my Reds baseball cap collection on Saturday at GABP.
I wore a baseball cap almost every day of my life, until I was about 17-years old.
Now, I wear them simply because I don't have enough hair to protect me from the sun.
I collect various styles of hats, throw them on the shelf in my closet and rotate through them.
Saturday, after being told by Casey that I "wasn't cool enough" to wear my first choice, I went with Plan B. I got this 39Thirty style from New ERA. Nothing special about it, I've just never owned a white Reds hat, so I got one:

While studying the landscape of baseball caps in recent years, I've come to the conclusion that the industry has come off the tracks. What has happened? I watched Indiana vs Louisville in the College World Series Saturday night. I found myself wanting to reach through the TV screen and bend the bill on the cap of each player.

(AP photo)

What is it about the flat bill? Is it simply generational? Casey and Peyton often call me (lovingly, I think) a dork. To me, a dork wears a flat billed baseball cap. The first thing I always do when putting on a cap is bend the bill. It's a reflex reaction. The bill of a baseball cap wasn't designed to balance food on it. Which style do you prefer: Flat bill or bent?
VOTE in blog poll.