Commentary: How one scramble changed the Bengals entire season

In a sold out stadium and in family rooms and on bar stools across the country, time stood still. We held our collective breath and watched in both shock and awe as Carson Palmer...started scrambling.

Scrambling. Scrambling?!?! What was he doing scrambling? It's his first game back and the preseason for goodness sake's! He was supposed to take a few hard hits tonight, that's all. Maybe get sacked and remember what artificial turf smelled like. He wasn't supposed to take off running on a broken play and let linebackers, free safeties and anyone wearing a white jersey have a free shot at him, right? But he did.

And in those few seconds we watched him run through a wide, gapping hole that even a guy with a Pabst in one hand and nachos in the other could have gained a few yards in.

We waited for the hole to close, and for a preying defensive back, salivating at the mouth, to crush Palmer to the turf. We waited.

And even as an entire sideline, stadium and fans across Who Dey-land screamed for him to slide, Palmer kept scrambling. Yes, scrambling on that once shredded knee that's carrying a franchise's dream.

One slide and a first down later, Palmer got up from the turf without a scratch. Perhaps the Packers' secondary was so dumbfounded by Palmer's bravado that no one really bothered to touch him down.

Palmer's scramble elevated everyone's blood pressure within a 100-mile radius of Paul Brown Stadium, but it also elevated the confidence of Bengal fans everywhere who were once unsure of the team's future and now can envision a season that will include a return to the playoffs and a Super Bowl run.

All that from one, little scramble.

Glad you asked - What's an "armchair quarterback"?

An "armchair quarterback" is someone watching a football game in a comfy La-Z-boy-like chair with nice armrests who criticizes and second-guesses what's going on during the game.

Another common term for such a fan is a "Monday morning quarterback." Since NFL games are on Sunday, these fans analyze the games (typically bad mouthing various decisions made during the game) on Monday morning.

The terms have a hint of irony because most armchair or Monday morning quarterbacks are lugs who can only throw out the trash, yet they find it perfectly acceptable to lambaste a pro quarterback for throwing too many incomplete passes.

But therein lies the beauty of being a fan I suppose. Just don't get me started on fantasy leaguers...

Commentary: Getting in on when "the game's on"

Watching “the game” is what us sports fans do. And once “the game’s on” we are physically incapable of doing anything else besides watching the game, eating chips and salsa and drinking various cold beverages.

But what really takes place is that for a few hours, we lose ourselves, live vicariously through these athletes and become a part of the up’s and down’s of what’s unfolding in front of us. It’s almost as much fun as actually playing sports.

But let’s say you're asking the question, “How do I get in on that?”

All right. Think about your hobbies. Maybe it’s shopping, reading paperback novels, singing karaoke or watching romantic comedies. Chances are doing these things makes you happy.

And that’s what watching a game is truly about: making you happy. The only time watching a game stinks is when it makes you unhappy (like when Reggie Bush totally cheats and decides to push Matt Leinart into the end zone against Notre Dame).

I digress.

But even in tough times, it's great because it's all about camaraderie, and there’s always someone you can armchair quarterback with or high five when your team’s on a winning streak.

Still interested in getting in “the game”? Here are three simple steps to making that happen:

1. Pick a sport, any sport
You’ve got your pro sports with the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL. Or you could go for a college sport like football (think Saturday afternoons) or basketball (think March Madness). Hey, it could be Shaun White and snowboarding. Just find a sport that looks like fun!

2. Find a team, any team
Perhaps a team from your hometown or one that has a great color scheme that would complement your complexion or maybe you want to follow a certain player.

For instance, I fell in love with Duke basketball when I was 12 years old and had a crush point guard Bobby Hurley (see picture above). That Jersey boy will always have a place in my heart…

3. Seek out others
This is where the fun starts. No matter the sport, no matter the team and no matter where you live, there are always other fans just like you. And they’ll for sure be around when “the game’s on.”

A great thing to do is check out which local bars have game watches for particular teams.

For example, every city across the country has a Cleveland bar that plays Browns games on Sundays. How do I know that? Because I’ve been in cities and looked for those places...and always found one.

Or you could host your own game-viewing party. They're easy to do. All it takes is some chips and salsa and some various cold beverages and you’re good to go!

So on game day, have your game plan ready, make sure to have a jersey or t-shirt with your team’s logo on it to wear, head to whatever festivity you’ve decided on and let the fun begin!

Go (insert your new favorite team here)!!!

Niner over and out and Palmer's putting on pads

Niner over and out
NFL superstar receiver Jerry Rice signed a one-day contract with the San Francisco 49ers so that he could retire for the team he spent 16 years playing for.

Rice, who played out his career with the Oakland Raiders and then the Seattle Seahawks, finally walked away from the game after 20 prolific years in which he scored more touchdowns – 208 to be exact – than anyone else in league history.

Other Rice records include 1,549 in receptions for 22,895 yards, and single-season marks of 1,848 yards and 22 touchdowns.

The 49ers will honor Rice at a retirement ceremony at a game in November.

Palmer's putting on pads
It was just seven months ago that Bengals Carson Palmer had his knee twisted and torn up in a playoff game against the Steelers, and now the quarterback says he’s ready to hit the field again.

He’ll play in the Bengals Monday night preseason game and put his now rebuilt knee to the test.

The question remains whether or not he’ll be the starter for Cincinnati’s season opener at Kansas City on Sept. 10.

Gaitlin's gone

Sprinter Justin Gatlin received an eight-year ban from track and field Tuesday for steroid use, but avoided a lifetime ban after he cooperated with doping authorities and because his first positive drug test was deemed an "honest mistake" (it was because of his ADD medication five years ago).

Gaitlin, 24, gives up the world record he tied in May when he ran 9.77 in the 100 meters. He contends he doesn't know how steroids got into his system this time.

Tiger takes No. 12

Tiger Woods captured his 12th career major with a win at the PGA Championship, and is now only 6 majors away from tying Jack Nicklaus' record of 18.

Woods became the first player to win the PGA Championship on the same course, having defeated Sergio Garcia by one stroke at Medinah in 1999.

Brady linked to Bonds trainer, Was Junior just joking? and Skippers suspended

Brady linked to Bonds trainer
The squeaky clean image of two-time Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady was called in question after Greg Anderson, Barry Bonds’ former trainer who allegedly supplied clients with steroids, brought up the Patriots star’s name to federal prosecutors saying the two talked on the phone.

Brady says he talked to Anderson once on the phone five or six years ago about finding a place to work out but that, ultimately, the two never worked out together.

"That was the first of it and the last of it,” Brady told the AP.

Was Junior just joking?
Junior Seau might reneged on his retirement announcement earlier this week and join the New England Patriots, the San Diego Union-Tribute reported.

Seau jetted to Boston for a tryout with the team and could sign a contract by the end of the week.

The Patriots are in need of a linebacker to fill in the holes left behind by injuries to Tedy Bruschi, Chad Brown and Mote Beisel, and perhaps Seau could use a Super Bowl ring to top off his playing career.

Skippers suspended
Managers Buck Showalter and Mike Scioscia were both sent to ride the pine by Major League Baseball for their roles in a beanbrawl that included a bench-clearing brawl (see picture above) between the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels. The two-day bean-fest also resulted in the suspension of six players.

Fantastical figures

Fantasy leaguers are costing their employers more than $1.1 billion a week in lost productivity, according to a study released Wednesday.

As the NFL season is set to kick off, so too are 37 million fantasy football players ready to do battle in make-believe leagues, and leave work aside for an average of 50 minutes a week, consultants Challenger, Gray & Christmas said.

What are fantasy leagues you ask? An average-joe participates in a league of other average-joes and becomes the owner of a fantasy "team." The league holds a simulated draft in which said average-joes each choose professional athletes from a particular professional league to be part of their roster. Then the team owner earns points based on the pro athletes' statistical performances each week. Sounds fun, right? Ultimately, it's a forum for wannabe jocks to put their knowledge of useless sports statistics and graphing calculators to good use.

Subpoenaed to speak

According to the AP, two San Francisco Chronicle reporters were subpoenaed to tell a grand jury who leaked them information about the steroid scandal involving Barry Bonds and other top athletes.

Reporters Lance Williams and Mark Fainaru-Wada were ordered by U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White to appear before a grand jury investigating the leak.

Sticking to their standards, the duo said they would rather go to jail than testify.

Power to the people, but the legal precedents aren’t good for the journalists. The Supreme Court has spoken – and journalists can’t cop out of grand jury investigations. And shield laws need not apply in this case.

The owner of the Chronicle, The Hearst Corp., is standing by its reporters.

More to come.

Glad you asked - What's a K?

A "K" is shorthand for a strikeout in baseball. It is used when scoring a baseball game.

The next time you're at the ballpark or watching a game on the tube, check out people posting "K's" along a rail. They're keeping track of how many strikeouts a pitcher is accumulating during a game. And it is a great opportunity for fans in the stands to get on TV, especially when a good pitcher is on the mound.

If you have a sports question, please post it under the comments section and I'll be glad you asked!

Matt makes his move, Barbaro's better and How 'bout some K's...okay?

Matt makes his move
Mr. Bush Push finally came to terms with the Arizona Cardinals Monday night agreeing to a six-year deal that has a maximum value of $50.8 million. The deal involves an “escalator package” that basically gives Leinart incentives if he becomes a starter. Can’t give Matt the last word on this one…Go Irish! Beat Trojans!


Barbaro's better
While grazing grass seems like a tame endeavor for a Kentucky Derby champion, it truly is a remarkable feat for Barbaro, considering the terrible injuries he suffered at this year’s Preakness. The three-year-old is enjoying daily walks outside his intensive care unit stall, which is hopefully a step in the right direction along his road to recovery.


How 'bout some K's...okay?
Yankees fireballer Randy Johnson delivered his 4500th K Monday in a five-strikeout win over the Angels. The Bit Unit became only the third pitcher in MLB history to reach the mark, joining good company with Nolan Ryan (5,714) and Roger Clemens (4,552). Johnson also earned his 267th career win as the Yanks came out on top 7-2.

I-Rod rages and Seau slated to say so long

I-Rod rages
Hopefully you caught the video of Ivan Rodriguez going ballistic yesterday. If you missed it, check out http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=260813104.

Pudge ended up getting tossed for arguing balls and strieks. And the White Sox went on to win 7-3 to complete a series sweep of Detroit.

Seau slated to say so long
Twelve-time Pro Bowl linebaker Junior Seau will announce his retirement today, ending a 16-year career in which he played for the San Diego Chargers and Miami Dolphins.

Commentary: Oh Maurice

Four years ago I was on the Ohio State bandwagon as the Buckeyes beat the Miami Hurricanes to claim an undefeated season and the college football national championship. At the time Maurice Clarett was the future of Ohio State football. The only freshman running back ever to start the first game of the season for the scarlet and gray. He rushed into the hearts of Buckeyes fans. And even when a few indiscretions popped up, he still had a cheering section and a fighting chance.

Then something changed. The Ohio State University said Clarett would have to sit out his sophomore season. That's when the school threw him into an unknown world: life off the football field.

Clarett could handle anything on the field. He was taught how to be a football player, nothing less and nothing more. Clarett even graduated high school a semester early, so that he could participate in Ohio State's spring football practices.

But what no one seemed to bother doing was teach Clarett life skills. How to carry himself when he wasn't carrying a football. How to deal with the media. How to watch out for people who wanted a piece of him (i.e. agents and all-too-frieldly boosters).

No one could have predicted the vast fall that Clarett would take in his life. Did anyone else feel strange reading that he was found with an AK-47 while wearing a bulletproof vest? This kid had promise. He had the ability to one day take care of his family. That's gone. One can only hope that someone finally steps in and points Clarett in the right direction. Because he can't outrun linebackers anymore. And his life, from now on, will always be off-the-field.

Team USA dunks, Sorenstam dips and Pronk delivers

Team USA dunks
A revamped Team USA defeats Lithuania 111-88 in an exhibition game while tuning up for the World Championships, which begin Aug. 19. Glad to see some renewed national pride on the hardwood.

Sorenstam dips
Annika Sorenstam tied the lowest score on her home course in Stockholm, Sweden, shooting a final round 65 to win the Scandinavian TPC. After she birdied the final hole, Sorenstam took a celebratory dip in a pond near the 18th green along with her mom and sister.

Pronk delivers
Shout out to my hometown Indians. Travis "Pronk" Hafner hit his sixth grand slam of the season to cap off an 11-run first inning (first inning!) for the Tribe againt the Kansas City Royals. The Tribe eventually brought home a 13-0 win. Leave it to the AL Central bottom-dwellers (a.k.a. the Royals) for an ego-boost.

Check your local listings for an NFL game near you

Have you noticed that football is back on TV? The NFL preseason is in full swing and the countdown is on to opening kickoff on Sept. 7. That's when the Miami Dolphins head into the Terrible Towel territory of Heinz Field, home of the reigning Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers.

A few nuggets to hold you over in the meantime:

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is back on the field after his motorcyle accident earlier this summer. He's slated to start tonight's exhibition matchup with the Arizona Cardinals.

Adam Vinatieri, the kicker whose heroics helped the New England Patriots to two Super Bowl victories, is now with the Indiapolis Colts. Considering the Colts' season ended last year with a missed field goal, Vinatieri is a welcomed addition in Indy.

The New Orleans Saints will march back into a rebuilt Superdome on Sept. 25 for a Monday Night Football game against the Atlanta Falcons. Hurricane Katrina left the Superdome in shambles and extensive efforts were made to get the Saints back playing football in New Orleans.

Welcome to The Hot Corner

Are you interested in learning more about sports, but don't know where to start? Do you feel left out when the topic of discussion turns to touchdowns and triple-doubles? Or you love sports, but could do without the stats and fantasy football talk? Then you've come to the right place. Consider this site a condensed sports page made easy, fun and interesting. It's your one-stop shopping for all the latest in sports. Enjoy!