It wasn't a surprise, but it was bold. On Saturday it was cut day around the NFL and Bengals' veterans Rudi Johnson, Willie Anderson, and Deltha O'Neal were amongst the casualalties. Three former Pro Bowlers gone with one blink of the eye.

Other notable Bengals' cuts include: LB Ahmad Brooks, QB Jeff Rowe, S John Bushing, C Dan Santucci

Rowe's departure means that Jordan Palmer will start the year as the team's third-string quarterback. According to the Elias Sports Bureau the only other brother quarterback tandem to play on the same team in the Super Bowl era is Ty and Koy Detmer for the 1997 Eagles. And Koy was on injured reserve while both Palmers are active.

"Obviously the play fell off in '07, and we just haven't seen a lot of change thus far this year," said head coach Marvin Lewis in a late afternoon news conference. "It's a hard decision to make." 

Other moves of interest:

CUTS
QB Chris Simms (TB)
QB Joey Harrington (ATL)
WR Ashley Lelie (SF)
QB Brooks Bollinger (MIN)
TE Marcus Pollard (MIN)
DT Monte Reagor (PHI)
QB Quinn Gray (IND)

INJURED RESERVE
RB Chris Brown (HOU)
QB Charlie Batch (PIT)

Fantasy Football, NFL nfl cuts, bengals, rudi johnson, willie anderson, deltha o'neal, ahmad brooks, jeff rowe, marvin lewis, chris simms, joey harrington, ashely lelie, brooks bollinger, marcus pollard, monte reagor, quinn gray, chris brown, charlie batch

According to Miami radio station 790 The Ticket, which is in Johnson's hometown, the receiver has legally changed his last name to "Ocho Cinco." Johnson's -- sorry -- Ocho Cinco's reported name change has been rumored in NFL circles for weeks, and according to the station today, it's official.

Johnson forewarned the public that a major surprise was coming during a recent interview with Chris McKendry on ESPN's SportsCenter.

"A lot of people look at Chad Johnson and say he's crazy and he does a lot of stuff, but I don't think people really understand how smart I really am," Johnson said. "So come Sept. 7, I believe when we play the Baltimore Ravens, I think that's the game, there's a surprise for everybody -- for everybody. When I say something, it is what it is, just enjoy it. Because it's going to last 16 weeks, plus some more."

If this is true you will see Ocho Cinco on his jersey and announcers will have to officially call him by that.

Unreal, you would hope that before the start of the season your receiver might be a little more focused, but we are talking about Chad. Different name, same stupid crap that goes along with it. 

Just For Fun, NFL bengals.chad johnson, ocho cinco

It's the final weekend before the NFL season officially kicks off next Thursday night!!! That means that if you are anything like me you will be drafting at least one fantasy team this weekend. With that in mind, the FINAL PRESEASON CHEAT SHEET is ready to go!!!

COMPLETE RANKINGS 

Fantasy Football cheat sheet

Knowing which players are hurt going into your draft/auction is critical. I see every single time somebody takes a player that is hurt. In some leagues you might see everyone give owners a second chance. However, in REAL leagues we say, "thanks for the donation"!

Here's the list going into this holiday weekend where so many drafts are held that you will need to know about...

BAL
QB Kyle Boller (shoulder) - could be out for the season
RB Willis McGahee (knee) - expects to be ready for opener

CAR
WR D.J. Hackett (toe) - questionable for opener
WR Steve Smith (suspension) - team-imposed 2-game suspension

CIN
QB Carson Palmer (nose) - will start vs. BAL next week
WR Chad Johnson (shoulder) - playing through injury
WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (hamsting) - expects to play Week 1
RB Rudi Johnson (hamsting) - has not played in a preseason game
WR Chris Henry (suspension) - out for first 4 weeks of '08

DEN
WR Brandon Marshall (suspenison) - reduced to just one game

GB
RB Ryan Grant (hamstring) - status for opener in question

HOU
RB Ahman Green (groin) - nagging injury hurting his value
RB Chris Brown (back) - spot on team in question at this point

IND
QB Peyton Manning (knee) - DNP in preseason; will play Week 1

JCK
RB Maurice-Jones Drew (ankle) - limited, but should play in opener

MIN
QB Tavaris Jackson (knee) - hopes to start Week 1 for Vikings
WR Bernard Berrian (toe) - status for Week 1 is unclear

NE
QB Tom Brady (foot) - sat out preseason, will play Week 1
WR Wes Welker (ribs) - not much info yet; keep your eyes on this

NO
RB Reggie Bush (quad) - should be fine for regular season
WR Marques Colston (ribs) - appears to be a go for Week 1
TE Jeremy Shockey (leg) - has yet to play a snap as a Saint

NYG
WR Plaxico Burress (ankle) - a slight risk, but he played thru it in past

NYJ
WR Laveranues Coles (leg) - missed preseason, but good for opener

PHI
WR Kevin Curtis (hernia) - likely to miss a month or more
WR Reggie Brown (hamstring) - questionable for opening week

SD
TE Antonio Gates (toe) - will start season at less than 100%

SEA
QB Matt Hasselbeck (back) - risky; hopes to be ready for Week 1
WR Bobby Engram (shoulder) - targeting a Week 5 return to line-up

SF
WR Bryant Johnson (hamstring) - status still in question for opener
WR Arnaz Battle (hamstring) - playing thru nagging injury

TB
WR Joey Galloway (groin) - missed preseason; questionable Week 1

Fantasy Football injury report, kyle boller, willis mcgahee, d.j. hackett, steve smith, carson palmer, chad johnson, t.j. houshmandzadeh, rudi johnson, chris henry, brandon marshall, ryan grant, ahman green, chris brown, peyton manning, maurice-jones drew, tavaris jackson, bernard berrian, tom brady, wes welker, reggie bush, marques colston, jeremy shockey, plaxico burress, laveranues coles, kevin curtis, reggie brown, antonio gates, matt hasselbeck, bobby engram, bryant johnson, arnaz battle, joey galloway

Rosters expand to 40 around Major League Baseball on September 1st. Fantasy owners that are still playing for something in their fantasy baseball leagues need to know which players could make an impact. Here's some my notes from the Fantasy Fastball on GetSportsRadio.com.

Marlins - Cameron Maybin (AA):  spent time on DL with back earlier in season.  Now missing some games after being bit by a spider.  In between, he’s hit .278/13 HR/20 SB.  But has 115/56 K/BB ratio.

Mets - Jon Niese (AAA): already rumored to be taking Maine’s rotation slot.  However, Mets don’t need fifth until Sept. 2.  So he’ll basically be a call-up.  Has 3.18 ERA, with solid but unspectacular 143K/161 IP.  Only 21, so there’s plenty of room to grow and learn.  Good control.  Shouldn’t start him on 2nd, they get the Brewers.

Brewers - Mat Gamel (AAA):  .328 avg / 20 HR / 99 RBI between two levels.  Could easily be compared to Ryan Braun.  Great stick, can’t play defense worth a damn.

TUNE-IN
FANTASY FASTBALL - Get ready for the playoff push and more September sleepers by catching me on the Fastball.

Fantasy Baseball, MLB september call-ups, cameron maybin, jon niese, mat gamel

Jason Giambi certainly earned his gigantic paycheck on Thursday.  Entering the game in the seventh inning as a pinch hitter, he drove an 0-1 pitch over the fence to tie the final New York-Boston regular-season game in Yankee Stadium history at 2-2.  Two innings later, Giambi was at the dish again, this time with the sacks packed and facing Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon.  Down 0-2, Giambi stroked a game-winning single to center, sending the Yankee faithful home happy.

Now, even those heroics still leave New York six games behind Boston in the American League wild card race, with Minnesota wedged in, trailing the Sox by 2.5 games.  It would take something close to a 2007-Rockies type of streak for the Bombers to reach the playoffs in their final season in The House That Ruth Built.  And while there will be few outside the Bronx disappointed to see the latest Yankees dynasty officially die, it is a momentous ocassion.

Say what you will about George Steinbrenner and the team's $200 million payroll, but King George never settled for anything less than a championship.  Unlike many owners who are content to pocket hefty profits while their teams wallow in mediocrity, Steinbrenner willingly opened up his admittedly-huge pocketbook when the time came to assemble a wrecking crew of a team.  Sometimes he got exactly what he paid for, sometimes not, but he always gave it his utmost.  There's no questioning that.

MLB yankees, red sox, new york, boston, jason giambi, george steinbrenner

As I sit here and watch Ryan Fitzpatrick and Jeff Rowe both look pretty impressive against the Colts' eighth stringers, I am feeling a bit more secure about the Bengals' backup quarterback situation.

Fitzpatrick is smart, mobile, and accurate. He finished his brief stint in the game by completing 5 of his 8 passes for 35 yards and a TD while picking up another 35 yards on 4 carries. Rowe completed 6 of his first 9 passes and is a lock to be the team's No. 3 QB when the season begins. 

Though these backups are adequate, I am not feeling as comfortable as I did in 2005 when Jon Kitna was the team's No. 2 signal caller. At that time the Bengals arguably had the best 1-2 punch at the position. With that in mind who are the NFL's top backup quarterbacks this season? Here's my top 5:

• 1. Brian Griese (TB) - Laugh all you want, but Griese is the perfect fit for Jon Gruden's system and has experience. Just ask Bears' fans how much they would like to have him now.
  
• 2. Todd Collins (WAS) - He led the Redskins on a late-season run after getting the call and may get a shot to do so again this year even if Jason Campbell doesn't get hurt.
• 3. Billy Volek (SD) -  His playoff performance in Indy was enough to put him on this list. I still can't believe he didn't get a longer look at being a starter longer than he did.
• 4. Sage Rosenfels (HOU) - I'm not crazy about this guy, but he did go 4-1 as a starter in relief for the Texans in '07.
• 5. Trent Green (KC) - He should stay clear of concussions on the sidelines, but few backups have as much game experience as Green does. 

NFL backup qb, ryan fitzpatrick, jeff rowe, brian griese, todd collins, billy volek, sage rosenfels, trent green

Last week I participated in my first fantasy football auction. Of the twelve teams in the league all have played fantasy sports for years but few have done an auction. We had a $200 cap and will be able to keep players based on their salaries. While there were many surprises throughout the day one of the more interesting things was how each position ended up being ranked. Here is the top five in dollar values for each offensive position based on our auction:

RUNNING BACK
1 - LaDainian Tomlinson $53
2 - Adrian Peterson $51
3 - Steven Jackson $50
4 - Marion Barber - $48
5 - Brian Westbrook - $46

QUARTERBACK
1 - Tom Brady $41
2 - Drew Brees $35
3 - Peyton Manning $33
3 - Tony Romo $33
5 - Carson Palmer $20

WIDE RECEIVER
1 - Braylon Edwards $35
2 - Randy Moss $31
2 - Terrell Owens $31
2 - Reggie Wayne $31
5 - Larry Fitzgerald $29 

TIGHT END
1 - Jason Witten $18
2 - Antonio Gates $16
2 - Kellen Winslow $16
4 - Dallas Clark $15
5 - Jeremy Shockey $12

Fantasy Football ladainian tomlinson, adrian peterson, steven jackson, marion barber, brian westbrook, tom brady, peyton manning, tony romo, drew brees, carson palmer, braylon edwards, randy moss, terrell owens, reggie wayne, larry fitzgerald, jason witten, antonio gates, kellen winslow, dallas clark, jeremy shockey

Michael Phelps first swim... 

Just For Fun, Olympics michael phelps

Before you spend a first round pick on Tom Brady and go after a top quarterback early, you need to consider the fact that the point-differential between the top 2 or 3 quarterbacks and the No. 8 and No. 9 quarterbacks isn't that great. Sure, when he was putting up 45 points per week mid-season in '07, Brady owners were unstoppable. There is no doubt Brady is a safe bet to be atop the QB rankings again and is a fairly safe first round pick, but waiting on a QB may be a better stategy. Not only will it allow you chance to get a stud RB or WR, but you can still get production at the QB position.

Take a look at the average points per game by QB's over the last six weeks of last season (when it counted most:
Tom Brady NE - 25.7
Kurt Warner AZ - 24.9
Peyton Manning IND - 23.1
Tony Romo DAL - 22.6
Drew Brees NO - 22.4
David Garrard JAX - 21.4
Matt Hasselbeck SEA - 21.2
Jay Cutler DEN - 19.1
Derek Anderson CLE - 18.4
Ben Roethlisberger PIT - 18.3

Fantasy Football quarterbacks, strategy