The Bengals began their voluntary off-season workouts on Monday and once again wide receiver Chad Ocho Cinco was absent.

Ocho Cinco has not been in contact with the Bengals recently, according to ESPN.com.

Last year Cincinnati passed up trade offers because the team was unwilling to take an $8 million salary-cap hit. This year that cap number is reduced to $4.87 million to trade Ocho Cinco, making it more of a possibility. Will they trade him now?

It was not all bad news on the Bengals front though as quarterback Carson Palmer annoucned that he "is 100%".

"I've been cleared. My elbow feels great and I just have to keep going and get the small mechanical things that I normally do this time of year," Palmer said during his press conference.

Is Carson healthy? What is going to happen to Chad? We get the answers straight from the source as we welcome Bengals.com's Geoff Hobson to our LIVE Internet radio show today from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

CATCH THE DAILY DOSE ON BLOGTALKRADIO.COM

NFL bengals, chad johnson, carson palmer, daily dose, getsportsradio.com

from GetSportsRadio.com:

The Kentucky coaching search may have very well have reached it's final stop. FoxSports.com is reporting that "talks between Kentucky and Memphis coach John Calipari have intensified and the two sides are moving closer to an agreement that could make him the highest-paid coach in the country."

According to sources close to the Tigers coach, Calipari is close to a deal that will pay him in excess of $5 million per season.

The Memphis Commercial is reporting that John Calipari plans to decide whether to accept Kentucky’s offer to become its basketball coach sometime Tuesday afternoon.

Calipari is weighing a multi-million-dollar offer from UK. Meanwhile, Memphis has made a strong counter-proposal that would make him set for his working life and into retirement.

He appears to be a bit indecisive at this time, but he's expected to make a decision sometime on Wednesday.

TrueBlueKentucky.com’s Marc Maggard joined hosts Dan Clasgens and Chad Brendel on GetSportsRadio.com’s Daily Dose LIVE from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Eastern on Monday.

Maggard recaped a crazy weekend in Lexington and provided up-to-date info on where the UK coaching search is heading, including the school’s talks with Memphis head coach John Calipari.

In addition, Dan and Chad recapped all the Elite Eight action,  took a first look at the Final Four, and previewed the AL East. Check out the show’s station page to listen on-demand and for more info about our new show.

**Join GetSportsRadio.com weekdays from 1-2 pm  LIVE forthe Daily Dose or on-demand anytime.

CLICK ON BUTTON BELOW TO LISTEN:


UPCOMING GUESTS - Tue 3/31: Geoff Hobson, Bengals.com; Wed 4/1: Tim Dierkes, MLBTradeRumors.com

College Hoops kentucky, kentucky wildcats, uk, john calipari, marc maggard, daily dose, getsportsradio.com

OK, I have officially burned the my bracket and Oklahoma fell in my pool. I have nothing left except the idea of watching some good basketball. I was hoping for some great games over the past weekend and honestly was left a bit disappointed. Here are some final takes on the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 and some opening thoughts on the Final Four:

*TAR HEELS MY PICK - I tried to convince myself that Gonzaga and Oklahoma could challenge the Tar Heels and most of that was based off of their poor play on defense. However, they held Oklahoma and Gonzaga, two high-scoring teams, to 137 total points. The Tar Heels, who I argued all regular season were the best team, have once again convinced me that they are. I can't see them losing to anyone.

*WHAT SCANDAL? - All the talk of the potential black cloud hanging over Connecticut following the amazingly timed release of recruiting violations proved to be unwarranted. The Huskies are looking strong and really the only thing standing in the way on UNC for a national title. I would not be surprised if Jim Calhoun calls it quits at the end of the year with on-going health problems and a looming probation.

*BIG TEN SURPRISE - I am the first to admit that I've been a Big Ten basher for most of the season. While I am not prepared to revoke those comments, I am ready to eat some crow about Michigan State. I was impressed with the way they handled Missouri in the Sweet 16 and amazed at the way they shutdown Louisville altogether on Sunday. They made the Cards play a Big Ten-style contest and that won them the game. This may be Tom Izzo's best coaching job yet.

*'NOVA A CINDERELLA AGAIN - After knocking out perenial power Duke in the Sweet 16, Villanova exacted their revenge on Pittsburgh and knocked out their Big East Brothers to earn a spot in the Final Four. The two wins over higher seeds give the school 15 wins vs. higher seed all-time, the most of any school. They are the lowest seed of any team left standing, entering the Final Four as a No. 3.

*FINAL FOUR NOT IN THE CARDS - The Cardinals had so much going there way, but I am thinking the 39-point victory over Arizona might have made the boys a little too confident heading into their match-up with Michigan State. They weren't ready for that defensive intensity the Spartans brought to the table. What sealed their fate though was they couldn't set up their pass without making baskets. It's disappointing for Rick Pitino as this team could play with any in the nation, just not MSU on Sunday.

*PITT PLAYS WITH FIRE, GETS BURNED - After a few lackluster performances early in the tournament, the Pitt Panthers were finally exposed on Saturday night. I am still trying to figure out how in world Scottie Reynolds got all the way down the court nearly uncontested. The first thing I learned playing basketball was STOP THE BALL!!! The Panthers peaked a bit too early this year. They would have won it all if it was February Madness.

College Hoops ncaa tournament, sweet 16, elite 8, final four, north carolina, connecticut, michigan state, villanova, louisville, pittsburgh

Fantasy Baseball fantasysportsgirl, fantasy advice, al east

While cheat sheets and rankings are great, I often find it more valuable to come up with my own rankings based off of a research and place players by position in tiers. I am a big believer that balance is what wins, especially in fantasy baseball. I have already taken a look at my 1B TIERS, 2B TIERS, 3B TIERS, SS TIERS , OF TIERS and CATCHER TIERS. Now, it's time to turn our attention to pitching as we start by looking at relievers.

TIER 1 - Jonathan Pabelpon (BOS), Mariano Rivera (NYY), Joe Nathan (MIN), Francisco Rodriguez (NYM)

TIER 2 - Brad Lidge (PHI), Jonathan Broxton (LA), B.J. Ryan (TOR), Joakim Soria (KC)

TIER 3 - Brian Fuentes (ANA), Jose Valverde (HOU), Francisco Cordero (CIN), Matt Capps (PIT), Bobby Jenks (CHW), Kerry Wood (CLE)

TIER 4 - Heath Bell (SD), Brian Wilson (SF), Trevor Hoffman (MIL), Frank Francisco (TEX), Mike Gonzalez (ATL), Matt Lidstrom (FLA), Huston Street (COL)

TIER 5 - Chad Qualls (ARI), Joel Hanrahan (WAS), Brandon Lyon (DET), Manny Corpas (COL), George Sherill (BAL), Troy Percival (TB), Chris Ray (BAL)

TIER 6 - J.J Putz (SEA), Rafael Soriana (ATL), Jason Motte (STL), Joey Devine (OAK), Grant Balfour (TB), Carlos Villanueva (MIL), Grant Balfour (TB), Chris Perez (STL)

Drafting Strategy: Drafting closers is a tricky proposition. The Tier 1 guys are mortal locks barring injury to rack some serious points. Yet, there always seems to be a handful of players to come out of nowhere to post some monster numbers. I usually try to nab one reliever from the Top 2 tiers and then find value to fill out my pen.

Final Take: If you miss out on a player near the top list take some flyers on building depth from deep within. Tier 3 and Tier 4 players have the best shot of being sleepers.

Fantasy Baseball fantasy advice, tier rankings, fantasy rp

Last year it was Lakota West girls team that ended up on the wrong end of some poor officiating during regulation that cost the Firebirds their first basketball championship.  Instead it went to Mount Notre Dame, a very deserving school that may or may not have won in overtime anyway.  The point was that the officials completely blew the call at the end of regulation, allowing a basket that was clearly after the time expired.  I was there as a non biased observer and have to say it was one of the worst calls I have ever seen.

On Saturday another local team, the Princeton Vikings, found themselves victims of poor officiating.  For the record I sincerely hope those offcials are reviewed and not allowed to officiate another DIV I game in the next 10 years if ever.

Not to take anything away from Columbus Northland or to say that Princeton didn't have their chances and failed to convert but for the same officials who appeared to swallow their whistle through most of the game they sure found it at the wrong time to impact the outcome of the game. 

The trailing offcial who didn't have a clear view made the call on the last second desperation shot by Columbus Northland.  There wasn't contact on the foul let alone enough to warrant that call at the end of the game to decide the game.  You let teams go into overtime and fight it out.

princeton, high school basketball

The Jay Cutler-Josh McDaniels drama is getting old in Denver. The two either need to kiss and make up or move on. Cutler is one of the best young quarterbacks in the game to say the least, but this whole thing is a bit childish.

Even worse is the fact that McDaniels is acting just as immature. If I am a Broncos' fan (and I am not), the team's new, young coach is on a very thin leash.

Cutler has not shown up for the team's voluntary workouts and McDaniels wants to meet without his agent.

According to the Denver Post, Cutler has been communicating with the coach via text message. I guess that is better than nothing, but still it's like two freakin' teenagers.

If something is going to shake down, it will before the draft.

Here are my picks for the best landing spots for Cutler should there be a trade...

1. NY Jets - Easily the team in biggest need.

2. Tampa Bay - OK, they could be worse off than the Jets. They could of have had in the 3-way trade for Matt Cassell to begin with.

3. Minnesota - Do you really think Sage Rosenfels is going to be the answer for the Vikings?

4. Detroit - They are sitting on the draft's top pick and desperate to win.

5. Chicago - Three words say it all...Kyle Freakin' Orton

MY TAKE: You don't trade a 25 year old franschise QB coming off a 4,500-yard Pro Bowl season under any circumstances, especially if he actually wants to play for your team as Cutler clearly had. While I think both deserve a fair share of the blame in the matter, I also think that owner Pat Bowlen deserves some criticism for his silence in the matter. He writes the check and at this point I think he needs to sit everyone down and work this out. Otherwise, Cutler is going to go all "T.O." on them.

NFL broncos, jay cutler, josh mcdaniels, pat bowlen, jets, bucs, buccaneers, vikings, lions, bears

She was hottest woman on the show Vegas and that is all you need to know:

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Not necessarily being the most dominant driver at Martinsville didn't stop Jimmie Johnson from winning at the short track for the fifth time in the past six Cup races there. Johnson took the lead from Denny Hamlin, who led a race-high 296 laps, with 15 laps remaining on an aggressive pass on Lap 485 and held on to win the Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500.

Johnson and Hamlin battled hard towards the end with the Hendrick driver winning by a .774 second margin. The victory was the 41st win of Johnson's career and his first of the season. He now has totaled six of those wins at Martinsville, quickly becoming one of Johnson's best tracks. Owner Rick Hendrick has 18 wins there, including this latest one on the 25th anniversary of his first win as a car owner.

Tony Stewart finished third followed by Johnson teammate and series points leader Jeff Gordon in fourth, with Clint Bowyer following suit in fifth place. Ryan Newman, Mark Martin, Dale Earnhardt Jr., A.J. Allmendinger, and Jamie McMurray rounded out the top 10.

Hamlin had wrested the lead from Johnson with a bold move to the inside on a Lap 456 restart. Johnson trailed Hamlin through two short green-flag runs and two cautions before Johnson saw his opportunity seven laps after a restart on Lap 478. Entering Turn 3 on Lap 485, Johnson nosed beneath Hamlin's No. 11 Toyota. Hamlin squeezed Johnson to the inside and the No. 48 Chevy bounced off the inside curb. Johnson slid up the track, and contact between the two lead cars allowed Johnson to pass for the lead.

Though for many of the race's laps the race was a two-man show that didn't involve Johnson. Gordon led 141 of the first 155 laps before Hamlin slipped into the inside of Gordon at Turn 4 of Lap 156 and held the top spot for 187 laps until Gordon passed him on Lap 343. Six laps later Hamlin would again have the lead before dealing with the points leader again. After holding of Gordon, Hamlin would have to try and hold off the hard-charging Johson, who got the lead on Lap 434 after coming out first from pit row. Hamlin dived to the inside of Johnson on Lap 456, which was helped by Kyle Busch's car which was one lap down and the first lapped car on the inside lane. Busch gave Hamlin enough room to pass Johnson on the inside corner.

Six of the top eight positions belonged to Hendrick cars(Gordon, Johnson, Martin, and Earnhardt.)

The Busch brothers were unable to keep their streak of wins going beyond three races and were non-factors at a short track race, which is rare indeed. Kurt started second but steadily fell and finished 18th, while Kyle had a tire issue which caused him to end up 24th at the finish.

Gordon extended his lead in the points standings to 89 over second-place Bowyer and 132 over Kurt Busch.

Geoffrey Bodine won the 1984 Sovran Bank 500 at Martinsville, which was the first of many Cup victories to come for Hendrick Motorsports. Johnson's win was the 176th of Hendrick's career.

NASCAR martinsville, jimmy johnson, denny hamlin, tony stewart, jeff gordon, clint bowyer, ryan newman, mark martin, dale earnhardt jr, aj allmedinger, jamie mcmurray, kyle busch, kurt busch, geoffrey bodine

from ESPN.com

Billy Gillispie is out as coach of Kentucky in his second season at the helm, the school announced at a 4:30 p.m. ET news conference on Friday.

School officials had been quiet about Gillispie's job status after the Wildcats tumbled through the second half of the season to finish 22-14, tied for the second-most losses in the program's 106-year history.

Gillispie's Kentucky Wildcats missed the NCAA tournament but advanced to the quarterfinals of the NIT.

Florida coach Billy Donovan, who many have speculated as being the top target by the university for the job, will not be a candidate for the Kentucky job or any jobs that come open, according to the Gainesville Sun.

“In response to the rumors circulating about my interest in other jobs, I wanted to address this as quickly as possible," Donovan said in a statement. "I am committed to the University of Florida and look forward to continuing to build our program here."

COMPLETE STORY

College Hoops kentucky, kentucky wildcats, uk, billy gillispie, billy donovan