Cincinnati Sports World Rocked this Week

Lets talk...the latest:

Todd Frazier traded his Red Stockings in for White Sox. The update I read on my phone yesterday had me downright depressed. I love Todd Frazier, and everything he's done for this city. He was a great ambassador for the All-Star Game this summer, and took home the Home Run Derby crown for god's sake. Overall he is a great player, and a guy that really no one could hate. Sadly, he has been traded and even more sad, I'm not quite sure if the crew we got for him will ever pan out.

"Who'd we even get?", you ask...that's a great question. In a three-way trade, the Reds acquired infielders Jose Peraza and Brandon Dixon, and outfielder Scott Scheblerand from the Dodgers. Peraza looks to be the most promising of the three. At age 21, he hit .293 this year with 33 stolen bases in triple A. Schlebler, 25, spent the majority of last season in triple A, but did make it into the big leagues in 19 games for the Dodgers. In those 19 games he had 3 home runs and 4 RBI. Finally, Dixon, age 23, spent most of last season bouncing between single and double A clubs. He put up decent numbers in each, but nothing that will knock your white sox off. Not sure if the Reds are in rebuild mode, but I'm not seeing the big picture here. Hopefully, I'll eat my words and it'll all become clear in April.

Lets talk...QB situation:

Losing to the Steelers was bad, but losing our starting quarterback didn't do anything to help soften the blow. Andy Dalton, after a "what the f$%@" interception, throws himself into a lineman and ends up with a fractured thumb. The good news, if you can call it that, is that Dalton won't need surgery on that thumb. Facing the mighty 49ers this Sunday, (notice the sarcasm), this just may be the perfect full start for AJ McCarron.

Lets face it, with Andy Dalton's return not probable until the post-season, if this season at all, McCarron is going to be our guy. Even if Andy is healthy enough for post-season play, the game will most likely be played in cold weather, and a thumb injury proves quite problematic on the throwing hand of a QB. We need McCarron to get as many reps as possible with this offense. Yes, the playbook will be a much shortened version with him at the helm, no matter what Hue Jackson says. The Bengals offense is so skilled and has so many threats, but they're used to the QB they've been working with all season, so the switch will be a heck of an adjustment. Although, we've seen it is possible to make the big plays with that touchdown from AJ to AJ Green. He will need to connect with the offensive weapons he will have to work with on Sunday because Tyler Eifert did not participate in practice today. Out with a concussion, the Bengals' tight end has been a huge asset this year, and will be missed if he sits out on Sunday against the niners.

Am I nervous, heck yes. But there are a few things on our side. First, two out of our last three games are against sub par opponents. Second, Denver is also playing with their back-up quarterback awaiting the return of a beat up Peyton Manning. The two seed is not out of our reach whatsoever, and that means a bye week. One more week for either Andy to heal and prepare to come back, or one more week of practice with the offense for McCarron. Lastly, McCarron knows what it's like to be a winner, a champion. The kid came out of one of the most highly acclaimed collegiate programs in the last decade...ALABAMA. He also played behind an offensive line that would probably measure up to most in the NFL, but a winner he is nonetheless. And we need that man to show up for us these next three weeks.

Lets talk...my beloved Bearcats:

Well, as if losing the Crosstown Shootout wasn't enough to put me in sports depression, the football team has joined in on the Cincinnati sports downfall this past week. Star running back from Lasalle, Jeremy Larkin, de-commits from UC and is now bound for Northwestern. Having a hometown kid that had the high school stats that he has had would have been huge for the cats.

On top of ALL OF THAT, there are reports that Gunner Kiel will not be playing in the Hawaii Bowl on Christmas Eve due to a personal matter. The Cats will face off against San Diego State likely with freshmen QB Hayden Moore. I am upset that Gunner won't get to finish out this season. His years at UC have been plagued with injury, and it would be nice to see the guy finish on a strong note; However, Hayden threw for over 500 yards in the Memphis game when he replaced an injured Kiel. And, he's going to be our QB for the next three years so ending his freshmen year in a bowl game is just more experience to bank for the future.