Off The Bench by Chatterbox Sports

Elly De La Cruz is staying put, NFL Buy or Sell | Off The Bench | 10.9.24

Justin Kinner hosts, joined by Jacob Tissot and Elliot Reiring to discuss the recent happenings in the sports world. The Reds announced last night that Jonathan India, Matt McLain, and Spencer Steer could be trying out new positions, and that Elly De La Cruz would be staying put at SS. We discuss what this means both immediately and long term for the Reds. In the wake of Robert Saleh's firing from the Jets, NFL Buy or Sell goes over the job security of underpreforming coaches, such as Zac Taylor.

Cincinnati Bengals Are Now 1-4 Despite Joe Burrows Near Perfect Day... | OTB 10.7.24

Watch Off the Bench Presented by UDF with Chatterbox Sports Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. LIVE on the Chatterbox Sports YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE to the channel to ensure you never miss a thing.
 Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow sat at his locker for several minutes, arms folded, one leg crossed over the other, assessing the aftermath of Sunday's 41-38 overtime loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
For most of the day, the Bengals led and seemed poised to open play in the AFC North with a victory -- their second straight. But on multiple occasions, Cincinnati saw that lead slip away before the Ravens eventually sealed the deal with Justin Tucker's 24-yard field goal.
As Burrow reflected on the outcome, one thing was evident: After the fourth loss in five games to start the season, Burrow said it was frustrating that a team that started the year with title aspirations is nowhere close.
"We're not a championship-level team right now," Burrow said. "We're not. I like to think that we'll come back and improve throughout the season to get to that point, but right now we are not and we have to get better."
It seemed like there was little more the offense could do after another productive outing. Cincinnati scored 30 points for the third straight game. Burrow threw for a career-high five touchdowns on 30-of-39 passing for five touchdowns, though he did also throw a costly interception in the fourth quarter. Wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase had 10 catches for 193 yards and two touchdowns.
But it was not enough. The defense allowed more than 38 points for the second straight game. After Cincinnati led 38-28 with 8:54 left in regulation, the Ravens scored 13 unanswered points.
For Chase, that amplified the disappointment felt after Sunday's loss.
"I think that's what's causing us to be mad, for the most part," Chase said at his locker after the game. "Just putting up 30 points and losing right there.
"That's what we want to do as an offense -- put up 30 points and take over the game. Put the ball in our hands last drive and take over. That's what we want, and we didn't do it."
Chase and fellow wide receiver Tee Higgins lamented the lack of aggressiveness during a wacky overtime period. Baltimore won the toss to start the extra period and was driving down the field for a potential game-winning touchdown. However, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson fumbled a snap while in the shotgun, and Cincinnati linebacker Germaine Pratt recovered the ball and took it to Baltimore's 38-yard line.
Cincinnati ran the ball on three straight plays to set up a field goal attempt for kicker Evan McPherson. Since he was drafted in 2021, McPherson has hit nine game-tying or go-ahead field goals in the last two minutes of regulation or in overtime, according to ESPN Research. But a poor hold by rookie punter Ryan Rehkow played a role in the 53-yarder that missed wide left.
When asked about the conservative approach on that drive, Bengals coach Zac Taylor said he didn't want to risk a sack or holding penalty in that situation. He said that there was a pass called on that series of plays but that Burrow did a good job of checking into a run play that was more favorable given the defensive look.
"When you're in field goal range and you believe in your kicker, it really is as simple as that," Taylor said.
But instead of back-to-back victories, the Bengals are now trying to overcome the odds to reach the postseason. According to ESPN Research, only 5.6% of teams that have started the year with a 1-4 record in the Super Bowl era (since 1966) have reached the postseason. The 2020 Washington Commanders were the most recent team to accomplish the feat.
Burrow said there were no illusions about where the Bengals find themselves after their fourth loss of the year by just a combined 15 points.
"I know exactly how we are 1-4," Burrow said. "We're not making plays at the end of the game to go and win it. Definitely not in disbelief. I know exactly what's happening."
Despite what Burrow said postgame about the team not being a championship-level squad, Taylor said he still believes in that. Cincinnati went to the Super Bowl in the 2021 season, losing to the Los Angeles Rams, and reached the AFC Championship Game the following year before losing in a rematch to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Taylor said there is still a lot of belief that the team can rebound despite what happened on Sunday against Baltimore.
"People can write us off if they really want to," Taylor said. "I'm not dumb enough to do that."

Reds hire TERRY FRANCONA as next manager | OTB 10.4.24

The Reds hire Terry Francona

Joe Burrow: I Have To Play Damn Near Perfect For Cincinnati Bengals To Beat Baltimore Ravens | OTB

eadline
MLB
The Tigers advance to the ALDS.  They sweep the Astros 2-0 in the wild card round winning yesterday 5-2. Some tigers fun facts.  The tigers are the fourth team in history to win a playoff series after being 10 games back of a playoff spot at least 110 games into the season. 
The other 3? The 2011 Cardinals, the 1969 Mets, and the 1964 Cardinals.  What do those 3 teams have in common? They all went on to win the World Series.  
16 players in the MLB playoffs make more money than the entire detroit tigers roster combined. 
Up next for the Tigers is the Guardians
The Royals sweep away the Orioles as they win yesterday 2-1. Bobby witt comes up big again as his rbi base hit in the 6th won the game. The yankees await kansas city
Some late game heroics in Milwaukee as the Mets blow a 3-1 lead.  Brewers even up the series at 1 a piece as they win last night 5-3. 708 first pitch tonight.  
The Padres got out to a 5-1 lead and hung on til the end as they sweep the padres.  5-4 the final as they now take on the dodgers
Since the wild card round became a series instead of a single elimination game in 2022, 10 of the 12 three game series have been sweeps
FC CINCINNATI
The orange and blue tried to come back from 3 down but fell to the New York City FC 3-2. Acosta and baird were the goal scorers yesterday. 

RIP Pete Rose, Cincinnati Reds Legend. Remembering Big Reds Machine Best Moments | OTB 10.01.24

Following this story from Erin Couch and Dan Horn - https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2024/09/30/pete-rose-dies-henderson-county-nevada-cause-of-death/75460666007/ Cincinnati Reds legend Pete Rose was found dead at his home Monday in Clark County, Nevada, according to officials there. The Clark County coroner's office could not immediately be reached and the county spokeswoman who confirmed Rose's death provided no other details, including the cause of death. ABC News reported that a family member found Rose and said the county medical examiner indicated there were no signs of foul play. The ABC News report also said Rose, 83, had not been in the care of a doctor at the time of his death. Rose's home is being examined and the cause of death remains under investigation. Although there was no indication Rose had been seriously ill at the time of his death, Rose said in 2018 court filings connected to his divorce that he was "in poor health and disabled." In that same divorce case, Rose's lawyers said he struggled to walk, was on blood thinners and had undergone three heart procedures in five years. Pete Rose, who died Monday at his home in Nevada, at a press conference in 2015 at the Pete Rose Sports Bar and Grill in Las Vegas. Despite those health problems, Rose maintained a busy schedule and continued to travel all over the country, often to sports memorabilia shows. A Facebook post Monday from the Music City Sports Collectibles and Autograph Show in Tennessee featured a photograph taken Sunday of Rose sitting in a wheelchair, surrounded by several of his teammates from his days in Cincinnati with the Big Red Machine. He died the next day. "Amazing that they all got to see each other one last time," the post said. Earlier this year, in April, Rose canceled an appearance at former UC basketball coach Bob Huggins' annual fish fry charitable fundraiser in West Virginia "due to health reasons," according to a post on the event's Facebook account. "We're sending Pete our warmest wishes for a full & speedy recovery," the post said. The Cincinnati Reds also confirmed Rose's death in a statement late Monday. “Our hearts are deeply saddened by the news of Pete’s passing,” said Reds' owner Bob Castellini. “He was one of the fiercest competitors the game has ever seen, and every team he played for was better because of him. Pete was a Red through and through. No one loved the game more than Pete and no one loved Pete more than Reds Country.” Though the all-time hits leader began his record-breaking career in Cincinnati and won two World Series titles here, he had lived in Nevada for years, near Las Vegas, where he owned a now-closed bar and frequently made paid public appearances and signed baseball memorabilia.

Cincinnati Bengals Victory Reaction Monday! Can Joe Burrow Keep Carrying the Team? | OTB 9.30.24

Watch Off the Bench Presented by UDF with Chatterbox Sports Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. LIVE on the Chatterbox Sports YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE to the channel to ensure you never miss a thing.
 
Running backs Zack Moss and Chase Brown scored on one-yard plays to end the first half and open the second, and the Bengals used the "double-dip" to post their first win of the year in a 34-24 victory over the Panthers. Quarterback Joe Burrow threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns, one a 63-yard-catch-and-run play by wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. Brown and Moss combined to put the Bengals over 100 yards rushing. NOTES Burrow Hits 15K Joe Burrow surpassed 15,000 career passing yards on his first completion of the third quarter, a 10-yarder to tight end Erick All Jr. Playing in his 56th game, Burrow tied for the fourth-fastest player in NFL history to reach 15,000 passing yards. Burrow finished the day 22 of 31 for 232 yards and two touchdowns with one interception, good for a passer rating of 100.5. Joe to Ja'Marr For 63 Burrow found Ja’Marr Chase over the middle on a third down in the second quarter, and the Pro Bowler fought off would-be tacklers to take it for a 63-yard touchdown. It marked Chase's ninth career receiving touchdown of 60 or more yards, the most in the NFL since he entered the league in 2021. It also ties former Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. for the most such touchdowns in the Super Bowl era by a player under the age of 25. Ja'Marr Reaches 4K Chase finished with three catches for 85 yards and his third touchdown of the season. He reached 4,000 career receiving yards in the process, and playing in his 49th game he became the fastest Bengal ever to do so. Chase surpassed A.J. Green, who hit the 4K mark in his 50th game. Chase also became just the fifth player in the Super Bowl era to reach 4,000+ receiving and 30+ receiving touchdowns in his first 50 games, joining Green, Beckham Jr., and Pro Football Hall of Famers Randy Moss and Jerry Rice. Bengals Execute "Double-Dip" Cincinnati successfully pulled off the "double-dip," scoring a touchdown on the final true possession of the first half and the opening possession of the second half. The Bengals received the ball on their own 34-yard line with 1:08 remaining in the second quarter and marched on an eight-play, 66-yard drive capped off by a Burrow-to-Zack Moss TD pass with one second left on the clock. It marked the latest Bengals touchdown scored in a first half since A.J. Green caught a 48-yard pass from Andy Dalton with no time remaining in Week 7 of the 2016 season against Cleveland. Bell Sets Up Brown Vonn Bell intercepted a Dalton pass that was affected by Trey Hendrickson in the first quarter, and returned the pick 32 yards to the Carolina 16. It was Bell's eighth career interception and his first since Week 2 of last season, which also came at Bank of America Stadium when he played for the Panthers.

Cincinnati Reds Series Finale! Marty Brennaman Joins Us Live! Reds Managerial Search! | OTB 9.26.24

Watch Off the Bench Presented by UDF with Chatterbox Sports Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. LIVE on the Chatterbox Sports YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE to the channel to ensure you never miss a thing.
 
We discuss the comments made by Ja'Marr Chase about his preformance and how its gotten better because he is back to having "Fun" again. We also get into the NFL pickems around the league. We talk about the Oakland Athletics final home series at Oakland and how upset fans are about them leaving. We Bring on Marty Brennaman too discuss the Reds Season as a whole and what direction the team should look in for the next manager.

Ja'Marr Chase Injury! Can the Cincinnati Bengals Beat the Carolina Panthers Now? | OTB 9.26.24

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Bengals see some new faces on the injury report, the Reds may have found their new manager and it's not a name you would expect, college NIL is wild, and which NFL Teams are Pretenders OR Contenders!

The Cincinnati Reds Trolled by the Cleveland Guardians?!? Fair or FOUL! | OTB 9.25.24

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Cincinnati Bengals Defense Destroyed by Washington Commanders on Monday Night Football | OTB 9.24.24

Watch Off the Bench Presented by UDF with Chatterbox Sports Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. LIVE on the Chatterbox Sports YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE to the channel to ensure you never miss a thing.
 
Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders stole the show in their 38-33 upset victory over Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals on "Monday Night Football." Daniels, the No. 2 pick in the 2024 draft, led the Commanders down the field for touchdowns on each of their first four full drives to build a 28-13 lead midway through the third quarter and held off the Bengals from there. The former Heisman winner from LSU showed off his dual-threat ability in the win. He tossed two TDs and ran for one, finishing the night 21-of-23 for 254 yards while running for another 39 on 12 carries. For the second time in three games, the Bengals were big home favorites over a team that had a rough 2023 season. And yet again, Cincinnati suffered a stunning upset. Led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, the Commanders topped the Bengals 38-33 to send Cincinnati to an 0-3 start. Daniels produced a masterful performance. Washington scored touchdowns on five of its first six drives, including a 27-yard pass from Daniels to wide receiver Terry McLaurin to salt away the win with 2:10 left. Before the season started, the Bengals were in the conversation to challenge Kansas City for the AFC title. But a third AFC title meeting in four seasons between the teams seems very distant right now. According to ESPN Research, only six teams have reached the playoffs in the Super Bowl era after an 0-3 start to the season. Troubling trend: Failing to convert possessions into touchdowns was an issue last week against the Kansas City Chiefs and persisted against Washington. In the second quarter, Cincinnati had three drives inside Washington's 30-yard line. The Bengals settled for field goal tries on all three of them. Kicker Evan McPherson made 2 of 3 attempts. Biggest hole in the game plan: Containing Daniels. The rookie quarterback made running the offense look effortless in his third career start. Daniels completed 14 of his first 16 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown. He also scrambled for one touchdown to help the Commanders torch Cincinnati's defense. Washington scored touchdowns on its first four drives