Pick Six

Five weeks into the NFL season Six teams are still unbeaten and it appears, barring catastrophe, all Six should find their way into the playoffs. Not automatically predicting anything here but you have to say their chances would make Vegas side step the bet.

Atlanta	W	L	T	PCT	PF	PA	STRK
Falcons	5	0	0	1.000	162	112	W5

The regulars are there, Green Bay, New England and Denver; but I doubt that many would have listed the Cincinnati Bengals and the Atlanta Falcons among them. But the numbers don't lie, they are not only unbeaten but showing they have the ability to overcome adversity in the late stages of a game. The Falcons fought back with a dramatic win over the Washington Redskins and the Cincinnati Bengals rose like the Phoenix after falling behind to beat back-to-back Super Bowl NFC Champion Seattle.

Cincinnati	W	L	T	PCT	PF	PA	STRK
Bengals	5	0	0	1.000	148	101	W5

In either case you could have left early thinking the games were over and I'm sure fans would have done that a few years ago. This Cincinnati team has a personality that knows nothing of the sort when it comes to throwing in the towel and the Falcons with Seattle's former defensive coordinator Dan Quinn now have the Pacific Northwest mentally embedded in the Dirty Birds. Both teams have a focus that won't allow them to join fans in celebrating the early success as they know it's a long way to game 16. Focus, focus, focus is what will ensure season long success vs. success after just 25% of the season has concluded.

New England	W	L	T	PCT	PF	PA	STRK
Patriots	4	0	0	1.000	149	76	W4

Love or hate New England, Tom Brady or "The Hoodie" Bill Belechick they find a way to win. The find players to fit their system and the same could be made of the Packers. You find yourself scrambling to find their roster to see if these guys making plays even went to college. Yes they did and they simply do the specific things well that the position on that team requires. When a team has an identity, a style of play, it makes it a little easier to get fits, but it still depends on whose left on the board when there time comes. Trust me there's still a little lady luck involved...but that's how former Miami of Ohio basketball/football star Quinten Rollins got drafted in the second round; and he ironically showed a return on his investment returning a Nick Foles pass for a pick six this past week.

Green Bay	W	L	T	PCT	PF	PA	STRK
Packers	5	0	0	1.000	137	81	W5

We all know a Peyton Manning led team is always dangerous but my bigger question to Denver is will he hold up for 16 games? Peyton looked slowed and banged up at the end of last season and as the games toughen up and the defensive pressure increases, I don't see him withstanding the onslaught down the stretch.

Denver	W	L	T	PCT	PF	PA	STRK
Broncos	5	0	0	1.000	113	79	W5

Well these six are now stacked like dominoes and it remains to be seen if any of these teams can run the table. Its even harder now that the last time the New England did it before losing to the New York Giants in the Super Bowl allowing the Dolphins to have yet another champagne toast as the only team to run the table.

Panthers

4

0

0

1.000

108

71

W4

When I originally wrote this blog I completely forgot about the surprising Carolina Panthers who head to Seattle, coming off a loss to the Bengals. I think this might be the first team to fall from the ranks of the unbeaten but you never know. With Atlanta in first place I didn't give them the respect they deserve.

If you're a fan enjoy the ride because it feels good now but bad when it ends because they're only two spots in Super Bowl 50.  And with five unbeaten teams, three will certainly not make it, giving this group a 40% chance to have two of them playing in Levi Stadium next February. The rest will say we started out like gangbusters! but we can all say it together "It's not how you start, it's how you finish."

I'm finished for today and we'll see how these five fare going down the stretch. That's the way I see it sitting in The Box Seat. I'm Wayne Box Miller

JEFF - RUSSELL - BLAKE - WILSON

When I watch Russell Wilson throw the football I'm reminded of a quarterback whose meteoric rise came as the result of two QB's getting injured in the same game. First Cincinnati Bengals leader Boomer Esiason went down in the Cleveland game on the road and if that wasn't good enough for the Browns they injured backup quarterback David Klingler leaving the faithful fearing destruction at the hands of the Dallas Cowboys upon their return to Riverfront Stadium. I mean this unknown QB released from the Jets named Jeff Blake wasn't given much of a chance and some were probably reading him his last football rights knowing the America's Team, The Dallas Cowboys, juggernaut was landing soon.

©Cincinnati Bengals

But it's sports and funny things happen when certainty is at the forefront of a yet to be played contest. No one knew how competitive Jeff Blake was; few knew his belief in self was authentic and even less were keenly aware of his skills throwing the ball deep. But we all found out that unforgettable October day in 1994 that the David vs. Goliath story became center stage not only in Cincinnati but the NFL as well.

Jeff threw for 243 yards and two touchdowns nearly leading the wounded Bengals to a improbable upset of the Dallas Cowboys. Although falling 23-20, he may not have won the game but he won the respect of the coaches, teammates and fans alike. He even introduced a new passing game with an aerial assault that saw the ball disappear into the stratosphere only to return and land in the waiting arms of Darnay Scott or Carl Pickens for six. Jeff Blake nearly revolutionize the position not only with his arms but his legs. As a highly successful signal caller at East Carolina he was a secret outside the state of North Carolina but no more and his 21,000 + yards and 134 Touchdowns proved he was no NFL fluke.

http://simplyadequate.com

And no more is his style of play an anomaly as this Jeff Blake 2.0 version Russell Wilson has emerged and taken his style of play to another level. Russell Wilson has the same aerial ball, the same legs and ironically was born in Cincinnati. Coincidence? Absolutely but I had to mention it giving credence to the fact that maybe Blake's skill were superimposed into Russell at birth. Thus you have Russell Blake or Jeff Wilson your pick.

Watching Russell Wilson is like watching a conductor with a broken baton; he still has to direct the orchestra but improvisation is constantly required. Plays break down in the NFL and defensive pressure is successful periodically in the NFL so without the mind, arm and legs you have given the advantage to the defense. Not Blake; not Russell. We only need to flash back to last Monday when Blake err Russell drove the Lions crazy not only recognizing and avoiding pressure but turning it into a highlight play and several lion deflating first downs. After a while you can only shake your head in amazement, as so many did with Blake. Blake may have been a little more animated after plays but Wilson is showing emotion on the sidelines. There are quite a few similarities and when the Bengals play the Seahawks this Sunday in Cincinnati albeit in a different arena, I can't help but imagine I'm watching Blake wearing the visitors uniform instead of the stripes. But this time I think the home team will win.

MLB playoffs have begun and the Cubs are in after dismantling the Pirate bats last night. Somewhere Harry Carey is, in his unmistakeable voice, drifting back and forth between the game and his surroundings is smiling. I'm not smiling at the fact that it's October 8th and the playoffs are just getting started. Anyone else see something wrong with this picture?

Speaking of pictures... Props to LeBron James for indulging all the fans, especially the kids with selfies and photos during the preseason games in Cincinnati vs. the Hawks. LeBron also gave kudos for the on and off the court wisdom given to him by the greatest to ever play the game Oscar Robertson, aka The Big O. When someone else averages a triple double for a season then we can talk.

That's the way I see it sitting in The Box Seat; I'm Wayne Box Miller

BOX FULL OF SPORTS

As I said in my previous blog, this time of year is a sports haven complete with multiple game options and this weekend undergirds my argument with a resounding case closed!

First and foremost lets put an end to this Cincinnati Reds baseball season at home and now the losing streak. We all have our opinions on what needs to happen and something should; on that we can all agree. One thing I know for sure is that it's easier to make bold moves and declarations when you're not in charge or writing checks. We as fans have that luxury and our second guessing won't have people blowing up our phone lines and calling radio stations saying Joe in the suburbs should be banned from the radio. I know this organization realizes they have to do something, even if it's laying out a solid where do we go from here plan. Something will be done but getting rid of the manager isn't part of that plan.

Fansided.com 

The UC Bearcats got an impressive win this past Thursday in Prime Time and no it wasn't the offense but the defense that set the tone and ensured the win. They never let Miami aka "The U" get into any real offensive rhythm and lets be honest the majority of you thought they were going to give the same performance that had us all questioning their abilities as evidenced in previous weeks. Now can we give credit where credit is due with the same expediency we do when it's not?

©2015 Wayne Box Miller Media

Speaking of UC I had a chance to watch the game from the new press box and the new Club Level seating and I have to say well done. There are plenty of TV monitors to watch not only The 'Cats but a few other games as well. With the cooler than desired weather and the majority of the people staying inside there was still ample room to move around and partake of all the food stations and watering holes. The food was pretty good with the basics as well as high end selections from which to choose. The seats are comfortable and a far cry from the steel padding of the past. Sitting near the ten yard line and end zone, the sight line was amazing! I can tell you any seat in the brand new Club Level or Suites is pretty good and for football fans you have the view you need to evaluate the plays.

Courtesy of Cleveland.com

For Boxing Fans and that is the majority of Cincinnati as boxing is part of this city's DNA, Adrien "The Problem" Broner was much improved and seemingly back to form in his WBA Super Lightweight Title victory last night over Khabib Allakhverdiev at US Bank Arena. While continuing to mix the sweet science with antics he still knows how to dangerously divide his time in the ring, but seemingly gained a renewed focus outside the square. As I say think of your younger self compared to now and you'll see a lot of reminders of your youth if you're honest. We all hope he continues to grow and his new business venture of promoting fights is equally successful. Following a trend that Floyd Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya have fine tuned, making money outside the ring, is a great next step.

Today the Cincinnati Bengals look to go 4-0 and put even more distance between them and the rest of the AFC North. After the Ravens beat the Steelers on Thursday Night, the Bengals are even better positioned to create more distance within the Division. Be reminded that this is a long season and after today there is still 75% of the season yet to be played. But clearly the Bengals won the first quarter of the season and Andy Dalton has looked better in doing so. So why am I hearing what happened last year ringing in my head? Say it with me: THAT WAS LAST YEAR LOL. 

The Bengals answered the call of the Ravens best, back agains the wall effort last week and will surely be tested again this week with a Chiefs team needing to keep pace in their Division early on. The reality is there is no off week in the NFL but with the home crowd and a highly respected offense and defense the Bengals can go 4-0 if they take care of the football. 

Sleeping with Bienemy is still one of the best monikers Chris Berman ever coined for now Kansas City Chief Running Back Coach Eric Bienemy. Pound for pound, heart vs heart there was no bigger player in the NFL than EB. When he played for the Bengals his heart and desire for the game and life was always on display. If you want to learn more about the man check out his article on the Chiefs Web Site. Props to you EB...

Side note: It was also a big football weekend including high school football, as several big teams clashed in Cincinnati; and in college with big games like Alabama and Georgia, where the Tide handed the Dawgs one embarrassment of a home game beat down for Georgia faithful. For all the trash talking, on the field jumping up and down between the two teams and confidence imagined, only one team showed up at game time; their reward? A nice ride back to Tuscaloosa...

Well I have to say hats off the Reds Community Fund for the 11th Annual Marty Brennaman Golf Classic Weekend at Belterra Casino Resort. One of the best golf outings in the business it's made even more impressive by the amount of money they've raised for the Community Fund. I can honestly say this is one of the best weekends of golf  annually in addition to The Marvin Lewis Community Fund because of how they both reinvest in our community. That means we all win. That's the way I see it sitting in The Box Seat; I'm Wayne Box Miller.

SPORTS EUPHORIA

This is the singular time of year where you as a sports fan can blindly grab your remote hit a channel and more than likely land on something sports related. How? It's easy; this is the time of year when the four major sports intersect with each other.  Baseball is headed to the playoffs, Football Season is off and running; The NHL regular season starts next week and the NBA pre-season kicks off this week. There is no other time where all the major sports can converge on your flat screen(s) giving you unlimited sports access to the point of infinite viewing jubilation.

If you're baseball team is out of the playoffs simply switch to football; football already looking bleak? Switch to hockey and if you are mad and upset with management just start following your basketball team. Conversely if your teams are doing well and have provided you with the adequate amount of optimism just enjoy yourself! As baseball winds down heading into winter, which just doesn't sound right, you can modify your sports menu from beer and wings to wings and beer with the occasional chips and dips. Check the thermostats, air filters and insert a fresh pack of batteries in the remote and know that this officially counts as "Honey-Do List" accomplishments. Especially if you have to go to the store to get more party supplies. I would simply suggest getting something specific for your lady to seal the deal including buying light bulbs in case the man cave lighting goes bad.

On the baseball side I would hope at some point MLB either shortens the season or brings back the double-header; the latter I doubt would ever happen as it would potentially create a revenue shortcoming. But it just doesn't seem right that snow would be potentially falling in the midst of a World Series game but stay tuned. The one ray of sunshine is that this is the best time to watch the sport that seems to have an issue with length of play among other things.

I think Hockey is growing albeit slowly and with more people of color entering the game, front and center ice, it will certainly help. I have grown to love and enjoy hockey minus the excessive fighting because the skill level and passing now is better than it's ever been. With stars like Ovechkin, Crosby, Kane and Fleury it's easy to get caught up in the excitement. With a great college Hockey Team close to Cincinnati, at Miami University in Oxford it certainly helps the cause of increasing the exposure and success of the sport.

We know the NFL is a juggernaut and the game is continuing to grow in popularity not just stateside but around the globe. The games in Europe will certainly increase as will I'm sure the revenue sharing. The NFL formula right now = success on and off the field. We now have football 3-4 days a week and we would probably embrace one more day if we could. The merchandise catalogue is thick and there isn't a product made that they wouldn't put a logo on.

The NBA on solid footing and even with the twilight career of players like Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan. Why? Because the league is in the prime of seasons for players like LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose while the emergence of Steph Curry, John Wall and Anthony Davis means the league is in the midst of its star succession plan keeping the game growing with an international appeal.

I have not forgotten about college football or basketball at all as they are the perfect compliment to this pro sports mega-season. But when it comes to watching sports played at the highest level, seeing all of them right now at the same time, there is no comparison. We all know that's exactly where a small percentage of the college players will and want to land next year and I will enjoy them as much as they enjoy their new found success and paychecks. I mean getting paid to do what you love is a blessing and sitting back enjoying it all in the fall isn't bad either, especially if your teams are doing well. That's the way I see it sitting in The Box Seat. I'm Wayne Box Miller.

SATURDAZE...

No matter where you live, in some part of this country and parts of the world you have time set aside to watch college football. The Saturday ritual has as many options as a college run and shoot offense. Sports Bars, garages while working on cars, home theaters, barber shops and many other venues serve as the unofficial gathering places for this fall Americana ritual.

Some are up bright and early tailgating and others up even earlier getting "things" out of the way including honey do's and don'ts; taking kids to sporting events and honoring forgotten promises that coincide with the big game. Flags are flying in every neighborhood separating neighbors and loved ones by colors, nicknames and mascot only to return to the weekly love fest first thing Sunday morning unless the same ritual applies to the NFL match ups.

College football can captivate even the most disinterested fan simply because the connection is not limited to sports. Your connection can be the result of your alma mater or your friend or family members school. You could live in the city or state and pride is the connection or you simply can't escape it because everywhere you turn there's a reminder even on the license plates in front of you. I am guilty as well and probably closer to excessive side of things. I will always watch and/or record the Michigan Wolverines and keep track of the competition in the Big Ten as well. But with so many great teams, coaches and players to fill up the Sunday Roster my interest requires a real wide bandwidth.

I and so many others I know can get lost in Saturday college football because even during a commercial break of the main game there is a pretty good second game to fill in the gap. And then you're gearing up for the marquee matchup and ultimately the night cap, prime time special. Some where in there you forget to take out the trash, mow the lawn and run to the store which means several yellow flags scattered around the house for unsportsmanlike conduct "failing to do your part around the house" are applied. The great thing about this penalty is no one speaks to you and you can finally watch the games without interruption. Now with remote securely in hand the rest of Saturday turns into a maze of one game on top of another with another in cue.  And it doesn't stop until some time in January when the long overdue playoffs finally becoming part of the football landscape.

Saturdaze make the reality of summer fading and fall approaching easier to accept. In the midwest the winters have been brutal of late and quite frankly the best coping mechanism is a day of football complete with snacks, wings, drinks and a fully functioning DVR. I mean certain plays have to be viewed repeatedly as they elevate certain players to NFL draft status and I just need to know that. I also need to know that this blog update is over because halftime just concluded and I'm obligated to finish watching this game until the next one starts. That's the way I see sitting in The Box Seat. I'm Wayne Box Miller.

FOOTBALL IS IN OUR VEINS

Football has taken over. This isn't new or breaking news but it is for a simple thought...how? How did America's past time, baseball, succumb to the gritty, gridiron and gangster like gladiator style sport where broken bones, head banging and beating your opponent into the ground has become our number one choice? How did the ballet and explosiveness of the NBA yield to the juggernaut that is the ever growing multi-billion dollar revenue stream enterprise made up of 32 owners? What other sport gets our adrenaline flowing on a Thursday night or actually helps us face the alleged, worst day of the week Monday, with Monday Night Football?

I don't know how it happened or when; I don't know if it was magical or long range marketing but what I do know is football is now America's sport. It's what we talk about year round more than other sports in their off seasons. It's the game and the tailgating; the clothing and merchandise; it's even the affiliation with Mom in the stands, and the commercials and promotions that have helped to seal the deal. To think players with helmets whom you may not recognize without them have gained even more popularity is impressive. Foundations, camps and events bearing their name are commonplace. Mix in social media and you have 50+ players per team in the social media space versus 20-30+ players in basketball and baseball.

Even players capitalized on marketing opportunities as well
The Cincinnati Bengals Defensive Secondary aka The Swat Team featured David Fulcher, Solomon Wilcots, Eric Thomas and Lewis Billups.

Whatever the answer is, football is here to stay and dominate like the legend of Steel Curtain or the Bill Walsh 49ers . We hang on each and every word, game and pregame show. We celebrated yet another time slot called Sunday Night Football and we'd probably start watch parties at clubs if they did Saturday nights games too. Club suites and private boxes seem to be more of a party and event than other sports suites due in part to the nature of the game. Other than Spike Lee very few fans are animated court side during basketball games and field seating at baseball games seem to be status symbols and client treats where you wonder is some of them even has a pulse.

New state of the art stadium designs typically have more aesthetic possibilities than other sports venues but who says they have to?

What other sports have a winner take all championship game like the Super Bowl 50? And as number 50 gets here everyone is wondering what the NFL will do for halftime. Even artists are wondering what can they do to get on stage. They know being exposed to a mega millions base of fans in a fixed, if sober, position means increased sales, social media followers and concert demands. Even with a less than adequate Pro Bowl aka All-Star game the NFL has the most coveted sports franchise in America. They have now updated it's passport to not only head to Europe but like any explorer search for new ground. We know the world calls soccer football but before too long they made have to revert to actually saying soccer.

I don't know if and when the NFL Express will slow down, but at some point it has to; but I do know the NBA and MLB should be working harder than ever to be realistic about the opportunity when it presents itself and it might be now. With concussions and brain damage being directly attributed to playing football; with the donation of brains and tissue to the medical community and the encephalopathy revelation, even with the forthcoming Will Smith movie, the time might be at hand to at least start talking about your sports unique advantage. Good luck; Football is Ace, King and Queen and with women's fashion now exploding with dresses, shoes and nail design you other sports have a lot of work ahead you even though you may have even lead this fashion enterprise. If you don't act soon it will soon be third and long. I hope you have a play for that and see, I unintentionally used a football reference to make my point. That's the way I see it sitting in The Box Seat. I'm Wayne Box Miller.

SPORTS INSIDE THE BOX

There was so much going on this past weekend in sports I'll just share a few thoughts and questions maybe even offer up a few suggestions.

First and foremost thank you for all the birthday wishes and the great thing about turning 60 is it now makes me eligible for 61. Move the scoreboard!

Lots of great games in the NFL depending who you were rooting for. The Cincinnati Bengals offense looked like it was in mid-season form posting 33 against the hapless Oakland Raiders but then again you should get points against a rebuilding team. Tyler Eifert showed when healthy, why he was a number one pick.

Everyone thought a healthy Bengal Offense would put points on the board

The Dallas Cowboys have more lives than a cat, but in fairness more bad luck than a broke man in a casino. They find a way, thanks to New York, to beat the Giants but lose their go to Wideout Dez Bryant to a broken bone in his foot. Jerry Jones has to be wondering if he should switch to Coke and Verizon to change his luck. Speaking of luck, Andrew didn't get any in Buffalo and the Bills appear to have the influence of Rex Ryan already as the beat Indy handily.  It's week one but the Falcons defense looks like they just switched the jerseys with the Seahawks with their aggressive display last night. Dan Quinn must have stashed some unknown players in his suitcase because that is NOT the same Falcons defense we're use to seeing.

In the baseball world the playoffs are heating up and it won't include the Cincinnati Reds who are still wondering if Dusty Baker would have been a better fit than the current one. I don't think the Price is Right regardless of how much of a steal, price wise, they negotiated to sign Bryan Price. I think yes they could use more veterans but some of the things I hear, especially, trying to take down visible evidence of glory days gone by was the first sign he doesn't get life at the big league level.

I despise the St. Louis Cardinals because I root for the Reds but how can you knock a team that is always in the thick of things. A Bad season for them is second or third place but they just seem to find players and those players find ways to contribute in key moments. It's the same for Pittsburgh; they always seem to be there in the end so don't let the loss to New England fool you.

Michigan is already playing better thanks to the hiring of former QB Jim Harbaugh

College football season has started and the power house teams are learning to quit scheduling what you think are automatic wins. This time it was Arkansas inviting Toledo to town and they fried up the Hogs' bacon and I'm sure the faithful are wondering what kind of year this is going to be. You wonder why Coach Bret Bielema would leave the Big Ten where he was getting top line players along side Michigan, Michigan State and Ohio State to join the bottom feeding SEC schools for talent. If you're really good I doubt Arkansas is on your radar when deciding on an SEC school.

Oh well on a lighter note congrats to Marques Johnson for being tabbed to join his former team the Milwaukee Bucks as a TV analyst. Marques Johnson was not only an all star player but knows the game of basketball and conveys it to his audience in an understandable way. I hope to catch some of the Bucks games on NBA ticket just to hear him along side Gus Johnson, especially if someone hits a game winning buzzer beater...nobody does it like Gus!

Lastly it was indeed tough watching Serena Williams fall in the US Open semis ruining her natural Tennis Grand Slam but what she has done for the sport cannot be measured because the ripple effect is still occurring. She and Venus redefined who plays Tennis and how you get there and their Dad Richard deserves more credit than the traditional media will ever give him and that in and of itself is the tragedy of the sport.

The All-Star Game proved their is still fan interest but will they share their football season?

Well football season is in full swing and baseball, wanting to play 162 games, will fade into the sunset playing post season possibly in November. I find it ridiculous to call them the "Boys of Summer" anymore; they should be the "Boys of Fall" and that should be the wake-up call; baseball needs to shorten its season or start earlier. It diminishes the playoffs in my opinion because we are a football society now with games on from Thursday Night to Monday Night and somewhere in between if time permits, we might watch a baseball game, to buy time until the next kickoff. That's the way I see it sitting in The Box Seat. I'm Wayne Box Miller 

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