One of the focuses of the off-season was improving a pass offense which ranked No. 26 in the NFL last season in yards per game.

Numbers wise, quarterback Carson Palmer didn’t have a bad season. He passed for 3,094 yards, completed 61 percent of his passes, and threw for 21 touchdowns. However, it was an average year (by his standards) and by the end of the season it was clear the team needed to add more talented pass-catchers around their franchise quarterback.

And that’s exactly what coach Marvin Lewis and the Bengals front office did.

In March, Cincinnati inked free agent wide receiver Antonio Bryant. The 29-year-old Bryant, who signed a four-year deal worth $28 million, was bothered by knee pain much of last season. However, in 2008 he had a career-high 83 catches for 1,248 yards and seven touchdowns.

Bengals.com editor Geoff Hobson believes Bryant and the Bengals may be a match made in football heaven.

“He can be that type of player to open the other half of the field and take the double-teams away from Chad [Ochocinco],” Hobson said. “He’s never had a quarterback like Carson Palmer and he’s had eight different offensive coordinators in his eight years in the league.”

Though Bryant is not physically imposing at 6'1" and a touch over 200 pounds, Cincinnati Enquirer Bengals beat writer Joe Reedy sees the University of Pittsburgh product adding a unique dimension to the Bengals’ wide receiving corps.

“Bryant is a different type of receiver than Chad [Ochocinco]; he’s a guy who loves contact in the middle of the field. He loves getting dirty and getting tough catches,” Reedy said. “He’s also one of few wide receivers who love to run block, which is essential to the success of the Bengals offense.”

The Bengals didn’t stop with Bryant. They drafted two wide receivers and a tight end in the April NFL draft, including using their first-round pick on Oklahoma tight end Jermaine Gresham. Gresham, who stands at 6'6" and weighs 260 pounds, was only the second tight end the Bengals have drafted in the first round in franchise history.

“Gresham is a lot further ahead than what the coaching staff could have been most optimistic about,” Reedy said. “As long as there’s not a holdout I think you could almost write it in pen that he’s going to be the starter.”

Although there are some concerns about whether Gresham can handle the blocking responsibilities in the Bengals run-heavy offense, Hobson believes the rookie gives the Bengals an instant red zone weapon, and Palmer a huge target over the middle of the field.

“He’s just a big ass guy. He gives them pretty immediate help in the passing game,” Hobson said. “It’s hard to know about his blocking, but he has the physical skills to do it.”

Of course, the success of the offense begins and ends with Palmer. If the Bengals are to again be a well-oiled offensive machine, Palmer has to pick up his play.

“I expect a lot more out of him, there are no excuses this year for Carson Palmer,” Reedy said. “He’s got the tools, he’s got the weapons, and he says he’s healthy. We just won’t know until he’s on the field.”

Although Palmer looked like more of game manager than Pro Bowl MVP quarterback last season, Hobson thinks No. 9 has plenty left in the tank and that the team’s lack of receiving talent last season crippled the former Heisman Trophy winner.

“He had seven drives at the end of games last year that either tied the game or put the Bengals ahead, so he’s a crunch time guy. Sure, he had a [bad] playoff game, but the passing game shriveled up at the end of the season.” Hobson said. “He hasn’t had this many weapons around him since 2005. I think he’s capable of firing up a quarterback rating of 94, 95 and putting up MVP-type numbers.”

Cincinnati already has an experienced offensive line and a No. 9 ranked running game on offense. If the Who Dey air attack can regain its form, the Bengals could be lighting up the scoreboard in the fall.

Look for Part Two on the defense tomorrow.

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Then, when your offense has always been known as a run-oriented team, it becomes even harder for you if you are not a running back.

Currently, the Pittsburgh Steelers have two players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame that played the least recognizable position in the history of the Steelers, wide receiver.

So, who are the best of the position Steelers are LEAST known for? Here are the top 10 Steelers receivers of all time.

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Ortiz treated this situation like the man he was, calmly. He told the media and everyone around him that he was sorry for testing positive, but he also said that he did NOT take any performance enhancing substances. Weeks later, it was shown that when Ortiz was in his home country, he must have drank a juice or energy drink that contained whatever caused the positive test.

Most people believed Ortiz after that, mostly because he is a nice man. But some people still thought he used these drugs. So this year, when Ortiz was asked if he could participate in the Home Run Derby after he was selected to the All-Star team, he quickly said yes for one reason.

Ortiz wanted to prove to everyone that he is a clean, non-drug using player, and that made him want to win this event.

Ortiz captured the Home Run Derby title on Monday night, and he did so in great fashion.

Ortiz hit eight home runs, third place behind Corey Hart and Hanley Ramirez, in the first round. He greatly improved on that total by hitting 13 home runs in the second round, giving him a total of 21 home runs. But Ortiz had one problem.

Hanley Ramirez hit nine home runs in the first round and 11 in the second, giving him the same total as Ortiz at 21. But do not forget about Corey Hart and Miguel Cabrera, who were also in the Semifinals.

Hart did not hit any home runs in the second, which gave him a total of 13 for both rounds. Cabrera had seven in the first round and five in the second, giving him 12 overall. There was no need for a bat-off between Ortiz and Ramirez. They were both in the finals.

Ortiz started out the final round in outstanding fashion. He hit 11 home runs, which tied him with Bobby Abreu for the most in the final round, while Hanley only hit five. Ortiz won the final round by a landslide.

Ortiz hopes that after his great victory in the Home Run Derby, more people will stop thinking of him as a cheater, and think of him more as a player who helped his team win two world series and won the 2010 Home Run Derby. 

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Many players have opted not to take part in the event, as they believe it will affect their swing during the second half of the season. 

That's a bogus excuse, and I'll tell you why.

The MLB is an organization of professionals who work day-in and day-out, and the Home Run Derby is nothing more than heavy batting practice. I cannot see why they think that one batting practice session will affect their swing. 

The players who participate in the derby have batting practice and batting coaches. If the derby somewhat affects their swing, than the players can adjust their motion in no time.

My theory is that when a player hits a slump after the Home Run Derby, he will try his best to blame it on the derby. This way, he won't have to take the responsibility for his slump.

Which is really unfair.

Players hit slumps because of a psychological factor, or because they cannot identify pitches.

A player doesn't go into a slump because he hit 20+ HR during batting practice. 

This is just an absurd rumor that players will believe so that they don't have to risk ruining their swing. 

Because of this theory, many star players with great power numbers do not want to participate, which is a darn shame.

This year's Home Run Derby was full of first timers who probably shouldn't have participated. 

The lack of interest from players in this event will cause a serious decline in popularity amongst fans. 

I find this to be extremely sad and unfortunate, due to the history this event has.

The derby is a great addition to the All-Star game. It is an event strictly for the fans that will slowly be neglected just because players are getting superstitious. 

This superstition must stop now.

To finish off, I would like to congratulate all the batters who participated in this year's derby. They at least tried to entertain the fans by "risking" their swings.

I just hope that, for the sake of the fans, next year's Home Run Derby will have more star players involved. 

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The only things fans aren’t real happy about is the fact that besides Matt Holliday, David Ortiz, and Miguel Cabrera, there aren’t those big names participating that can put on a show for the fans in Anaheim.

Guys like Chris Young, Vernon Wells, Corey Hart, and Hanley Ramirez don’t really make the every day Home Run Derby fan stand up and take notice.

So, in case you didn’t get a chance to catch it on television, here’s a round-by-round breakdown of how things went tonight and the standout performers.

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Now as a fun use of free time, I'm going to give my opinions on questions a lot of Penguin fans want to ask. 

Why does Shero want to combine Staal and Geno?

Staal is ready for a top 2 line year.  He has served as center of what has been said to be the best third line in the NHL.  Staal has progressed and is ready for a breakout year. I see Staal becoming an amazing centerman and to have Geno as a winger will definitely boost that.  

It has become clear that Geno isn't the best at faceoffs and Staal is better at taking faceoffs as well as holding down the center. Geno likes to move around and is equipped with speed that allows him to do so.

At the same time, i'm thinking about the same third line that could shut down any top line as well as bruise any top line.  The combination of Cooke, Staal and Kennedy proved last year that they were capable of taking out a top line while the Pens two stars, Crosby and Malkin, rested up for the opponents bottom lines. 

Overall, I see Coach Dan giving it a try and if it doesn't work, look for Staal to move back to being the third center and look for him to not give a care in the world at the move. That is, if Shero doesn't find a center to take the place of the third line center. 

Who will Shero sign next, if anyone at all?

When Rob Niedermeyer decided to not sign with the Penguins, a third line center was pretty much out of the question. Now Shero is looking for a veteran winger. The players he should be looking at are: Dominic Moore, Maxim Alfinogenov, and lastly, Bill Guerin.

Moore isn't even getting looked at by the Pens and I have no idea why. He is a big hitter who flourished in Montreal and checks like crazy.  He's also a great penalty killer.

Alfinogenov did well in Atlanta and has a cheap price tag for a big goal scorer. Pens need a winger who can score and that is what he is. 

Guerin is old. That's relevant to people, but he also was the leading scorer for the wingers last year.  He still plays at a decent pace and is a positive voice in the locker room. I don't think he should get the $2 million he got last year and I know he has blown off whatever the Pens were offering him this off season.  He hasn't gotten many other offers and he wants to play in Pittsburgh. I hope he takes a lesser price and comes back for what will surely be his last year.

Did Shero over pay for Martin and Michalek?

No.  

Shero knew he was under pressure to get the Pens defense better. He stood his ground with Gonchar and didn't give in to Gonchar's demands.  That third year Gonch wanted at a $5 million price tag could cost the Penguins if he got hurt.  As much as I wanted to see Gonch back and as hard as it was to hear him talk about Pittsburgh and then shift to Ottawa, I knew Shero made the right decision.

But back to the Martin and Michalek talk.  Both players are players that will benefit this team in different ways.

Martin has offense to his game while Michalek is all defense. Martin was injured this year, but still showed what he has, while Michalek led the league in blocked shots, an amazing stat for any defenseman.

Another thing I like about the signings is that they were offered more from other teams but decided to come to Pittsburgh and have a chance at their first ever Cup.

Like Shero has said time and time again, he wants players who want to play here.  

Crosby, Malkin, Staal, Orpik, Cooke, Martin and Michalek have all taken less to play in Pittsburgh. 

That says a lot. 

The simple question is the same every off-season, especially after a bad loss in the playoffs.  

Will this team make it to the Cup?

Without a doubt. 

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My friend responded by telling me that that summation wasn’t fair because it left the door open for me to change my mind if Burke screwed anything up. He was right, it does.

It got me thinking though. I understand Brian Burke has won a cup, I also understand that he helped build what was in most hockey circles considered a heavy contender in Vancouver, but I wonder if Toronto Maple Leaf fans aren’t enamored with him for all the wrong reasons.

He hasn’t done or won anything here yet.

I wonder if Leafs fans judgments aren’t so clouded by their collective overwhelming desire for a GM with any amount of experience or credibility after the whole Pat Quinn and John Fergusson JR experience.

Before you jump all over me about Quinn, towards the end of his tenure in Toronto, he simply wasn’t effective at his job. Whether as a GM or as a coach. End of story.

As I said, I wonder if it’s because of Toronto fans desperation that Brian Burke has been placed on such a high pedestal.

Don’t get me wrong, I like Burke and have spoken very highly of him in previous articles, but I’m also very careful of placing people on pedestals.

All that being said, Brian Burke and his family finally took some much needed time off. For his part though, according to the National Post , Burke says he is not done.

There are still several free agents out there that intrigue him and there are still offers out there for Tomas Kaberle.

For now though, he just wants to put his feet up and loosen his tie.

Trade Rumors

Look for Simon Gagne of the Philadelphia Flyers to be on the move sooner rather than later. The Leafs could work a straight swap with Philly for Kaberle though Flyer fans would argue that they aren’t getting equal value in return.

A major issue with this scenario is Gagne has a no trade clause; however, if he refuses to waive it, he will likely end up on waivers so this is one of those rumors that just isn’t going to go away.

Tomas Kaberle has of course been the focal point of most Leafs rumors.

• Kaberle to the Washington Capitals for Alexander Semin

• Kaberle to the Boston Bruins for Marc Savard

• Kaberle to the Anaheim Ducks for Bobby Ryan (Ducks GM Murray says he won’t be trading Ryan)

• Kaberle to the Philadelphia Flyers for Simon Gagne

If Tomas Kaberle doesn’t get traded, there are several fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs who will likely have a meltdown.

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Previously, goaltending was the crux of an NHL team; having a marquee goaltender in net was a must for any team to have any reasonable chance of success. The 10 seasons from 1995 through 2004 only saw five different NHL teams hoist the Stanley Cup; Colorado (1996, 2001), Dallas (1999), Detroit (1997, 1998, 2002), New Jersey (1995, 2000, 2003), and Tampa Bay (2004). Unsurprisingly, each and every team had top tier goaltending from the likes of players such as Patrick Roy, Ed Belfour, Martin Brodeur, and Dominik Hasek.

Times have changed. Smaller goalie pads and less freedom for defensemen to obstruct the opposition has opened things up completely.

Scoring is up, job security for goaltenders is down.

In each and every of the past five seasons, a handful of middle of the pack goaltenders emerged with a season of elite goaltending numbers, only to be supplanted the following season by a new handful.

The change was instantaneous.

2006, the first post-lockout season, saw former Anaheim back-up Martin Gerber lead the unlikely Carolina Hurricanes to a division title, and in an even more unlikely twist of fate would be supplanted by rookie Cam Ward in the playoffs, who went on to win MVP honors en route to the Stanley Cup. Carolina's opponent, the Edmonton Oilers, were in the finals thanks to goaltending from Dwayne Roloson, a trade deadline acquisition. Even when Roloson went down due to injuries in the finals, third stringer Jussi Markkanen took over and pushed the series to seven games.

Wild inconsistency continued in the following seasons, with goaltenders like Steve Mason going from Calder Trophy winner to fringe starter, Tim Thomas going from Vezina Trophy winner to back-up in the span of one season, and J.S. Giguere going from Stanley Cup winner to $6M paper weight.

2009-2010, perhaps more than any of the previous years, saw several goaltenders jump from being back-ups—or even AHL starters—to NHL stardom. In perhaps the most improbable scenario possible, Chicago and Philadelphia faced in the Stanley Cup finals led by Finnish league (FNL) veteran Antti Niemi and AHL journeyman Michael Leighton.

Boston's Tuuka Rask (one win to 22), Colorado's Craig Anderson (15 wins to 38), Detroit's Jimmy Howard (zero wins to 37), LA's Jonathan Quick (21 to 39), and Montreal's Jaroslav Halak (18 wins to 26, plus nine in the playoffs) round out the "get rich quick" of 2010.

All of the listed goaltenders are young and filled with promise, but some of them will undoubtedly falter. Will Jimmy Howard falter as Detroit's defense continues to age? Will Craig Anderson, the oldest on the list, prove to be one trick pony like Marty Biron was for the Flyers? Will Jonathan Quick, shaky in the playoffs and signed to a small salary contract, lose his starting seat to top prospect Jonathan Bernier?

Question marks in the heads of general managers have caused them to wise up. No longer will teams give out lucrative offers to try to shore up their goaltending holes, even if they're a Stanley Cup contender or it's been an Achilles heel for the past half decade. As such, goaltenders once considered elite, such as Marty Turco and Jose Theodore, remain without an NHL contract; Evgeni Nabokov, the only goaltender to win over 40 games in each of the past three seasons, has signed in Russia.

For now, the era of the goaltender is dead.

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This event was hyped to new levels, which included an hour long ESPN special where LeBron announced where he would be calling home from now on.  How will this affect the NHL going forward?  

This will be looked at in two parts.

Part No. 1: The Hype Machine

For us Canadian hockey fans, a similar format already exists with TV networks like TSN, the SCORE, and Sports net that all run hours of dedicated broadcasting for the NHL trade deadline and "Canada Day" free agency, which is held on July 1.  I personally find myself glued to the TV. 

This part of the hype machine has room to grow and this year the NBA showed that.  It will likely be a larger factor in the United States for MLB (although how shocked would you be to see all the top UFAs sign with the Yankees). The NFL is without a collective bargaining agreement presently, and from what I have read, was taking notes. 

Part No. 2: Conspiring Players

I hear fans of previous generations talking about how prior to free agency players hated their counterparts on the opposing team.  These days, players hug before the contest starts, and it may even be worse during the battle.  I'm all for good sportsmanship, but give me some classic, intense rivalry any day.  It's nice to know NHL players Crosby and Ovechkin have a level of respect, but maintain their competitive rivalry with one another. 

Loyalty to a team is not as strong for the players these days, and free agency has made sure of that.  It’s all about business and dollar signs.  The Olympics, in some cases, contributes to the "let's all be friends" theory, but seeing the build-up for Canada and Russia or Sid and Ovy this past winter reminded me of the international battles of their past. 

Even the classic games between Canada and the US in the Vancouver Olympics represented sports at their best.  For Canadians, it compared to the 1972 and 1987 victories against the Soviet Union, and for Americans the passion rekindled the memory of the Miracle on Ice from 1980 in Lake Placid. That’s the fire we all crave.  Is it possible to have the best of both worlds?

The Olympics also connects player in some cases for life.  Gretzky and Lemieux will always be on opposite sides for the debate of greatest ever, but in 1987 they found a connection a country will never forget. The pass, the shot! Wow, I still get chills (No disrespect to Dale Hawerchuk as he was just as important in the historic goal).

This is where Part No. 1 and No. 2 merge

LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh, in a time of free agency, were presented an opportunity that has never been seen before in history.  After Olympic bonding, they found a way to play together in the NBA.  Imagine in 1987 if Gretzky and Lemieux had the chance to join forces in Pittsburgh or since it's my story Toronto?

The only way I see the NHL having an opportunity to raise the bar too, and join the other pro sports in the US hype market is if in 2013 Sidney Crosby puts aside the loyalty we all believe he has to the Penguins and looks for a chance to make a statement. 

Ovechkin already closed that door, signing a 13-year deal in 2008, but Sid the Kid has the chance to spark the hype machine!  It would even be great if he used this opportunity to build the drama, and unlike LeBron pledged his services to Pittsburgh with the world watching (although I’m sure New York, Toronto, and Montreal would all like to have a chance to land Crosby).

Who would  join Sid if he chose to build an NHL's Hall of Justice?  Following the same idea of Olympic teammates joining forces, the other potential UFAs in 2013 include Ryan Getzlaf, Brendan Morrow, and Jerome Iginla. Shea Weber may also be a UFA as well.

It won't be to the same level in the United States as the LeBron saga but it's as close as the NHL could make it.  In Canada it would be an amazing ratings grab. 

At this point, I believe the NHL will find a way to make some money (maybe for charity) setting up an exclusive television agreement in the LeBron image with TSN and hopefully ESPN, as well as making sure they can release all NHL signings or trades via a controlled breaking news format.  This doesn’t have to wait for 2013 ,and I’m sure the other big sports won’t waste any time either.

I miss the loyalty of players to their team and the intense rivalry in sports as much as the next guy, but in this the age of communication the evolution of sports continues to grow. 

We’ve now seen glimpses of both worlds (rivalry and hype) and I’m enjoying the ride!

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