Andy Furman operates Publicity Enterprises, a full-service publicity/promotions/marketing business, and serves Jake Sweeney Automotive as their Promotions Specialist and Customer Relations Manager. Furman’s This Day in Sports can be heard twice daily on Oldies 1160 WDJO, first at 7:55 a.m. with Dusty Rhodes and also at 4:55 p.m. You can reach Furman at Furman@CinciPulse.com.

By Columnist Andy Furman             All this talk about the Bengals hiring a General Manager is nothing more than media fodder. Not that Mike Brown, the club’s President and General Manager may not yield to the hire – but most who cry for the hire have no idea what a General Manager’s duties are. To place the blame on the Bengals woeful season on the lack of a General Manage borders on the insane. The Detroit Lions finished the season winless at 0-16 – and they had a General Manager. And a General Manager lacking power is as good as not having one. Answer me this. What happens if the Bengals falter next season –which is entirely possible considering their history – and they have a General Manager? Then who do media geniuses blame?                                                          *                                            *                                                   *             What happened to our Cincinnati Enquirer? It looks more like a flyer these days than a full-scale major city newspaper. The classified ads were a distant memory in the Monday and Tuesday editions. The TV listings omitted cable programming. What gives? Local media types were aghast when Rob Parker of the Detroit News challenged former Detroit Lions coach Rod Marinelli after their 15^th loss – on the hire of his son-in-law as the club’s defensive coordinator. Parker, a former Cincinnati Enquirer scribe, said something to the effect, “Don’t you wish your daughter married a better defensive coach?” That’s all Terry Bradshaw and his FOX pre-game crew needed to destroy Parker’s credibility. Yet, in fact, that question was probably on the minds of more than one Lions’ fan. Bradshaw update, last week he and Howie Long yukked it up using the word s---bag. Great. Locally, talk-radio was abuzz with the Parker verbiage as well. How it could get so personal, they wondered aloud. But during the woeful Dick LeBeau 2-14 season talker Lance McAlister stole the weekly media session show when he bluntly asked the coach if he should resign.                       *                                                *                                                                *   Best show on local sports radio – Bob Costas on Saturday mornings at 8 p.m. on 1530 The Sports Animal. Costas is the best interviewer going, and his guests range from sports celebs, to movie types. The only problem is, at times, the local affiliate drops out at 8:30 for FOX Sports.             Ken Broo, the TV 5 Sports Director has proven to be a more than capable sports-talk host. He handles callers in a professional manner, is knowledgeable as well as entertaining. Anyone who can host a Bengals post-game radio show during a 4-11-1 season deserves a purple heart. Sound-a-likes: Mo Egger, the midday host on The Sports Animal sounds like Kermit the Frog…Tim Lewis, overnight newsman on WLW sounds like former WLW news staffer, Matt Reis…Reis, by the way, is in sales for Cincinnati Magazine. Why would you be surprised to see UC President Nancy Zimpher featured in the Enquirer prior to the Bearcats’ appearance in the Orange Bowl? She’s on the Enquirer’s board. Would WXIX TV (Channel 19) do an hour pre-game Orange Bowl feature if: a) UC wasn’t playing in the game, and b) more importantly, they weren’t the local carrier for the telecast? WCPO TV (Channel 9) still carries the brunt of local credibility. They sent their ace reporter—Sports Director – John Popovich to Miami to cover the event. Recently saw the movie – again – Miracle on TV. Al Michaels was the best – when he called, “Do You Believe in Miracles,” upon the USA’s hockey victory over the USSR in the 1980 Olympics. It was perfect timing – unrehearsed – and a call for the ages. In Cincinnati, we have to live with, “It’s a Great Day to Be a Bengals Fan,” on radiocasts. This was especially humorous after the Bengals season finale 16-6 win over Kansas City. Best sports-talk host without a full-time gig in this town is Marc Amazon. Never understood the push for blogging. Sure, websites are a vehicle for sponsors – and cash. But why put your thoughts on a screen when you want the public to hear you on the airwaves. In 2009, Mick Cronin, UC basketball coach’s honeymoon will end…Aaron Harang will pitch like he did in 2007 and the Reds will push for the playoffs. There will hardly be any drop-off in Bengals season-tickets – fans love the Bengals and the NFL – despite media reports. A major indoor sport will be announced for the Cincinnati Gardens. I’m predicating indoor lacrosse. Xavier’s basketball team will advance in the NCAA tournament – but will fall at the University of Dayton – something they haven’t done in ages.