A Proud Father

Pro day on campus Thursday was looked at by a few of the seniors as the last time they would be on the turf at Nippert with something on the line.  With that being the case, Tom Barwin was not about to miss his last opportunity to see his son compete one last time at his favorite stadium.  Connors family has criss crossed the country watching his son play football and basketball for UC so it was no surprise Dad was there Thursday.   We caught up with Mr. Barwin and got his thoughts on his sons future past, present, and future.

Connor has been a favorite of ours as an interview subject as well as the rest of the local media during his career in Clifton,  and after spending some time with his father is easy to see why.  This apple didn't fall far from the tree at all.  

PRO DAY: Busy Day For Connor

Since the scouting combine Connor Barwins stock has been climbing.   At the combine he finished first in most of the categories the defensive linemen were tested in.  Thursday he participated in most of the drills and worked out with 4 different player groups.   Seems like a crazy day?  Connor expected it....he also expected to work out for the 4 different groups.

On the bench press he got 23 preps, and he had a 40 yard dash time of 4.66.   Several scouts were there specifically to watch Connor.  One coach that spent a tremendous amount of time with him was Giants tight end coach Mike Pope, a highly respected coach that apparently does not make many trips to see college kids work out.  

We will have more on Connors day later, including interviews with his agent and his father.

Connor Barwin On Senior Day

One of the highlights of senior day was the return of Connor Barwin to Fifth Third Arena. Connor was recognized for his two years as a basketball player, one under Coach Cronin during his first year at UC.   We caught up with Connor and asked him about this special day.

After four years of football and two years of basketball, what was tougher.....going up against Ohio State's Greg Oden on the basketball court or the Oklahoma offensive line on the football field?

We want to thank Connor for taking time to talk to us today.  Connor has been overwhelmed with football questions so we tried to stay away from questions about the combine and mock drafts and give him his day.  Again it says something about this young man that he took the time to  be apart of this.  The fact that his parents also took the time to come in from Chicago to be apart of the day lets you know that the way he has handled him self through out this process is no accident.   Coach Mick Cronin deserves a tremendous amount of credit for recognizing that Connor was a part of the rebuilding process and asked him to be there on Saturday.

Senior Day Ceremony

For the most part it wasn't a great day at Fifth Third Arena.  Without ESPN 360 you didn't see the game...or the senior day ceremony.  Here is the what it looked and sounded like when the three seniors were announced.  First Connor Barwin, then Mike WIlliams, and finally Brandon Miller.

The game might not have been too good but the senior recognition certainly was.

A Walk On, A Transfer, and A Football Guy

Saturday the basketball team bids farewell to a rather, different group of seniors.  One, a walk on that came in during the Andy Kennedy "year" and stayed through thick and thin paying his own way.   One, a McDonald's All American that left Texas only to get hurt and loose a year at UC.  One, a football player that stepped in when needed, but then stepped aside when the coach recruited some basketball players.  Today two of the seniors and the coach "reminisced".

First, Brandon Miller.  A Player who's importance to the program may not get the attention it deserves.

Mike Williams came to UC as ready to help as much as he was needed to help, then he tore his achilles tendon and lost another year.  At seasons end the proper paperwork will be filed with the NCAA to see if he can get a 6th year.  Remember Ben Mauck?  Mike will be recognized Saturday with hopes he will see it again next year.

Connor Barwin was not included in the press conference but he will be involved Saturday.  Like Brandon Miller, Coach Cronin said that Connor was more important to the survival of the program that most will ever realize.  He is also happy that his "football player" will be there Saturday, with his parents.

Tickets are on sale for the game Saturday for $10.

These seniors deserve a full house. Game time:  Noon.  TV  ESPN 360 

The Basketball Barwin

Saturday afternoon Connor Barwin, the basketball player, will be recognized at Fifth Third Arena.  It's senior day and Mick Cronin wants to recognize his former player as a member of the basketball program.  Barwin was a member of the team the Coach Cronin inherited when he took the program over three years ago.   The other seniors are Brandon Miller and Mike Williams.

NFL Combine: An Agent's View

In our many trip to Indianapolis to cover the NFL Scouting combine we talked to the UC players themselves and got a feel for how they were doing by talking to other members of the media.

This  posting gives you a completely different look at the combine, from the perspective of a sports agent.  We sat down with Connor Barwin's agent, Scott Smith, and talked to him about how his client was doing during this process.  He said that Conner was doing great, but did UC properly prepare him for this experience?

The workouts at the combine get most of the press but it's what the media doesn't see that can make or break the trip to Indy.  Workouts can happen a number of places, but the interviews at the combine are a one shot deal for both the players and the teams.  Scott knew Connor would do well with interviews, but not this good.

The combine is often call a "job interview", and that's how Connor is approaching it.  Scott and his team at XAM Sports and Entertainment put together a book that contains information on each NFL team.  Connor studies this before each interview, something that separates him form the rest of the "job candidates".

We want to thank Scott and the rest of his team from XAM Sports and Entertainment for their cooperation in Indianapolis.  For more information on the XAM group and what they offer their clients, click here.

NFL Combine: Barwin Now a Linebacker

Saturday afternoon Connor Barwin was the only Bearcat to meet with the the media and on Sunday morning his name is still being discussed by several writers along press row.  His resume continues to grow and his stock continues to rise.  While at the podium Saturday the once tight end turned defensive end is now looking like an outside linebacker.  Bengals.com Geoff Hobson has a good article discussing Connor and his new position. Click Here.

The Green Bay Bearcats

The NFL draft is just two months away.  Starting Wednesday, the NFL Combine kicks off in Indianapolis.  About 300 of the best college football players in the country will be on display for professional football scouts and executives.  Included in that group are 6 Bearcats, Connor Barwin, Trevor Canfield, Kevin Huber, Mike Mickens, DeAngelo Smith, and Brandon Underwood.  In the days leading up to the combine experts will be making predictions.  One such expert has 3 Bearcats being chosen by the Green Bay Packers.  Click here to see the entire 4 round mock draft.   Connor Barwin for one, does not put much weight in what the media is saying.  

Bearcat Sports Page.com will be in Indianapolis covering the combine and will bring you coverage of the six Bearcats as they compete in what some call NFL's version of "American Idol".

Barwin Prepares for Senior Bowl

As the Bearcats start their offseason, 5 seniors are preparing to play in this years Senior Bowl at Mobile, Alabama.  Earlier this week we caught up with senior defense end Connor Barwin, on being invited to the senior bowl and how he is preparing. Jordan Staugler has the story.

The Senior Bowl kicks off this Saturday at 7:00 on the NFL Network.

Underwood Done, Barwin Ready to Play

Saturday afternoon in Houston, Brandon Underwood played his final game of college football.  The senior defensive back was chosen to play in the East West Shrine Game.  Underwood finished with 4 tackles, 3 assisted and 1 solo.    The broadcast team recognized Brandon early in the first quarter as a one of their "top 5 defensive prospects" for the East squad.

Up next is the Senior Bowl where 5 more Bearcats will have the opportunity to improve their value with the NFL scouts.  Connor Barwin spoke to us before he left for Moblie Sunday morning.  He says that it's great for UC to have this many seniors in post season games.

Later this week we will have the entire interview we taped with Connor this past Friday afternoon in the UC weight room.  We talk about a number of subjects including playing for the Bengals.   Marvin Lewis and his staff  are coaching the North squad that includes the UC players.

Barwin, Underwood Added to East Squad

Two more Bearcats were added to the roster for the East West Shrine Bowl.  This is one of the oldest and most respected post season bowls.   The rosters are made up of outstanding senior talent from all over the country.  Trevor Canfield was named to the East roster earlier, and his team mates Connor Barwin and Brandon Underwood were added this week.   Proceeds from the game go the the Shriners Hospitals for Children.  Being selected for this All Star Bowl has been an honor for many years. For other roster additions this please click here.  The game is on January 17 and will air on ESPN2 at 4:00.   

UC Favored by 2

When the BSC selections first came out the odds makers had the Orange Bowl as a "pick'em" game. Meaning that they didn't have a favorite. Since then UC has become favored by 2 points. In our search across the internet we have found that most "experts" are now picking UC in their attempt to pick winners and losers for every bowl game. ESPN's Lee Corso has gone against the trend and went as afar as to make Virginia Tech his "lock" or his guaranteed winner. Last week before the team left we asked them about some experts picking against the Bearcats.

Video: Courtesy: ESPN

Our favorite prediction came from Wat if Sports.com. They took UC 23-14. In their computer simulated game they even had Mardy Gilyard making an 89 yard TD catch from Tony Pike.

Made for TV Honors

With just a few games being played over the past week the "analyst" are forced to analyze something.  Most of the bowl games themselves have been analyzed, so what's left?  The players themselves.  Last week ESPN's Mark May named Tony Pike to his "May Day Team".    Players he feels showed tremendous toughness and determination over the season.  

A couple of other Bearcats have gotten some national recognition on ESPN since the BCS selections were made with other "made for TV honors".

Please check out espn.com for more detailed analysis of the upcoming Orange Bowl.

Miami Bound, The Adventure Has Started

This afternoon at 3:00 the Bearcat football team touched down in Miami to officially begin their Orange Bowl Experience. The buses left campus this morning at 11:30 and Bearcat Sports Page.com was on hand. The team got together this morning for the first time since they parted ways last Saturday. A team meeting took the players right up to the 11:30 departure so Coach Kelly and Connor Barwin were the only available interviews. Here is what they had to say.

I don't know how many times he has answered the same question, but Coach Kelly continues to stress that they are going to Miami to win a football game, not sight see. He definitely wants his players, especially the seniors to get the most out of the BCS experience so no one has to look back and say "what if".

Christmas Shopping

Last week when the football team was in their early bowl preparations we asked a few guys a very thought provoking question.

If you could by anyone on the team a Christmas present who would it be and what would you get them?

We want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.  Going to the Orange Bowl is a tremendous present for everyone, coaches, players, administrators and fans.  However, the true gift this Holiday Season is the blessed safety and well being of all UC student athletes.  Bearcat SportsPage.com would like to wish everyone a safe and happy new year.    This is our first year doing this and we hope that we help bring you closer to all UC sports and the Student Athletes that work so hard through out the year.

Orange Bowl Practice Today

With ice and snow covering the turf at Nippert Stadium the team headed north to mason again today for practice. Wall to Wall Sports was kind enough to make room for the team today as they continue to get ready for the Orange Bowl on January 1st.

Barwin Team MVP

As national honors continue to flow in for several Bearcat football players, some of the most precious hardware was handed out Thursday night on campus.  The team held their annual awards banquet in Great Hall inside the Tangeman University Center.    Here are a few of the the winners.  Notice that on a few awards, like special teams player of the year, the guy that was recognized by the conference, didn't win win the teams award.

Newcomer:  Dominique Battle

Special Teams:  Brandon Underwood

Community Service: Mardy Gilyard

Athletic/Academic Excellence:  Ryan Manalac

Most Valuable Player:  Connor Barwin

Bearcat Day in Hamilton County

As part of their meeting this morning the Hamilton County Commission recognized the UC football team for their accomplishments this season. Commission President Todd Portune gave Brian Kelly a bowl of oranges and a proclamation declaring it UC Bearcat Football Team day all across the county.

The way these student athletes conduct themselves away from the field is a tremendous accomplishment regardless of what bowl game they play in. The entire tri-state area should be proud of these fine young men that represent them each time they put on a jersey with "Cincinnati" across the front. Most of the players, including Coach Kelly are not from the Cincinnati area. However, they have all become Cincinnatians and play for the pride of the city as well as the University.

In Novermber the team received a similar recognition from Cincinnati Mayor, Mark Mallory, and city council.

The Party Just Started!

NEWS FLASH: UC OFF TO ORANGE BOWL

News flash #2: It's December and it should be cold. Not that it was a secret but as far as drama, there was very little Sunday night at Fifth Third area as far as where the Bearcats would be celebrating New Years Eve. Okay...the drama was lacking but excitement certainly filled the void. Who cared? UC was off to a BCS bowl game, orange or sugar. Last year it was pizza, this year it's a South Beach diet.

We are sure the local news gave you plenty of player and coach interview segments, here at Bearcat Sports Page.com we give you more. For example Brian Kelly's "pre selection" speech to the fans that gathered on a cold Sunday night at Fifth Third Arena.

As far as player interviews, we turned a player into the interviewer. Connor Barwin took the

microphone and talked to a couple of team mates, and his head coach.

We want to thank Connor for his help. He's been great to work with all season. On cold days after practice while all of the other guys are in the locker room, Connor is the last guy in. He's on the phone with a radio show or talking to the media. Where ever he goes in the NFL, he will be a media favorite from day one. Thanks to Connor, his team mates and Coach Kelly for giving us some time on this special and weary night. The team got back on campus at 2:00 today, and final exam week starts Monday.