Tom Dinkel thinks they banned the wrong guy. Dinkel, former Bengal and long-time sports talker on WLW-AM (700), was pulled from the Sunday Morning SportsTalk on the station because the Bengals have the right to approve talent on any pre- and postgame shows on Clear Channel stations.

        “I thought I was one of the more lenient guys,” Dinkel said. “I've been doing this since 1986. The last 10 or 12 years, they've had losing seasons. There hasn't been a lot positive to say.”

        Dinkel says he always adhered to the rule Jacor and Clear Channel used when it had rights to Bengals games.

        “They always told us we could say whatever we wanted about the team,” Dinkel said. “But not to get personal with (Bengals President Mike Brown). I've never done that.”

        The Bengals also objected to Bob Trumpy being on a pregame talk show, but Trumpy's commitment to doing Sunday night games on CBS Radio prevented him from doing SportsTalk anyway.

        “We haven't forbade anyone that they adamantly wanted on the air,” said Bengals executive Troy Blackburn. “We've tried to work with them. I don't think it's appropriate to discuss what we talked about.”

        Blackburn suggested calling Darryl Parks, AM operations manager for Clear Channel here.

        Parks declined comment.

        The funny thing is the Two Angry Guys (Tom Gamble and Richard Skinner) ended up on SMST, along with former Bengal David Fulcher. That proves one thing: Mike Brown doesn't listen to their show on WCKY-AM (1360 HOMER). The Angry Guys have hammered Brown for years. They are not alone.

        Dave Lapham, the analyst on the game broadcasts, has been a major critic of the team as well.

        “What I said to get on the blacklist I don't know,” Dinkel said.

        Dinkel expects to resume doing SMST with Trumpy once the season ends. He says WLW may use him during the week on SportsTalk with Andy Furman.

        NEW ON ESPN: ESPN is introducing two shows Monday to try to get your attention at 5 p.m. and hold it through SportsCenter at 6 p.m.

        Unscripted, hosted by Chris Connelly, will air at 5 p.m. Think of it as a hipper version of Up Close.

        Pardon the Interruption, with Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon, will air at 5:30 p.m. Don't think of it as the Crossfire of sports. ESPN already has that show: The Sports Reporters,and it airs on Sunday mornings.
       

        Contact John Fay by phone: 768-8445; fax: 768-8550; e-mail: jfay@enquirer.com.

Bengals receivers bond over dinner Bengals hope to feed off emotion again No answers for ban on Dinkel Playoffs no longer mirage for Bengals, Bears Bengals-Bears by the numbers Key Matchup Who's got the edge? NFL power ratings Picking the winners

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