KNOCK KNOCK!
Who’s there? The Jets with the perfect story for HBO’S ‘Hard Knocks’
HE MOST entertaining aspect of the Jets acquiring Tim Tebow is listening to apoplectic gasbags, like Stephen A. Smith, Mike ( Sports Pope) Francesa and other Valley of the Stupid associates, getting so twisted they may as well be describing the end of western civilization.
Wait, it’s only going to get better. We hope.
The way to push these blabbermouths — along with columnists and commentators offended by Jets “dysfunction” — over the edge is for Woody Johnson to go to HBO/ NFL Films and tell them the Jets want to star in the 2012 edition of “Hard Knocks.” Do it, Woody. Please do it. Last year, the Jets, who turned in an incredible performance in the 2010 “Hard Knocks,” said they didn’t want back in. But last week Rex Ryan, during an interview, left the door open a crack. He was non-committal. “I guess I need time to think about it (Hard Knocks),” Ryan said.
Think, then give “Hard Knocks” the green light. The fact it would drive Jets critics crazier than they already are is secondary. The primary motive would be to put on a show that will set the standard for sports reality TV programming.
Think of all the story lines: The coming of Tebow. The behind-thescenes look at the Tebow/ Mark Sanchez relationship. Then there would be Santonio Holmes leading a locker room that, according to Darrelle Revis, is in “disarray.”
The coaches: Is Rex really serious about changing? What does new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano have in store for Tebow? How do the Jets react to Tebowmaniacs who descend on Cortland?
There’s so much more, such as all the unpredictable baggage that always comes up with the Jets. Yes, this would be a show not to be missed. For the Jets, things are already crazy.
What’s one more crazy log on the fire?
Do “Hard Knocks.”
FULL OF HOT, DEAD AIR
Did ESPN-1050 really have Tebow totally committed to doing an interview with Michael Kay last Monday?
Sunday, all day long, the station ran commercials claiming Tebow would do his “first exclusive” interview with Kay. ESPN-1050 beat the drum on this one.
When Monday came around, the station kept listeners on the hook before it became apparent 1050 couldn’t deliver the goods — or Tebow. Kay offered some lame excuse about Tebow’s travel schedule. Whatever. This was totally embarrassing.
But 1050 rebounded strong Friday, when Tebow went one-on-one with Kay. Was this the unofficial debut of a regular 1050 spot that will start next season for the Jets backup QB?
Don’t look for it to happen. NFL sources said the Jets have already decided to limit some of Tebow’s “outside” endeavors, which would mean not doing a weekly radio spot.
“That could change,” the source said. “If Tim becomes the starter the radio thing could happen.”
1050 currently has Sanchez and Eli Manning under contract for a weekly appearance on “The Michael Kay Show.”
UPON FURTHER REVIEW
This new NFL rule, where all turnovers will be subject to booth reviews, could hit some snags.
As with all booth reviews, the officials are at the mercy of angles the network televising the game provides. As we have said before the NFL’S network partners (Fox, NBC, ESPN, CBS, NFL Network) are not always capable of either coming up with the most telling piece of evidence or finding it in a timely manner.
Now with the burden of having to come up with the “money shot” on all these turnovers, the networks will be under even more pressure and scrutiny. Think about it. The networks pay billions to the NFL for the right to air the games. With the expanded replay reviews, they now must expand their role as Roger Goodell’s defacto video police.
Are the networks in business to work for you, the fan, or the NFL? Another thing to consider: All games don’t have the same complement of cameras. When it comes to turnover reviews, the playing field, so to speak, won’t be level. The fewer cameras, the less chance of finding the most telling replay angle.
It may sound far-fetched but through the many years we’ve covered the biz there have been directors and producers who liked to wager — some heavily — on NFL football. If the bet is big enough, could a crucial piece of video mysteriously disappear?
MELO MEDIA
Carmelo Anthony embarked on one of his mini-media image tours Tuesday. The Gulag PR machine found him some soft places to land.
None was softer than ESPN’S “Sportscenter.” The coveted Twinkie Munch Award goes to anchor Bram Weinstein. He broke the Twinkie in half and out oozed the cream.
“. . . What is missing for the Knicks to be a true contender?”
“. . . What type of coach would work for this group of Knicks?”
How about asking Melo why Mike D’antoni didn’t “work for this group of Knicks and what was your role in getting him fired?”
That question would have awakened those put to sleep by this alleged interview. Better luck next time.
PINCH HITTER FOR FOX
Whether it was a matter of saving cash, or finally admitting they didn’t have the ability to produce a compelling baseball pregame program, the Foxies have farmed out the show to MLB Network.
Baseball fans, who deserve better, now will be stuck with the likes of Matt Vasgersian every Saturday afternoon.
Ya, think Fox would put its “NFL Sunday” pregame in the hands of the “NFL Network” crew? Not a chance.
Kinda shows you what Foxies really think about baseball, right?
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