Griese way too gabby
AS WE watch TV’s game analysts come and go, no perceptible improvement from their first days on the job, we wonder if they were beyond help or if no one at or near the top — provided they know bad from worse — bothered to help them. I’m convinced it’s the latter.
Is there no one at ESPN with the authority and applicable sense to take “Monday Night Football” analyst Brian Griese aside and say, “Listen, you talk much too much. You’re driving viewers off the road. Say less, sound better”?
Or will ESPN do what TV’s shotcallers do — dump him for the next one? Two seasons in, Griese has been more an annoyance than viewing aid, no apparent effort to improve.
But it’s ESPN. Three seasons ago, they threw yak box Jason Witten into the MNF booth — ESPN’s biggest, most expensive stage — without knowing whether he could speak a cogent sentence. One and done.
All the signs now read “EXIT.” The NFLPA has named Marshawn Lynch its first “chief brand ambassador.” Classy move. Lynch is synonymous with grabbing his crotch after scoring TDs. Say, why doesn’t the NFLPA adopt that image as its new logo?
Not that we should be surprised, but the NFL Store once sold framed photos of Lynch grabbing his crotch. Now that’s part of Roger Goodell’s Super Bowl halftime show standard.
After more than 25 years, Tim McCarthy last week wrapped it up, shoved out as general manager of ESPN Radio in New York and Los Angeles.
Given the egomaniacal, self-overrated, self-entitled, jealous and demanding talent in his midst, McCarthy was a natural soother and smoother — a guidance counselor, a fellow only a fool could dislike. At 58, he has plenty left.
Why watch live TV when you can read a big, fat graphic? Last Sunday night on NBC, the Buccaneers led the Patriots, 19-17, 55 seconds left. The Pats tried a 56-yard field goal.
As the ball smacked against the left goal post, no good, the officials near the end zone could be seen be seen waving the kick no good.
A large graphic in the upper left read, “56-YARD ATTEMPT: GOOD FROM 56 YARDS.” Reader Steve Boxer notes that NYC health commissioner, Dr. Dave Chokshi, this season broke the Yankees between-innings YES appearances record established by hair-today, gone-tomorrow Giuseppe Franco.