Dr. Z on the offensive

by Adam T on Dec 7, 2006 8:10 AM CST in News

Usually when Dr. Z of SI fame is mentioned around here it is to bash him as throughly and completely as possible, but for once I have to give him a little credit.

In this article it reports on a piece Z recently wrote where he ponders how good Romo really is, then the piece firmly goes after ESPN and more specifically Sean Salisbury and their front runner coverage of Dallas and Tony Romo and how it relates the the treatment Chicago and Rex Grossman have received and believe it or not he actually brings examples to back himself up.

Queries the good doctor: "Am I the only person who felt that Tony Romo, under fairly consistent pressure from the Giants' rush, was not particularly sharp?"

No, Doctor, you aren't.

I watched the Giants-Cowboys game after chronicling the 1.3 Rating of Shame, and I felt the same way. Romo looked confused and made some pretty Krenzelian decisions in the first half. He just happened to benefit from Mathias "Can It Get Any Worse for Me?" Kiwanuka fumbling one of the two interceptions in the half, not to mention Marc "Yes, I'm Still in the League" Colombo recovering Romo's fumble. (Incidentally, that was forced by Mathias "Seriously, Can I Get Just One Break?" Kiwanuka.)

Maybe Rex Grossman's confidence wouldn't have been quite as shaken if his fumble on the 5-yard line against New England resulted in a Robbie Gould field goal anyway. Maybe it would have. But Romo benefited from his defense not even having to take the field after two of his three first-half mistakes.

But the sports-news giant formerly known as ESPNTO has now become ESPNTR, so those mistakes were brushed over. Instead we hear all about Romo's one good throw at the end of the game that set up the game winning field goal.

And in all fairness, I believe a lot of the Chicago media, myself included, did the same with Grossman's game at the Metrodome.

But as is the practice up in Bristol, they jump on the front-runner and spout every bit of hyperbole that comes to their minds. In a surprise to no one who's been listening to the gushing over Romo recently, the 'Boys have moved ahead of the Bears in the rankings.

Sean Salisbury said on SportsCenter Tuesday night that the Cowboys are, right now, the best team in the NFC, which is not the hyperbole. The 'Boys are playing a more complete game of football recently. But Salisbury went on to say that the Dallas defense is better than the Bears'. Ex-squeeze me? Uh baking powder? How many defensive units have forced 10 turnovers in the past two games?

I know we all know Salisbury is worthless and about as much of an expert on football as my dog, but I still enjoy people pointing out specifics where he flopped. Dallas will lose a game and Romo will look like garbage and Grossman will have a turn around game at some point and we can all delight as he once again changes his mind.

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espn

I swear, ESPN is the sports equivalent of Baskin Robbins. They just can't get over whoever the flavor of the month is. They have drooled over (in no particular order) the Bears, Colts, Chargers, Giants, Eagles, Broncos, Patriots, Saints, and now the Cowboys. To a lesser extent they've also fluffed the Jaguars and Panthers this season; flavor of the week, I guess. Look out for ESPN's man-crush on Seattle in December. I know I've just listed many of the teams in contention, and contending teams deserve more coverage, but for ESPN their coverage boils down to "By how many points will the [flavor of the month] win the Super Bowl?". It's almost as if they're cribbing a 'Superfans' sketch and switching teams once in a while.
"This sunday it's the New Orleans Saints at da Cowboyse, who wins?"
"aints 7, mini-Cowboyse 63, Terell plays seated in a La-Z-Boy recliner"

Also, is it me or is the NFL Network now the AFC North Network?

Unleash your inner Grabowski.

by jrm78 on Dec 7, 2006 9:23 AM CST reply actions

I've noticed that about the NFLN

I used to watch them anytime there was no football on, but it is getting old quickly.

I also doesn't help that Total Access runs on a 12 hour loop through the day.

by Adam T on Dec 7, 2006 10:24 AM CST up reply actions

"...but it is getting old quickly."

From Robert Weintraub's generally positive review of NFLN at Slate:

Now, for a warning: If you're not careful, the NFL Network will drive you insane. Sure, the locker-room interviews in Point After are entertaining for a while, but I sincerely hope that nobody's watching for the full three hours. After tuning in all day, I've learned that one's appreciation of the NFL Network decreases in proportion to the amount of time spent with the channel. If you need a fantasy-football fix, for example, it's great to dip in for a while and check on the latest injury reports. But after a few hours, the self-referential ads for the channel you are already watching will drive you buggy. When you can recite the network promos by heart, it's time to get back to mowing the lawn.

by Danimal on Dec 7, 2006 11:38 AM CST up reply actions

Not so fast...

I finally got NFL Network and I think it's great. The best part is NFL Replay where they show a game that took over 3 hours in 90 minutes. Talk about action!

You guys can bash them all you want, but I'm a confirmed watcher.

by Bear z Fan on Dec 7, 2006 6:33 PM CST up reply actions

NFL Replay

So you would say it'd be worth the time? I may have to look into watching that.

first the Rush...now the Bears.

by mike @ Windy City Gridiron on Dec 8, 2006 9:25 AM CST up reply actions

Like we said

NFLN is great when you first get it, but then you start to realize the patterns and constant repeats.

I will give it to Replay for what they are attempting to do, but I don't care for it. I have no problem watching the punts and kickoffs.

by Adam T on Dec 8, 2006 9:30 AM CST up reply actions

ESPN

I used to watch a lot of SportsCenter, but now I avoid it like the plague. Not much from the World Wide Leader that is worth watching these days.

first the Rush...now the Bears.

by mike @ Windy City Gridiron on Dec 7, 2006 9:54 AM CST reply actions

couldn't agree more

the only non live event i watch on there anymore is PTI.

"Kyle Orton and Jack Daniel's could be the greatest songwriting duo since Rodgers and Hammerstein." - DJ Gallo

by mike bornemann @ Windy City Gridiron on Dec 7, 2006 11:42 AM CST up reply actions

YES

PTI is quality stuff. I enjoy the back and forth between Tony and Mike. Admittedly part of me also enjoys how open Mike is about his love for his hometown of Chicago.

first the Rush...now the Bears.

by mike @ Windy City Gridiron on Dec 7, 2006 11:59 AM CST up reply actions

they do a good job

opf not acting likd theor opinions are worth more than they really are. there's a good amount of things they say that i completely disagree with but unlike when a guy like salibury or coros says it they don't sound like asses or condescending, and i tend to stay with it instead of turning it off like on the other programming.

of course some of that is the context being different, espn is 90% "ask the expert" anymore.

its like a coversation you would have in a bar, i think that keeps it successful. wilbon's bias definately helps as well.

I also noticed a lot of people I talk to who hate Cornheiser in the booth are not PTI watchers, I think you have to "get him" to enjoy him on MNF.

"Kyle Orton and Jack Daniel's could be the greatest songwriting duo since Rodgers and Hammerstein." - DJ Gallo

by mike bornemann @ Windy City Gridiron on Dec 7, 2006 12:16 PM CST up reply actions

Kornheiser and Wilbon...

are journalists!!!

Corso, Salisbury, Vitale, Schlereth... they're all sports guys--coaches or players.

That's what's amazing: the stock we have put into former players/coaches and their opinions. Sometimes it's great, and you can get analysis above and beyond what you would as a normal fan. But man, so many have such stupid opinions.

And you're right, they pass it off (especially Steak boy) that they're right BECAUSE they were former players, and you, well, you just don't know because you never played in the National Football Legue.

by tyger1147 on Dec 7, 2006 1:15 PM CST up reply actions

I gotta agree

especially with blogs and the internet being available choices. Case in point: I was waching the Bulls game last night when Red Kerr and Tom Dore mentioned a rumor that a former Sox player was returning to Chicago in a trade. They both assumed it was Rowand. Now five years ago, I'd have turned to ESPN and watched the ticker at the bottom of the screen, but last night I went immediately to South Side Sox (the SB Nation site) to find it was a former Sox returning only it wasn't Rowand, it was Gio Gonzalez.

The world wide sleeper just isn't my first choice for news any more.

Fleece the Pig, Flog the Pony

by james@lifeinthecell on Dec 7, 2006 2:32 PM CST up reply actions

Two things...

Watching NFL Live last night and they posed the question: "What Happens First: Bears go to Super Bowl or Cubs go to World Series". These clowns actually picked the Cubs (two out of three). Mostly cause of Rex. I found that to be really stupid. Anyone else?

by Chad @ Windy City Gridiron on Dec 7, 2006 1:19 PM CST reply actions

if the bears win the next 2 convincingly

they'll be back to saying this is the best team in football. seriously, those guys are so freaking mercurial, especially w/ tony "the next tom brady" romo. espn was great when they had a lot of actual journalists, but now its largely a bunch of former professional athletes. and those guys are nothing more than intellectual fecal matter.
that being said, the 10-2 bears might be the least respected 10-2 team i can ever remember. i mean, we all know they have warts, but you'd think they were one of the worst teams in the league given their lack of dap.

by guy incognito on Dec 7, 2006 3:02 PM CST up reply actions

'Mercurial' is a nice way to put it ...

and kind of an eloquent way as well.

I'd go even more shallow, and say they are all f'ing more worthless than those Project X lab chimps. At least they were skilled enough to learn how to drop a nuclear bomb. All Salisbury et al. know how to do is look at the Vegas line and rationalize their way back to some energetic (and annoying) theory about why the favorite will win. My parakeet could do that. Anybody's parakeet could do that.

I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something. - Dick Butkus

by iowaBear on Dec 7, 2006 3:20 PM CST up reply actions

BWRAK!

Gotta like Pittsburgh tonight! BWRAK!!

by IowasParakeet on Dec 7, 2006 5:03 PM CST up reply actions

Disappointed...

I can't believe you guys didn't like my joke. Thanks a lot.

by Chad @ Windy City Gridiron on Dec 7, 2006 10:16 PM CST up reply actions

No, no Chad ...

I LOVED it! I was, as the kids today might type,

ROTFLMAO!

That's awesome - now you have two WCG accounts, like an alter ego. I can't wait to read what my parakeet has to say in the serious threads that appear the rest of the season.

Awesome!

I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something. - Dick Butkus

by iowaBear on Dec 8, 2006 11:34 AM CST up reply actions

Sean Salisbury Steak

Is an absolute idiot.
If anyone here has the pleasure of listening to his show on AM 1000 during the day you know what I mean. I expect a little knowledgeable insight from a former pro. No such luck. He comes off as a casual fan with no knowledge, puking up general key words and basic comebacks and has no business being on a Chicago station.

Speaking of Dr. Z and SI.....
A very good commentary from Chris Ballard this week. Talks about how stupid and plain silly pre-game shows have become. Can't link to it, ya gotta pay but it was good.

hit him in his earhole

by draftday on Dec 7, 2006 9:54 PM CST reply actions

Chicago: Devin Hester is a Prophet!!!

Damn -- its cold in Chicago. I was watching the game vs. Minnesota at my house thinking, "Why the hell is anybody at that game?". Then I remembered - Chicago has the craziest (and most insane) fans in the league. They're passionate, they want to win at any cost, and they want to get excited about everything (even if its too excited). Case in point: In the beginning of the season, Chicago's finest were praising Rex Grossman, the savior. Forget that they've (literally) had over 25 starting quarterbacks in the past 12 seasons. No, this time they got it right with Rex. And here comes the Super Bowl. Right? RIGHT?????!!!!!

But -- as we saw on Sunday, Rex Grossman is more representative of idolatry than anything God like. 6 for 19, 34 yards and 3 INTs is nothing to bow down to, and I'm sure any true supernatural presence isn't happy about anybody in Chicago bowing down to the man.

On the other hand, I'm sure God is totally unthreatened by Devin Hester becoming akin to idol worship. This man is on fire, returning another punt for a touchdown, and hitting the record books on Sunday. I mean, what God wouldn't want to watch Devin Hester? Is there a potential prophet on the horizon here? Just to let our imagination run -- if this were biblical times, what role do you think Devin Hester would play? My bet is he would get those commandments down that hill faster than Moses. And get this, he'd be so good at running those commandments to the Israelites, God would probably make him do it a total of 4 different times in the same year (a record). This would give us 40 commandments. Can you imagine what a great world it would be if we had 40 COMMANDMENTS? Thus, feasibly, Devin Hester could have bred pure peace and harmony in Biblical Times. And if we're talking New Testament, I wonder which tune Devin would have sang in Jesus Christ Superstar. These are questions that will never be answered.

Back on track, it was cold in Chicago. Back in college, I refused to go to games with my boyfriend if it was cold. And get this, he wanted to tailgate before hand. He was crazy. I never understood why he wanted me to come, but I got a sense that he wanted to show me off to his friends. He was a borderline pervert in that sense... that's why I dumped him.

Anyway, there's a great piece on my favorite website (listed in my signature below) about two frigid California girls who haplessly found themselves seated in Soldier Field on the coldest weekend ever. It's hysterical, and you should all check it out.

Until next time --

Kayla Crosslakes
______

Hey girls, check out The Female Fan. Its all about how girls can enjoy football. http://femalefan.ivillage.com/entertainment/

by kayla crosslakes @ Windy City Gridiron on Dec 7, 2006 10:31 PM CST reply actions

In your dreams

don't hold your breath thinking Romo is going into the tank because that won't happen. He's no Rex Grossman, he's the real deal, believe it.

by Terry @ Windy City Gridiron on Dec 8, 2006 2:02 PM CST reply actions

Save it...

For sub zero Soldier Field in January.

by Chad @ Windy City Gridiron on Dec 8, 2006 2:29 PM CST up reply actions

no problem

the kid grew up in Wisconsin and played for E. Illinois, I think he can handle it

by Terry @ Windy City Gridiron on Dec 8, 2006 9:38 PM CST up reply actions

hahahahahhahahahahahahahaha

"Kyle Orton and Jack Daniel's could be the greatest songwriting duo since Rodgers and Hammerstein." - DJ Gallo

by mike bornemann @ Windy City Gridiron on Dec 8, 2006 5:45 PM CST up reply actions

A homer says what...

16/33 (48%) for 249 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT...

That works out to a 58.8 passer rating to go with last week's 58.1.

We can spot him a few days to let tonight's smack down wear off, but if Terry doesn't have the balls to eventually come back and take his lumps, I'd say a good ribbing is in order.

(Though, perhaps I should be holding my tongue until we see what kind of game our QB can muster Monday night...)

by Danimal on Dec 10, 2006 10:56 PM CST up reply actions