IMO.
Dale has already surpassed most of them on the craft end - can pack a sentence with info without overloading it. Actually understands the use of a noun modifier and when not to beat it to death. He's limited by his assignments, and as an 'intern' can't let opinion creep in, but for making straight competent reporting flow, he's already the most skilled. Admittedly, I read his writing a lot closer than the others, but in that way I have been able to gauge his development. The speed with which he got his post game articles out last season, without the requisite goofs, indicates it's automatic now - mastery of mechanics leads to a fine honed craft.
The most talented writer on the Boys beat by far was the guy who was at the observer- John Gonzalez, the one with the crush on Pete Hunter. He appears to be gone now. He's the one 'beat' writer these past few years I was impressed enough to email and congratulate. But of course, he's not just a sports writer, but a half step-son of Hunter Thompson's gonzo journalism..so I suppose he's gone on to bigger and better things as I haven't seen anything from him at the Observer for awhile now.
The other two writers I think have talent are Fisher and Spags. Fisher we know can turn a neat phrase, has a well of anecdotes or cultural references to employ, sarcastic and ironic in a clever way when need be - simply an educated man with some wit who can synthesize well, uncontrolled by a tight, strictly beat writer gig. Much more sophisticated a writer than the others. Spags's pieces get better mechanically evety time, and he's perfecting his Damon Runyon 'voice'. Maybe even Chief can stand him these days - the "I write the way I speak" technique works for him because the man, love him or hate him, has the personality to take on that style.
Jennifer Floyd Engel and Clarence Hill, Jr at the Star Tel are highly competent. I think they both have more 'angles' than some others, and tho the content is never entertaining, the relaying of it is sometimes interesting. They are real 'beat writers', matter of fact and straightforward, but I see JFE is now allowing more of her opinion to color the discussion when appropriate. They earm their keep.
The two opinion columnists there, Galloway and LeBreton, are hacks. Nothing to do wtih their opinons. They just can't write. Opinion columnists require wit, verve, nuance, and a strong enough education or wide enough perspective to draw in agreement. They typically find themselves a 'hook' mantra, ('Big Bill', for example), and beat it to death. Were they talented enough, they'd win more fans..it's not about their takes, which should be controversial; it's about their total lack of writing ability.
The real pit is the DMN, the paid service which I don't mind coughing up for, but do feel robbed by. And ironically, these are also the writers on 'the players are stealing from Jerry' kick. Goose earns his keep with some research, but Fraley, (a big zero) Blackistone (his column yesterday was a a perrect example of having a good point but lacking the talent or ambition to inspire with it, instead lack of reworking leads to confusion), Sherrington (the best writer of the bunch, but a columnist must have something to SAY, Cowlishaw (another waste, stick to Around the Horn where braying nonsense at high volume is the format), and Hansen (that "I'm just an old fat white guy" mantra needs "lazy' added to it - this guy is desperately in need of a new schtick) are robbing their employer and subscribers blind.
The most interesting columns come from an ex-Cowboys defensive back on staff there.
The columnists who double as beat writers - JJT, Mosley, and Archer - well, Archer seems the most ambitious is the most complementary thing I can say. None of them appears to understand the game half as well as junior members of this board, they spew back pc info unregurgitated - and tho JJT did have that one longish imitation of journalism on the Henson signing, proving he is capable of actual reporting once in a blue moon - they are the saddest lot I have ever encountered in thirty years of reading sports journalism.
But of course, they do have Bill's "press muzzle" to attribute their laziness to.
