Angus
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Sniff The Jockocracy
By Rafael Vela
In his later, bitter days as a commentator Howard Cosell railed against what he termed the “jockocracy,” a class of former sports stars appointed to the broadcast booth because of their on-field fame, though they had displayed so skills as announcers.
Old Howard must be spinning at rapid RPMs in his grave right now. ESPN’s Seth Wickersham notes that the NFL has instituted “broadcasting bootcamps” for current players who aspire to stay in the lights once their playing days are over.
At the risk of sounding like Howard’s crusty colleague, I see no value to this. That Wickersham uses his post (protected) to offer his preferred list of next-generation jockocrats shows that Cosells’ worst fear has long been realized: the jockocracy has become orthodoxy, beyond question.
Why? I tune in to watch these guys play, not to listen to what they have to say. Some of them do manage excellent careers in the booth, but how many O.J. Simpsons, Joe Namaths, Alex Karrases, Joe Theismanns and Michael Irvins must we endure for one Ron Jaworski?
Analysts should be able to explain the most complex game in the world in real time. To me, this sounds like a job for the most articulate ex-offensive and defensive coordinators the NFL can find.
Who would you expect to give you the best rapid-fire explication of what’s happening — Norv Turner or Jerome Bettis? Dom Capers or Brian Baldinger? I already know what the jocks can, or better yet what they can’t do.
As Sports Illustrated’s Paul Zimmerman points out in his yearly TV ratings, mediocre analysts only focus on the area of play they know; a former running back will lock onto the backfield; the former QB will talk about the passing game. Coordinators watch tape for a living. They focus on attacking whole schemes. They’re skilled at taking in offense or defensive play at all levels.
I’m not saying that ex-players should be banished, but can we try something else, too? The best pro and college analysts the past 20 years have been John Madden and Dick Vermeil. At the very least, the NFL should balance the ranks of former players with former coaches.
My ears will thank them if they do. If not, there’s always satellite radio.
http://theboysblog.com/
By Rafael Vela
In his later, bitter days as a commentator Howard Cosell railed against what he termed the “jockocracy,” a class of former sports stars appointed to the broadcast booth because of their on-field fame, though they had displayed so skills as announcers.
Old Howard must be spinning at rapid RPMs in his grave right now. ESPN’s Seth Wickersham notes that the NFL has instituted “broadcasting bootcamps” for current players who aspire to stay in the lights once their playing days are over.
At the risk of sounding like Howard’s crusty colleague, I see no value to this. That Wickersham uses his post (protected) to offer his preferred list of next-generation jockocrats shows that Cosells’ worst fear has long been realized: the jockocracy has become orthodoxy, beyond question.
Why? I tune in to watch these guys play, not to listen to what they have to say. Some of them do manage excellent careers in the booth, but how many O.J. Simpsons, Joe Namaths, Alex Karrases, Joe Theismanns and Michael Irvins must we endure for one Ron Jaworski?
Analysts should be able to explain the most complex game in the world in real time. To me, this sounds like a job for the most articulate ex-offensive and defensive coordinators the NFL can find.
Who would you expect to give you the best rapid-fire explication of what’s happening — Norv Turner or Jerome Bettis? Dom Capers or Brian Baldinger? I already know what the jocks can, or better yet what they can’t do.
As Sports Illustrated’s Paul Zimmerman points out in his yearly TV ratings, mediocre analysts only focus on the area of play they know; a former running back will lock onto the backfield; the former QB will talk about the passing game. Coordinators watch tape for a living. They focus on attacking whole schemes. They’re skilled at taking in offense or defensive play at all levels.
I’m not saying that ex-players should be banished, but can we try something else, too? The best pro and college analysts the past 20 years have been John Madden and Dick Vermeil. At the very least, the NFL should balance the ranks of former players with former coaches.
My ears will thank them if they do. If not, there’s always satellite radio.
http://theboysblog.com/
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