Sniff The Jockocracy
Posted: June 30, 2007 @ 11:01 pm
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.
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Agreed Raf. So many of these analysts just seem like a bunch of Mark Shlereths or Sean Salsburys. It’s really hard to take. I don’t always agree with everything Troy says as an analyst, but at least he sounds like he takes his job seriously. He’s actually prepared for what he’s doing. You ought to give us your rankings of the top analysts in the game now.
I like the idea of moving more ex-analysts into the booth. I enjoy football talk from guys that know what they’re talking about. Wouldn’t you love to hear an ex-D-coordinator telling you what the Seattle defense was doing so well to be able to take Dallas’ WR’s out of the game?? Instead of just sitting there screaming at the TV, knowing something wasn’t going right but not knowing what it was. You know who I’d like to see in the booth?? How ’bout Dave Campo??? Maybe not the best ex-head coach, but a good defensive mind who I personally thought was articulate. I’d say he has a pretty good handle on the X’s and O’s. What do you think Raf??
In all honesty i loved hearing Deion Sanders on his half game debute against ATL. filling in for a soar throated Vermeil. I think he displayed an uncanny nack for telling the people what was actually going on in the whole scheme of things.. he never stayed on one side of the ball, and especially never stayed on the cornerback position.. I dunno, it may be just my Prime Time homer in me, but I thought he was acceptionally good, considering he had never done it before in his life.
casual,
Sanders and Marshall Faulk turned in one of the best performances by an announcing team last year.
Part of it was they didn’t have time to prepare. So they had to focus on the game in front of them. But it was clear both were very intelligent.
The Faulk/Vermeil section was great too.
kameleon,
Campo would probably be very good, but he’s got a long way to go as a coordinator, as does Norv for that matter and Capers. I just think guys like this, who have a reputation as good teachers would be great in the booth. Nothing against football players, but these are not the sharpest minds in society, as a group.
People who can teach them well could probably teach the rest of us too.
It’s Canada Day everybody!!
WOO HOO!!
Make Merry!!
Long Weekend!
Drink beer!
For me, there’s something “extra” when hearing an ex-player comment on the game. Even though it can sometimes be rougher, it’s interesting to me hear their perspective.
This goes for other sports, too. For instance, in tennis there’s no one better than John McEnroe.
That’s not to say there are ex-jocks that stink it up — there are.
But generally, for me, I prefer the jocks in the booth.
My favorite anaylysts are all former coaches. I wish there were more in the Analyst ranks. The problem is, its usually only good coaches who also make strong anaylysts. Is that because only marquee guys have enough fame to make it to the booth? Some coaches are kind of dismissive of the role they play; Mike Ditka comes to mind. I don’t care for his announcing.
I do like Aikman though, and not just because he’s a homer; I like how critical of players he tends to be. He will criticize someone’s psychological make up all day; I think his spirit of competition drove the Cowboys, and he expects current players with aspirations for great victories to display the same drive.
austonian,
I plug for coordinators because I’ve found that head coaches can be poor in the booth as well. Ditka comes to mind.
The best TV analyst over the last couple of decades has often been whoever is paired with Verne Lundquist, which has changed from year to year. Verne does not get the credit he deserves for making his broadcasts go well. He also is still by far the best radio play-by-play guy the Cowboys have ever had.
bert,
Because Lungquist knows a little about football, so he asks questions that let his analysts shine.
It’s the meathead play-by-play guys who think they know football who are always stepping over the real knowledgable guys and dragging the discourse down.
I prefer players to mainly discuss what it is they know about. I’d rather hear Aikman discuss the passing game rather than the running game.
Alan you hoser what about the back bacon eh? (Winnipegger here)I believe Raf’s overall point is good, hey I leave the sound off period until I want to hear a penalty exlained, if possible. My fav was Summerall when he was prime, because he let you watch the game instead of filling every audible pause with jibberish. Most players suck. Though Deion is entertaining. I guess we all have our likes and dislikes. I don’t mind Baldy and on nfl network he comes across as thoughtful.