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Shutdown Corner

Mon May 18, 2009 5:45 pm EDT

Gruden's Monday Night Football hire continues TV's jockocracy

By Chris Chase

The television jockocracy is alive and well on NFL broadcasts. Decades after Howard Cosell coined the phrase to describe how television networks exclusively hire ex-athletes and coaches for analyst positions, every single NFL booth on CBS, FOX, NBC or ESPN includes an ex-player or coach. When it works (John Madden, Cris Collinsworth) it's a good thing. When it doesn't (almost everyone else), the jockocracy is an infuriating, baffling mandate that damages the quality of the NFL on TV.

Just because somebody is good at football doesn't mean they're qualified to talk about it on television. They're two different skill-sets. Newspapers don't hire athletes to write about sports because it's accepted that writing isn't easy. Bad writing is also instantly recognizable. (Commenters, let me save you the trouble: "I know, Chase, I read it under your byline every day!")

But, for some reason, television networks assume that clearly, accurately, cleverly and insightfully describing the action in a sporting event and disseminating that information to viewers of varying knowledge levels is so easy that somebody like Jon Gruden can dive right in without any problem.

It isn't. Just listen to 75 percent of NFL broadcasts for proof (or 100 percent of NFL broadcasts involving Tony Siragusa).

With the way the networks require announcers to dumb-down their NFL analysis, it wouldn't be hard for somebody with a background in broadcasting to thrive as a color analyst. Yeah, Jon Gruden would know more about football than anyone like that, but so what? Broadcasting is about conveying information, not possessing it. Plus, when's the last time you heard anything insightful on an NFL broadcast? (Collinsworth, again, being an exception to this rule.)

The jockocracy isn't going anywhere though, mainly because anytime the networks try to go in a different direction, they end up hiring someone without any football OR broadcasting experience (like Tony Kornheiser and Dennis Miller). In the meantime, Gruden should be a fine addition to the MNF booth. On the bright side, he's not Tony Kornheiser. On the brighter side, he's not Tony Siragusa. For now, that'll do.

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48 Comments

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  1. Towelie
    1. Posted by Towelie Mon May 18, 2009 6:22 pm EDT

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    why hire someone that will probably go back to coaching after this season? oh...I hate listening to Collinsworth.
  2. sam spade
    2. Posted by sam spade Mon May 18, 2009 6:24 pm EDT

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    It took me awhile but I got it. It's ESPN and John Gruden trying to create the next generations John Madden. You see Madden exiting stage left and Gruden entering stage right. Do you get it? Same pedigree from the Raiders. Same look but for a new generation as Madden. Same young coach that Madden was. As all the old guys fall to the wayside, a new game for a new generation of fans and the new John Madden. John Gruden. I can't stand him but I understand what their doing or trying to do.
  3. Scott E
    3. Posted by Scott E Mon May 18, 2009 6:25 pm EDT

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    Actually, I think Collinsworth is the best out there. Man, Chris, did you leave yourself wide open. Here come the haters... LOL.
  4. J-D
    4. Posted by J-D Mon May 18, 2009 6:50 pm EDT

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    If you got to hear Brian Billick call any games last year for Fox... he brought a LOT to the table. He explained complicated ideas clearly all year long. On more than one occasion he knew exactly what the other team was going to do on the next play and predicted it before it happened. Of course, he has a degree in public relations, so that helped.
  5. SNAKE PLISSKEN
    5. Posted by SNAKE PLISSKEN Mon May 18, 2009 6:56 pm EDT

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    Great column Mr.Chase!! I am a 43 year old ex-jock who excelled in the big 3 games (football,baseball & basketball)I was an all-state 3rd baseman,all-state wide-out and i still hold the record at my high scool alma-mater for single season receptions(42).i bored you with that info just to let you know I SUITED UP FOR 14 YEARS in football and baseball..only 10 for 'ROUNDBALL."That being said, I always am purely mindblown when i see and hear that nutjob Kornheiser talking or more like spewing out his HORSE$#@&!!Ask anybody who has actually played the game ,or better yet poll a few thousand professional,amateur,or otherwise if they cringe with fury when they hear the b.s. that comes out of his buckethead! i guarantee at least 50% feel as i do toward his totally unlikeable persona....i love sportcenter,but as soon as i see his horsehead i MUST CHANGE THE CHANNEL!! thanks,Glenn,fromHuntington WV.
  6. JohnnyFootballHero
    6. Posted by JohnnyFootballHero Mon May 18, 2009 7:05 pm EDT

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    part of the trouble, i think, is that most telegenic non-jocks think they're above football analysis, and even then, there's not a lot among them that are insightful about the game. think about it, would you rather have ryan seacrest hosting an nfl game or troy aikman?
    (on second thought, i would rather have ryan seacrest commentate an nfl game than troy aikman.)
  7. TheTruth
    7. Posted by TheTruth Mon May 18, 2009 7:06 pm EDT

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    I'm no hater, but c'mon now. Cris Collinsworth works? Really?
    I prefer having former athletes because they've played the game and mostly know what they're talking about, unlike people like Miller, Kornheiser, and Chris Chase.
  8. sam spade
    8. Posted by sam spade Mon May 18, 2009 7:06 pm EDT

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    Pardon my analysis. It seems to me that his coaching days are over and he knows it. From Simeon Rice to Chris Simms, he has had many impasses with players who refused in the end to play for him. Keyshawn Johnson will be fired soon by ESPN. His abrasive style won't work on any level. His reputation as being hated by players would preclude him getting another job. His record without Al Davis' team or Tony Dungy's team is abysmal. This is a smart move by Gruden. he intends to take John Madden's place. He intends to be in that seat for the next 30 years.
  9. sam spade
    9. Posted by sam spade Mon May 18, 2009 7:15 pm EDT

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    You forgot to mention the collassal failures like OJ Simpson and Alex Karas. i think Gruden will be a failure. I don't think he's a likable person and that will be clear. the more he's on the more you won't like him.
  10. MichaelS
    10. Posted by MichaelS Mon May 18, 2009 7:17 pm EDT

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    Espn sensors better get their 7 second delay ready1 gruden can swear with the best of them!
  11. YGM
    11. Posted by YGM Mon May 18, 2009 7:46 pm EDT

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    I know, Chase, I read it under your byline every day!
  12. steak_rulz!
    12. Posted by steak_rulz! Mon May 18, 2009 8:06 pm EDT

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    JON GRUDEN WILL DO JUST FINE.
    Say good-bye to being "Dumbed - Down". Trust me, you will need an intelect course to keep up with Grudens" mind, and wit.
    THANKS FOR TAKING THIS POSITION COACH GRUDEN.
    And to all MNF viewers... Hope your minds can keep up!!!!
  13. GregC
    13. Posted by GregC Mon May 18, 2009 8:44 pm EDT

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    #12 I think you need that course.
    I started muting any Collinsworth broadcast over a decade ago and have not stopped.
    Chucky was horrible on NFL Network. Just because he yells a lot and makes funny faces does not necessarily mean he will be entertaining.
    MNF stopped being relevant when you could see the Sunday game highlights on ESPN.
  14. ------------------------------
    14. Posted by ------------------------------ Mon May 18, 2009 8:45 pm EDT

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    why does everyone love collinsworth so much? he annoys the hell out of me! his voice is like nails scratching a chalkboard.
  15. jOHN r
    15. Posted by jOHN r Mon May 18, 2009 9:24 pm EDT

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    all you need are 2 in a booth, bring back pat summerall and john madden
  16. MattP
    16. Posted by MattP Mon May 18, 2009 10:21 pm EDT

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    John Gruden did a a good job covering the draft on the NFL network imo and I enjoyed listening to what he had to say. Ex-players and coaches make the best and most insightful analysts. I can't think of one analyst that has never played or coached the game at the pro level that I'd actually want to listen to. Chris Chase is just jealous because they don't give $hit writers like him good jobs like that. Instead of just writing about Gruden's new job, he turns this article into rant about past MNF announcers and how he doesn't think ex-coaches or players are qualified to call a game. That is absolutely absurd, Gruden isn't your average coach either. He has a quick tongue and I think his intensity will bring a lot to the broadcasts.
  17. robert m
    17. Posted by robert m Mon May 18, 2009 11:07 pm EDT

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    Yes Virginia there is a Santa Clause. I can stop muting MNF so that I do not have to hear Kornheiser talk about the plight of inner-city children or interview Charles Barkley, rather than follow the action on the field. I think that Charles is an enjoyable interview, but ignoring the game so that we can here his views, is abot the same as interviewing a jockey and ignoring the 3rd quarter of the 7th game in the NBA finals. Goodbye and good riddance Mr. Kornheiser!
  18. Brutal D
    18. Posted by Brutal D Mon May 18, 2009 11:39 pm EDT

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    Anything's an upgrade from Dennis Miller. I'll take Jon Gruden just please...never again a Dennis Miller.
  19. nateb72
    19. Posted by nateb72 Mon May 18, 2009 11:43 pm EDT

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    Chase, how can you praise Chris Collinsworth? That guy is so self-aggrandizing, arrogant and condescending, I can't stand listening to him go on. Remember during the Olympics, how we saw him every day, with Michael Phelps' mom draped all over his knee, grinning as widely as possible? Arrrrrrrrgggggggghhhhhhh!!! Anyway, it is good that Kornheiser is gone, and good luck to Gruden
  20. Bucs_fan_since_78
    20. Posted by Bucs_fan_since_78 Tue May 19, 2009 12:28 am EDT

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    Matt stole my thunder, I agree completely. Gruden will bring those insightful locker room comments to the booth and that's interesting to us football fans.
    I doubt Gruden will return to coaching any time soon, as we have seen, the owners aren't exactly lining up for his services. Jon's problem is he was over-employed as a coach; he's a great offensive co-ordinator, great with X's and O's, but he lacks the command and discipline to be a successful head coach.
    I like Jon, he's knowledgeable as all heck and has a knack for that insider humor that will serve him well in the booth. Jon and the "Goose" would make a great team and have us all chuckling at their locker room humor.
    Oh, and Dennis Miller is an ego case, a guy who really impresses himself... can I say "jerk"?
  21. Irish Bastard
    21. Posted by Irish Bastard Tue May 19, 2009 12:35 am EDT

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    Gruden ....what a joke !
    Hes just seeing what team he can take over thats close to winning a SB ,like he did with Dungys team in T.B.
    One of the most overratted coaches in the league.
  22. Jaws
    22. Posted by Jaws Tue May 19, 2009 2:11 am EDT

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    What is Ron Jaworski going to do during the MNF games since he has a broadcast partner who actually knows the game of football and he doesn't have to answer questions about what the teams are doing on the field any more?
  23. nautzeesports
    23. Posted by nautzeesports Tue May 19, 2009 2:30 am EDT

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    cornheiser woulda been great if wilbon woulda been in the booth.... gruden is gonna be average at best,,, doubt he lasts more than a season or 2
  24. J B
    24. Posted by J B Tue May 19, 2009 2:32 am EDT

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    I don't understand why it has to be 3 in the booth. All other broadcasts do just fine with 2 guys.
  25. Older_than_Moses_Shaq
    25. Posted by Older_than_Moses_Shaq Tue May 19, 2009 3:06 am EDT

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    I'd prefer Jaws and a parrot than Jaws and Tony Kornheiser or most of the choices ESPN impose upon the public. I agree with the notion that three people in the booth are too many. You know what ESPN? Fans of the game would rather hear an announcer call the game and only hear from the color guy when something of importance that may go unnoticed without him pointing it and showing what an expert eye sees as the game is unfolding. To have some character like Kornheiser blabbing on about something irrelevant that may have occurred in the past, trying to inject some strained humor when at best viewers consider him having a bad sense of humor to begin with, and attempting to feed lines to Jaws when it'd be best to not open your mouth at all is rather annoying to the viewers and certainly not adding any entertainment value to the game itself. In fact, our local Fox sports network in LA has in the past shown Lakers games on both of their channels. One would be the normal broadcast, the other having no broadcasting announcers other than the background announcer at the Staples Center with different camera angles, mostly from floor level. I'd always prefer watching the game without the announcers so as not to have anyone influence what I believed I understood to be happening in the moment. Truth is, I actually understand the games I watch. It's extremely irratating to have to hear somebody babbling on in the background about what I know to not be true. Tony Kornheiser was the worst of the bunch. Good frikkin riddance. ESPN...there's a saying...less is more...Figure out what it means.

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Shutdown Corner is an NFL blog edited by Matthew J. Darnell. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

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