Is Mike Tannenbaum working for the Jets or ESPN? Extremely, he’s working for each. This quantities to a battle, perceived or in any other case.
Not too long ago the Jets introduced that they had employed Tannenbaum’s Assume Tank/consulting agency, “The 33rd Team” to help Gang Inexperienced boss Woody Johnson in his seek for a brand new common supervisor and coach to exchange Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas.
Proof of this was offered not too long ago when Tannenbaum, in his position of ESPN “NFL Front Office Insider” was interviewed on 880-ESPN Radio by Ty Butler and Jake Asman. As anticipated, all their questions (they have been good ones) have been about Tannenbaum’s position within the Jets search.
And all Tannenbaum did was give related solutions (the interview was 9 minutes 30 seconds) in several methods. For instance, there was plenty of “process” speak.
Tannenbaum:
“We’re hoping to be a process-driven search.”
“We’re in very initial stages of a several month process.”
“If you run a great process, you should have a good result.”
“Like I said, we’re running a thoughtful process”
“We’re very early in the process with the candidates.”
Is that this the non-informative drivel the Bristol School desires popping out of the mouth of its “Front Office Insider?” On the flip aspect, if Woody Johnson was grading at dwelling, Tannenbaum would have acquired an A+ for his mastery of Company Mumbo Jumbo.
When an energetic participant joins a studio panel late within the season, or for the playoffs, there’s a built-in skepticism from the viewership. Whereas the participant could touch upon a play, or the way it was or was not executed, he’s not going to hammer a man he is likely to be taking part in in opposition to — or with — subsequent season.
With Tannenbaum it’s completely different. The expectation of him delivering “inside” perception shouldn’t go on vacation, simply because he’s determined to work for Mr. Johnson. And because the season’s hourglass runs out of sand, and extra coaches are proven the door, or welcomed in, there can be extra questions for Tannenbaum.
And lots of the inquiries can be in regards to the Jets search and the way the motion of different coaches and GM’s impression it. If Tannenbaum continues to speak in process-eeze he’ll fulfill Johnson, however received’t be serving to viewers in search of information.
Now would be the time for ESPN fits to recommend Mr. T take a sabbatical from broadcasting till he winds up his Jets enterprise.
BLUESHIRT BASHING
The Rangers, one of many extra purposeful franchises on this market, goes by way of some dysfunction. The D-Funk has apparently heightened the sensitivity stage of MSG studio analyst Steve Valiquette.
Within the first interval of the Devils’ 5-1 win on Backyard ice Monday, Jack Hughes, on a breakaway, slowed and tried a one-handed shot. Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin blocked it.
Between the primary and second intervals Valiquette, on MSG’s studio present, thought Hughes was showboating, and mentioned: “…Hughes set out to embarrass Shesterkin with one hand and that should have sent a shockwave to everybody on the bench…And I’m sort of surprised I didn’t see a response from the team that way.”
Clearly, down 2-0, the Rangers didn’t hear, or just ignored, Valiquette’s rallying cry. Not solely has dropping introduced Rangers dysfunction, however hockey-centric notebooks and cameras monitor the malaise to shortly after GM Chris Drury (like Leon Rose, he doesn’t converse to the media) despatched a memo to the remainder of the NHL signaling the Rangers’ retailer is open and he’s able to wheel, deal and take heed to presents, together with for a few of their veteran stars.
Contemplating the season has many miles to go, it’s sort of early to panic, proper? Early for Valiquette to problem the Rangers from the studio too. Not if warmth is being directed from the highest down.
NHL Community’s E.J. Hradek, in a current FAN interview with Joe Benigno, mentioned he might “only speculate” that Backyard boss James (Guitar Jimmy) Dolan is getting impatient early and placing “pressure” on his GM.
And does anybody else suppose Dolan was feeling similar to Valiquette when he noticed Hughes placing that backhand transfer on Shesterkin?
Might or not it’s Dolan was taking part in the position of Valiquette’s ventriloquist?
GOLDEN TALKING POINT
It did nothing to quell the NFL’s strangle maintain on sports activities media. Then alongside got here Rob Manfred whispering about this Golden At-Bat gimmick. Out of the blue that whisper became a scream.
Anybody with a tongue, tooth and a set of vocal cords, is speaking about an “idea” the place a workforce can carry any participant as much as bat one time, anytime, in a sport. Out of the blue, the entire world seemed to be squawking.
The destiny of the Golden At-Bat doesn’t matter. Manfred has received already. He’s bought Gasbags speaking baseball relatively than being, as ordinary, drowned out by the NFL.
AROUND THE DIAL
The hypothesis over which groups can be chosen for the expanded faculty soccer playoff has made sport telecasts sound extra like studio exhibits. Like Tennessee-Vanderbilt final Saturday. The Vols needed to win to safe a playoff bid and bought off to a gradual begin in opposition to a squad that defeated Alabama earlier within the season and misplaced to Texas by three factors. But analyst Dusty Dvoracek and play-by-play voice Dave Pasch, all through the sport, spent far an excessive amount of time discussing what may must occur for quite a lot of groups to make the match. They need to have centered extra on what was occurring in entrance of them on the sphere. … Among the many Worldwide Boxing Corridor of Fame class of 2025 can be Ross Greenburg who, for 33 years, helped make HBO Sports activities the place to be for boxing on TV. For 12 years Greenburg served as president of HBO Sports activities and previous to that gig was the manager producer. He enters the Corridor within the “observer” class. Additionally being enshrined is Randy Gordon, the TV boxing analyst who additionally served as chairman of the New York State Athletic Fee. The induction will happen June 5-8 on the Corridor in Canastota, N.Y. … When the Valley of the Silly opinions the Golden At-Bat debates the “confrontation” that includes Howie Rose and Michael Kay can be close to the highest of the checklist. If solely as a result of they managed to show the festivities right into a self-serving train. Very spectacular. … Judging by the way it was glorified by soccer analysts the flag planting “ceremonies” are certain to increase to “meaningless” video games. … Simply questioning why Gasbags who despise Aaron Rodgers can’t cease speaking about him?
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DUDE OF THE WEEK: DEBBIE ANTONELLI
Doesn’t get a lot sweeter than final Wednesday when the versatile ESPN faculty hoops analyst set to work a Louisville-Indiana sport through which her son, Patrick, performed for the Cardinals.
DWEEB OF THE WEEK: DEMECO RYANS
For blaming the sufferer. At his Monday media session, the Texans coach positioned the blame for linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair’s vicious forearm to the top of a defenseless Trevor Lawrence on the Jacksonville QB. “We stand behind Azeez and everything that came from that,” Ryans mentioned. He added Lawrence tried taking “advantage” of the rule by sliding late and making an attempt “to get an extra yard.”
DOUBLE TALK
What Brian Daboll mentioned: “We thought that Drew [Lock] did some good things in Dallas.”
What Brian Daboll meant to say: “I’m not ready to say Drew gives us the best chance to win.”
