Having already established themselves as a part of the method, which ended with Aaron Glenn being chosen the brand new Jets head coach, what does the long run maintain for ESPN’s Rex Ryan and Mike Tannenbaum?
The battle of curiosity, hooked up to Tom Brady, Fox’s No. 1 NFL analyst and half proprietor of the Las Vegas Raiders, will stay a difficulty, even throughout Tremendous Bowl week, when an overflow media crowd in New Orleans engages in a determined scramble for content material.
In relation to the NFL’s pecking order, Ryan and Tannenbaum are method down the stature checklist making the chance of their points being uncovered once more slim. That, and the very fact ESPN fits, no less than publicly, don’t suppose both man did something improper.
Purchase that college of thought if you wish to, however what’s Ryan, who used ESPN’s a number of platforms as self-promotional automobiles (”I’m the perfect man for the job. It ain’t shut, belief me”) going to say if Glenn’s Jets get off to an 0-3 begin?
“I told you I was the best man for the Jets job,” Ryan would possibly boast. “They went in another direction and are now paying the price.” However would anybody imagine what he has to say understanding Ryan has an ax to grind as a result of he coveted the Jets job? All he received was one interview.
Jan. 8, 2025: Deliver Rexy again
New York Every day Information
Again web page for Jan. 8, 2025: As promised, former coach interviews for his previous job. Followers liked Rex Ryan and he liked teaching Jets to back-to-back AFC Championship Video games, so Tuesday, with crew fallen on exhausting instances, Ryan sits down together with his previous bosses to debate a return to Gang Inexperienced.
And what if the alternative occurs? What if Glenn’s Jets get off quick 3-0 begin? Understanding Ryan stated (a number of instances) that he was the “only” man for the job, might he convey himself to present Glenn the credit score he deserves? And if Ryan doesn’t, it can solely come off as bitter grapes damaging his and ESPN’s credibility.
For Tannenbaum, ESPN’s in-house GM, that is about enterprise. His “The 33rd Team” acted as a paid advisor helping Woody Johnson within the group’s intensive seek for a brand new coach and basic supervisor (Darren Mougey).
If the Glenn regime isn’t profitable, Tannenbaum will likely be immediately linked to its failure. If the Jets get off to a profitable begin the flip facet is true — Tannenbaum can take credit score.
But when the outcomes are blended, will Tannenbaum be perceived as nothing greater than one other conflicted ESPN analyst chopping the Jets slack, as a result of he hand-picked Glenn? And if the outcomes are dangerous, will Tannenbaum, on an ESPN present, spin, saying the brand new Jets system wants extra time to jell?
Whereas Tannenbaum’s TV mission is to convey actuality to his evaluation, it’s exhausting envisioning him, even when deserved, trashing the Jets. Or the best way Glenn is working the crew.
For all intents and functions Tannenbaum can be ripping himself, his firm, and the method “The 33rd Team” used to choose Glenn. And it could be the longest of photographs to see that kind of trustworthy self-analysis truly come to fruition.
SAD TO SEE GREENY GO
It was unlucky however not surprising when Mike Greenberg referred to as it a day on Monday, ending his run as host of the ESPN Radio program “Greeny.”
Greenberg vows to return to the medium sometime, which might be welcomed. As a lot because the radio business is in turmoil, transition and cost-cutting, there may be nonetheless one thing compelling when a Talkie like Greenberg delivers a daring, authentic opinion with out resorting to low cost tips.
Even higher when Greenberg, whose different ESPN assignments restricted his radio appearances, issued a proclamation earlier than taking stay telephone calls from these in settlement or listeners who hated the commentary.
DON’T LISTEN TO TIKI
Tiki Barber, a Talkie who doubles as a community (CBS) soccer analyst, not too long ago delivered media “lessons” to Tom Brady and Kevin Burkhardt, Fox’s No.1 NFL broadcast crew.
WFAN’s Barber stated the duo ought to preserve all snarky Giants-Saquon Barkley references out of their upcoming Tremendous Bowl telecast.
“I think it’s been played out and if they are anything other than tone-deaf, they will get it,” Barber stated on WFAN,
Tone-deaf?
Barber should have forgotten concerning the hundreds of thousands of informal followers who will tune into the Tremendous Bowl, having no concept how Barkley received from the Giants to Philly. The Fox voices have an obligation to inform that story.
And in the event that they need to put a humorous twist to the story, that appears to offend Barber, effectively that’s referred to as leisure. Isn’t that what a Supe telecast needs to be all about?
Tone-deaf? Hardly.
RAISE A GLASS …
Saturday (Michigan State vs. Rutgers) was an excellent day for CBS’ Invoice Raftery. He was in a position to make Ian (The Chicken) Eagle squirm.
Raf put Eagle on the spot asking his Buffalo-Okay.C. AFC championship recreation choose. The Chicken was not touchdown on that wire. He ignored Raf’s query.
Raf would later go on to disclose his favourite participant within the nation — “Zach Martini,” for apparent causes. Eagle was not going to be denied. When the Rutgers grad pupil missed a shot, Eagle, chirped: “Martini, on the rocks.”
You simply can’t get this type of brilliance on NBA telecasts.
AROUND THE DIAL
It wasn’t what Nate Burleson stated. It was how he stated it. On CBS’ AFC championship recreation postgame present, the previous wideout and versatile TV character, had some alternative phrases for these followers “suffering” from Chiefs fatigue. “And just be happy that you are alive to be there to see it,” Burleson stated. Sadly, Burleson was speaking right down to his viewers, some who would possibly dare to disagree with him. In these few seconds the usually likeable Burleson grew to become very haughty. … The CW has a stable ACC hoops pairing in Thom Brennaman and Mike Gminski. Watching Boston Faculty vs. North Carolina, Gminski’s humor and perception was on full show. And Brennaman received essentially the most out of it. … St. John’s coach Rick Pitino have to be a fantastic pal. Or have lots of time on his fingers. Pitino put within the work to launch a video on X pleading with Kentucky followers to present a heat welcome to Arkansas coach John Calipari when he returns to his former dwelling, Rupp Area, this weekend to play the Wildcats. “Show him what respect and admiration is all about,” Pitino urged. The artist, previously often known as Slick Rick, was booed when he returned to Rupp as Louisville’s coach in 2001.
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DUDE OF THE WEEK: NICK SIRIANNI
Altering attitudes. That’s what the Eagles coach is doing. A yr in the past, he was being roasted in Philadelphia regularly. This week he’s main his crew to New Orleans to play Kansas Metropolis in Tremendous Bowl LIX. Will a win lastly earn him some respect?
DWEEB: STEVE PIKIELL
Getting into this season, there have been sky-high hopes and as a lot optimism as some other crew within the nation. With two future NBA draft picks, Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey on board, the Rutgers coach had all of the elements for greatness. Now, they must scuffle to make the Huge 10 event.
DOUBLE TALK
What Saquon Barkley stated: “The dream wasn’t just getting there [the Super Bowl]. The dream was about winning it.”
What Saquon Barkley meant to say: “I would like to thank the Giants organization for making this all possible.”
