Thursday, November 1, 2007

Dick-of-the-Week Sportswriter #1, Gregg Easterbrook

I had every intention of keeping my Halloween posts up for those of you who may have missed them on Wednesday. They're still up - immediately after this post. But I had to rant for a second.

Gregg Easterbrook writes a column for ESPN online called, Tuesday Morning Quarterback. Here was his take on the 82 yard TD pass in overtime Brett Favre threw to Greg Jennings – first play of OT – and what follows is my response to him:

'Brett Favre's 82-yard game-winning touchdown pass on the first snap of overtime was an example of the fine line between a great play and a bonehead play. Favre heave-hoed toward a guy who was covered pretty well, and the football gods, still smarting about the cheerleaders, smiled on the visiting team. J.P. Losman's late 85-yard game-icing touchdown Sunday at Jersey/B was another example: a deep heave-ho to a guy who was double-covered in that case. Both passes, as they left the quarterback's hands, were as likely to be disastrous interceptions as highlight-reel touchdowns.'

I think you’re the bonehead, Gregg Easterbrook. And I think you're a dick.

I can’t even believe I have to say this but why can’t you just accept Favre’s OT pass to Jennings for what it was – a great call, a great pass and a great catch? Period. Execution that was perfect from every perspective as opposed to a gift from the “football gods”. Instead of perhaps qualifying the play as one of your Sweet Plays of the Week, you demote it to what could have been a “bonehead” play.

'Both passes…were as likely to be disastrous interceptions as highlight-reel touchdowns..' What? How many passes can you say that about in any given game in the NFL? Your readers are not interested in your opinions of what could have happened or might have happened (and I’m giving you a wide birth here as I’m to understand that your column IS a column of personal opinion). The Packers could very well be 1-6; Favre might not be playing as good as he is; the Broncos could have won that game before overtime; if no one had showed up there would'nt have been a game and therefore nothing for you to write about. Absurd? Well, you should know.

None of that has anything to do with what transpired on that field Monday night. The facts are the only thing that matter, and if we have to listen to your opinions (though we could choose not to read your column), please give us your opinions on the facts.

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