Once again, a majority of the news was about the impending elections so I tuned most of it out. I did, however, see proof that ABC is fascinated with Apple, or perhaps that Apple has bought them out. Suddenly there is a computer on the anchor desk next to Dianne Sawyer with a big Apple logo on the back. So tonight's rant is all about football. I really can't believe the comparison that they started to make and one that they actually did make. Really showed the lack of knowledge on the part of the commentators.
In all honesty, tonight's game between the Vikings and Bucs only has my interest for three reasons. First, it's football. Second, the Vikings are in the same division as the Bears. Third, it's football! In all truth though, not a game that anyone was anticipating and the first quarter really lived up to the lack of hype. And it wasn't just that the teams aren't all that great, these horrible offenses weren't able to move the ball against the equally horrible defenses. The first quarter was filled with a lot of three and outs. Which left the commentators really struggling to prevent dead air. I couldn't imagine being one of these guys having to attempt to sound positive about these two teams, especially when they are playing so poorly!
And this lead to the first comparison that they almost made. Tampa has a rookie running back that wears number 22. Fan of a Hall of Famer that wore that number? Yep, they started to make a comparison to Emit Smith. He had a run where he bounced from the center to the outside and broke it for 40 yards. Then the color commentator decided to state that a play like that reminded him of how Smith would run and how he is built much like Smith. Then he quickly added that this kid is young and he isn't saying that he should be compared to Smith as of yet but he has talent. Let me start with saying that I'm not a huge Emit Smith fan. He was on a talented team with a very good offensive line and a great full back. But at the same time, he was playing in the NFL and there is a limit to how much those things will help you gain as many yards as Smith did. And apparently this guy didn't really pay much attention to Smith during his career. He wasn't the type of back that did a lot of bouncing. If he was going up the middle, he went there. It wasn't often that he would start up the middle then bounce to the outside. But let's look beyond that. Why do they feel they have to constantly compare young players to the greats of the game? Just annoying if you ask me!
And the comparisons didn't stop there. This one turned out to be a comparison that the color commentator stood by. Adrian Peterson had a run where he turned toward the tackler to put the hit on him, just like Jim Brown, according to him. Let's be honest, I'm too young to have seen games where Jim Brown ran over people but I do know what he did in his career. Simply put, there aren't many running backs that would make a claim to be as good as he was. And if they do make that claim, they are probably a little arrogant. Don't get me wrong, Peterson is good, just not Jim Brown caliber good. The thing that really proved my point was what happened to lead to a Tampa touchdown, a fumble. One of the biggest problems that Peterson has had throughout his career is holding on to the ball. Funny how the rest of the greats that they insist on comparing him to didn't have that problem.
All I am asking is that if you are going to compare a current player to a Hall of Famer you better really have your facts straight. Being in the Hall of Fame now is much more about media exposure (Deon Sanders anyone) then it is impact on the game. As long as the media likes you and talks about you a lot and states that you will be in, you can pretty much guarantee that you will be in. Back in the days of players like Jim Brown, that wasn't the case. Back then you had to prove that you deserved it. Comparing a rookie or fumble prone player to someone who earned their right to be in the Hall of Fame isn't really a smart idea.
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