BradyManny

Saw Breer on NEST for the second time in the last few days - as great as this guy is on the blogs, he is even better on TV. He's well-spoken, articulate, insightful and has a real passion for the intricacies of the game.

As Felger was basically trying to say that Thomas at ILB was a mistake, Breer essentially shut him down, saying that it was a work in progress that was going well, and would work to the team's advantage.

Unlike the typical talking heads we so often hear around here, he is extremely specific with his points and makes sure he can back up what he is saying.

I hope we continue to not only read Breer, but hear him on the TV and radio in the future. The guy is great.

MrBigglesWorth

I agree. Him and Reiss are the best with Tomase just behind. I like how he breaks down the tape.

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Rob0729

I am actually starting to think Breer is the best of the bunch. I haven't heard him a lot, but he definitely breaks down game film better than any of the local writers. He breaks it down like a football coach would.

BradyManny

Reiss is great, but in a different way, I'd say. We rely on Reiss for consistent objective delivery of news and solid, informative analysis. Breer/the Herald may not be as quick to delivery a given story, but I think Breer's analysis is slightly better than Reiss perhaps. Breer really takes it to a whole level that seems unmatched in the media, and is really only matched by a few folks here on these boards with the game breakdowns.

BelichickFan

Breer is the must read for me. When I saw him on NEST last week he was fine but seemed a little nervous -he was more relaxed today. I hate it when thgey call him Bert though - he looks like an Al or an Albert but not a Bert

PatsWickedPissah

When is Breer on NEST? What show? What time?

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AzPatsFan

I have lived in lots of places out side new England. Ii was always amazed at how poor, ignorant, and inferior the Boston football reporting was.

It always seemed to me the there would be an occasional Basketball reporter who might know a thing or two; and at another paper, a Bruins reporter who knew a thing about hockey. But by and large, the rest were a bunch of know-nothings, and didn't cares, who were hired to cover baseball.

They knew little, didn't care, the daily box score provided the few paragraphs of regurgitation necessary to provide their "bona fides". To thsi day Sox fans are amzingly ignorant. The Fenway Monstrosity hass cost lots of pennants. Atypical Sox fan couldn't name the last 20 game Southpaw winner for the Sox, and why that amttered. (Hint: the Curse of the Bambino, lives). Then they all could try to be a William McDonut.

The dean of the Heda Hopper school of sports reporting. McDonut wanted to go to the Big Apple, to hobnob with the real celebrtities. He knew he had no idea about sports, but could make living on Gossip and nothing but Gossip, 24 x 7. Who hates who; whose contract is ending; what contract details are causing a snit. What the love, drug or other scandalous behavior was going on. Yada, yada, and more boring Heda Hopper Yada.

Believe me not all cities are that way.

With Reiss, Breer, and Tomase, NE fans can begin to see what football reporting is really like in other cities. You can even start to detect the phonies ( Shaune...) as they poke their heads in from the baseball beat.

For example: Living in the DC 'burbs for a decade or more, it always amazed me that the local papers would have a minimum of two original articles on the Redskins, every day, in football season or out. Stories that took digging to get, like Reiss showed to New Englanders. Over time, fans knew what the problems were; where the unsung players were; and the players that needed upgrading.

BradyManny

Good post. I guess I take it for granted that maybe other cities might actually consistently have football analysts that no what they are talking about, but guys like Reiss and Breer are huge novelty to me. I view the older members of the Globe staff - Ryan, CHB, Macmullan, etc. - as good writers that don't particularly know a great deal about sports other than on a superficial level, and whose ability to use words well is offset by a general negativity.

Breer knows football. I feel like I've learnt something everytime I read him and everytime I hear him.

I agree with BelichickFan he sounded moderately nervous on his first NEST appearance - to be expected, but he remained very well spoken and insightful. I'd love it if EEI made him a staple, it would certainly make my commutes more enjoyable.

patchick

FWIW, I think serious football writing has much more the exception than the rule around the country. I didn't see a ton of it living in San Francisco or New York, even in years when the Niners and Giants made it to the Superbowl. It seems like the blog format has really made a difference, granting guys like Reiss and Breer all the space they want to cater to the hardcore fan.

Patsfanin Philly

In many respects, that is high praise that I have only previously seen bestowed on Ron Jaworski (for TV talking heads an djournalists) who is also amazing at breaking down film. Breer's recent blogs have been great in breaking down details on blocking schemes and the little nuances that I, for one have totally missed.