OT: Breer is great to listen to

[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]

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.

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

 

[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]

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

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?

 

[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]

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..

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]

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.

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]

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

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.

 

[RayClay]

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.

Mcdonough was a jerk, but a damned good reporter.

By the way, the answer is Mel Parnell 25 in 1949---21 in 1953.

I don't think there's anyone more recent.

*Lefty grove, 20 in 1935*

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

McDonut was a good reporter in the sense of someone with unnamed contacts who could write about dirt and gossip. Not my preference. He stank when it came to any personal knowlege and insight into the game or into a given game. His contacts drove his agenda and he let his agenda run unbridled. I don't miss that era or 'reportage' one bit. Goodbye to McDonut, the CHB and their ilk.

 

[ClevTrev]

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.

Saw Breer both times, and I agree. It appears that Reiss, Tomase, and Breer are much more focused on the details of the game and the player/ management specifics that actually impact a team's capabilities. I say that to contrast it directly with what Felger, Gresh, and others in the radio and TV media are doing.

Felger is the worst of the bunch. He's the one who tried to pass judgment on Moss' attitude in mini-camp and declare the trends for the coming season based solely on the first pre-season game. He is an utter embarassment and has become hard to watch. When he's on NEST, I am very disappointed; yet, NEST regulars treat him like he's a sports SME.

Not wanting to end this rant on a negative, we're fortunate to have a few scribes who take their jobs seriously and provide the information that enables the fans to understand what's going on regarding the things that truly influence the team's performance on the field.

 

[BradyManny]

Felger is the worst of the bunch. He's the one who tried to pass judgment on Moss' attitude in mini-camp and declare the trends for the coming season based solely on the first pre-season game. He is an utter embarassment and has become hard to watch. When he's on NEST, I am very disappointed; yet, NEST regulars treat him like he's a sports SME.

Not wanting to end this rant on a negative, we're fortunate to have a few scribes who take their jobs seriously and provide the information that enables the fans to understand what's going on regarding the things that truly influence the team's performance on the field.

Fortunately, the balance is now leaning towards the Breer-Reiss types. Tomase and Gasper are very solid contributors respectively to those two.

Felger is an attention whore. It wasn't too long ago he had some legitimacy, but he saw that an easy way to gain attention in this town is to be a negative nancy and stir up the fanbase.

But, times are different now, and I don't think Felger/Borges/CHB types are going to be tolerated. With the Patriots popularity at such a high level and with the team's performance at a high-level each season, fans don't need a stirring, they want insightful information that helps them enjoy the season and the games.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Why have the Krafts tolerated Borges (in the past) and the excerable Gresh on their radio broadcasts? Imagine Reiss or Breer commenting pre and post game. Worth listening to.

 

[PatsFan37]

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.

Not to get too philosophical, but this small example is indicative of how blogs allow a narrower focus since the web gives them an infinite reach. Broadcast has a limited reach so it tends toward sensationalism, needing the loudest news to broaden its base.

The Breer's and Reiss's will always find their best audiences here.

 

[RayClay]

McDonut was a good reporter in the sense of someone with unnamed contacts who could write about dirt and gossip. Not my preference. He stank when it came to any personal knowlege and insight into the game or into a given game. His contacts drove his agenda and he let his agenda run unbridled. I don't miss that era or 'reportage' one bit. Goodbye to McDonut, the CHB and their ilk.

Maybe true, but unlikethe "rumor mills" everywhere today, he had actual sources among the most powerful and influential in the game.

His unnamed contacts were the commissioner, the coaches GMS, politicians etc., in other words, people that knew what they were talking about.

I didn't like the guy and he wasn't a stylist, but to deny he was the greatest ever at accurate inside information is to do him a disservice.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Ray, I agree that Will was spot on with most of his well sourced rumors. No arguement there.

 

[MetalBleachers]

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.

I see what you're saying, but this exaggeration is where you lost me. Okay, McDonough didn't do play-by-play analysis like Breer and Reiss do. Still, calling him a gossip columnist discredits him more than he deserves because he did report the news, sometimes in terms of transactions, sometimes with analysis provided by various coaches and players. I still remember a great column by him about grace under pressure involving the Rams/Titans SB (Kevin Dyson cut off his in-route five yards short).

 

[pats60]

I see what you're saying, but this exaggeration is where you lost me. Okay, McDonough didn't do play-by-play analysis like Breer and Reiss do. Still, calling him a gossip columnist discredits him more than he deserves because he did report the news, sometimes in terms of transactions, sometimes with analysis provided by various coaches and players. I still remember a great column by him about grace under pressure involving the Rams/Titans SB (Kevin Dyson cut off his in-route five yards short).

He was the only reporter i would run out to get the paper for.
His big story how Kraft bought the team was a great article .
Today there is no one who can give you the inside story the way he
could.There is a lot of great stories out there that we will never
know about because there is no one like him.