I understand that ESPN and other national-level sports networks are committed to making money, which generally means stories that the most people want to read/hear. I understand New York is always going to get a lot of coverage on their teams. I understand the Cowboys are “America’s Team” and are going to get a lot of coverage during the NFL season. And I begrudgingly understand and accept that the Titans are not going to get much coverage unless they do something extra special (or extremely stupid).
But is it too much to ask to tone down the coverage of the teams that are either a) surprisingly bad or b) just plain bad? Aren’t we far enough into the season to just let the bad teams struggle quietly? I mean, how obnoxious would it be if the game getting the most coverage around late November were a game between the 4-6 Seahawks and the 1-9 Rams (see: Week 12, 2009)? Well it’s only the sixth week this year, but all this talk about the Panic Bowl (Dallas (1-3) @ Minnesota (1-3)) is a little too much. Shouldn’t you do something good to earn everyone’s attention?
Given that I’m a Titans fan, you might think I’m just clamoring for more attention, but I assure you that’s not the case. Do I think the Titans have some storylines that could be just as interesting football-wise if they just got a little coverage? Of course (that’s kind of the point of this blog). But I don’t really think ESPN would ever want to give us more coverage unless we did something special. Something like having a 2,000-yard running back. Or benching your starting quarterback down two scores after 3 quarters in the second game of the season…
So just for fun, I’m giving you the top 12 media-hog teams so far this season. Also the bottom 3. These rankings are imprecise and based on my own experience, not any actual facts. And I realize that by doing this, I'm kind of just being a hypocrite by giving attention to teams who I say are already getting too much. But whatever.
The Media-Hog Power Rankings. Which teams does the media love the most? And do they deserve it?
1. Minnesota Vikings --- Brett Favre, Brett Favre, Brett Favre, they just traded for Randy Moss, they're 1-3, Brett Favre's arm, Brett Favre. This team has hijacked ESPN's NFL coverage. A football ignoramus watching ESPN might think they are the only team in the league if it weren't for the. . .
2. Dallas Cowboys --- What is wrong with the Cowboys? Is Wade's job safe? They were a popular Super Bowl pick but they're struggling, and no one seems to have any answers other than "just play better."
3. New York Jets --- This team is going to be top-5 in media-hogging all year, thanks to Hard Knocks, Coach Loudmouth, and the fact that they have "New York" before their name. If they lose a game, we'll have to listen to more reassurances about this team going to the Super Bowl and more doubters declaring that Mark Sanchez actually is NOT any good (can we just make up our mind on him?). If they keep winning, we'll be force-fed "the Jets are good at everything because they've bought into Rex Ryan's philosophy and Mark Sanchez is awesome" talk. Yuck.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers --- Okay, Big Ben coming back is a reasonably big deal. And their defense does actually deserve to be talked about. But I haven't heard a single analyst mention any specific thing an offense can do to beat them. Are they suggesting the Steelers D has no flaws or weaknesses? Come on. That's ridiculous.
5. New England Patriots --- They trade Randy Moss. Okay, big news. But Justin Beiber making fun of Tom Brady's hair? How is ESPN okay with airing that garbage?
6. San Francisco 49ers --- A few years ago, when they were just plain bad and didn't have Mad Man Mike (whom I actually like -- I really hope he doesn't get fired) at the helm, ESPN didn't seem to care about this team. Now, they're that annoying 0-5 Super Bowl pick that gets more attention than teams who are actually doing something right. This team was 8-8 last year, with three of those wins coming against the Rams and Lions, who combined to win 3 games themselves. Why did anyone think the 49ers were any good to begin with?
7. Baltimore Ravens --- This team actually seems pretty good. Everyone is considering them as top-5 in the league, but as I learned today, they are second worst in the NFL in turnover margin. Seems like a perfect reason to doubt them. But hey, if they have a good record, everything must be fine, right?
8. New York Giants --- After the Titans game, the media was hitting the panic button for them. Now, they're "the best team no one is talking about." What gives? You win two games and now everything is all good?
9. Indianapolis Colts --- They've got some problems (running offense, run defense), but no one would be talking about them if Josh Scobee doesn't hit that 59-yard, Rob Bironas-esque, game-winning kick last week.
10. Philadelphia Eagles --- If it weren't for injuries to their quarterbacks basically making their decisions for them, this team would be talked about much more, as evidenced by Andy Reid's decision to start Mike Vick in the second game and stick with him and the hours upon hours of debate that ensued.
11. Chicago Bears --- Are they for real? No. But to be fair, the defense is very good.
12. New Orleans Saints --- Another Super Bowl champ who has no more magic the next year. By the way, this team was 8-8 two years ago, and 7-9 the year before that. Maybe the anomaly with this team is last year, and not the last month?
And the black sheep. . .
30. Jacksonville Jaguars --- They're 3-2. Unfortunately, if you can't even get local fans to come to the game, you will probably not get any of ESPN's time. Nor should you.
31. Carolina Panthers --- Makes sense because they haven't won any games and are located somewhere in the Carolinas (North, Charlotte). But you would think they would get a little more coverage because Jimmy Clausen was a pretty talked-about guy in college. Although he did go to Notre Dame, which is basically the Dallas Cowboys of college football.
32. Buffalo Bills --- They don't deserve any coverage. This team is awful.
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