something to be thankful for

The Bills are playing the Steelers later today in a critical week. Both teams need to win to keep their division and playoff hopes alive. But I’m not writing to analyze the game. That’s a job for the experts, which is, actually what I’m writing about today. Expertise. Well, sort of.

I believe everyone has expertise in something. Some people have it in more than one thing. But no one has it in everything. Let’s take Tom Brady for instance. He is arguably the best quarterback to ever play the game. The G.O.A.T. It may not even be much of an argument, considering all he accomplished. People said it was all the coach, but then he went on to win it all in Tampa. Even the most steadfast Tom Brady haters can’t argue with his football playing expertise.

I’ll take it a step further. To be that successful, you have to know the game inside and out. Brady’s football expertise surely extends to football knowledge. Any objections so far? I didn’t think so.

Now, since Brady retired, he’s shown up in commercials for any number of products, following in the Manning brothers’ footsteps. I think he does an okay job. He’s often amusing in an awkward-bordering-on-creepy kind of way. But he’s no Peyton Manning. Even Eli is heads and shoulders above Brady in this area. The Mannings are funny. They both have charisma. In short, they are likeable. Brady is not.

And, unfortunately for football fans, Brady’s lack of appeal is on full display every Sunday on Fox. Understandably, the network saw big dollar signs when they made him a color commentator. I mean, who wouldn’t tune in to hear the game dissected by one of the best who ever played it? It turns out, the answer is “anyone who doesn’t want their ears assaulted.” Brady’s on-field fame and football knowledge simply can’t overcome his stiffness. Even my Patriots-fan friends agree—Brady is one of the worst color commentators on the air.

I can’t think of a single broadcaster worse than Tom Brady. Bring back Troy Aikman. Bring back Dan Fouts. I’d even take Dan Dierdorf or Greg Olsen. Hell, bring back the ghost of Merlin Olsen over Brady. Just please, for the love of John Madden, give Tom Brady something else to do. Something that doesn’t involve speaking into a microphone. Because, as a color guy, he’s simply a no-GOAT.

Okay, I’ll jump off my soap box for a moment. After all, this post was supposed to be about something I’m thankful for. And indeed it is. I’m thankful today’s game is on CBS. And I’m thankful I don’t have to mute the TV, because Tony Romo is doing color for the game. Romo may not have been the best quarterback to ever play, but in my view, he’s one of the best in the business behind the mic.

Cheers. And go Bills.