Campbell's numbers dont lie

[dgack]

Originally Posted by jsarno

Barkley just randomly speaks, Harrison just has no filter, but usually he is right on.

I see what you're getting at, but the parallel I was trying to draw is the ego-driven "I could still get out there and whip these guys" mentality. Both Harrison and Barkley have this.

The thing is, as a sports commentator, you're either a straight man, a sort of ambassador type who tries to find the silver lining in any bad team, or you're the "bad boy" type who makes "controversial" statements under the guise of "just calling it like I see it". I think both Charles and Rodney are in group 3.

Most of the time though, guys in that group don't say anything controversial at all, they take shots at safe targets. For instance, Barkley continually ripping on the Wizards, but you'll never hear him saying "Kobe is a ball hog" (even though that's not terribly controversial either). But is anyone outside of DC really going to care if he railroads Brendan Haywood or Gil?

Likewise, what QB's can Harrison attack verbally without catching serious flack? How about Favre? Certainly you would expect Harrison would have some choice comments about Brett's gunslinging mentality, maybe he's even thrown pickles to Rodney. But he says anything about Favre being done or over the hill, he'll catch hell from everyone.

I mean, hell, he's taking on TO now -- regardless of what a head case the guy is, nobody has ever disputed that Terrell Owens is a hell of an athlete and can be / has been one of the best WR's in the game (when he's not sabotaging himself). But TO is a super easy target, so Harrison goes after him. Shocker.

Commentators who happen to be former athletes can have plenty of ulterior motive for talking smack. I don't really think you can take Harrison's comments at face value in this instance. Not that this will stop anybody who is looking for evidence that Campbell sucks and should be replaced at all costs.