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November 2, 2007
Why is Richard Justice analyzing sports, part II
Chronicle sports columnist Richard Justice's inability to analyze the subject that he covers has been a common topic on this blog (see also here and here). Following up on that theme, Matt over at DGDB&D provides this clever post on his attempt to engage Justice in a dialogue over the latter's constant criticism of Texans' defensive end Mario Williams. He also notes that most of the articles and columns generated by the Chronicle sports staff about the Texans can be categorized into one of three columns:
At this point in the season, the majority of columns proffered by that group (that aren't pure Megan Manfull rumormill) can be lumped into one of three categories: (1) Richard Justice bashing Mario Williams like a jilted schoolgirl, (2) blame-laying columns that excoriate the whipping-boy du jour (these are sometimes disguised as Vince-Young-praise columns that excoriate the fact that he was not drafted by Houston), and (3) jump-off-the-bandwagon pieces from the same people who profess to be the biggest cheerleaders.
The specialized blogs covering the Texans -- DGDB&D, Stephanie Stradley, and Texans Tail Gate, to name just three -- are far superior to the Chronicle in providing insightful analysis of the local team. Those layoffs that occurred this past week over at the Chronicle happened for a reason -- readers are gravitating toward better analysis than what the Chronicle is providing. Absent an influx of new talent on the Chronicle sports desk, that drift is not likely to change.
Posted by Tom at November 2, 2007 12:00 AM
Comments
The specialized blogs covering the Texans -- DGDB&D, Stephanie Stradley, and Texans Tail Gate, to name just three -- are far superior to the Chronicle
The profanity and namecalling on the blog you linked are off-putting and overshadow the analysis.
As for Mario Willams -- Justice may be riding him too hard, but this just is not a guy who looks like a #1 overall pick. If we're lucky, maybe he'll grow into a Greg Ellis type player, but I have my doubts. I'm a little hesitant to post a dissenting word, though, lest a complete stranger send me an argumentative email, then call me profanities on a blog. :(
Posted by: Kevin Whited ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://blog.kir.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at November 1, 2007 10:15 PM
Tom, thanks for the kind words.
Kevin, you are clearly open-minded and insightful. I mean, you won me over with "I have my doubts." Compelling. Of course, that overlooks that Mario is playing fantastically well against the run and that he is the primary concern of opposing offenses, but if you have your doubts, we should probably cut our losses with him right now.
Posted by: Matt at November 4, 2007 4:04 PM
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