One of the things that kills me about American sports commentary in general is the pseudo-news orientation of it. It’s the one spot where American football is noticeably different – the folks who do pre-game, half-time and post-game are even advertised as essentially a bunch of good guys you’re watching the game with. Andy Grey and the Telefutura/Univision guys (though I don’t speak Spanish, so I don’t know most of what they’re saying) strike me as guys who LOVE the game and love watching it. I don’t ever get the feeling from Dellacamera or even Harkes that they wouldn’t want to be doing anything else. I also get that feeling from Alexi Lalas, Greg Lalas, and Marcela Balboa. All are totally interested, totally absorbed, and on target, IMHO.

Would I like guys to be more knowlegable? Yes. Would I like guys to be better studied about the contestants? Yes (see Bob Costas for a great example of what I mean). Would I take those traits from someone for whom this is clearly a third or fourth sport to watch over someone who thinks it’s the greatest game in the world? Not in a million years.

What was the deal with Marufo again?