ESPN's Tom Jackson

[beanpole]

I really, really hope shockey is right. TJ's ego gets in the way of saying something smart and his joke falls flat.

 

[clutchcargo]

Just wondering---who is Bart Scott?

 

[Det. Jimmy McNulty]

Just wondering---who is Bart Scott?

Honestly?

 

[Alma]

i didn't hear any of jackson's comments, so i'm just asking, since i'm stunned any talking head would earnestly admit this: is it at all possible t-jack was attempting to 'funny' his way out of being so wrong? you know, like, 'oh, you took my prediction seriously? it was my plan to fire up the jets -- worked perfectly. i'm da man!"

any chance? or was he clearly earnest? just akskin'....

He was clearly earnest.

 

[bumpy mcgee]

C'Mon man, this thread is Jacked Up.

 

[MightyMouse]

i didn't hear any of jackson's comments, so i'm just asking, since i'm stunned any talking head would earnestly admit this: is it at all possible t-jack was attempting to 'funny' his way out of being so wrong? you know, like, 'oh, you took my prediction seriously? it was my plan to fire up the jets -- worked perfectly. i'm da man!"

any chance? or was he clearly earnest? just akskin'....

Not sure it matters. He either said it to cover his butt because he was so wrong, or he said it because it's true. Either way, it's disappointing. Maybe it's because he's always sitting next to Berman, but I always found him to be one of the more tolerable folks on ESPN's Sunday NFL desk.

 

[shockey]

i didn't hear any of jackson's comments, so i'm just asking, since i'm stunned any talking head would earnestly admit this: is it at all possible t-jack was attempting to 'funny' his way out of being so wrong? you know, like, 'oh, you took my prediction seriously? it was my plan to fire up the jets -- worked perfectly. i'm da man!"

any chance? or was he clearly earnest? just akskin'....

He was clearly earnest.

in that case, this is incredibly brutal. hard to believe i've yet to read a mushnick or raissman-type call him out on this. tsk, tsk, t-jack.

 

[bigbadeagle]

Every day that goes by, I pat myself on the back for watching less and less ESPN. Other than the times when they show an actual competition, there's very little point in watching their endless hours of SportsCenter that consist of fawning, drooling and verbal handjobs.

 

[LevinTBlack]

You guys realize this is all B.S. right? They are told what to say on the shows. I am only a tiny bit joking. I know people that have interned at ESPN and worked on shows like NFL Tonight, Sportscenter ... etc. and they all said ESPN does tell their analysts what way to go on topics to make sure both sides are picked.

 

[Herbert Anchovy]

Berman has done this before wearing the turban on SportsCenter, predicting scores like 5-2 and 17-π.

I think Tom Jackson is pretty far from the worst of his kind.

 

[ChrisRcc]

Berman has done this before wearing the turban on SportsCenter, predicting scores like 5-2 and 17-π.

I think Tom Jackson is pretty far from the worst of his kind.

I remember watching Berman's segments, thinking, "What is this guy smoking to get a 5-2 football game?"

Cut ESPN from my life entirely, and it hasn't really changed my life all that much.

 

[BobSacamano]

Like the Jets are sitting around waiting to hear what Tom Jackson says.

Bart Scott apparently was...he called out Tom Jackson (and Keyshawn) in his post-game comments.

I have no doubt they watch the shows...but Jackson shouldn't, under any circumstances, be using his comments to motivate one team or another by lying. That sends a bizarre message to the viewer - you know, the people actually paying ESPN's bills.

Does Bart Scott HAVE an IQ? Seriously?

Some one else with experience interviewing him might have a different read, but he's one of the brighter guys I've had the pleasure of speaking with. He doesn't veer off on tangents in his answers, and is actually a really welcoming guy.

 

[Alma]

And today, Jackson says...

He was being honest on Sunday and <i>lied</i> on Monday - earnestly, mind you - and he's sorry any of it happened:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/hiestand-tv/2011-01-18-tom-jackson-contradiction-radio_N.htm

<i>In an interview Tuesday, Jackson says he really thought the Pats would win big — "and thought it could have been worse" — and that he's "not arrogant enough to think I can affect the outcomes."

So why the radio comments? "I was shocked and stunned by Bart's comments, that they were directed at me. ... So in an effort to make an excuse for the comments, I made comments I shouldn't have."

Meaning that if Jackson picks the Jets to win this Sunday, we shouldn't assume he's just trying to psych up the Pittsburgh Steelers: "Any time I've made a pick on TV, or anywhere else, I've believed in those comments."</i>

I can tell you right now - he's lying his ass off. Sunday and Tuesday, that is. Monday, he told the truth.