Gannon article...

The Professor · 01-23-2003, 08:42 PM

This is pretty interesting, though not surprising...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LOOSE GANNON
By Michael Silver

Quarterback's ultra-intense manner has alienated teammates

SAN DIEGO -- He's a prickly perfectionist with a Tony Soprano-sized temper, and everyone in Raider Nation regards him as the lovable, de facto den mother who prods his team to glorious heights.

Everyone, that is, except the men who actually have to play on the same team with Rich Gannon, whose hard-core approach to football is a source of much eye-rolling in the Oakland locker room.

Heaven knows no Raiders player wants to come out and say anything critical about the league MVP, whose exceptional performance this season was largely responsible for the franchise's first Super Bowl berth in 19 years. They appreciate what Gannon does, even if they sometimes aren't thrilled with his methodology.

It was one thing when Gannon, after signing with the team before the 1999 season, squelched the lunchtime fun in the Raiders' training facility, confiscating pool cues and balls and banishing video games. His reproachful speeches in team meetings and tantrums during practice further alienated the rank and file.

"The guy just jumps on people's asses, sometimes for the littlest s---," one Raiders offensive player confided during Wednesday's Super Bowl media session at the team's hotel in La Jolla. "It wears on guys, and it's definitely a topic of discussion around here."

Said a former Raiders player: "There aren't a lot of guys in that locker room who want to hang out with the guy. That's why they call him 'Red-Ass Rich.'"

Ouch.

To his credit, Gannon knows when to contain his wrath. For example, neither of his future Hall of Fame targets, wideouts Jerry Rice and Tim Brown, typically has to worry about getting an upbraiding from Gannon.

"No, he won't say s--- to Jerry or Tim," another Raiders offensive player said Wednesday. "But if one of the younger guys blows an assignment or jumps offsides, look out. It's always everyone's fault but [Gannon's]."

During one late-season game, Gannon became angered when a younger player got confused and altered his route by a couple of yards. After reaching back for the ball and narrowly missing the reception, the player returned to the sideline and, according to a witness, was told by Gannon, "Hey, you're f------ up my day."

Sometimes even veteran players feel the sting. According to one former Raiders offensive player, "In our game at Denver last year, Jerry was supposed to run a seam route, but he saw that the middle was open and broke it off to the inside. Rich saw that he was open, but he still threw the ball (incomplete) to where Jerry was supposed to have been, just to prove a point."

Consider that two years ago, when players exchanged Christmas gifts, one offensive starter no longer with the team presented Gannon with a vibrator.

OK, so that was pretty funny. But Gannon's ultra-intense aura is not a laughing matter for his teammates. Why do you think it was that, after the Raiders' AFC Championship triumph over the Tennessee Titans, the mood in the postgame locker room was restrained and muted? It all seeped down from the quarterback, who was so instantly focused on the Super Bowl that he couldn't enjoy the victory. The other veterans were similarly nonplussed, and no younger player dared whoop it up, for fear of incurring the quarterback's wrath.

One Raiders player joked that if the team beats the Bucs on Sunday, "Rich probably won't celebrate, because he'll be too focused on the Pro Bowl."

If Gannon hadn't played so brilliantly during the past four seasons, going from journeyman backup to full-fledged star, there might have been some sort of locker room revolt. He could have been vulnerable after former coach Jon Gruden, his biggest supporter, bolted for Tampa Bay last February; or after Gannon himself skipped a pair of minicamps because of dissatisfaction with his contract (it was later renegotiated); or after he chose not to join the majority of his teammates in an orchestrated walkout when NFL officials visited the Raiders' training camp -- a sign of the bitterness they harbored over the tuck rule replay reversal in Oakland's playoff defeat to the Patriots last season. One player says Gannon couldn't have participated in the walkout because "no one even told him it was happening."

Gannon, however, remained the team's unquestioned leader, and now the Raiders are on the verge of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. It's enough to make his teammates forgive him for his tightly wound personality and penchant for abrasive outbursts. As one veteran says, "We may not all love Rich, but we love Rich, if you know what I mean."

I do know what he means: Gannon is what he is, and he's the best at what he is, and I'm pretty sure if I were to call him right now and read him this column, his response would be something like, "Yo, bro, it's not an encounter group. If those guys don't want to get yelled at, they should start paying more attention to detail and do their jobs."

Remember what Tony Soprano said to Christopher Moltisanti? "You don't have to love me, but you WILL RESPECT ME."

Rest assured that Gannon has the respect of each and every teammate -- even when they're messing up his day.

CMH · 01-23-2003, 10:45 PM

interesting read.

still a darn good qb.

Cole · 01-23-2003, 10:55 PM

Very interesting... I never knew Gannon was like that. I'll see him totally differently now.

darkhorse · 01-23-2003, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ripwalk
Very interesting... I never knew Gannon was like that. I'll see him totally differently now.

Because whatever is written by the press is 100% true.

ziimalan · 01-23-2003, 11:38 PM

gannon just looks like he has no fun in his life he looks so serious

fantom1979 · 01-24-2003, 12:22 AM

I have heard things like this all season (actually the last couple of seasons). If being serious about his job makes him better at his job, well, good for him. Look at the results.

LivnLegend · 01-24-2003, 12:48 AM

Hatchet job by a writer looking to cause a stir.
Gannon is a professional.
I've read a ton of stuff on the Raiders over the years and have never read anyone knocking Gannon like that.

You are going to knock a guy down because his will to win is too strong? Come on. That's BS.
I don't care what "a former Raiders player" said about Gannon. There is probably a good reason he is a former Raider whoever he was.

I am not why Michael Silver felt the need to write his crap. My first reaction is that his story is nothing but an attempt to create some waves or a name for himself during an otherwise uneventful media week at the Super Bowl but Silver is a longtime senior writer with SI and shouldn't need to do that.

Rizon · 01-24-2003, 01:52 AM

The games I've watched on TV and in person confirm the article.

Crapshoot · 01-24-2003, 02:10 AM

Wait a minute; why are the hatchet jobs on Terrel Owens okay ? Why is he a bad teammate while Gannon is just "intense" ?
One or the other guys.

bigphesta · 01-24-2003, 02:24 AM

Hmmm. Let's see. This article comes out the Thursday before the big game, from a writer no one has heard of, from a complany who's (failed) TV station and web page get as many viewers as Rosanne's personal web page, and is from LA, where he's still sour about the whole Raiders leaving for Oakland. If you look at his history of artiles for SI you'll find that he's TOTALLY bias for the 9ers, angry that Rice left (even called HIM a "a moody, shockingly vulnerable hothead" before signing with him to write his autobiography), and he went to Berkley (that should be enough to disreguard everything he says right there)

Ahhh the press.

The Professor · 01-24-2003, 08:37 AM

...I don't know about the intent of the article (I suspect LL is right in most regards) but I do know that for weeks now they've been talking about the possibility of a Raider championship. "In the middle of a scene of celebration, there will be Rich Gannon over in the corner, mad because he missed a screen pass..." etc. etc. This seems to be a popular topic with any number of analysts, broadcasters, and so on...

LivnLegend · 01-24-2003, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Aadik
Wait a minute; why are the hatchet jobs on Terrel Owens okay ? Why is he a bad teammate while Gannon is just "intense" ?
One or the other guys.

It's not "one or the other."

I am not sure how any sort of comparison can be made between Terrell Owens and Rich Gannon. Owens is a classic “Me first” player who wines when he doesn’t get the ball and celebrates in a selfish egocentric style when he does. Gannon is a unselfish, team player who works extremely hard to win ballgames and experts the same from his teammates.

I have a feeling that if there were more than a very small handful of writers who shared Mr. Silver’s viewpoint, Rich Gannon would not have received the amount of votes he did in winning the NFL Most Valuable Player award.

The Professor · 01-24-2003, 11:45 AM

It seems, maybe, that writers like Silver are trying to make Gannon an NFL version of, say, Barry Bonds...

He's good at what he does...NFL MVP
Bonds is a multi-NL MVP, has the single-season HR record...Gold Gloves

Detractors will point at the weapons around Gannon...who wouldn't thrive in the WCO with all that?
Detractors will talk about steroids or watered down pitching or body armor when discussing Bonds...

Gannon isn't real flashy, certainly not a media darling, in fact seems so absorbed in his job that he seems dry, over wound, over intense, and colorless. Is he having fun?

Bonds seems at times to be unable to handle the media, as if he doesn't know what to say to them. 'Just let me do my job'. Is he having fun?

The media thrives on color and personality. Lets find the guys who exude charm, wit and billboard personna - the guys whose blood runs neon. Alas, Rich Gannon is not any of those things. Where the media seeks color, Gannon is strictly gray with blood of stark silver and black.

Crapshoot · 01-24-2003, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LivnLegend
It's not "one or the other."

I am not sure how any sort of comparison can be made between Terrell Owens and Rich Gannon. Owens is a classic “Me first” player who wines when he doesn’t get the ball and celebrates in a selfish egocentric style when he does. Gannon is a unselfish, team player who works extremely hard to win ballgames and experts the same from his teammates.

I have a feeling that if there were more than a very small handful of writers who shared Mr. Silver’s viewpoint, Rich Gannon would not have received the amount of votes he did in winning the NFL Most Valuable Player award.

That's bulll; Owens works as hard as any player in baseball; he wants to win. I think he took part in Jerry rice's training program when he was with the niners. I love the bull**** here; Owens demanding excellence form his teammates is selfish, but Gannon is extremly hard working ? No one has ever questioned Owens work ethic. This is called being a hypocrite, or a Raiders fan; but I repeat myself.

LivnLegend · 01-24-2003, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Aadik
That's bulll; Owens works as hard as any player in baseball; he wants to win. I think he took part in Jerry rice's training program when he was with the niners. I love the bull**** here; Owens demanding excellence form his teammates is selfish, but Gannon is extremly hard working ? No one has ever questioned Owens work ethic. This is called being a hypocrite, or a Raiders fan; but I repeat myself.

Who questioned Owens' desire to win? Not me. Not anyone I have heard. I still do not see how there is any way to compare Owens and Gannon and claim there is anything hypocritical about the "labels" applied.

The article did not say Gannon is a bad guy because he wants to win. It says he is a bad teammate because he alienates his fellow players due to of his strong will to win, his commitment to excelling in all phases, and his demand of teammates to do likewise. (As if those are bad qualities?!)

Does Owens elevate the play of those around him? You say Owens is "demanding excellence form his teammates". Maybe he does but that's not what I read. What I read is Owens complains if he is not the center of the offense. I read about him clashing with his head coach. I read about him showing up players from the opposing teams by dancing on their logo or signing a football after scoring a touchdown.

None of those are qualities of Gannon. You will never hear him say, "I did this" when talking about breaking a NFL record or winning an award. Owens does. Gannon does not seek the spotlight. Owens does.

I can see nothing whatsoever that allows me to compare these two and their attitudes in order to be “hypocritical" about anything related to their attitudes.

magicmike · 01-25-2003, 05:08 PM

I have to agree with LivnLegend on the Gannon-T.O. thing. I think it's basically a comparison of style (or class, some might say). These are both great players who exhibit very different styles of expressing themselves. Whether you like one guy and not the other is more a question of what you're willing to tolerate.

But regarding the Gannon article, I don't see anything controversial in it, except for the writer's bias. I think most people who have played team sports with strong-willed team leaders will tell you there are times when you want to kick the guy's you-know-what.

Crapshoot · 01-25-2003, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LivnLegend
Who questioned Owens' desire to win? Not me. Not anyone I have heard. I still do not see how there is any way to compare Owens and Gannon and claim there is anything hypocritical about the "labels" applied.

The article did not say Gannon is a bad guy because he wants to win. It says he is a bad teammate because he alienates his fellow players due to of his strong will to win, his commitment to excelling in all phases, and his demand of teammates to do likewise. (As if those are bad qualities?!)

Does Owens elevate the play of those around him? You say Owens is "demanding excellence form his teammates". Maybe he does but that's not what I read. What I read is Owens complains if he is not the center of the offense. I read about him clashing with his head coach. I read about him showing up players from the opposing teams by dancing on their logo or signing a football after scoring a touchdown.

None of those are qualities of Gannon. You will never hear him say, "I did this" when talking about breaking a NFL record or winning an award. Owens does. Gannon does not seek the spotlight. Owens does.

I can see nothing whatsoever that allows me to compare these two and their attitudes in order to be “hypocritical" about anything related to their attitudes.

Owens wants to do whatever is neccessary to win; without him,
the 49ers could well be the Bungles... Owens gets angry when his teammates or coaching staff (ala Marucicci at TB, making no offensive attempt with almost a min remaining in the first half) dont seem to be doing the same. How is that different from Gannon ? For clashing, Gannon is clashing with his teammates, but you conveniently put down to him "wanting to win. " But Owens thinking that his teammates/coach arent doing enough is somehow different ? Owens talks about how he felt betrayed by Maruicci (cant spell it) after the star thing, and because he gets asked about it. I dont get your logic; when they ask if he's a good player, should he deny it ? Owens with the sharpie is just having a good time; reading the teactions to it, the only guys it bothered were the prissy old farts at SI (King and Z), who are more conservative than most Mormon colonies. (those guys seem to think a player who doesnt yessir/nosir his coach and the writers is a "young whippersnapper" and football aint like it used to be. Have you ever read Peter King talk about Owens ? Talk about hatchet jobs) His teammates have issues with the guy because he's a hardass; that can be a description of either one.

magicmike · 01-25-2003, 08:26 PM

I'll add something, but please keep in mind that I don't really follow either Gannon or T.O. very closely, so I realize I might not be in full possession of all the facts. But it seems to me that one difference between Gannon and T.O. is that I've never seen Gannon running off his mouth to the press complaining about his teammates or coaches. Don't get me wrong, I think the NFL nowadays is way too regimented on the whole, so I loved T.O. stomping on the Dallas star, signing the ball, and all that stuff. It makes the game more fun and if the other team gets p.o.'d that's great. But I don't think T.O. is as much a hardass as he is a jackass. Just my opinion.

LivnLegend · 01-25-2003, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Aadik
Owens wants to do whatever is neccessary to win; without him,
the 49ers could well be the Bungles... Owens gets angry when his teammates or coaching staff (ala Marucicci at TB, making no offensive attempt with almost a min remaining in the first half) dont seem to be doing the same. How is that different from Gannon ? For clashing, Gannon is clashing with his teammates, but you conveniently put down to him "wanting to win. " But Owens thinking that his teammates/coach arent doing enough is somehow different ? Owens talks about how he felt betrayed by Maruicci (cant spell it) after the star thing, and because he gets asked about it. I dont get your logic; when they ask if he's a good player, should he deny it ? Owens with the sharpie is just having a good time; reading the teactions to it, the only guys it bothered were the prissy old farts at SI (King and Z), who are more conservative than most Mormon colonies. (those guys seem to think a player who doesnt yessir/nosir his coach and the writers is a "young whippersnapper" and football aint like it used to be. Have you ever read Peter King talk about Owens ? Talk about hatchet jobs) His teammates have issues with the guy because he's a hardass; that can be a description of either one.

Well, your argument hinges on whether or not I am saying a comparison can be made regarding how Gannon and T.O. are viewed by their teammates. I think the author of this article is way off base and that Gannon does not clash with his teammates. With Owens, there is no doubt, as players and the (former) head coach have publicly said so. I have not heard anyone from the Raiders organization say that about Gannon and the only sources Silver has are an unnamed teammate and a "former Raider". That holds no water in my opinion and goes to support my first statement that this was just a hatchet job done by a writer trying to cause a stir. That's when you chimed in with

By the way, Silver did not get exactly get the run he was probably hoping for with this crappy piece on Gannon. Even with the onslaught of Super Bowl coverage, I have read nothing else similar to this from any other writer. Nor have I heard anyone refer to this article outside of this message board. I have read nothing but complimentary articles on Gannon. Much ado about nothing.

EagleEye_0 · 01-26-2003, 03:57 AM

I strongly agree with LivinLegend on this one. Aadik can you argue with the fact that when Owens isn't happy about his teamates that he publicly lets them and others know about it, but I have never once heard Gannon say anything but nice things about his teamates to the public.

Also, again I agree with Livn, you can't let one article with an unnamed teamate and a former rider bad mouthing him influence how you view Gannon.

Jerry Porter did not like (thats putting it lightly) Jon Gruden and I'd bet that at least one of his current players doesnt either, so that must mean that Jon Gruden is a total arsehole who nobody likes.

01-23-2003, 08:42 PM	#1
The Professor Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: East of East Posts: 3,020	Gannon article... This is pretty interesting, though not surprising... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ LOOSE GANNON By Michael Silver Quarterback's ultra-intense manner has alienated teammates SAN DIEGO -- He's a prickly perfectionist with a Tony Soprano-sized temper, and everyone in Raider Nation regards him as the lovable, de facto den mother who prods his team to glorious heights. Everyone, that is, except the men who actually have to play on the same team with Rich Gannon, whose hard-core approach to football is a source of much eye-rolling in the Oakland locker room. Heaven knows no Raiders player wants to come out and say anything critical about the league MVP, whose exceptional performance this season was largely responsible for the franchise's first Super Bowl berth in 19 years. They appreciate what Gannon does, even if they sometimes aren't thrilled with his methodology. It was one thing when Gannon, after signing with the team before the 1999 season, squelched the lunchtime fun in the Raiders' training facility, confiscating pool cues and balls and banishing video games. His reproachful speeches in team meetings and tantrums during practice further alienated the rank and file. "The guy just jumps on people's asses, sometimes for the littlest s---," one Raiders offensive player confided during Wednesday's Super Bowl media session at the team's hotel in La Jolla. "It wears on guys, and it's definitely a topic of discussion around here." Said a former Raiders player: "There aren't a lot of guys in that locker room who want to hang out with the guy. That's why they call him 'Red-Ass Rich.'" Ouch. To his credit, Gannon knows when to contain his wrath. For example, neither of his future Hall of Fame targets, wideouts Jerry Rice and Tim Brown, typically has to worry about getting an upbraiding from Gannon. "No, he won't say s--- to Jerry or Tim," another Raiders offensive player said Wednesday. "But if one of the younger guys blows an assignment or jumps offsides, look out. It's always everyone's fault but [Gannon's]." During one late-season game, Gannon became angered when a younger player got confused and altered his route by a couple of yards. After reaching back for the ball and narrowly missing the reception, the player returned to the sideline and, according to a witness, was told by Gannon, "Hey, you're f------ up my day." Sometimes even veteran players feel the sting. According to one former Raiders offensive player, "In our game at Denver last year, Jerry was supposed to run a seam route, but he saw that the middle was open and broke it off to the inside. Rich saw that he was open, but he still threw the ball (incomplete) to where Jerry was supposed to have been, just to prove a point." Consider that two years ago, when players exchanged Christmas gifts, one offensive starter no longer with the team presented Gannon with a vibrator. OK, so that was pretty funny. But Gannon's ultra-intense aura is not a laughing matter for his teammates. Why do you think it was that, after the Raiders' AFC Championship triumph over the Tennessee Titans, the mood in the postgame locker room was restrained and muted? It all seeped down from the quarterback, who was so instantly focused on the Super Bowl that he couldn't enjoy the victory. The other veterans were similarly nonplussed, and no younger player dared whoop it up, for fear of incurring the quarterback's wrath. One Raiders player joked that if the team beats the Bucs on Sunday, "Rich probably won't celebrate, because he'll be too focused on the Pro Bowl." If Gannon hadn't played so brilliantly during the past four seasons, going from journeyman backup to full-fledged star, there might have been some sort of locker room revolt. He could have been vulnerable after former coach Jon Gruden, his biggest supporter, bolted for Tampa Bay last February; or after Gannon himself skipped a pair of minicamps because of dissatisfaction with his contract (it was later renegotiated); or after he chose not to join the majority of his teammates in an orchestrated walkout when NFL officials visited the Raiders' training camp -- a sign of the bitterness they harbored over the tuck rule replay reversal in Oakland's playoff defeat to the Patriots last season. One player says Gannon couldn't have participated in the walkout because "no one even told him it was happening." Gannon, however, remained the team's unquestioned leader, and now the Raiders are on the verge of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. It's enough to make his teammates forgive him for his tightly wound personality and penchant for abrasive outbursts. As one veteran says, "We may not all love Rich, but we love Rich, if you know what I mean." I do know what he means: Gannon is what he is, and he's the best at what he is, and I'm pretty sure if I were to call him right now and read him this column, his response would be something like, "Yo, bro, it's not an encounter group. If those guys don't want to get yelled at, they should start paying more attention to detail and do their jobs." Remember what Tony Soprano said to Christopher Moltisanti? "You don't have to love me, but you WILL RESPECT ME." Rest assured that Gannon has the respect of each and every teammate -- even when they're messing up his day. __________________ History isn't really about the past - settling old scores. It's about defining the present and who we are."

01-23-2003, 11:38 PM	#5
ziimalan Major Leagues Join Date: May 2002 Location: new jeru Posts: 392	gannon just looks like he has no fun in his life he looks so serious __________________ hmmmmm...

01-24-2003, 12:22 AM	#6
fantom1979 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 3,498	I have heard things like this all season (actually the last couple of seasons). If being serious about his job makes him better at his job, well, good for him. Look at the results. __________________

01-24-2003, 12:48 AM	#7
LivnLegend Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: 100% pure adrenaline! Posts: 5,624	Hatchet job by a writer looking to cause a stir. Gannon is a professional. I've read a ton of stuff on the Raiders over the years and have never read anyone knocking Gannon like that. You are going to knock a guy down because his will to win is too strong? Come on. That's BS. I don't care what "a former Raiders player" said about Gannon. There is probably a good reason he is a former Raider whoever he was. I am not why Michael Silver felt the need to write his crap. My first reaction is that his story is nothing but an attempt to create some waves or a name for himself during an otherwise uneventful media week at the Super Bowl but Silver is a longtime senior writer with SI and shouldn't need to do that. __________________ Excess ain't rebellion. You're drinking what they're selling.

01-24-2003, 01:52 AM	#8
Rizon Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: SF Area, California Total Posts: 531,691 Posts: 2,370	The games I've watched on TV and in person confirm the article. __________________ JML MILKSHAKES

01-23-2003, 10:45 PM	#2
CMH Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 5,057	interesting read. still a darn good qb.

01-23-2003, 10:55 PM	#3
Cole Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Fredericton, New Brunswick Posts: 2,685	Very interesting... I never knew Gannon was like that. I'll see him totally differently now.

01-24-2003, 02:10 AM	#9
Crapshoot Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: watching: DArwin's missing link in action Posts: 3,112	Wait a minute; why are the hatchet jobs on Terrel Owens okay ? Why is he a bad teammate while Gannon is just "intense" ? One or the other guys. __________________ Senior Senor Member of the OOTP Boards Pittsburgh Playmates- OTBL

01-24-2003, 02:24 AM	#10
bigphesta Banned Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Des Moines, Iowa Posts: 1,366	Hmmm. Let's see. This article comes out the Thursday before the big game, from a writer no one has heard of, from a complany who's (failed) TV station and web page get as many viewers as Rosanne's personal web page, and is from LA, where he's still sour about the whole Raiders leaving for Oakland. If you look at his history of artiles for SI you'll find that he's TOTALLY bias for the 9ers, angry that Rice left (even called HIM a "a moody, shockingly vulnerable hothead" before signing with him to write his autobiography), and he went to Berkley (that should be enough to disreguard everything he says right there) Ahhh the press.

01-24-2003, 08:37 AM	#11
The Professor Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: East of East Posts: 3,020	...I don't know about the intent of the article (I suspect LL is right in most regards) but I do know that for weeks now they've been talking about the possibility of a Raider championship. "In the middle of a scene of celebration, there will be Rich Gannon over in the corner, mad because he missed a screen pass..." etc. etc. This seems to be a popular topic with any number of analysts, broadcasters, and so on... __________________ History isn't really about the past - settling old scores. It's about defining the present and who we are."

01-24-2003, 11:45 AM	#13
The Professor Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: East of East Posts: 3,020	It seems, maybe, that writers like Silver are trying to make Gannon an NFL version of, say, Barry Bonds... He's good at what he does...NFL MVP Bonds is a multi-NL MVP, has the single-season HR record...Gold Gloves Detractors will point at the weapons around Gannon...who wouldn't thrive in the WCO with all that? Detractors will talk about steroids or watered down pitching or body armor when discussing Bonds... Gannon isn't real flashy, certainly not a media darling, in fact seems so absorbed in his job that he seems dry, over wound, over intense, and colorless. Is he having fun? Bonds seems at times to be unable to handle the media, as if he doesn't know what to say to them. 'Just let me do my job'. Is he having fun? The media thrives on color and personality. Lets find the guys who exude charm, wit and billboard personna - the guys whose blood runs neon. Alas, Rich Gannon is not any of those things. Where the media seeks color, Gannon is strictly gray with blood of stark silver and black. __________________ History isn't really about the past - settling old scores. It's about defining the present and who we are."

01-25-2003, 05:08 PM	#16
magicmike Major Leagues Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hawaii Posts: 365	I have to agree with LivnLegend on the Gannon-T.O. thing. I think it's basically a comparison of style (or class, some might say). These are both great players who exhibit very different styles of expressing themselves. Whether you like one guy and not the other is more a question of what you're willing to tolerate. But regarding the Gannon article, I don't see anything controversial in it, except for the writer's bias. I think most people who have played team sports with strong-willed team leaders will tell you there are times when you want to kick the guy's you-know-what. __________________ aloha and mahalo HCBL Kansas City Royals 2003 AL Central Champs SMLB Houston Astros VLB Anaheim Angels UBL Pittsburgh Pirates "Barry Bonds? I'll tell you what, if he hit a home run off (Bob) Gibson or (Don) Drysdale and stood and admired it, they'd knock that earring out of his ear the next time up." - National League Umpire Doug Harvey

01-25-2003, 08:26 PM	#18
magicmike Major Leagues Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hawaii Posts: 365	I'll add something, but please keep in mind that I don't really follow either Gannon or T.O. very closely, so I realize I might not be in full possession of all the facts. But it seems to me that one difference between Gannon and T.O. is that I've never seen Gannon running off his mouth to the press complaining about his teammates or coaches. Don't get me wrong, I think the NFL nowadays is way too regimented on the whole, so I loved T.O. stomping on the Dallas star, signing the ball, and all that stuff. It makes the game more fun and if the other team gets p.o.'d that's great. But I don't think T.O. is as much a hardass as he is a jackass. Just my opinion. __________________ aloha and mahalo HCBL Kansas City Royals 2003 AL Central Champs SMLB Houston Astros VLB Anaheim Angels UBL Pittsburgh Pirates "Barry Bonds? I'll tell you what, if he hit a home run off (Bob) Gibson or (Don) Drysdale and stood and admired it, they'd knock that earring out of his ear the next time up." - National League Umpire Doug Harvey

01-26-2003, 03:57 AM	#20
EagleEye_0 All Star Starter Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 1,426	I strongly agree with LivinLegend on this one. Aadik can you argue with the fact that when Owens isn't happy about his teamates that he publicly lets them and others know about it, but I have never once heard Gannon say anything but nice things about his teamates to the public. Also, again I agree with Livn, you can't let one article with an unnamed teamate and a former rider bad mouthing him influence how you view Gannon. Jerry Porter did not like (thats putting it lightly) Jon Gruden and I'd bet that at least one of his current players doesnt either, so that must mean that Jon Gruden is a total arsehole who nobody likes.