Richard Sherman vs Skip Bayless

[IndyTrav]

He has many accolades and has been a success for decades. He also has the number one show on ESPN. And in terms of athletes speaking to him, he seems to get all of them at his beck and call so I competely disagree. I mean what has Sherman won? A playoff game? ok. Two years of success. ok. Get back to me in 5 years and let's see if his name is even relevant. Most ignorant comment I have heard in a looong time when he compared his career to Bayless. Looks like even more of a fool than he already is IMO.

I agree Sherman looked foolish.

But Bayless does not get anyone at his beck and call. The show however does pull significant guests, but I'm more inclined to believe 2 things. It has the backing of THE sports conglomerate in ESPN, and when athletes personalities do appear, it is to put Skip in his place ala Cuban.

Again, without the backing of ESPN, I seriously doubt anyone would talk to Skip, or even acknowledge his existence and opinions for a 1on1 sit down interview....20yrs ago? Perhaps, in the Texas market, so being with ESPN IMO is a double edges sword. He got noteworthy, but he lost all credibility.

As for it being the highest rated show on ESPN, I feel that is misleading. I don't think a majority of people tune in just to see first take. For a majority of Americans, ESPN is background filler. When people tune in, it's to have it on while they get there coffee, or make breakfast, or get home from work and unwind. Also consider all the sports themed business that open around the timeframe in which it airs.

NCIS is the highest rated show on TV period. The people acting in that show aren't the highest regarded actors or the best and they don't command respect and aren't regarded as top 22 in the biz. They are just on a show in a good time slot backed by a good channel with a quality format.

[coltsfanmilyman]

He has many accolades and has been a success for decades. He also has the number one show on ESPN. And in terms of athletes speaking to him, he seems to get all of them at his beck and call so I competely disagree. I mean what has Sherman won? A playoff game? ok. Two years of success. ok. Get back to me in 5 years and let's see if his name is even relevant. Most ignorant comment I have heard in a looong time when he compared his career to Bayless. Looks like even more of a fool than he already is IMO.

 

I'm going to have to say that he isn't the only reason the show is number one.  Personally I think Stephen A. Smith is the reason the show is number 1.  His over the top reactions to Skips' ignorant claims (tebow mania, lebron can't play so on and so forth) is the reason it's number 1.  For every ignorant assertion that Bayless makes Stephen A. has to counter that, and the banter back and forth is the reason for the popularity not specifically Bayless.

 

 

I agree Sherman looked foolish.

But Bayless does not get anyone at his beck and call. The show however does pull significant guests, but I'm more inclined to believe 2 things. It has the backing of THE sports conglomerate in ESPN, and when athletes personalities do appear, it is to put Skip in his place ala Cuban.

Again, without the backing of ESPN, I seriously doubt anyone would talk to Skip, or even acknowledge his existence and opinions for a 1on1 sit down interview....20yrs ago? Perhaps, in the Texas market, so being with ESPN IMO is a double edges sword. He got noteworthy, but he lost all credibility.

As for it being the highest rated show on ESPN, I feel that is misleading. I don't think a majority of people tune in just to see first take. For a majority of Americans, ESPN is background filler. When people tune in, it's to have it on while they get there coffee, or make breakfast, or get home from work and unwind. Also consider all the sports themed business that open around the timeframe in which it airs.

NCIS is the highest rated show on TV period. The people acting in that show aren't the highest regarded actors or the best and they don't command respect and aren't regarded as top 22 in the biz. They are just on a show in a good time slot backed by a good channel with a quality format.

Personally, I watch it to see what ignorant thing will pop out of Skip's mouth next and the reaction that Stephen A. gives.

 

 

Personally though, I think they want Bayless to get under peoples skin so when they have that athlete on they can watch the fireworks.  ESPN is too full of itself, but that is another topic all on its own.

[ÅÐØNϧ 1]

I watched Sherman during the Superbowl asking people about Richard Sherman & I thought he was pretty funny I like him I have no problem with his cockyness but he looked petty he could of taken a few shots without looking silly but by the end of the troll-off it just resembled a girl fight in high school only less manlier if possible .

[amfootball]

I agree Sherman looked foolish.

But Bayless does not get anyone at his beck and call. The show however does pull significant guests, but I'm more inclined to believe 2 things. It has the backing of THE sports conglomerate in ESPN, and when athletes personalities do appear, it is to put Skip in his place ala Cuban.

Again, without the backing of ESPN, I seriously doubt anyone would talk to Skip, or even acknowledge his existence and opinions for a 1on1 sit down interview....20yrs ago? Perhaps, in the Texas market, so being with ESPN IMO is a double edges sword. He got noteworthy, but he lost all credibility.

As for it being the highest rated show on ESPN, I feel that is misleading. I don't think a majority of people tune in just to see first take. For a majority of Americans, ESPN is background filler. When people tune in, it's to have it on while they get there coffee, or make breakfast, or get home from work and unwind. Also consider all the sports themed business that open around the timeframe in which it airs.

NCIS is the highest rated show on TV period. The people acting in that show aren't the highest regarded actors or the best and they don't command respect and aren't regarded as top 22 in the biz. They are just on a show in a good time slot backed by a good channel with a quality format.

I am not sure if you understand how the media, specifically television works. A TV station or a newspaper are only as good as its talent. NCIS is where it is because of the talent of the actors, writers, and producers. Not because it is on prime time. First Take is the number one show on ESPN because of its talent. ESPN has tons of shows and none of them are as popular as First Take because of the talent. Skip Bayless used to just be on Cold Pizza but because he was so popular they gave him his own segment which then became his own show. Love or hate the guy, he is wildly scuccessful at what he does. He does command respect for the exact reasons you state - he is contrarian, well-spoken, and works well with Smith. A home run any way you look at it.

 

But really the point here is not whether you like Bayless or not (I would argue to be hated garners more ratings anyways) but Sherman's claim that he has been more successful than Bayless which is just ridiculous. And if you listen to Bayless, he does support many of his claims with facts and stats. Smith to me just seems like one angry dude but that is just my perception. Either way they have taken sports banter and debate to new levels.

[Andy]

A good example of dummy vs dummy.

 

Either way, the execs at ESPN must be licking their chops after this event.

[Derakynn]

I guess how you view this really depends on your personality. For me, I just started laughing. I actually like Sherman more now. 

[oldunclemark]

Skip Bayless fakes and cherry-picks facts

Like Tim Tebows' 'rookie series of games' and 'clutch genes'

and the 'standard' he holds Lebfron to.

If you listen closely, Skip is making stuff up.

But Skip and Stephan A have a very good act....

..and even though First Take has the worst opening theme song in the history of TV..and a sports

knowledge free moderator who looks like a high class escort...I do watch sometimes..

[coltsfanmilyman]

personally, i would have love to seen a camera on Stephen A, the whole time, for his reactions.

[IndyTrav]

I am not sure if you understand how the media, specifically television works. A TV station or a newspaper are only as good as its talent. NCIS is where it is because of the talent of the actors, writers, and producers. Not because it is on prime time. First Take is the number one show on ESPN because of its talent. ESPN has tons of shows and none of them are as popular as First Take because of the talent. Skip Bayless used to just be on Cold Pizza but because he was so popular they gave him his own segment which then became his own show. Love or hate the guy, he is wildly scuccessful at what he does. He does command respect for the exact reasons you state - he is contrarian, well-spoken, and works well with Smith. A home run any way you look at it.

But really the point here is not whether you like Bayless or not (I would argue to be hated garners more ratings anyways) but Sherman's claim that he has been more successful than Bayless which is just ridiculous. And if you listen to Bayless, he does support many of his claims with facts and stats. Smith to me just seems like one angry dude but that is just my perception. Either way they have taken sports banter and debate to new levels.

My point is ratings don't equal success, respect, or admiration (Jersey Shore).

If you had a gathering of people who voted in the best sports writers/personalities, similar to the AllPro, Bayless would not be on that list.

Everyone including those in the media knows what Bayless does. He says stupid things to garner ratings/debate. There is nothing special about that especially given the platform that he has.

I thought Bill Simmons comments on this were fantastic. And I believe Bayless has put ESPN in a VERY bad spot, as alluded to in previous deadspin articles. I would not be the least bit surprised to see him gone the next year or so.

Also something I find telling is the fact that the First Take podcast is 6th behind all other ESPN podcasts. Something people actually have to search for and download, as opposed to being put in a good time slot.

[Dustin]

My point is ratings don't equal success, respect, or admiration (Jersey Shore).

If you had a gathering of people who voted in the best sports writers/personalities, similar to the AllPro, Bayless would not be on that list.

Everyone including those in the media knows what Bayless does. He says stupid things to garner ratings/debate. There is nothing special about that especially given the platform that he has.

I thought Bill Simmons comments on this were fantastic. And I believe Bayless has put ESPN in a VERY bad spot, as alluded to in previous deadspin articles. I would not be the least bit surprised to see him gone the next year or so.

Also something I find telling is the fact that the First Take podcast is 6th behind all other ESPN podcasts. Something people actually have to search for and download, as opposed to being put in a good time slot.

 

Lol Why would he be gone? He gets ratings. That's all they care about. 

[amfootball]

My point is ratings don't equal success, respect, or admiration (Jersey Shore).

If you had a gathering of people who voted in the best sports writers/personalities, similar to the AllPro, Bayless would not be on that list.

Everyone including those in the media knows what Bayless does. He says stupid things to garner ratings/debate. There is nothing special about that especially given the platform that he has.

I thought Bill Simmons comments on this were fantastic. And I believe Bayless has put ESPN in a VERY bad spot, as alluded to in previous deadspin articles. I would not be the least bit surprised to see him gone the next year or so.

Also something I find telling is the fact that the First Take podcast is 6th behind all other ESPN podcasts. Something people actually have to search for and download, as opposed to being put in a good time slot.

But ratings is how you judge success in television which is Bayless' profession. And the All-Pro team is selected by sportswriters not Sherman's peers which would be the players. I don't think he would have garnered too many votes from the players in the league mostly because he behaved like a pompous jerk all season.

 

And as I said before, Bayless received numerous awards and accolades when he was a journalist. He pretty much has been a success no matter where he has gone or what he has done for more than three decades. That is not disputable. Afterall, life is not a popularity contest.

 

If Sherman continues to put up great numbers and wins a ring than he can start comparing himself to Bayless, but honestly, the idea that he is better at life than Bayless is a joke. I mean he came on Bayless' show to rip him. How ironic is that?

[IndyTrav]

Lol Why would he be gone? He gets ratings. That's all they care about.

Because of John Skipper.

http://deadspin.com/5989414/bill-simmons-calls-the-bayless+sherman-first-take-meltdown-awful-and-embarrassing

It's pretty interesting.

[BOTT]

I am not sure if you understand how the media, specifically television works. A TV station or a newspaper are only as good as its talent. NCIS is where it is because of the talent of the actors, writers, and producers. Not because it is on prime time. First Take is the number one show on ESPN because of its talent. ESPN has tons of shows and none of them are as popular as First Take because of the talent. Skip Bayless used to just be on Cold Pizza but because he was so popular they gave him his own segment which then became his own show. Love or hate the guy, he is wildly scuccessful at what he does. He does command respect for the exact reasons you state - he is contrarian, well-spoken, and works well with Smith. A home run any way you look at it.

 

But really the point here is not whether you like Bayless or not (I would argue to be hated garners more ratings anyways) but Sherman's claim that he has been more successful than Bayless which is just ridiculous. And if you listen to Bayless, he does support many of his claims with facts and stats. Smith to me just seems like one angry dude but that is just my perception. Either way they have taken sports banter and debate to new levels.

NCIS is #1 because people have bad taste

[jvan1973]

Skip is a turd. He makes Stephen A. Look intelligent. I wouldn't watch that show again if you paid me. They never have anything to base their opinions on. NFL live is a far better show as is PTI

[amfootball]

Because of John Skipper.

http://deadspin.com/5989414/bill-simmons-calls-the-bayless+sherman-first-take-meltdown-awful-and-embarrassing

It's pretty interesting.

The fact that First Take continues to garner ratings is only reflective of an audience that loves controversy and heated debate that often borders on the edge. Simmons can wax poetic all he wants but the Sherman segment was powerful. We never get to see athletes like that. It is part of the schtick. Eventually it will tire and get old just like everything else in our soceity that gives everybody and everything about 10 minutes of fame. First Take is kind of like Facebook. Everybody says how much they hate it and what it represents yet everyone has an account.

[GoPats]

Random thoughts...

 

• If you think about it for a second, Sherman's attack on Bayless kind of validates Bayless as being an influential person in his field. I mean, if Bayless' opinion was really worthless, then why did Sherman get all butthurt when he said Revis was a better corner? If the guy is really what you say he is, Dick, then why would his opinion matter to you? (And don't try to say it doesn't, Richard. We're not fools.)
• Bayless, as a non-athlete, when to Vandy on a full scholarship, right? Sherman wouldn't have gotten a job at the cafeteria at Standford without football.
• Revis played on two awful NYJ teams for the first two seasons of his career. Sherman is playing with a rock-solid defense. He's had a very promising start, but Revis is still King of the CBs.
• Sherman is at the point where he's getting more attention for his mouth than for his play on the field. That usually doesn't end well for the player.
• Sherman has now been involved in some kind of spat with Brady, Trent Williams, Roddy White, Revis... common denominator anyone?
• I also don't like that he tends to only mouth off AFTER his team has won games.

[IndyTrav]

I still find the ratings to be a mirage, regardless of the #s. and while it may count for advertisers, I don't believe it's a true representation of people who watch.

The time slot has to much going for it, for it to not garner large #s.

On the east coast, it directly follows Mike and Mike (which also has huge #s), it is after all the local news programs end, it begins right when a majority of business open (Dr offices, sporting good stores, hair places, bars, restaurants), and bleeds into the beginning of lunch time....the afternoon show begins when people trickle home.

As for he west coast, it starts at the beginning of the day, and is probably the only option other than local news. And the afternoon show is during lunch hours.

My office, as well as a few friends offices are similar. It's on in our lobby of our building. Not because people watch, but because it's the only thing on.

[Kyle]

Sherman started to win me over when he interviewed drunk people at the superbowl.  he was hilarious.

 

 

That being said.  He lost me again after being on First Take.

[Tark The Shark]

Sherman gave into the troll mentality of Skip Bayless.

 

I applaud that Sherman stood up for himself against Skip but it certainly didn't help his cause that he said," I am better at life than you" even Stephen A Smith was speechless, which is something I haven't seen in a while.

 

Although I think it speaks volumes that he didn't have any goals beyond him being an All-Pro CB instead of say, winning the Super Bowl?

 

I never thought I would end up saying this, but Skip won that argument hands down and made Sherman look like an *.

[Kenny]

Yes, he has his blemishes but we all do. The question was level of career success. Bayless is right up there. And I would argue timing is even more important in sports as well as luck. I mean what if Sherman was drafted by the Jags? Doubt his numbers would even be average.

Idk man Jags O aside from mjd is bad he'd def be on the field a lot more.

[lollygagger8]

The title of this thread should be changed to "Dumb vs. Dumber"

[ruksak]

I noticed that Sherman never mentioned winning a championship while blathering on about his personal goals to be king of the cornerbacks. 

 

Sherman is the antithesis of a team player. 

 

I hate Skip Bayless. I really do. But I feel that Sherman just made himself seem like an illiterate buffoon in that interview. 

[oldunclemark]

If an ESPN show doesn't have Charissa Thompson or Sarah Walsh on it, why watch??

[tahuyaman]

Sherman gave into the troll mentality of Skip Bayless.

 

I applaud that Sherman stood up for himself against Skip but it certainly didn't help his cause that he said," I am better at life than you" even Stephen A Smith was speechless, which is something I haven't seen in a while.

 

Although I think it speaks volumes that he didn't have any goals beyond him being an All-Pro CB instead of say, winning the Super Bowl?

 

I never thought I would end up saying this, but Skip won that argument hands down and made Sherman look like an *.

Generally when Sherman talks trash, he's doing it with some humor and in a good natured way.  For what ever reason, he came across as angry when dealing with that pip-squeak Bayless.  Any time Bayless is called out I like it, but I would have preferred to see Sherman do that with a little more humor like he usually does.  

 

I thought Bayless looked like a fool with Sherman, but Sherman came across as angry. And Sherman did say his goal was to win a championship with Seattle.

 

Also, I can't fault someone for making Stephen A Smith speechless.  I grew tired of his continual screaming and yelling.  That's all First Take is....... a yelling fest.

[tahuyaman]

If it was a journalist that Shermam attacked like that. I would have a problem with it.

I have no problem with anyone busting down Skip Bayless. Regardless of how childish it is.

I did however LOVE Skip thinking that he was a top 22 member of the "media".

Sherman: " Your not top 22 in your field"

Skip: "Debatable"

Lol. No not really Skip, I think I could make the argument your not even top 22 in your own company let alone sportswriters as a whole, and this is without getting into the giant media umbrella.

Why would you have a problem with a journalist being verbally attacked?  These guys like Bayless spew venom continually with the notion that they are above being called out.  Who do they think they are?  

[amfootball]

Why would you have a problem with a journalist being verbally attacked?  These guys like Bayless spew venom continually with the notion that they are above being called out.  Who do they think they are?  

Bayless never minds being called out, I think he enjoys it. But you better come with your guns loaded. I mean Sherman saying he is better at life than Bayless because he was named an All-pro is ridiculous. Bayless continually tried to get the conversation about football and Revis and Sherman would have none it. He really came off looking childish, ignorant, and spiteful.

[tahuyaman]

Bayless never minds being called out, I think he enjoys it.

I disagree completely.  He believes he's above criticism.  That's the same with many so called journalists.  

[amfootball]

I disagree completely.  He believes he's above criticism.  That's the same with many so called journalists.  

He enjoys the banter for sure and the debate. Stephen A. calls him a lot actually.

[tahuyaman]

Stephen A. calls him a lot actually.

That's all scripted.

 

 Guys like that pip-squeak Bayless believe they can say anything they want about anyone and it's crossing the line when an athlete responds in a confrontational way.   

[Narcosys]

Ya he is intelligent enough to show his butt in national television and look like a complete *.