Some Superlatives: Player of the Year: TJ Johnson (VMI) Def Player of the Year: Samuel Dada (WCU) Best Freshman: Dionte Neal (UNCG) Newcomer of the Year: Cooper Noard (Samford) Biggest jump: Abijah Franklin (Furman) Best lower division transfer: Cam Lowe (Wofford)

I challenge you to not get goosebumps watching this. NHL Opening Night on @ESPN.

I had a realization about Kirk Herbstreit that had never struck me before. Aside from the fact he's overexposed to us as football fans (TNF, plus College Game Day, plus college game of the week, plus various appearances on ESPN shows etc.) there's something about his work as an analyst that drives me nuts. Is he wholly competent in analyzing football? Absolutely. From an X&O standpoint, I'd put him with anybody. But what have they called this role in broadcasting since forever: "The color analyst" role. Color. That's the word! And that's what Herbie lacks. His cadence is predictable, smooth, and gentle in any criticisms or sharpness of opinion. It's also just way, way, too much. Too many words. (Like this post. Ha, beat ya to it!) He also jumps in on almost every single play with this gatling gun of X's and O's within 2-3 seconds of the PXP man ending their call of the play. And it wears on you. (Or, at least me). What I wish we had from him, was more of that simple thing called "color." Give me some basic color, Herbie. When Matthew Golden tracked a long sideline missile from Jordan Love like he had radar in the back of his helmet, flipping his head at the last minute to cradle the ball for a long gain, all I wanted in that moment was a "Wow... look at that tracking by Golden! Incredible!" And then take a moment to let the broadcast breathe, and savor the athletic feat with Al Michaels and let the replays wash over our eyes. What did Herbie do instead? He went right into coverage concepts on the play, and who had responsibility for this, and that, and blah blah blah. I was screaming "who gives a shit about it being Cover-3... did you SEE THAT CATCH!" Anyway, that's just how I prefer to listen and watch games. I like my color analyst to at times, be able to just be the guy in the bar sitting next to me. Less can be more. Basic reactions are sometimes just what the doctor ordered. I know Herbie wants us all to know how smart he is. We get it. But we watch two full games with you ever week, buddy. We know. Let's have a little fun. Okay, as you were.