CBS Reinforces NFL Thug Stereotype?

by Tony | Oct 6, 2008 | NFL Media

For the late game yesterday, CBS had three choices:

First, they had New England visiting San Francisco.  The 49ers opened the season 2-2, and while neither win was over a great team, most would have to consider 2-2 better than expected.  More importantly, you’ve got the New England Patriots, coming off of their first regular season loss since 2006.  And it was an ugly loss, to Miami.  Sounds like a game some people might be interested in.

Second, they had Buffalo at Arizona.  Arizona, like San Francisco, opened the season 2-2–better than many would have expected, given their seemingly recent annual failure to live up to sleeper pick status.  More importantly, you’ve got Buffalo, who opened the season a surprising 4-0, leading the AFC East, and featuring collection of solid young stars in the making.

Finally, you’ve got Cincinnati at Dallas.  Cincinnati has been a mess this season, opening 0-4, and featuring the Chad “Ocho Cinco” distraction, Carson Palmer playing with a bum elbow (and not even playing last week), last week’s addition of Cedric Benson and the desperate re-signing of everyone’s favorite NFL police blotter subject, Chris Henry.  Dallas, meanwhile, was considered the team to beat in the NFC, before suffering their first loss last week at the hands of Washington.

In fact, judging by the media coverage I saw this week, the most interesting storyline in the Bengals/Cowboys matchup was that the Bengals were activating the thug wide receiver, who would at least on occasion be matched up against thug CB Adam ‘Pac-man’ Jones–the first time both thugs were reunited on the field since their days terrorizing the student body at West Virgina, where they were teammates.

So, of course, the logical choice for CBS?  They force us to watch the Bengals and Cowboys.  ‘America’s Team’ my ass–almost everyone I know hates the Cowboys, and the only reason they would like to see them is to watch them lose, (and to see if Terrell Owens finally snaps (like last week)).

Of course, as it turns out, it was probably the closest of the three games.  But that doesn’t mean it was the right choice.  I’d have much rather watched the Bills/Cardinals match-up, at least until it got out of hand.  And even though I’m not a huge fan of the Patriots, seeing what progress Matt Cassel has made would have interested me.

Watching thugs in orange and black stripes vs. thugs with blue stars?  I’ll pass.  Or I would have passed, if any other game was on–or if the NFL would get smart and make the Sunday Ticket available on networks other than DirecTV.