In grading ex-coaches, Billick gets 'A' as an analyst
It's fun and instructive to spend three hours listening to Brian Billick of Fox Sports call a National Football League game.
Billick takes a studious, analytical approach to deconstructing football games. He's organized and smart without being wonky. He maintains high energy. He has a sense of humor.
Former coaches are not necessarily sure things as game or studio analysts -- Jerry Glanville comes to mind - but coaches have a head start on former players, even quarterbacks, because they are used to dealing with the big picture and with the slightest of details. Billick, NBC's Tony Dungy, CBS' Bill Cowher and Fox's Jimmy Johnson have been solid additions to their networks. Mike Ditka of ESPN is a worthy analyst, but his often caricatured big persona and clipped delivery put him in sort of different category from those other four.
It's harder for this viewer to make any judgments about Steve Mariucci and Mike Martz of the NFL Network since it is unavailable on cable in those markets in which Time Warner is the major carrier.
Even though the Packers commit a ton of penalties, Billick did not call them undisciplined.
"A coach, when you get the moniker as the most penalized team in the league, it's kind of a code for lack of discipline," Billick said after right tackle Mark Tauscher was called for a false start when Green Bay had the ball on the Bears' 6-yard line. "That's why as a coach you absolutely hate it. This is a good football team. It's a disciplined football team. Look at (Mike McCarthy's) face right now. That frustration of, 'Look, this can get us beat. This can cost us when we are playing a really good football team.' "
When a graphic went up showing Aaron Rodgers being among the top fantasy football quarterbacks in the league, Billick offered a sardonic perspective.
"Aaron Rodgers, for my money, is playing at the top of his game," Billick said. "I'm not big into fantasy football because when I got fired, I didn't get fantasy fired, it was for-real fired."
Billick was precise about what impresses him about Rodgers' play.
"He has a great pocket presence," Billick said. "Aaron Rodgers dropped in the draft because people questioned his athleticism. Now one of the things you hear about Aaron Rodgers is what a good athlete he is."
Billick's partner, Thom Brennaman, mentioned Rodgers was among the league leaders in touchdown passes and fewest interceptions.
"What makes that more impressive is in the number of attempts," Billick said. "Guys like Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, obviously at the top of their games. They are going to attempt well over 600 throws this year. He's well under that. His efficiency is outstanding."
When referee Mike Carey failed in review to award Greg Jennings a touchdown reception, Billick was firm but polite.
"No," Billick said, referring to Carey's puzzling explanation. "Somebody has to explain that one to me. This guy is not going to the ground trying to maintain control. It is a catch. One foot down. Two (feet) down. (Another) foot down. He's in control with the two steps. In my opinion, that is a touchdown. But my opinion doesn't count."
Don't know what game Wolfley was watching, I thought Billick was awful...
