Covering the Commanders: Keim and Company Discussion

[Voice_of_Reason]

Just a reminder, this thread is to talk about the people who talk about (or write about) the Commanders.

RWJ that post probably is more suited for the random thought thread.

 

[RWJ]

Just a reminder, this thread is to talk about the people who talk about (or write about) the Commanders.

RWJ that post probably is more suited for the random thought thread.

Thanks, VOR. I deleted it here and posted it over there. I wasn't sure where to post it but wanted to let all the ole timers to know.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Thanks, VOR. I deleted it here and posted it over there. I wasn't sure where to post it but wanted to let all the ole timers to know.

Totally fine. Thanks for moving it.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

I just listened to Keims last pod and he had Nikki J. on.

I had no comments about the content. They both were analyzing moves and giving opinions and honestly I don’t really care about any of that from either of them. I frankly don’t think either are qualified to have an opinion. This is my 3 types of media personalities, reporters, analysts and hosts, and it’s best if you stay in your lane. They’re reporters trying to be analysts and eh, whatever.

But what I learned is Nikki gets a grande coffee at Starbucks with 3 extra shots of espresso.

And it used to be 5. She’s cut back.

I think I just got a caffeine high listening to that.

My God. That’s aggressive.

And that fact is what brought me to this thread to post.

5 shots of espresso in a grande coffee. You could power Chicago with that for a week.

 

[Chris]

I had no comments about the content. They both were analyzing moves and giving opinions and honestly I don’t really care about any of that from either of them. I frankly don’t think either are qualified to have an opinion.

Agree completely. I also roll my eyes when JK does film reviews.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Agree completely. I also roll my eyes when JK does film reviews.

I don’t want opinions from reporters. I want news from reporters. Analysis from analysts, and entertainment from hosts.

Stay in your damn lane

But in today’s media landscape, everybody has to have an opinion even if they are unqualified to have one.

I thought this particular podcast was fine and somewhat entertaining, but completely irrelevant. Nikki doesn’t think you should ever spend a first round pick on a RB. Or WR. Or Safety but but Downs is the best player in the draft so that changes it for him. But not Love. It made no sense but it was a good conversation.

Neither of them are qualified to have those opinions. It’s the same as any fan having those opinions.

 

[method man]

I don’t want opinions from reporters. I want news from reporters. Analysis from analysts, and entertainment from hosts.

Stay in your damn lane

But in today’s media landscape, everybody has to have an opinion even if they are unqualified to have one.

I thought this particular podcast was fine and somewhat entertaining, but completely irrelevant. Nikki doesn’t think you should ever spend a first round pick on a RB. Or WR. Or Safety but but Downs is the best player in the draft so that changes it for him. But not Love. It made no sense but it was a good conversation.

Neither of them are qualified to have those opinions. It’s the same as any fan having those opinions.

skinsinparadise Is the Keim-Nicki banter more awkward than the JAG Jason-Logan banter about being friends (which made its way back)?

 

[skinsinparadise]

skinsinparadise Is the Keim-Nicki banter more awkward than the JAG Jason-Logan banter about being friends (which made its way back)?

lol, I haven't listened to it yet. I like Keim and as I've stated (and lol its far from just me, especially on twitter he gets plenty of love) no one even comes close to him from all my years of observation of what he hears and what happens. The occasional come back I get on message boards is I trust him too much or he's just an educted guesser (my response is on occasion its an educated guess but when he does that he says it is, most of his scoops aren't guesses but stuff he actually hears) or hey he didn't know about this or that so hey doesn't know everything (that to me is absurd of course he doesn't know everything they are doing) or he's not right 100% of the time (sure, who is) or he didn't report it as news or a scoop so hence its a guess or he doesn't really know (they can't be paying that much attention if that's the thought because with Keim its never about breaking news, I don't think he likes to do it because it weakens I gather his trust with sources).

But that's my long winded way of saying chemistry on podcasts isn't his thing its other things. I think oddly he has a decent one with Standig because they are both opinionated -- and Keim is more dry humor and comes off straight and Standig is more sarcasm and cyncism. And they both play the scoops game. Standig revived his style on that front this year. Keim outdid Standig on the scoops for FA. But I liked that Standig tried. But yeah with Nicki generally it isn't hot as to the banter. I think he works with Bram somehow -- but Bram talks over him so much that you lose some potential scoops when they are on together.

To me Sheehan is the master when it comes to chemistry. Even when he goes on 106.7 with Grant-Danny they click well. But Sheehan can liven up Standig and Keim or really anyone.

As to pure talk radio, I don't think anyone touches Sheehan in this market. Yeah he can be annoying when he has a take I disagree with but he's never boring. Thinking about it, his chemistry though isn't hot with Nicki either, though. I don't think there is anything wrong with Nicki, I think she's a good reporter and not bad on the radio or podcasts but lol I don't think she has great chemistry with anyone.

Keim by a mile to me is the best with scoops. If it bothers some people (not you) that I give him too much credit for it, or they believe they have a much better handle on how it works then I do -- cool. lol, I've followed the media and him too long to know I am 100% right about it. But as a personality, Keim comes off a nice guy but far from exciting.

Sheehan by a mile the most entertaining radio host. If there is a big game coming up, that's who am listening to. And I do like Finlay in the other station but Sheehan is by far my go to.

Logan Paulsen by a mile best-information guy about the team. the draft. X's and O's about the team, matchups, etc.

I like some other media people I've mentioned, too. But those three are it for me by a mile.

 

[Boone]

A couple things on Keim from my time covering the team. He lives at the Park - I mean, he is there constantly. I doubt there is any other coverage person who does that. So he has the closest ties to 'sources' of any of them and that has been a constant over the years I imagine because, well, he lives at the Park. He is also very introverted. Despite being in the press room all day numerous times, we never spoke to Keim and I rarely saw him talking to any of the other beat people. Bram Weinstein was the complete opposite, an extrover who would chat you up every time you saw him. You can kind of see those differences when you watch them presenting content.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Of the current folks who seem to be breaking news, Standig seems to be the one who has stuff first at the moment, and I find that odd. He had Payne and Biadacz news first, if I recall.

I actually liked the Nikki and Keim chemistry. As I said, I thought the conversation was entertaining if not irrelevant.

I listen to Keim because he is a good reporter. I don't listen to him for his opinions. He is a reporter, not an analyst. Nikki is the same. I don't really care what either of them think about how position value should factor into who any team should select at any pick.

If I want to listen to a conversation about that, I want an analyst who has credibility on that topic. So that's either a former front office person, or maybe an analytics person who has numbers to back up their position.

skinsinparadise, we disagree about Sheehan. I find him absolutely unlistenable at this point. I keep going back to try and listen to him, and I can't. I listened to him for years and years, and was a fan. But to me, he got so jaded by Snyder and the name, he's now just an angry boomer screaming at the sky 90% of the time, and has gotten more into "I'm right, see, I was right about this thing. Let me tell everybody how right I was about this thing." It's amazingly off putting.

Every time I give it a try, I regret it. I'll probably try again at some point, because I really was a fan. His coverage of Sean Taylor's death, like day of, right before and right after, might be some of the most professional media coverage we've had in the city on any topic in 40 years. I think he was on for like 8-10 hours straight for several days if memory serves. And that includes political and other local coverage. He did a brilliant, professional job in a traumatic circumstance. It's one of the reasons I hung on with him for so long, he showed how good a host he could be.

To me, without a clear second place, the best place to get good, informed conversation on the team and all DC sports is Galdi.

I don't know what happened to Bram's show. I guess Callow isn't on it anymore, or at least not for now during Caps stuff. So its' just Bram monologuing, which is boring. Bram and Callow used to be the most entertaining show for me. But not Bram alone. He needs a cohost.

 

[skinsinparadise]

skinsinparadise, we disagree about Sheehan. I find him absolutely unlistenable at this point. I keep going back to try and listen to him, and I can't. I listened to him for years and years, and was a fan. But to me, he got so jaded by Snyder and the name, he's now just an angry boomer screaming at the sky 90% of the time, and has gotten more into "I'm right, see, I was right about this thing. Let me tell everybody how right I was about this thing." It's amazingly off putting.

Every time I give it a try, I regret it. I'll probably try again at some point, because I really was a fan. His coverage of Sean Taylor's death, like day of, right before and right after, might be some of the most professional media coverage we've had in the city on any topic in 40 years. I think he was on for like 8-10 hours straight for several days if memory serves. And that includes political and other local coverage. He did a brilliant, professional job in a traumatic circumstance. It's one of the reasons I hung on with him for so long, he showed how good a host he could be.

To me, without a clear second place, the best place to get good, informed conversation on the team and all DC sports is Galdi.

I don't know what happened to Bram's show. I guess Callow isn't on it anymore, or at least not for now during Caps stuff. So its' just Bram monologuing, which is boring. Bram and Callow used to be the most entertaining show for me. But not Bram alone. He needs a cohost.

You haven't liked Sheehan for years, because I recall a similar conversations. There is no right or wrong on this. It's whatever floats your boat.

But Sheehan does four things that I like

A. He's never boring to me. There is never a dry Sheehan show
B. He as I mentioned has good chemistry with just about everyone
C. He's always informed
D. He's the best IMO before a big game, if I want to get jazzed before a big game, Sheehan gets me in the right mood

Galdi I like. He's a bit dry for me. I loved him when he did that Saturday show, I used to take my son for swimming lessons then and I would listen to him and it brings me back to those times. I think Galdi like Bram needs a co-host. Galdi plays off of people well. But I am more hungry for Commanders news than what Galdi provides. I listened for example to like 40 minutes this morning of Logan-Grant talk about the draft, I loved it.

What am I going to get from Galdi 8 minutes? If I were a Capitals, Nationals, Wizards fan, I'd love Galdi. But I am not, I am pure the football team and no one gives less in their podcasts on that front than Galdi. If I were him I'd like maybe once a week do a pure Commanders podcast -- he's informed enough to do it. But I am lol too much a Commanders info addict to go for the bite size Galdi Commanders segments.

But I know some people that like some Commanders news but aren't voracious about it. Galdi is perfect for that. But I want much more. If I go to gym for example or a run I want to listen to something consuming to help occupy me for some time -- not the small bite size version of things.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

What am I going to get from Galdi 8 minutes? If I were a Capitals, Nationals, Wizards fan, I'd love Galdi. But I am not, I am pure the football team and no one gives less in their podcasts on that front than Galdi. If I were him I'd like maybe once a week do a pure Commanders podcast -- he's informed enough to do it. But I am lol too much a Commanders info addict to go for the bite size Galdi Commanders segments.

I rarely listen to the other segments. I speed through the intro, listen to the Commanders segements, and then if I care about a Caps/Nats segment, will listen. If not, I don't.

I wouldn't ever try to convince anybody not to listen to Sheehan, as I said, I was a huge fan.

I couldn't BARE to listen to him and squeaky though. My God, Thom Lovero might be the single most annoying voice and arrogant ass hat I've ever heard. Sheehan and Cooley were fantastic.

 

[skinsinparadise]

Actually just noticed the Logan-Grant podcast was actually over an hour long. That would be in one show more Washington content than Galdi puts out in a week.

And again I like Galdi, if he had more content it would be a go to for me, but I get to his podcast usually after listening to everyone elses -- not because he isn't good but because its just so little content, I got to binge on like 3 or 4 in a row.

 

[SkinsNumberOne]

Actually just noticed the Logan-Grant podcast was actually over an hour long. That would be in one show more Washington content than Galdi puts out in a week.

That’s interesting. It makes me want to listen to Galdi since I am all DC sports. I think there are more who are just Commanders fans though.

Interesting choice by Galdi, I guess maybe because he supports all of the teams? I would think financially having a Commanders only would be a better move. I don’t do podcasts much but I would assume there are more of those because of the popularity difference. Then again that difference was STARK in the 80s. Now, especially with the Caps since they threaten postseason consistently, I think there is some popularity spread out.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Actually just noticed the Logan-Grant podcast was actually over an hour long. That would be in one show more Washington content than Galdi puts out in a week.

And again I like Galdi, if he had more content it would be a go to for me, but I get to his podcast usually after listening to everyone elses -- not because he isn't good but because its just so little content, I got to binge on like 3 or 4 in a row.

That’s not true. He probably has 2.5-3 hours of commanders content a week during the off season and probably an hour a day during peak times.

Also, there’s something about quality over quantity.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

That’s interesting. It makes me want to listen to Galdi since I am all DC sports. I think there are more who are just Commanders fans though.

Interesting choice by Galdi, I guess maybe because he supports all of the teams? I would think financially having a Commanders only would be a better move. I don’t so podcasts much but I would assume there are more of those because of the popularity difference. Then again that difference was STARK in the 80s. Now, especially with the Caps since they threaten postseason consistently, I think there is some popularity spread out.

The show isn’t equally balanced. It’s way skewed commanders. There might be a 5 minute caps and 5 minute wizards segment at the end of the pod depending on what’s going on. If there is big news in another sport, those segments are longer. He even has some O’s segments from time to time as well.

But the show always starts with football. And it’s usually 2 or 3 football segments a day.

 

[skinsinparadise]

That’s not true. He probably has 2.5-3 hours of commanders content a week during the off season and probably an hour a day during peak times.

Also, there’s something about quality over quantity.

He will do 20-30 minutes sometimes. But its often 8-12 minute segments. No way 2.5-3 hours a week -- that's 50 minutes to an hour on the Commanders per show, on average, he doesn't do that.

But if your point is before a big game or during FA-draft signing, etc, he will do more, that's true.

As far as your quality point, to me its sort of true and not true for me,

A. True in that his segments are good. Others do good segments, too but Galdi is consistent quality

B. Not true IMO as to some of his interviews. If he's bringing a dude I like on. I want to hear 15-20 minutes. Not 8-10 minutes.

 

[method man]

You haven't liked Sheehan for years, because I recall a similar conversations. There is no right or wrong on this. It's whatever floats your boat.

But Sheehan does four things that I like

A. He's never boring to me. There is never a dry Sheehan show
B. He as I mentioned has good chemistry with just about everyone
C. He's always informed
D. He's the best IMO before a big game, if I want to get jazzed before a big game, Sheehan gets me in the right mood

Galdi I like. He's a bit dry for me. I loved him when he did that Saturday show, I used to take my son for swimming lessons then and I would listen to him and it brings me back to those times. I think Galdi like Bram needs a co-host. Galdi plays off of people well. But I am more hungry for Commanders news than what Galdi provides. I listened for example to like 40 minutes this morning of Logan-Grant talk about the draft, I loved it.

What am I going to get from Galdi 8 minutes? If I were a Capitals, Nationals, Wizards fan, I'd love Galdi. But I am not, I am pure the football team and no one gives less in their podcasts on that front than Galdi. If I were him I'd like maybe once a week do a pure Commanders podcast -- he's informed enough to do it. But I am lol too much a Commanders info addict to go for the bite size Galdi Commanders segments.

But I know some people that like some Commanders news but aren't voracious about it. Galdi is perfect for that. But I want much more. If I go to gym for example or a run I want to listen to something consuming to help occupy me for some time -- not the small bite size version of things.

I disagree with C. Sometimes he is missing a basic piece of information the rest of us clearly know and others like Galdi and Grant are on top of. If I were to add an (E), he probably has the best network of anyone in the market (maybe Grant comes close). My guess is folks know he is a cut above the others in terms of intelligence, probably respect his background as a former founder of a successful startup and know he is SVP's best friend. Being able to pull a 1 hour interview with Kirk Cousins a few weeks ago was quite impressive.

Separately @Voice of Reason, I disagree with your bucketing of folks. There are some reporters who know their stuff from a technical standpoint. I got that sense when I listed to Sam Fortier. The Titans ESPN beat writer Keim just had on is a former college football player who made some interesting technical observations of our new Titans pickups and apparently used to get invited by Okonkwo and Van Jefferson to practice with them on the JUGS machine

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

Separately @Voice of Reason, I disagree with your bucketing of folks. There are some reporters who know their stuff from a technical standpoint. I got that sense when I listed to Sam Fortier. The Titans ESPN beat writer Keim just had on is a former college football player who made some interesting technical observations of our new Titans pickups and apparently used to get invited by Okonkwo and Van Jefferson to practice with them on the JUGS machine

Those are the three categories. That’s not a me thing, that’s an industry thing.

You can be more than one or even all three. But you have to be qualified to migrate between categories.

Nikki and Kiem are not.

JP is, he’s host and reporter.

Amazingly, Chris Russel is a reporter and host, he’s just bad at both. He tries to bean analyst, and he’s not qualified to do that and sounds like a moron.

 

[Riggo44]

He tries to bean analyst

He should really stick to analyzing beans. He's probably more qualified to do that.

As bad as Russell is, Lynell Willingham is worse.