Felger and Mazz - Creating False Naratives one day at a time

jmm57

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The effeminate dancing was the exact spot I posted and tuned out.

I get some of the distaste for this team and some situations surrounding it, but today seemed like a day to talk Sale. They just can't help but go full negative all the time.
 

Quiddity

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I remember about a month or so ago a caller questioning Murray's "hot take" that everything Celtics was meaningless and a waste of time, even if they get it to the Eastern Conference finals, because they aren't winning the title.

Murray's response was to tell the caller that he hoped he outlived his kids.

Nuff said.
 

54thMA

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On todays show, Carlton from Norwell had this nugget; the Patriots will be looking up at the Bills this year.

Ok then.
 

WinterSoldier

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Add to celebrity callers:
Mike from Woburn
Dakota from Braintree
Wayne from Grafton

I totally remember Felger emphasizing that and think back to it every time (more like every day) these guys are allowed on the air.
 

Red(s)HawksFan

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I remember Felger was insistent on no "celebrity" callers primarily because all the "celebrity" callers were EEI mainstays (I mean where else would they have made their name?). Aside from Dakota, who IIRC was on the outs with the EEI folks anyway, Felger held to that.

That in the 8 years since the show/station has developed its own group of "celebrity" callers was an inevitability. It's the nature of the beast, I think. People that call in to these shows tend to be a small subsection of the overall audience. Given enough time and enough repeat calls, some of them just become recognizable.
 

braudimusprime

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Luke!

None of these guys really get special/celebrity treatment (except Carlton for obvious reasons), most of them just have a reliably decent take (as in useful for talk radio, not as in something particularly intelligent or insightful) and can express themselves coherently in under a minute. I'd take those calls regularly if I were Felger.

Only Mike from Woburn is truly painful.
 

Harry Hooper

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Wow, F&M just went through a loooong commercial break worthy of Ordway's Big Show in its prime.
 

Harry Hooper

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No idea, I clicked on the tv and could not believe how many commercials played in a row.
 

WinterSoldier

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Not to be funny,but sometimes the hosts are in the bathroom talking a massive dump. I remember Fred Toucher calling out Rich one morning but he was legitimately sick to the point he had to go home in the middle of the show.
 

NDame616

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. Other than "So do you want an aisle seat or a window seat to Minneapolis in February?" there is only so much to dissect right now.....
 

shawnrbu

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James Stewart is openly rooting for the Sox to go 0-5 and the Yankees to go 5-0 with the Sox losing the Gimmick Game at home to the Twins because he wants Farrell fired so badly. I guess the negativity is infectious when you are around Felger and Mazz so long.

Has anyone happened to hear Jim Murray's Jim Gray impression? It might be his funniest yet.
 

j-man

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James Stewart is openly rooting for the Sox to go 0-5 and the Yankees to go 5-0 with the Sox losing the Gimmick Game at home to the Twins because he wants Farrell fired so badly. I guess the negativity is infectious when you are around Felger and Mazz so long.

Has anyone happened to hear Jim Murray's Jim Gray impression? It might be his funniest yet.
yankees will not go 5-0 and houston knowing bos is their 1st round matchup might just used those 4 games to scout u i wouild hold off sale unaill game 1
 

HomeBrew1901

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James Stewart is the only one I can't handle on this show and why I've largely stopped listening. You guys know by now Felger and Mazz generally don't bother me because I get what they're doing and it can be entertaining to me. To the point where I've defended their takes and show.

I don't know if it's schtick or he's really that pathetic as a "hometown fan" but he's the epitome of the spoiled Boston Fan that everyone else in the country hates.

I was just talking to a friend here in PA and he was saying this might not be the Patriots year.

My response, "After all the joy they have brought me over the last 20 years I can't complain if they go 2-14 this season".

I understand that logic doesn't make for entertaining radio but neither does his constant bullshit.
 

cshea

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James Stewart is the only one I can't handle on this show and why I've largely stopped listening. You guys know by now Felger and Mazz generally don't bother me because I get what they're doing and it can be entertaining to me. To the point where I've defended their takes and show.

I don't know if it's schtick or he's really that pathetic as a "hometown fan" but he's the epitome of the spoiled Boston Fan that everyone else in the country hates.

I was just talking to a friend here in PA and he was saying this might not be the Patriots year.

My response, "After all the joy they have brought me over the last 20 years I can't complain if they go 2-14 this season".

I understand that logic doesn't make for entertaining radio but neither does his constant bullshit.
Yup, Stewart sucks.

 

Isildur1

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Stewart is a huge wrestling fan, so I can’t help but think he’s just playing a character. Regardless, he’s insufferable and his voice alone is annoying.
 

timlinin8th

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Regardless, he’s insufferable and his voice alone is annoying.
Its not just that his voice is annoying (it is) but it is also the way he comes out of nowhere to drop a smarmy one liner. Mazz will be dropping an "absolutely right Mike!" and then Stewart's mic will click on (and be way louder than theirs) and its a quick blurt of verbal diarrhea, and there's a brief pause and then Felger and Mazz start off in whatever direction Stewart led them to. Ehhhhh
 

swyman18

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Its not just that his voice is annoying (it is) but it is also the way he comes out of nowhere to drop a smarmy one liner. Mazz will be dropping an "absolutely right Mike!" and then Stewart's mic will click on (and be way louder than theirs) and its a quick blurt of verbal diarrhea, and there's a brief pause and then Felger and Mazz start off in whatever direction Stewart led them to. Ehhhhh
Thank you, I’m glad I’m not the only one, I cringe every time Stewart speaks. He may be an excellent producer, but I hate when they try to include him as part of the on air “talent”.

On another note, looks like it’s possible Greg Bedard might not be back on the show in the future. He got all bent out of shape because Felger and Mazz were making fun of his video clip breakdowns on his BSJ website. It might not have been obvious on the radio, but watching the telecast you could tell he was fuming. Felger kept asking him if he was really mad and he just sat there and didn’t really say anything.

Bedard does come off as a bit pompous sometimes, but usually he is fairly good natured when F&M make fun of him. This time he was definitely not pleased.
 

braudimusprime

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Bedard said on twitter it wasn't about being made fun of (which I believe, they've been making fun of him for years), but that he didn't know they were going to draw attention to videos he was making with questionable digital rights. He said even if the segment was about praising them he would have preferred no attention at all.

Which I totally get! Although, it's odd that he has to keep something like that under the radar. I don't know enough about how NFL video rights work but it seems like something that could be sorted out.
 

Mystic Merlin

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Yeah, sounds like bullshit. Dude doesn't want to get mocked in service of their schtick. I totally get it, but he's more than happy to deride and scoff at players and coaches who are as much in the public eye as he is.
 

soxfan121

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Bedard said on twitter it wasn't about being made fun of (which I believe, they've been making fun of him for years), but that he didn't know they were going to draw attention to videos he was making with questionable digital rights. He said even if the segment was about praising them he would have preferred no attention at all.

Which I totally get! Although, it's odd that he has to keep something like that under the radar. I don't know enough about how NFL video rights work but it seems like something that could be sorted out.
 

swyman18

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Bedard said on twitter it wasn't about being made fun of (which I believe, they've been making fun of him for years), but that he didn't know they were going to draw attention to videos he was making with questionable digital rights. He said even if the segment was about praising them he would have preferred no attention at all.

Which I totally get! Although, it's odd that he has to keep something like that under the radar. I don't know enough about how NFL video rights work but it seems like something that could be sorted out.
Yeah, now that you mentioned it, there was a couple of times when Felger said to Bedard while he was sitting there fuming, “It’s ok Greg, you can have GIFs on your website, it is allowed. You won’t get in trouble.” Or something like that.
 

Byrdbrain

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I didn't hear any of this but I know Matt Chatham got a "cease and desist" from the NFL for using their video clips on his twitter feed. It may very well be that Bedard wanted to stay below the radar with his use of video on his pay site.
 

chonce1

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Apr 23, 2010
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Murray is ridiculous. He thinks being a grump is a role he needs to fill? Felger and Mazz need someone who counters their cynicism. It is a poor match. I am stunned that 1) he is still there; 2) he is hired to do Pat's coverage.

Mazz and Murray are bitching about how a road win vs the Jets, despite massive injury concerns, is some shit show that is evidence about how much the team sucks?

I know the Pat's are a work in progress but beating a 3-2 team on the road is a good thing, worthy of praise.
 

chonce1

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Apr 23, 2010
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Thank you, I’m glad I’m not the only one, I cringe every time Stewart speaks. He may be an excellent producer, but I hate when they try to include him as part of the on air “talent”.

On another note, looks like it’s possible Greg Bedard might not be back on the show in the future. He got all bent out of shape because Felger and Mazz were making fun of his video clip breakdowns on his BSJ website. It might not have been obvious on the radio, but watching the telecast you could tell he was fuming. Felger kept asking him if he was really mad and he just sat there and didn’t really say anything.

Bedard does come off as a bit pompous sometimes, but usually he is fairly good natured when F&M make fun of him. This time he was definitely not pleased.

Interestingly, Bedard still posted the exchange (or some of it anyway) on his site: https://www.bostonsportsjournal.com/2017/10/10/podcast-bedard-felger-mazz-10-10-17/

But I don't know if he edited out any parts. Will listen. They should not mock him when he is actively trying to build up a subscriber base. Even if it is in jest, it is not the right time.
 

Vinho Tinto

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I know the Pat's are a work in progress but beating a 3-2 team on the road is a good thing, worthy of praise.
The Patriots were 9 point road favorites. This is after Vegas has adjusted for the Patriots and Jets starts. If this was week 1, they would have been favored by 15. Let’s not go nuts with the Jets being a 3-2 team.
 

RedOctober3829

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Murray is ridiculous. He thinks being a grump is a role he needs to fill? Felger and Mazz need someone who counters their cynicism. It is a poor match. I am stunned that 1) he is still there; 2) he is hired to do Pat's coverage.

Mazz and Murray are bitching about how a road win vs the Jets, despite massive injury concerns, is some shit show that is evidence about how much the team sucks?

I know the Pat's are a work in progress but beating a 3-2 team on the road is a good thing, worthy of praise.
If that win yesterday was a shitshow I'd like their opinion on the Falcons blowing a 17-0 lead at home to a 2-3 Miami team or the pathetic performance the Broncos put up last night against an 0-5 Giants team at home.
 

John Marzano Olympic Hero

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But I don't know if he edited out any parts. Will listen. They should not mock him when he is actively trying to build up a subscriber base. Even if it is in jest, it is not the right time.
You realize that it's not Felger and Mazz' job to make Bedard's web site look good, so that he can get more subscribers, right?

And the Pats game yesterday was a shitshow. They played pretty horribly for most of the first half, put it in gear for a bunch of time and then held on to beat the Jets. I mean, aside from winning his 187th regular season game, this isn't one that they're going to show at Brady's retirement ceremony when they talk about his dominance.
 

soxfan121

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I know the Pat's are a work in progress but beating a 3-2 team on the road is a good thing, worthy of praise.
Way to set the bar one inch off the ground. Yep, the Pats won a road game against a division rival.

Except that division rival is considered, by most NFL observers, to be the worst collection of talent in recent memory. That division rival was expected to compete for the #1 overall pick. That division rival cut or traded just about any veteran worth a damn and is starting umpteen rookies and never-gonna-bes.

That division rival put up less than 200 yards of total offense AGAINST THE FUCKING CLEVELAND BROWNS A WEEK AGO.

Oh, and the Pats needed one of the shadiest, stupidest calls (even if it was technically correct) to reverse a TD that would have tied the game.

But yeah, F&M should be ball washing the team today.
 

tims4wins

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That division rival beat Jacksonville, who waxed Pittsburgh.

That division rival beat Miami, who beat Atlanta.

That division rival played the Pats within 5 points last year in that stadium.

Winning on the road is hard, yo.
 

RedOctober3829

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You realize that it's not Felger and Mazz' job to make Bedard's web site look good, so that he can get more subscribers, right?

And the Pats game yesterday was a shitshow. They played pretty horribly for most of the first half, put it in gear for a bunch of time and then held on to beat the Jets. I mean, aside from winning his 187th regular season game, this isn't one that they're going to show at Brady's retirement ceremony when they talk about his dominance.
I'm not saying they didn't play bad to start the game. However, for them to frame it as some sort of horrible game is wrong. The Jets and Pats for the last 4-5 years have played very close games at MetLife Stadium even in years when the Pats are on their way to the Super Bowl and the Jets have nothing to play for. That's just the way the games tend to go down there.
 

soxfan121

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That division rival beat Jacksonville, who waxed Pittsburgh.

That division rival beat Miami, who beat Atlanta.

That division rival played the Pats within 5 points last year in that stadium.

Winning on the road is hard, yo.
Yes, winning on the road is hard.

No, the transitive property isn't useful or relevant.

If you think that performance is worthy of praise ON TALK RADIO I question if you've ever heard talk radio before.

Complaining that talk radio is stuffed with negative ninnies trolling for phone calls is like complaining water is wet. You're right of course, but you're the fucking moron standing in the rain.
 

chonce1

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The Patriots were 9 point road favorites. This is after Vegas has adjusted for the Patriots and Jets starts. If this was week 1, they would have been favored by 15. Let’s not go nuts with the Jets being a 3-2 team.
I didn't say "go nuts." The Jets play us close often. I am not saying balls should be washed. But he is literally saying it is the worst Patriots team of the BB/Brady era. And that the defense has no chance of improving.

The Pat's have won 2 in a row, on the road and are giving up 15.5 ppg in those games. It isn't all that bad. Yes, winning on the road is hard.
 

chonce1

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Way to set the bar one inch off the ground. Yep, the Pats won a road game against a division rival.

Except that division rival is considered, by most NFL observers, to be the worst collection of talent in recent memory. That division rival was expected to compete for the #1 overall pick. That division rival cut or traded just about any veteran worth a damn and is starting umpteen rookies and never-gonna-bes.

That division rival put up less than 200 yards of total offense AGAINST THE FUCKING CLEVELAND BROWNS A WEEK AGO.

Oh, and the Pats needed one of the shadiest, stupidest calls (even if it was technically correct) to reverse a TD that would have tied the game.

But yeah, F&M should be ball washing the team today.
Could you be more hyperbolic. There is a difference between 1) ball washing and 2) offering a a measured analysis that factors in good and bad things.

Murray is literally saying the Pat's defense has no chance of improving. The Pat's should not have to win by 20 points every game for fans to appreciate a victory. This is a sign of a spoiled fan base. The team wins against a shitty team on the road and we treat it like a loss. It is bizarre.
 

chonce1

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You realize that it's not Felger and Mazz' job to make Bedard's web site look good, so that he can get more subscribers, right?

And the Pats game yesterday was a shitshow. They played pretty horribly for most of the first half, put it in gear for a bunch of time and then held on to beat the Jets. I mean, aside from winning his 187th regular season game, this isn't one that they're going to show at Brady's retirement ceremony when they talk about his dominance.
I never said it was RE: Bedard.

The Pat's won the game. Only our spoiled fan base takes a road win -- yes against a very flawed team -- and treats it like a loss. I don't expect the talk radio hosts to splooge over them. But just not act like the sky is falling after a win. After two wins in a row where the defense has showed measured improvement in terms of PPG.

I mean, there is plenty to critique, but they won! No other fan base complains after a road win as if it was a loss, and evidence the team is in dissaray. People said the same thing last year, and in 2014. It is really strange how mad our fan base and media get when the team "only" wins by 7.
 

chonce1

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Way to set the bar one inch off the ground. Yep, the Pats won a road game against a division rival.

Oh, and the Pats needed one of the shadiest, stupidest calls (even if it was technically correct) to reverse a TD that would have tied the game.
y.
That would've put them down by 3, not tied. Pat's still had a 70 percent+ win probability after it was ruled a TD. It went up to 90ish when it was reversed, but the Pat's were statistically likely to win that game anyway. But, in any event, you have your facts wrong. They were down 10 when the Jets scored that TD. Pat's had the ball and a 3-point lead if that TD counts. They had been on a 24-7 run and were moving the ball well.
 

soxfan121

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Could you be more hyperbolic.
I listened to the segment you're complaining about. I'm not the one being hyperbolic.


There is a difference between 1) ball washing and 2) offering a a measured analysis that factors in good and bad things.
If you go to, or expect, "measured analysis" from talk radio the day after the game (or, on this show on any day but Tuesday between 2-4) you're looking in the wrong place.

There are many, many fine podcasts that offer what you're looking for. Some closer than you might think.

Murray is literally saying the Pat's defense has no chance of improving.
Please explain why you think the defense will improve. No, "they always have" is not a valid answer.

The Pat's should not have to win by 20 points every game for fans to appreciate a victory.
Uh, you realize that without a VERY fortunate reversal - on a technically correct call, but a HOLY SHIT I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT IS THE RIGHT CALL - that the game is either tied or the Jets have the ball, down three, with 2 minutes on the clock?

They were much closer to losing than "20 points" (hyperbole alert!) and did basically nothing to "secure" the win themselves; the Jets ran out of gas after the TD reversal, but still scored again AND still had the ball at the end of the game with a chance to tie.

And since it is the Jets, and the Jets were predicted to be one of the worst teams of recent vintage, and because the Patriots defense again made a mediocre QB look like Tom Brady Junior... there should be some concern, even after a win.

This is a sign of a spoiled fan base. The team wins against a shitty team on the road and we treat it like a loss. It is bizarre.
Oh, this old hobby horse. Yes, Pats fans have been spoiled by the never-ending run of success. Expectations are high, probably because they are either met or just short of met every single year. FFS, does anyone else remember the 19-0 talk in the off season? Struggling to beat the Jets isn't an accomplishment. I'm happy they got the W, but nothing about that performance makes me think this team is going to meet the goal (i.e. winning the Super Bowl, again).

Failure to contain Josh McCown and the vaunted Jets offense is... concerning. The defense has shown little or no improvement, despite weeks of "they'll improve" wishcasting.

I get fans being frustrated. I REALLY get talk radio exploiting that fan frustration. I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY understand that the Monday after a "disappointing win" on talk radio is going to be chock full of negative ninnies whining.

But yeah, fuck Jim Murray, right?
 

tims4wins

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Yes, winning on the road is hard.

No, the transitive property isn't useful or relevant.

If you think that performance is worthy of praise ON TALK RADIO I question if you've ever heard talk radio before.

Complaining that talk radio is stuffed with negative ninnies trolling for phone calls is like complaining water is wet. You're right of course, but you're the fucking moron standing in the rain.
Oh, I get why talk radio is negative. I was more responding to your points. Pats barely won there in 2014 and 2016 en route to titles. Pats had a really time with a horrible SF team last year. There are no - zero - style points in the NFL. I would think F&M could at least acknowledge that.
 

CantKeepmedown

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Expectations were high, sure. And there's plenty of reason to be disappointed and criticize this team. But 6 weeks in, they are just another team. Sure they can and hopefully will get better. But right now, they are like all other teams. Just trying to get better and survive.

And for that reason, I'll enjoy a divisional win on the road. As Tim said, there are no style points.
 

snowmanny

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I listened to them for the first time in ages today. They were trying to figure out how Gilmore could suddenly be in the concussion protocol eight days (EIGHT DAYS!) after a game, and came up with all sorts of nutty theories as to what must have happened. Never mentioned the possibility that someone could get hurt at practice.
 

soxfan121

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I listened to them for the first time in ages today. They were trying to figure out how Gilmore could suddenly be in the concussion protocol eight days (EIGHT DAYS!) after a game, and came up with all sorts of nutty theories as to what must have happened. Never mentioned the possibility that someone could get hurt at practice.
That's because every single beat reporter has said (some version of) he didn't get hurt at practice.

Zolak theorized that Gilmore didn't report symptoms until late in the week, which is (per him) pretty standard throughout the league; guys don't report headaches after the game because everyone has a headache after the game.
 

Byrdbrain

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I listened to them for the first time in ages today. They were trying to figure out how Gilmore could suddenly be in the concussion protocol eight days (EIGHT DAYS!) after a game, and came up with all sorts of nutty theories as to what must have happened. Never mentioned the possibility that someone could get hurt at practice.
See this is where Tanguay has them beat, instead of wondering how it happened he simply made up a story about Gilmore and Butler getting in a fight.

Tanguay is such a tool.
Sorry to interrupt discussion of these other tools.