FCNP Splinters 7.18.08

Billy Packer is on his way out after years of work as a top college basketball analyst at CBS. The ever-critical Packer was a divisive figure. On one hand, he was loved for his insightful analysis. On the other, he was a joyless badger who hated Cinderella and suffered from a Don Imus-like case of foot-in-mouth disease, famously labeling Georgetown's Allen Iverson a "Tough little monkey."

In short, you either loved him or you hated him and that's why the reaction from sports pundits has been so polarized. The Washington Post's Mike Wilbon praised Packer's career, while Sporting News columnist and blogger Dan Shanoff (and just about everyone I know) practically did the Balki Bartokomous Dance of Joy when information leaked that he was leaving.

In this week's FCNP column, I go searching for a middle ground and attempt to put my finger on what it is we want from our sports commentators (who take about as much criticism as Captain Nucular at 1600 Penn. Ave.). Feel free to chime in below on what it is you want, though try to go beyond Erin Andrews and the reference numbers of items in the Victoria Secret catalog.