No comment on the sweetest play of the week? Raiders down one with 47s to go after a touchdown, opt to go for two and the win instead of playing for the sissy tie and 50% chance to touch the ball in overtime. Derek Carr hits his receiver and wins the game leaving the Saints to run three frantic plays with no time outs. The football gods were pleased.
Terrific news. Welcome back TMQ. And I add my vote to the other posters who request that limitations (of space? what space? Not paper) be removed and that we are allowed to luxuriate in an unabridged column.
i agree with many of the posters here. love that gregg and tmq have returned anywhere (thanks nytimes!) but it's not nearly the same in this shorter version. it's like opening a beer and only being able to take one drink. let us finish the can! let gregg take the leg weights off so he can run free.
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1. Wow, the editing is here is different.
2. Did the column have to conform to the dead tree version? It would really stink if TMQ were hamstrung by an archaic medium.
2. Did the column have to conform to the dead tree version? It would really stink if TMQ were hamstrung by an archaic medium.
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Hooray for TMQ in the NYT! Agree with the general sentiment that we want the unabridged version. In fact, can we go back in time to spring and summer and mock the mock drafts, preview each conference, and have all-haiku predictions?
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Thank you NYT for bringing TMQ - and congratulations to Gregg Easterbrook.
Now, I've been reading the column since - God knows when - and I'm sure I'm not the only one who's missing a few of the following:
1.- The BOSS Button
2.- More stats of the week
3.- Wacky ____ of the week.
4.- Authentic Games Standings
5.- Disclaimer of the week
6.- Adventures in Officiating
7.- "Buck-Buck-Brawkkkkkk"
8.- Unified Field Theory Of Creep
9.- Happy Hour In Hell's Sports Bar
10.- Reader Animadversion
11.- Single Worst Play Of The Season
12.- Stop Me Before I Blitz Again!
13.- TV/Movies/Science/Sci-Fi/Economics
14.- Perhaps some of the older "We are all professionals here" or "What have you done for us lately" items
15.- This week's TMQ Challenge
In all, I'm truly grateful to have TMQ back, and I'm sure the length of the column will increase weekly.
Now, I've been reading the column since - God knows when - and I'm sure I'm not the only one who's missing a few of the following:
1.- The BOSS Button
2.- More stats of the week
3.- Wacky ____ of the week.
4.- Authentic Games Standings
5.- Disclaimer of the week
6.- Adventures in Officiating
7.- "Buck-Buck-Brawkkkkkk"
8.- Unified Field Theory Of Creep
9.- Happy Hour In Hell's Sports Bar
10.- Reader Animadversion
11.- Single Worst Play Of The Season
12.- Stop Me Before I Blitz Again!
13.- TV/Movies/Science/Sci-Fi/Economics
14.- Perhaps some of the older "We are all professionals here" or "What have you done for us lately" items
15.- This week's TMQ Challenge
In all, I'm truly grateful to have TMQ back, and I'm sure the length of the column will increase weekly.
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Argh, it wasn't a "pass-wacky" call at the goal line. Yes, the easy reaction is to say it should have been a run call, but look at the situation: 2nd down, one timeout, 26 seconds left, down 4. You've got three shots for the end zone, but less than half a minute; no way you get two rushing attempts and a fourth-dow snap off before time runs out, even with the timeout. Either the second- or third-down attempt would *have* to be a pass, playing the percentages that an incompletion would be substantially more likely than an interception. Now, carry this forward: if they ran on second and didn't make it, and burn the timeout, then NE can lean towards pass defense on third down knowing that a rush would doom Seattle to a loss if it failed (because time would run out before the fourth-down snap could happen). By passing on second down, it was more likely (particularly against the jumbo defense the Pats were showing) to catch the pass defenders off guard. Ultimately, the play failed...but the call and the rationale were sound.
As a loyal reader for years, I felt like I was missing something this week, so I finally did a search and found out about your promotion. Obviously it has come with editorial restraints, but they must be relaxed. I can find a cheer babe any time I want, but only TMQ gives me a funny fact about teams in the little known game of the week, the losing teams with 600 yards of total offense in college, and calls out all the gutless coaches who send out the kicker instead of allowing their teams to win (I cannot tell you how many times I shouted about this while watching the Red Zone). Aren't there enough gigabytes on this site to allow this man to roam freely in the world of ideas? I am paying $15/month for access - make it worth my while, NYTimes.com!
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Why did the NYT use that ancient stock photo? Great job by the newspaper of record. No doubt Gregg will have correction fodder for TMQ when they change it for a more recent shot.
Mr. Easterbrook, I'm pleased to see you in your new home - congratulations.
To the editors - I, too, spent 30 or more minutes a week reading TMQ in its' previous incarnation, with the free-form asides, observations and topic-jumps. I don't always agree with Mr. TMQ, but he does make for compelling reading to many of us, even at 5,000 words or more.
And I'm sure there are those who miss the weekly cheerperson updates, too.
Even in the 21st century.
To the editors - I, too, spent 30 or more minutes a week reading TMQ in its' previous incarnation, with the free-form asides, observations and topic-jumps. I don't always agree with Mr. TMQ, but he does make for compelling reading to many of us, even at 5,000 words or more.
And I'm sure there are those who miss the weekly cheerperson updates, too.
Even in the 21st century.
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What's the latest on those muzzle flash in outer space? Waited all summer for an update.
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Great!! I missed you Gregg
I would love more more more words, but only football related (hmm also movies maybe LOL)
Welcome back!
I would love more more more words, but only football related (hmm also movies maybe LOL)
Welcome back!
Please (pretty please) bring back the full, complete, exhaustive edition of TMQ. As good as it is to see TMQ returned to us, don't squeeze Gregg out of his deserved space. Reallocate the word count from other, less important NYT coverage, like the editorial pages, to Easterbrook!
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Gregg! Congratulations on your most venerable new home.
Let me echo the many readers who have chimed in: you provide more than just insightful football analysis. If the NYT is requiring you to stick to the NFL. then they are only getting 50% of your column.
Let me echo the many readers who have chimed in: you provide more than just insightful football analysis. If the NYT is requiring you to stick to the NFL. then they are only getting 50% of your column.
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First off, allow me to thank you for finding a new home, and continuing with your expertly fun football analysis, even if it did take me an extra day to find it!
However, I was a little bit bummed out to not see a single word devoted to the Chiefs/Texans game! And likewise, I was also disappointed not to find all of those fun extra-curricular items that other readers have already mentioned.
Another oversight that I was quite surprised to see you miss out on was the new rules for extra points: not only the extra distance for the kicks, but also the possibility that they can now be returned by the defense for points, rather than just being a dead ball. So, had the Giants gone up by nine, what then would have been the "wise" decision? Of course, we still haven't had one returned for one of those scores, so that could be part of the problem.
But one thing I'm not missing out on thus far is all the haters. And with the brevity of this week's column, I didn't see a single "tl;dr" ... gotta admit, that was kind of weird! Keep on keepin' on, brother! I can't wait for next Tuesday to get here!
However, I was a little bit bummed out to not see a single word devoted to the Chiefs/Texans game! And likewise, I was also disappointed not to find all of those fun extra-curricular items that other readers have already mentioned.
Another oversight that I was quite surprised to see you miss out on was the new rules for extra points: not only the extra distance for the kicks, but also the possibility that they can now be returned by the defense for points, rather than just being a dead ball. So, had the Giants gone up by nine, what then would have been the "wise" decision? Of course, we still haven't had one returned for one of those scores, so that could be part of the problem.
But one thing I'm not missing out on thus far is all the haters. And with the brevity of this week's column, I didn't see a single "tl;dr" ... gotta admit, that was kind of weird! Keep on keepin' on, brother! I can't wait for next Tuesday to get here!
Yes, I agree, with everything and everybody. TMQ is too short and deserves the many columns it was allotted in its prior homes. And "gate" as a suffix is lazy journalism to say the least. "Deflate-gate" is only the latest appropriation of the "gate" suffix to describe an American scandal. Watergate occurred over 40 years ago, yet journalists (that's what we used to call "the media") insist upon slapping "gate" on every public misdeed. An article in Wikipedia lists 116 uses of that appellation since 1972: everything from Koreagate to Garglegate to Donglegate to Nannygate to Nipplegate, and the list goes on. I challenge you, journalists, to find some other, at least marginally original way to name the next scandal. Teapot Dome, anyone?
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Deflate Dome? Uh...no.
Where is the other 2/3 of the column? I've been reading TMQ for at least the past 7 or 8 years and I'm a bit disappointed in this truncated version. What am I going to do for the next 50 minutes of my lunch break?
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"That’s a 74-word lead with a parenthetical clause and a double hyphenation"--and a basic grammar mistake: "fail" is a verb, not a noun. The word you needed, Mr. Easterbrook, is "failure'" as in "the team's worst epic failure." Yes, I favor maintaining the NYT epic style standard.
What did Gregg Easterbrook know and when did he know it? This seems to be the question as ESPN - the last time you will see that name in this comment - seemed to have killed our beloved TMQ. Until I checked Gregg's Twitter announcement, I didn't know if I could survive football season w/o TMQ and Gregg's reliable commentary. I agree with everyone else though - as long as Gregg is willing to write it, we truly desire the full TMQ in all its glory.
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Aaah. The football world is 99% complete again.
Bring back the full-length TMQ, and we get to 100%.
Bring back the full-length TMQ, and we get to 100%.
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I had to do a search to find TMQ today because it is not football season without it. I am excited to see him on the Times but I really miss the non-football asides that are interspersed between the actual games. Please let TMQ continue the tradition of football and non football related matter, that is why it is such a great column.
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This column highlights the well-known truism in sports (as well as in politics, wars, and perhaps "life in general") that when you play not to lose rather than to win, you often get into trouble and lose anyway. Look, the NFL is an incredibly complex and high-pressure environment in which players and their coaches are paid millions of dollars with the expectation of winning. What is indeed surprising is how timid most coaches can be in critical situations. All you Patriots haters out there ought to consider, if only for a moment, whether you can think of a situation in which Bill Belichick has been accused of being timid. And now, take a look at the Patriots' record in the playoffs, the most high pressured of all NFL games.
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Adding my voice to the clamor for a full-length TMQ. I miss the random news items and facts.
Well done, by the way, getting away from the sinking ship that is ESPN. My TV used to be perpetually tuned in to ESPN. Now I can't even remember what channel it is on the cable box.
Well done, by the way, getting away from the sinking ship that is ESPN. My TV used to be perpetually tuned in to ESPN. Now I can't even remember what channel it is on the cable box.
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The pass play was even dumber than that. All Eli Manning had to do was remember the game situation. Instead of throwing the ball away when the receiver wasn't open, he should have taken the sack. The clock keeps running and they take at least 30 more seconds off the clock.
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Ditto on all the "TMQlite" comments. Bring back the full monte TMQ!
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Adding my voice to the chorus: it's great that TMQ has found a new home at the Times, but most TMQ readers read him as much (if not more) for the non-football content as for the football coverage. A TMQ that is entirely on-topic and 100% football is a pale imitation of the TMQ his fans know and love. Come on, Times, let him off the leash for next week's edition!
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Dear TMQ,
I love your writing-both football and non football related, books and your columns. Please broaden your focus-football is great, but I enjoy your comments on other pieces of our culture just as much. Agree or disagree, I appreciate your points of view.
In that sense you are sort of an amalgamation of Edward R. Murrow and Howard Cosell with a bit of Tom Snyder. What a psychohistory!
I love your writing-both football and non football related, books and your columns. Please broaden your focus-football is great, but I enjoy your comments on other pieces of our culture just as much. Agree or disagree, I appreciate your points of view.
In that sense you are sort of an amalgamation of Edward R. Murrow and Howard Cosell with a bit of Tom Snyder. What a psychohistory!
Wow, there's not a lot that could make me read the NYT ( or 'the newsletter of the ruling class' as an old professor proudly proclaimed it), but TMQ got me here.
I second the other readers - don't let them water you down too much. I barely follow football and this is still a weekly read for me.
I second the other readers - don't let them water you down too much. I barely follow football and this is still a weekly read for me.
Happy to see TMQ back. I echo the majority of the other comments though: TMQ Lite is okay. TMQ Classic is better. Hey NYT editorial staff, TMQ readers are the rare breed who will still spend 20 minutes reading an article if its well written.
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Love the column, and the new home! But I miss the in-depth length of the older TMQs, and the off-topic conversations about science, religion, and other topics. Will this be the format going forward?
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So glad to see TMQ back on deck, even in abridged form!
My Wednesday mornings feel normal again.
My Wednesday mornings feel normal again.
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Great to have the column in the Grey Lady! But where is the rest of it??? Let Easterbrook be Easterbrook!!
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When I checked ESPN for TMQ, I was surprised to see my favorite football column gone. I am glad to see TMQ has a new home and definitely will be checking in weekly.
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What? Barely 2,600 words? Surely this is TMQ Lite.
2
In past years, Tuesday Morning Quarterback included tasteful reports on cheerleaders -- was that considered too frivolous for the Times?
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Glad to see TMQ land at the NYT, but I have to agree with the other commenters - we need more of the non-football items. If it doesn't take my entire lunch to read TMQ, it's not TMQ (yet). Here's hoping for the real TMQ to be back in full force next week!
Why is this column so short? Honestly, Mr. Easterbrook's longwindedness is part of what I always enjoyed about TMQ!
so happy TMQ is back. Column too short however
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Gotta say, I had to search to find TMQ today but I'm glad I did. All I could think about when the Chippah decided to try a field goal instead of going for it on fourth down last night was a Gregg Easterbrook "I wrote Game Over in my notebook."
Same when Chicago passed three times from the 1. Ha! This column always gets it right. Glad to see you back, even in short form! Where's the boss button? Did I miss it?!
Same when Chicago passed three times from the 1. Ha! This column always gets it right. Glad to see you back, even in short form! Where's the boss button? Did I miss it?!
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It may seem goofy, but this is the first time that I was greatly disappointed that an article that largely regards football was largely filled with... football.
I've followed TMQ elsewhere, and hope that Mr. Easterbrook settles in well here.
I've followed TMQ elsewhere, and hope that Mr. Easterbrook settles in well here.
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Like many others, I am very excited to see TMQ has found a new home, but also miss the non-football related pieces on politics, the environment, space, etc. (I personally don't care about the cheer babe section. There are plenty of "Cheer Babe" related sites on the internet.)
Perhaps Wednesday Morning Quarterback (WMQ) with all the non football items?
Perhaps Wednesday Morning Quarterback (WMQ) with all the non football items?
"Consistently, N.F.L. coaches make the “safe” choice and lose."
It is not without reason that the No Fun League is also know as Not For Long, which applies to coaches as well as players...
Good to see ya back, needles sharp and accurate.
It is not without reason that the No Fun League is also know as Not For Long, which applies to coaches as well as players...
Good to see ya back, needles sharp and accurate.
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sorry, it's just not the same without all that other stuff--the science comments, the crazy political rants, the cheerleaders, the 900 club. Granted, it's the first week, but still, let's hope this expands to fulfill its former role. Glad to see him back in any event
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Dear New York Times (aka the multi-colored lady), thanks very much for bringing on board the tastefully named Gregg Easterbrook. This article is great. All of his fans, of which there are many, are hoping that he is able to intermingle sections on outer space, popular culture, politics, and other general humor in his future columns.
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Good to see a shadow of TMQ back! But we need more, much, much more. I had barely even finished brewing my coffee for my 30 minute session with the TMQ when I finished this tiny column.
More more more I say. What is TMQ, and football, without unchecked gluttony?
More more more I say. What is TMQ, and football, without unchecked gluttony?
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Great to see you have a new home - congrats! Any chance you will resurrect the "stats to ponder" section - that was one of my favorites!
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Sorry for the misfire - I totally blew past the "Stats of the Week" paragraph. I am used to seeing them in list form and separate paragraphs. My bad - keep up the great work!
Wonderful addition. Thank you. That is an odd rule that stops the clock on a declined penalty. It seems that the offending team should not be able to improve their clock position by commiting a foul. (I hate the hack-a-whoever in basketball too.)
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I just noticed that your picture in The Upshot was credited to Peter Parker. Would that be the same Peter Parker who works for the Daily Bugle?
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TMQ is back and so the football universe is, once again, in harmony. I hope that it retains it's usual flair in upcoming weeks with cheerbabe pics and the like. TMQ continues to be the most well-written recap of all things football (and political, and social, and...) but I wonder, will you continue to poke fun at the revisions in the NYT?
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Great to have TMQ @ NYT!
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They should be renamed The Lying Elvii in your Autocorrect.
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strange - the only party proven to have lied this offseason has been the NFL, not the Elvii
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I second KW's comments. Hoping that many of the things that made TMQ what it was over at ESPN (political commentary, crazy TV plots) will return. All the extras are what helped make TMQ great!
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Its great to have TMQ back up and writing but it seems...i don't know, empty? No Christmas creep, political analysis, obscure colleges, 700/800/900 yard club, "cheerbabe professionalism", tv show analysis, "tis better to have rushed and lost" or cheerleader cheesecake picture. :(
it is the NYTimes i guess a little more professionalism was an order? at least i don't have to make use of the boss button now.
it is the NYTimes i guess a little more professionalism was an order? at least i don't have to make use of the boss button now.
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But cheerbabe professionalism IS professionalism. How could the Times possibly object?
Oh, right.
Oh, right.
Christmas creep has been played out. We consumers have rewarded this bad behavior for so long, it's no longer something worth noting, let alone complain about. Other than that, bring it all back.
I agree with the yardage and scoring items of interest - I was lucky enough to catch this High School score at the end of a sports show: Meadville 107 DuBois 90 where the Meadville RB ran for 720 yards and 10 TDs! This is classic TMQ stuff!
Two comments:
1. For some reason, on at least one play on their final drive, the Giants snapped the ball with about 10 seconds on the play clock (with the clock running). Why? To give Dallas a better chance?
2. Why doesn't the clock restart after the declined penalty? It gave Dallas a free TO (and confused Eli). At a minimum, shouldn't the team declining have the option of whether the clock should restart? I don't get the rule. (I complained about this before the final debacle and it obviously doesn't excuse what the Giants did after that.)
1. For some reason, on at least one play on their final drive, the Giants snapped the ball with about 10 seconds on the play clock (with the clock running). Why? To give Dallas a better chance?
2. Why doesn't the clock restart after the declined penalty? It gave Dallas a free TO (and confused Eli). At a minimum, shouldn't the team declining have the option of whether the clock should restart? I don't get the rule. (I complained about this before the final debacle and it obviously doesn't excuse what the Giants did after that.)
Gregg's writing is generally pretty amusing, glad to see him land at the Times. Welcome!
Now, let's bring back Tanier too...
Now, let's bring back Tanier too...
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Welcome to the The Times (of New York) Greg, whoever, I was wondering if you will be continuing your section on apologies, misprints, retractions and redaction of your new employer?
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Simply the best football column. Practically required reading for NFL fans.
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Glad to have you back! TMQ seemed a little shorter than usual but I'm just happy you've found a home. Always my favorite read during the season.
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