The other day, I finally figured out what is wrong with Felger (Mazz is hopeless). Back when he first started up his program, Felger had a little humility -- he failed miserably at two other places and went back to EEI on his knees. He was still a bit of an asshole, but it was a winking asshole. And he actually admitted when he was wrong and changed his mind.
When the Bruins traded Kessel's rights to the Leafs, Felger wanted them to trade the pick for a sniper. But caller after caller after caller told him that was insane there were two legit stars in the draft (Hall and Seguin) and the B's would get one of them. Felger did some research and admitted that he was wrong. In 2010, he allowed callers to talk about the World Cup. He even got into a bit too, despite not really caring (or knowing too much) about soccer. It was refreshing to have a host not treat his audience like morons.
"Felger and Mazz" have been number one for a long time and Felger's ego has grown quite a bit. He no longer listens to anyone. Not the callers. Not his colleagues. And certainly not his co-hosts. It's just hours and hours of Felger sermonizing about what he happens to think. Facts be damned. To whit, last week on his Comcast TV show he kept driving this point home: "This is different from SpyGate. The Pats look like they're beaten." And he asked Chris Gasper if he agreed. Gasper (who was in the locker room during SpyGate) said something to the effect of, "No. That's not true. In 07, the players were so spooked Kevin Faulk was the only guy who spoke with the press for four straight days." What did Felger say? "No. They're more afraid. I know it."
And that's what has become the MO of this show, Felger's right. He knows it.
The reason why a guy like Joe Posnanski remains readable and people like Peter King, Bill Simmons and Michael Felger are losing their audience is because the latter truly believe that everything that leaves their mouths is the word of god. There is literally no room to argue or learn or explore. Felger thinks that Tom Brady isn't "right" because he's guilty about something and that's the day's talking point. Simmons thinks that Brady lost the 07 Super Bowl because he spotted Brady talking to someone on the field instead of warming up "the right way" like he did in 01, 03 or 04. King is just a fuck puppet for Goodell. It's all insanity.