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

SidelineCameras

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 13, 2011
1,813
Like everything else, Felger is over-the-top in his criticism of Blount. But when he gets into that mode the objection he has is with Pats fans who claim Blount is a "Top 5" running back, and the only thing separating him from Elliott is the Dallas O-line.

I think Blount is probably a bit underrated if anything, but Felger is not wrong on that point. But that kind of ammo to attack is red meat for him.
This, exactly. Felger starts screaming and yelling when people call in and talk about Blount and his 18 regular season TDs. It's not exactly a straw man, because homer callers can be homers, but Felger's general dislike of Blount is over the top (and, I might add, hilarious to me). After yesterday's pile moving run and TD, the show is guaranteed to get at least a handful of calls about it today and the rest of the week.

Blount was absolutely irrelevant yesterday, so I don't see how anyone could think this is the kind of game to shove in Felger's face.
"Anyone" on SoSH, perhaps not. Anyone calling a sports talk show is a different animal.
 

Humphrey

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 3, 2010
3,163
I didn't watch the post game, so I'm curious what exactly was the criticism of the 3rd and 1 pass play on the first drive? I'm assuming that it was that they didn't run it, and that the fact that the Steelers did the exact same thing on their first possession was conveniently ignored.

In both cases, they were catchable balls that the receivers failed to reel in. The Steelers' play call might have been worse from a "they should have run it" standpoint since they arrived at 3rd and 1 thanks to two straight Bell runs of 3 and 6 yards, and their incompletion was a home run swing of a play. The Patriots were at least running their bread-and-butter short yardage quick throw offense on their failed 3rd and 1.

Fact is, 3rd and short situations are no longer automatic run-it-up-the-gut calls in today's NFL. Teams are throwing all the time on any down at any distance.
I thought on the previous play Amendola's catch got spotted incorrectly. Thought it was going to be 3rd and 18 inches, turned out to be 3rd and 3 or 4 feet. 18 inches with that spread formation is clearly TB qb sneak time.
 

Byrdbrain

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 18, 2005
8,588
Yeah the criticism was essentially that they didn't "man up" and shove it down their throats and they were lucky the ball didn't get picked. I do believe you are correct that they didn't mention the much lower percentage play the Steelers ran in a very similar position though I could have missed it.
It was dumb but that was about the extent of the criticism on the show.
 

jimbobim

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 14, 2012
1,558
Bestill my beating heart... Felger and Mazz are actually eating some humble pie and giving the Pats D some credit....

Though to be fair trolling after the complete game the Pats played would be incredibly difficult.
 

grimshaw

Member
SoSH Member
May 16, 2007
4,220
Portland
Paraphrasing, but the post game criticism was more along the lines of, "What can actually be criticized this game? I guess we could mention blah blah blah." It was little to do with Felger being Felger and more to do with just not cheer leading the whole two hours.
 

chonce1

New Member
Apr 23, 2010
191
Felger: Let's spend 3 weeks talking about strength of schedule:

Caller: Here is my opinion on this topic

Felger: WHY DO YOU CARE?!?!!?
 

Byrdbrain

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 18, 2005
8,588
Felger's worst "hot take" of the week is that Kraft is being disingenuous about being mad at Goodell as a show for the fans. Marshall Hook, unlikely voice of reason, has been pushing back on this but Felger just keeps pushing this stupid angle.
Mazz surprisingly enough does nothing but agree with Mike.
 

Mystic Merlin

Member
SoSH Member
Sep 21, 2007
46,767
Hartford, CT
Felger: Let's spend 3 weeks talking about strength of schedule:

Caller: Here is my opinion on this topic

Felger: WHY DO YOU CARE?!?!!?
Even better is when he attacks a caller for being hypocritical based on the stated opinion of another caller, who is, shockingly, a sentient life form with an independent identity and set of opinions.
 

NortheasternPJ

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 16, 2004
19,271
Felger's worst "hot take" of the week is that Kraft is being disingenuous about being mad at Goodell as a show for the fans. Marshall Hook, unlikely voice of reason, has been pushing back on this but Felger just keeps pushing this stupid angle.
Mazz surprisingly enough does nothing but agree with Mike.
Marshall Hook is the unlikely voice of reason?

He's the only one, outside of Bedard, who pushes back. He stands for a bunch of stupid shit like "no clutch" but he's also willing to push back. he's like Beetle before he gave up fighting them.
 

Byrdbrain

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 18, 2005
8,588
I like Hook and wish he got the job when Beetle left because he does push back but he does have the "takenado" reputation. I just found it interesting that he took the boring position that maybe Kraft is upset at Goodell for the stupid decision but is still willing to work with him because he has to.

One other point on Hook was that he was so crazy over the top negative on Ortiz it was unbelievable. He did back off on that statement by the end of the baseball season but he stuck with it for way too long.

Edit:Somewhat fixed one hell of a run on sentence.
 
Last edited:

Helmet Head

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 18, 2005
4,594
Central Mass
I listened a little bit this week

The narrative was basically the pats have beaten no one yet and the falcons suck and if they beat them it's an empty championship. Granted that was about Tuesday so things may have changed.

I marvel at how these guys get ratings

I guess trolls get ratings but wow! I probably should stop tuning in.
 

Marbleheader

Moderator
Moderator
SoSH Member
Sep 27, 2004
11,726
With the addition of Keefe, I find Dale and Holley to be much improved and have switched back to WEEI in the afternoons.
 

NortheasternPJ

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 16, 2004
19,271
With the addition of Keefe, I find Dale and Holley to be much improved and have switched back to WEEI in the afternoons.
I have as well.

Another question, has The Sports Hub added more commercial time? It seems like between :30-:50 there's about 4 minutes of content on all shows. It seems like the second segment has been shortened significantly.
 

Eck Master

Killed 23's Cat
SoSH Member
Nov 30, 2003
1,031
Samsara
The clear theme is that the entire league sucks so the Patriots haven't proved a thing even if they win in Houston. I don't know why I still listen. Morbid curiosity, I suppose. I need an intervention.
 

Dotrat

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 11, 2002
2,135
Morris County NJ
Couldn't be happier to have made the switch to D&H with RK. The predictability and constant negativity at the expense of facts or reasoned argument long ago turned F&M into the Breitbart.com of Boston sports talk radio, as opposed to EEI's morning show, which is Breitbart.com radio pretending to be sports talk.
 

double4life

New Member
Sep 13, 2015
60
Couldn't be happier to have made the switch to D&H with RK. The predictability and constant negativity at the expense of facts or reasoned argument long ago turned F&M into the Breitbart.com of Boston sports talk radio, as opposed to EEI's morning show, which is Breitbart.com radio pretending to be sports talk.
Just like everyone else, I've made the switch back to D&H with Keefe for all of the reasons already mentioned. Not a good trend developing for King Felger.
 

Byrdbrain

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 18, 2005
8,588
I do find the EEI show much better than it was but I just can't stand Dale so I only can listen for short bits until he drives me crazy.
As for F&M I often find Felger entertaining as long as you know where he is coming from. I did quite a bit of driving this week and listened to them more than normal and his hot takes were really getting to me. Mazz is, of course, completely useless and could be replaced by a chimp.

I really need to listen to more podcasts.
 

shaggydog2000

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 5, 2007
11,482
Dale is pretty much like somebodies dad trying to talk with the cool kids, but Keefe has really worked well with Holley and I have gotten tired of the negative vibe of F&M. Although Mazz can still be pretty funny here and there. Felger saying sorry like an extra from Fargo is amusing as well, but that's just not enough for me any more.
 

ObstructedView

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 1, 2001
3,237
Maine
Can't do this anymore. I am switching back to Dale and Holley.
Listened for a while in the car this afternoon. It's rare for me to catch the start of a show, so it was both interesting and infuriating to hear them very deliberately establish their straw man of the day and then stick to it doggedly. Today it was that it's so annoying how all the pathetic Patriot fan-boys and the Patriot media cartel are so obsessed with DFG that they're missing the opportunity to truly sit back and enjoy what the team has accomplished and could accomplish on Sunday. They used TB Senior's recent Goodell comments as the spring-board, and ranted about how no one of consequence outside of NE ever brings up DFG anymore but the Pats and their hyper-sensitive fans insist on harping on it. Naturally any actual fan who called and tried to articulate their feelings - including the apparently incomprehensibly nuanced notion that many of us both appreciate this team AND would take a little extra satisfaction in winning a championship during a season in which our star QB was suspended 4 games - were mocked and cut off.

A corollary was how the supposedly ubiquitous talk about what TB will do on the podium ("Give him tha fingaaah!") should give ATL lots of extra motivation - never mind that no one within 100 yards of the organization has talked about anything of the sort aside from answering diplomatically whenever they've been asked about it by reporters.
 

54thMA

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 15, 2012
10,154
Westwood MA
Can't do this anymore. I am switching back to Dale and Holley.
I think I'll give this a shot as well.

Listened out of the gate today, they started with all the Deflategate stuff, dumped on Boston fans for being sensitive, then had that imbecile Volin on, then they had some stooge on from Atlanta who was trolling Boston fans with his hot takes, then he started flashing his Miami Hurricanes and Miami Heat tattoos with the comment "This is really going to annoy Boston fans."

No clambrain, YOU annoyed me, not your God awful tattoos, I've seen prison tattoos that looked better.

I'm at the point where I think Mazz truly hates what he does for a living; he can't be enjoying this, what an angry fucking guy he is, constantly bitching, complaining and ranting.

I can't listen to this for four more days, I'll take your advice.
 

timlinin8th

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 6, 2009
1,521
The clear theme is that the entire league sucks so the Patriots haven't proved a thing even if they win in Houston. I don't know why I still listen. Morbid curiosity, I suppose. I need an intervention.
I hadn't tuned in at all last week so I had the show on for about five seconds today and they were still beating this drum.

So, going off their theory that the rest of the league stinks, isn't it pretty impressive that the Pats continue to build good teams while the rest of the league can't? Nooooo.

I lasted five seconds. Click.
 

CantKeepmedown

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
2,579
Portland, ME
Michael Hurley doing God's work today.

**Didn't mean to post and run.....had to drive my kids to practice. But the gist of it was that DFG was again being discussed. Hurley admitted that, after time and reviewing all of the information on the subject, had changed his opinion and feels the Pats/Brady didn't do anything wrong (he had previously stated that he thought they had deflated footballs).

Felger went apeshit and got all high and mighty. He said Hurley was embarrassing himself. Felger said that there's a reason why their station gets good ratings and it's because they aren't homers. Whenever Hurley tried to make a point, Felger would talk over him. Felger said don't try and argue this with me because I've read it all and I know it all. When Hurley asked why Goodell outright lied in the initial hearing, Felger said "you don't think Brady lied?"

Hurley ultimately said that it's possible to change your stance on things and not be stuck in place on issues. Felger was super condescending. And Mazza said zero during the whole exchange.
 
Last edited:

Harry Hooper

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jan 4, 2002
34,367
Michael Hurley doing God's work today.

**Didn't mean to post and run.....had to drive my kids to practice. But the gist of it was that DFG was again being discussed. Hurley admitted that, after time and reviewing all of the information on the subject, had changed his opinion and feels the Pats/Brady didn't do anything wrong (he had previously stated that he thought they had deflated footballs).

Felger went apeshit and got all high and mighty. He said Hurley was embarrassing himself. Felger said that there's a reason why their station gets good ratings and it's because they aren't homers. Whenever Hurley tried to make a point, Felger would talk over him. Felger said don't try and argue this with me because I've read it all and I know it all. When Hurley asked why Goodell outright lied in the initial hearing, Felger said "you don't think Brady lied?"

Hurley ultimately said that it's possible to change your stance on things and not be stuck in place on issues. Felger was super condescending. And Mazza said zero during the whole exchange.
A noble attempt by you, but it's impossible to capture that exchange in a short summary. Hurley wouldn't let Felger bully him, and did a nice job pointing out that Felger had dug in and not reconsidered anything as evidence emerged over time (and early "facts" were exposed as lies).
 

shawnrbu

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 14, 2005
39,690
The Land of Fist Pumps
Michael Hurley doing God's work today.
Hurley ultimately said that it's possible to change your stance on things and not be stuck in place on issues. Felger was super condescending. And Mazza said zero during the whole exchange.
Thank you for the recap.

Mazz actually did chime in at the end screaming over and over to Hurley that, "THE SOUTH LOST!"

Felger seemed very agitated during the whole thing. He was playing the role of "bully host" like he was Glenn Ordway or Pete Sheppard during the Big Show's salad days.
 

Ralphwiggum

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 27, 2012
9,824
Needham, MA
Am I insane or did felgie insinuate earlier today that Brady is a republican because they helped him get out of the BALCO jam?
Yup. It went something like this:

-Brady's phone number was on some BALCO dude's phone

-Brady magically doesn't get implicated in BALCO scandal

-Brady then appears at the State of the Union when Bush talks about going after steroid cheaters (insinuating or even calling out Brady as clean)

-Then that right-wing think tank comes out with an anti-deflategate analysis of the air pressure in footballs to support Brady

-The implication is that somehow Bush (or someone who is Republican I guess, really not explained) got him out of BALCO

-Therefore, Brady is "apolitical" but "aligned and beholden to the Republican Party", which is why he supports Trump, but Brady doesn't really care, he just owes them a debt

Really maybe the dumbest two minutes of radio I have ever listened to.
 

CantKeepmedown

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
2,579
Portland, ME
A noble attempt by you, but it's impossible to capture that exchange in a short summary. Hurley wouldn't let Felger bully him, and did a nice job pointing out that Felger had dug in and not reconsidered anything as evidence emerged over time (and early "facts" were exposed as lies).
Yeah, I realized as I was writing that there was no way to really put it down and capture everything without going on and on (which I kinda did). Thanks to Murf for linking the audio.

I'm in southern Maine, so my exposure to F&M is only through TV when I'm home during those hours. There were times when I'd find myself home at 4-5 and turn it on to watch/listen (as I kinda tired of the Dale/Holley/Thornton era). But like many others, I'm enjoying Keefe and what he brings to that show and more than happy to listen on the radio more often.
 

Over Guapo Grande

panty merchant
SoSH Member
Nov 29, 2005
4,459
Worcester
Although Mazz can still be pretty funny here and there. Felger saying sorry like an extra from Fargo is amusing as well, but that's just not enough for me any more.
Not picking on you, but just using this as a launching off point, because I have seen it here a number of times. With the caveat that everyone's comedy tastes are different... I mean, Dane Cook has a career for some reason... in what way is Maz funny? And I don't mean funny in a "I shouldn't be laughing at you but I sort of am" way kind of funny? Is it is mouthbreathing imitations of his callers... I know he cracks himself up when he does it, which I guess is amusing in the "I really am laughing at you" kind of way.
 

jimbobim

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 14, 2012
1,558
Small sample size etc but they were getting some truly woof callers today in the 330-5 drive time so perhaps the act wearing thin starting to show.

Though on the other hand they had the ATL official radio guy on and he was actually very good IMHO.
 

Over Guapo Grande

panty merchant
SoSH Member
Nov 29, 2005
4,459
Worcester
Yup. It went something like this:

-Brady's phone number was on some BALCO dude's phone

-Brady magically doesn't get implicated in BALCO scandal

-Brady then appears at the State of the Union when Bush talks about going after steroid cheaters (insinuating or even calling out Brady as clean)

-Then that right-wing think tank comes out with an anti-deflategate analysis of the air pressure in footballs to support Brady

-The implication is that somehow Bush (or someone who is Republican I guess, really not explained) got him out of BALCO

-Therefore, Brady is "apolitical" but "aligned and beholden to the Republican Party", which is why he supports Trump, but Brady doesn't really care, he just owes them a debt

Really maybe the dumbest two minutes of radio I have ever listened to.
I started listening to this segment of the show, and then willingly switched it to a KARS 4 KIDS commercial.
 

shaggydog2000

Member
SoSH Member
Apr 5, 2007
11,482
Not picking on you, but just using this as a launching off point, because I have seen it here a number of times. With the caveat that everyone's comedy tastes are different... I mean, Dane Cook has a career for some reason... in what way is Maz funny? And I don't mean funny in a "I shouldn't be laughing at you but I sort of am" way kind of funny? Is it is mouthbreathing imitations of his callers... I know he cracks himself up when he does it, which I guess is amusing in the "I really am laughing at you" kind of way.
In the general environment of mean-spirited-ness, his impression of callers are less funny. When you're generally nice to callers, making fun of how absurd one is now and then can be funny. When Felger is berating all of them and none are treated with respect, I agree that it is just part of an insulting behavior pattern. Earlier in the history of the show he more often was goofy funny and made fun of himself quite often. And his appearances in pre-recorded bits as "naughty Mazzaroti" on Toucher and Rich were hilarious and generated a lot of good will with me. Maybe too much. If I stick around for the final wrap-ups, especially the squeaky Mazz/mad Mike stuff on Fridays, he often admits to his own over-the topness, and can have some hilarious lines he sticks in there while they review things. When they're more light-hearted he has funny moments. But I agree 90+% of the time when I turn the show on, it's not listenable, and he does little to improve that state. Also, he seems like a bit of a creeper.
 

Over Guapo Grande

panty merchant
SoSH Member
Nov 29, 2005
4,459
Worcester
In the general environment of mean-spirited-ness, his impression of callers are less funny. When you're generally nice to callers, making fun of how absurd one is now and then can be funny. When Felger is berating all of them and none are treated with respect, I agree that it is just part of an insulting behavior pattern. Earlier in the history of the show he more often was goofy funny and made fun of himself quite often. And his appearances in pre-recorded bits as "naughty Mazzaroti" on Toucher and Rich were hilarious and generated a lot of good will with me. Maybe too much. If I stick around for the final wrap-ups, especially the squeaky Mazz/mad Mike stuff on Fridays, he often admits to his own over-the topness, and can have some hilarious lines he sticks in there while they review things. When they're more light-hearted he has funny moments. But I agree 90+% of the time when I turn the show on, it's not listenable, and he does little to improve that state. Also, he seems like a bit of a creeper.
I actually agree to the Friday afternoon parts. That is when the curtain is pulled back, and they both pretty much reveal that everything is over the top, and laugh at themselves for it.
 

GammonsSpecialPerson

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 19, 2016
136
I actually agree to the Friday afternoon parts. That is when the curtain is pulled back, and they both pretty much reveal that everything is over the top, and laugh at themselves for it.
Yesterday, a caller stated that the Patriots scored 14 points in the first quarter of the Super Bowl against Green Bay. Felger - ripping off his pants to reveal his Packer footie pajamas - screamed "that's not true!" while Mazz bemoaned the relevancy of the call "it doesn't matter, Mike!" and the general stupidity of the callers (in general).

After a good minute of them moaning, whining, kvetching, yelling, and otherwise doing their thing, Jimmy Stewart pipes in: "The caller was right - the score was 14-10 at the end of the first quarter of that game."

At which point Felger begins (legit) laughing and says, "that's the perfect Felger and Mazz moment - us two A-holes yelling at some guy for being completely right."
 

Lupe Whalewatch

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Aug 1, 2006
3,164
Worlds End
amazing these clowns kick off the week saying how pathetic it was people were still talking about deflategate, yet here they are interviewing J Kraft and every single question they have is deflategate related.
 

gammoseditor

also had a stroke
SoSH Member
Jul 17, 2005
4,219
Somerville, MA
amazing these clowns kick off the week saying how pathetic it was people were still talking about deflategate, yet here they are interviewing J Kraft and every single question they have is deflategate related.
I didn't catch the whole Jonathan Kraft interview but probably the second half. I thought it was a really good interview and worth checking out online if you missed it. Jonathan went on about how his Dad really wanted Belichick and how he doesn't get enough credit for brining him in. Typing it makes it sound self congratulatory but he made a good case. There's other good stuff in there too.
 

Ralphwiggum

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 27, 2012
9,824
Needham, MA
So Jonathan Kraft refuses to answer the question of whether he supports Goddell as commissioner or not (which in and of itself is an answer) and after the interview Felger says that Kraft is lying, tha Bob and Jonathan do support Goodell and he only answered that way to appease the Patriot fanbase who hate Goodelll.

Honestly I listen to this show for less than ten minutes a day and yet I still almost always manage to catch something incredibly stupid.
 

Quiddity

New Member
Oct 14, 2008
237
Felger went apeshit and got all high and mighty. He said Hurley was embarrassing himself. Felger said that there's a reason why their station gets good ratings and it's because they aren't homers. Whenever Hurley tried to make a point, Felger would talk over him. Felger said don't try and argue this with me because I've read it all and I know it all. When Hurley asked why Goodell outright lied in the initial hearing, Felger said "you don't think Brady lied?"
.
A great part of this was Felger trying to make the point that the station is popular because you can hear both sides rather than just hearing homerism. Both sides? Deflategate was a year and a half of Felger declaring the Patriots guilty and Mazz declaring the Patriots guilty, and Jim Murray declaring the Patriots guilty.... where are "both sides" in that? That's the way it is on almost everything Patriots. Felger declares that the Pats suck or are overrated, and Mazz doubles down with the same negativity.

Usually listen to them on the bus home each afternoon but gave up today and simply read a book. Hard to believe I'd ever do that during a Super Bowl week. I do think part of it is trying to drum up listeners and Felger's belief that Atlanta is a crap sports town and crap team (after the championship round he was bemoaning the fact that it would have been a great story against Dallas, or Green Bay, or the Giants or Seattle... and we got Atlanta instead) so he throws out the DFG strawman and goes to the wall for four hours of daily.
 

Gorton Fisherman

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
May 26, 2002
2,485
Port Orange, FL
Michael Hurley doing God's work today.
Felger went apeshit and got all high and mighty. He said Hurley was embarrassing himself. Felger said that there's a reason why their station gets good ratings and it's because they aren't homers. Whenever Hurley tried to make a point, Felger would talk over him. Felger said don't try and argue this with me because I've read it all and I know it all. When Hurley asked why Goodell outright lied in the initial hearing, Felger said "you don't think Brady lied?"

Hurley ultimately said that it's possible to change your stance on things and not be stuck in place on issues. Felger was super condescending. And Mazza said zero during the whole exchange.
Agree that this was a good segment, and that Hurley did well. I hadn't seen Felger get this flustered on-air since he had Portnoy in studio a while back, who also naturally pushed back hard and fairly effectively on all of Felger's DFG bullcrap, which he didn't seem to appreciate (although if you don't want that, why invite Portnoy on in the first place?)

BTW, the "lie" Felger was accusing Brady of was apparently when he said that he knew he liked his footballs a certain way, but hadn't associated a specific PSI value with it until relatively recently. For some reason F&M think this just an outrageous whopper. I recall that shortly after this Brady statement was revealed, Ben Roethlisberger was interviewed and said something very similar (i.e. he didn't know/care about specific PSI values). Strangely enough, I don't recall F&M going off on a rant about why a lying liar Roethlisberger was for saying this.
 
Last edited: