Mike'd Up: The Mike Francesa Show

[Dan Murfman]

Here is a link to where he called back after leaving.
 
http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball/story/2014-08-21/john-calipari-mike-francesca-radio-interview-bad-coach-xs-and-os-radio-interview-from-kentucky

 

[bankshot1]

I realize that, but he called into the show after he left to defend himself.  Despite being friends, he got the Francesa dismissal which was a little funny.

I had to do a conf. call so I missed the Calipari call-back. Funny stuff.

 

[NJ Fan]

I just tuned to FS1 to listen to Mike's open on the Ray Rice vid and NFL Week One and see that the network is running the UEFA Euro 2016 Qualifier Russia-Liechtenstein.  I'm betting he finds a new home before the end of the year.
 
Fake edit: I have FioS and have no idea if I have FS2 (or if they're carrying it).

 

[ifmanis5]

 

I just tuned to FS1 to listen to Mike's open on the Ray Rice vid and NFL Week One and see that the network is running the UEFA Euro 2016 Qualifier Russia-Liechtenstein.  I'm betting he finds a new home before the end of the year.
 
Fake edit: I have FioS and have no idea if I have FS2 (or if they're carrying it).

 

Yeah, Mike is LIVID he's not on today and he won't be on tomorrow. I'm guessing a parting of the ways is in order. This hasn't worked out at all. He should have gone to MSG or SNY.

 

[richgedman'sghost]

 

I just tuned to FS1 to listen to Mike's open on the Ray Rice vid and NFL Week One and see that the network is running the UEFA Euro 2016 Qualifier Russia-Liechtenstein.  I'm betting he finds a new home before the end of the year.
 
Fake edit: I have FioS and have no idea if I have FS2 (or if they're carrying it).

 

Actually it is England Switzerland. Anyway I'm with you. As much as I enjoyed the World Cup during the summer, I was eagerly awaiting to hear his take on the Ray Rice situation and the first week of the NFL. If he cannot be on during NFL season, what good is the contract? Can anybody recap what his take is? Has he commentated on the Jets or the Pats yet? I bet he takes special glee in the Pats struggles against the Dolphins.

 

[Dan Murfman]

Actually it is England Switzerland. Anyway I'm with you. As much as I enjoyed the World Cup during the summer, I was eagerly awaiting to hear his take on the Ray Rice situation and the first week of the NFL. If he cannot be on during NFL season, what good is the contract? Can anybody recap what his take is? Has he commentated on the Jets or the Pats yet? I bet he takes special glee in the Pats struggles against the Dolphins.

 
He is on the radio/Internet to listen to

 

[Muzman]

Same old same old on the Pats after he dismantled their week one performance - haven't won a thing in 10 years, lost playoff games at home, lost playoff games on the road, 3 Super Bowl wins by 3 points apiece, taped the Rams walkthrough, cannot be considered a dominant elite team, etc. etc. etc.  I don't know why I put myself through it by tuning in - sort of like driving by a car wreck, you can't look away.

 

[Silverdude2167]

I wonder if BB shot his dog or something.

 

[ifmanis5]

And the Giants won two Super Bowls by 7 points, yet Mike is a HUGE Coughlin fan.

 

[bankshot1]

And the Giants won two Super Bowls by 7 points, yet Mike is a HUGE Coughlin fan.

Don't forget "wide right"
 
Three of the four G-Men SB wins were slim at best. Talk about horse-shoes in their butts. But those outcomes never enter Francesa's public arguments.

 

[dcmissle]

He is fixing to be pissed after last night and in full throated defense of Coughlin.

 

[cromulence]

Why do you guys pay so much attention to his opinions, other than to laugh at them? I'm being serious here, not trying to be a "get a life" style troll. Obviously in the heyday of M&MD, I get it - they were big. But in 2014, Mike Francesa is barely relevant, and "barely" is probably being generous. He's a walking punchline. But I get the sense that some people here still want to enjoy his show (possibly out of nostalgia) but are continually frustrated that he's not any good. I think it's time to give it up.

 

[bankshot1]

Why do you guys pay so much attention to his opinions, other than to laugh at them? I'm being serious here, not trying to be a "get a life" style troll. Obviously in the heyday of M&MD, I get it - they were big. But in 2014, Mike Francesa is barely relevant, and "barely" is probably being generous. He's a walking punchline. But I get the sense that some people here still want to enjoy his show (possibly out of nostalgia) but are continually frustrated that he's not any good. I think it's time to give it up.

I live in the NYC metro area, and I often have to rebutt Francesa's arguments bar-side.
 
For all his biases, he can still be a good listen, he takes sports seriously, and he gets good guests.

 

[ifmanis5]

I live in the NYC metro area, and I often have to rebutt Francesa's arguments bar-side.
 
For all his biases, he can still be a good listen, he takes sports seriously, and he gets good guests.

Yes and kind of. He's a great analyst when he has no axes to grind or buddies to defend, but those use cases are increasingly slim.

 

[bankshot1]

I think he's smart and has perspective, and I know his biases, so I know when to discount/disregard his POV. IMO he's stll better than most any other radio guy.
 
Could be fun today with Giants, Rice and the NFL.

 

[Vinho Tinto]

But in 2014, Mike Francesa is barely relevant, and "barely" is probably being generous. 

 
His TV ratings stink, but he is still the biggest sports radio personality in NY. He was 2nd among all stations in July for the 25-54 male demo. 

 

[bankshot1]

And he opens with NFL/Goodell: "Nobody thinks the NFL is incompetent, we think think they are liars."

 

[dcmissle]

And he opens with NFL/Goodell: "Nobody thinks the NFL is incompetent, we think think they are liars."

Well done

 

[Vinho Tinto]

I think he's smart and has perspective

One thing he & Russo share are remarkable memories. They both can routinely recall specific details on events with zero prep.

 

[ifmanis5]

Mike will have TMZ's Harvey Levin on at 2pm. Also he is dismissing/ignoring all Jeff Wilpon calls. Says the whole thing is 'not a big deal.'

 

[Dan Murfman]

Mike will have TMZ's Harvey Levin on at 2pm. Also he is dismissing/ignoring all Jeff Wilpon calls. Says the whole thing is 'not a big deal.'

Levin will be on at 3

 

[ifmanis5]

You can watch these things while you wait: http://newyork.cbslocal.com/tag/mike-i-mation/

 

[Vinho Tinto]

I found the Levin interview to be disappointing since he didn't have a lot to add what they currently have reported on. It was kind of interesting to hear him talk about TMZ, but nothing special. I do agree with Tank's general take on Goodell - he's not getting fired because the owners have zero desire to do so. 

 

[ifmanis5]

The Jets pulled the plug on Vick's weekly interviews calling them a distraction. Mike is not happy about it.

 

[richgedman'sghost]

I turned on the radio at around 530 and the Yankee post game show was still on. I did not think Faso would bother doing a short show since he would have to be off by 630 due to the pre game show. Oh well.

 

[dcmissle]

I have nothing against the Giants per se. But if they die in a fire this season -- and they seem to be well on their way -- I will enjoy Fatso's agony. He'll be doing cartwheels to protect Coughlin, and he does not like exercise.

 

[Mystic Merlin]

I have nothing against the Giants per se. But if they die in a fire this season -- and they seem to be well on their way -- I will enjoy Fatso's agony. He'll be doing cartwheels to protect Coughlin, and he does not like exercise.

 
Yep.  He'll fight to the end on Coughlin.  
 
Then he'll spend the next 3-4 seasons chastising the fans and Giants management for not realizing what they had in Coughlin.
 
Coughlin is a very good coach, but Francesa is not rational when it comes to him.  Tom is getting up there, and, frankly, the team has been uneven under his watch.  Eventually they're gonna cut ties with him.

 

[nattysez]

 
Coughlin is a very good coach, but Francesa is not rational when it comes to him.  Tom is getting up there, and, frankly, the team has been uneven under his watch.  Eventually they're gonna cut ties with him.

 
I could be wrong, but I feel like Fatso said last year that if Coughlin didn't put together a good year this year, he'd have to be out (or at least that it would be reasonable to make a change).  I hope I'm not completely making that up.

 

[ifmanis5]

I'm guessing Mike will spend all day killing the Jets and tip-toe his way around his beloved Coughlin.

 

[bankshot1]

He may be a big Coughlin guy, but IMO he can't escape the Coughlin issue. He may conclude that this barring a big turn-around, this is his last year, and its time for new blood..
 
Opens with Jets.

 

[Vinho Tinto]

He may be a big Coughlin guy, but IMO he can't escape the Coughlin issue. He may conclude that this barring a big turn-around, this is his last year, and its time for new blood..

 
I heard him say as much last week.

 

[bankshot1]

Criticized Rex for not being a good QB coach and for his poor sideline management.
 
Coughlin? Nary a word. FF mentions dropped passes, secondary has underperformed, teams looks like its springing new holes, but Coughlin is not mentioned. He's got to go there.

 

[ifmanis5]

Coughlin? Nary a word. FF mentions dropped passes, secondary has underperformed, teams looks like its springing new holes, but Coughlin is not mentioned. He's got to go there.

He never will.
 
The most you'll get out of Mike on that topic is maybe at some point this year he will concede 'sometimes it's just time to move on' but then quickly buttress it with a chest pounding two legendary Super Bowl wins and what a great career he's had statements. 'You won't do much better, folks' as if the team won't be better off without him.

 

[bankshot1]

I don't expect FF to kill Coughlin, and he may deflect criticisms, but I do expect him to address the issue of whether Coughlin's time has come or is at soon hand. If he wants to do some ball-washing, that's ok, I think he's grown as a coach. But I expect when he starts taking Giant fans calls today it has to come up. G-men fans I've talked with today are speculating on Coughlin's successor.

 

[OCST]

Criticized Rex for not being a good QB coach and for his poor sideline management.
 
Coughlin? Nary a word. FF mentions dropped passes, secondary has underperformed, teams looks like its springing new holes, but Coughlin is not mentioned. He's got to go there.

???

we like to make fun of Geno here, and he still has issues with turnovers and judgment, but there is no doubt that he continues to improve and is way ahead of where he was at this time a year ago.

 

[bankshot1]

???

we like to make fun of Geno here, and he still has issues with turnovers and judgment, but there is no doubt that he continues to improve and is way ahead of where he was at this time a year ago.

I don't wish to interpret Francesa's words, butt (sic) Rex is clearly more comfortable coaching D, and perhaps Francesa was referencing prior QBs under Rex's tutelage.
 
Have we forgotten the adventures with Sanchez and misadventures with Tebow (and yes IMO Tebow was a shared screw-up)

 

[ifmanis5]

CBS to Mike: Shut the hell up about the damn simulcast problems.
 
LINK: http://www.newsday.com/sports/media/mike-francesa-says-cbs-radio-threatens-lawsuit-for-simulcast-talk-1.9327519
 

Francesa said of his return to work on his 25th anniversary in afternoon drive time, "Sometimes you get a cake or a watch, sometimes you get a letter threatening to sue you. That's what I got. So that's why we can't talk about it right now. I'm frustrated, but there's not much we can do."

 

[Greg Blosser]

He's raking CBS over the coals right now, saying that the letter he received (that CBS denies having sent to him) is "threatening".
 
Tuned in at the tail end of the rant, so I'm not sure of the specifics.

 

[bankshot1]

I heard him discuss this earlier today and my initial take-away was that Fox was upset at him, and that CBS Radio told him to be quiet about the deteriorating situation with Fox or he would have legal problems with Fox.

 

[ifmanis5]

This is going to end badly. Legal trainwreck all over it.

 

[Average Reds]

This is going to end badly. Legal trainwreck all over it.

 
Unless Francesa has a clause prohibiting his rants written into his contract, what can Fox or CBS do to him?  (Hint:  nothing.)  Francesa is pissed about the simulcast.  And unless he's committing a breach of contract - which I highly doubt - he's going to increase his criticism until the deal is re-worked to his satisfaction.
 
I am not a fan of him as a broadcaster, but I admire Francesca's understanding of how to use the leverage his show to get what he wants and his fearlessness in pushing ahead in the face of empty corporate threats.
 
Go, Mike go.

 

[jacklamabe65]

Maybe Dog will hire him for his show.

 

[Granite Sox]

Maybe Dog will hire him for his show.

And maybe pair him with Stephen A.?

Heh

 

[dcmissle]

He has to be near the end of his rope between these problems, the Giants' mess and his beloved Jeter probably missing the postseason in his retirement year.

Rants coming.

 

[ifmanis5]

Mike decided not to show up for work today. It's coming to a head.
 
 
EDIT: The producer Tweeted that Mike needed to stay home as something suddenly came up.

 

[Average Reds]

Mike decided not to show up for work today. It's coming to a head.

 
If true - and I've seen no confirmation - that's not a very smart move.  Because refusing to work could give his employer legal cause to take action. 
 
I guess he's not as shrewd about this as I thought.
 
Edit:  your edit completely changes the dynamic and makes it likely that this is much ado about nothing.

 

[richgedman'sghost]

Mike decided not to show up for work today. It's coming to a head.
 
 
EDIT: The producer Tweeted that Mike needed to stay home as something suddenly came up.

I thought he had a home studio to broadcast from. Anyway if it's a situation involving his kids or something, then it's perfectly understandable that he's away.

 

[ifmanis5]

Now he's saying he will be in at 2pm. Can only imagine the arguments and conference calls that have just happened.

 

[johnmd20]

Mike decided not to show up for work today. It's coming to a head.
 
 
EDIT: The producer Tweeted that Mike needed to stay home as something suddenly came up.

 
The Brady Bunch excuse?

 

[ifmanis5]

 
The Brady Bunch excuse?

LOL that's what I said. He's also now dating George Glass.