Sizzle and steak

There is an old expression – “more sizzle than steak,” or “all sizzle and no steak.” So where are we going with this?

I like steak more than sizzle.

A lot of other reporters seem to like more sizzle than steak.

This might come as a surprise to some people, but I think that Todd Bowles is better with the media than Rex Ryan.

The media up in Buffalo are pinching themselves. They love having Rex Ryan up there. He’s quite a departure from the staid Doug Marrone.

To them, Rex is filling up their notebooks, and is a pleasure to deal with.

He’s a 180 from Marrone in their collective eyes.

But you know what, while he’s entertaining to many in the media, I never felt he provided a lot of meat and potatoes.

Yes, there was a lot of sizzle, but to me, not a lot of steak.

To me, Bowles is terrific, provides a lot of steak.

My first extensive exposure to Bowles with the media was at the NFL Owner’s Meeting in Phoenix in March. It was at the media breakfast – each coach has their own table. When I played back the tape, I’m like “wow.” For what I need, this guy is great.

Whether it was on this website, or in the magazine, that media breakfast was the gift that kept on giving. Quote after usable quote. Pure football talk.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m still going to judge Bowles on how his team does, not press conferences, but I’m just trying to say, I like the steak he provides more than the sizzle the previous coach provided.

He had a quote that other day I thought was great.

He was asked about media favorite Matt Simms wanting to leave, and he said, “It’s football. I’m not saying he left or I left.”

Perhaps I’m overrated the quote, but I really dug it.

Basically Bowles was saying, “Matt Simms doesn’t make decisions around here, Mike and I do.”

I think the Jets left Simms. I told you guys last week he basically wasn’t getting reps, they were all going to the other four quarterbacks.

Honestly, I think they liked Jake Heaps better.

Rex would have likely done a rambling song and dance over a question like this.

Bowles cut to the chase, and I love that he said – “he left or I left.”

Powerful words.

Steak.

But the more important thing, and I’ve said this before, is how Bowles’ “steak” approach will benefit the players.

I forget which Presidential candidate had a bus tour called, “The Straight-Talk Express.”

Considering it was a politician, it probably wasn’t “straight talk,” but I’m bringing it up to make a point.

When Bowles talks to players, he’s blunt with them – tells them the truth.

That is what most guys want. They don’t want rhetoric. They just want to know where they stand.

So while so many reporters love Rex and his approach, I prefer Bowles.

I’m not there to be entertained. I’m there to get answers.

And he gives them.

June 5, 2015

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