Thanks for the info! As an intern (and I understand if you don’t feel comfortable taking about it) what were your opinions of the Opening Drive? I’ve always felt the on-air chemistry was lacking to put it nicely.

Tony was just too loud and obnoxious for a 6am show in my opinion, and the other two didn’t really like to play along with his shock jock style questions and gimmicks.

Jay, while he will always be valued by Bama fans for his play on the field, never seemed to have any insight into the program. You would expect the “Bama guy” as a show billed the way it was to have inside information or something, but he never brought anything to the table that everyday fans didn’t already know.

Del Greco, though he was the Auburn guy, was about the only one I cared to listen to on that show. He gave good insight into the areas you would expect him to: inner workings of the NFL from his time with the Player’s Association, a feel for things around the Auburn sporting programs, as well as good opinions on other sports he had knowledges of (golf, soccer, football special teams).

Sans Del Greco, I thought the show was a disaster, and am surprised it stayed on the airwaves as long as it did. Compare it with the Roundtable where all of those guys seem very professional and hardworking to bring an interesting program every day.

I’m curious what your opinion was on the inside?

1 ...

Report Post

Posted by CaptSpaulding

Member since Feb 2012

6548 posts

Posted on 3/2/18 at 1:00 pm to bodask42

quote:
I’m curious what your opinion was on the inside?

First and foremost, Al, Tony and Jay are all great guys. It was a great show to work on and I wish them all the best.

You are right in that Tony wasn't a sports guy, but he was a radio guy, and that's something that Jay and Al were not. Especially early on, he was the glue that held them together. Sure, he never played football, but he's an OG Birmingham radio veteran, and he was the only one who knew how to do a radio show. If you heard the show on a day when he wasn't there, sure, there were less lame jokes, but the show was definitely not as smooth.

The truth about Jay was that he just didn't need the show at all. He obviously doesn't have to worry about money, and the show was a pretty low priority for him. Al and Tony would be in the studio at 5 am recording spots and prepping for the show, and Jay would walk in every day at 5:55 am on the dot. He also wouldn't bat an eye at taking vacation on a big day like national signing day. But, like I said, he was a super cool guy. Not a diva at all, he just had his other priorities. He was also the golden goose in terms of ad sales. If you wanted him to read your spot, he was the most expensive at the station by a long shot. He also bought me breakfast almost every day.

Al was in a similar situation to Jay in terms of not needing the show, but the show was definitely a bigger priority for him. He worked really hard to make it as good as he could.

The OD was really a testament to how big of a deal Alabama and Auburn players can be in Birmingham. All of the flaws pointed out about the show are valid. But, they lasted 13 years going head to head with Rick and Bubba. That is no easy feat.

1 ...

Report Post

Alabama Sports Board - Replies to Post

Return To Board

Page 1

Return To Board