They are the analysts. The experts. They are paid to give their educated opinions.

But should we listen?

Maybe it’s okay to listen and accept the comments to the game you are watching, but too many times people watching the college football and basketball games listen to the analysts who tell them what the teams and coaches should be doing instead of what is currently happening and want to relate it to their own experiences.

Commentary is easy to do sitting on the sidelines when you have all the time in the world to make a decision. It’s always easy to second guess.

Viewers and fans should remember that there are coaches on both sides of the field or ends of the court. One team can make a move and the other coach will counter it. Just because you make a move doesn’t mean it’s going to work.

The biggest problem listening to color commentators is applying their knowledge to the lower levels such as high school, middle school or elementary teams.

Televised games deal with the most elite athletes. It is a lot easier to implement different offenses and defenses, set up game plans or make adjustments with better players.

At the lower levels coaches are limited to the talent at hand. It’s easy to say, “They need to throw the ball more,” but if you don’t have the personnel to throw, block or catch you only put yourself in a tougher situation.

The biggest thing in sports — especially football and basketball — is match-ups. Some teams just don’t match up well with one team but not another. Often you see team A beat team B and lose to team C. Team B then beats team C. It all comes back to match-ups or even depth.

Of course, fans have to decide which analysts have more credibility.

Take for instance John Madden. He knew the game and did a good job when he first left a successful coaching career to take a job in the broadcast booth. But he began to coast the last few years and tried to use very obvious comments and dress them up with enthusiasm in his voice and a visual graphic board.

Most analysts are smart and knowledgeable and they have valid points. But always remember how it applies to the talent level.

——— Sinatra ———

Jim Walker is sports editor of The Ironton Tribune.