Merrill Hoge gets relegated to Pigskin Detention this week for meritorious ignorance above and beyond the call of duty. In fact, with Hoge's credibility buried in the ash heap, we offer some career advice for a boy named Merrill: buy a skirt, take some dance lessons and apply for a job on the Pittsburgh sideline next year. You already own the black & gold pom-poms.
Hoge is a host on ESPN's NFL Match-Up and, of course, a former Pittsburgh running back. Hoge has always been a hopelessly blind Steelers cheerleader. Never was that more evident than it was last week.
Hoge was asked what Corey Dillon may mean to the New England offense in the AFC title game. Dillon, of course, did not play in New England's 34-20 loss to the Steelers on Halloween.
"Corey Dillon isn't a factor," Hoge said gleefully. "They're going to shut him down!"
Perhaps Hoge wasn't aware that Dillon averaged more yards per game (109.0) than any running back in football this year. Perhaps Hoge wasn't aware that Dillon was a much more effective runner (4.7 yards per carry) than Pittsburgh's beefy one-two combo of Duce Staley (4.3 yards per carry) and Jerome Bettis (3.8 yards per carry). Perhaps Hoge wasn't aware that New England was 15-2, the defending Super Bowl champs and had just shut down one of the highest scoring teams in the history of football.
Instead, he simply offered this so-called analysis: "(The Steelers) will physically beat up New England" and "Dillon isn't a factor." Not a shred of supporting evidence followed. Just his resolute belief that a running back who's arguably the best in football would not be a factor. There are airheaded 18-year-old silicone dolls on NFL sidelines who offer more insightful commentary each time they dance to Outkast.
It's one thing for a former player to root for the team he once played for. It's another thing let your cheerleading cloud the blinding reality of the Cold, Hard Football Facts.
