I'm sure that just about all of us have recognized how much xxx Golf Channel "borrows" from ESPN.  Golf Channel versions of ESPN's Pardon the Interruption (PTI), Outside the Lines, and The Sports Reporters are more than a little obvious copies....even to a casual viewer.

Just on the surface, one might wonder how a Golf Channel copy of some fairly successful shows would be a bad thing, but I'm going to give it a go.

Over the years, ESPN talking heads have gotten more and more negative in the way they view the players, teams, and games they cover.  The positive view of sports has been taken over by a superior attitude that prefers to point a finger of blame when a team loses or a player makes a mistake.  Plays are broken down as if they occur in a vacuum, or the entire game is in the balance during this one play.  Nothing is ever good enough - and no team should ever lose.

It's bad enough that the guys who never played the games take this attitude, but over the years, the guys who actually did strap on the gear have gotten the same way...sort of like golf's own Johnny Miller.

I don't mind seeing a play broken down to point out how or where things went wrong, but the attitude of so many takling heads comes across that the player did it on purpose. (sort of like Brandel Chamblee's determination that there was "no reason for" Ernie Els' pull hook into the water at 15.  Gee Brandel - are you SURE he didn't just feel like dunking his ball in the lake ?)

The arrogance and negativity from these "experts" drives me nuts...and xxx Golf Channel has follwed ESPN like a puppy.

Enough of those guys - I'm thinking there is a better role model for xxx Golf Channel to follow...since it seems that they aren't interested in taking the lead on anything.  They're already going back to the John Daly "reality" show well.

The better example in sports broadcasting, in my opinion, is the MLB Network.  That's right - the baseball network.  If you haven't tuned in, these guys have gone out to find a handful of former players and put them on shows with upbeat media types who actuall ENJOY the game.

I know - it's a groundbreaking idea, isn't it.

Tune in some night.  You'll find positive discussion on teams and players from the eyes of players.  What is good - what is lacking - what are they working on - can they get better - can they contend...and on and on and on.  Add to that some great demonstrations on how the game is played, and drills that the pros work on.   Names like Sean Casey, Barry Larkin, Al Leiter, Harold Reynolds, Jim Kaat all chime in.  Then they add the journalist - Bob Costas, Tom Verducci, Peter Gammons....  They add up to fast paced, exciting, excited, and yes, FUN conversation on the game of baseball.

You can't tell me that xxx Golf Channel can't get rid of some of their dead weight and find some former players, or maybe a caddy, who are excited to talk about golf, but don't sound like they are a high school freshman asking out his first date.  I like Frank Nobilo, but his delivery is more of a lullaby than a wake-up call.  Put the Steve Sands and Todd Lewis in as anchors, since they decided that their best host, Vince Cellini, wasn't worth keeping around.  Add Michal Breed, tell him he doesn't have to yell all the time, but if you need a caffeine boost, he's your man.  Keep Faldo on speed dial - give the man a chance to pick up the pace a little - we've seen him do it. 

Lose the Tilghman's and Walkers and Feinstein's, and Micellii's and definitely Hawkins'.  You don't even need RIch Lerner...which sort of goes without saying.

Get active players on....spice it up and have their caddy with them.  Do some demonstrations of what went right or wrong on some shots - show how the pros do it on the course and in practice.  Show us that the players really AREN'T a bunch of psychobabble trained autobots who don't enjoy the game anymore.  Laugh a little - it won't kill you. 

There has to be a better way than these incredibly boring and negative shows we see day in and day out.  Come on guys - MLB network is on Comcast - I know you can find it on your box...it's even in HD !