NFL Network analyst Kurt Warner recently took to social media to question how a number of so-called “experts” manage to watch film on every game around the NFL on any given Sunday. And now, we specifically know who he was talking about.
In a post on X on Monday afternoon, Warner expressed that he had been “grinding” tape from the Week 2 set of games that took place last Sunday and still hadn’t been able to get through every game, questioning how others do so with a quicker turnaround to talk about the games on-air.
“I have been grinding tape since 8pm last night & I have gotten through 10 games,” wrote Warner on X. “How do all these ppl talk about these players & teams on a Monday as if they have watched the games & really can evaluate them??? Can you guys share your routine so I can see if it’s more efficient?”
I have been grinding tape since 8pm last night & I have gotten through 10 games – how do all these ppl talk about these players & teams on a Monday as if they have watched the games & really can evaluate them??? Can you guys share your routine so I can see if it’s more efficient?
— Kurt Warner (@kurt13warner) September 16, 2024
It’s a fair question considering hosts such as Mike Greenberg, Stephen A. Smith, and Shannon Sharpe among many others come prepared to discuss games each Monday morning after NFL action concludes on Sunday night.
Warner’s tweet led to a funny response from former NFL quarterback turned Thursday Night Football studio analyst Ryan Fitzpatrick, who recommended a “healthy dose of RedZone and Stephen A. Smith” as film study.
I would recommend a healthy dose of Redzone and Stephen A.
Anything more than this and you’re wasting your time Kurt.
— Ryan Fitzpatrick (@FitzMagic_14) September 16, 2024
On Sunday, Warner again posed a similar question in response to Fitzpatrick’s tweet, this time around referencing Stephen A. Smith and NFL RedZone host Scott Hanson and asking them about their preparation.
“I love Scott (Hanson), I love Stephen A. (Smith), but that is not gonna be my routine,” said Warner on NFL Network’s NFL GameDay Morning. “I’m just curious how they do it! How they watch all these games? I didn’t say they didn’t watch any film. I’m just asking them how they watch ALL the film by Monday morning.”
“I love Scott (Hanson), I love Stephen A. (Smith), but that is not gonna be my routine… I’m just curious how they do it! How they watch all these games!… I didn’t say they didn’t watch any film. I’m just asking them how they watch ALL the film by Monday morning.” 🏈📺🎙️😂 https://t.co/yXCeJSPXxY pic.twitter.com/D6M2IlO0MP
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 22, 2024
On paper, you would imagine that Hanson’s preparation for RedZone is certainly a little bit different than what Smith’s has to be for First Take.
Hanson also inherently does catch significant portions of every game just by working RedZone, so you could argue that he inherently has a leg-up in his preparation as is.
As for Stephen A, chances are he doesn’t get to every NFL game before First Take airs on Monday. But he also isn’t really asked to do that, more so just being informed on the biggest stories that arise each weekend in the NFL.
As a sports debate show figurehead, Smith’s job is far different from Hanson’s or even Warner’s. You don’t have to be an expert to be entertaining, which Smith proves on each Monday show of the NFL season.
