Comments on: Correcting Rick Reilly, Part 1: Rick should stop trying to be funny

By: John Paulsen

John Paulsen — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 16:32:00 +0000

Nick – The title of this post is “Rick should stop trying to be funny” not “Rick isn’t a good sportswriter.”

By: Nick

Nick — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 04:18:54 +0000

Rick Reilly is a great sportswriter. Just because, unlike the common reader, you take the time to analyze every little joke doesn’t mean the man writes poor articles. The comparison to Simmons is horrible. Simmons writes with comedic intent, while Reilly’s articles often work to get a strong point across or teach a life lesson through sports. Rick has written some articles in the past that very few, if any, sports writers could ever touch.

By: 94by50

94by50 — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 20:15:23 +0000

Simmons and Reilly are both much better when they treat their subject matter seriously. The “funny” pop-culture references feel forced as often as not.

By: thomas conroy

thomas conroy — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 21:31:54 +0000

You are either a fan or dislike Rick Reilly\’s writing style. I have never cared for his back page column but his articles and books on golf are very entertaining.

By: Joe Schackman

Joe Schackman — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:19:10 +0000

I read Reilly religiously when he was at SI. For a while he was my favorite writer but as I read more and more articles my feelings for him faded away. He tends to reuse jokes and tries too hard very often.

Since his move to ESPN I feel that his quality of writing has really dropped off. I have no idea whether that is a result of ESPN, laziness, or a heightened sense of awareness on my part as a reader. He does have some classics, however.

By: Jamey Codding

Jamey Codding — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:48:32 +0000

I’ll say this: when you throw as many similes and metaphors into a column as Reilly typically does, you’re bound to miss on a few of them. I’ve liked a lot of his stuff in the past, but he’s also elicited plenty of eye-rolls from me.

I definitely agree with Anthony — while he’s clearly a talented writer, he often comes across as lazy.

By: Anthony Stalter

Anthony Stalter — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:43:34 +0000

I have never liked Reilly’s work dating back to SI. He has built a following, I’ll give him that. But sometimes his stuff comes off as lazy for someone who is supposed to be one of the better present day, mainstream writers.

I don’t read Simmons stuff enough to get a full grasp on whether or not Reilly is trying to be him, but I’ve always felt Reilly is a poor man’s Jim Rome.