Reporters are many things. Many are great at getting to the heart of a story and pulling out the information that the fans and public need to know. They are dogged about the truth. They love what they do despite being too often terribly underpaid [Author’s note: ahem], monumentally overworked, tremendously under-appreciated, and, yes, many of them are a bit too full of themselves [Editor’s note: ahem].
It is important to remember reporters are not all alike. There is an entity known as the media, but the media itself is made up of many different individuals who are as different as the people they cover. An example, sports reporters more times than not aren't the best dressers. That is usually true, but we all know certain exceptions.
One thing is for certain: They all love to take pictures of new things and the Washington Commanders' new black helmets provided them with a great opportunity to show off their skills. And so, here is THE definitive ranking of the photographs of the new black helmets by the reporters on the Commanders beat.
Updated to include two additional entries.
No. 8: Ben Standig – The Athletic
Taken after the helmets were stationed on the sideline we have an entry that really is unclear. If it was an Instagram story the filter would be 'artsy' to some, but this is not what we're looking for. Despite getting a shot of the front, the sun flare is distracting.
No. 7 Mathew Paras – The Washington Times
The exposure kills what is truly a fantastic action shot, which slightly gives Paras the edge over Standig, but these two non-still life entries are far behind their peers. The foreground and background give both sides of the helmet, but the details of the helmet. are lost in the colors. A brave attempt that sadly falls short.
No. 6: Sam Fortier – The Washington Post
Points off for trying to be too cool for school by 'not taking a helmet picture, but also taking a helmet picture.' We know what's going on here.
No. 5: Pete Hailey – NBC Sports Washington
The co-subject of the previous entry on our list gets dinged because of his shadow appearing in the bottom left corner and the perspective of the picture. Much too high here.
No. 4: Michael Phillips – The Richmond Times-Dispatch
The decision to include the backdrop, a quite resplendent one at that, earned Phillips several bonus points in our rigorous scoring scale. However, the main subject is relegated to the bottom. Great potential, but a needs improvement grading.
No. 3: John Keim – ESPN
Where Hailey failed, Keim succeeded. Veteran experience. Truly getting a good look at those helmets now. Clearly, this is not his first rodeo.
No. 2: Nicki Jhabvala – The Washington Post
This was a very close call with the No. 1 spot. The key to the near-perfect shot: the inclusion of a lovely football background and the skill in getting the low-angle shot. Wonderful work, indicative of a reporter willing to get into the nitty-gritty of their beat. The black helmet's contrast with the red here is also a nice touch. But, sadly, it fell just short of the top spot. (Latter taking a second shot of the front of the helmet was also great work.)
No. 1: JP Finlay – 106.7 The Fan/NBC Sports Washington
Lovely. Just lovely work here. And the main reason Finlay has taken top honors from Jhabvala, both done from the correct low-angle, is the more complete view of the helmet's back. The details of the D.C. flag-inspired motif, the white gloves contrast the beautiful blue sky, and that red line we liked so much before are expert touches. The goalposts and blocking sled in the distance screams football.
Follow @Team980 for more news and @BenKrimmel for more general nonsensical takes.
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