Mannelly, Herron, Payton - apparently there was a focus group done where people expressed joy when the most vanilla and boring football takes were repeated daily....because, woof.
As mentioned, I'm sure any of the above would be ok to hang out/watch a game with, but as far as slapping "insider" or "expert" before their name and trotting them out on to the airwaves multiple times per week? Keep it.
Obviously a guy like Barkley is the unicorn, but I just don't understand why they don't go for more of the Olin-types out there ... settling for guys who take no strong opinions on anything is just so boring. I, by no means, want an ex jock who works himself into a Parkins-like lather just talking about the hot takes he has to get off but have an opinion. State it. Stick by it until proven wrong. Or at least be entertaining. Tuning into the station to hear Herron blather on about his big move to the suburbs while guesting as an expert on a show then flipping it on on a Saturday to catch him slinging his tapioca takes whilst talking about his big move to the suburbs......well, it's no gouda. While everyone recognized how concussed and repetitive Doug and OB would be post game, it was entertaining to listen to.....compare that to Mannelly talking about Duke or Ant (I know him like that) correcting someone about his title in the Arena league.