Paul Finebaum Has Strong Take on Jimbo Fisher vs. Bobby Petrino Play-Calling Questions

The ever-opinionated Paul Finebaum has a strong opinion for the Texas A&M Aggies' perceived play-calling 'controversy'

For the Texas A&M Aggies, the perceived 'controversy' on whether Bobby Petrino or Jimbo Fisher should take the reigns of the offensive playcalling is likely an overblown conversation. 

Nevertheless, since the hiring of Petrino, it has been the first question on everyone's mind when asked about the Aggies' outlook next fall.

With that said, Jimbo Fisher hasn't exactly helped quell the controversy either, responding in his own flippant kind of way when asked about the dynamic between the two.

“We’ll go through that as we go," Fisher said. "I plan on him making calls. I plan on him calling plays. I don’t have a problem with that at all.”

After Jimbo made headlines with that response, many have attempted to dissect his actual feelings behind the statement.

And in a recent interview with WJOX 94.5 FM in Birmingham, AL, ESPN's own outspoken Jimbo critic, Paul Finebaum, was the next to give his thoughts. 

Only this time, in a surprising turn of events, Finebaum was actually team-Jimbo, defending the coach's statement and his decision to bring on Petrino in the first place. 

“You cannot judge Jimbo Fisher by the way he articulates his press conferences,” Finebaum said. “… I think what he’s done with Bobby Petrino will work. I think it will be difficult for Jimbo between now and maybe the season to work through it. But those are workable problems. He knows how good Petrino is. It will be difficult for him, and you saw that. But I’d much rather him make a mistake in late March than November. This A&M team is good enough to overcome bad press conferences. Last year, they weren’t, but that was a confluence of a lot of bad things going on. But write your columns and write your tweets. In the end, I don’t think it will make one bit of a difference.”

It remains to be seen whether or not the Fisher/Petrino dynamic will ultimately work out. 

But if history is any indication, Petrino's offenses - whether he ultimately calls the plays or not - usually put up some pretty good numbers. 

Either way, 2023 should at the very least be an entertaining one for the Aggies. 

You can follow Matt Galatzan on Twitter @MattGalatzan

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