Emmanuel Acho Calls Out Pat McAfee For Going “Too Hard” on Dan Orlovsky Over Fernando Mendoza Snub

Emmanuel Acho does not agree with Dan Orlovsky's assessment about Ty Simpson, but he still respects Orlovsky's skills as an analyst.

Emmanuel Acho Calls Out Pat McAfee For Going “Too Hard” on Dan Orlovsky Over Fernando Mendoza Snub

Pat McAfee, Dan Olrovsky and Emmanuel Acho inside the circle (Image via IMAGO/X)

A new player has entered the feud between Dan Orlovsky and Pat McAfee. Emmanuel Acho, who worked for ESPN in his early days as an NFL expert, weighed in on the debacle between McAfee and Orlovsky that has every football fan glued to social media.

Even though Acho refrained from taking anyone’s side, he argued that McAfee’s treatment of Orlovsky appeared harsh to him. From his perspective, the retired NFL quarterback is among the hardest-working analysts on television.

On Wednesday’s episode of Speakeasy, Acho delved into the feud sparked by Orlovsky choosing Alabama’s Ty Simpson over Heisman Trophy winner and projected number-one overall draft pick Fernandoz Mendoza as the superior quarterback.

Dan [Orlovsky] gave a take based on a tape… I don’t agree with the tape, and I don’t agree with the tape, not because the tape was wrong, [but] because the tape is not the only qualification of which makes a great quarterback a great quarterback… So, I disagree with Dan’s take but everybody jumping out there and saying ‘Dan is promoting Ty Simpson because of their agency affiliation [both being in CAA], or promoting Ty Simpson just to think differently… No. Dan looks at the tape and prefers this over that.

Emmanuel Acho said

Emmanuel Acho thinks Pat McAfee was a bit too harsh on Dan Orlovsky for backing Ty Simpson over Fernando Mendoza

Earlier this week on Get Up, Orlovsky suggested that Simpson is better suited to be an NFL quarterback as compared to Mendoza, who recently won the CFP final with Indiana.

Simpson is more consistent in that regard. There’s not a ton of moments of panic from Fernando Mendoza, and then there’s moments where he immediately drops his eyes and becomes a runner.

Orlovsky said
Emmanuel Acho Calls Out Pat McAfee For Going Too Hard on Dan Orlovsky Over Fernando Mendoza Snub
Emmanuel Acho (Image via IMAGO)

Fans on Twitter accused the former Detroit QB of showing favoritism in promoting Simpson, as they are both represented by the CAA talent agency. McAfee hosted his colleague Orlovsky on his show and pointed out the flaw in his assessment of the two quarterbacks.

So the college football playoffs are a big marketing scam, doesn’t mean anything, these games just don’t matter? What do you mean, what are the biggest games?… You’re talking about traits.

McAfee said

When Dan failed to provide a convincing response, McAfee promptly confronted him.

This is why people say you are getting paid to do this.

McAfee retorted

Orlovsky tweeted in an attempt to garner sympathy from his followers, but it was ultimately too little, too late. McAfee took notice and launched a fresh attack.

I kinda hate how he does stuff and then plays victim. I don’t like how that happens…. But on that note, we love Danno.

McAfee said

Acho argued that McAfee seemed a bit too hard on Orlovsky. Then again, he did not appreciate the e-Colts punter playing the devil’s advocate.

I think [Pat] McAfee went too hard on Dan [Orlovsky]… And also, don’t hit me with this disingenuous ‘We love you Danno… I mean, I hate how you play the victim, but we love you.’ Don’t do that. I think Dan is one of, if not the hardest working, analysts in the game. So, it is hard for me to know somebody’s looking at the tape and then all of a sudden undermine what they deduced based on the tape they see.

Acho concluded

Clearly, both sides have reached a stalemate. However, Acho should focus on resolving his ongoing conflict with Leonard Fournette before involving himself in someone else’s affairs. Acho is known for sharing views on football that divide the internet. Piggybacking on that fact, Fournette raised questions about Acho’s credibility as an analyst, considering he retired after just two years of NFL football.

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