By David Scott
Boston Sports Media Watch

Former Patriot Ted Johnson worked just one season for CBS4 in Boston, but apparently, the contract keeps on giving to the ex-linebacker.

In a heavily-teased interview with Johnson and his wife, Jacqueline, on “Sports Final,” Babbling Bob Lobel gave the couple what amounted to a lengthy infomercial they hoped would clear their name from the “perfect storm” mess that apparently boiled over last week.

Lobel completely softballed the sit-down (which can be seen here) and allowed the couple to lamely attempt to defend BOTH of their arrests on assault. Only briefly did an on-screen graphic refer to the alarming police report and Lobel then asked: “There were some serious charges this week. That police report had some serious details. How did that all come about?”

Jacqueline Johnson could only offer that she wanted “to take it back.”

The interview was clearly a case of Lobel using his prior relationship with Johnson (through last year’s mostly unimpressive TV stint by No. 52) to try and boost viewership and buzz for CBS4’s weekly Sunday night show. While the ploy probably worked, the viewing audience was given nothing but fluff and excuses from a couple that could have used some serious PR training prior to the sit-down. A simple coaching session on talking points and message delivery would have done wonders. Instead, they stammered and double-talked almost as much as Lobel.

Fortunately for the couple, Lobel had no intentions of asking the questions that needed to be answered, such as:

1. There is reference in the Associated Press story, to the argument, at least partially, being over prescription drugs. Shouldn’t Lobel have sought clarification on that?

2. A follow-up on Saturday by the MetroWest’s Michael Wyner unearthed this quote from Johnson from The Wellesley Weston Magazine: “I’ve always said we’re two storms that come together to make the perfect storm,” (Ted) Johnson (said). Lobel would have been well within his right to ask for some explanation of that statement.

3. BOTH parties were arrested, which gave the story some of its oddness, and thus its “appeal” for local media. Lobel should have probed more on this aspect to delve into the uniqueness of what could be construed as co-spousal abuse.

Beyond all of that (and more), Lobel ended the piece from the studio with a meandering, babbling public service announcement about the “moral of the story” and urging viewers to make a call if they feel threatened.

Do you think that includes those of us who are threatened by sugar-coated interviews done solely for the purpose of trying to save face for the host’s friend, who’s an ex-athlete, and his wife, family and future earnings/marketability?

What number do we call to complain about that, Bob?

. . The “Johnson Exclusive” once again bumped an interview Lobel had with author Seth Mnookin and gave only abbreviated time (thankfully) to Steve DeAwful DeOssie (with a new ‘do and fiercer look) and the ever-steady and succinct Tom Curran for some Patriots on-field talk. There was also a segment where Lobel threw Coco Crisp under the bus with the help of Tony Mazz.

David Scott writes from a seaside shanty on the shores of Hull, Mass. And can be reached at shotsATbostonsportsmedDOTcom