Dhani Jones not bad on Travel Channel, remains weak against run

Since I've actually sat there and watched it (twice, no less), I figure I should at least fire off a tiny post about the new "Dhani Tackles The Globe" show on the Travel Channel, starring former Philly LB Dhani Jones. 

I'll admit to having pretty low expectations for the show, mostly because I was pretty down on Dhani during his final season in Philly (and I never really felt the banjo thing).  Still, I'm generally cool with the Travel Channel (mostly Anthony Bourdain), and the premise of the show wasn't terrible: send NFL player on field trips to far-off lands and make him play sports when he gets there.  Sort of like "Wild On!" with fewer bikinis and more sports.

Anyhoo, I fired up the DVR a couple times now, and, well, it wasn't bad!  For the premier, they sent him to Thailand to train to be a Muay Thai fighter.  Dhani was pretty personable and was very game for his both the training sessions and the usual round of wacky encounters with local culture (that is, eating bugs from a street vendor, trip to the red-light district, you get it).  He handled it all pretty gracefully, and certainly didn't seem like he was forcing it or trying too hard in his solo moments on camera.

Also, I'll admit that I actually am intrigued to see how an NFL linebacker comports himself in other sports.  Are these guys really elite athletes, or are their skills too specialized (so as to not really be all that special)?  After two weeks, it's clear that NFL athletes are no joke (surprise, surprise).  While Dhani's Muay Thai opponent (a tubby little fellow) was a bit overmatched (I guess they couldn't find anyone else who was even close to Dhani's ~235 pounds), Jones had to deal with some big dudes in his Swiss wrestling encounters in Week Two.  Despite a relatively early exit from the tournament, he more than held his own.  Though it was kind of precious when one of the Swiss wrestler guys told Dhani over beers that the wrestling was different from the NFL because he would "feel [the wrestling] tomorrow."  Uh huh.  I'm sure NFL linebackers feel awesome most Monday mornings.   

Next week, Dhani rolls to England to try rugby.  I imagine he shouldn't be terrible at that.

Anyhoo, "Dhani Tackles The Globe" is definitely worth a look.  Travel Channel Mondays at 9.