I just want to make a quick blog post and express how much I've come to like Dan Ryckert. What a stellar pick from Jeff for a new hire. The #1 key thing about Dan is that he makes Jeff seem normal, which is important because Jeff often fills the roles Ryan used to fill now, and therefore Jeff needs to play the straight man more and tell fewer crazy stories. Dan isn't just old Jeff, though, he also covers for the loss of raw enthusiasm that Vinny brought to the podcast and other venues.

So far the rollercoaster video and Metal Gear Scanlon have been some of my favorite content, and I can't imagine they would have happened without Dan.

No one could ever replace Ryan, but thank you Giant Bomb for picking such a perfect addition to the cast. @danryckert, thanks for all of your efforts, and keep being you.

Has anyone read this book yet? Thoughts?

Remember when this was a controversial pick?

Anyone that knew Dan from GI could see it was the perfect choice. Jason is great to have onboard, too.

Dan is a AAA guy, but Jason is the sleeper hit no one saw coming. Him having his wife on Extra Life was alone worth hiring the guy.

Dan is truly the perfect addition, but I rekon Jason A. Striker is also an amazing pick.

He brings his own addition to the team, being the ever-knowing voice of God (especially on Metal Gear Scanlon), I wish he'd chime in more though.

He definitely brings an enthusiasm to the site that it's been missing. It's often a sort of blundering, naïve enthusiasm, but enthusiasm nonetheless.

Big shoes to fill following Ryan's passing, and I still miss Ryan's brand of pure exuberance when he thought a game was simply awesome, and his ability to totally blast a game that had just completely fucked something up.

I like Dan too, but he's a bit of a dum dum. Just wish he wouldn't talk so much about wrestling. B+ would hire again.