Sideline Reporting: Does it Add ANYthing to a Sports Broadcast? [POLL]

I was reading an article this morning about sideline reporter/super babe Erin Andrews leaving ESPN for Fox Sports and it got me to thinking, what's the point of a sideline reporter other than to state the obvious?

Announcer: "Let's go down to Erin Andrews for a sideline report"

Erin: "Guys, it's really hot down here so both of these teams are going to have to work overtime to keep their players hydrated today".

Announcer: "Wow. Where does she come up with this stuff??"

Now, don't get me wrong, it brings a smile to this old sports fans face anytime I see Erin Andrews on TV, but other than the visual aspect of a sideline reporter such as Andrews, I fail to see what they bring to a broadcast.

Would we really miss the hurried interview with the coach going into the locker room at halftime where they almost always state the obvious?

"Coach, what adjustments do you need to make at halftime to over come this deficit?"

"We've got to figure out a way to score as many points as we're behind right now plus one more in the second half Erin."

Brilliant...

If I was a big wig at ESPN or CBS I would have probably reconsidered the benefit of the sideline reporter years ago.  Sure, an extra set of eyes down there to help with getting injury reports (from the few teams that actually release injury information) or who can give some insider info they've gained being close to the team is a bonus, but that can be handled by someone who simply relays the info to the booth.

Go ahead and count me in the "they're useless" department, but what do you think?

From time to time though, you do get a pretty entertaining halftime interview. Like this one with John L. Smith at Michigan State.

Priceless...