Crossword Genius

Eccentric newspaper hack everyone follows about (3-3-4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

off-the-wall

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'eccentric' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'newspaper hack everyone follows about' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'newspaper' could be 'ft' (Financial Times newspaper) and 'ft' is found within the answer.
'hack' could be 'hew' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'hew' is located in the answer.
'everyone' could be 'all' (all people) and 'all' is located in the answer.
'about' could be 'of' and 'of' is found in the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for off-the-wall that I've seen before include "like a newly escaped convict?" , "Conspicuously or grossly unconventional" , "Original" .)

Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app