NFL chat thread

[Free For All]

I liked Madden despite his man crush on Farve.

"Bromance"

[Noj]

Madden and Sumerall were great together, but the past few years, Madden's shtick became a little too familiar and predictable. But definitely a broadcast legend and deservedly so.

I agree with all of your points.

I wonder if Aikman will replace him - or if Fox would let him go in the first place.

So much for that - looks like it's Chris Collinsworth.

Crap, tough to downgrade further than that.

[Quincy]

Crap, tough to downgrade further than that.

I was hoping they'd use this as a chance to toss Al Michaels and start anew. The tone of his voice is so grating.

[Aggie87]

Crap, tough to downgrade further than that.

I was hoping they'd use this as a chance to toss Al Michaels and start anew. The tone of his voice is so grating.

I think Michaels has the gig until he decides to retire.

I actually kind of like the Tirico/Jaworski/What's his name trio on ESPN's MNF these days.

[PHILLYQ]

I like watching football but almost all of the announcers I find very annoying. It seems like so many of them just open up the cliche book and read from it, and forget about the use of stats! Third down conversion rates are frequently cited, even though they have no correlation to winning, etc. Most of the time I shut the sound off and play music instead.

Why do networks pay so much money to announcers? Have you ever tuned into a game for the announcer?

[Noj]

I'd love to see all the sports broadcasts have the option of hearing the crowd and the PA announcer as if in attendance.

[T.D.]

I'd love to see all the sports broadcasts have the option of hearing the crowd and the PA announcer as if in attendance.

Me too.

But I think NBC tried it once (not an option, they just bagged the announcers) as an experiment, around 1980 iirc. The broadcast wasn't considered a success, so I doubt it'll be done again.

[PHILLYQ]

I'd love to see all the sports broadcasts have the option of hearing the crowd and the PA announcer as if in attendance.

Me too.

But I think NBC tried it once (not an option, they just bagged the announcers) as an experiment, around 1980 iirc. The broadcast wasn't considered a success, so I doubt it'll be done again.

My memory may be faulty here, but I seem to recall that the game was near the end of the season with two horrible teams and was dubbed the 'Toilet Bowl'

[Noj]

The more TV goes digital, the more it could simply be a "push of a button" sort of option. Say, they offer audio options. If you have a 7.1 surround sound audio system, there's an option for that. Same menu, a check box for the announcers. Un-check the box, and they're off.

[Quincy]

I'd love to see all the sports broadcasts have the option of hearing the crowd and the PA announcer as if in attendance.

Me too.

But I think NBC tried it once (not an option, they just bagged the announcers) as an experiment, around 1980 iirc. The broadcast wasn't considered a success, so I doubt it'll be done again.

I remember that game. They have a bit of problem in that they put more mics down on the field to give you the feel of the game, yet that means hearing what the players are saying. I recall at least one loud F bomb being broadcast.

[Aggie87]

The more TV goes digital, the more it could simply be a "push of a button" sort of option. Say, they offer audio options. If you have a 7.1 surround sound audio system, there's an option for that. Same menu, a check box for the announcers. Un-check the box, and they're off.

It would be nice if they could add the the various teams' radio announcers as alternate sound channels as well. Sometimes those guys are pretty good, since they have to work a little harder at describing what's going on for people that aren't actually watching.

[Soulstation1]

The dream team

Troy

Emmitt

The Player Maker

[Chalupa]

I always turn down the sound when the Eagles are playing and listen to the local radio broadcast by Merrill Reese. Merrill is such a homer he bleeds green. Anyway, It's usually a *little* out of synch(radio feed arrives before the action on tv) but it's better than listening to Joe Buck who I absolutely cannot stand. Why Fox makes him their number one guy for Football AND Baseball is beyond me.

[Aggie87]

it's better than listening to Joe Buck who I absolutely cannot stand. Why Fox makes him their number one guy for Football AND Baseball is beyond me.

He gazes a little too longingly or something at Aikman.

[connoisseur series500]

One of my favorite days in sports has arrived. NFL draft will commence in approx. 15 minutes. Here we go!

[Aggie87]

For the Lions' sake, I hope Stafford turns out to be a real player. That's alot of money (6 yrs, $72M) for a QB who's never played a snap in the NFL.

[T.D.]

Big trade up for the J-E-T-S to take Sanchez.

Al Davis makes another puzzling draft choice. JJ will have to work hard to match that one, Big Al.

[connoisseur series500]

Typical questionable pick for the Raiders.

Not convinced about the Viking's selection of Harvin. He has a load of character issues.

Mangina and the Browns have played this draft very well, trading down three times. Excellent moves--Belichick inspired.

Are the Pats ever going to pick a player? They keep trading it away. Sheesh!!

[T.D.]

Jints decline to trade for Braylon Edwards, select a WR in Round 1.

Maualuga drops to second round, snapped up by the Bungles.

[Chalupa]

Jints decline to trade for Braylon Edwards, select a WR in Round 1.

Maualuga drops to second round, snapped up by the Bungles.

I thought the Pats would take Maualuga. Hell, I thought he'd go somewhere in the early to mid first round. I can't believe he dropped as far as he did.

Love the Eagles' first two picks.

Cowboys have no picks in the first 2 rounds?????

[papsrus]

These USC players ... I don't know if they're overrated, but they sure seem over-hyped. And with Keyshawn on ESPN slobbering all over these guys, it's all a bit much. He's talking about how Sanchez is a "perfect fit" in New York and could step right in and play this fall. ... Really?

Sanchez may be a great player, but with 16 games under his belt, he's not exactly polished. Stafford and Freeman both look more advanced, IMO. Both faced tougher relative competition -- Freeman because he was on a weak team in a tougher conference, Stafford because he started for three years in the SEC.

The only Pac 10 player taken in the first round who was not from usc was Cal's Alex Mack, C, at No. 21.

... or maybe I'm just grumpy ...

[papsrus]

And Al Michaels is over-rated, IMO ... The guy's claim to fame are five words he uttered about three decades ago. Madden-Summerall were the best. But Madden became something of a caricature of himself in later years. Still dug his broadcasts though. But the whole horse trailer thing? Contrived and silly. Cosell-Meredith were great. Entertaining and insightful, I thought. Enberg-whomever kind of puts me to sleep (maybe cause it seems like he's always the 4 p.m. game).

[Soulstation1]

Browns drafted at least 2 future Hall Of Famers this year

[Noj]

Raiders need d-line and o-line and linebackers, so of course they drafted a wide receiver (not Crabtree, who was available) and a safety. Kill me.

[Soulstation1]

Good news for Faiders

They play the Chargers in their first game