PD - Media Notes: “Todd” Light and other opening night ESPN observations

[PatriotsDaily.com]

From tonight, another post:

Media Notes: “Todd” Light and other opening night ESPN observations

 

[jmt57]

Gruden & 'Todd' Light: blame the director

Though Gruden did indeed screw up - multiple times - with the first name of the Pats left tackle, my question would be: where is the person (not sure if it is the producer, director, or another title) that is supposed to be in his ear? Why did it take four mistakes before somebody off-screen told a novice to television announcing that he was getting the guy's name wrong that he is talking about?

Yeah, Gruden should have done his homework better, but the failing grade goes not to him but to the espn production crew for that mistake.

 

[mgteich]

I thought that they had prompters to help them

 

[GoodWill]

Oh man by the third time he said it I was cracking up. I thought that was just priceless. Then he finally corrected himself, and I almost wanted to stand up and applaud the man for finally getting it right.

I've always liked Gruden, and even though he renamed the team's left tackle I won't hold it against him for future broadcasts

 

[jmt57]

I thought that they had prompters to help them

Do they?

I dont' know for a fact one way or the other. I thought the teleprompters were more for guys reading the news in the studio and less about the announcers calling a game, but I could be wrong.

Hearing guys call play-by-play, I get the feeling they are almost strictly looking down at the field and not watching the screen - based on what is apparent on our TV screens but their comments don't catch that. And looking at the camera shots from the announcer's booth, I don't see any room for teleprompters, at least not where they could see them and also watch the game at the same time.

 

[NovaScotiaPatsFan]

every time I see Suzy Kolber I think "I Wanna Kiss You!" I guess I will until the day she retires.

Also, did anyone else notice, I can't remember when it was but the ESPN first down line had it first and 5 when it was first and 10 and then when our guy crossed it they said we had a first down even though it was really 2nd and 2?

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Re: PD - Media Notes: “Todd” Light and other opening night ESPN observations

every time I see Suzy Kolber I think "I Wanna Kiss You!" I guess I will until the day she retires.

Also, did anyone else notice, I can't remember when it was but the ESPN first down line had it first and 5 when it was first and 10 and then when our guy crossed it they said we had a first down even though it was really 2nd and 2?

Yeh, that hosed me up during my game breakdown.

 

[Jackson 2]

Anyone else catch Mike Ditka (Al Davis's senile cousin) call Jerod Mayo O.J. Mayo?

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Anyone else catch Mike Ditka (Al Davis's senile cousin) call Jerod Mayo O.J. Mayo?

LOL I did!!!

The problem is all these guys are coached to talk to much and talk fast like it's an internal competition and they're getting paid by the word.

As for Gruden, I can't blame him as our Pro Bowl smattered OL features a couple of split personalities and Matt and Todd are among 'em.

FWIW Bill admitted on WEEI that the OL had issues early on lest we fall into the trap of blaming it all on Tommy and Rusty (or Maroney and Glassman).

 

[patchick]

Re: Gruden & 'Todd' Light: blame the director

Though Gruden did indeed screw up - multiple times - with the first name of the Pats left tackle, my question would be: where is the person (not sure if it is the producer, director, or another title) that is supposed to be in his ear? Why did it take four mistakes before somebody off-screen told a novice to television announcing that he was getting the guy's name wrong that he is talking about?

Yeah, Gruden should have done his homework better, but the failing grade goes not to him but to the espn production crew for that mistake.

Agreed. Besides which, confusing the first name of a player is embarrassing but utterly trivial. Gruden knew who he was talking about, and what he was talking about. Compared to past MNL crews -- especially the ones with "comic relief" guys to distract you from all that boring "football" -- this group was pretty knowledgeable and shtick-free.

 

[Jackson 2]

LOL I did!!!

The problem is all these guys are coached to talk to much and talk fast like it's an internal competition and they're getting paid by the word.

As for Gruden, I can't blame him as our Pro Bowl smattered OL features a couple of split personalities and Matt and Todd are among 'em.

FWIW Bill admitted on WEEI that the OL had issues early on lest we fall into the trap of blaming it all on Tommy and Rusty (or Maroney and Glassman).

I know. Name gaffes like that don't really bother me, perhaps because I do it myself sometimes and I have the benefit of only being heard by myself or a couple of other people. Those guys have an audience of millions.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

Re: Gruden & 'Todd' Light: blame the director

Agreed. Besides which, confusing the first name of a player is embarrassing but utterly trivial. Gruden knew who he was talking about, and what he was talking about. Compared to past MNL crews -- especially the ones with "comic relief" guys to distract you from all that boring "football" -- this group was pretty knowledgeable and shtick-free.

I agree, Jaws and Chuckie are not professional broadcasters. They showed passion and actual analysis.

I would much rather listen to them than have kornholer talking about Brett Favre.

 

[TrueBeliever]

The problem is all these guys are coached to talk to much and talk fast like it's an internal competition and they're getting paid by the word.

I've noticed that on a lot of NFL-related shows - some guys insist on saying the full name of a team every time they talk about them, the Patriots are always the New England Patriots, the Bucs are always the Tampa Bay Bucanneers, or the NFL is always the National Football League.

But like someone else said, why did it take four references to "Todd" Light before a producer or someone told Gruden the right name? Course, we're talking about BSPN here, where accuracy isn't held in very high regard anyway.

 

[tedylb]

Dear Mr Dwight Gruden & ESPN,

I 'm a product endorsement agent, negotiating contracts for the following Patriots:

Coors Light
Colonel Sanders
Dave (Wendy's) Thomas
Phillip Morris
Bob Kraft's Mayo
Poland Springs

Please get ther names right in the future,

Sincerely,
Tedy (ice cold) Bruschi

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Correct me if I'm wrong but hasn't the Todd Light misnomer happen before in a nationally televised game? I could've sworn it has.

 

[primetime]

Correct me if I'm wrong but hasn't the Todd Light misnomer happen before in a nationally televised game? I could've sworn it has.

There was a cornerback who played for the Rams for like a decade named Todd Lyght, so this is probably where the name comes from. The commentators speak so fast that they see Light and think Todd. Honest mistake.