NFL on NFL Network

[Halifax_Pats_Fan]

Is it just me guys or does the commentary on Thursday Night football suck. I didn't realize until watching that commentary really does add to the TV experience...Brian G. is not great to listen to...

...my 2 cents...

 

[spacecrime]

Is it just me guys or does the commentary on Thursday Night football suck. I didn't realize until watching that commentary really does add to the TV experience...Brian G. is not great to listen to...

...my 2 cents...

I sent them an email about this. If enough people complain, maybe they will change announcers.

[email protected]

If you want to cut-and-paste cannibalize what I sent to save time, here is the text of what I wrote:

I have NFL Network, and I love it.

But I can't watch the games because the announcing is so terribly awful.

The first one was bad, tonight's was too painful to listen to.

This is different from the old MNF, when people loved to complain about Cosell. We all listened to everything he said. Gumbel is just plain bad, and makes us turn the sound off.

Just hire the worst CBS or FOX or even local announcers you can find. They would be an improvement. This is only partially a joke; Gumbel is that bad.

Collingsworth was a good analyst on pregame shows. I don't know why he turned sour, but maybe he isn't too bad. Anyone paired with Gumbel would look bad.

I still like All Access, love sounds of the game and Mike Pereira's spot. The combine coverage and draft coverage are first rate. Mike Mayock does a good job with the college players. he isn't Mel Kiper Jr, but I've come to associate him with NFL Nertwork and like him more and more. The interviews with coaches/GMs at combine were great.

For draft coverage, you matched ESPN last year and next year you will probably beat them out.

Game of the week was better before. We've all seen the games and heard the TV announcers. We are looking for sideline shots and clips of teams radio announcers calling the plays, and especially players and coaches talking on the sidelines. Not the Ray Lewis type posing for the camera, but real clips of O-line coaches, LB coaches, etc telling players how to adjust.

 

[Stokes]

I disagree, I enjoyed the coverage much more than most broadcast teams out there. Collinsworth was excellent I thought, and Gumbel wasn't too bad. Was I the only one that enjoyed those 2 last night? (I didn't see the first game thanksgiving night so I don't know how they did then).

 

[BelichickFan]

I like Collinsworth but Gumbel is beyond irrritating.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I like the overall tenor much better - less noise and no contrived announcer schtick. But Gumbel is annoying in his own way - I think it's just his superiority complex shining through the broadcast. He makes some mistakes in his play by play calling, like wrong downs or distance, but at least they stay relatively focused on the actual game - even to the extent of calling out formations. Colinsworth's delivery is naturally flat and dry and that's just accentuated when paired with Gumbel.

I find SNF and MNF much more annoying because they pay so little attention to the actual game on the field and devote too much on air time to opining about everything but. If you want the volume and excitement of the NFL experience as they market it on Sunday or Monday nights I guess you would consider this dull. I'm just watching for the actual football. And I think that's the fan base they figured this should play to. They aren't expecting to attract casual viewers to NFLN.

 

[Halifax_Pats_Fan]

I like the overall tenor much better - less noise and no contrived announcer schtick. But Gumbel is annoying in his own way - I think it's just his superiority complex shining through the broadcast. He makes some mistakes in his play by play calling, like wrong downs or distance, but at least they stay relatively focused on the actual game - even to the extent of calling out formations. Colinsworth's delivery is naturally flat and dry and that's just accentuated when paired with Gumbel.

I find SNF and MNF much more annoying because they pay so little attention to the actual game on the field and devote too much on air time to opining about everything but. If you want the volume and excitement of the NFL experience as they market it on Sunday or Monday nights I guess you would consider this dull. I'm just watching for the actual football. And I think that's the fan base they figured this should play to. They aren't expecting to attract casual viewers to NFLN.

yeah this is true. But is he a football guy?? I am not so sure. I mean neither is Tony, but the MNF crew needs one of those personalities in there.

Like for instance when Tenessee was driving with well over 8 minutes left he was suggesting that the only option left was to throw the ball, cause they virtually had no time....??? huh???

Also when the Bengals had the ball with like 4 minutes left he said that Baltimore should see a healty dose of the running game.....??? huh. In my eyes you want first downs here, 4 minutes is lots of time left, as was 8 minutes when Baltimore had the ball.

Dunno, I don't think he was a great choice for this position. I do think he has a superiority complex too...maybe we should send him over to do the olympics...

 

[denverpatsfan]

Gumbel was a bit too mellow for a play-by-play guy for my tastes. But surprisingly I enjoyed Collingsworth's color commentary. He is VERY dry, but after the first game I am used to it.

What made the game most enjoyable was the Raven's losing. Still some hope for the 2nd seed.

 

[DarrylS]

Watched part of the game last night, do not care for Bryant Gumbel, perhaps it is because he is out of character, but moreso than that he seemed to be talking about something he does not know a lot about. He seemed to be reaching for new and refreshing metaphors, while the old ones work pretty well. Collinsworth is OK, not too bad, not too good.. somewhere in the middle.

 

[groundgame]

I like Collinsworth but Gumbel is beyond irrritating.

I agree. Collingsworth would rate as at least a network #2 analyst, while the abysmal Gumbel has the NFL Network game calls sounding more like a local high school or small college game telecast. Ironically, his brother Greg, projects an upbeat, humble, and fun-loving personality that works, while B. Gumbel comes across as arrogant and boring.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

I like Collinsworth but Gumbel is beyond irrritating.

That is true. I thought it funny when Gumbel said "and the bengals turn it over on downs" when it was 3 and 9 and they had to punt.

but it's an extra game to watch.

 

[Michigan Dave]

NFLN coverage sucks. It reminds me of their NFL Europe coverage, which was poor at best. I don't like the camera, the graphics, and the commentary is horrible. I like Collinsworth a lot, but Gumbel is awful. I'm sure they'll make improvements, as this is only game 2, but yikes.

 

[BradyManny]

I find SNF and MNF much more annoying because they pay so little attention to the actual game on the field and devote too much on air time to opining about everything but.

Well put. MNF is practically unwatchable thanks to Kornheiser & the weekly guest star crap (which just absolutely drives me ntus). Is ESPN collectively on crack?

 

[njpatsfan]

Collinsworth was excellent I thought, and Gumbel wasn't too bad. Was I the only one that enjoyed those 2 last night? (I didn't see the first game thanksgiving night so I don't know how they did then).

I'm pretty sure it's just you. FSR and ESPN Radio shows have been ripping on Gumbel unmercifully. Not one caller that I heard said anything positive about him.

I for one, was ready to blow my brains out after the second time he called a punt on 4th down "turnover on downs". :violent:

R