OT: Gil and Gino as announcers

[Seacoast Fan]

There is a thread about Dan Dierdorf and it made me think about Gil and Gino as the Pats announcers. I have been listening to them, off and on, throughout the years, and these last couple of years I have been traveling more for work and therefore have been "forced" to listen to them more in order to catch the Pats. While I respect what they have done in the past, I think its time for them to hang it up. Gil flubs alot of calls, and if he gets around to identifying the Pats receiver who caught the ball before the play is over it's a miracle. Gino reminds me now of John Pierson who used to call the Bruins games ages ago...he states only the obvious and he is forever getting himself into the middle of sentences with no clear way out. Zolak puts them both to shame with his game observations. It may be borderline heresy but I think it's time for new announcers.
I would be interested in hearing what others think.

 

[hyperpat]

I think Gil still does a pretty good job. But the time has come for Gino, God bless 'im, to hang up his headphones. I don't think he adds much of anything to the broadcast at this point.

 

[shmessy]

There is a thread about Dan Dierdorf and it made me think about Gil and Gino as the Pats announcers. I have been listening to them, off and on, throughout the years, and these last couple of years I have been traveling more for work and therefore have been "forced" to listen to them more in order to catch the Pats. While I respect what they have done in the past, I think its time for them to hang it up. Gil flubs alot of calls, and if he gets around to identifying the Pats receiver who caught the ball before the play is over it's a miracle. Gino reminds me now of John Pierson who used to call the Bruins games ages ago...he states only the obvious and he is forever getting himself into the middle of sentences with no clear way out. Zolak puts them both to shame with his game observations. It may be borderline heresy but I think it's time for new announcers.
I would be interested in hearing what others think.

Gil definitely has slipped on the player identification part, no doubt.

However, I challege you to find a better radio football play by play guy. Maybe Ian Eagle, but I've heard hundreds and Gil beats them all.

Try being locked down here in the DC area and listening to Skins games with the Sonny, Sam and Larry Nursing Home. You'll have a new appreciation for Gil and Gino.

 

[Tricorn Hat]

I still turn down the TV though it's clear Gil is guessing as to who made the tackle and, increasingly, who made the catch or carried the ball. Maybe he could wait til someone tells him. Gino steps further into the bog with each additional sentence. But I still think they're good analysts. Zolak has been a great addition. I shudder to think of Tanguay or Gresh doing the game. I just can't take the "Yeah, they scored 40 points, but ...". Pete Brock and Tim Fox used to do a fine job pre and post game. Just want somebody reasonable, and no Glenn Geffner brown-nosers either. How bout Sean McDonough and Jerry Trupiano?

 

[letekro]

Haven't listened to these guys for a decade, but Gino was doddering back then. I can't imagine what he must be up to these days.

 

[Rusty Coupe]

I listened to the Giants game last night, Patriots fans are still in good hands with Gil, Geno, and Zo.

Geno may have lost a little off his fastball, but at least he used to have one. Carl Banks and Irv Cross were never good, and aren't getting better.

 

[Snake Eyes]

There is a thread about Dan Dierdorf and it made me think about Gil and Gino as the Pats announcers. I have been listening to them, off and on, throughout the years, and these last couple of years I have been traveling more for work and therefore have been "forced" to listen to them more in order to catch the Pats. While I respect what they have done in the past, I think its time for them to hang it up. Gil flubs alot of calls, and if he gets around to identifying the Pats receiver who caught the ball before the play is over it's a miracle. Gino reminds me now of John Pierson who used to call the Bruins games ages ago...he states only the obvious and he is forever getting himself into the middle of sentences with no clear way out. Zolak puts them both to shame with his game observations. It may be borderline heresy but I think it's time for new announcers.
I would be interested in hearing what others think.

I'd murder for Gil and Gino as the TV announcers, my first choice for a murder victim is Phil Simms

 

[Seacoast Fan]

Gil definitely has slipped on the player identification part, no doubt.
However, I challege you to find a better radio football play by play guy. Maybe Ian Eagle, but I've heard hundreds and Gil beats them all.

Try being locked down here in the DC area and listening to Skins games with the Sonny, Sam and Larry Nursing Home. You'll have a new appreciation for Gil and Gino.

When Gronk had that long TD reception a couple of games ago, where he ran the ball for 65 yds or whatever, I was listening to Gil yell, "he's at the 45, the 40, the 35", etc" and I'm driving down the road yelling at the radio... "Who is at the 45, who is at the 35...?"

I can't compare radio play by play guys very well because Gil is the only one I have ever listened to for any number of games, but if he's the best out there, at this time, well, that is pretty bad.

 

[mgcolby]

They are terrible. I can respect the nostalgia associated with them, but I have only listened to them a few times, mostly pre-season games not on tv. I had to listen to them on Sunday and it was beyond frustrating to hear "and the Patriot player on the catch, good for a first down". How in the world do you not know what Patriot player made the first down? Or the constant "Ridley on the carry"....."no sorry that was Vereen"..."Welker on the punt return"..."no sorry that was Edelmen".

They have great radio voices but are horrible at describing the action. The guy that does the westwood 1 broadcast is very good, can't remember his name. But the guy does TV on Sunday's and then radio on Monday night and he describes every play to a T and doesn't screw up the names of the players....unlike the guys that only have to announce one game a week.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I think they are working Zolak in as Geno's replacement. Zo finally seems to be maturing at color commentary least when seperated from Gresh and the other frat boys at 98.5 and PFW... Gil's pipes are still worth the occasional gaffs. It's obvious some of you have listened to all too few alternate broadcasts, including on local television let alone radio. Those are really scary bad... Even the two clowns who do our preseason games are mindnumbing...

 

[E1Downey]

There have been times where I have heard other play by play nnouncers and found them to be so corny I couldn't take it. Plus Gil has that unique voice, and I couldn't imagine hearing anyone els do it. To me it's worth waiting an extra second or two, to hear who made the play. Gino on the other hand.....I wouldn't mind seeing, well hearing, Zo replace him.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I'm for Zo replacing Gino but if Gil is replaced by that Meat Parallel guy from the D&C show I'm considering becoming a Jets fan.

 

[wistahpatsfan]

I'm nostalgic about Gil. I was stuck without a TV at a hunting camp for the "Squish the Fish" AFC title game in 85. (I don't think Gino was with him yet- not sure) We had a small transistor radio and listened in the cabin to the entire game, drinking beer and eating venison stew. When Julius Adams recovered the fumble at the end, sh!t went flying everywhere. A Giants fan who was with us converted that day. Best game I ever saw or listened to. We all got into it so much, it was like we were seeing the game. I still listen when I have to and have no problem with them. Sure they screw up stuff. The eyes and mind aren't what they used to be, but so what? Happens to the best of us.

 

[grandpajim]

I love these guys for the nostalgia, feels like taking my mothers drivers licnese
away, but I watch games with my left thumb on the TV mute and right on the radio volume for reasons others have said. I suspect Zoe will be in Geno's seat next season. What about Dale Arnold?

 

[jmt57]

I feel that most all networks are far too reluctant to make a change of announcers and retain them well after the point when they should have been replaced.

Forgetting about Gil and Gino for a moment, look at college football on CBS with 70-something year old Verne Lundquist. There was a game earlier this year that was just a pathetic embarrassment to listen to, with either lack of information or incorrect information.

The last few years of the announcing careers of John Madden, Frank Gifford, Howard Cosell were abysmal, and baseball should have found a replacement for Tim McCarver at least a decade ago. Dan Dierdorf, as pointed out in another thread, is another example of an announcer that has been retained well past his expiration date.

It is not as if there is any lack of more competent announcers to take their places, but the networks seem reluctant to making any change until it becomes apparent any negative backlash to their move will be minimal due to the declining skills of those involved.

If anything far more people are going to mute a game due to the old-timers than there are that won't tune in to to hear somebody they are not familiar with. On top of that the new guy is going to command a lower salary, which I would think would appeal to the networks. Their lack of willingness to make a change is an overly conservative 'play not to lose' mentality that stifles excellence and rewards mediocrity.

 

[Patsrock]

I'm nostalgic about Gil. I was stuck without a TV at a hunting camp for the "Squish the Fish" AFC title game in 85. (I don't think Gino was with him yet- not sure) We had a small transistor radio and listened in the cabin to the entire game, drinking beer and eating venison stew. When Julius Adams recovered the fumble at the end, sh!t went flying everywhere. A Giants fan who was with us converted that day. Best game I ever saw or listened to. We all got into it so much, it was like we were seeing the game. I still listen when I have to and have no problem with them. Sure they screw up stuff. The eyes and mind aren't what they used to be, but so what? Happens to the best of us.

Actually in 1985 it was not Gil Santos. He didn't do any Pats games on radio between 1980-1990. That was John Carlson and Jon Morris. Gil came back in 1991 when the games went back to WBZ.

 

[midpack]

I always like to listen to Gil and Geno... caught the end of the Iggles game on the way back from Albany last Sunday. I had no problems following the action.

Apparently NY radio don't cover Pats, missed most of the game...

 

[BradfordPatsFan]

If you have a verizon phone, download the NFL app. You can listen (for free) to any team's broadcast. Bounce around some Sunday afternoon from game to game and you will have a new appreciation for Gil and Gino.

Yes, both are slipping, and in GC's case, a lot! However, there are a few necessaries for football announcers in my book in Gil covers them.

1. The voice. Football should be called by a deep, heavy voice.

2. None of this "we" crap. I had the Vikings broadcast on my phone the other day and all I heard was "we" this and "we" that. Yes, the team pays you but that is where your affiliation ends.

3.Don't go too fast. There is a lot to describe but do not over do it and try to get it all. Set the scene, call the action. Use the time between plays to get in what you can. Gil is a master at this. He typically calls the formation as the team breaks the huddle, lets you know how many receivers/backs there are and where they are. He acknowledges the motion (if any) and usually the look of the defense. After the snap he calls the play (here is where the action gets a little ahead of him) and then after the play, he, Gino, and Zo go over why some did/not work. Great pacing for a football game.

4. Voice inflection is good. Sounding like you are having an orgasm after any good play for your team, is bad.

5. Lastly, no whining about calls made/not made.


Gil and Gino hit all of these criteria for the most part. Few other local play by play teams do.

 

[wistahpatsfan]

Actually in 1985 it was not Gil Santos. He didn't do any Pats games on radio between 1980-1990. That was John Carlson and Jon Morris. Gil came back in 1991 when the games went back to WBZ.

Aw damn. My bad.
Heard so many games up there on the radio. Maybe had too many beers. Definitely heard that one though-just got the voices wrong.

 

[kpreh]

Only listen to the guys when the Pats have weeknight games(stuck at work)I enjoy them and I'm able to follow the game easily. I guess I'm not to particular about knowing what player made the play during the play, after works for me.