A modest proposal for pre-season broadcasts

[Tunescribe]

The problem with pre-season broadcasts is that they're being treated as football games that don't matter. The announcers try to keep the form of a football broadcast, but since they know it's just preseason they act as if they're casually watching the game in their rec room and are free to chat about whatever. Since they clearly think the action on the field is unimportant, we as viewers do too and start wondering why we should even bother watching.

Instead, suppose Kraft Sports presented pre-season as a reality-tv talent competition. No gimmicks or changes to the actual football product would be required. Just the facts of the situation: these 50 elite athletes are competing for 13 jobs on an NFL football team. Break it down into positional battles. Do highlight bits on particular hot spots. Include some "rehearsal" and "behind the scenes" footage from training camp. Get even casual fans invested in the competitors.

Gametime is the big performance, so as the game plays out, make sure you identify who made key contributions to each play (good or bad) to help viewers track how the competition is going. Build suspense week by week as cutdown day approaches.

It has to be better than watching Zolak & co. try to entertain themselves so they don't fall asleep, right?

Arguably more significant work is happening during the joint practices prior to these preseason games. THOSE should be locally televised with insightful commentary.

This year I'm attending both preseason games because a friend wants to; as longtime season ticket holder I often have skipped them. It's hard to glean much from them from a player standpoint plus the overall atmosphere is completely different vs. regular season. AFAIC the joint practices should replace them entirely.

 

[scott99]

It was horrible to listen to. What they need to do is have a play by play guy in there. They had 3 alleged color commentators, who just blab about ****. The McCourtys are ok in studio work, but during live game action, them and Zo are unlistenable.

I think an actual play by play guy accompanied by Hoyer, who I think is very polished and insightful, would be the best thing they can do. McCourtys + Zo = Unlistenable.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

It was horrible to listen to. What they need to do is have a play by play guy in there. They had 3 alleged color commentators, who just blab about ****. The McCourtys are ok in studio work, but during live game action, them and Zo are unlistenable.

I think an actual play by play guy accompanied by Hoyer, who I think is very polished and insightful, would be the best thing they can do. McCourtys + Zo = Unlistenable.

Zolak is horrible.
I don't watch Zolak and Bert much anymore on NBC Sprorts, but use to.
He literally picked his ears one day on camera and smelled his fingers.
He's and idiot, and for someone who played the game his football insights/analysis is absolute garbage.

 

[State]

Watching meaningless pre season games on the tv is for betas. Life is too short.