With the departure of Dr. Drool from ESPN, life just got a little better during football season. Everybody has an opinion about their favorite and least favorite analysts, not just on ESPN, but around sports in general. I hear a lot of negative takes about various announcers and they usually center around a comment here or there that gives the perception that they might be biased against one school (Auburn) while schlobbing the knob of another. (Usually Bama)
Normally, I think the claims of bias are a bit of a stretch and I honestly don't harbor the same ill will towards a lot of the same talking heads as some of you. My hatred of Holtzphzht, as I said in the other thread, stems from #1. his being a spit launching clown that's unbearable to listen to, and 2. his hippo-critical and open disdain for Auburn, when it turns out he was not only WRONG in his opinion, but he was in fact one of the dirtiest players in the game. So, good riddance. But my takes on a few:
Verne & Gary: I'm solidly in the minority on this pair. My one and only gripe is with what seems like Verne's occasional lack of preparation. It's frustrating to know your team backwards and forwards and hear him mispronounce the names of player after player. I said occasional because I thought he did a noticeably better job this past season. Gary has always been one of my favorites. He knows his stuff, he delivers it well and he's not afraid to say what needs to be said. A little opinionated but I'm okay with that. For me, this duo is the face and voice of college football. When you hear that intro music and those two at the mic, you know it's big time, Saturday afternoon college foosballz. Grew up with Keith Jackson doing the same.
Mike Tirico: One of the most solid all around performers in the business. Everything from ESPN Monday Night Football, to college basketball, MLB and even hockey. Great voice, great delivery.
John Saunders: Do...Not...Like. Yes, I've heard him give some out in left field opinions on Auburn over the years, especially during the Cam deal. But, my dislike for the man goes back to a time when he was put on the spot and asked to give his take on why Rush Limbaugh (Not a fan here, either) was skewered and fired for the comments he made while Deion Sanders and other AA commentators made far more racist jokes and comments...and Saunders refused to answer, saying he had no knowledge of the other comments. BS!!!
Rod Bramblett: Took several years for me to warm up to Bramblett. I was not a fan of what seemed like him trying to copy JF. Still not that keen on his "Touchdown Auburn" call. But since 2010, the guy has truly turned into the voice of Auburn football/basketball and in 2013, he was handed a couple of the greatest opportunities an announcer could be given...and he knocked both out of the park. Not everyone could deliver in those situations. He not only delivered but set his legacy in stone.
Eli Gold: Yes, I hate you and would probably hate any Bama play by play guy. But you suck!!! The reason is....wait, did I mention you suck? Anyway, how many times over the years have you been on the road, maybe traveling to or from the Plains, and you tuned in to see if you could tell what the Bama/Tennessee score was, only to be subjected to 5 minutes of some mindless, rambling story about a back up quarterback's father's trip to Honduras in the spring? No mention of what quarter it is...who has the ball...down and distance...much less a score. Just awful and why he's been there that long is a mystery to even Bama fans.
Opine openly....
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