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Thursday, November 29, 2007

Who’s Idea Was It To Have Bryant Gumble Do Play-By-Play?

A reader emailed me tonight to complain about Bryant Gumble doing the play-by-play for tonights only-seen-on-the-NFL-channel matchup between the Cowboys and the Packers.  I was skeptical when he told me Gumble was doing it.  I had to ask if maybe he meant Bryant’s brother Greg, but he said no.  It’s Bryant Gumble doing play-by-play.

And apparently doing it terribly.

I can’t watch, unfortunately, because I don’t have the NFL Network, but I can about imagine what Gumble trying to call a game sounds like.  I could barely stand the guy when he was on The Today Show.  If the NFL wants this network thing to pan out, they need to invest in some on-air talent.

Comments

Prior to being the Today Co-HOst he was the studio update guy for NBC’s NFL coverage.

He read the scripts ok.


The Debate is over!  Global Whining has been confirmed.


The Whistler's signature
The Whistler on November 29, 2007 at 09:01 pm

He called the Home Depot Post-Game report the Wendy’s Post-Game Report, that’s usually not a good move to make…

Too bad about those poor folks that don’t have the NFL network.  Really.

Clint F on November 29, 2007 at 10:23 pm

"And Favre is sacked, much like an Iraqi pre-teen is sacked by a Marine.
“Farve completes the pass, like the complete slaughter inflicted by American soldiers
“Brett Farve, hurt in the 3rd quarter, but not as much as American soldiers hurt innocent Iraqis
“The Dallas Cowboys, America’s Team: if only they had lost, Iran would be our pals

ShoeMart on November 30, 2007 at 12:30 am

Wow, that was spooky, you sound just like Bryant Gumble, Bryant.

Oh, and I think it was his mother that came up with that brilliant idea.


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2Hotel9 on November 30, 2007 at 04:52 am

Rob, its to bad that Myron Cope had his throat give out. Now THAT would be good game calling!


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2Hotel9 on November 30, 2007 at 04:55 am

Rob,

I watched the game last night and cringed throughout at the play-by-play. Gumball isn’t the only problem, though....

Chris Collinworthless is a pompous ass and between the two of them it was more of the Gumball/Collinsworth opinion show than a football game.

NFL Network may have a corner on their market in cases like last night’s game, but they need to do something about their commentators.


Election ‘08 - We Are So Screwed

Pilgrim on November 30, 2007 at 07:08 am

Chris Collinworthless is a pompous ass

I think ”pencilneck geek” was the appellation du jour when he was on Fox!



Those who think the party or the country, will be “taught a lesson” by handing the levers of power over to the liberals will learn a lesson, but it will be at the expense of our country and her liberties. And there are no guarantees that the party or the country will come out stronger, more conservative or better positioned to win elections against the incumbent liberals.

Proof on November 30, 2007 at 07:15 am
Avatar for Jim Meidinger

Our cable co. gave its subscribers a free preview of the NFL channel last season. After finding out Bryant was a major player, I wouldn’t even watch it for free. If Greg was “the man”, I would watch.

Jim Meidinger on November 30, 2007 at 07:25 am

Its only my opinion, of course, but the best play-by-play guy still has to be Al Michaels.  The best pro football analyst is/was Joe Theisman.

Collinsworth’s commentary has that “Gee-Whiz” sense, like he can’t believe he’s really on TV.  With Bryant Gumble it comes down to full of himself, or just full of shit… a difference without a distinction.


“Poverty of goods is easily cured; poverty of the mind is irreparable.”

Bat One on November 30, 2007 at 07:34 am

We prefer FOX’s football team, especially since The Chin joined the line. It took awhile for me to figure out what was different, then it hit me, Cowher is SMILING! Not something we are used to seeing. The Bus does well over at CBS, I just don’t like their camera work.


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2Hotel9 on November 30, 2007 at 07:55 am

When I watch a game I want someone calling the game who knows what they’re talking about. And I want them to CALL THE GAME!!!!!!! I don’t want to hear their personal stories while a play is happening.

The very best play by play callers are the radio guys, the guy from Kansas City is awesome as is Jim Henderson in New Orleans. Now those guys call a game!

I agree with Bat as far as Al Michaels goes , though....he does less of the personal perspective thing and more play calling than most.


Election ‘08 - We Are So Screwed

Pilgrim on November 30, 2007 at 08:18 am

Bryant Gumble’s voice is equal to Rosie O’Donnell’s. I normally listen to a game while doing other things but Gumbel’s voice is too annoying ... not to mention both Collinsworth’s and Gumbel’s inability to perform play by play coverage in a professional manner.
The network should be embarrassed and ashamed for not foreseeing these inadequacies!


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Anna on November 30, 2007 at 08:41 am

I watched the game on a local channel since I live in the Dallas area, but it was just a feed from the NFL channel. Every aspect of the coverage was horrible, starting with Gumbal and the other guy. Gumbal kept stating that he thought the pass interference call that Green Bay challenged was not pass interference and he did that for the rest of the game. Worse, he kept claiming that Tramon Williams was looking at the ball while they were showing the replay and you can clearly see his head facing forward. Here’s a hint Bryant, if your looking for a pass, it’s usually behind you.

Then you add the facts that the NFL network’s camera work was amateurish and their game graphics only show you the score, oops, I forgot it occasionally had a little slide out panel showing the yards and downs for about 10 seconds before it slid back out of sight, I can see why the cable networks refuse to carry the NFL network. It’s not worth the money.

kbiel on November 30, 2007 at 09:53 am
Avatar for Rally

That was one of the worse announcing jobs I have ever listened to......and that includes some local high school sports.

Gumble would say, “the Cowboys have a 3rd down and 5”, when the Packers were on offense and vice versa.

they talked over the official who was announcing a penalty or challenge call a couple times...that was really annoying.

My favorite part was Marion Barber, on a 3rd and about 6, ran for about a 15 yard gain, Gumble says, “it appears that Barber has a first down”....do you think Bryant?

Rally on November 30, 2007 at 10:16 am

It seems to me, NBC and the Today show long ago got over having Bryant Gumbel as host.  Long as its been, you’d think Bryant could get over it as well.

The guy is worse than Brent Musberger… and that’s pretty damn awful.


“Poverty of goods is easily cured; poverty of the mind is irreparable.”

Bat One on November 30, 2007 at 10:33 am

Couldn’t they have gotten Rush and Dennis at least? Now that would have been some interesting work, though I’m not sure who would do the play-by-play since both probably would prefer to do color.

kbiel on November 30, 2007 at 10:45 am

kbiel,

Interesting that you bring up Rush.  After last Sunday’s performance by “A.J.” has anyone heard anything about Donovan McNabb’s stellar career as an NFL quarterback?


“Poverty of goods is easily cured; poverty of the mind is irreparable.”

Bat One on November 30, 2007 at 10:49 am

Rally said:

My favorite part was Marion Barber, on a 3rd and about 6, ran for about a 15 yard gain, Gumble says, “it appears that Barber has a first down”....do you think Bryant?

Man, that made me sit up and say, “No sh*t, you effing idiot!” That wasn’t the only time he did that, either.


Election ‘08 - We Are So Screwed

Pilgrim on November 30, 2007 at 11:08 am
Avatar for Stanley Wentworth

I’d rather listenI’d rather listen to someone screeching their fingernails on a chalkboard for 3 hours straight than have to listen to Bryant Gumble call a football game.  He is the worst ever.  Period.

Btw, Cowher is at CBS and they have great cameras (especially for HD), while FOX’s lead team Joe Buck and Troy Aikman are solid too.

Stanley Wentworth on December 8, 2007 at 08:12 pm

Thanks Stan, I am not the Big Fan in our household and get them confused. Having DVR is the best thing to happen to watching football since the invention of the nacho hat. Wifey can roll back and show me the good stuff I miss.


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2Hotel9 on December 9, 2007 at 07:20 am
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