NY Giants vs. Dallas on MNF (1971)

[bbgun]

Originally Posted by ZeroClub

I remember Cosell once saying to Frank and Don: "Gentlemen, your respective teams are not distinguishing themselves. They are putting on a very poor display." (or something like that)

To which Don replied "Well, Howard, at least we have respective teams."

Was it this game?

I watched it this weekend but don't recall Don taking that shot. Howard beclowned himself by saying the Cowboys should just run the ball all night. That was right before the long bomb to Hayes.

[CoCo]

Originally Posted by bbgun

I watched it this weekend but don't recall Don taking that shot. Howard beclowned himself by saying the Cowboys should just run the ball all night. That was right before the long bomb to Hayes.

People remember Cosell fondly now but don't forget the guy could be incredibly grating. It was truly love/hate. In that Morton to Hayes clip you get a taste of the Meredith-Cosell back and forth of that night. Part of the charm but also a bit childish of Cosell IMO.

The other observation I'd make is that you'd expect the graphics to be archaic versus today's high-tech standards, and they were. But the pre-game comments from Meredith & Gifford both come off as totally unscripted to me. No way would they fly versus today's standards. But then I think that's also why back then it was more about the game itself.

Frank Gifford was pretty darn good IMO for simply being an ex-jock. As the PBP he needed to bring the professionalism where Dandy & Cosell had a bit more license. Gifford to me pulled it off beautifully, especially considering his background.

[bbgun]

Originally Posted by CoCo

People remember Cosell fondly now but don't forget the guy could be incredibly grating. It was truly love/hate. In that Morton to Hayes clip you get a taste of the Meredith-Cosell back and forth of that night. Part of the charm but also a bit childish of Cosell IMO.

The other observation I'd make is that you'd expect the graphics to be archaic versus today's high-tech standards, and they were. But the pre-game comments from Meredith & Gifford both come off as totally unscripted to me. No way would they fly versus today's standards. But then I think that's also why back then it was more about the game itself.

Frank Gifford was pretty darn good IMO for simply being an ex-jock. As the PBP he needed to bring the professionalism where Dandy & Cosell had a bit more license. Gifford to me pulled it off beautifully, especially considering his background.

I appreciate an uncluttered screen, but back then, you could go huge stretches without knowing:

1) what quarter the game was in
2) how much time was on the clock
3) what the score was

[burmafrd]

and if you listened to Howard you would get all those wrong. He had the incredible ability to just about always say something that was totally proven untrue in the next minute on the field. You would listen to him talk and think the Packers were getting blown out and the game would be tied.

[burmafrd]

Yet I have never enjoyed football games as much as when those three were doing MNF. No one has ever come close since.

[CoCo]

Originally Posted by bbgun

I appreciate an uncluttered screen, but back then, you could go huge stretches without knowing:

1) what quarter the game was in
2) how much time was on the clock
3) what the score was

Yup.

Let me also add my thanks for posting these clips. Much appreciated.

[bbgun]

Originally Posted by burmafrd

Yet I have never enjoyed football games as much as when those three were doing MNF. No one has ever come close since.

they had a flair

[burmafrd]

For one thing you had two of the three in the booth that knew football well. And another they wanted to entertain people while still going with the game; which helped when you had a dull game or a blow out. Nowadays its all about promoting something else; about talking about something else; too often the game is just about forgotten about. Another problem is that there are more commercials now then ever. Overall I rarely watch any game live anymore; I tape them and watch them later so I can fast forward through all the crap.