SI.COM: TV Commentator Rankings

[Temo]

Great read, though I would quibble with the "Green Bay DID run inside against Minnesota" I remember that game well, and I remember them running to the outside a lot, attacking the perimeter of the Viking defense.

 

[Zaxor]

Wow he was about 1 3/4 stars too generous with Aikman & Buck...

they are just horrible and it gets tiresome to have to watch the game without sound.

 

[Iago33]

I love Sam Rosen...especially since im a New York Rangers fan (he does all of their games on MSG)

I guess MSG is better than other drugs he could be on while doing the games....

 

[iceberg]

Could someone explain to me how any crew with Gumbel on it gets any stars at all?

he got to read it aloud and screwed it up.

 

[lurkercowboy]

Two best all-time announcing teams, IMO.

Summerall-Madden
Dick Enberg-Merlin Olson

I like Troy usually, but he overuses the word "job." It is annoying.

 

[Doomsday101]

I LOVE Kornheiser and Jawz.

It's Troy Aikman and Joe Buck I can't stand. I swear you'd think Aikman was the second string quarterback for the Commanders by all the anti-Cowboy hate he spits throughout his broadcasts.

I like Aikman and do not think he is anti-Cowboy as for Jaws I like him as well but can't stand Kornheiser. Personally I think ESPN would be better off with only 2 in the both with Jaws and a play by play man.

 

[DCfaninDC]

I like Aikman and do not think he is anti-Cowboy as for Jaws I like him as well but can't stand Kornheiser. Personally I think ESPN would be better off with only 2 in the both with Jaws and a play by play man.

Aikman is too carefull trying not to sound like an ex-Cowboy QB. He loves Mcnabb, Eli and Campbell but does not what to think of Romo.

As for the ESPN crew, Jaws is fine. Mike is OK, but I hate his voice when a big play is about to happen or when it happens. Kornheiser is an idiot. He was a columnist for the Washington Post and admitted that he is a "bit biased". He doesn't add anything to the conversation or the game analysis. He did not play the sport (I don't think he did). He tries very hard to add some humor here and there and it just doesn't work.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Enberg's one of my favorite announcers. He just brings a natural enthusiasm to his broadcasts.
Nothing seems forced and he just seems like he's announcing as a fan of football in general. I never feel like he's got a personal interest in who's winning or losing.

I'm with you. He does Westwood One radio games with Denny Green, and they are great. Enberg, like you say, really enjoys the game without having a schtick and without trying to make himself a "star". He's older now and will make a mistake or two, but I can't understand why NFLN doesn't go after a classic, proven guy like him.

 

[Doomsday101]

Aikman is too carefull trying not to sound like an ex-Cowboy QB. He loves Mcnabb, Eli and Campbell but does not what to think of Romo.

As for the ESPN crew, Jaws is fine. Mike is OK, but I hate his voice when a big play is about to happen or when it happens. Kornheiser is an idiot. He was a columnist for the Washington Post and admitted that he is a "bit biased". He doesn't add anything to the conversation or the game analysis. He did not play the sport (I don't think he did). He tries very hard to add some humor here and there and it just doesn't work.

I think Troy gives them praise when they are doing well in a game and criticism when they are not playing well in a game. I also think he does that in every game for every team. As for Romo?

Have you heard what Troy Aikman recently said about Tony Romo?
Over the last several weeks, there's always the debate - who do you take, Brady or Manning?" Aikman said. "Somewhere in there is Tony Romo... why is anyone reluctant to put Romo up there with those guys?"
"He's playing at as good a level as anyone in the league. Granted, you have to do it over a period of time. I get that part. But he's a terrific player."

 

[DCfaninDC]

I think Troy gives them praise when they are doing well in a game and criticism when they are not playing well in a game. I also think he does that in every game for every team.

I don't know about that. But what I do know is that not many fans of other teams like Aikman either, granted that's when their team is losing. I have watched games with Commanders, Giants, and Philly fans and they all complained. Come to think of it, I beleive it has to do with Aikman calling it like he sees it. People tend to forget most of the compliments and remeber the critisizing part more. You might be right on this one Dooms.

As for Romo?

Have you heard what Troy Aikman recently said about Tony Romo?
Over the last several weeks, there's always the debate - who do you take, Brady or Manning?" Aikman said. "Somewhere in there is Tony Romo... why is anyone reluctant to put Romo up there with those guys?"
"He's playing at as good a level as anyone in the league. Granted, you have to do it over a period of time. I get that part. But he's a terrific player."

Hmmm. Never heard or read that till now. Very nice of him to say that. I am not one of the many Cowboys fans who beleive Aikman doesn't like Romo because he is breaking Aikman's records. Last time i checked Aikman has 3 rings and he truly loves the Cowboys organization.

I just can't remember the last time Aikman praised Romo on FOX.. The reason could be what I listed above, but I doubt it. Even when Romo plays well, it is Buck who says something.

 

[Doomsday101]

I don't know about that. But what I do know is that not many fans of other teams like Aikman either, granted that's when their team is losing. I have watched games with Commanders, Giants, and Philly fans and they all complained. Come to think of it, I beleive it has to do with Aikman calling it like he sees it. People tend to forget most of the compliments and remeber the critisizing part more. You might be right on this one Dooms.

Hmmm. Never heard or read that till now. Very nice of him to say that. I am not one of the many Cowboys fans who beleive Aikman doesn't like Romo because he is breaking Aikman's records. Last time i checked Aikman has 3 rings and he truly loves the Cowboys organization.

I just can't remember the last time Aikman praised Romo on FOX.. The reason could be what I listed above, but I doubt it. Even when Romo plays well, it is Buck who says something.

It was a quote during one of the games Troy was doing. As for him calling it like he sees it that is exactly what I think Troy does. This does not mean I agree with every comment Troy makes but I never felt Troy was going out of his way to rip Dallas. Matter of fact there are plenty of fans at this site that rip on the Cowboy far more than Troy Aikman.

 

[tomduhain]

Love this topic - it's a rare chance to vent.

WORST FOOTBALL ANNOUNCERS:

#1. Harry "Glacier" Kalas - good on highlights, horrible in live games - painfully slow and late on calls. Also tends to get mixed up and "yells" with fake enthuiasm. Frustrating to listen to. Joins the old Bob and Ray comedy team in the Slow Talkers of America Club. He should be calling bingo games.

#2. "Mumbles" Gumbel - gets confused during play by play, forgets names, downs and stumbles over his own words - terrible. Tries to find a theme in each game and rides it to death.

#3. Joe "Trauma-Drama" Theisman - I don't even hear this guy anymore and he's still bugging me. Kinda like a snotty Eddie Haskell - a smug and critical know it all. How could somebody with so much game experience be so grating on your nerves?

#4. Tom "Flubber" Flores - local note here. Former Raider QB does color on their radio games. Seems like a nice guy but doesn't add a single thing, makes the obvious observation every time, rarely gives insight. Sounds like Al Davis looks, older than dirt.

#5. Dan "It's all about Me" Marino - OK, he's not a game announcer but he can't be missed on HBO"s Inside the NFL - which is very odd but interesting mix of pesonalities. Marino never left the high school locker room - a big, dumb jock who is totally full of himself. My career, my records, my team... listening to him you would think there is only one position - quarterback - any nobody plays it quite as well as he did. Yea, he was a great passer, but now, please somebody just stick him in a room with a full length mirror.

 

[THUMPER]

Two best all-time announcing teams, IMO.

Summerall-Madden
Dick Enberg-Merlin Olson

I am in full agreement with you! Those were the best teams ever.

 

[Doomsday101]

I am in full agreement with you! Those were the best teams ever.

I like Summerall and Tom Brookshire when they worked together doing NFC for CBS

 

[lurkercowboy]

Madden was unique when he first started. He was simply awesome, way above the ordinary pack of announcers. An example: Pre-Madden, the announcers would note there was a flag and wait for the call. Madden would guess the penalty from which official threw the flag and was almost always right. Madden was also great at explaining the rules.

One of the worst game announcers IMO? Roger Staubach. He wasn't cut out for that role.