The New England Patriots will host the opening game of the divisional round for the second straight season when they take on the Kansas City Chiefs in a game to begin at 4 thirty or so Eastern time on Saturday.
The games this year and last are the only times New England has hosted the first game of the divisional round which began in 1970.
The CBS announcer for the game will be Ian Eagle. He is the son of Jack Eagle and I believe the brother of Joby Eagle.
This will be his first NFL playoff game on television.
Once I had lunch with the great Marty Glickman and at the time he had been assigned to help the career of Ian Eagle.
He asked me what I thought of Eagle. I did not answer.
I wanted to ask him why he was helping Eagle?!
I did not, but knew the reason.
It is so damn true, even in this “land of opportunity,” it is not what you know but who(m) you know.
By comparison, Marty Glickman, who had more broadcasting ability in his little toe than Eagle will ever have, never broadcast a divisional round game on television.
Jack Eagle was a funny guy, appearing on the Konica ads as some kind of friar, but sadly to me it evokes a Red Buttons classic, as Ian Eagle gets to broadcast a divisional round game evoking all those who never were granted the chance to do so.
Andy’s Note: As was the case with Humphrey Bogart’s character in Casablanca regarding waters, I was MISINFORMED, as Ian Eagle had no real connections and his success is a result of hard work and a willingness to do the behind the scenes, off air stuff (producing, learning the technical) that often is necessary.
My opinion of Vin Scully as a broadcaster is essentially the same as the consensus one.
He is an all-time great as good as any, likely better in setting the scene and for the most part in game preparation (even in this he has either been over rated for a long time or at 80 years old plus, is slipping as I watched a game that included two heroes of the 2014 title winning S.F. Giants and Scully, who digs up facts that even the king of tangents (me) find beyond incidental, did not cite their heroics).
Wow I knocked a man more untouchable and inherently far better, albeit in an infinitely less important field of endeavor, than his buddy, Ronald Reagan, yet again.
More telling to me, I dare criticize a man I defended beyond rational thought in younger days while discussing and comparing announcers.
Then and now it is ultimately an opinion.
I cringed at the criticism heaped on Scully, by those I felt were uninformed and still believe/know it was to get my “goat” as a Scully fan.
What I can offer with reasonable objectivity and as one whom (who?) though will never announce on air, have been told by many including most that truly dislike me, that I have professional ability as a broadcaster.
Whether that is true, this is. Hearing a well done broadcast, especially one on the radio, (in that situation the broadcaster is the listener’s eyes), is most beautiful music to me.
Maybe it is crazy, but hearing greats like Mel Allen, Joe Tait or Harry Kalas, to name three of the best ever at following the play in an exciting clear cut manner, is one of my favorite things.
It is in my blood and I know what is good and what is great!
For my money Scully and his storytelling is more than good.
Once announcing Don Drysdale’s record tying 5th shutout in 1968, his call of Jack Hiatt’s “high pop fly, he’s 60 feet from the record Parker’s (Wes) GOT IT” is better than the greatest meal.
Yet and I think I heard him explain why once between games of a Mets/Dodgers doubleheader (remember those!), Scully too often took the “safe, wait and see” approach to broadcasting.
Apparently he had called a ball hit by Frank Howard a home run or not, too soon, and was wrong concerning the result.
In my not so humble opinion, better that and an occasional mistake, even a big one, than the “too long wait” to make a call.
Clearly again at least in my not so humble, but dare say informed opinion, Al Michaels, also once great (I have played or “linked” his greatest call, (no not that contrived nonsense during Olympic hockey, Michaels though a hockey fan is not a hockey broadcaster as he is far more familiar with the ice for his scotch than the kind in a rink, but the one when Johnny Bench hit the tying home run in the decisive 5th game of the 1972 NLCS), does far too often.
Give me “rat tat tat”, give me “ON ThE PLAY.”
Famed poet, Jack Kerouac waxed poetic about one of the greatest broadcasters, Marty Glickman doing so. That and not the “wait and see” of a still great like Scully and accomplished veteran such as Michaels, is what is great to me.
It a post that cites and gives perhaps somewhat out of context opinions about such broadcasting greats as Vin Scully and Marty Glickman.
Additionally, 40th United States president, Ronald Reagan, Don Drysdale and Jack Kerouac are also cited.
So of course it is Jack E. Hiatt, known I believe only as Jack Hiatt, who is pictured above. Why? because (no not an Abbott and Costello classic) one could follow singer Sheryl Crow’s mantra and “soak up the sun” (if there was the “soakable” variety) “and LIGHTEN UP.”
Here’s to all of them, as with all of us, figures/performers on the stage, that is life.
Click above to view Sheryl Crow’s big hit as I put my venom away and “lighten up.”
I truly do not want to make things worse for Minnesota Vikings’ kicker Blair Walsh, who missed on a crucial field goal attempt, manifesting in a Seattle Seahawks’ win over the Vikings in their wild card round game.
Some points light and perhaps heavy.
I was sickened when NBC broadcaster Al Michaels not only mentioned Scott Norwood, by name, as having missed the “win or lose” (the) Super Bowl winning kick for the Buffalo Bills vs the New York Giants, but did so without offering the fact that it was a difficult field goal to make, to say the least.
The criticism of Ralph Branca in a sports sense is somewhat justified, he threw a pitch on which Bobby Thomson connected for a home run that transformed a 2 run New York Giants’ deficit into a pennant victory which capped an incredible comeback. I can add more, but will not.
I will not cite a certain Red Sox first baseman by name, but will state he was a near great hitter and his error on a fairly tough play, did not end the team’s chances in that 1986 World Series.
The abuse he has endured just from lazy, uninformed sportscasters, who do not give anywhere near the full story of the game and series, is unconscionable!
Norwood truly deserves almost no blame even in a sports sense. Sure it would have been nice to have made that sports sense “crucial” field goal, but it was a 48 or so yard attempt, on grass. Not Easy!
Michaels, who only has to call and not kick these field goals uses the Vin Scully method (yes the great, untouchable Vin Scully, who never is criticized is so far behind on his crucial calls using a “safety first” method that is not what sportscasters are there to do) of “safety first” and is far too late on his indications.
Lighter note: The name Blair Walsh evokes the fictional name, “Beverly Hills 90210” character Brandon Walsh.
“Brandon” was originally from Minnesota and a Vikings’ fan.
My heart goes out to Vikings’ fans, real and fictional, those who sat in the cold Sunday only to lose on Walsh’s miss and do not forget over rated Adrian Peterson’s fumble and those who did not.
Heavy or more important thought: Heartfelt empathy, not just sympathy, to those who “thought” the Vikings would win outright and not just cover the point spread.
The wonderful Arnold Wexler and people at Gambler’s Anonymous are always available, even more so when things like this happen!
Actor Jason Priestley above portrayed “Brandon Walsh” on the television show “Beverly Hills 90210” That Los Angeles area zip code would include so many fans of the great, but not beyond criticism, broadcaster of Dodgers’ baseball, Vin Scully.
Let me get out my clicker (umpires have them to check the balls and strike “count” on the batter) and give my view or my count concerning national titles in the wake of Nick Saban’s 5th BCS or college playoff title.
First off, it is an incredible feat as Saban (namesake Lou Saban, who once gave a speech that included “what’s more you’ve gotta get it done” which has obvious good applications in life, won 2 AFL, pre Super Bowl crowns with the Buffalo Bills in 1964 and 1965) won the title with L.S.U. (Louisiana State University) in 2003 and with the Crimson Tide in 2009, 2011, 2012 and now 2015.
The 2003 title though won in a playoff game, called the BCS title game, was however, shared with another 3 letter school, USC (University of Southern California) which was coached by Pete Carroll. The Associated Press voted USC the winners that season.
Hence Saban has 4 Associated Press titles which is one less than Paul “Bear” Bryant, the legendary Alabama coach.
Certainly Saban with 4 Alabama titles has one less than Bryant’s 5 with the school.
Nick Saban, pictured above is (5-0) in games that were played for at least part of the college football title.
The University of Alabama claimed its 4th title of the Barack O”BAMA” tenure as United States president with a (45-40) victory OVER (what an over 50 points!) previously unbeaten, Clemson University in last night’s college football title tilt.
I am proud of two things concerning the game.
First I predicted a 5 point Alabama victory.
More important, due to the horrible ESPN hype and announcers, I watched none!
The late, great Beano Cook praised at ESPN, and THE authority on college football, for the most part, did not watch these games. He got disgusted with them, as I have!
Barack Obama, before his ascent to U.S. President, pictured above, will still technically be in office when the 2016 college football champion is crowned next January. Somehow I do not think it will be Alabama, but they will be in the mix.
Tonight it will be Clemson University vs Alabama U. in the championship game of college football.
While one touchdown, (14-0) Clemson will be seeking its second title and first since 1981, Alabama hopes to capture a 4th title under coach Nick Saban, all since 2009 and at least a tenth consensus title starting with the Lee Roy Jordan led team of 1961.
Alabama won Associated Press titles in 1961, 1964, 1965, 1978 and 1979 under legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant and added one under Gene Stallings in 1992. They won titles under coach Saban in 2009, 2011 and 2012.
My prediction is that Alabama will get the title in a fairly close game.
Alabama 24 Clemson 19.
Better known as a Dallas Cowboys’ star, Lee Roy Jordan and the 1961 Alabama title team were often referred to in glowing terms by coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. By the way Mr. Bryant got his nickname by virtue of the fact he had wrestled bears, the four legged variety, at county fairs.
The road teams did even better than Mike Francesa compiling a (4-0) record in one round/weekend of the NFL playoffs for the first time in 71 such weekends.
Perhaps 70 should have been an omen, (a more telling one is that only the Green Bay Packers at most a one point underdog, were not favored), as the 4 game rounds began with the 1970 season.
70 times, (45 times in the divisional round (1970-2014) and 25 times in the wild card round 1990-2014), the road team failed to win all four games.
The road team also failed in 1969 when both the NFL and the AFL, in its last season, each had 2 NFL quarterfinal games as the eventual league winners met in the Super Bowl. Also one year before 1990, 1982 had 8 wild card round games, 4 each on Saturday and Sunday due to a work stoppage/strike. The road team did not win 4 games on either day.
Willie Nelson / On The Road Again
Click above to view the great Willie Nelson perform this great hit. Circa January 1982, CBS Sports used “On The Road Again” as it promoted its to be televised sports events for the year.
If it was 1982, the promo began with the Super Bowl to be played in Pontiac, Michigan (that was the 16th and number 16 Joe Montana and the S.F. 49ers won it vs the Cincinnati Bengals).
For years before that, people noticed the promo for that Supe when games were telecast from Detroit. 1982 seemed far away before it arrived, now it is truly a distant speck in the rear view mirror of life.
Mike Francesa again had a good weekend forecasting NFL games.
His record vs the point spread was (3-1).
He was correct on the easy wins by the opponents in the first Super Bowl, the Kansas City Chiefs at Houston vs the Texans, and the Green Bay Packers at Washington vs the Redskins.
In the two games in which the winning team did not cover the point spread, Francesa was (1-1).
When Chris Boswell made the chip shot field goal lifting Pittsburgh (18-16) at Cincinnati, Francesa and the Bengals still won the spread selection. Surely that is little consolation for Bengals’ fans.
The same can be said when Blair Walsh missed a chip shot field goal for the Vikings, giving the Seattle Seahawks a (10-9) win.
That was the only game (he picked Seattle minus 4 points) in which Francesa was wrong.
Last year with Al Michaels (again the far too behind the play Michaels took too long to say Walsh’s field goal attempt was not good.) presiding the Seahawks seemed certain to win the Super Bowl when they had first and goal at the New England 2 yard line in the last minute. They did not win!
Yesterday again with Michaels and NBC telecasting the tilt, the first non Super Bowl game, Michaels, in his I believe 30 years of broadcasting NFL games, was doing so in a Sunday playoff game, it seemed certain the Seahawks would lose as Walsh got ready for a chip shot field goal attempt. They did not.
Next week at one seed and 3 point favorite Carolina, the Seahawks will not be as fortunate. Then again let’s all wait to hear what Mr. Francesa thinks. Yes that is what has manifested.
The “hedge fund king,” Jim Nantz will be the lead announcer for CBS’ telecast of the 50th Super Bowl 5 weeks hence.
His gushing for Peyton Manning came forth as though some of his rich Texas friends hit with an oil well after Manning’s relief effort helped the Denver Broncos gain the AFC “1” seed for the second time in three seasons with a hard fought win vs the San Diego Chargers in the regular season finale.
I am not a fan of Peyton Manning as he has continually played so poorly in big games.
A week or two ago he not only seemed out of action but was likely unfairly named in some negative off field activity.
Now with Nantz, who presided at the Supe microphone as Manning with favored teams split 2 Super Bowls, winning vs the over matched Bears in the 2006 season game before losing to the Saints in the 2009 season game, to preside in 2015-2016 and his obvious rooting for Mr. Manning, this becomes a problem for those of us who think Manning does not deserve the hype he gets and we/I truly “fear” the coronation he will receive should he win the title with the now AFC one seed Broncos.
No comment for now on the two, Nantz and Manning, having the same agent. No comment on the Nantz silence regarding Manning off the field stuff. I can live with that.
What I can not live with is the fact now I have to “clean up the mess,” that has manifested giving Peyton Manning, he such a big game failure over the years, a truly realistic chance to make and even win the 50th Super Bowl, to be telecast by CBS with Jim Nantz, behind the microphone.
I have tilted at this and other “windmills of power” too long! If Manning and Company get the prize, already there is the condition of next opponent Pittsburgh (Steelers) quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger’s health to consider, so be it!
Just please remember to put a bulldozer in the record books as an asterisk, as Manning’s road is truly being paved!
The WFAN radio Mike Francesa “express” rolled on yesterday with two successful predictions.
His prediction of the Kansas City Chiefs minus three points, at Houston vs the Texans was an easy (30-0) winner.
At night, though the Pittsburgh Steelers won at Cincinnati vs the Bengals, they did so by two points, one less than the spread that listed the Steelers as three point favorites.
Thus Francesa, whose selection was Cincinnati plus three points, won again.
Today’s Francesa selections follow:
First he predicts the Seattle Seahawks minus 5 points at Minnesota vs the Vikings.
Later in the day he predicts the Green Bay Packers to win a toss up game at Washington vs the Redskins.
Somehow Mike Tomlin’s Pittsburgh Steelers survived in Cincinnati, they will not be as fortunate next week in Denver vs the Broncos.
