I thought the CBS broadcast was terrible. Their fluff pieces were worthless ("here's a minute long shot Sam Rodger's brother sitting in the stands! Oh, here's some more!"), they often never showed the yellow and blue lines, and the announcing was just tremendously terrible. The way they kept lauding Zumwalt for "just playing tough. not a dirty player, just a brutal hitter!" was sickening. I mean, really? The guy who launched his helmet into Logan's chin, and took another nasty helmet shot against Coleman later. Isn't that exactly the type of play we are trying to discourage today? The guy reminded me of Brandon Merriweather out there.
I'm bummed about how the game went, but given the fact that Logan went down so early... whatever. But the fact that Jordan Zumwalt got named the game's MVP really bothers me. Ah well, whatever. Just wanted to rant.
Comments
He was the MVP. If he doesn't knock out Logan, there's a very real chance that we win that game.
not to mention he should not have been playing the rest of the game - Insult to injury.. (literally)
& somehow HeyVerne had NO PROBLEM pronouncing his Fd-up name!
the whole game made me feel like...
And don't forget the mispronounced names and the SEC season review. There were no SEC teams in the game.
I caught this too. My buddy watching the game with me reminded me about the contract that network had with SEC and still added it in there during a non-SEC game. Upsetting but nothing we can do about it :(
Oh, forgot about when they were so busy with a time filler, they missed the first down play. A change in possession, so commercial break. Come back to so dumb fluff piece. Then cut to 2nd and 5. Seriously? You're missing parts of the game to blather? Goddamn, CBS sucks
Yes, it was one of the worst broadcasts I'd ever seen.
As I mentioned in a different post, it was error ridden and the UCLA and SEC love was dripping off the screen.
It was cool to show Sam's brother but it went on way too long and was duplicated.
LMFAO X10!!! That is a classic comparison. More of that please! CBS does blow - for more than just sports.
Rant away! I feel similar.
That game was so odd to me. Verne Lundquist was incoherent, and the officials really did both teams a disservice. I don't think we lost because of officiating (more like arm tackles, and over pursuit) but the way they officiated felt inconsistent and out of joint. VT and UCLA got away with face masks and pass interference, and holding.
It left me feeling like we didn't get a real game, and robbed of a fair shot. Am I sour grapes or does anyone else agree that was a bizarre display of officiating?
true. it was a poor showing for college football on the whole.
I thought they did a lousy job, you could tell the announcers felt they were calling a second tier game.
I don't, however, have a problem with Zumwalt - the guy plays hardnosed football, much like many of our great players over the years.
yeah well he aint on my side so fuck that guy
This is how Zumwalt tackles:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzAnK-Ng2Ts
He launched his helmet into Logan's chin. The blow was given a 15 yard penalty by the refs. It was subsequently praised by the announcers. And then, the guy did it again against Coleman later on. The guy is known for cheap shots - he was almost thrown out against Oregon for a hit on Mariota. There's a difference between "hardnosed football" and hits which can cause brain injuries and seriously injure players. He should not be praised.
I bet he drives really fast in crowded parking lots too.
Still disgusted.
Oh Oh, I love this game. I got one:
I bet he kicks walkers out from under seniors to cut in line for soft serve at Golden Corral
I bet he robs drug dealers with an airsoft gun
SHOTS FIRED
I bet he bulldozes his way through the middle of group conversations without saying excuse me
just to be clear, I was in agreement with Hokieshibe, but the game is fun :)
I actually think the metaphor of a crowded parking lot is appropriate. So, what could be Zumwalt's excuse? "Hey, I didn't MEAN to hit his chin and knock him out...football is a contact sport stuff happens." Well, technically that might be true, if you give him the benefit of the doubt (which I do not). But you can certainly take steps to prevent that without really impacting your performance.
In a crowded parking lot with lots of blindspots, technically you could drive pretty fast and blame hitting someone else backing up or walking in front of you on their carelessness. But you as an experienced driver bear much responsibility knowing that their are those risks, to ignore them and just trust that everyone will be where they are supposed to is just being ignorant. Logan is 6'6", plenty of ways to lay a hit on him on that play that are less risky.
Preach on.
If ANY of my sons tried to tackle like that, I would correct them.
Come to think of it, I did tell my middle son (LB) that he should never, ever play like that kid as we were watching.
Good luck to Zumwalt in the pro's, if he makes it. Could be a short career with hits like that.
He'd end up paying a lot of fines before he got the message. Can you imagine if it was an NFL starting QB he hit like that? $100K fine and three game suspension.
You know, I felt the same way immediately after the play.
Then later, when the announcers were slobbering all over him and showing three of his highlight tackles, I noticed every single one was helmet to helmet.
How he didn't get tossed, much less penalized, for the hit on JC is just beyond me. He launched headfirst through JC's earhole.
He's a dirty player.
I try not to be too quick to deem someone as a "dirty" player, but that kid sure seemed to fit the mold. I also saw him try to take off Mangus's (holy crap, the commentators struggled with his name some how) head on a helmet to helmet and he launched up high on Leal on another play where thankfully Leal had the presence of mind to duck under the hit.
Mangum. Every. Goddamn. Time.
A boat full of Vikings is currently on their way to pillage those announcer's Mansions. Or should I say. Mansionm.
They did take a break from Mangum once to call him Magnus
That's because Danielson was the one having serious name problems. He said Tariq Edwards was Jarrett about 10x (after the screen Tariq blew up). And still called Jarrett by his correct name. They were also reporting incorrect numbers, like Clark is #9.
At least Exum wasn't playing...we surely would have been subjected to a consistent barrage of "Anthony Exhume"
at one point in the 4th Qtr Verne actually said "we are under 11" -as in minutes... in an obvious way that he couldn't wait for it to be over. 'keep the engine running Maw'. They were probably bitchy when they found out it was the only bowl game they are doing and its not SEC and its all very much beneath them. Pretty pompous display for 2 guys doing just about the easiest job I can think of.
I think we all know what it was. It was the holiday Christmas party. Even lumdquist mentioned how they could be a bit more light.
The game didn't mean much and I feel it showed on every facet involved. I don't honestly think for a second we are a 30 point dog to UCLA. I think everyone took a day off and a football game happened.
Everyone took the day off except Jim Mora and his players.
Winning that game meant something to him and his program. He even said as much in the pregame interview - they needed to win that game to validate the season.
F CBS for treating the game as something 2nd tier to their oh so proud "SEC game of the week". Yes it wasn't on the same level as Bama-Auburn, but it should have at least received the LSU-Arkansas respect.
I agree with this topic I was furious for the fact he took out a 6-6 QB standing, helmet on helmet contact So what he didn't leave the ground he still managed to hit the head of our giant of our QB on a broken play and cause a concussion. Zumwalt's play in my opinion was not good football. Logan and Coleman both took nasty shots to the head and worst of all the announcers ate it up! We are not the only ones to pay attention to Zumwalt's play though this was brought up in Oregon's chats
http://blog.oregonlive.com/ducks/2013/10/interesting_video_should_ucla.html
While I'm ranting I may have missed it but they showed so much video of UCLA's QB and team wishing happy holidays rather then talk anything about VT. I dunno the game went down hill quickly in the 4th and I will admit I was a bit bitter at the end especially after they had a big lead already then launched the ball downfield for another score I thought Jim Mora had a little more class then that
I can't really say what I feel about this guy. I've typed it out three times already and it always sounds evil to me. It's obvious this guy shows a Jack Tatum approach to hits and it disgusts me. Either one of those shots could have easily ruined Logan or JC's career. The nicest way to say this is I hope he switches to receiver in the pros and someone throws him a pass across the middle against Seattle.
Can I hope he Brandon Merriweathers himself into unconsciousness? Repeatedly? And then a short career because of it?
Like I said, the only way for Tech to get any respect and acknowledgement from the ANALysts is to go out and TAKE IT. And the only way to take it is to fucking win, baby, win.
Regardless of whether or not the LT hit was targeting, penalized plays should NEVER be replayed like that. They glorified the hit, which is exactly what any self-respecting broadcaster does not do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w611j4vXtpk
Pause at the 1:22/1:23 mark to show that it was the definition of targeting. At 1:23, both feet are clearly off the ground as he leads with his helmet.
I'm with you. I argued from the moment it happened that it was a clear target. I just think, in addition, that responsible sports networks should (1) not replay any play that causes a serious injury and (2) not continually replay a play that was flagged as illegal. Replay it once to debate whether it was a penalty? Sure, I can see that. In cases like PI I can see them taking a couple looks, but not when it's such a damaging foul.
Great video; I had been looking for that clip. Turkey leg for you.
Gary Danielson does play by play in all my nightmares
So your nightmares don't make any sense and the character names change from scene to scene?
That doesn't seem so bad....
Yeah I was saying before the game that I love Verne but he really didn't do it well in this broadcast. Little research was done on the teams that were playing and they had a hard time staying on topic.
Still like Verne during SEC broadcasts and for the Masters, though.
Commercials after every punt, timeout, score, or kickoff. Game stretched out to 4 hours. CBS couldn't wait till half time to talk about SEC. Statler and Waldorf up in the booth announcing. It sucked.
The broadcast was so bad, you would never have known UCLA was only leading 14-10 going into the 4th quarter. CBS should be ashamed of themselves for such lousy announcing from veteran sportscasters.
I think the constant cheap shots by the UCLA players finally took their toll at that point in time, and it was all downhill from there. Both Tech and UCLA knew after the Zumwalt hit on LT that UCLA was going to be able to get away with anything, and they did.
I think Danielson is borderline alzheimer. Lundvist (spelled however) just seemed happy to still be in the booth. Not upset, but they didn't do a good job. Being a walkon is great (I was one once), but come on, couldn't they highlight something else about Tech, say all the freshmen starters on both sides for example?
"Well there a lot of walk ons on Virginia Tech and, .... um.... there is a guy who used to play here named Jarrett Boykin who has large hands. Let's go to the videotape to see what size gloves he used to wear"
I mentioned this before, but I did like the fact that there was nothing else on the screen but the game & the score. Felt like I was watching raw feed at the beginning; and we weren't hearing about the next game every two minutes (granted CBS didn't have any other bowl games).
It's like FOX, I guess. They could do it well if they did it more often, they do cover other leagues/sports.
Oh, and while there's a break... "Let's see that Zumwalt hit one more time..."
The $EC network doing a game that doesn't have any $EC teams...its to be expected. When the schedule came out and we were one of the few games NOT on ESPN, I knew it was going to be a disaster. That, and the west coast ties that were mentioned every 37 seconds. The game on the field was secondary for their $EC love fest/NYE pre-party. By the end of the game, even my wife was yelling at me to mute it because they were so bad.
CBS was brought kicking and screaming into the modern sports age by the other networks. We're lucky to get HD and score boxes.
They have to get their $EC comments in now, since E$PN is launching the E$PN$EC Network next season.
I think this is appropriate to bring back...
I listened to Bill and Mike on the radio and mute the TV
WHY THE HELL DID THEY HAVE TO DO A 360 SPIN AROUND THE PLAYERS WITH THE SKYCAM BEFORE EVERY PLAY?! THEN THE LINES WEREN'T ON THE FIELD. DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MUCH I DRANK? IT WAS LIKE I WAS PLAYING DIZZY BAT WHILE TRYING TO WATCH THE GAME. LET ME OFF THIS RIDE!
I kept screaming at the TV (yeah, I know they can't hear me) every time the announcers would call the wrong player. "That hit by Jarrett" (play actually made by Facyson)..."Mangore did a pretty good job on that run" (You mean Mangus?)
The sad thing is, I don't know that ESPN announcers would have done any better, as I've heard them screw up names and stuff earlier in the year. I would love to have a job as an announcers for football on any station (at least for college), because I could screw everything up, praise bad players, fluff up things that aren't even on or accurate, and still get paid some enormous amount of money. They could probably pick up a couple hobos sitting out front and pay them in sandwiches who would do a better job than what we got.
SEC announcers: willfully fucking up.
ESPN announcers: just plain old incompetent.
I'll take ESPN.
The thing that made me mad the most was how many times they kept showing the hit. Then they showed Cumwalt's head and it was gashed like a helmet to helmet hit would do. It was awful, I muted it at halftime and couldn't stand the arrogance that the SEC network decided to show our team. It was like they were trying to say ohh go to VT if you're a walk on because they will take you.. Instead how about show that Jack Tyler is an ALL ACC LB and remember that guy MV7 yeah he's a badass.
Made us look like a MAC team by the way they were talking about my team.
I said before this game to expect a horrid broadcast from my least favorite announcers in the game in Verne and Gary. They constantly have bias going into every game, and CONSTANTLY mess up names, even in SEC games. I watch games on mute with a radio broadcast going nowadays when CBS broadcasts a game. It's just so terrible, and I can only take so many effing commercials.
To everyone who is talking about them replaying the Zumwalt hit...they do this with MOST penalized hits. Late hits, helmet to helmet, defenseless receiver hits, personal fouls, and targeting fouls are CONSTANTLY replayed on this horrible network.
If it seems like I hate CBS and Verne and Gary, it's because I truly do. They have been mangling SEC broadcasts for years. Verne may be great for the Master's, but there he usually only has to remember like a two dozen names instead of the amount that play in a college football game (48+?). If CBS never aired another college football game I would be very happy.
Showing hits on repeat where a player gets hurt is really disrespectful and tasteless, IMO. I can understand a few times just so everyone knows what happened, but to go back and replay it several times during the game is wrong. Then to praise the guy who made the hit is even worse.
In Lane, Hokie Vision usually shows the previous play. I don't know if anyone else has noticed this, but if a player on either them gets injured on a play, Hokie Vision does not show the replay. I'm not sure if this is actually true, but it seems like it happens often.
That is true as far as I remember. They never showed penalties or injuries, and for as long as I was there, they did not show any play that went under review, at least after a review was called by the refs. That may have changed, and may have also been an ACC policy.
Also, did we have cheerleaders, a band, a mascot or fans at the game? I don't think the camera ever showed them.
Now that you mention it, I do not remember seeing Hokie Bird Once during the game.
That's right- I've probably watched close to 200 HOKIE games on TV and
this is first time I don't recall seeing the HOKIE bird even once.
However we saw their bear numerous times.
the band was shown almost by mistake they almost ran into the reporter
they did keep showing a shot of their super fat band chic dancing around.
The Hokiebird got more screen time than any of those other entities. He ran out of the tunnel, never to be seen again. (Well, his feet were around sometimes). They showed the band nearly walking over that dumbass reporter standing in front of the band. (We were really rooting for them to Logan Thomas her). The folks I was with no joke assumed that we didn't have cheerleaders. (Seriously. We really thought we hadn't brought cheerleaders). We had one fan. (Sam Rogers' brother.)
We did however get shots of their unattractive cheerleaders, unattractive band, weird looking mascot, and... damn. I have nothing mean to say about their cute asian student body.
Agreed that was horrible. There were many base video production issues....the sideline reporting was horrible and I generally hated that bowl and the broadcast of it even if we won the thing.
Promos all had over use of lens flares. Especially their halftime SEC video. Would have been nice to mix it up.
The sideline eye candy was decent as eye candy but that's about it.
I like Verne but I have been officially Sick of Gary Danielson's Shit for about three years now. This game did nothing to repair that opinion.
If you took a bunch of dumpsters, chopped them all up and then put them in another dumpster and set the whole thing on fire you'd have an appropriate metaphor for that broadcast.
Too many commercial breaks. There seemed to be way more production pieces on UCLA than VT, we got almost no fluff other than Sam Rogers brother having gone to Hampton Sydney. One of the laziest broadcasts I've seen in a long time from a player name and general background standpoint. They made Musburger look prepared. Their commentary about the play of Zumwalt was completely inconsistent with the video; they ran a slow-mo replay of Coleman getting rocked in the head by Zumwalt later and Gary said, "Close to helmet to helmet."
I'd like to punch him close to his nuts.
Dumpsterfireception!
I think I was most offended just before half when we got the ball back and Gary starts preaching on air, just take a knee you can't do anything with a backup QB.
Oh yeah. And he went on and on and on with it.
We noticed that here and were really pissed about it.
I usually re watch the games - not this one - mostly due to the coverage.
at one point HeyVerne actually babbled the point that essentially it doesn't really matter if teams go to bowl games or not and Gary didn't argue the point at all. And that was about the 20th worst part of the broadcast.
It was incredibly clear that Vern & Gary mailed it in for this broadcast....corporate told them to hop a plane to El Paso, so they did. Didn't do any game prep, didn't look at film, didn't bother to check the name pronunciations in the game notes....probably hit the hotel bar up for a few drinks the night before, checked what time their flight out was, and, oh, yeah, there's the minor matter of doing the broadcast. It was indeed a pitiful attempt at a sports broadcast.
Verne & Gary: pre-game meal....