Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
So today in Washington D.C., I have the choice between the Redskins (2-2) at the Panthers (0-4), or the Ravens (3-1) at home against those frisky Cincinnati Bengals (3-1). Believe it or not, because the Redskins always find a way to be entertaining--alternating between horror movie and slapstick comedy--it wasn't an easy choice.
Enter Gus Johnson.
The coolest announcer this side of Scott Van Pelt, Gus legitimately improves the Bengals-Ravens game by about 200%. Just awesome.
Ed Reed just intercepted Carson Palmer and took it back for six, and he absolutely nailed it. And just now, of the Bengals holder on a recent field goal, "the ball was sort of behind him... But he makes chicken salad with it!" Perfect.
14 comments
Comments
Seriously
You like Gus Johnson? Really?
The game features two pretty good team already. It really doesn’t need some self-promoting buffoon who thinks his calls are more entertaining than the play on the field.
Gus Johnson = mute button.
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by Brad Wells on Oct 11, 2009 2:48 PM EDT reply actions
Seriously?
Would you prefer Joe Buck? Thom Brennahan? Phil Simms? He gets over excited sometimes, but that’s better than the monotone alternative, or the inane preachiness of people like Buck or Simms. Have a sense of humor; the games are more fun with Gus.
On my couch, he’s a winner.
So… f— yo couch!
by Andrew Sharp on Oct 11, 2009 3:19 PM EDT reply actions
Sense of humor?
The game itself is entertaining enough. The play-by-play announcers are supposed to be neutral and not draw attention to themselves. When they do, they become annoying.
Like Gus Johnson.
And lose the knocks on my sense of humor. When people disagree with you, it does not mean they are “humorless.” It just means they do not genuflect in front of the altar of crappy announcers.
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by Brad Wells on Oct 11, 2009 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Sorry
Not knocking your sense of humor… Merely saying that if we take these games too seriously, it shortchanges the experience.
Exciting plays are exciting to fans, and as a fan, I don’t have a problem with an announcer joining in on the excitement. Criticizing Gus is no different than praising sports journalists detaching themselves from any rooting alliances, because it’s “unprofessional.”
Why, exactly, is it against the rules to be enthusiastic about the game’s we’re covering?
(And as far as Johnson’s coverage, he does his homework as well as anyone in the business, so it’s not as if his zeal comes at the expense of substance)
by Andrew Sharp on Oct 11, 2009 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Um
I have no problem with announcers getting excited when an exciting play actually happens. Johnson calls every stupid in-completion and tackle as if it were the final play of the Cal v. Standford game.
And I’m sorry pal, but the last thing many of us want to hear is Gus Johnson seemingly cheering on the other team. It might be exciting to you, but to many others it is just plain, friggin annoying. It is THAT aspect of his style that comes off as unprofessional, and if you personally don’t think that it is, then you have an odd understanding of “professionalism.”
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by Brad Wells on Oct 11, 2009 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions
“I’m sorry pal, but the last thing many of us want to hear is Gus Johnson seemingly cheering on the other team.”
Not sure what you’re alluding to there, except for his occasional tendency to root for the underdog, which I think most of America appreciates.
by Andrew Sharp on Oct 11, 2009 4:48 PM EDT reply actions
I’m a gan of Gus because yes he’s over the top, but he’s over the top for both sides.
Even watching that Bengals / Broncos game rip my heart out (I’ve got a soft spot in my heart for the Bengals) I still loved the call by Gus because any fan that loves that game was at the very least on the inside yelling “are you kidding me?!”
by Art Middleton on Oct 11, 2009 5:24 PM EDT reply actions
And agian
When a big play actually happens, it’s nice to have someone get excited.
Johnson gets excited when a running back makes a two yard gain, and it gets old quickly.
And Andrew, if an announcer is rooting for anyone, that DEFINES unprofessionalism. If you cannot understand or see that, then it’s pointless to continue this. No one appreciates announcers rooting for anyone, save maybe the occasional douchebag.
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by Brad Wells on Oct 11, 2009 6:20 PM EDT up reply actions
The commenter above made the point for me: “he’s over the top for both sides.” Doesn’t mean he’s rooting for anyone, being unprofessional, or detracting from the game. We disagree.
by Andrew Sharp on Oct 11, 2009 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Gus Is awesome
Gus is awesome. When March Madness comes around, people react like they won the lottery when Gus is calling their team’s game. You want Verne Lundquist or Dick Enberg than you can have them LittleBlueShoe. I (and the other 99% of sports fans) will take Gus any day.
by hoyaeagle on Oct 11, 2009 7:48 PM EDT reply actions
Wow
A Patriots fans likes Gus Johnson. I’m shocked.
Go cry to Ron Winter.
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by Brad Wells on Oct 12, 2009 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Gus has never called a Patriots game since he started calling them for CBS (and if he has it’s been maybe one or two). How about showing some professionalism yourself mighty blogger tough guy and try to refute my argument.
by hoyaeagle on Oct 12, 2009 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Gus is a fantastic boxing commentator on Showtime now, too. One of his first shows was Froch-Taylor from earlier, and it was perfect Gus fodder with an insane 12th round comeback.
For Gus fans that haven’t seen it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8B-CW-lkr4
Bad Left Hook
"Well Howie, I think I'm going to stay outside and outjab him." -- Tex Cobb telling Howard Cosell how he would approach Larry Holmes
by Scott Christ on Oct 12, 2009 6:13 AM EDT reply actions
Boxing and basketball play-by-play
Is a bit different than football. I think most football fans simply disagree that such blatant nonprofessional behavior is good for football play-by-play.
And, no offense, but boxing needs some life from their announcers. The sports is completely corrupt and nearly irrelevant in the eyes of the most sports fans. MMA is now more popular, and seems to get more publicity.
Comparing boxing play-by-play and football play-by-play is just not applicable.
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by Brad Wells on Oct 12, 2009 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions
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