MSG B-Team Broadcast

[IKnowPhysics]

Didn't find an appropriate thread to dump this in.

 

TL;DR: We could do better. We're getting F'ed by having to piggyback MSG+. Kevin and Danny aren't the way to go forward. Brian Duff for Sabres Hockey Network Rookie of the Year.

 

[rant]

So as a result of being carried by MSG and having Rick only part-time, I think we hit a new low for broadcast quality during the Islanders game.

 

MSG uses the Islanders/Devils/Rangers studio analysts AND their camera operations/graphics, so the Sabres announcers essentially piggyback off the MSG+ feed, being forced to watch the other team's highlights, talk over the other teams graphics and bullet points, and segue back and forth with their personnel. Using their studio broadcast means it's all-Islanders-all-the-time during intermission. You don't get your dose of Brian Duff. Additionally, Sylvester and Gare sounded like they were on the opposite side of the ice from the cameras (evident when they referenced the near-side boards, etc) and the audio sounded like they were broadcasting out of a closet (the on-ice/crowd audio levels were mixed down to nothing). Visually craptastic.

 

The piggybacking makes the broadcast pretty f'ing bad.

 

I'm losing faith in Kevin's play-by-play. I've given him some time to shake off his introductory jitters and improve from his I'm-going-to-pour-out-an-encylopedia's-worth-of-information-in-every-breath. It hasn't happened. He's boring. He tries to say too much. He's also getting smug: "player x dumps it down the ice and this should be icing. AND IT IS." I can't stand the "and it is." He says it way too much, and the way he says it, like he's saying "I called that one," drives me up the wall. We all knew it was going to be icing. You don't win broadcasting awards for seeing the refs arm go up. Just say that it will be icing.

 

Danny Gare sounds like he's been drinking before and during every broadcast. His speech slurs. He's annoying to listen to, like an excited, drunk know-it-all. He and Kevin can't work out exchanges as to not interupt eachother. His analysis is not insightful, especially on the spot (he does a little better when he's in the studio when he has time and/or help). 50 goals or not, he needs to at least get back in the studio, if not go back to Columbus. He'd probably be a a good fit for college hockey. Give him to RIT.

 

Kevin and Danny's anti-greatness was magnified by the MSG+ piggyback, and I think it made for a dog ###### broadcast, and depending on Rick's schedule, we'll have to put up with this six times a season.

 

Beside the everlasting RJ, the only bright spots in the broadcast THIS YEAR are:

1) Brian Duff. He's the ######. He knows what's going on. He's been in the game for a while over at NHLN. He's professional. If he didn't do the studio gig as well as he does, I'd consider giving him ashot at being the color guy.

2) Video/audio for homes games. We have HD cameras and an excellent technical staff at home. The video and audio quality has been great. It really stands out in comparison to when we have to use other arenas' crappy equipment. I weep when I have to watch other broadcasts.

3) I'm still enjoying Rayzor between the benches. His professional broadcast game is improving. He adds levity. His analysis is somewhat insightful and continues to improve.

[/rant]

 

I know ranting about the broadcast comes sounds like nit-picky bull ###### when some of you are only able to see this:

 

My sympathies.

[BuffalOhio]

They used Dan Dunleavy 2 years ago for a trial game, maybe two. I thought he was OUTSTANDING. Sylvester just sucks at pbp. Don't mind Gare. I hope Dunleavy is the replacement when RJ finally retires. He's on Leafs Radio from what Dr. Google tells me.

[Eleven]

They used Dan Dunleavy 2 years ago for a trial game, maybe two. I thought he was OUTSTANDING. Sylvester just sucks at pbp. Don't mind Gare. I hope Dunleavy is the replacement when RJ finally retires. He's on Leafs Radio from what Dr. Google tells me.

 

I don't remember Dunleavy but I remember Hamilton being pretty good.

 

Sly is just AWFUL.

[WanderingEye]

I don't believe I ever heard Hamilton call a game but I do remember Dunleavy being much better than Sylvester or Mark Jeanneret during last season's western road trip. I don't mind Gare that much but he has a tendency to start rambling while the play is going on and if you're listening on the radio (because you can't watch the games on TV anymore) you have no idea what's happening. Also he's a pretty blatant homer - "How do you like that, Ottawa?!"

[Eleven]

I don't believe I ever heard Hamilton call a game but I do remember Dunleavy being much better than Sylvester or Mark Jeanneret during last season's western road trip. I don't mind Gare that much but he has a tendency to start rambling while the play is going on and if you're listening on the radio (because you can't watch the games on TV anymore) you have no idea what's happening. Also he's a pretty blatant homer - "How do you like that, Ottawa?!"

 

On radio, I can't tell what end of the rink they're describing. It's that bad.

[spndnchz]

FWIW, it's the last year of taking the Isles, Rangers, Jersey feed.

 

I'd agree with Gare going on too long for people on the radio feed. Rick starting out on radio makes him really call the game well.

 

I say, if I have to put up with Kevin to get another year out of Rick, I'm good.

[Who Else?]

^{Brian Duff is great, but i just can not stop wondering how he pronuciates so well without his mouth moving. He is made for Sylvester's Pre-Post game job. Ray is great between the benches, if Gare was alittle sharper he would be great there too. Every time I see Gare on Tv, I can't but stopo and think of one of his last broadcasts before his hiatus, it was St Patrick's Day probably before the lockout. It was on Empire and Gare was at a bar so smashed he could barely stand up. You couldn't understand one word he said. It was so unprofessional, but so great.}

 

^{I remember listening to Ted Black interview after the first away Devils game and he said he knew the overlapping feed was terrible and that it was something they were going to fix. I just want to know what happened, because that was the absolute worst Sabres broadcast I've seen in many years HD or not. The announcers were so loud that I could not hear any in game action.}

 

^{Sabres just need to say thanks Rick, but we have to hire someone full time. Have regular crew with relevant guests. I hate to be like that, because I only really started liking and watching Sabres games because of him. I would watch about anything with him announcing, but if the Sabres can not field a decent B-team, and their A team team includes Neale, then I think they need to start over. (not with Rick's son or Sylvester)}

[LTS]

FWIW, it's the last year of taking the Isles, Rangers, Jersey feed.

 

I'd agree with Gare going on too long for people on the radio feed. Rick starting out on radio makes him really call the game well.

 

I say, if I have to put up with Kevin to get another year out of Rick, I'm good.

 

I literally turn off the games when they are the dubbed in home feeds for Rangers, Devils, Islanders.. I'd rather listen to THEIR announcers.

 

I cannot stand Gare. Let Ray do color on the road games.. Gare is a moron and continually calls players by the wrong name or worse. He doesn't belong in the booth.. when my 7 year old son is constantly correcting him you know it's bad.

 

Sylvester is better now than he had been. I wouldn't doubt if Gare throws him off. I still don't like him however.

 

Duff.. agree.. he's a hockey guy and it shows. His commentary is far better than Gare or Sylvester.

 

At this point I'll take a hamster calling some games if it means RJ is around longer. I'm not sure what I will do when he's gone.. and to think I didn't like RJ when Darling called the games..

[That Aud Smell]

I'm with the OP on Sylvester. I thought he showed promise initially (or, at least, competence), but the idea of him getting the gig full-time is very unpleasant. I'm sure he has a place within the organization and on the broadcast team, but please, please don't give him the PBP duties.

[ROCBuffalo]

Sylvester is very boring. I was listening to the game on the radio (cause Time Warner Sucks!) and watched the highlights after. There was way more excitement in the game rather then just a "slick save by miller." I like him pre-game but not color. When you listen to RJ, he can make 80 and over bingo night sound like a bachelor party that you need to be a part of.

[IKnowPhysics]

FWIW, it's the last year of taking the Isles, Rangers, Jersey feed.

Elaborate, please.

 

Also, I've found myself excited for home games because I know that'll mean RJ.

[shrader]

Sylvester is very boring. I was listening to the game on the radio (cause Time Warner Sucks!) and watched the highlights after. There was way more excitement in the game rather then just a "slick save by miller." I like him pre-game but not color. When you listen to RJ, he can make 80 and over bingo night sound like a bachelor party that you need to be a part of.

 

Part of the problem is that no one will ever live up to RJ. Whoever has to follow in his footsteps is screwed. They might as well throw someone to the wolves and then hope for a better reaction to the next guy in line after that.

[Weave]

Hey Who Else?, what in the heck is with the huge font?

[Who Else?]

Hey Who Else?, what in the heck is with the huge font?

 

I can't control the menu bars. Everytime I type the default size is like two size in italics crossed out and underlined. Sorry just trying to play with the cards I'm dealt. Some times it looks good before I post sometimes it don't. And maybe I think I need a little "special" attention.

[spndnchz]

 

Elaborate, please.

 

Also, I've found myself excited for home games because I know that'll mean RJ.

 

Next year they will be doing their own broadcasts for every single Sabres game except for versus@/NBC

[WanderingEye]

Part of the problem is that no one will ever live up to RJ. Whoever has to follow in his footsteps is screwed. They might as well throw someone to the wolves and then hope for a better reaction to the next guy in line after that.

 

I think it will be easier for the fans to swallow if RJ's replacement is actually good. Sylvester just doesn't have it when it comes to play by play.

[JJFIVEOH]

I don't know why, but I find it extremely aggravating when he calls the net the 'cage'. I know he's not the only one, but it's annoying as hell.

[Who Else?]

Why can't we ever get the vs. nhlnbc B-team. I hate those guys. How many times did they say Stafford went to North Dakota? Five times during the game action. Who the hell cares who Julien started on a line with in the AHL. When Emerick was talking about it last night I was really trying to wrap my mind what the point of telling us who Patrick started the NHL paired up with as opposed to Julien. Was there some sort of connection there?. This was in the first ten minutes of the game.

 

When you watch vs B-team they are pretty good except they usually use the homes color man. Emerick and mcGuire make me want to stop watching hockey. Oh yeah and then you get Milbury during Intermissions, which makes Keith Jones sound like a homer.

[Sabel79]

McGuire makes me violently angry at all times. I was amazed he could speak at all last night, what with his tounge so far up Lucic / Chara's collective metaphorical backside.

 

RJ I irreplaceable. Perhaps once it's time for him to go the Sabres can foist Pete Weber out of Nashville? He was at least decent on TV before RJ took that over...

[Gramps]

McGuire makes me violently angry at all times. I was amazed he could speak at all last night, what with his tounge so far up Lucic / Chara's collective metaphorical backside.

 

RJ I irreplaceable. Perhaps once it's time for him to go the Sabres can foist Pete Weber out of Nashville? He was at least decent on TV before RJ took that over...

 

I'd rather have Joe Bowen out of Toronto but that ain't happenin ...

[Samson's Flow]

I think they need to decide to find a b-team PBP/potential replacement from somebody who has actually done pbp before somewhere else. That way you at least know what you are getting. Converting a studio guy into a PBP guy is like taking a winger and putting him at center. Most of the times it just isn't going to work. Especially when you are replacing a legend.

[Eleven]

McGuire makes me violently angry at all times. I was amazed he could speak at all last night, what with his tounge so far up Lucic / Chara's collective metaphorical backside.

 

RJ I irreplaceable. Perhaps once it's time for him to go the Sabres can foist Pete Weber out of Nashville? He was at least decent on TV before RJ took that over...

 

I don't hate the Pete Weber idea.

[shrader]

I don't hate the Pete Weber idea.

 

It seems like he's so firmly established in Nashville though. He's been there since day 1. I always hear him on NHL radio for XM too, so it seems like he's got a very comfortable gig down in Nashville. Any idea how strong his ties are to this area? A quick google search says he's not a local.

[IKnowPhysics]

Just got the Sabres Insider email today. It links to a survey that asks all about the broadcast quality, including the particular qualities of each broadcaster (IE, rate Kevin Sylvester's play-by-play calling, etc).

 

Give it a look, it's probably worthwhile to fill out. Took about 3-4 mins.

[Eleven]

Just got the Sabres Insider email today. It links to a survey that asks all about the broadcast quality, including the particular qualities of each broadcaster (IE, rate Kevin Sylvester's play-by-play calling, etc).

 

Give it a look, it's probably worthwhile to fill out. Took about 3-4 mins.

 

Schopp twatted that the survey has Neale's name misspelled throughout. Is that so?