Taro T Posted February 13, 2012 Report Posted February 13, 2012 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. He did Bisons baseball for quite a few years and was very good at it. IMHO, he's much more suited for the pace of baseball than hockey. I don't expect that it'll make much difference who follows in RJ's footsteps - there's no way he'll measure up. So, why not run w/ Sylvester for 1 year and find another HoF quality guy to follow him?
shrader Posted February 13, 2012 Report Posted February 13, 2012 He did Bisons baseball for quite a few years and was very good at it. IMHO, he's much more suited for the pace of baseball than hockey. I don't expect that it'll make much difference who follows in RJ's footsteps - there's no way he'll measure up. So, why not run w/ Sylvester for 1 year and find another HoF quality guy to follow him? I remember Weber quite well. I just wonder if he built up any strong ties to the area while he was here or if Nashville is one of those cliche "off to greener pastures" type situations. And I suggested the same exact thing with Sylvester. No one can ever fill RJ's shoes, so it wouldn't surprise me if they just threw someone like Sylvester to the wolves. Give the fans someone completely mediocre so that his replacement will get a warm welcome.
IKnowPhysics Posted February 13, 2012 Author Report Posted February 13, 2012 At the end of the survey, there's an open text box to comment. You can copy and paste a decent amount of text into it, so I did. Firstly, I love the broadcast. I catch a lot of out-of-market games and the current Sabres broadcast quality fars exceeds every other local NHL broadcast, especially in the areas of video quality, audio quality, on-air personality, and professionalism. I'm excited to watch our informative and professional broadcast and cringe when I cannot. Recently, with Rick calling a fewer number of games, I realize that the broadcast team is searching for personnel to cover in his absence. While I truely admire Kevin Sylvester's abilities as a hockey analyst and an on-air host and his very likeble personality, I strongly believe that Kevin struggles in the play-by-play role and should not be considered for a long term position in that role. I must reiterate that he's great in every other part of the broadcast. With regard to Danny Gare, I sincerely repsect him as a member of the Sabres alumni, but I find that his realtime in-game color commentary often lacks the focus and professionalism that the Sabres broadcast deserves; I think his talents make him better suited for a role as an intermission report analyst. I will also convey that Brian Duff was an excellent addition to the broadcast team. His pedigree with the Toronto and NHL Network broadcasts is evident in his professionalism and knowledge of the game. He is very likable and I would like to see Brian take on an expanded role in the broadcast, perhaps trying out a couple of games in the primary color commentary role. Know that the broadcast has always been a large part of Sabres fans' lives your continued strive for broadcast excellence will never go unappreciated. Thank you for the opportunity to comment.
MattPie Posted February 13, 2012 Report Posted February 13, 2012 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. Link? I can't find the email.
Eleven Posted February 13, 2012 Report Posted February 13, 2012 At the end of the survey, there's an open text box to comment. You can copy and paste a decent amount of text into it, so I did. Wow. Nice.
... Posted February 14, 2012 Report Posted February 14, 2012 In the survey regarding the broadcast, I just mentioned that Sylvester is not good, and suggested they make a contest out of finding a replacement for RJ. In the survery about the "game day experience", I put this: Hmm, trying to figure out the point of this survey other than generating a general demo. Look, the Sabres ON ICE PRODUCT needs to improve, right away, or I will not be going to as many games as I (or we) do. For the past several seasons, now, this team has been living off the reputation it earned right after the lock-out; fans are hoping to see the team compete like it did those few seasons. But, instead, we're getting "promises" of wait-and-see, it'll get better, and the numbers are good. The numbers ARE NOT good. You can not build a team strictly via statistical analysis. These players are lazy and fragile. Something needs to be done about it. Frankly, something needs to be done about the ineffective and incompetent GM who has built this team of effete slackers. The fans want a team that will try until the bitter end, will back each other up in ANY situation, who aren't afraid to check, who won't back down. We want to believe that if the Sabres are down a point and there's a minute to go, that the team is capable of scoring the goal to send it to overtime. We want the magic back. No amount of improved concessions or perks are going to do that. Listen to the crowds when the team is playing an "average" Sabres' game - the crowd is silent. Contrast that to when the team is giving its all, like the Boston game last week. The crowd is INSANE! We want "the hardest working team in the NHL" back. We don't want to be berated by the owner for not buying the injury excuse. We don't want lip service from the GM about how the numbers say this or that. How about respecting the fans' intelligence: we get hockey around here. We know what we're seeing on the ice, and it ain't good. This is what you need to survey - not this nonsense about the "experience" at the F'N Arena. Take care of the product on the ice, and the rest falls into place.
Foot In The Crease! Posted February 14, 2012 Report Posted February 14, 2012 Only one man can do this job properly,,,,, GUS FRICKEN JOHNSON
Who Else? Posted February 14, 2012 Report Posted February 14, 2012 Since we're throwing Weber's name out there to replace RJ, I found another guy I like. Last night I watched the Carolina feed. Forslund is definately not as excitable as Rick, but calls the game in a similar way. Forslund has done some neutral games for Vs. in the past. If you listened to him on the radio you would know exactly what was going on in the game. Forslund is paired up with some uninteresting gut in Carolina, a real homer like Bob Errey. If you put someone interesting next to Forslund, like a Ray Ferrarro, you could have an absolute dynamic team.
shrader Posted February 14, 2012 Report Posted February 14, 2012 Since we're throwing Weber's name out there to replace RJ, I found another guy I like. Last night I watched the Carolina feed. Forslund is definately not as excitable as Rick, but calls the game in a similar way. Forslund has done some neutral games for Vs. in the past. If you listened to him on the radio you would know exactly what was going on in the game. Forslund is paired up with some uninteresting gut in Carolina, a real homer like Bob Errey. If you put someone interesting next to Forslund, like a Ray Ferrarro, you could have an absolute dynamic team. Forslund has one of the fakest broadcast voices I have ever heard.
Ghost of Dwight Drane Posted February 14, 2012 Report Posted February 14, 2012 In the survey regarding the broadcast, I just mentioned that Sylvester is not good, and suggested they make a contest out of finding a replacement for RJ. In the survery about the "game day experience", I put this: I fear you are about to go missing ala the DA in the Penn St case........
IKnowPhysics Posted February 17, 2012 Author Report Posted February 17, 2012 Regarding the comments I left with my survey, Ted Black took the time to respond to me this morning. Thought I'd share: Bill- Thank you for taking the time to respond to the broadcast survey. Over the lunch hour, I was wading through the comments of the 5,059 folks who responded. Yours was one of the many that struck me for the time and thought expended. The one constant that has amazed me since I came to Buffalo is how deeply the fans care for all aspects of this franchise. With regard to the specific comments about the talent in general and Rick calling fewer games, I appreciate that the situation creates both a challenge and an opportunity. The good news is that RJ seems to be energized by the reduced work load and, hopefully, that will prolong his career (and if I could spend some of TMP’s money to cryogenically freeze the dude and make him last forever, I probably would!) I am really glad RJ came up with that idea over lunch at Chef’s last summer…. Thanks again for your feedback. I am confident that it will help us to make the telecasts even better. Best regards, TNB Theodore N. Black Buffalo Sabres President /Alternate NHL Governor [contact information redacted] I know the team is having on-ice troubles this season, but I'm confident that the team is in good hands moving forward. I'll likely craft a reply.
biodork Posted February 17, 2012 Report Posted February 17, 2012 Regarding the comments I left with my survey, Ted Black took the time to respond to me this morning. Thought I'd share: ... I know the team is having on-ice troubles this season, but I'm confident that the team is in good hands moving forward. I'll likely craft a reply. Awesome - both your comments and TB's response. I filled out the survey, too, but I didn't write nearly as much at the end.
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