Best ND television announcers

[IRISHDODGER]

Thought it would be interesting to see who you fans preferred as ND announcers for the NBC telecasts since the TV contract began & who you would prefer to see replace the current duo if that were to happen. Of course, you may think Haden/Hammond are fine & no change is necessary. Personally, I'd like a change.

I'm going by memory, so don't bust my balls if I leave someone out, but I believe the broadcasts started w/ Dick Enberg & Bob Trumpy. NBC followed that duo w/ Tom Hammond & Chris Collingsworth. Collingsworth was shown the door allegedly for being a little too critical of the Irish. This was during Holtz's heyday & the athletic admin. supposedly didn't like Collingsworth's negativity. Haden then replaced Collingsworth which gives us the current team of Haden/Hammond. John Dockery was the original sideline reporter but was always pissing Holtz off. Don't know if that was the reason for his replacement but, nonetheless, he was replaced.

I thought Enberg & Trumpy were good b/c they were pretty straightforward & did a good job of remaining neutral. Hammond & Haden seem like nice guys but I just as soon mute their telecast & listen to the radio broadcast (if I could get it!). BTW, Don Criqui (sp?) is good, but I miss Tony Roberts & Tom Pagna on the radio...classic!

I remember watching the ND games when I was young & Paul Hornung was one of the announcers. I think it was broadcast on WGN, but could be wrong. It had a nice local flavor, esp. w/ a former player in the box. On a national stage, though, NBC/ND should probably, IMO, stay away from former players or anyone affiliated w/ the university.

 

[portlaNDgal]

To be honest, I really don't remember the early announcers all that much. I would like it if our current announcers were a little more partisan towards ND. I feel like they try a little hard to be neutral. I know it's a little childish, but I feel like we get so much negative press on ESPN and ABC that I'd like a little more balance on our side of the teeter-totter so to speak.

I don't know who the CBS announcers were for the Navy game, but I thought they did a really good job. Maybe they were doing an audition tape for ND? :idea:

 

[Freeman Ara]

I couldn't say who I would want to replace the current guys, but anybody that might be more pro-ND would be nice. I mean gotta figure that 90% of the people watching are ND fans so why not get some guys that are a little homer-ish yet still objective enough to call a fair game and point out when the other team made a good play. Seems like now everything Hammond/Haden say is more slanted toward the opponent and then when something goes well for the Irish they are quick to point that out, I think it should be the other way around.

 

[GoshenGipper]

I don't know who the CBS announcers were for the Navy game, but I thought they did a really good job. Maybe they were doing an audition tape for ND? :idea:

Steve Beuerlein was the analyst for that game and he has said he wants to call more Irish games. I thought he did a pretty good job and he was very fair considering where he went to school. He would actually be my choice for NBC along with Tony Roberts doing the play by play.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

I couldn't say who I would want to replace the current guys, but anybody that might be more pro-ND would be nice. I mean gotta figure that 90% of the people watching are ND fans so why not get some guys that are a little homer-ish yet still objective enough to call a fair game and point out when the other team made a good play. Seems like now everything Hammond/Haden say is more slanted toward the opponent and then when something goes well for the Irish they are quick to point that out, I think it should be the other way around.

I realize that we're probably talking TV coverage here, BUT...

Tony Roberts was, is and always will be Notre Dame Football to me. I miss that guy a lot and wish to hear him go nuts with a Notre Dame running back down the sidelines just one more time.

 

[IrishAlum1997]

TOUCHDOWN IRISH!!! Tony Roberts f'n rules. Many a Saturday did I have to go out to my car during work to get some Irish football on the radio. I remember by employees looking at me like an alien when I heard Tony's call of the Dilligham to Battle TD vs. MSU---I was going ballistic.

I think its sacriliege that a USC QB is calling our games. Impartial, schmipartial...he's an f'n Trojan.

 

[notredomer23]

Best NBC announcer is jeff jeffers.
Best one when they play at 8 on espn: kirk Herbsteit

 

[stonebreakerwasgod]

I don't know who the best is, but the worst was Collinsworth (and I'm a bengals fan).

 

[IRISHDODGER]

I realize that we're probably talking TV coverage here, BUT...

Tony Roberts was, is and always will be Notre Dame Football to me. I miss that guy a lot and wish to hear him go nuts with a Notre Dame running back down the sidelines just one more time.

Agreed. i like GG's idea of putting Roberts in the NBC booth w/ Tony Rice. I'm sure Roberts' age is a detriment but he'd be great for a few years before they found a long-term replacement.

 

[onenybrother]

I watch the game, but listen to it on the radio. I think Allen Pinkett does a great job and should be looked at for the T.V. job.

 

[PADOMERNUT]

it may just be me, but it seems like regardless of who we play, haden/hammond will make a guy have 50 tackles in a game. It just seems like every game they will pick a guy from the opposing team and make him the best player in college football, but will never do that for a ND player. Personally Im so sick of hearing the mark may's of the world, i would like the nbc telecasts be a homer for ND. Can anyone tell me how Haden is when we play USC. I was at the last ND/USC game in South Bend, and I cant remember how he was before that, mainly b/c i didnt care b/c SC was blowing us out. But i can imagine it would be horrible to have to listen to Haden call a game for ND when they are playing the trojans

 

[Pete]

I actually don't mind Haden, but I cannot stand Hammond. The easiest why for ND to stop the "best player in college football effect" of an opponent is for the offensive line to effing block someone and for the defense to freaking stop somebody. Think about it, the Purdue, Air Force, UNC, Mich, MSU (1st half), GT (1st half), LSU, USC QBs all had career days against ND. Maybe Henne didn't have a career day against us but he did kill us.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

I watch the game, but listen to it on the radio. I think Allen Pinkett does a great job and should be looked at for the T.V. job.

Pinkett definitely knows his stuff & offers a great perspective being a former player but w/ a little less "homer" slant b/c he's been away from the game so long. To me that's a great combination.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

Pinkett definitely knows his stuff & offers a great perspective being a former player but w/ a little less "homer" slant b/c he's been away from the game so long. To me that's a great combination.

Pinkett definately knows his stuff. I don't need a commentator to be a homer...I just need someone who's gonna be fair and I don't think Hayden or Hammond fit that bill based on their performances the past few years.

 

[The Fly]

I'd like to have the best TV play-by-play guy - ready for this - Gary Thorne. Yup that goofy looking guy from ESPN/ABC can do just about everything. There are very few guys that have the ability to keep up with the end to end action of the NHL and also maintain a viewers interest through the mind numbing tedium of a Steve Trachsel pitching performance. Thorne can do both and does them better than most.

I'd love to see him call ND games with a half naked Erin Andrews as sideline reporter.

 

[TexasNDFan]

Didn't Bill Walsh call games on NBC??

 

[IRISHDODGER]

Didn't Bill Walsh call games on NBC??

I could be wrong, but I believe that was before the TV contract. I know he announced the Orange Bowl vs. Colorado when ND was ROBBED! I can still hear him saying how crazy the Buffs would be to kick the ball to the Rocket. They did it anyway, the kid takes it to the house for an apparent victory, out comes the flag on the other end of the field & the Buffs win a share of the national championship...but I digress.

 

[Orazl]

Lindsey Nelson....

 

[IRISHDODGER]

Lindsey Nelson....

...may he rest in peace.

 

[simontonlake]

re: "Best NBC announcer is jeff jeffers"...

re: "Best NBC announcer is jeff jeffers"...

Your kidding. Right?

 

[tgolden]

I don't want too much of a homer announcer, but I agree that the current guys are definitely anti-homers. seriously, sometimes they seem to just hate ND. but I don't know who I'd want to replace them. I would like someone who really can be objective though.

 

[portlaNDgal]

I don't want too much of a homer announcer, but I agree that the current guys are definitely anti-homers. seriously, sometimes they seem to just hate ND. but I don't know who I'd want to replace them. I would like someone who really can be objective though.

Well, you won't have to listen to them for another 3 years - I'm so jealous

 

[tgolden]

Well, you won't have to listen to them for another 3 years - I'm so jealous

haha, but I get my sister to tape all the games, so when I go home I watch them all in full. you know, I gotta see what I missed. but yes, you are right, I am very lucky right now. I really don't know what I'm going to do after I graduate.

 

[jboxer562]

i cant stand musberger and bob davie

 

[rontdtarchala]

the only voice of NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH FOOTBALL IS LINDSEY NELSON...hammond/haden fizzle not sizzle we need domers at the mike

 

[tommy]

Anyone have any favorite announcer from another team in any sport that you would like to hear do ND games

 

[tgolden]

dickie v? I kid.

 

[tommy]

dickie v? I kid.

LOL thats a good joke reps for that bad Idea good joke you know whats worse is they have is irritateing ass on hooters comericals now

 

[grantland]

Lindsey Nelson!

EDIT:

Sorry RONT, Reps for saying Lindsey Nelson.

 

[notredomer23]

Your kidding. Right?

yeah i was but thats an awsome name jeff jeffers. Umm i would have to go with hammond