Doug Flutie is insufferable

[irishog77]

I honestly don't understand most of the Flutie hate. I get none of the Tirico hate- he's genuinely one of the top 3 guys in the business.

Flutie isn't a great color commentator, but I don't see all the anti-ND and hatred toward ND some of you allege. I think many dislike Flutie and dislike that he's a BC guy, and therefore find flaw with almost anything he says.

We're lucky right now to have Tirico, but that will end as soon as Al Michaels retires or nbc can find more for him to do. Keep in mind as well that guys like Taylor and Quinn, while ND guys and seemingly would be great fits for ND broadcasts, probably want to work more than 7 weeks a year (8 if you include the Spring Game...maybe 9 if nbc gets 2 NFL playoff games). They have more exposure, and perhaps more money, calling 13 or 14 games a year, every week. Plus there is more exposure and opportunity for them being affiliated with Fox and CBS Sports. What else is the color commentator for ND going to do with nbc sports? Sideline report on soccer games and car races? Pitch in on human interest stories on the olympics every 2 years from across the planet?

The ND color commentator gig for ND on nbc isn't a great gig in the world of broadcasting, until nbc gets a bigger and broader presence, particularly with football. While the Sunday night game is the highest rated game of the week, it's only 1, solitary game. And while the nbc broadcasts get decent ratings when ND is rolling, it's only 7 games a year, and there's virtually no other college presence for them.

I would probably prefer somebody over Flutie, but I've seen much, much worse from nbc in the broadcasting booth. And I don't know who else, that's a decent broadcaster, would want the ND job due to the limitations on his overall career. Maybe an older guy who only wants to work a little bit is the answer?

 

[ACamp1900]

Flutie isn't a great color commentator, but I don't see all the anti-ND and hatred toward ND some of you allege. I think many dislike Flutie and dislike that he's a BC guy, and therefore find flaw with almost anything he says.

IDK... I honestly can't say I remember him going on and on about a call or play that should have gone ND's way but didn't or drone on and on about any ND player playing well... but he sure seems to constantly harp on or openly wish for stuff like that for any team playing ND. Now I think it could easily be part of his job description, "bring a balance" or some such but yeah...

 

[NDohio]

The thing that stood out for me this past weekend was the pre-planned love for Darnold. He was having a terrible game and they still pulled out all his pictures of him being a young athlete and focused a LOT of attention on him. And there was Brandon Wimbush destroying the USC defense...

 

[BabyIrish]

Watched the first half yesterday and the third quarter this morning and...
The broadcast was awful in the first half. That's not to knock tiricos abilities but it was hard to listen to. It definitely seems like NBC was pushing for them to talk non stop about darnold. Hearing Tirico have to defend ND against flutie has to be horrible to hear no matter what allegiance you have watching the game.

With all that being said, the 3rd quarter was so much better. It actually seemed for once like an objective analysis. Flutie was somehow able to say some good remarks on Adams and Wimbush and also had some good video replay analysis on our run blocking.

 

[CHIDomer9]

Keep in mind as well that guys like Taylor and Quinn, while ND guys and seemingly would be great fits for ND broadcasts, probably want to work more than 7 weeks a year (8 if you include the Spring Game...maybe 9 if nbc gets 2 NFL playoff games). They have more exposure, and perhaps more money, calling 13 or 14 games a year, every week. Plus there is more exposure and opportunity for them being affiliated with Fox and CBS Sports. What else is the color commentator for ND going to do with nbc sports? Sideline report on soccer games and car races? Pitch in on human interest stories on the olympics every 2 years from across the planet?

The ND color commentator gig for ND on nbc isn't a great gig in the world of broadcasting, until nbc gets a bigger and broader presence, particularly with football.

This.

This is why we end up with who we end up with and why they seem to go in so heavy on the opponent every week. ND is the constant and, for whatever reason, NBC has come down hard with the directive to show "objectivity." When home base for the broadcast is ND, the easiest way for a color commentator to show objectivity is to have a package of praise ready for the opponent. Whoever is in this position is only doing 6 games per year, so their development is non-existent.

And if you think it is bad now, let's not forget how bad Nov 18 will be against Navy. Who's ready to hear about the daily schedule of middies for the 100th time?

 

[TDHeysus]

IDK... I honestly can't say I remember him going on and on about a call or play that should have gone ND's way but didn't or drone on and on about any ND player playing well... but he sure seems to constantly harp on or openly wish for stuff like that for any team playing ND. Now I think it could easily be part of his job description, "bring a balance" or some such but yeah...

At work, so I cannot get the clip reference; but on one of the plays that took place on USC end of the field where Wimbush goes to throw, only to tuck the ball run inside the 10 yard line for a substansial gain and a first down:

flutie says during the reply, something to the effect of, "You see here Wimbush look downfield and the first option is covered, If he was coached right, he would now look for the post pattern (flutie says that as Wimbush runs like 20yards for a first down inside the 10yard line)

 

[Me2SouthBend]

Keep complaining about Flutie and maybe they'll bring back Mayock or hire Taylor or Quinn..

Start complaining about Tirico and maybe they'll put Hicks back in the booth...

My advice, keep complaining about Flutie but don't say another word about Tirico.

Tom Hammond needs to return thread anyone?

 

[Emcee77]

I think Flutie is a bad color commentator whose analysis is often either muddled or superficial or both.

I do not think he is biased.

 

[irishtrain]

I've just come to expect it as NBC wants it this way rather than having a pro Notre Dame guy-last week while in the car I listened to a sec team and its radio coverage-was like night and day as they openly rooted for their team. Its a shame the Irish cant come to better terms with NBC-national yes but how about a little love NBC and not people talking about the game that just plain don't like Notre Dame. Tirico is class and thankful for him. A sidekick that at least respects Notre Dame would be nice.

 

[RDU Irish]

This is a perfect thread title. Flutie has no business anywhere associated with our football program. However if I had to choose between him and Hammond I might choose suicide.

 

[irisheyes]

whats bob davie doing? Seriously though Flutie is annoying. Nobody watching the game cared about his time in the canadian football league.

 

[ulukinatme]

Tom Hammond needs to return thread anyone?

Tirico is great in comparison. He actually knows his stuff. I really don't want him to go anywhere.

 

[snoopdog]

I don't understand what the posters on here are asking for?

Do you want the NBC game to be like the Notre Dame network where it is just homerism's for 4 hours?

Flutie does an reasonable job and is completely unbiased. I never heard him speak poorly of Notre Dame or give undeserved praise.

He isn't the best commentator, but he is far from the worst.

Somebody shuld do a Volyall piece to get Gruden as the ND commentator [

 

[ulukinatme]

I don't understand what the posters on here are asking for?

Do you want the NBC game to be like the Notre Dame network where it is just homerism's for 4 hours?

Flutie does an reasonable job and is completely unbiased. I never heard him speak poorly of Notre Dame or give undeserved praise.

He isn't the best commentator, but he is far from the worst.

Somebody shuld do a Volyall piece to get Gruden as the ND commentator [

You have to listen closely to what he says and doesn't say. He doesn't compliment the team all that often, and his play by play analysis is garbage. You can tell from his body language that he doesn't care for the Irish. I'm not asking for homerism, but an unbiased announcer isn't too much to ask for from NBC. Mayock wasn't bad, I'd take him back. Flutie reminds me of John Saunders in some ways. When things were going bad, and they'd cut to Saunders at halftime (When we were at an Away game on ESPN of course), he would have that sly grin when describing the Irish's struggles.

 

[IrishLion]

I don't understand what the posters on here are asking for?

We're asking for a color commentary guy who doesn't go silent after a big play by ND because he's struggling to say something nice. He's got a whole bunch of thoughts and analysis when someone makes a big play against ND.

We're asking for a color commentary guy who doesn't jump all over every chance to compliment the other team, or to explain away ND's success as struggles for the opposition.

We're asking for a color commentary guy who knows how to be balanced, period. His comments on ND lean to negative; his comments on the opposition lean to praise, even if they're getting clobbered.

We're asking for a color commentary guy who can hide his disgust while he says, "Can anything else go RIGHT for Notre Dame?" We don't want to hear him audibly shaking his head in disappointment when he says it.

We're asking for a color commentary guy who doesn't need to be poked and prodded by his co-host to follow the natural context of the conversation when discussing good things ND is doing.

We're asking for something just a bit better and less transparent.

 

[Monk]

At work, so I cannot get the clip reference; but on one of the plays that took place on USC end of the field where Wimbush goes to throw, only to tuck the ball run inside the 10 yard line for a substansial gain and a first down:

flutie says during the reply, something to the effect of, "You see here Wimbush look downfield and the first option is covered, If he was coached right, he would now look for the post pattern (flutie says that as Wimbush runs like 20yards for a first down inside the 10yard line)

I know the play you are talking about and certainly cannot remember word for word what was said, but I thought it was more along the lines of "Wimbush looks downfield and the first option isn't their so he tucks it and runs. He needs to look for the second option". I don't remember him saying "if he was coached right". He may have said something about how he should be coached to progress his reads. I don't really have a problem with that assessment as I believe progressing through your passing options is beneficial. I think it was just a statement about how he should progress over time. Again, I don't remember the word for word, but I do remember thinking Flutie wasn't completely wrong with the statement.

I don't really have a problem with Flutie and definitly don't have a problem with Tirico. I think Flutie does throw an unnecessary jab towards ND at times, but to be honest it's better than someone that is so blinded by their love for ND they can't say anything bad about them. I do believe that Mayock was really good and would love to have him with Tirico. I think he was very much down the middle with his opinions.

 

[ThePiombino]

I know the play you are talking about and certainly cannot remember word for word what was said, but I thought it was more along the lines of "Wimbush looks downfield and the first option isn't their so he tucks it and runs. He needs to look for the second option". I don't remember him saying "if he was coached right". He may have said something about how he should be coached to progress his reads. I don't really have a problem with that assessment as I believe progressing through your passing options is beneficial. I think it was just a statement about how he should progress over time. Again, I don't remember the word for word, but I do remember thinking Flutie wasn't completely wrong with the statement.

He literally said something along those lines.

 

[Monk]

Just looked it up and he definitely said something closer to your post. His statement was, "if you coach Wimbush properly. He's looking at the post, the post was not their he got hung up on it. If he had come back to the crosser he would have thrown it, but he doesn't see the crosser and he just says I'm an athlete. Let me make a play and then he sees an opportunity to score."

This is a good example of what I was explaining with the unnecessary jabs. If you take out the first part about coaching (a statement that is unnecessary and certainly arguable if not just plain false) I don't really have a problem with the rest of the statement.

 

[wizards8507]

Just looked it up and he definitely said something closer to your post. His statement was, "if you coach Wimbush properly. He's looking at the post, the post was not their he got hung up on it. If he had come back to the crosser he would have thrown it, but he doesn't see the crosser and he just says I'm an athlete. Let me make a play and then he sees an opportunity to score."

This is a good example of what I was explaining with the unnecessary jabs. If you take out the first part about coaching (a statement that is unnecessary and certainly arguable if not just plan false) I don't really have a problem with the rest of the statement.

Yup, he says the same thing on the interception. Something like "Watkins was out of position. His job is to cover short but he drifted back."

 

[irishfanjho15]

The fact some people think Doug Flutie can figure out Elko’s defense when the players and coaches playing against it can’t is laughable at best.

 

[FLDomer]

I loved Flutie this last game
"Darnold is comfortable playing from behind has them right where he wants em....his motion is a lil loopy but extremely accurate..." Tirico interrupts, "INTERCEPTION!!!" He is a douche.

 

[irishfanjho15]

I don't understand what the posters on here are asking for?

Do you want the NBC game to be like the Notre Dame network where it is just homerism's for 4 hours?

Flutie does an reasonable job and is completely unbiased. I never heard him speak poorly of Notre Dame or give undeserved praise.

He isn't the best commentator, but he is far from the worst.

Somebody shuld do a Volyall piece to get Gruden as the ND commentator [

No offense to you, Mr. Dog, but you must be high as f*ck if you think Flutie is unbiased. He has a hard time saying anything positive about ND without audibly making it sound forced or painful. The fact that he was downright giddy on air for the majority of NDs down year last season is a solid case in point. I mean he was literally gushing over Darnold on Saturday while he was getting drubbed. Also, I forget the exact exchange or subject but Tirico literally had to correct him on air in saying what Flutie said had just happened had not in fact occurred. He’s a parade clown, waving to the crowd doing cartwheels when things are going his way and smoking cigarettes leaning up against a lonely light pole at night muttering under his breath when they aren’t.

 

[ulukinatme]

I loved Flutie this last game
"Darnold is comfortable playing from behind has them right where he wants em....his motion is a lil loopy but extremely accurate..." Tirico interrupts, "INTERCEPTION!!!" He is a douche.

Flutie had a raging boner for Darnold all night, but the guy has been a turnover machine. I honestly think USC has churned out far better QBs in recent years.

 

[sharksamardzija8345]

It'd be sweet if Romo signed for NBC and not CBS. He'd be excellent. He's corny, but he provides excellent, descriptive, unbiased commentary.

 

[IrishLax]

No offense to you, Mr. Dog, but you must be high as f*ck if you think Flutie is unbiased. He has a hard time saying anything positive about ND without audibly making it sound forced or painful. The fact that he was downright giddy on air for the majority of NDs down year last season is a solid case in point. I mean he was literally gushing over Darnold on Saturday while he was getting drubbed. Also, I forget the exact exchange or subject but Tirico literally had to correct him on air in saying what Flutie said had just happened had not in fact occurred. He’s a parade clown, waving to the crowd doing cartwheels when things are going his way and smoking cigarettes leaning up against a lonely light pole at night muttering under his breath when they aren’t.

lololol

 

[ulukinatme]

It'd be sweet if Romo signed for NBC and not CBS. He'd be excellent. He's corny, but he provides excellent, descriptive, unbiased commentary.

I'm not completely on board the Romo train. He is a bit corny for my taste, something about his voice. He would be an improvement over Flukey for sure.

 

[snoopdog]

No offense to you, Mr. Dog, but you must be high as f*ck if you think Flutie is unbiased. He has a hard time saying anything positive about ND without audibly making it sound forced or painful. The fact that he was downright giddy on air for the majority of NDs down year last season is a solid case in point. I mean he was literally gushing over Darnold on Saturday while he was getting drubbed. Also, I forget the exact exchange or subject but Tirico literally had to correct him on air in saying what Flutie said had just happened had not in fact occurred. He’s a parade clown, waving to the crowd doing cartwheels when things are going his way and smoking cigarettes leaning up against a lonely light pole at night muttering under his breath when they aren’t.

I don’t hear it like that at all. But to be fair it is NBC not the Notre Dame Network

As per Darnold......Everyone has gushed over Darnold. He was the projected 1st overall pick at the start of the season. No announcers have run him down.

As per Wimbush, I only heard positive comments ALL NIGHT LONG. I have never sat back and tried to guess what an announcer was secretly thinking before he spoke.

But for full disclosure, I really don’t hang on the commentary when I am watching the game. I focus more the play than the sound bites.

 

[SonofOahu]

It'd be sweet if Romo signed for NBC and not CBS. He'd be excellent. He's corny, but he provides excellent, descriptive, unbiased commentary.

Romo's vice can get annoying, and he sounds like a coked-out Charlie Day, at times, but he is one of my favorite broadcast announcers. He and Nance are right under Michaels/Collinsworth, IMO.

 

[BeatSC]

Bring back Pat Haden. He was a class act IMO and seemed to love the lore and tradition of Notre Dame Football and the standards they hold themselves to as legit student athletes. He would gladly trade his degree for one from ND.

 

[ulukinatme]

Bring back Pat Haden. He was a class act IMO and seemed to love the lore and tradition of Notre Dame Football and the standards they hold themselves to as legit student athletes. He would gladly trade his degree for one from ND.

You sure about that last part? I agree though, for a rival announcer he was pretty unbiased and did a good job. He would be a welcome replacement.