Yostal

October 5th, 2010 at 8:04 PM ^

Among the ESPN crews, I like Nessler and Blackledge (and yes, I like Todd's Taste of the Town.  It's a neat feature, provided it doesn't distract from the game). 

I also don't mind Joe Tessitore and Rod Gilmore on the Friday night game, but that could just be because it's the Friday Night game and I have low expectations.

I don't know whom Ron Franklin angered in Bristol, but he and Ed Cunningham are a very good team but they seem to be stuck doing the ACC 3:30 game.

Also, if Rece Davis weren't stuck with James and Palmer, he'd easily be the best CFB announcer under 50.

jtmc33

October 5th, 2010 at 4:38 PM ^

We are 1-0 this year when Millen announces.  And 5-0 this year when I wear my maize Michigan Football shirt.

So, if I wear my shirt on Saturday, I like our chances....

willywill9

October 5th, 2010 at 5:21 PM ^

Seriously, though i'm 100% convinced M's success is dependent upon me wearing my Strike a Pose shirt.  A couple of games, I started off not wearing it (see Umass) and I swear, once I put it on, we scored twice before the half.

dahblue

October 5th, 2010 at 4:39 PM ^

It's funny when Millen talks about player evaluation.  I've noticed a couple of times (usually post-game) when he's talking about player evaluation and you can tell the others guys are near laughter.

jmscher

October 5th, 2010 at 4:40 PM ^

Now mind you I am not a Lions so I cant completely grasp the slap in the face it must be to those of you who are having to listen to Millen.  But he is a pretty good color guy.  And more importantly if I am not mistaken the last two Michigan games he called were ND last year and UConn this year, so maybe the pairing is something of a good luck charm for us.

JT4104

October 5th, 2010 at 4:51 PM ^

Some of us Lion fans obviously dont like Millen, but I've always thought when he is in the booth he is fine to listen to. He clearly knows the game of football and and explain it on TV where it makes sense for everyone to understand.

Clearly he had no ability to figure out talent, but listening to him on TV doesn't seem that bad. He is by far an "A" squad guy when it comes to comentary.

Ernis

October 5th, 2010 at 5:02 PM ^

For a guy who created arguably the worst offensive line unit in the NFL, he sure talks up the importance of OL in his commentary. I'm still waiting for him to try his hand at MMA

What a cash cow it would be: Sunday at the Joe! Matt Millen vs. BROCK LESNAR ON SPEED!!! Someone pitch this idea to Mike Ilitch

ihartbraylon

October 5th, 2010 at 5:01 PM ^

He's not a terrible announcer, but making him announce a game between teams in a state whose pro team he destroyed is pretty cruel. It's the one thing I'm sure State fans can agree with.

ihartbraylon

October 5th, 2010 at 5:01 PM ^

He's not a terrible announcer, but making him announce a game between teams in a state whose pro team he destroyed is pretty cruel. It's the one thing I'm sure State fans can agree with.

chitownblue2

October 5th, 2010 at 5:09 PM ^

Millen is a great analyst, and comes with Sean McDonough, who is about the best PBP guy out there.

I don't think think there's a better announcing team in CFB.

steelymax

October 5th, 2010 at 5:14 PM ^

... you're missing the point.

Regardless of how good a broadcaster he may or may not be: Why the hell would ABC choose him to broadcast a game whose ENTIRE MARKET hates him?!

Much like Millen, himself, it defies logic and common sense.

Blue2000

October 5th, 2010 at 5:21 PM ^

Why the hell would ABC choose him to broadcast a game whose ENTIRE MARKET hates him?!

1.  The "entire market" for Saturday's game is not limited to Southeastern Michigan, (well, maybe MSU fans, but Michigan fans have a far greater geographic reach), and therefore doesn't necessarily hate him.  (I'm from Chicago, so I'm actually a big fan!)

2.  The "entire market" is going to watch the game regardless of who is calling it. 

tlh908

October 5th, 2010 at 5:15 PM ^

Millen proved what most of us know, it is easy to talk about football but harder to coach and manage it.  That is why sometimes you just have trust the coaches and their decisions.  Yeah, our D gets shredded for 400 yards, but that is because the coaches believe the alternative would lead to 500 yards.  

I will evaluate what Millen says in light of his NFL record.  

4godkingandwol…

October 5th, 2010 at 5:25 PM ^

... I think we're being a little harsh on Pam Ward.  I don't think she's great, but making fun of the pitch of her voice and her attractiveness is rather unbecoming of Michigan men.  It comes off as sexist as opposed to meritocratic.   

 

And yeah, Millen... I've made my piece with that clown.  He's not a bad color guy, though he dabbles in hyperbole a bit more than I'd prefer. 

RONick

October 5th, 2010 at 5:26 PM ^

I will take Matt Millen all day long... just please god rid me of Pam Ward!  I still feel nauseous after listening to that devil last weekend...

jmblue

October 5th, 2010 at 5:29 PM ^

I don't care about the NFL.  (It never ceases to amaze me how many people religiously follow the Detroit Lions.  I mean really . . . why?)  I follow college football, and as far as I'm concerned, he's about a good a color guy as anyone else who calls our games. 

Yooper

October 5th, 2010 at 5:41 PM ^

ABC/ESPN still hasn't caught up with the spread.  They consistently miss the start of plays because the replay is not done.  I put the number at about 6.

NinjaDMM

October 5th, 2010 at 5:42 PM ^

I hate Matt Millen for what he did to the Lions. Yesterday on the MNF countdown 4 hour pregame launch presented by Toyota or whatever it is these days, Matt Millen said "Real football doesnt start until after Thanksgiving." Im surprised he never made it as a GM.

blueheron

October 5th, 2010 at 6:44 PM ^

The Lions have been lousy ever since they became tied to the Ford family. The micromanagement of WCF and Billy is one of the great under-reported stories of our (Michigan sports) time.

Those clowns can't hire any good people because competent GMs and coaches won't put up with their crap.

BlueGoM

October 5th, 2010 at 7:49 PM ^

The entire state of Michigan is going to turn on the tv at 330 on Saturday,  see Millen, and let out a collective groan that will be heard throughout the globe.

Timnotep

October 5th, 2010 at 11:51 PM ^

Maybe it's because I'm a Bengals fan and not a Lions fan, but I actually like Millen... not as a coach, nobody in their right mind likes him as a coach, but as an announcer I like him... besides, it beats the hell out of the guys we had last week.

On a related note, what kind of sick bastard do you have to be to name your son Pam?