Less Miles

Submitted by the blue planet on

Could have used less Miles during the broadcast yesterday.  No wonder ESPN is bleeding out.  I couldn't focus on a word of that interview while the game was raging.  I tuned in to watch "my damn strong football team", not some Les Miles Notre Dame audition.  They should save those for halftime instead of during a crucial nail-biter.      

MGoBoard
Football

robpollard

November 20th, 2016 at 1:18 PM ^

Both announcers are, on their own talent, good. I have heard them in other contexts where they've done a fine job. But for this game? ESPN's desire to push "the narrative" and basically any story besides the (close) game we were watching was maddening.

- I like Les; I hope he finds a good job. But he was in the booth *way* too long. I think it was 2 entire series. Thus, there was basically zero analysis or good replays of what was going on on the field.
- The constant discussion of UM-OSU. Hey, I'm excited as anyone that this is a huge game. But until O'Korn's long run and Smith's two TDs, the focus should have much more been on Indiana.
- Replays in general. Where were they? Many missed opportunities. Thank goodness I could use my DVR to rewind so I could figure out on my own what occured.

Overall, a trash production.

Joined: 06/03/2009

MGoPoints: 13939

robpollard

November 20th, 2016 at 1:49 PM ^

I had forgotten all the cuts to producers. 

There used to be a large difference btw your average ESPN or ESPN2 broadcast and BTN, but now there really isn't --- slow or no replays, missed start of plays, shoddy production. It's too bad.

I'll give one example -- when UM was counting down the seconds to the win, you could see the players were getting amped up & ready to rush the field -- presumably to roll in the snow (which they did). However, the genius producer cut away to a basic field shot of Peppers (who was already on the field), and missed the rush. It was Production 101 -- football viewers love snow & players goofing around in it, and ESPN couldn't get that right.

Joined: 06/03/2009

MGoPoints: 13939

michgoblue

November 20th, 2016 at 7:35 AM ^

I totally agree - the Miles interview was a completeness distraction and detracted from the portion of the game during which it took place. But, I blame the announcers. I have seen many games where they have an interview "in the booth" and it is well integrated into the broadcast. Here, it was as if the announcers forgot that there was a game going on and just focused on Les. At one point during the interview, the refs called a 3rd down unsportsmanlike penalty on Taco and the announcers didn't even acknowledge it or go back to replay to show what caused the penalty. Terrible. Also, for a guy known for exciting pressers, Les was a total snoozer and didn't contribute a shred of quality insight game actually being played.

Joined: 11/16/2009

MGoPoints: 32134

VAGenius

November 20th, 2016 at 7:53 AM ^

During a 0-0 game, the last thing anyone warching wants is a lengthy interview regardings subjects that have nothign to do with the game at hand. We're there to watch the game - and nothing about that segement had anything to do with it.

Absurd choice by the producers, though I'd agree the announcers and Les Miles himself made it worse.

Joined: 10/26/2009

MGoPoints: 926

stephenrjking

November 20th, 2016 at 9:42 AM ^

Agree here, with on caveat: if you can get Miles in the booth, it makes sense to do it. But the announcers weren't prepped (probably didn't know till close to game time) and Les sounded like the rest of us felt. Which is to say, I think he was trying to pay attention to the game.

Joined: 03/15/2012

MGoPoints: 20143524

rbgoblue

November 20th, 2016 at 7:47 AM ^

No fault to Les, but he mentioned they didn't have any audio for his head phones so he couldn't hear their questions. You could see him trying to lip read as they were talking to him.



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 07/20/2009

MGoPoints: 4334

Mabel Pines

November 20th, 2016 at 7:58 AM ^

I was at the game! 110,000 of us missed this. Sounds awkward. Also, college football coaches are just a bit weird. You have to be an odd guy to do what they do. It's not a normal job, IMHO. Did he say anything about being back at Michigan?

Joined: 10/02/2010

MGoPoints: 27568

1VaBlue1

November 20th, 2016 at 8:26 AM ^

Yeah...  He was happy to be back, felt comfortable the minute he arrived, got to see a lot of old freinds.  He was genuine with all that, too.  But those were highlights of otherwise aimless rambling.  The only thing he didn't do was throw in some nugget about the game and some wierd experience, like he does in his post game pressers...

Joined: 01/31/2016

MGoPoints: 126430

LSAClassOf2000

November 20th, 2016 at 8:01 AM ^

I was curious to know if they actually talked to Les (I was at the game, so I had to wait until it was available on replay this morning), and it seems like the broadcast crew had nothing prepared for Les and the broadcast itself went to shit for the entire time they were attempting an interview. They could have easily injected him into the commentary - that might have been cool actually. 

Joined: 01/07/2011

MGoPoints: 130499

the blue planet

November 20th, 2016 at 8:38 AM ^

and cannot find the interview replay.  I was so annoyed at the time I couldn't focus on the game or the interview.  But I remember one of the last questions was so ridiculous about did Les "wish he were fired at the end of last season".  He looked stunned at the stupidity of the question as he sidestepped it with political correctness. 

Joined: 02/23/2010

MGoPoints: 466

LKLIII

November 20th, 2016 at 8:14 AM ^

Totally agree. One of the things they could've done is incorporate him more into the color commentary. If the games isn't close, throw 3-4 questions at him about his future. But if it's still close, ask one quick personal/future based question, then let him do a series as a 2nd color commentator so he can audition for a media job if he wants. That way he still gets his PR pop but the audience can still mostly focus on the game action.



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 11/06/2013

MGoPoints: 8924

M Ascending

November 20th, 2016 at 8:25 AM ^

So, where does he coach next year? Although Purdue is being mentioned, I think ND is a long shot possibility, and Texas wouldn't surprise me -- it's either Hermann or Les. Personally, I think Rutgers would be the perfect spot for him.

Joined: 09/14/2016

MGoPoints: 21262

the blue planet

November 20th, 2016 at 1:25 PM ^

I think Kelly has lost his team.  Bad sign.  Kelly has a lot of contract left, but so did Charlie Weiss.  The boosters have deep pockets.  Other jobs are definitely opening up, but Les has the perfect midwestern and national recruiting ties for ND.  That job may not actually open up, though.  And his age may be a factor.

Joined: 02/23/2010

MGoPoints: 466

JMK

November 20th, 2016 at 8:39 AM ^

Maybe the worst part was they kept showing the guys in the booth while the game was in play. Terrible interview and we don't get to see what's on the field? Fail.



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 10/08/2009

MGoPoints: 7056

bacon

November 20th, 2016 at 8:50 AM ^

I would have rather heard his breakdown of the plays on the field or what does it mean to be back at Michigan type questions. Maybe some memories or stories from Bo. That would have been appropriate. Not what are your plans who are you going to hire questions.

Joined: 01/04/2009

MGoPoints: 18646

SD Larry

November 20th, 2016 at 8:53 AM ^

While I enjoyed Les in the radio both talking about his feelings returning to Ann Arbor, I share the view ESPN spent way too much time on camera with the 2 announcers and Les when all of us had tuned in to watch the players and the game, not these 3 gentleman chatting.  Annoying.  Thought ESPN telecast Director was clueless in that regard.    

Joined: 10/05/2014

MGoPoints: 40880