stephenrjking

May 2nd, 2017 at 1:24 PM ^

If Beckman was let go, it was in the same sense that Red was. Controversy? Sure, a bit, but he was also long in the tooth and losing some sharpness. Brandy needs a soft landing (3-man booth?) and someone else needs to be the Voice. I believe he works hard at it, but he's just not a natural PBP guy and that's no knock on him. I listened to one entire game he called this past season (traveling at game time) and it was arduous, a number of delayed or mis-called spots. It's tough work. Few, if any people employed by or reading this site could do it. You need someone with the right gifts.

Joined: 03/15/2012

MGoPoints: 20143984

uncle leo

May 2nd, 2017 at 1:29 PM ^

Is Mr. MSU, but he's equally as crap calling a radio football game. In terms of painting a picture, only Tieman is worse. Wisconsin had that one bomb against MSU to win in the BTC awhile back, and I remember him vividly saying "Pass is up. Caught. Down to the MSU 20 (or wherever it was).

He makes a 60 yard, 4th down miracle play sound like a 2-yard run in the 1st quarter.

Joined: 07/29/2012

MGoPoints: 34636

yossarians tree

May 2nd, 2017 at 1:40 PM ^

It was my understanding that Beckmann walked away voluntarily. He pulled out of the Lions broadcast at the same time I believe. I think he wanted his weekends free to play golf, take trips to Florida, etc.

PBP is a vastly underrated thing IMHO. Brandy is terrible at it. Michigan needs to do a national search and bring on a proven pro who can handle the PBP for 25 years. Somebody who can bring excitement but with objectivity and respect for the game. Brandy was borderline over-the-top even as an analyst. Shrill and excessively homerish.

Joined: 08/19/2010

MGoPoints: 22303

sportsfreak0819

May 2nd, 2017 at 2:01 PM ^

I somehow wish it was possible for Dan Dickerson to do the play-by-play.

I know he primarily does Tigers baseball but he did a Michigan hockey game once and he was phenomenal. 

I think that would be my #1 choice but really anybody would be better than Brandy (and I think Brandy doing color would be ideal as he is a good color guy). 

Also Dan Miller does Lions games with Brandy maybe just have him do the Michigan games too?

Joined: 10/31/2010

MGoPoints: 220

yossarians tree

May 2nd, 2017 at 2:12 PM ^

I think Dan Miller is horrible. He is not a pro at PBP. He is the TV news sports anchor who they turned into a PBP.  He is too much a fan of the team to do that job properly. Ernie Harwell is the standard for this. Sure he got excited for the Tigers but he also respected the game more than anything. I agree that Dickerson is fantastic, and that's because he started out doing PBP probably on college baseball and worked up through the minor leagues. However I doubt the Tigers are going to let him out of the Tigers booth on football Saturdays in September.

Joined: 08/19/2010

MGoPoints: 22303

Cruzcontrol75

May 2nd, 2017 at 4:24 PM ^

He got shitcanned because he started sounding like a kid that lost his dog following all the awful Lions losses. He started to get fed up with it. Being too close to that organization will do that to you, hence the term "Lion-ized".

Joined: 05/20/2015

MGoPoints: 8797

readyourguard

May 2nd, 2017 at 2:07 PM ^

It's unfortunate for Shep and his family, but frankly, he's too big a fish for that pond.  He's already a well-respected play by play guy.  He doesn't have anything to worry about.

(so says me).

Joined: 08/21/2008

MGoPoints: 40986

Cruzcontrol75

May 2nd, 2017 at 4:21 PM ^

...still on through the 7am hour. I liked listening to shep on the way into work. Besides talking about the big 4 sports he had one of the few sports talk shows that would speak to the smaller programs (MAC schools,UDM, Wayne St & OaklandU) and he would address the less popular sports, college baseball, lacrosse. He definitely put work into it. Was very knowledgeable on what he was talking about and didn't try to BS anyone. I'm going to miss his show, I knew something was up when I read last week that iheartradio and it's stations were hemorrhaging $$$

Joined: 05/20/2015

MGoPoints: 8797

YoBoMoLoHo

May 2nd, 2017 at 4:12 PM ^

Matt Shepard is a very good PBP guy. He excels in both football & basketball broadcasts. He clearly loves Michigan .... Brandy is HORRIFIC at footbal PBP.... Shepard is available. Shepard needs to be the guy. Why has this obvious fact not been recognized and acted upon by the powers that be ???? Is Brandy working for free ?  When I spend too much time thinking about this, I drive new cars off steep cliffs.

Joined: 11/30/2011

MGoPoints: 273