Who Will be our Next Radio Football Play-by-Play Announcer?

Submitted by xtramelanin on

Mates,

No, Brandstatter didn't pass away.   Yes, like most of you, I would honor Brandstatter as a Michigan Man and a good 'color' guy when announcing.  I note that his dad was an all-american at MSU and his wife is an ohio (YTO) grad.   

However, he's a bit like Brady Hoke, but with a microphone  - you'd love to have him over to the house for a barbeque and an adult beverage but he's not the greatest at his assigned task.    Forced to listen to him do parts of two games this month while I was on the road coaching kids' teams it really crystalized that he is not good at play-by-play and with him in his 3rd or 4th year doing PBP, he's not likely to improve much

So the question is this:  At some point he'll retire or step down, and who would you get to replace him?   Somebody local, in the SE Michigan market?  Do they have to be some type of 'Michigan Man' (or I suppose, Michigan Woman)?   Do you go out of market and get someone from elsewhere?   

Who would it be, and when would you make the switch?

XM

 

 

MGoBoard
Football

xtramelanin

September 30th, 2017 at 11:44 PM ^

but could/would IMG pay him enough to give up his current gig?  my brother flew with him a couple of years back and said what a good guy he was, which has always been my impression.

what ties does gus johnson have to AA?  not a gus johnson fan, but maybe that'd change my mind if he became the PBP guy. 

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GomezBlue

October 1st, 2017 at 12:18 PM ^

Totally agree with this.  Johnson constantly tries to hype the action, as if the game needed his help to be more entertaining.  He has a great voice, but comes off as phony with his constant hyperboles.

Ufer, on the other hand, was GREAT.  He was from an era where it was okay to love the game/team he called.  When he got excited, he only reflected the action on the field and the excitment you felt.  There wasn't a fake bone in his body.

You do a great disservice to Bob Ufer by comparing Gus Johnson to him.

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814 East U

September 30th, 2017 at 11:43 PM ^

I say this in every radio announcer thread. It should be Dan Miller. It’s realistic. Works well with Brandy as the color. The #1 FOX guy isn’t coming to do just M games. The #1 NBC guy isn’t coming here to do M games.

I wouldn’t mind Matt Shepard either.

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evenyoubrutus

October 1st, 2017 at 9:41 AM ^

I agree. Dan Miller is far and away the best play by play guy in the area. Problem is, there are rumors he hates Michigan with a fiery passion. That probably wouldn't work. I think it will be someone who is an up and comer. If you ever get a chance to listen to the Detroit Titans on the radio, Dan Leach has one of the best play by play voices I've ever heard and he's a major Michigan homer. His only problem is that he says a lot of crazy catch-phrase type things that can get a bit wonky. He would need to tone that down but I'd love it if he did our play by play.

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xtramelanin

October 1st, 2017 at 12:01 AM ^

against air force we were driving to our own game and listening was painful

brando:  there's a run (excited tone)!  he gets around end!  oh, but a nice hit.

dierdorf: (some insightful, appropriate commentary)

brando: you bet, dan.  they really work that option attack.  (long pause)  okay, now they are coming out again.  its a pitch (more excitement in the tone).  he cuts back!  he....oh, i guess he went down.  out of bounds?  

dierdorf:  (additional comment)

brando:  okay.  so its, ah, 3rd and 3?  yeah, thats it.

 

no down and distance info, total lack of description in the plays as they develop, etc. 

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M Ascending

October 1st, 2017 at 9:23 AM ^

This should definitely be a thread. We create threads when we want a coach replaced; when we want a player benched. So, why not when we want a new radio announcer? Many fans rely on the radio call when they can't get to a tv. And Brandy ain't cutting it. Having arrived at the U in 1969, along with Bo, I remember the great Bob Ufer, who called the game solo, with no color guy. Michigan road games were often not televised, and I had to rely on Ufer. When you listened to him, you got a complete picture in your mind of how every play developed. What was the pre snap alignment; where is each receiver positioned; which hash the ball is on. And then the call of the play was accurate, timely, and precise. His color commentary between plays was also analytical. Did Ufer go crazy for Michigan? Sure he did, but in the most lovable way. And he also always showed respect for the other team. I have never heard a better football PBP man than Bob Ufer, and I doubt I ever will.

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Duke of Zhou

October 1st, 2017 at 2:38 AM ^

Some time ago, there was a thread criticizing his PBP abilities. I discovered that it was all true when I listened to the Air Force contest. He does not convey crucial information that is necessary to understand what is happening on the field. He also called Grant Perry "Chris" a few times. He's probably a nice guy who is out of his element. They need to make a change after the season.

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Commie_High96

September 30th, 2017 at 11:51 PM ^

Mike Torico gets paid $50,000 a game to do national ND broadcasts on the TV. Not sure he's up for that pay cut. Jon Jansen on the other hand....I'd even consider placing a bet he'd be the next color guy and some random dude as pbp.

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