John Madden retires
Posted by: JamieL on 17 April 2009
I am not sure sure how many on this forum will know who John Madden is, but he is retiring from the commentary booth of the NFL after 28 years.
I am sure those who do know him will feel a great loss that we will no longer hear him say 'Boom' as a running back is levelled by a linebacker in an American Football match.
He has been to American Football what Brian Johnson was to cricket, or John Motson is to football. He won 16 Emmy's in his time in the commentary booth, as well as being a 'Hall of Fame' NFL coach and winner of the Superbowl as the coach of The Raiders.
Together with Channel 5 in the UK pulling out of American sports, it is a sad year for NFL coverage both here in the UK and the USA.
I can only hope that the BBC pick up the NFL, and especially Mike Carlson to cover the games.
Chris Collinsworth will take over next to Al Michaels on Sunday Night Football.
nfl.comPosted on: 17 April 2009 by JamieL
Sadly Bob Wilson passed away two weeks ago. Robert G. (Bob) Wilson 'Tigers' Running Back 1948.
http://www.beltonjournal.com/i...fan-think-bob-wilson I must admit that I am not a fan of football, or (what it is said) the Americans call 'soccer'. I doubt that I would ever learn anything new in the English language, except perhaps how not to conjugate a verb. From American Football commentators and coaches, I have learned quotes from Churchill, and words new to my vocabulary.
My favourite American Football coach was a history graduate from Harvard, not a common occurrence, but I find it hard to imagine something similar happening in football in the UK.
Posted on: 17 April 2009 by JWM
John Madden, the 'Mottie' of Gridiron, with a voice like Fred Flintstone. Happy retirement.
Oh, reading again, I see JamieL already said that.
Posted on: 17 April 2009 by MilesSmiles
I will miss him, football will not be the same.
Posted on: 18 April 2009 by JamieWednesday
quote:
I must admit that I am not a fan of football, or (what it is said) the Americans call 'soccer'. I doubt that I would ever learn anything new in the English language, except perhaps how not to conjugate a verb.
Then perhaps you have never heard a match commentary by Stuart Hall?
Talk about bringing poetry to the masses...
Posted on: 18 April 2009 by Jet Johnson
Undoubtably one of the alltime great sports commentators, the sound of his voice conjures up memories of so many thrilling NFL games.
(I'll miss his on screen electronic squiggles as well!)
Posted on: 19 April 2009 by JamieL
I had forgotten about Start Hall, I never heard him commentate on a match though.
I had an aunt who would watch the North West local news, not for any news, but just because when things went wrong Stuart Hall would improvise though it all, and would be great entertainment.
I stand corrected on UK football commentary in Stuart Hall's case, and to be honest 'Motty' is a fantastic commentator too, I just don't have any interest in what is called football over here.
I think Ron Atkinson was probably the worst commentator I have heard. I did think it was sad how his commentating career finished though, although right as well. He was out of touch with what was acceptable to say, but from my limited knowledge of football I gather his actions and heart were in the right place regarding equality for black players in football.
Posted on: 19 April 2009 by JonR
I always enjoyed John Madden's contributions - he'll definitely be missed.
Nor did I have any idea that Five were pulling out of NFL coverage - this is shocking news, if true
Posted on: 19 April 2009 by Jono 13
quote:
Originally posted by JamieL:
I had forgotten about Start Hall, I never heard him commentate on a match though.
I had an aunt who would watch the North West local news, not for any news, but just because when things went wrong Stuart Hall would improvise though it all, and would be great entertainment.
My favorite Stuart Hall was about his travel agency "Stuart Hall International Travel". Just read the capitals.
Jono
Posted on: 20 April 2009 by Guido Fawkes
quote:
Originally posted by munch:
What they need now, Is
Bob Wilson-Anchorman.
Stu
Lord, I'm trying the best i can
I lost everybody in Khazakhstan
But I still don't understand
Bob Wilson, anchorman
I've been to Kent, Gwent, Senegal
I've even been to look for Jim Rosenthal
Found him on his knees at the wailing wall crying
"Bob Wilson, anchorman"
Well I marvel at the things we find beneath the ground
And that man can go faster than the speed of sound
But I still can't get my head around
Bob Wilson, anchorman
I'm cold and i'm hungry and i'm in dundork
I've got no bus fare, i've gotta walk
It's raining soup and i've got a fork
Where be my camper van?
Well i'd like to meet Stevenson the engineer
And i'd like to meet Faraday and buy him a beer
And i'd love to meet the bloke who had the bright idea of
Bob wilson, anchormanPosted on: 20 April 2009 by Guido Fawkes
Never understood grid-iron football or why they had to play their cup final kicking off at 11.00 p.m. when everybody had gone to bed
Who won the grid-iron cup last time?
Who won the grid-iron league?
Posted on: 21 April 2009 by JamieL
quote:
Originally posted by ROTF:
Never understood grid-iron football or why they had to play their cup final kicking off at 11.00 p.m. when everybody had gone to bed
Who won the grid-iron cup last time?
Who won the grid-iron league?
The NFL unlike soccer has one winner each year.
The league (16 games) qualifies the top teams for the knock out stage where they are seeded according to their league performance, split though two conferences and four divisions in each.
All the teams have the same maximum limit on what they can pay players, although there is some variation, very rarely some players take less money to go to a team more likely to win.
In theory all the teams have a chance of playing to win it all, although some are always in a rebuilding stage (a 40 year stage for the Lions now). The teams who performed worst, get the first picks of college players coming into the league, to help make it more evenly competitive.
Unlike soccer, no teams are playing in order to qualify for some obscure bunch of runners up competition, as they only have a fraction to pay players compared to the half dozen teams that buy their way to victory.
Games are also played to be won, and not across two legs where one team idles their way through the first game hoping to win the second leg.
The last Superbowl winner was the Pittsburgh Steelers, making them the only team to have won it all six times, beating the record they shard with the Dallas Cowboys. Pittsburgh are actually one of the slightly poorer teams in the NFL, but are consistently one of the best run, they have only had three managers since the 1960's.
Posted on: 23 April 2009 by John M
Not to mention John Madden's stellar genius coaching career, taking a team to unprecedented heights, despited being owned by the biggest, tyrannical *&$hole in the universe. Madden was the only coach to have managed the Raiders successfully via sheer will power and skill, unlike other lap dogs, sycophants and rebels without a clue of late.
Posted on: 24 April 2009 by gary1 (US)
Tom Flores wasn't too bad, he piled up a 83-53 record at Oak./LA and 2 Super Bowl victories.
He also won a Super Bowl as Madden's assistant coach before taking over the Raiders when Madden retired from coaching.
Certainly except for a season or too what was the mostfeared franchise in pro football has been a laughingstock for the past 22 odd years and all due to Mr. Davis.
Posted on: 24 April 2009 by JamieL
Superbowl in London 2013 WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Daily TelegraphAn idea being considered.
I would love to go, but seriously, self interest apart, what on earth are they thinking? I personally find it annoying that a sport that feels most at home in the North East of the states, where games are played in snow, ice and rain has its final in the cushy climate of Florida or California, but bringing the game over to London I think is an insult the NFL fans in the home country of the sport.
If the the NFL is looking for somewhere new to host the Superbowl might I suggest Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Baltimore, New York, Boston, maybe even my favourite team's home Denver. Make the media sit in a snowy stadium in February and lets see some proper football, lets have another 'Ice Bowl'.
I miss Chicago of the list, as I would not want another 'Fog Bowl'.
Yes I would love to jump in the car and drive down to a Superbowl, I really would, but I don't think it would be right.
(A little off thread, but I don't think another NFL thread would be justified here.)
Posted on: 25 April 2009 by John M
quote:
Originally posted by gary1 (US):
Tom Flores wasn't too bad, he piled up a 83-53 record at Oak./LA and 2 Super Bowl victories.
He also won a Super Bowl as Madden's assistant coach before taking over the Raiders when Madden retired from coaching.
Certainly except for a season or too what was the mostfeared franchise in pro football has been a laughingstock for the past 22 odd years and all due to Mr. Davis.
Yes it is sad isnt it. But I always get back on board at draft time. I think it is an illness I have.
FWIW A certain raiders running back I used to work with once told me that the raiders were the most dysfunctional organization on earth. And that Flores was just a Davis puppet. Only Madden had the balls and the skill to do it his way. Look at Flores now...still kissing up...
Gruden gave a glimmer of hope - remember they had a few good seasons with Gannon, narrowly missing the superbowl on the "tuck" rule (agghhhh!) and then making it, although being demolished in the big game by none other than...Gruden.
But there was no better than Madden on the sideline in his day.
Posted on: 25 April 2009 by JamieL
quote:
Originally posted by munch:
They should hold it this month before the FA Cup.
It might sort out the swamp that is the Wembley pitch.
If all else fails they could try Wales
I hear they are thinking of replacing the pitch yet again.
Posted on: 25 April 2009 by gary1 (US)
quote:
Originally posted by John M:
quote:
Originally posted by gary1 (US):
Tom Flores wasn't too bad, he piled up a 83-53 record at Oak./LA and 2 Super Bowl victories.
He also won a Super Bowl as Madden's assistant coach before taking over the Raiders when Madden retired from coaching.
Certainly except for a season or too what was the mostfeared franchise in pro football has been a laughingstock for the past 22 odd years and all due to Mr. Davis.
Yes it is sad isnt it. But I always get back on board at draft time. I think it is an illness I have.
FWIW A certain raiders running back I used to work with once told me that the raiders were the most dysfunctional organization on earth. And that Flores was just a Davis puppet. Only Madden had the balls and the skill to do it his way. Look at Flores now...still kissing up...
Gruden gave a glimmer of hope - remember they had a few good seasons with Gannon, narrowly missing the superbowl on the "tuck" rule (agghhhh!) and then making it, although being demolished in the big game by none other than...Gruden.
But there was no better than Madden on the sideline in his day.
Agree totally, it will be interesting to see if the rumors are at all accurate that Davis is looking to bring Madden back into the organization as GM, head of personnel, etc...
Posted on: 27 April 2009 by John M
and yet another puzzling draft day....
Posted on: 01 May 2009 by JamieL
quote:
Originally posted by John M:
and yet another puzzling draft day....
Al Davis got the fastest wide receiver, but he can't catch the ball - no change there then.
Denver look like they are going into the season with a couple of back up quarter backs, but no serious starter.
Bad news for UK fans, Channel 5 have dropped their coverage, as well as baseball. We can only hope that the BBC pick it up the NFL, as they shows the Superbwol and Wembley game last year. How can we survive a season without either John Madden or Mike Carlson?
Sky will show the games, but Kevin Cadle is irritating, wish they would just give the show to Nic Halling.
