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What's your opinion of Buffs' play-by-play M Johnson?

LilBunky

Guest
Now that we're faced with another season of games where we want to blot out the idiot TV announcers, we're faced with Mark, CJ and Larry, yet one more time!

LZ is a decent colorguy/historian, who brings some needed CU history as the basis for the few insights he provides: he would actually be better as a third man in the booth for occasional commentary, IMHO.

CJ is okay for his role, but he should drop the "I'm from Michigan schtick" and concentrate on CU.

Johnson is way too slick and "WWF" for my tastes: loud or always on the verge of shouting on every play, his voice is like Wayne Larrabee on 'roids. He mis-states down and distance way too often and I've listened to him for five minutes or more w/o learning the score or the context of the plays. Plus, he doesn't seem to know CU football; for some reason, he's much better with the B-ball broadcasts.

Would much prefer a more even-tempered, mellow-toned guy like Pat Summerall over the semi-frantic cross between "Vince WWF" and Frank "Duh" Gifford, which Johnson appears to be.

I can only wish for the second coming of Bob Zimmer, the best ever!
 
I like Johnson. CJ grates on me. Zimmer has some nice history but he needs to quit telling people what a great guy New-weisel was and move on. Rick made him feel like a million dollars and dumped his beloved program like a used pair of shoes. Keep it to yourself Larry!
 
Zim is Zim. Cj is okay. Johnson is Loud and it's a shame that some poeple have their eardrums blown out on a 3yd sweep.
 
johnson is the man zim needs to hang em up and cj is cj enthusiastic but not very polished
 
LilBunky said:
Now that we're faced with another season of games where we want to blot out the idiot TV announcers, we're faced with Mark, CJ and Larry, yet one more time!

LZ is a decent colorguy/historian, who brings some needed CU history as the basis for the few insights he provides: he would actually be better as a third man in the booth for occasional commentary, IMHO.

CJ is okay for his role, but he should drop the "I'm from Michigan schtick" and concentrate on CU.

Johnson is way too slick and "WWF" for my tastes: loud or always on the verge of shouting on every play, his voice is like Wayne Larrabee on 'roids. He mis-states down and distance way too often and I've listened to him for five minutes or more w/o learning the score or the context of the plays. Plus, he doesn't seem to know CU football; for some reason, he's much better with the B-ball broadcasts.

Would much prefer a more even-tempered, mellow-toned guy like Pat Summerall over the semi-frantic cross between "Vince WWF" and Frank "Duh" Gifford, which Johnson appears to be.

I can only wish for the second coming of Bob Zimmer, the best ever!
Click to expand...


Who is Bob Zimmer?? Did he used to do Broncos broadcasts with Larry Martin??? :confused:

I think CJ does a good job in the obligatory former player role. Zimmer is a much better fit in the color role these days. Listening to him do play-by-play the last few years was infuriating, but he carries the history of the program.

I don't know what to make of MJ. I have a hard time connecting with his calls. He's got the classic professional radio announcer voice, but something seems a bit off. I have the same problem when he fills in on Rockies broadcasts, and I can't quite put my finger on the issue.... :huh:
 
Johnson needs to let the game happen more and not be talking throughout. every second is filled with verbiage of some kind.

it was time for Zim to step aside doing play-by-play, especially in basketball. i like having him in the booth.

CJ is OK. he's not very good as an analyst for hoops; but, considering we've had Jim Conrad (awful), Jay L. (love ya Jay, but hoops not your thing)...in that role previously, hard to really put a rigorous definition of "analyst" on any of those guys either.

for football, bottom line is I want to know down and distance on every play.....sometimes radio guys like to keep that a secret.
 
Mick Ronson said:
for football, bottom line is I want to know down and distance on every play.....sometimes radio guys like to keep that a secret.
Click to expand...

:yeahthat: :dito:

My absolute pet peeve is announcers that won't tell you how much yardage was gained on a play or what the down and distance is. The score should also be given frequently, so that people tuning in and out aren't left guessing (not that this should be an issue with CU broadcasts, as nobody should ever be tuning out...)
 
Junction said:
Who is Bob Zimmer?? Did he used to do Broncos broadcasts with Larry Martin??? :confused:

I think CJ does a good job in the obligatory former player role. Zimmer is a much better fit in the color role these days. Listening to him do play-by-play the last few years was infuriating, but he carries the history of the program.

I don't know what to make of MJ. I have a hard time connecting with his calls. He's got the classic professional radio announcer voice, but something seems a bit off. I have the same problem when he fills in on Rockies broadcasts, and I can't quite put my finger on the issue.... :huh:
Click to expand...

That voice is hurried, lacks warmth and any sort of "touch" and with his job, he doesn't seem to know anything other than what he reads in the Media Guide. Have you ever seen him a just hanging around with the players or coachs, trying to figure what makes them tick?? I haven't.

I feel that his attitude is "Hurry up and get this thing over with, I gotta a real job to do!" Not good!
 
LilBunky said:
Have you ever seen him a just hanging around with the players or coachs, trying to figure what makes them tick?? I haven't.
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No, I haven't. But considering that I have never hung around with the players and coaches, I guess that isn't surprising.

So which announcers do hang around with the players and coaches, from your personal observation??
 
I think Mark does a good job. LZ has been around a long time and brings some history. Charles is also ok and I appreciate that he has an insiders perspective.:huh:
 
I think Mark is just okay. I remember listening to the Montana State game, and he acted like nothing unusual was happening the whole broadcast. He's not really a CU guy, a professional for sure, but I'd like a (can't believe I'm saying this) little more homerism, a little less manufactured enthusiasm, and definitely more information on each play. Just call the game, and add some scope when necessary.
 
BuffNut99 said:
I think Mark is just okay. I remember listening to the Montana State game, and he acted like nothing unusual was happening the whole broadcast. He's not really a CU guy, a professional for sure, but I'd like a (can't believe I'm saying this) little more homerism, a little less manufactured enthusiasm, and definitely more information on each play. Just call the game, and add some scope when necessary.
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****ing ya they should be homers. they are the buff announcers.
 
Junction said:
Who is Bob Zimmer?? Did he used to do Broncos broadcasts with Larry Martin??? :confused:

Jeeeeeezuuuu! Didn't you know it was "GIVE A GEEZER A BREAK" Day??? My bad!

Of course I meant Bob Martin! Steady tone, but warm;; controlled, very passionate, when it was called for; absolutely dry wit; intelligent and extremely knowledgable in FB and more; Spoke just enough to give you the necessary info, but never too much.

Bob spoiled his audience, no finer announcer and play-by-play guy evah, anywhere !!!
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I really like Johnson. He can sometimes get 'too loud' on normal plays. But he seems genuinely excited by the Buffs, and I really like hearing his calls. "TOUCHDOWN! TOUCHDOWN!"
 
I didn't like Mark Johnson at first, but I've come to like his work. I have no issues with him. Of course, I don't really listen too much.
 
sackman said:
I didn't like Mark Johnson at first, but I've come to like his work. I have no issues with him. Of course, I don't really listen too much.
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My dad listens to the radio broadcasts of games while at the game or while watchign on TV.

At the games, I enjoy getting updates or stats that most inside the stadium don't get.
 
I like both Zim and Johnson, Please tell us who would be a huge upgrade? Keith Jackson is over the hill.
 
Zimmer is awesome and a historian. F you if you're trying to get Zimmer out of the booth. Classic and his voice alone brings back good memories.
 
Tadploe said:
I like both Zim and Johnson, Please tell us who would be a huge upgrade? Keith Jackson is over the hill.
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I like Zim, no one is a better historian or bigger opera fan than Zim! He should stay, I never advocated otherwise.

But Johnson......uh,.....Scott Hastings ??? You'd hit the marry-your-cousin-roadkill-stew-eatin' demographic.......

In reality, Joel Klatt appears to have intriguing potential, more of a natural voice you can relate to. Johnson did the Donks' color gig last night and the contrast between him and Dave Logan was palpable!
 
I like the radio crew we have -- all three of them. I listen to quite a few games on the radio each year and like the enthusiasm and homerism (without being ****ty Jim Rose homerism).
 
It's funny about all the Zim love here. When he was doing the play-by-play, we couldn't wait to get rid of him.

Big difference between color analysis and play-by-play, for sure.

I've always liked Zimmer. I hope he is able to stick around for another 10 years. His voice is synonymous with CU football.
 
I give them an F for describing the game. That is what frustrates me. I listen to the game on the radio and they fail to do the simple things, like down and distance.

Here is an example.

Larry: "This is a critical 3rd down for the Buffs."
Mark: " The Buffs line up in a two back set with a tight formation. Hawkins takes the snap and hands it off to Sumbler off the right side - there is a big pile up."

Larry: "This reminds me of the old Eddie Crowder days when we were in Ames, Iowa."

Then they start Larry's trip down memory lane for 30 seconds all the while I am screaming at the radio - "Did they get the first down?"

It happens too often.
 
As long as Zim does not do play by play he can stay. There was nothing worse than him talking random about whatever story, never telling the formation, all the sudden he yells complete 15 yards down field, and you had no idea that the broke the huddle.
 
GoBuffs08 said:
As long as Zim does not do play by play he can stay. There was nothing worse than him talking random about whatever story, never telling the formation, all the sudden he yells complete 15 yards down field, and you had no idea that the broke the huddle.
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agreed, but he was 5 times worse doing basketball.

Zim: " Morandais dribbles left, shoots....ball off the heel of the rim no good.....

[long pause, surge in crowd noise...pause...loud cheering......]

...and a layup at the other end for Gooden".
 
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