(1) I don't care anything about the draft and, as the Confessor knows, don't know a whole lot about sports generally. But for some reason I always love First Night Draft Talk on The Ticket. This year is no disappointment. Even though you hear these guys talking about the same things in their own shows during the week, it still sounds fresh and the guys sound engaged and happy to be on call for the greater glory.
(2) Norm mentioned earlier today that he had not been feeling well and might not make it past pick 16. I wonder if that is why he is making very much mistakes tonight. Identifying the number one pick as someone's "sister," getting draft numbers wrong, just generally having a hard time getting more complex phrases out with any coherence. Yow, did I just hear him call a "baby" a "bagel"? Let's hope that's some medication kicking in.
(3) Junior Miller is not only the Fred Astaire of The Ticket, he is also the Garrison Keillor of The Ticket, the maestro of wry, dry, observational humor and offbeat gags.
(4) Bob Sturm is at least a regional treasure, and may well be a national treasure. He has his issues with excessive discursion on occasion, but if you are patient there's usually a nugget before he takes the next breath.
(5) One of these days I have to write a David Moore appreciation. I know some Confessors don't care for him, but I think he's excellent. Remember, he's the successor to Mickey Spagnola and Todd Archer, and he's still going strong. I think there's room for Intentional Grounding all year 'round, don't really care what he and Big Bob decide to discuss -- that show always seems too short to me.
(6) Not much Corby, yet.
(7) No JV on air tonight, not counting the capsule bios they do after the picks.
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| "Norm, I don't come to laugh when you cover the draft. I have the champagne and pork rinds waiting." |
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I thought Newbury was in on the fun tonight. Am I missing something?
ReplyDeleteI never heard him teased as a member of the teams in Philly, the studio, or the Star. Interesting observation; he's a close student of college talent and one might think he would be on the team tonight. Maybe too many voices already? Although if you have room for Corby, you might think you could find a slot for David N.
ReplyDeleteHopefully he's in the days two and three coverage. Surely missed, imho.
ReplyDeleteSure it wasn't Donnie who felt ill? Thought he was with Norm at the draft. Where's he been all night?
ReplyDeleteOn the previous thread a guy mentioned JJT being let go from ESPN. I too was wondering if that would affect his local gig. He was part of the ESPN draft show last night. I could not take Corby on with Norm.
ReplyDeleteDavid Newbury was teased originally but I don't think I heard his name mentioned at all during the day yesterday. I assumed that Corby replaced him because, up until THL came on at 3:30 and he said he'd be in studio with Bob & David Moore, I didn't know he would be involved.
ReplyDeleteMy recollection of the original promos was Norm & Donnie in Philly (but I didn't hear Donnie's voice at all last night?), Georgio & Newbury at The Star (but I only heard George last night?), and Bob & David Moore in studio (yet, there was Corby who seemed to think his only job was to try and get Norm to say ridiculous stuff for future drops). I think they could've ditched Corby for the first night and brought him in on days 2 and 3 when there's a lot of time to fill and not a lot of interest.
NFL Draft talk is one of the times where I wish THL would avoid the topic entirely. Instead of wasting a segment with their half-baked ideas, they should just replay segments from BaD or Norm & Donnie when it comes to draft talk.
I much prefer listening to draft coverage on The Ticket than watching ESPN or NFL Network. The TV broadcasts are way too over-the-top and I don't feel like I get much bang for the buck. Bob's analysis is much better than any analyst on the TV broadcast. George is good on the broadcast as well but it had to have been a long night for him. Would like to have heard a JV guy such as Jake or Sean on the broadcast.
ReplyDeleteIt was good that they included some JV guys in the player bios. Thought it was interesting that Junior had the first 5 or 6 bios of the night.
Agreed on Corby, not sure what he is bringing to the table. He did seem to defer to Norm whenever Norm had something to say, so that was a good thing.
Musers asked about Donnie this morning. They thought he was supposed to be on the broadcast as well. Maybe he is a day 2 and day 3 guy. Musers also played some great audio from the night including the guy that dropped an F-Bomb and then replayed classic audio of Deion with his "late, great Gil Brandt" and "Michael Trabtree"
Totally disagree with the takes that Corby didn't add anything. Although not the analytical brain of Bob he added some levity to the proceedings. I actually think David Moore and Bob bouncing deep thoughts off each other was the highlight of the evening. Norm almost seemed like an unnecessary 3rd wheel and it is becoming apparent with each draft that he simply doesn't have the technical analysis chops of Bob Sturm - but who does??. Bob is simply brilliant and we should enjoy him while we have him. Something tells me he could go big time national at some point. He is brilliant. In fact I would argue that BaD Radio has reached a new creative genius with their opening 20 minute segment each day consisting of the Wake and Jake followed by 15 minutes of irreverent witty banter is quickly becoming the highlight of the Ticket day. Junior as always is brilliant with his hilarious player bios. It makes Sean Bass's dry "READ" almost painful to listen to. I wished Junior did all the bios. For those that don't know he has been doing it for a few years now and is something to look forward to. I also enjoy the webcast from WFAA of Corby and Bob in studio. Fun to see their reactions when Norms says something that doesn't make much sense.
ReplyDeleteNorm did say that Donovan would be with him for the balance of the draft.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I gathered, Donnie took a later flight and therefore arrived too late. Could very well be wrong, though.
ReplyDeleteHe was on their show Thursday morning from Philadelphia so that's not it
ReplyDeleteDrew Pearson is my hero!
ReplyDeleteI dig *Intentional Grounding* myself. Hope they're bringing it back with the new season, and, yeah, I'd listen all year long.
ReplyDeleteThat certain Shake Joint is uniformly excellent this morning.
ReplyDeleteOk, I've got the Sports Day app streaming this morning, and the ability to pause for a while and FF through the bombardment of horrible commercials is awesome. Glad they improved that app. I hope I never have to hear certain auto dealers and leasing companies, or that low IQ future stripper babble about her gateway job at Tight Ends again.
ReplyDeleteWith you on the Tight Ends girls, blergoyen. I like looking at scarcely-clad young women, the scarcelier the better. But jeez, those "your favorite Tight Ends girls" who do those ads -- it really does bring home the sad price of sexual exploitation. They sound dumb as stumps. For all I know they may be nurses, teachers, young moms, office workers, trying to pick up a few extra bucks. (Not that women can't be lots more than that -- it's just that doctors and lawyers and engineers are unlikely to be needing those few extra bucks.) But the ads make them sound like this is the limit of their ambition.
ReplyDeleteI'm not going to stop looking, but at least I'll feel worse about it.
Bob and Mark Followill on the FC Dallas broadcast = sports gold. I wish those two could do more things together.
ReplyDeleteIs "covering" the draft wall to wall just one of those things Norm does? What is the benefit of the ticket sending people to the actual draft? Are they getting inside info or any extra benefit from that? All they are doing is looking at a TV and reporting that which they couldn't do from Dallas? Are the ratings really spiking that the ticket is covering it end to end? Not trying to slam it, but just understand what is the benefit to the radio station?
I think at one point, by being at the draft, Norm and others were able to get draftees in attendance on the radio. I seem to recall that happening at one point. However, these days, the draftees hop on ESPN and the NFL network and are whisked away to a plane to get to the city where they were drafted. Clearly, this year, they moved the media so far away, they made that all but impossible.
DeleteI'd say there's a decent chance it's baked into Norm's deal that they send him to the draft
ReplyDeleteMy non insider low to no information gut tells me this might've been the last draft excursion. Next year's is here, so there's no travelling. In two years from now, I'm not sure if Norm will have the same role, if any, at the station. The levity of his presentation this draft had a "this is the end of a chapter in my life, so let's enjoy it" feel to it. I get that sense with all of Norm's presentations.
ReplyDeleteJust an FYI but the 2018 draft location has not been announced. Everyone's guessing Dallas will get it but that is far from official
ReplyDeleteAnon 10:34
ReplyDeleteI think you are partially correct in your assertion. The value in covering the draft end to end is a lot of football fans love it including me. Why they send Norm is a great point - there is absolutely no redeeming value add from that. He was getting word on the actual pick from a back room at the draft about 60 seconds after Bob and Corby would report (on webcam) from the Ticket studios in Dallas. I would further suggest that Norm at draft is more of a tradition than any value add with respect to content. Both Bob Sturm and David Newberry have more current day thinking football perspective. Norm is simply doing his "research" by referencing Our Lads scouting service. If the draft is in Dallas next year perhaps Cat can send Norm to Madagascar for a vacation. And I mean no disrespect..
Plainsman, yes, somehow those ads manage to ooze with more sleaze than the actual strip bar ads like Baby Dolls.
ReplyDeleteAs far as Norm and the draft, I can't imagine where on the Richter scale the mothership would register if Norm was told he was done with the draft...and saving money on his couples' sight-seeing trips. I can't remember who called him out, but someone did last week. Funny stuff.
Seeing how Jerry said it was going to be in Dallas, I'd place my bet on it being in Dallas--i.e., it's already a done deal.
ReplyDeleteChange of topic: I invite someone who knows baseball among the Confessor cohort needs to advise why we are hearing nothing -- zero -- about batting coaches (or maybe that's singular) during this terrible Rangers stretch which not only features ill fortune in where the ball falls, but enormous numbers of strikeouts.
ReplyDeleteAnother topic: Did Mike R say anything yesterday about why his voice was so damaged? Interestingly, yesterday was a big Mike R day, he handled a fairish amount of broadcasting on Rangers and other baseball.
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing it was weekend Petty Theft duties. Whatever it was, he sounded awful -- but it was great to hear him taking the lead so much.
I cannot answer why the media isn't mentioning the batting coaches, but I can tell you that among my baseball-loving friends, including several including myself who coach youth baseball, there have been plenty of conversations about the Rangers' lack of discipline at the plate. We see the professionals do things we get onto our kid players for. Not just at the plate, either. Last night's loss to the Astros featured multiple bad examples of how to play defense which, again, I wouldn't tolerate with my Little Leaguers.
ReplyDeleteI like Banny as a motivator, but I think the team's fundamentals have suffered since Washington left.
The Old Gray Wolf said he came down with a sore throat on Sunday night and was fighting through it yesterday.
ReplyDeleteMike mentioned on THL yesterday that is was getting really close to the time where attention starts to focus squarely on the coaching staff. It won't be long.
ReplyDeleteRegarding Norm at the draft, I think the first night has more to do with the lag between the live site and the TV and the fellas back at the Mothership. It was difficult to get up to the minute info at the actual draft, so Norm yielded to the guys back in Dallas. Norm's true greatness show up on day 2 and 3 IMHO. We've all lost a few steps as we age, I think Norman is just fine and I thoroughly enjoy each minute of the Ticket's draft coverage.
Bob Sturm is an absolute gem!!!
FWIW, Cumulus did have talent layoffs in both Chicago and Minneapolis.
ReplyDeletehttp://mediaconfidential.blogspot.com/2017/04/layoffs-hit-cumulus-clusters-in-chicago.html
I haven't listened to THL in a awhile. I enjoy Rhyner's baseball talk, or Rhyner's take on Star Wars or really anything Ryhner. Heck, even Corby can be funny at times, but when it's high voice indignant Corby or superlative Corby, I usually bail. Decided to tune in yesterday on the way to the gym and caught them talking about the musical Annie. First thing I hear is exasperated sigh Corby. I hang in there anyway. They realize that Mike has never heard the song and I swear I hear Danny call Mike a "tard". Maybe I was wrong, maybe it was because my window's down and I can't hear clearly. Whatever, I change the station. Head back home later and tune back in. They're discussing the shooting of the teenager. They mention that maybe it's because the cop just snapped because of one reason or another. Then a minute later, dismissive Corby says, yeah, it's murder. I don't know the law (except for CSI or Chicago Justice), but isn't murder premeditated? How does that jibe with you just saying that the cop snapped? I'm out again unless I somehow get wind that Mike may review the latest Star Wars film. Just seems that BAD and The Musers are more in my lane.
ReplyDeleteIt was Corby that called Mike that name. Another example of THL hypocrisy. Had a prominent conservative called someone that name, even in a joking manner, all we would hear from Corby and the peanut gallery is how awful and bigoted a person they were.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I could have sworn Danny was almost trying to justify the use of racial slurs hurled at Adam Jones in Boston. He was not saying that they were okay, but trying to explain how the Boston folks hate all outsiders. To me it fell flat. I've been to lots of games all over the conservative south and have rarely if ever heard a racial slur, including at the Ballpark.
Well, I didn't hear the Hardline talking about the slur, but I did hear DaC ESPN talking about it. I agree,it takes a certain classless human being to shout that out at public events. Steve Dennis was harping on about how the "N" word needs to be totally eradicated from the English language; and anybody using it needs to be treated to the harshest penalties. Hey people, that word isn't going to go anywhere! I'm sorry, but it's with us; and nobody uses it more that the Black population.
ReplyDeleteWhen someone on The Hardline misses a day, why do they make Donovan pull double duty and fill in? I feel like it shows a lack of respect towards him. They would never ask Junior, George or Norm to do that. Why not have Jake fill in instead?
ReplyDelete@9:24 I'm sure Donnie doesn't mind doing it, and I love it when he is out of his 10-12 spot and away from Norm. I'm sure he is compensated for it as well.
ReplyDelete@9:24
ReplyDeleteI agree with @10:29, Donny comes across as one of those guys that just generally likes his job and doesn't mind pulling double duty and unlike Junior or George, Donny works 10-12 not 5-10.
But more Donny please! In a reference to that movie with Larry Skywalker and that Weird Bear he brings balance to THL force
Is Dan no longer the keeper of 1:30 News? Bob's been throwing it to Jake if late, in lieu of Dan.
ReplyDeletePretty funny call in this week from Jesse the Usher as he described throwing down spike strips to stop Gov Abbott from running in to Romo.
ReplyDeleteIt starts at 28:50 http://www.theunticket.com/omg-jesse-the-usher-5-4-17/
Has anyone noticed the fake Mayor Rawlings doing the Starpower spot this week? That guy can't be real.
Dan's been battling Dee-ARIA this week so Jake is probably taking some of his duties (heh) to lighten the load (hehheh)
ReplyDeleteLeveler Chaz levels the game by giving up 2 runs. Then Dyson sucks and gives up the winner.
ReplyDeleteHey Plainsman- because sports don't stop at 6 pm on Friday I was listening to Ranger's post game on another local station Sunday. Mike Basick was saying it can't all be on the coaches and gave an example of Rudy Jaramillo and Josh Hamilton. Right before going to the plate Rudy told him to track the pitch, don't swing, and count how long it takes. He said Josh went to the plate swung at the first pitch and pop out. He said Rudy asked him what happened and Josh said he couldn't help it. Just one example but Mike was saying coaches can only do so much. That was an example of telling them something only within five minutes they didn't listen, so how is that the coaches fault? There is probably some blame on both sides but the players have to have better plate discipline.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure most of you would want to file this under "who gives a sh*t", but Ty Walker and myself will be hosting a UFC 211 preview show Saturday from 5-6:30pm. We'll be doing the show from our downstairs studio in Victory Park, so if you happen to be attending the fights, stop by and say hello, and if you're planning to buy the PPV, tune in and check it out. Thanks for your time, everyone!
ReplyDelete1055 Anon: I do agree that the player bears primary responsibility for his own performance, and I also agree that today's players in all sports are less in thrall to coaches than they used to be, in all sports.
ReplyDeleteBut there's a difference between one at-bat by a player who is somewhat addled to begin with, and repeated abysmal at-bats up and down the batting order for an extended period of time. If we say that the coaches don't bear responsibility for universal poor play over months-long periods in their area of responsibility, then we also have to say that specialty coaches aren't capable of improving play, either. Which suggests coaches are useless.
But no one would say that, so I say -- let's at least take a close look at the coaches. I can't remember a single Ticket host even mentioning the name of a hitting or fielding coach this year, even on those rare occasions when they mention coaching (as both The Hardline and The Musers have done; don't know about BaD or Norm/Donovan).
Couldn't agree more, P-man. If you or I were the Rangers hitting coach, instead of Anthony Iapoce, could the results be that much worse than what we've seen over the course of the season so far? I find that difficult to believe.
ReplyDeleteI can't help but believe that if Clint Hurdle were still the hitting coach, we'd be seeing a much more effective offense. I know he's moved on to bigger and better things. Just using him as an example to make the case that there are coaches who, seemingly unlike Iapoce, can make a positive impact on player performance.
You hear that coaches coach, but execution is up to the players. I believe, however, that a good coach (like Hurdle) doesn't just teach but finds a way to get his players to execute.
I think both the Musers and BaD discussed Doug Brocail today, sorry I don't have more specific time frames.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads up, Eli. Though I'm not a big UFC guy, I support you and Ty, and so I'll be tuned in.
ReplyDeleteI just heard the main reason I don't listen the Hardline anymore. They were playing E News on the Top Ten. The whole segment was about Celine Dion. It was nothing but a Mike Rhyner nut kicking, and not one bit of it was funny.
ReplyDeleteEli, that is absolutely NOT filed under "who gives a sh*t." I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the rematch between Stipe and JDS in the headliner. Plus, what do you think about the STYLE matchups between maia vs masvidal, and edgar vs rodriguez? And Alvarez going from headlining LW Champion to prelims??? Why the huge drop?
ReplyDeleteAlso, a segment on how bad Joanna Jędrzejczyk would kick JakeZ's a(s(s would be interesting.
Why does Jon Daniels get such a pass around here. He is the one responsible for compiling this mish mash of strikeout whiffing "sluggers". Not sure any batting coach can improve this collections ability to swing right through every pitch.
ReplyDeleteProbably because of 2 pennants and back to back division titles. 8 years of success gives a gm a lot of well deserved credit.
DeleteThese coaching comments are understandably focused on the hitting and relief pitching, but I'll reiterate what I referred to earlier: the defense is missing sound fundamentals right now. It doesn't always show up as errors, either, but it's obvious when I watch the games. We got spoiled in that area when Washington was the manager, because he excelled at it. But it still shouldn't have dropped off to the level that it has.
ReplyDeleteGeorge just pulled off one of the dumbest blunders in Ticket newsreading history. He was talking about a girl that grew up playing baseball and was really good. (She even played on a community college men's team.) But she transferred to A&M to play softball.
ReplyDeleteGeorge claimed she had hit 4 home runs and drove in 32 for their BASEBALL team. He was very adamant about her playing for A&M's baseball team, not softball.
I have no clue how anyone could believe that Jon Daniels is part of the problem here. That is a stunning conclusion.
ReplyDeleteI think a big part of the Ranger woes can be pointed at ownership going back to the old no-spending Rangers. They could have made a play for E. Encarnacion over the off season, instead they brought in the dirty dead ghost of Mike Napoli. I doubt they are going to go hard after Yu. When Lucroy was actually doing something, there were rumblings that they would not try to sign him either. All we've heard is about all this TV money, but as the new turd on the turnpike looms, the ownership is getting tight again. When are we going to spend some money and get some pitching/hitting/fielding in here?
ReplyDeleteYes...Jon Daniels told veterans and young players to swing for the fences every at bat and average under .200.
ReplyDeleteBaseball "experts" love trying to pin problems on one person. Not like Daniels or any of the coaches are telling the millionaires to go out there and suck.
This generation: No personal accountability.
Yes, but JD gives Bani and Co. the players to field a team. So, no, he doesn't tell them to suck, but he has a hand in it. A big hand.
ReplyDeleteIt has nothing to do with "personal accountability," Rhinosaur. It's an organization. So EVERYONE shares in the blame.
"Name That Sport" was a lot of fun this morning with the Musers. The Musers don't do a lot of game shows and this was fun to play along with.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for the Camp-pound later today. This and White Elephant are my favorite times of the year.
Funny how nobody seemed to have a problem with last year's team JD put together, which is roughly the same this season.
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