I still don't like him announcing

[mraynrand]

I have never understood the complaints against Aikman. I have always like him as an announcer and prefer him doing Packer games to most other announcers. I have never felt that he was anti-Packer. When he seems anti-Packer, it is about something that he always complains about, regardless of the team involved; at least in my opinion.

This is fair. He's just nothing overly special, in my view. But he's got talent. Announcers have a tough job trying to explain enough of the game for casual viewers without oversimplifying for the devotees. And you have to speak intelligibly (that leaves out Jerry Glanville), and not too much so as not to interfere with the game. My vote for best play by play (in any sport):

Gus Johnson

Best TV analyst right now: Brian Billick (it hurts me to write that)

[Patler]

This is fair. He's just nothing overly special, in my view. But he's got talent. Announcers have a tough job trying to explain enough of the game for casual viewers without oversimplifying for the devotees. And you have to speak intelligibly (that leaves out Jerry Glanville), and not too much so as not to interfere with the game. My vote for best play by play (in any sport):

Gus Johnson

Best TV analyst right now: Brian Billick (it hurts me to write that)

I can't stand Billick. Makes way, way too many mistakes, in my opinion.

[sharpe1027]

I have never understood the complaints against Aikman. I have always like him as an announcer and prefer him doing Packer games to most other announcers. I have never felt that he was anti-Packer. When he seems anti-Packer, it is about something that he always complains about, regardless of the team involved; at least in my opinion.

For me, it is not about anti Packer. It is comments about how Cobb freelancing today was just like what he did last week on 4 the down against the Bears. Only problem was that he ran a go route last week. But Aikman has it in his head otherwise so you know it's going to be repeated at least once, and it was. Kinda like how he has to say once a game how many slant routes the Packers run. Only problem is that they cut down on the slants since the previous QB retired for the last time. Etc...

There are worse announcers, but having him for just about every game gets old.

[woodbuck27]

For me, it is not about anti Packer. It is comments about how Cobb freelancing today was just like what he did last week on 4 the down against the Bears. Only problem was that he ran a go route last week. But Aikman has it in his head otherwise so you know it's going to be repeated at least once, and it was. Kinda like how he has to say once a game how many slant routes the Packers run. Only problem is that they cut down on the slants since the previous QB retired for the last time. Etc...

There are worse announcers, but having him for just about every game gets old.

It's really just that.

Why those fellas so often?

[Zool]

I have never understood the complaints against Aikman. I have always like him as an announcer and prefer him doing Packer games to most other announcers. I have never felt that he was anti-Packer. When he seems anti-Packer, it is about something that he always complains about, regardless of the team involved; at least in my opinion.

My knock on Aikman is that he drops out the obvious cliche'd statement more often than not. That and his fairly constant references to when he played the game. No one cares what you did before Troy unless they happen to live in Dallas.

[pbmax]

I can't stand Billick. Makes way, way too many mistakes, in my opinion.

Perhaps but I think he calls attention to this by publicly reversing himself, especially after replays show something else. Often he oversells the second opinion to his detriment (too easily swayed). But perhaps you mean player ID or something else.

My complaint about Billick is that he doesn't do enough coach stuff because when he does its pretty good.

Collingsworth and Michaels do the self correct thing differently. They often sell their initial impression hard and if replay disagrees, the walk it back step by step after each angle.

Aikman bothers me because he talks too often in generalities. Like Billick he could do better telling us what he knows. His approach to the Packers is fine. Joe Buck is annoying because everything is schtick.

[Cheesehead Craig]

I don't mind Aikman. Buck I can do without.

The TV guys get caught up in making a point that doesn't always match up what's on the TV. It's a narrative they want to convey and thought up and have to find the best way to insert it.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Dan Fouts is the best analyst out there. He jumps in and tells you why a play worked and where to look to see it. Did a fantastic job when given the chance, just got overshadowed by Dennis Miller on MNF and got associated with that debacle.