Zach Doing play by play.
 

I tuned in just to see how it was going in the first quarter and it was a dumpster fire. No doubt he was nervous but it was just bad. Nobody will replace Henderson and there isn’t another guy they could have put up there that we would like off the bat. As the game went on he did get better. Once he gets the basics down and can add a little personality to it I think he will be fine.
Going into a break he forgot to hit cough/off air button and you could hear him telling Deuce he screwed something up lol.

Did annoy me how he called them the “Jagwires”

Re: Zach Doing play by play.
 

:popcorn:

https://media1.giphy.com/media/tyqcJoNjNv0Fq/giphy.gif

Re: Zach Doing play by play.
 

Henderson also screwed up to when he started but the Saints sucked then. Nobody cared all that much.

Re: Zach Doing play by play.
 

Re: Zach Doing play by play.
 

Re: Zach Doing play by play.
 

I heard "Jag-Wires" too, which is a common mispronunciation, and it kind of stuck in my head.

Look, I Love Zach. If anyone remembers, I was his biggest fanboy here, as a
player, and a person. He was super cool, when I met him at Training Camp--- I took one of my fav photos ever with him, nice to my kids, and when some of you started criticizing, or saying it was time for him to move on, I was a big defender of Zach, the player. He deserves that Ring, and was a valuable piece of the Saints machine.

As an announcer, I dont believe Zach was the best candidate available for play by play. Im astounded that the WWL would chose a player for play-by-play. You can get away with a player for color, which Zach would have been great for. But Play-by-Play is pretty much you flying the ship, and very few can really pull this off. For one, you need a distinguished, polished voice. I noticed a lack of range in Zach's voice, which is not something you can practice & get better at.

You really need a radio background. Think Jack Buck, Cosell, Milo Hamilton, Harry Kalas--- you need that "This is London" quality, which pierces Am Radio static-- the kind of voice, you can pick out on an interstate at night, driving across country. Your average person doesnt have this, just as your average person cant play right tackle.

Two very notable exceptions come to mind. Pat Summerall and Frank Gifford. These guys were blessed with amazing voices (Im in media, and this is my area of expertise.) quick reference ability, and relatability. But these guys were very rare exceptions.

Even guys we've loved here on air, I believe would suck at Play by Play. Bobby, the late Hokie, and even St. Archie--- great radio "personalities," not great announcers. Steve Korte actually has one of the best voices in the Saints broadcast, but I dont know how fast he can pull references, or how he works on the fly. Christian Garrick (spelling?) Also has one of the more radio-pro voices on the staff.

Zach will improve, if he relaxes, breathes more naturally, chew's what he is saying, and doesnt over-think it. His vocal range, or lack, cant be fixed, and the flat quality can't either. A strong PD (program director) could help him with syntax, rhythm, all the fine points, but the danger would be, if the PD gets TOO much in his head. He must do it in pieces, so Zach's broadcasting will be a long work in progress.

I love Zach, but I dont think he'll ever have that iconic, flavorful sound you want in your am radio football broadcast. I'd love to be wrong on this one.

Re: Zach Doing play by play.
 

Why didn't you apply for it, SM?

Re: Zach Doing play by play.
 

In the regular season we'll be listening to Joe Buck and Troy Aikman stroke the team we're playing. :roll:

Re: Zach Doing play by play.
 

:lolup: Troy is definitely a documented Saints Hater...

Probably has something to do with his NFL debut, a 0-28 shutout loss to the New Orleans Saints; Aikman was 17-35, 184 PaYd, 2 INT, 0 PaTD

Re: Zach Doing play by play.
 

Good question, Smash. I dont think I have the right connections.
Its kind of a shame that there are a couple dozen great radio professionals
who didnt get considered, and would have been fantastic.

I do hope Zach succeeds, and always does well. He's a good guy.