Editorial: ESPN needs to learn replay technique from the NFL Network

Editorial: ESPN needs to learn replay technique from the NFL Network
ESPN

Editorial: ESPN needs to learn replay technique from the NFL Network

If you have ever been up at 3 AM to watch the replay of an ESPN college game you missed, not only do you need a sleep aid, you wasted your time.  It isn't often that the new rookie on the team is better than the grizzled veteran, but when it comes to football replays, ESPN college football can't hold the NFL Network's jock---video tape. 

By Bill Smith

    After many of us have complained, ESPN and ESPN2 have improved to the point that they usually show the lineups.  However, after the first possession of each team, what you most likely to see is a touchdown play, the extra point, and a series of commercials.  That is often followed by the phrase we have all grown to hate—“In the interest of time, we move ahead in our coverage.”  Guess what?  That statement is usually followed by yet another commercial break before we return to the next touchdown play, extra point, and series of commercials.

    Now it is not like the live broadcast of a game short-changes the advertiser or revenue opportunities for the Networks.  The average broadcast college game drags on well past 3.5 hours due in part to the length of commercial breaks.  The break is so long at the end of the first and third quarters that the band could come out and do a show.  But the ESPN replay is even worse.

    In two typical replays in the 2007 season, a two hour replay contained an average of 63 minutes of scrimmage play, excluding punts and point kicks.  That is ridiculous.  What good is watching it?  Time watching an Infomercial would be better spent.  At least that might be boring enough to help you sleep.  Even ESPN Classic does a better job than the flagship channel and ESPN2.

    The NFL Network does a great job with the replay of games.  They eliminate both the delays between plays and breaks in the action due to reviews of plays and injuries.  As a result, you get a real feel for the game both offensively and defensively in a 1.5 hour presentation.

    If you are going to do something, do it right or don't do it at all.

Bill Smith is a former coach of several semi-pro teams and has scouted talent.  He is a senior writer for http://BrutusReport.com.  He has also published several novels on http://ebooks-library.com/index.cfm and edits http://fryingpanpolitics.blog.com

 
Tags: Football NFL
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