Whoops. My mistake. I really wonder how long I have thought that Chris Bermans’ name was Len?
Since we’re naming Bermanisms that have past their freshness date, I’ll add “Marshall, Marshall, Marshall!” whenever Marshall Faulk is mentioned. I mean, every time!
Same with “Pram Tam” (Prime Time; used to refer to alleged cornerback Deion Sanders and now refers to NFL Primetime show on ESPN).
Ooh, I just remembered another one, along the same lines as the Three-Stooges-type “Whoop!” that was mentioned earlier. It’s a sort of “bff!” sound effect whenever a big fullback is shown shedding tacklers or plowing through opponents.
And again, to clarify, I don’t “hate” Berman, though it appears many people do.
Yeah, the “Prahm Tahm” and “Duh Ray-duhs” are getting very old, along with all of his OTHER gimmicks. What REALLY gets me is “the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field.”
What pisses me off most about him, though (and I’ll warn you now to skip the rest of this if foul language bothers you), is the same thing that pisses off Jarbaby: The fact that he slobbers all over Brett Favre’s knob every chance he gets. To listen to Berman talk, Favre shits diamonds out of a platinum asshole. I mean, I understand that Favre is a good quarterback. However, he doesn’t need to be mentioned in EVERY SINGLE, SOLITARY SEGMENT. It’s getting as bad about Steve McNair, too. While I respect him as a quarterback, I can NOT fathom how Sean Salsbury gives the MVP nod to him over Manning. After all, Manning’s beaten McNair 2x, and set an NFL record with 5 straight seasons of 4000 yards. Something that NO ONE had ever done. And yet he’s not the most valuable? Bullshit.
Then again, maybe I’m just a “homer,” and no one’ll be able to change my mind. But I DO hate the Packers. Like most people hate Hitler. Only more often.
He’s the most valuable over those five years, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s the most valuable for this year. The MVP is only for one year, not a career.
Also, who cares how many times the Colts have beaten the Titans? What’s that have to do with being MVP of the entire league? The other 14 games might factor in.
Yes, that’s the Mike Alstott Sound.
Used to be the Marion Butts Sound, which was sort of a two-fer of annoyance because he’d couple it with “Marion BUTTS.”
As bad as Berman’s NFL Primetime craperoo may have become, it’s miles better than anything he does associated with baseball.
And, to answer the question, Berman’s crap became old in 1989.
If you re-read my statement, though, I’m quibbling with Sean Salisbury’s assessment of McNair over Manning THIS year. I’m not making any statement over Manning vs McNair at any point other than THIS season. If Manning has beaten McNair (team vs team) two times this year, and his team has a better record (in the same conference), then I should think that his achievements would certainly be weighted a little more over McNair’s. Again, though, I’m probably a “homer,” since I live in Indiana.
That said, while I respect McNair’s abilities, if it’s a straight Manning vs McNair battle for MVP (and I think they BOTH are worthy candidates), then Manning - with a better record playing in the same conference, and two wins over the other MVP candidate - would seem to be to me to be the determining factor.
Brett Favre doesn’t shit diamonds? Damn. I was pretty sure he did, especially after throwing for almost four hundred yards and four touchdowns the day after his dad died with a broken thumb. I’ll agree that Berman goes overboard about certain players, and I understand that you hate the Packers, Superdude, but surely even you’d agree that you made a ginormous understatement with “Favre is a good quarterback.” However, I don’t want to hijack, here, so I’ll agree that Berman’s a dweeb and maybe start a thread about MVP candidates…
Er, on reflection, I suppose I should clarify that Favre had the broken thumb, not his deceased father.
Broken thumbs are the No. 2 cause of death of men over 50, right behind exploding prostates.
Well, wizard, I’m not going to rehash the beloved Jarbaby’s critique of Favre, but suffice it to say that she and I see alike on this issue. Nothing against him, per se, but more of the fact that, even if it’s NOT a Packer game, the commentators feel obligated to get down on their knees and give Favre the ol’ spit-shine at every opportunity. I’m not debating his ability as a quarterback. I DO have a problem, however (as does Jarbaby…I keep referencing her because she was able to articulate what I had thought better than I could. And, upon searching for her thread, it seems that Munch seems to agree, to an extent), with the fact that - with FEW exceptions - ANY commentator is always willing to suck off Favre without going into any of his personal problems (the death of his dad notwithstanding…I DO give him props for his performance the other night). If it were ANY other quarterback who’d faced the things that Favre has, including the alcoholism and addiction to painkillers to which he has admitted, I feel that the media would have buried him under his problems. Favre seems to get a pass, and that bothers me greatly. It’s not so much a problem with Favre, himself, as it is the apparent preferencial treatment he gets from the media.
See this thread. And this one, though it contains bad words.
Allow me to quote some of her observations (contains BAD words!):
Because if you take McNair off Tennessee, the team probably finishes 4-12. That team has NO running game. George is horrible these days and the recievers? Come on… without McNair throwing, Mason and co. are shown to a mediocre corp.
McNair is the MVP, because he has such a below average offensive team around him, it is amazing they come close to the playoffs.
There is a few reasons. One, Farve is a first ballot HoF and is one of the best QBs of All Time. That tends to give people a teflon coat. Two, Farve admitted he had a problem and took responsibility himself. He never tried to blame anyone else for it. He didn’t make excuses, he just said his bad. Three, the guy is a very likable down home country bumpkin type that people just love.
Well, not to nitpick, but the Colts’ running game hasn’t been that great this year, either. I think they’re 25th in the league? And, while Harrison is one of, if not THE best, receiver in the league, if there’s not a good QB compliment, then it goes to waste.
And Manning doesn’t have the wheels that McNair does, which, in MY mind, anyway (and I’ll concede the bias), makes his ability even more important.
No arguement. As I said, I have nothing against him as a player.
Two, Farve admitted he had a problem and took responsibility himself. He never tried to blame anyone else for it. He didn’t make excuses, he just said his bad.**
[/quote]
I’ll remember that if I’m ever in trouble like he was. I can say “sorry,” and it’s all okay? I call BS.
**
So he gets a pass because he’s Gomer Pyle and a Jeff Foxworthy punchline rolled into one? Again, I call favoritism.
Actually, yes, Superdude, if I ever have a problem with you, and you say you’re sorry and stop doing it, I will forgive you. I believe that’s what people call “charity,” and it’s sort of one of the cornerstones of any kind of formal society. Or would you prefer a world in which people are damned forever for their mistakes? However, methinks we should stop hijacking this thread.
“You’re in good hands with Alstott!”
Cute. We’ll ignore the fact that he fumbles half the time and the other half he gets maybe two yards a carry.
I once heard from a friend that he supposedly called hockey player Benoit Hogue “Benoit Balls Hogue”.
Apocryphal, I know, I hope it’s true!
Don’t try throwing out stats about how McNair has no team around him and still wins when trying to argue he is the MVP. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The Colts and Titans defenses rank very close and the Colts and Titans running game rank very close. Manning has a 100.2 QB rating and McNair a 100.3 rating. Manning has more TDs and mroe yards passing and a higer completion percentage. Plus Manning won two head to head macth ups. The only reason McNair is even still in the race is because ESPN and every freakin’ sports talk show has wanted to hand McNair the MVP trophy since midseason because somehow playing with minor injuries every week means you are a tougher QB than someone who has not missed a game since the day he entered the NFL. The knock on Manning has always been he can’t win the big game, he can’t beat Tennessee and win the division (at least the last few years). This year he did that. Now everyone is looking for some other reason to not give him the award, just like he got screwed out of the Heisman due to an overhyped defensive player, in my opinion.
I can pull up the stats for the year if you want and you'll see that there is no evidence to the argument that McNair wins with a less talented team around him. Manning is the focal point of the Colts offense and is the focal point of the defense in each and every game he plays. Its ridiculous to argue that Manning means less to the Colts than McNair to the Titans. McNair is a great player and they are close for the MVP race. In that case, the one on the team that wins the division should be the winner. Thats Manning. Unless you want to argue for Jamal Lewis, which if he breaks the record you very well could. He may end up winning if he goes past Dickerson.
Berman is OK. I don't love or hate him. He hits and misses. However, I DO get sick of the "NFL Norris" comment, especially since the division does not even exist in the NFL anymore and, for the same reason, can't stand it when he, or anyone else, call them the "New York FOOTBALL Giants." There is NO OTHER NY Giants anymore and there has not been any other NY Giant team for about 50 years. You don't still call them the NEW Cleveland Browns, so lay off the NY Football Giants comments.
Also, I think there are a number of reasons he calls them the NFL Norris. I always thought it was because all the teams are very close and, in the past, all seemed to end up every year between 6-10 to 10-6. Not true the last few years, but many times seems to be. Looking at it now, some of the other reasons make more sense.
I also happen to like Bob Costas, and it is precisely because he comments on the game in an inciteful manner and does not need to rely on stupid catch phrases or making outrageous off the wall comments. I can see where peple think he is smug and a bit an the arrogant side, but he is a very bright guy, especially compared to many of the morons they have on the air now, and if I were him I would probably be the same way. He is a cut above all the rest in profressionalism, at the very least.In the court of public opinion? If you apology is sincere, then yeah!
Um so? Are you saying it suprises you that nice guys are looked at more favorably? What a shock!
Are you seriously saying that Derrick Mason is akin to Marvin Harrison? I’m sorry, but having Harrison makes the Colts offense MUCH more talented than Tennessee’s.
Um… why? This is the most VALUABLE player, not which focal player is on the best team.
I would not say Mason is as good as Harrison, but they are having similar years :
Mason : 89 for 1213, 6 TDs
Harrison : 92 for 1238, 10 TDs
Harrison did miss one game, not sure about Mason. Oh, and in that game Harrison missed, Manning threw for five or 6 TDs.
Identical, really, except for TDs. Oh, you say McNair makes Mason look good.....sure, but how good would Harrison be without Manning? Splitting hairs there, at least this season. Plus, if your WHOLE argument about the better "supporting cast" is based on ONE player, I'd say its a pretty weak argument.
Here are the rest of the team comparisons :
Indy defense : #13 total D, 305.7 YPG, 17.9 PPG
Tenn : #14 total, 308.5 YPG, 17.3 PPG
Again, call it even
Turnovers : Indy +11, Tenn +10....even
#2 receivers : Wayne 65/806, 7 TDs, McCareins 46/789, 7 TDs.....still even
RBs : James 1088, 3.8 per carry, 10 TDs, George 944, 3.3 per carry, 5 TDS, so Indy pulls ahead, but...
Rushing YPG : Indy 99.2/game, 3.6 per carry, Tenn 100.7, 3.3 per carry....OK, back to square one, even....
Manning stats : Yards 4047, TDs 28, INts 9, rating 100.3, 67% completion percentage, 7.66 yards per pass, 21 rushing yards, no rushing TDs, 17 sacks
McNair : (keep in mind he missed a game or game and a half) : 3215 yards (much lower...wouldn't catch him with the whole season played), 24 TDs, 7 INTs, rating 100.4, 62%, 8.04 yards/attempt, 138 rushing yards (about 10 yards a game more rushing on average....much lower than expected), four rushing TDs, 19 sacks.
Rating is almost even, Manning wins on passing yards, Tied on total TDs, McNair wins on rushing yards and TDs (his main advantage, which I freely acknowledge), sacks pretty close but Manning in the lead even with more games played. McNair does have an amazing yards/attempt this year.
Record : both at 11-4. Of course, McNair was out completely in one win and missed part of the game in another win. They won basically two games with VOLEK at QB. Now how many would they win without McNair over a season?
Head to head : 2-0, Manning.
Now tell me who has the better supporting cast? Its basically even, if you ask me. Oh, Manning does have a better kicker, the "idiot" Vanderjagt with the perfect season. I'll give you that. I am sure that is what everyone had in mind when they mean the better supporting cast, the kicker.ANd for the record, if you argue that McNair himself boosts the team rushing stats, if you take away his yards rushing then it becomes about 91 YPG to 99 YPG in favor of the Colts. Still less than a 10 YPG difference. That is hardly a huge advantage.