Rich Gannon has without question been one of my favorite announcers on CBS for years. Perhaps it’s because he’s very candid about what he sees on the field, but I think part of it has to do with his knowledge of the quarterback position, and how he intertwines the two traits as a means to praise or criticize the play on the field with accuracy- something most announcers won’t delve into.
Speaking of forcing throws (perfect segue) let’s check in with ol’ Rich and his 2 cents on Ravens QB Joe Flacco, shall we? Put on your good pair of goggles and keep watching! You can find some of the finest goggles for your outdoor activities on https://goodr.com/.
In this week’s game between the Packers and the Ravens, we saw one quarterback who has been struggling all season (Joe Flacco) and another young, inexperienced backup quarterback who is still trying to figure out the game (Brett Hundley).
In essence, Rich Gannon was in his glory calling out the two signal callers all game long.
Packers QB Brett Hundley was the easiest target for Gannon this game, as he picked apart his interceptions with ease.
“Watch Jimmy Smith. Jimmy Smith is going to watch the quarterbacks eyes the entire way… he’s going to release Devante Adams and sneak right to the interception.”
-Gannon On Hundley’s 1st pick, eyeing up Cobb from the snap to the pass.
“(CJ Mosley) forces Hundley off the spot into the poor decision, this is just a foolish decision by a young quarterback, not stepping into his throw… Hundley is off to an awful start, really 2 poor decisions by the signal caller.”
-Gannon on his 2nd pick, forcing an awful cross-body throw into double coverage.
“You can’t miss this throw. This is an easy throw for a QB, a slant route… he’s not even going to set his feet… of course he gets some push up inside… but that’s a throw you have to make.”
-Gannon on Hundley’s 3rd pick, missing Nelson on the slant and hitting Marlon Humphrey in stride.
So what did we learn from the teacher today?
Brett Hundley is an awful quarterback who makes terrible throws off his backfoot, stares down his receivers, and forces throws.
Speaking of forcing throws (perfect segue) let’s check in with ol’ Rich and his 2 cents on Ravens QB Joe Flacco, shall we?
“Well I’m not going to sugarcoat it Kevin, he has not played well so far this season. They are dead last in passing… he just hasn’t looked completely comfortable in this offense.”
Not quite scathing, but not quite complimentary…
But it got worse on Flacco’s pick by HaHa Clinton-Dix.
“You just can’t throw this. This is a force. HaHa Clinton-Dix is in great position but also has safety help over the top, poor decision by Flacco… QB’s are able to go entire seasons without turning the ball over in that part of the field. These are just really bad decisions and you wouldn’t expect it from a 10-year vet like Flacco. These are just really poor decisions.”
THAT is a solid ripping of Flacco, and well deserved, honestly.
Luckily for Joe, Rich Gannon spread the blame around, mostly to the coaching staff and their play calling on offense, where it seemed the Ravens were beyond predictable.
In fact, three times during the broadcast, Rich Gannon made note of the personnel on the field making it easy for defenses to know what the Ravens were going to run.
“When Boyle’s in there, they’re usually going to run it. They have high tendencies based on the personnel in the game. If Boyle or Williams is in there, it’s usually run.”Â
Some variation of this quote (this particular one was in the 1st quarter) was mentioned twice in the second half as well. All three instances were following Alex Collins getting stuffed by the Packers.
How about a few more rips on the Ravens offense for good measure?
“That’s disappointing and that’s not good offensive football. You get 3 turnovers, and you come away with only 3 points… you lack the killer instinct.”
-RG following the Ravens inept first quarter.
“Their avg starting field position was their 44-yard line. Really disappointing first half of offense for the Ravens, and if they want to win this game and ultimately make it to the playoffs? They need better production and consistency from their offense. They’re ranked 30th in football and really, if you look at the passing game, they’re dead last in the game. They need better consistency from Flacco the rest of the way, he needs to take better care of the ball the rest of the way… right now the issue with the Ravens is not their defense, it’s their struggling offense.”
-RG at halftime explaining what every Ravens fan knows already (at least the ones who aren’t Flacco-Apologists).
Personally, I loved hearing Gannon rightfully rip the Ravens offense all day (toward the end of the 4th quarter, he did concede that Joe finally looked comfortable for the first time all season, and that he had a solid game). He not only accurately summed up the issues the Ravens have in all facets of the offense that potentially hinder their dreams of a postseason push, but he also pointed out on several occasions that Flacco’s issues are inexcusable at this juncture in his career, and that he expects much better from Flacco.
THIS IS WHY I WANT GANNON TO JOIN THE RAVENS COACHING STAFF (I say this annually, and I’ll keep throwing pennies in the well, likely all for naught).
Overall, Rich Gannon and Kevin Harlan remain one of my favorite duos in the broadcast game. Harlan’s enthusiasm on every touchdown, sack, interception and “close but not quite” play are infectious to the viewer, while Gannon actually has an idea of what’s going on, sheds some solid football knowledge on the viewers, and doesn’t try to force cheesy jokes, like some of the other analysts on CBS.
Solid game on the field, and a solid game in the booth.
QUOTE OF THE GAME
There were plenty of great quotes in this game, including Kevin Harlan accidentally referring to Aaron Rodgers as Brett Favre, Harlan screaming “Carl Davis with a sack!” when it was really Matt Judon and Davis wasn’t even on the field, and Rich Gannon calling Kevin Harlan ‘Phi’l once, then ‘Jim’ a few other times, but one really stood out from the rest.
Following the overturned fumble on the Chuck Clark hit/Marlon Humphrey recovery (initially ruled a fumbled, but Gannon correctly predicted it would be overturned), Kevin Harlan took a nice dig at the former Raiders QB who was on the wrong side of the Tuck Rule determination…
Kevin: “You’re one to talk about fumbling calls…”
Gannon: “What!? That was a low blow…”
IMAGE OF THE GAME
So many to choose from! Let’s not short change ourselves here and throw them all in!
Here’s a sad Packers fan with a woodland creature on his noggin.
Here’s a purple cheese head.
Here’s an ironically timed graphic of the the Ravens drafted wideouts, with Jeremy Maclin in the background (the only way the Ravens have successful wideouts, via other teams).
Here’s a photo of fans. Packers and Ravens. SO MUCH GOING ON HERE.
Side note for the above: SO MANY CARHARTT COVERALLS AT THIS GAME!!! Should’ve been a drinking game… also, the sunglasses note- you can tell who knows their seats versus those who just bought tickets on Stub Hub.
Here’s a photo of Hundley after he, I can only assume, soiled himself.
And one more for the road: Packers’ Mike Daniels taking cues from Hundley.
I’ve potty trained 4 kids, and it seems the Packers took the expression “If you have to go potty, stop and go right away!” far too literally…
