Rich Gannon's blunder in the CBS broadcast booth (1 Viewer)

[Raider Nation]

With seven seconds left in overtime, the Bengals called a timeout to prepare for the potential game-winning field goal to be kicked by Shayne Graham. It was an easy decision for head coach Marvin Lewis: Since the clock was running, calling a timeout allowed Graham and the field goal team to take their time instead of having to rush the kick. CBS broadcaster Rich Gannon, though, took exception. Gannon didn't like the timeout because he thought that if Graham hit the field goal it would leave too much time for dangerous Cleveland return man Joshua Cribbs to take back the subsequent kickoff for a touchdown. Gannon's partner in the booth, Ian Eagle, quickly and politely informed him that the game would be over if Graham successfully converted the field goal since NFL overtime is sudden death.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

He needs some tutoring from Donovan McNabb.

 

[KnowledgeReignsSupreme]

It was a mistake.

 

[perry147]

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

He needs some tutoring from Donovan McNabb.

Eagle make a joke about McNabb right after that. Gannon knew the rule, it just slipped his mind for a minute.

 

[Werewolf Moderator Fan]

Biggest mistake was Mangini not going for the FG before overtime.

 

[Sammy Traveller]

He needs some tutoring from Donovan McNabb.

remind me what McNabb had to do with overtime....i'm blanking out on what happened with him.

 

[wadegarrett]

Biggest mistake was Mangini not going for the FG before overtime.

 

[Grigs Allmoon]

He needs some tutoring from Donovan McNabb.

remind me what McNabb had to do with overtime....i'm blanking out on what happened with him.

He didn't know you could have a tie game.As for this... I think Gannon is a lousy announcer. It always amazed me how many mistakes he makes, for someone who I thought was a pretty cerebral QB. So, coming in here I thought it would be another blunder, but this is more of brain-fart than an obvious misunderstanding of the rules, etc.

 

[Sammy Traveller]

He needs some tutoring from Donovan McNabb.

remind me what McNabb had to do with overtime....i'm blanking out on what happened with him.

He didn't know you could have a tie game.As for this... I think Gannon is a lousy announcer. It always amazed me how many mistakes he makes, for someone who I thought was a pretty cerebral QB. So, coming in here I thought it would be another blunder, but this is more of brain-fart than an obvious misunderstanding of the rules, etc.

so McNabb didn't know you can tie in the NFL....what and when was the game in which it happened? I seem to remember Philadelphia ending a game with a tie some years back, against Atlanta, I think. Just wondering.

 

[Jeremy]

Meh. It's an easy mistake to make. How often does overtime go into the final seconds? He was obviously forgetting it was overtime and thinking it was the 4th quarter. Brain fart. We all have them.

 

[WampusCat43]

Cincy, last year.

 

[billrob]

Watching the game with a buddy of mine and I said the EXACT same thing right before Gannon said it.

I however was under the influence of various substances...Gannon?

I was just rooting for my teaser to come in: Cincy -1 and under 44.

 

[Werewolf Moderator Fan]

Watching the game with a buddy of mine and I said the EXACT same thing right before Gannon said it.I however was under the influence of various substances...Gannon?

Under the influence of various concussions.

 

[Defending Champs]

Biggest mistake was Mangini not going for the FG before overtime.

This is the truth and I said it as Mangenious was sitting on the sidelines with that dumpy look on his face. Sorry, something about the guy rubs me the wrong way.

 

[Brock Middlebrook]

nobody would care about this except that they are predisposed to have knee-jerk defense of anything McNabb going back to the Limbaugh controversy.

 

[loompa17]

Kind of funny mistake though. Curious what Gannon said next.

 

[TommyGilmore]

nobody would care about this except that they are predisposed to have knee-jerk defense of anything McNabb going back to the Limbaugh controversy.

Huh? Nobody defended McNabb. If anything, the announcer told Gannon that he was as dumb as McNabb was.

 

[LadyBeBop]

Watching the game, I was thinking it was too soon for Bengals to call a time out, but for a different reason.

If Graham missed the field goal (and remember, he missed an extra point two weeks in a row as well as a chip shot field goal earlier in this game), the Browns would have time for a desperation play. And the Orton TD throw is still haunting us.

I wanted the Bengals to wait until 3 seconds in the game before calling the time out. That way, we'd know it would be the last play of the game. Somehow, I'm wondering if that's what Gannon thought.

 

[Werewolf Moderator Fan]

Watching the game, I was thinking it was too soon for Bengals to call a time out, but for a different reason.If Graham missed the field goal (and remember, he missed an extra point two weeks in a row as well as a chip shot field goal earlier in this game), the Browns would have time for a desperation play. And the Orton TD throw is still haunting us.I wanted the Bengals to wait until 3 seconds in the game before calling the time out. That way, we'd know it would be the last play of the game. Somehow, I'm wondering if that's what Gannon thought.

I thought it was good to have a few extra seconds on the clock in case of a bad snap. With enough time they can call TO and try again.

 

[Clifton]

I disagree. Gannon's blunder could have cost them the game.

 

[CalBear]

Watching the game, I was thinking it was too soon for Bengals to call a time out, but for a different reason.

If Graham missed the field goal (and remember, he missed an extra point two weeks in a row as well as a chip shot field goal earlier in this game), the Browns would have time for a desperation play. And the Orton TD throw is still haunting us.

I wanted the Bengals to wait until 3 seconds in the game before calling the time out. That way, we'd know it would be the last play of the game. Somehow, I'm wondering if that's what Gannon thought.

I thought it was good to have a few extra seconds on the clock in case of a bad snap. With enough time they can call TO and try again.

It's definitely a mistake to leave 4 seconds on the clock after the field goal.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aCDfJH6eRY

 

[SoFresh&SoClean]

Gannon speaks nonsense for most of the game. His voice just becomes a buzzing noise in my head.

 

[Athletic Supporter]

Watching the game, I was thinking it was too soon for Bengals to call a time out, but for a different reason.

If Graham missed the field goal (and remember, he missed an extra point two weeks in a row as well as a chip shot field goal earlier in this game), the Browns would have time for a desperation play. And the Orton TD throw is still haunting us.

I wanted the Bengals to wait until 3 seconds in the game before calling the time out. That way, we'd know it would be the last play of the game. Somehow, I'm wondering if that's what Gannon thought.

I thought it was good to have a few extra seconds on the clock in case of a bad snap. With enough time they can call TO and try again.

It's definitely a mistake to leave 4 seconds on the clock after the field goal.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aCDfJH6eRY

Thanks for the link!

 

[Genester]

Watching the game, I was thinking it was too soon for Bengals to call a time out, but for a different reason.If Graham missed the field goal (and remember, he missed an extra point two weeks in a row as well as a chip shot field goal earlier in this game), the Browns would have time for a desperation play. And the Orton TD throw is still haunting us.I wanted the Bengals to wait until 3 seconds in the game before calling the time out. That way, we'd know it would be the last play of the game. Somehow, I'm wondering if that's what Gannon thought.

I thought it was good to have a few extra seconds on the clock in case of a bad snap. With enough time they can call TO and try again.

The issue is that the Bengals had no time outs left at that stage. So, calling the time out with 7 seconds left was indeed a bad decision, although not for the reason Gannon stated. If something went wrong on the snap, the Bengals simply couldn't have gotten the play off in time. There was only downside at that stage and nothing else.To those of us watching Bengal games, none of this is surprising - they continually mismanage the clock in crucial situations. So far, this season, they've come out of these situations remarkably unscathed. Consider that karma for the week 1 Denver loss.

 

[Bills_Fan11]

He needs some tutoring from Donovan McNabb.

remind me what McNabb had to do with overtime....i'm blanking out on what happened with him.

He didn't know you could have a tie game.As for this... I think Gannon is a lousy announcer. It always amazed me how many mistakes he makes, for someone who I thought was a pretty cerebral QB. So, coming in here I thought it would be another blunder, but this is more of brain-fart than an obvious misunderstanding of the rules, etc.

There's something about being a smart player that clearly does not translate into being a decent broadcaster. I've heard enough people swear by Marshall Faulk's intelligence during his playing days to the point where I have no choice but to believe it - but he sucks as an analyst. Same for Steve Tasker really.

 

[Steeler]

Biggest mistake was Mangini not going for the FG before overtime.

This is the truth and I said it as Mangenious was sitting on the sidelines with that dumpy look on his face. Sorry, something about the guy rubs me the wrong way.

I didn't see the game, what were the circumstances where Mangini passed up the FG?

 

[LadyBeBop]

Biggest mistake was Mangini not going for the FG before overtime.

This is the truth and I said it as Mangenious was sitting on the sidelines with that dumpy look on his face. Sorry, something about the guy rubs me the wrong way.

I didn't see the game, what were the circumstances where Mangini passed up the FG?

He could have gone for about a 57 yard field goal with about 20 seconds to go in regulation.I can understand not attempting a FG. Cundiff is just a stand in while Dawson is out. Making a 57 yarder is highly unlikely. And if he missed, the Bengals would have had the ball near midfield with two plays to get the ball into fairly manageable field goal range.

 

[r0llin_game]

He needs some tutoring from Donovan McNabb.

remind me what McNabb had to do with overtime....i'm blanking out on what happened with him.

He didn't know you could have a tie game.As for this... I think Gannon is a lousy announcer. It always amazed me how many mistakes he makes, for someone who I thought was a pretty cerebral QB. So, coming in here I thought it would be another blunder, but this is more of brain-fart than an obvious misunderstanding of the rules, etc.

so McNabb didn't know you can tie in the NFL....what and when was the game in which it happened? I seem to remember Philadelphia ending a game with a tie some years back, against Atlanta, I think. Just wondering.

Pitt/Atl.I think it was in 2002. I remember Plaxico making a catch down by the 1 at the end of regulation or OT, can't remember which.

 

[Das Boot]

An even dumber comment by Gannon was when he criticized the Bengals decision to go for it on 4th and 10 rather than trying a 58 yard FG.

Even as he was still speaking about how much more likely a 58 yard FG was to convert than a 4th and 10 , Palmer was scrambling for a 1st down.

Gannon smoothly shifted into wondering if the call for a bootleg came from up top since Gannon had spotted that the bootleg was available much earlier in the game.

He's a piece of work.

 

[tomarken]

Watching the game, I was thinking it was too soon for Bengals to call a time out, but for a different reason.

If Graham missed the field goal (and remember, he missed an extra point two weeks in a row as well as a chip shot field goal earlier in this game), the Browns would have time for a desperation play. And the Orton TD throw is still haunting us.

I wanted the Bengals to wait until 3 seconds in the game before calling the time out. That way, we'd know it would be the last play of the game. Somehow, I'm wondering if that's what Gannon thought.

I thought it was good to have a few extra seconds on the clock in case of a bad snap. With enough time they can call TO and try again.

It's definitely a mistake to leave 4 seconds on the clock after the field goal.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aCDfJH6eRY

Especially in overtime./gannon

 

[Not Sure]

nobody would care about this except that they are predisposed to have knee-jerk defense of anything McNabb going back to the Limbaugh controversy.

You embarrass yourself every time you post.

 

[greenline]

An even dumber comment by Gannon was when he criticized the Bengals decision to go for it on 4th and 10 rather than trying a 58 yard FG.Even as he was still speaking about how much more likely a 58 yard FG was to convert than a 4th and 10 , Palmer was scrambling for a 1st down.Gannon smoothly shifted into wondering if the call for a bootleg came from up top since Gannon had spotted that the bootleg was available much earlier in the game. He's a piece of work.

LMAO

 

[Werewolf Moderator Fan]

An even dumber comment by Gannon was when he criticized the Bengals decision to go for it on 4th and 10 rather than trying a 58 yard FG.Even as he was still speaking about how much more likely a 58 yard FG was to convert than a 4th and 10 , Palmer was scrambling for a 1st down.

What's the big deal here?

 

[Das Boot]

An even dumber comment by Gannon was when he criticized the Bengals decision to go for it on 4th and 10 rather than trying a 58 yard FG.Even as he was still speaking about how much more likely a 58 yard FG was to convert than a 4th and 10 , Palmer was scrambling for a 1st down.

What's the big deal here?

Many many more 4th and 10's have been converted in the NFL's history than 58 yard FGs.Shayne Graham's career long is 53 yards.Graham had already had a FG and an XP blocked by the Browns in that game.

 

[comet909]

no no, since it wasn't fourth down, a bad snap could've been spiked into the ground. Incomplete pass and try again. They made the right move. (for once)

 

[Short Corner]

Watching the game, I was thinking it was too soon for Bengals to call a time out, but for a different reason.

If Graham missed the field goal (and remember, he missed an extra point two weeks in a row as well as a chip shot field goal earlier in this game), the Browns would have time for a desperation play. And the Orton TD throw is still haunting us.

I wanted the Bengals to wait until 3 seconds in the game before calling the time out. That way, we'd know it would be the last play of the game. Somehow, I'm wondering if that's what Gannon thought.

I thought it was good to have a few extra seconds on the clock in case of a bad snap. With enough time they can call TO and try again.

It's definitely a mistake to leave 4 seconds on the clock after the field goal.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aCDfJH6eRY

That was all on Elway.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

I was just rooting for my teaser to come in: Cincy -1 and under 44.

Talk about cutting it close.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

no no, since it wasn't fourth down, a bad snap could've been spiked into the ground. Incomplete pass and try again. They made the right move. (for once)

Yeah, because that's what players (especially punters) think first on a bad snap. Spike it into the ground. Not jump on itthe ball or anything like that Also, don't you have to be in a certain formation or have a certain intent for a spike not to be intentional grounding? I can't recall ever seeing a holder spike the ball...

 

[FreeBaGeL]

An even dumber comment by Gannon was when he criticized the Bengals decision to go for it on 4th and 10 rather than trying a 58 yard FG.Even as he was still speaking about how much more likely a 58 yard FG was to convert than a 4th and 10 , Palmer was scrambling for a 1st down.

What's the big deal here?

Many many more 4th and 10's have been converted in the NFL's history than 58 yard FGs.Shayne Graham's career long is 53 yards.Graham had already had a FG and an XP blocked by the Browns in that game.

Did he specifically say they should kick the FG or just criticize the decision to go for it?He could have just meant they should have punted and taken the tie rather than risk giving the Browns the ball at the 50 with a minute left and likely lose.

 

[Defending Champs]

Biggest mistake was Mangini not going for the FG before overtime.

This is the truth and I said it as Mangenious was sitting on the sidelines with that dumpy look on his face. Sorry, something about the guy rubs me the wrong way.

I didn't see the game, what were the circumstances where Mangini passed up the FG?

He could have gone for about a 57 yard field goal with about 20 seconds to go in regulation.I can understand not attempting a FG. Cundiff is just a stand in while Dawson is out. Making a 57 yarder is highly unlikely. And if he missed, the Bengals would have had the ball near midfield with two plays to get the ball into fairly manageable field goal range.

I'm not saying it was a lay up, but Cundiff had hit a 56 yarder in the past (in was back in 2005, I had to look). Unlikely, yes, impossible, no. I am not sure of the difference in time, but after punting, the Bengals had 11 seconds to tick off for the end of regulation. If it were me, I'd trot my kicker out there, give it the ole college try and see what happens. If he misses it, you give the ball back with less than 15 seconds left. I am not sure of the Time Out Situation which plays a big role. If the Bengals have a couple left, I may not try this theory, but if they don't have any TO's left, chances are, they probably won't be able to set up a game winning FG.Again, I'm not implying it's an easy decision as I once thought, but I'd still try it nonetheless.

 

[Werewolf Moderator Fan]

An even dumber comment by Gannon was when he criticized the Bengals decision to go for it on 4th and 10 rather than trying a 58 yard FG.Even as he was still speaking about how much more likely a 58 yard FG was to convert than a 4th and 10 , Palmer was scrambling for a 1st down.

What's the big deal here?

Many many more 4th and 10's have been converted in the NFL's history than 58 yard FGs.

Are you sure about that? My notebook says teams have a 31% chance of converting a 3rd and 10. NFL.com says Opie is 47% for his career on FGs 50+. So even with the bad protection from earlier and not having a lot of data to go on specifically for a 58 yard FG, what do you think his odds of hitting that are compared to converting the 4th and 10?

 

[Courtjester]

I thought the better comment was Berman on ESPN when they were coming back from commercial, he said something to the effect of "Of course there is pink all over the field today in honor of breast awareness day."

Ahh...forgot a word there Chris.

 

[comet909]

I was just rooting for my teaser to come in: Cincy -1 and under 44.

Talk about cutting it close.

I've seen it done before. Who knows if he would of pulled it off. But with all the bad snaps so far, you'd think they'd go into that telling him to do just that.

 

[PewterFan]

How did Gannon respond? Did he laugh as his own mistake? If so, no big deal. We all make mistakes.

 

[PewterFan]

I thought the better comment was Berman on ESPN when they were coming back from commercial, he said something to the effect of "Of course there is pink all over the field today in honor of breast awareness day." Ahh...forgot a word there Chris.

 

[Das Boot]

An even dumber comment by Gannon was when he criticized the Bengals decision to go for it on 4th and 10 rather than trying a 58 yard FG.Even as he was still speaking about how much more likely a 58 yard FG was to convert than a 4th and 10 , Palmer was scrambling for a 1st down.

What's the big deal here?

Many many more 4th and 10's have been converted in the NFL's history than 58 yard FGs.

Are you sure about that? My notebook says teams have a 31% chance of converting a 3rd and 10. NFL.com says Opie is 47% for his career on FGs 50+. So even with the bad protection from earlier and not having a lot of data to go on specifically for a 58 yard FG, what do you think his odds of hitting that are compared to converting the 4th and 10?

I'd put the odds of Graham hitting a 58 yard FG in a game at less than 2%.I would guess very few 58 yard FGs have ever been attempted, let alone made.There's a huge difference between his career best, a 53 yarder, and a 58 yarder - it's almost 10% further.Maybe if there had been a tail wind it would have been worth a shot.But for a virtually non-existent chance of hitting a FG that long vs. a 30% chance of a 1st down, I thought the choice was a no brainer.

 

[Das Boot]

How did Gannon respond? Did he laugh as his own mistake? If so, no big deal. We all make mistakes.

He was so focussed on saying something strategically clever that he forgot the game situation.Then he laughed it off saying that OT is such an unusual situation he forgot they were in OT.