So yesterday marked the unofficial start of the football season with the Eagles taking on the Raiders in the all-important Hall of Fame Game. NBC threw out a shell of it's regular season Announcing lineup (sans Bettis and the crowd favorite Peter King), and they did not disappoint.

Here are the highlights......

First, a lot of people have commented on the new Referee Unis, but I have to say that they look ridiculous. To me they look like those fake tuxedo shirts that "That Guy" would wear at your Halloween Party.

As far as the NBC broadcast itself....Let's just say you could tell it's been awhile. Besides the fact that no network knows what music to play going to commercials NBC's choices were just horrible. The most noticeable was as they were going to commercial, with the impending Reggie White tribute on the otherside of the break, they played Sarah Mclachlan's I will remember you.

I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories

Ahhh, that makes me want to strap on some pads and knock the crap out of someone! And then (on the way back from break), before they sent it to Andrea Kramer with Reggie's wife, they played Sheryl Crow. Good job NBC....way to know your demographic.

Onto the Announcing highlights......

1) At the end of the game NBC was doing this weird thing where Al and John would talk over the game to Bob and Chris Collins. Well Bob threw out this little gem:
"Al, I want you to know that this is the first time we've worked together since Baseketball."
Glad he still remembers that one....

2) "The first time a coach thinks he gets a bad call...I guess he can say the Devil Wears Prada"- Al Michaels describing the refs' new outfits.
This was so bad that even he realized and said....."Maybe not"

3) "Does Andy Reid look like Ben Franklin to you?"- John Madden
I think he was going for a Philly joke there, but Al didn't take the bite and there was this long awkward pause....

And our winner for comment of the night!!!!

"And that's his problem....he's known as the Son of Huggy Bear and not a good running back in the NFL."- John Madden describing Justin Fargas who is the son of the actor who played Huggy Bear in the television version of Starsky & Hutch

Welcome to the Hall John! It's going to be a great year everyone I hope you're on board!!!