to me, the outrage here is the fact that packer wasn't fired for all of his previous and very serious transgressions. but that now he might be fired because he predicted, accurately, that a game was over and advertisers might not like that. if this happens, how pathetic is cbs? shouldn't we want announcers to not overhype something, like packer's partner is often accused of, and call it as he sees it?

AA,

Are you a female? The reason why I ask is because you always seem to be easily offended by just about anything. So what, Packer was a realist! Big deal. As a college sports announcer myself (at a BCS school I might add), I'm glad that there is someone that is a realist instead of pushing the fluff and spinning positives until he gets dizzy (like many of us announcers unfortunately do from time to time).

It seems like no one can say anything on the air these days without offending you as you're awful quick to persecute someone that does.

Stick to analyzing the likes of Pam Ward or Joe Morgan because they are truly "awful announcers". But quit getting your panties in a wad when you're easily offended by the things that people say.

Are you female??? I'm pretty sure that you're a nobody (and will stay one) with genius analysis like that.

Being a realist is much different than being sexist and racist my friend.

"I said it last month and apparently the remove Packer from CBS movement is gaining steam."



Ironically, that reads like something Billy Packer would say.

RAFTERY! RAFTERY! RAFTERY! RAFTERY! RAFTERY! RAFTERY!

Racist, Sexist --mmmm.. Maybe Nantz can take him over to the Masters

This move brings us closer to a potential Gus/Raftery team for the Final Four. If we could only keep Jim Nantz in Augusta...

The writings of one columnist and having it picked up by SBB does not constitute "rumours flying"!

When and how did Nantz become their go-to guy at everything? He's good in the studio but there are so many better announcers than him with the NCAA tournament along with the fact Greg Gumbel and Phil Simms were so much of a better pair together.

I see how it is, say what you want to about race and sexes, but damn you to hell if you offend our sponsors!!!

Fuck CBS. You've had plenty of chances to run Packer out.

Don't forget that Greg Anthony (who is still employed by ESPN...for the next few hours) just popped up on the CBS College Sports & Westwood One college basketball coverage during the Tournament out of the blue. They were probably giving him a tryout just in case they wanted to push out Packer. For the #1 gig? Probably not, but maybe to allow a Raftery or Bilas to move up to the top spot.

RJBO- ESPN would not allow Bilas to leave and cover a marquee event not on their channel. Earlier rounds are fine but they want (and need) him on the post-game show (on ESPN) rather than inside the arena.

I doubut Nantz would do the final game without Packer, much less the rest of the tourney.

@taylor:

Clark Kellogg used to be on ESPN before he took the job at CBS. Bilas already does games through the Elite Eight for CBS. If they offer him a lucrative #1 deal, he might take it.

I doubut Nantz would do the final game without Packer, much less the rest of the tourney.

Even better!

has anyone considered whether this could also be a cost-cutting move by cbs? we saw how cheap they were during the final four, and cbs has let go a lot of their prominent staff in local markets (LA, Chi, SF, Boston, etc.)

The only way I'd consider this a cost-cutting move is if Billy Packer was replaced by Bob Wenzel.

racist or not -- and you're really petty and worthless for trying to lambast his entire career for it -- he's still the best color analyst in the game today. you just don't like him because he's old, dry, and probably doesn't think bloggers are worthwhile.

your opinion of someone depends entirely on how much he or she thinks bloggers are worthwhile.

You can't EVER start a conversation with the words "racist or not" and EVER be credible. You can conjure your own opinions and motives about me that you want but that's just an idiotic way to start a debate.

You can take your nonsense elsewhere, but I know you won't. Enjoy reading for years you bigot.

Wow. Now that's being a realist AA. If people don't see that Billy Packer is a detriment to the game then they can go to hell. Just like the previous Anon.

Packer is good you losers. Sorry if he gives analysis and isnt a cheerleader. Get a life geeks.

AA is pretty gay, btw. I am almost convinced that AA doesnt even like sports.

And yet you comment on the site all the time. Keep reading my friend.

If CBS sacks Packer, it proves that there is a god, and it loves us very, very much.

If CBS replaces Packer with Dick Vitale, then we know that god has a sick sense of humor.

AA, I pretty much agree with you on this subject, however, you are pretty thin-skinned for an internet guy.

I stick up for things I think are right and I think that's why most people enjoy the site. If that's taken as "thin skinned".....so be it.

No he is not thin-skinned. Thank you AA for sticking up for what is right and decent.
What we are talking about is not even "political correct" junk, we are talking about racist and sexist ideology that has been perpetuated in the sports world and it is not accepted in EVERY OTHER PART OF THE AMERICAN WORKPLACE.

>> he's still the best color analyst in the game today. you just don't like him because he's old, dry,

In other words, exactly what a color analyst shouldn't be. All he does is rip on everyone. Here's a hint, Billy - if you were half as smart as you think you are, you'd be a coach instead of a broadcaster!

All of his controversial remarks would be bad enough coming from someone who was otherwise competent. At least then CBS would have a reason to keep him around. But nobody likes listening to Packer. They've kept a guy who does nothing but shoot his mouth off and annoy the vast majority of their audience. It's almost to the point where you wonder if he doesn't have some dirt on some CBS execs (the same way all of my friends from MSU assume Matt Millen has some compromising photos of William Clay Ford), because there's no other sane reason for him to still be there.