Last year it was Donovan McNabb who didn't understand that there were ties in the NFL, but this year it's Rich Gannon that couldn't grasp the intricities of the extra period. During overtime of the Cincinnati-Cleveland game, the Bengals called timeout to give kicker Shayne Graham some time to prepare for the game winning kick. Gannon immediately chastised the team for leaving too much time on the clock for Browns' return man Josh Cribbs.

There's only one problem with that....it's called "sudden" death for a reason. Via Shutdown Corner....

No, 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(notes) to take back the subsequent kickoff for a touchdown. You know, that dreaded post-score overtime kickoff that has felled so many teams throughout history.

Gannon's partner in the booth, Ian Eagle, quickly and politely informed Gannon that the game would be over if Graham successfully converted the field goal, since NFL overtime is sudden death. Gannon laughed and apologized for his mistake. Awesomely, Eagle then asked if McNabb had infiltrated the broadcast booth. Nah, Ian, if that were true, Gannon would have vomited when the game got down to crunch time. (Rimshot!)

It was a ridiculous mistake, but unlike McNabb's ignorance of overtime rules (and his continued defense of said ignorance later in the week), we'll give Gannon the benefit of the doubt and say this was more likely a slip of the tongue than a complete misunderstanding of how overtime works. But, of course, it didn't seem possible that McNabb wouldn't know about ties, so maybe we're giving Gannon too much credit.

No offense to Yahoo, but yes....you're giving him way too much credit. Ties rarely happen in the NFL, and McNabb's mistake was somewhat excusable. To have played multiple overtime games in the NFL, and not know that the game ends on a score, is just the opposite of that.

Rich Gannon doesn't know how NFL overtimes work either (Shutdown Corner)

I know that "On The DL" has had some amazing interviews in the past (*ahem* yours truly), but their latest with Ian Eagle might take the cake. Not only does the CBS announcer talk about the origin of Bill Raftery's "Onions!", but he also touches on Vitale calling the NBA, imitates Marv Albert, how he turned down WFAN when Russo left and this fabulous new invention called...The Intanet!

Here are some of the highlights....

On Raftery's Onions: “I remember it vividly. It was my first year and the Nets were playing a game down in Miami. And Kevin Edwards hit a big three from the corner to give the Nets a one-point lead late in the game. I had the call: ‘Edwards from the corner, three is GOOD.’ And Raf goes, ‘OOOOH, ONIONS!!!!’ And I turn to him, and I knew Raf’s Raf-to-English translation like the back of my hand. I was able to provide listeners with the track that they needed to follow along. But I had no idea what he was talking about. So I turn to him during the break and say, ‘Bill, Raf, I don’t get that, what is that? Onions? What, it was so good that you cried?’ He said, ‘Hey Bird (Raf’s nickname for Eagle)...BIG BALLS.’ And that was it. That’s when ONIONS was born.”

On WFAN: “I’ll be honest about it. Yeah. There was a lot of talk. I absolutely can tell you that there was an offer made. Mike (Francessa) is very comfortable with me. I’m very comfortable with Mike. I go back with him a long time. I worked behind the scenes on that show back in 1992. I have a history with him, I have a history with Chris (Russo). I think Mike liked the idea of having somebody in my age group that brings a little more to the table than just sports. I’m a pop culture guy. I can feel just as comfortable talking about the Philadelphia-Giants matchup as I can talking about Diff’rent Strokes and the career that Gary Coleman should have had.”

On the Emergence of the Internet: "It's already had a huge impact in the Sports World, and the play-by-play guys that are not paying attention to it, are losing out. They're losing out on getting the real pulse of a game that they're covering. My point with blogs and with podcasts is that it can't be THE basis of your prep work, there has to be much more. We understand that. But, it has to be at least a part of what you're doing. If you're not paying attention to it, then you're not seeing the full picture."

Amen, Eye-In....Amen. That's what I've been trying to tell people for years! Anyway, great stuff from Mr. Levy once again. If you have the time, please listen to the whole thing. If not for the boring preparation questions, for his imitation of Marv Albert which is stellar. Oh and the "Raft to English" line? Priceless.

Oh and I almost forgot! He also addresses this famous YouTube clip....



"Yeah that was during a break during a Wizards-Cavaliers game, working with Dr. Jack Ramsey. Who was alive, by the way, during that clip, I know there's been a lot of speculation on the Internet. Well, uh look. The bottom line for me is, and we talked about Bill Raftery earlier and who he is, what you see is what you get. I'd like to think I'm the same way."

Ian Eagle Joins the DL - Hilarity Ensues (On The DL)

The New York area is all about the national announcers as of late, but this seems like a smart move. Word is that YES will soon be reuniting the once NBC and occasional TNT duo of Marv Albert and Mike Fratello for the Nets' 2008-2009 season. Via the NJ Star-Ledger....

The Nets have filled the TV analyst gig left vacant by Mark Jackson, we're told, and the choice is none other than Mike Fratello (of course).

We all should have seen this coming: Mike's family is still in Hackensack, his kids are in NYC, his heart remains in Jersey, and there aren't many people better at this gig - especially when he's teamed with Marv Albert.

The announcement is still some time off, presumably because he is shopping around for a new telestrator.

The Knicks and Nets may have two of the worst teams in the NBA last season but they've got the announcer market cornered. I'm not the biggest "Czar" fan, but he knows his stuff, and when you Marv Albert, Mike Breen, Ian Eagle, Jim Spanarkel, Bob Wischusen, Gus Johnson, Walt Frazier, etc....New York has some pretty good leads and backups in their stable.

NJ Nets: Marv and Czar, Together Again (NJ.com)

I know that many networks hold clinics, and that a lot of announcers do lectures at Colleges, but this is the first time I've heard of a national figure setting up a camp for broadcasters. CBS' Ian Eagle teamed with WNBC-TV's Bruce Beck over five years ago and has been slowly growing a place for students age thirteen and up. Their website says the cover everything from hosting and anchoring to how to use a teleprompter. Seems like a great idea and thanks to Reel Sports, we have our first look inside the camp....

There have been camps like this popping up for current players in leagues like the NFL, but a place for highschool kids to learn from someone on a national level is an awesome idea. There are only 60 spots each year, so sign up today you young bucks!


Ian Eagle and Bruce Beck Broadcasting Camp (Reel Sports Fan)
Sports Broadcasting Camp (Ian Eagle and Bruce Beck's Sports Broadcasting Camp)

NB of Newsday has been smack in the middle of this mess the whole Summer and now he's moved on to finding out who Mike Francesa's new partner will be. Apparently the network also has to find an update person, which is the topic of his most recent post, but he throws out some very interesting partner possibilities as well.....

The search for an update person seems to be further along than that for a new No. 2 man (or woman).

From what I have been able to piece together, the update list includes Bob Heussler, Jerry Recco, Sal Licata and Jonas Schwartz. Heussler, known as "Mr. Met" on the show, long has shown a willingness to stand up to Francesa and Chris Russo as well as a dry sense of humor.

As for the bigger job . . . all sorts of interesting names have been seriously discussed, from what I hear, including Sid Rosenberg, Chris Carlin, Ian Eagle and even ESPN.com's Bill Simmons.

Hahaha....and I want Chuck Klosterman as a weekend editor!* They have to be delusional if they think that Simmons would ever accept that job, but I guess you don't know the answer until you ask. The leading candidate from what I've heard is Sid Rosenberg, and while he's had his "issues" over the years, it wouldn't really be that bad of a pick. He's seemingly settled down a bit in his old age and has experience working in New York. Albeit with Imus, but experience none-the-less.

I'm also surprised with Ian (EYE-IN) Eagle's name being among those mentioned. I'm a fan, and I think he's a pretty good announcer, but the guy comes off as being just boring as hell. Well unless he feels like he's at a Bar Mitzvah....


Mike Francesa, WFAN looking into new cast members (Newsday)

*- I wouldn't really subject you all to him every weekend. It was just an example.

With all of the Sean Taylor pieces this morning (Jimmy Johnson even cried during FOX's pregame) I was actually dreading the game today. That was until it got underway. Even though the Skins couldn't score TDs at all they were still in a position to win an ugly game.

That's when Gibbs happened and just like in the Giants game, the Packers game, the Eagles game, the Cowboys game, and the Bucs game....they failed in the end.

It's a depressing day for Skins fans but this just adds to the agony. I wrote a post last year around the same time of year saying how hard it is when you know your team doesn't have a shot at the Playoffs, but this year it's just magnified with all that's going on.

Like reader Alan wrote, wasn't there a better choice of words for Ian Eagle at the end there? "He is DEAD solid perfect." Good one Ian.

1. That fixing your tie thing has to be a nervous tic. Let's get that under control.
2. Tell Doctor Jack to stop taking up so much damn space. Look at those Sasquatch arms. Good lord.
3. As Bill Simmons once said.....it's okay to like your partner and interact with them.

Seriously, could you hate your job even more? Come on...you do one of the coolest jobs on the planet.

Ian Eagle, DANCE OFF (Deadspin)