NESN UPDATE - NESN’s Jack Edwards announces retirement

[Kovi]

I just wanted to say thank you to people for taking a moderate tone in this thread. Lots of people bash Jack to an extent I think is quite unnecessary. I appreciate the fact that people are using good hockey knowledge here. That being said, I agree that his time and talent is not as rich as it once was.

*Fred's book is a great read I agree.

I'm a big fan of Sophia, shes doing a great job and i enjoy her in studio.

Not a fan of adding razor--hes awkward and like watching paint dry. Just not my pick.

 

[CrownofThornton]

Billy isn’t a PBP guy.

I understand, that wasn’t exactly my point or what I was implying.

 

[SanDogBrewin]

I want Gouch…if somehow NESN could swing that.

 

[ProdigalFan]

I'm a big fan of Sophia, shes doing a great job and i enjoy her in studio.

Not a fan of adding razor--hes awkward and like watching paint dry. Just not my pick.

I love Sophia as well. I think Razor has improved quite a bit from when he first started. He still does that weird staring-at-the-camera thing, but he isn't as awkward in the studio as he used to be and I think that's due in part to the podcast and learning to speak more naturally rather than just reading words.

I wouldn't mind Judd, besides the soccer goal yelling, which he could learn to stop doing, he's toned it down since he first started calling games. I know Jaffe does PBP for other games (college?) but I've never heard him. He'd probably be better for PBP rather than color because he wouldn't be able to ramble as much.

 

[Donnie Shulzhoffer]

I want Gouch…if somehow NESN could swing that.

NESN? Money?

Funny

 

[nORRis8]

Other teams fans hate Jack which makes me smile.
At times, yes he says things that makes a person squirm, but when he calls out the officiating which has consistently gotten worse in the last 5 years, I applaud him.

I like Jack, totally dig Brick.
One of the best crews is the Avalanches. Sadly Peter McNabb past away last year.

 

[GordonHowe]

I just don’t like how longwinded Billy is. He takes forever to get to the point. I don’t know if he’s better on the podcast, but I wanna be like “use less words!”.

I haven't watched the podcast in a long time, but if you consider that there are fairly tight time constraints on a NESN broadcast, and there are fewer on the morning Brew podcast, I leave you to draw your own conclusion.

 

[08SeaBass08]

Sophia's the best. She brings a genuine enthusiasm and knowledge base that some predecessors lacked one of or both.

I like both Jaffe and Razor enormously, but in reading the criticisms of both, I can completely see why people might not.

I love Jack. I think it's time.

 

[CrownofThornton]

I haven't watched the podcast in a long time, but if you consider that there are fairly tight time constraints on a NESN broadcast, and there are fewer on the morning Brew podcast, I leave you to draw your own conclusion.

Sounds like a solid pass for me, as much as I do enjoy some of the banter. I do think he’s much better when he’s part of the trio including Sophia.

As far as pbp.. it’s kind of a sad affair for me. Having been a huge wrestling fan in my youth, Jack Edwards always hit just right for me. Jack, however hasn’t been himself these past couple seasons and I suspect it is due to a stroke, as many have speculated. It’s really tough hearing someone who was once so quick witted and sharp stumbling over their words.

I do think it’s time for someone new, as I feel similarly about the makeup of the Bruins team.

 

[GahdenRinkRat]

I agreer with the previous sentiments about Jack, except I'm not in favor of having him do between-period segments. He's kind of reached the wince-provoking stage at times, and segments designed for him to spout off would only enhance that problem. My suggestion, though I have no idea if the money would work, is Sean McDonough. Guy has local roots, knows and loves hockey, and did a terrific job in the playoffs, at least the games I could stand to watch.

If Jack has to move on(and I do think it’s time, there is something neurologically wrong, it seems)would welcome Sean McDonough who wanted the PBP gig years ago, now he has national air time, so unlikely NESN would pay him enough and as pointed out earlier in this thread, the era of regional sports networks is waning.

 

[Bruinswillwin77]

Felger!

 

[Gordoff]

I’d prefer to get a TV guy from outside. I’m not a huge Judd Sirott guy.

He sounds like a Soccer PBP guy when he calls a goal. He squeezes out the longest "scooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooore" in the business. Not crazy about that!

 

[McGarnagle]

Tom Werner will just slide Dave O'Brien and Kevin Youkilis into the Bruins booth to do double duty since they're already under NESN contract.

DOB: Puck in the Carolina end now, ssscooped up by Ssslavin, crossss-ice to Ssssskeij, outlet passs to Ssstaal, drops it for Ssssebasstian Aho, sssshoots! And a sssave by Ssswayman.

Youkilis: Wow.

 

[UConn126]

I've been a huge Jack Edwards fan but it's clear he's struggling with the play by play and the past couple years have been hard to listen to. I fully support going in another direction in the booth.

Moving Jack in studio seems like a good move to keep him around. I will miss him on the broadcasts.

 

[chizzler]

Tom Werner will just slide Dave O'Brien and Kevin Youkilis into the Bruins booth to do double duty since they're already under NESN contract.

DOB: Puck in the Carolina end now, ssscooped up by Ssslavin, crossss-ice to Ssssskeij, outlet passs to Ssstaal, drops it for Ssssebasstian Aho, sssshoots! And a sssave by Ssswayman.

Youkilis: Wow.

Yup, that was a Werner move. I can’t stand the dude.

 

[DKH]

I love Jack but there are obvious health issues going on and it is time to change his role. It is a harsh reality as you said Fenway, and very sad. Chances are the problem with his speech is not going to improve and will only get worse. I do hope they can work with him to keep him involved with NESN and the Bruins.

So well said- he can go off the rails but he’s a good guy. He tries but watch him 10 years ago on these NESN classic games and he’s not close to same calling game

 

[eightspokedb]

H

Sirott is an adequate screamer. He has improved mightily from his first year where he mostly screamed or screeched at everything.

He's gotten worse.....too many off on a tangent and screaming the goals ....was better his first year....no such thing as an adequate screamer....

 

[quietbruinfan]

H

He's gotten worse.....too many off on a tangent and screaming the goals ....was better his first year....no such thing as an adequate screamer....

You are right, and most of em do it. However, he has improved since his awful first year.

 

[DarrenBanks56]

see if Gary Thorne would do the games
edit: holy crap. didnt know he was 75!!!

 

[BruinsFan37]

Agree with those who think Jack should "retire" from doing the play-by-play and do something during the first or second intermission like Don Cherry used to do.

Would be the best of both worlds, Get the good play-by-play back and keep Jack in all his glory for the "highlights", where he can go off on his tangents to his hearts content.

Would certainly make the intermissions more watchable.

 

[GahdenRinkRat]

Agree with those who think Jack should "retire" from doing the play-by-play and do something during the first or second intermission like Don Cherry used to do.

Would be the best of both worlds, Get the good play-by-play back and keep Jack in all his glory for the "highlights", where he can go off on his tangents to his hearts content.

Would certainly make the intermissions more watchable.

And now to Jack Edwards “rolling home to you”

 

[quietbruinfan]

I do not think Jack would be good in between periods at all. He should just go "rolling home" into the sunset.

 

[TheReal13Linseman]

Because I’m out of Boston, I have to get the games on NHL Center Ice package, so I didn’t get all of the games on NESN feed, but I didn’t notice any decline. I love Jack. I loved Fred Cusick, too, but Jack was a maniac. OUR maniac. If he’s not in the booth again, it’ll be sad for me.

 

[BlackFrancis]

Get the good play-by-play back

This is the Bruins and NESN we're talking about. The two bozos prior to Jack took a generation of fans infused with Orr hype and got them hoping Walker Texas Ranger wouldn't be cancelled.

 

[CDJ]

Because I’m out of Boston, I have to get the games on NHL Center Ice package, so I didn’t get all of the games on NESN feed, but I didn’t notice any decline. I love Jack. I loved Fred Cusick, too, but Jack was a maniac. OUR maniac. If he’s not in the booth again, it’ll be sad for me.

Love me so Jack Edwards but it was clear there was some sort of processing issue this year, he often had trouble getting his words out. At least relative to years past

If they have him back I won’t complain because he has been our normal for a long time at this point, but if they feel it’s time to move on I’d understand that too