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Sound bites

By MIKE STEPHENSON and SHARON GINN

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 15, 2001

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Observations on the Tampa Bay broadcast:

Analyst Daryl Johnston realized in the first quarter the Bucs defense wasn't sharp: "They've talked about not playing up to their standards. Right now Tennessee has them on their heels."

Fox had a good replay showing how Bucs long snapper Sean McDermott wiggled the ball to draw the Titans into an encroachment, setting up Warrick Dunn's first touchdown.

Pam Oliver offered little from the sideline, particularly leaving viewers hanging on Steve McNair's injury at the end of the first half.

Analyst Troy Aikman was pointed in his criticism of the Bucs offense. A Fox graphic showed that the Bucs ranked 21st or worse in offense in each of coach Tony Dungy's six seasons. Aikman said Dungy has said he prefers the conservative style. "In essence, he's saying he likes an offense that ranks in the bottom third," Aikman said.

Announcers should have pointed out that the pylon was out of bounds before the Bucs' challenge of a Titans touchdown was upheld.

Best exchange: Johnston on the Titans' Eddie George in the middle of the fourth quarter: "He's got that feeling now that he can't be stopped. And that has passed along to the offensive line." Aikman: "What's so demoralizing (for the Bucs) is you know the offense is going to run the football, and you can't do anything about it." George scored on the next play.

Given what's happening in the real world, the No. 1 rule for sportscasters should be to avoid overstatement. Yet when the Bucs were penalized in the red zone in the third quarter, Dick Stockton claimed, "Those penalties are catastrophic, really." No -- not really. (Even if Dunn hadn't scored on the next play.)

Johnston and Aikman seem to be a skilled enough team, but they lack a lighthearted touch. When the official gets bumped and has his hat knocked off in the first quarter, that's the time to say something funny. Or just say something.

Fox inexcusably cut away after Keyshawn Johnson made a catch in traffic on fourth and 10 late in the game to extend what would be the tying scoring drive. Viewers missed a play; by the time the network got back to the game, it was second and 10.

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