Early in the second quarter of the Buffalo Bills’ 27-17 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, play-by-play announcer Greg Gumbel read a promo for the CBS Sunday night movie “Coming to America.”
“There are so many great one-liners in that movie,” said analyst Rich Gannon.
“That’s how you can tell a great movie if you can pick out several one-liners,” replied Gumbel.
I waited in vain for Gumbel or Gannon to give just one of the great one-liners or comedy bits. They might have at least mentioned Prince Akeem’s (Eddie Murphy’s character) football-related question to Cleo McDowell (John Amos).
Here’s the comedy exchange between them, courtesy of a Google search. (It isn't exactly a one-liner).
Prince Akeem: “Sir, did you happen to catch the professional football contest on television last night?”
McDowell “No, I didn't.”
Prince Akeem: “Oh sir, the Giants of New York took on the Packers of Green Bay. And in the end, the Giants triumphed by kicking an oblong ball made of pigskin through a big ‘H.’ It was a most ripping victory.”
McDowell concluded the dialogue by telling Prince Akeem: “If you want to keep working here, stay off the drugs.”
I wondered what Prince Akeem would have thought of the Bills’ turnover-filled win. It wasn't the most ripping victory.
I imagine the Bills' head-shaking fourth quarter Bills and foolish penalties might have caused their fans to search for aspirin – or something stronger.
If you happened to catch the professional football contest on television Sunday between the Bills of Buffalo and the Chargers of Los Angeles it was a comedy of errors by the players, the officials, CBS’ graphic team and, yes, even the announcers at times.
Like the game, the broadcast was messy but entertaining.
That is largely because Gumbel and Gannon seem to enjoy each other’s company in their first season together.
Gumbel’s enthusiasm was top notch on big plays, especially on the trick play in which receiver Cole Beasley threw a touchdown pass to receiver Gabriel Davis after taking a lateral from quarterback Josh Allen.
Cole Beasley’s trick-play throw to Gabriel Davis went for a 20-yard touchdown in the Buffalo Bills’ 27-17 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.
Play-by-play announcers get some leeway this year because they aren’t working under ideal circumstances due to changes required because of Covid-19.
But Gumbel made some uncharacteristic mistakes. He gave a much stronger performance a month ago quickly identifying players after catches and tackles when he and Gannon worked the Bills' 18-10 victory over the New York Jets.
On Sunday, he misidentified Bills lineman Harrison Phillips as a Charger before quickly correcting himself to name a Charger wearing the same number. That happens.
He also gave the Chargers an important first down when he confused where the sticks started and ended. It actually was going to be third down and about 10. At other times, he seemed to be guessing wrong when calling first downs and was slow to realize what was obvious to viewers when the Chargers were stopped by a yard on a key fourth down.
Once again, I suspect the unusual circumstances may have had something to do with it.
Gannon, a former MVP quarterback in the NFL, sees just about everything and seemed more energized than he was for the Bills’ win over the Jets. He was especially sharp at explaining coverages in the secondary. He also praised and criticized Allen, the officials and Chargers coach Anthony Lynn when they deserved it.
Sideline reporter Jay Feely didn’t have much to do and really wasn’t needed.
The CBS graphics team had a confusing day, giving the teams’ first downs when they didn’t earn them and even giving the Bills a 13-0 lead after the Chargers scored a touchdown that cut the Bills lead to 7-6.
In the spirit of the holidays, I will say the CBS telecast was so Billsy. But at least it was never dull.
Now on to some highs and lows:
Debatable Strategy: Gumbel didn’t have enough time out of a commercial to ask Gannon for an opinion when the Chargers went for it on fourth down at the start of the fourth quarter, trailing 24-14. After the Bills stopped the play, Gannon said turning down a 43-yard field goal showed what Lynn thought of his kicker Michael Badgley. If Lynn had decided to try the field goal and Badgley made it, the Chargers might have been in position to tie at game’s end.
A Game of Inches: With the Bills leading 24-14, Gumbel said it appeared the Chargers “just had enough” for a first down when they were inches short inside the red zone. When the 3rd and inches play lost three yards, the Chargers kicked a field goal to cut the lead to 24-17. For a while, it looked like the Chargers were going to go for it again on fourth down instead of kicking the field goal. “I would kick the field goal now,” said Gannon. Feely agreed. The Chargers eventually did but Gannon noted they wasted a valuable timeout.
Weather Report: Sounding like a certain president, Gumbel said at game’s start “that a lot of people” thought it was “a beautiful day” but added “it’s a little chilly for some of us.” He later added it wasn’t your typical November day in Western New York, which prompted Gannon to remark: ”They haven’t had any snow here in Western New York.” “Don’t get carried away,” concluded Gumbel.
Morse Code: Gannon said Bills center Mitch Morse had missed the last two games due to injury. Actually, Morse wasn’t injured when he didn’t play the second game.
Fumbling Remark: Gannon correctly noted that Allen should have fallen on a fumbled exchange from center rather than try to pick it up and make a play. The Chargers eventually recovered the fumble.
Strategic Error: After the Bills' Gabriel Davis unsuccessfully tried to block Chargers end Joey Bosa before one of his sacks, Gannon questioned that strategy. It was unclear if Bosa – who had an incredible game – was Davis’ responsibility or if it was a mistake by the Bills line that left Davis as the only one available to block Bosa.
Defending Allen: When Gumbel noted that Chargers QB Justin Herbert’s Oregon college team beat Allen’s Wyoming team, 49-13, in the only game they played against each other, Gannon put it in perspective. “In fairness, Justin Herbert had about 10 players who went into the NFL.”
Best (or Worst) Statistic: CBS showed a graphic that noted the Bills had given up the most second-half points in the league, which led Gannon to crack: “I don’t know what they do at halftime anymore. They must not have the mothers slicing up the oranges and giving them vitamin C pills.”
A Tuck Rule History Lesson: When Bills coach Sean McDermott successfully challenged the ruling that Allen fumbled after it was determined his arm was going forward as if to pass, Gannon noted that he was the Raiders quarterback and Gumbel was in the booth calling the infamous Tuck game that negated a Tom Brady fumble in New England’s 16-13 playoff victory over Oakland in 2002. “It gained no attention at all,” cracked Gumbel of one of the NFL’s most famous plays.
Hairstyle Report: After he threw his touchdown pass, Beasley was shown on the sideline wrapping his hair in a man bun. “I think I like the hair better when it is down,” replied Gannon.
Define Easy: When Allen hit Dawson Knox for a two-yard touchdown pass to give the Bills a 7-0 lead, Gannon said it was an “easy” pass for Allen. The quarterback made it harder than necessary for Knox to catch.
Let Him Officiate the Next Game: The mark of a good analyst is knowing even the obscure rules. Gannon passed the test. After Bills linebacker A.J. Klein complained about a pass interference call near the line of scrimmage, Gannon quickly noted that Klein was right. The officials overturned the call. It was one of three calls they overturned during the game. Even when he was wrong, Gannon was right. He initially thought that the Bills’ Tre’ Davious White was called for roughing the passer because he went at the legs of Herbert. When the penalty went against the Bills’ Ed Oliver, Gannon corrected himself and explained because Herbert was outside the pocket he could be tackled at the legs.
The Best Spin: Gumbel defended Allen after he was called for a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for spinning the ball after scoring the touchdown that gave the Bills a 24-6 lead. “I know it is against the rule, but in light of the way other celebrations that take place on the football field, that seems minuscule,” said Gumbel. However, referee Gannon noted that it wasn’t the spin that led to the penalty, but the fact Allen directed it at the Chargers’ Michael Davis.
It is Legal in the NBA: After the Bills’ Zach Moss was called for a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty for a behind-the-back pass after a long run, referee Gannon was almost as upset as Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim is before getting a technical foul. “I don’t know,” said Gannon. “I don’t see it. How would he know who is behind him? That is not a good call. Really unnecessary. Bad call.”
Etched in Stone: Gannon started the most entertaining discussion between he and Gumbel. After a Charger was called for offensive pass interference, the analyst explained the old Raiders’ philosophy when he played there: “If you’re not cheating, you’re not trying,” said Gannon, That led Gumbel to ask, “Is that etched in stone anywhere?” “I think if you played for the Raiders it was,” responded Gannon laughing.
“A Comedy of Errors”: In the final minute, the Chargers literally and foolishly were running out the clock. Lynn considered kicking a field goal, changed his mind and then the Chargers failed to score. Gannon didn’t call out Lynn by name, but it wasn’t hard to see who his criticism was directed at. “A comedy of errors,” said Gannon. “And you wonder why they lose a lot of close games.” Even Prince Akeem, who hasn’t seen many NFL games, would agree.
email: apergament@buffnews.com
Your guide to postgame coverage: Buffalo Bills beat Los Angeles Chargers 27-17
