People have this image of Canadians as nice, genteel people, who will wait in line for a bargain

rather than stampede.

LIES! Boxing Day both brings out the crowds

and the assholes who throw down over parking spots.

All to save money on last year’s models.

So next time someone tells you Canadians are generally nicer than Americans, remind them that it’s true, unless Gordie is trying to buy the last thing on the shelf. Then it’s go-time!

Better Know A Broadcaster – Bowl Game Edition

With Bowl games on the docket pretty much every night there isn’t NFL action between now & New Year’s, I thought I’d make #content quota by trying to figure out which C-list announcing teams are trying to climb the broadcasting ladder. I will rely on the American commentists to pass judgement on the quality of their work, as most bowl games aren’t shown on Canadian TV, and the Seattle stations only show the majors and games featuring Washington state teams.

We are now after Christmas, where the quality of games begins to take an upward turn. The Holiday Bowl, for me, is usually the tipping point for when the games start becoming better matchups, and the announcing becomes the quality we’re used to on a national stage. But, we’ll see.

The broadcast tandems are courtesy 506sports.com.

Quick Lane Bowl – Duke vs Northern Illinois (in Detroit)

Broadcast team: Mike Couzens, Ray Bentley

Ray Bentley:

• Personal stuff:
  • Author of a series of children’s books about the character of Darby the Dinosaur.
• Football career?
  • Yes
    • College: Central Michigan
    • Pro: 13 years
      • USFL: three years
      • NFL: 10 years
        • played for Bills in 1991 & 92 Super Bowls
• Broadcasting history:
  • 1998-2001 – NFL on FOX
  • 2003-07 – Arena Football on NBC
  • 2007-present – Bills pre-season broadcasts
• Previous bowl games called:
  • 2006 Motor City Bowl
  • 2008 Independence Bowl
  • 2010 Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl
  • 2014 Quick Lane Bowl
  • 2015 Camping World Independence Bowl

Recent Tweets which show level of commitment to Bowl Game accuracy:

Need some great meat and good reading material for the holidays, both at great prices? Join @Rentley50 and me at Sobie Meats this Saturday from 1-3! pic.twitter.com/7Rb8O91sa7

— Tim Selgo (@TimSelgo) December 20, 2017

Prediction:

Probably the most professional crew calling a minor bowl game. They will prove far-more competent than the teams playing the game.

Cactus Bowl – Kansas State vs UCLA (in Phoenix)

Broadcast team: Jason Benetti, Jordan Rodgers

Jason Benetti:

• Personal stuff:
  • Has cerebral palsy
  • B.Sc in Broadcast Journalism, Syracuse University
  • Law Degree – juris doctor – Wake Forest
• Broadcasting history:
  • 2011 – present: joined ESPN
    • called college baseball & football – ESPN3
  • 2016 – present: White Sox TV play-by-play
• Signature play-by-play events:
  • replacing Hawk Harrelson for all White Sox broadcasts in 2019
• Previous bowl games called:
  • 2016 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl
  • 2016 Military Bowl

Recent Tweets which show level of commitment to Bowl Game accuracy:

Spent last weekend in the @NHLBlackhawks booth and inside the TV truck.

Eddie is one of the best, most active, most perceptive analysts I've ever seen work. A truly remarkable mind and spirit. https://t.co/Gr4EquxJBt

— Jason Benetti (@jasonbenetti) December 19, 2017

Jordan Rodgers:

• Personal stuff:
  • Aaron Rodgers’ brother
  • ‘won’ season 12 of “The Bachelorette” – 2016
• Football career?
  • Yes
    • College:
      • Butte Community College (CA) – 2009-10
      • Vanderbilt – 2011-12
    • Pro:
      • 2013 – Tampa Bay practice squad
      • signed & cut by Jacksonville (2013), Miami (2014), & BC Lions (2015)
• Broadcasting history:
  • Pitch Perfect 2 – NFL Player / Green Bay Packer
• Previous bowl games called:
  • N/A

Recent Tweets which show level of commitment to Bowl Game accuracy:

#burpedcrepesmellsgreat https://t.co/ihI24lajKX

— Jordan Rodgers (@JRodgers11) December 19, 2017

Prediction:

Some kid who fought his way to the top of his profession, and the idiot brother of one of the NFL’s best-ever quarterbacks. If Benetti didn’t have CP, I’d lay good money on him beating Jordan Rodgers to death.

Over/under on:

• Aaron Rodgers references: +1.5
• Vanderbilt references: +4.5
• Bachelorette references: +6.5

Tonight’s sports:

• NBA:
  • Raptors at Mavericks – 7:00PM | Sportsnet
  • Bulls at Bucks – 8:00PM | NBA TV
  • Kings at Clippers – 10:30PM | Sportsnet1 / NBA TV
• Hockey:
  • World Juniors:
    • USA vs. Denmark – 8:00PM | TSN / NHLN
•  NCAA:
  • Football:
    • Quick Lane Bowl: Duke vs. Northern Illinois  – 5:15PM | ESPN / TSN2
    • Cactus Bowl: Kansas State vs. UCLA – 9:00PM | ESPN / TSN2
• WWE:
  • Smackdown – 8:00PM | USA / Sportsnet360

The World Juniors are in Buffalo this year, and they will be playing the USA-Canada game outdoors on December 29th. I have tickets for next year’s tournament in Vancouver. WOO HOO!