Why Greg Papa's 49ers' Touchdown Call Really, Truly, Sucks

Greg Papa (left) with Tim Ryan

YOU WANT BLATANT INSINCERITY? Try Greg Papa's touchdown call on 49ers' broadcasts. It's a wholly inappropriate, out-of-moment call that lacks realness and identity. Papa is lucky the 49ers are great this year (not withstanding Sunday's blip on the radar) because truly his call is, well, ridiculous at best.

I've always liked Papa on the substance meter and thought he was always terrific on the mechanics. He knows his pro football and his knowledge of players and teams is not questioned here. There's no argument on his fundamentally sound broadcasts but there's a lot to chew on his style and that's where he's a ZERO. Let me explain why.

LISTEN TO HIS CALL.

Papa doesn't know the meeting of the moment. That was week one in Tampa --his first 49ers' broadcast. Repeat: first. You come from twenty years of broadcasting Raiders' games so you have NO credit built up with the 49ers' Faithfull. You're a rookie in a new uniform. Therefore, what the hell with the truly out-of-place, "SAN-FRAN-CISCO!" It sounds phony. It has no rhyme or reason. It's also clear Papa doesn't know anything about his past identity which makes his call all the more disingenuous. I speak for those out of the booster club and fat white guys who wear Ronnie Lott's jersey.

Papa's call doesn't register any emotion other than severe ridicule. He hasn't built up any good will with 49ers' fans, the listening audience on KNBR, or those few objective fans who actually listen to the broadcast and that's not Papa's fault; he's in essence, a guest invited to the VIP party trying to establish himself in the Scarlet and Gold fraternity. Therefore he has to establish good will. After twenty years of Raiders broadcasts that takes time. So really, his touchdown call reeks baseless. It's like I said, out of place. If I were a 49ers fan, I'd be repulsed. Papa's lucky the team is winning because that saves more ridicule.

I want to repeat: I have no issues with Papa's technique. It's always crisp and clear. I'm sure, I know in fact, he prepares and studies his games like no one else. There's no debate about any of that but his call needs a massive amount of identity and structure --oh, and time too.

Wednesday PM Sports-Talk Media In The 510 and 415: Raiders Hire Jack Del Rio; 49ers Hire Jim Tomsula; Talk-Shows Lines Filled

 DEL RIO: Hired. Raiders.

TOMSULA: Hired. 49ers.

*Who wins? Why.

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The Ray McDonald 49ers' Story Has Nothing To Do With Sports; That's Why They Still Call it the Toy Department; Thursday First Take

 Sports-Talk Radio Hosts should stay away from the Ray McDonald story.

This is NOT a sports story--it's a legal issue that involves an athlete who plays professional football for the 49ers.

Well, until now.

Too many times, sports pundits; the entire sports medium; has no business discussing legal issues because they have no idea what the hell they're talking about--worse yet, they interject sports into the legal arena and it sounds both out of place and foolish.

That's why they still say, in journalism, sports is the toy department.

Just yesterday on KNBR I heard a guy--can't remember who--say that McDonald seemed to be "playing better since his prior legal case wasn't brought forward since the DA had no evidence"--it sounded ridiculous because the host, clearly out of place and out of mind, tried to make a non-sports point. It was both inappropriate and stupid; furthermore, it trivialized what was, and is, very serious potential criminal charges against the player, but it has nothing to do with sports. Nothing.

Too many times, we see this play out on a daily basis --the only real element of the Ray McDonald story that makes sense from a sporting standpoint is how the 49ers dealt with it before and after--Lowell Cohn of the Press-Democrat breaks that down in a very good piece about the idea of "due process." Cohn spells out some legitimate questions--it's pretty much devoid of sports as it should be and is well written.

This issue is an across-the-board indictment--it's not just the sports-talk radio hosts; it involves the TV and radio guys too. I like what ESPN does; (and me complimenting ESPN is rare)--they hired Roger Cossack, a legal analyst who does a great job breaking down cases for the laymen public. It's not only informative and interesting--more importantly it provides the proper illustration without the use of sports dialogue. ESPN, to their credit, seems to get it. Others, unfortunately, are out of the loop.

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Gary Radnich Just Said On KNBR That He Left The 49ers Game In The Third Quarter

 

 At least he's honest.

I've got kids. I don't want to be in traffic, blah, blah, blah, hell why not  just stay home?

Man, he's hysterical.

I know, I know.

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Kaepernick's Disgust With Bay Area Sports Media, (And Vice Versa), Intensifies; KTVU's Ibanez and Clark Rip Kap Post-Game Presser

 Bay Area Sports Media and 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick war of words...or lack thereof ---

*Culture clash

*Kap's genuine dislike of Bay Area press corps.

*Disconnect intensifies with report of racial slur; he denies, they persist.

*Situation intensifies with 49ers play and off-field issues. McDonald situation factor.

*Kap cool to 'being nice.'

*KTVU's Mark Ibanez and Dwight Clark rip Kaepernick's snarky post-game press conference. Ibanez: "Just give an interview!"

*Developing...

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Al Michaels Fun Facts

* Al Michaels broadcast SF Giants games on KSFO in the 1970's.

*Al Michaels is close friends with Art Spander and Eddie DeBartolo.

*Al Michaels and Al Davis were bitter enemies. The Raiders hierarchy practically tried to blackball Michaels and Michaels himself lampooned the Raiders.

*Al Michaels uttered the most famous sports-on-TV words, "Do you believe in miracles?" on ABC during the 1980 Olympics US men's hockey victory over the Russians.

*Al Michaels is not Bob Costas.

*Bob Costas tries to be like Al Michaels a lot.

*Al Michaels had a BIG mansion in Hillsborough.

*Al Michaels makes $10M a year and is the #1-announcer on the #1-rated TV program in the country--Sunday "Football Night in America."

*Al Michaels wears $5000 Gucci suits.

*Al Michaels breaks a lot of bread with John Madden on Madden's bus.

*Al Michaels is happily married but likes to glance at beautiful women.

*Al Michaels can tell a good joke.

*Al Michaels preferred wine: 1990 Kendall Jackson cab.

*Al Michaels post-game 49ers-Bears destination: Boulevard, 9: 30. Party of Two.

*Al Michaels, Dan Dierdorf and me did an interview with Larry King on his radio show back in 1985 direct from the Clift hotel after a 49ers MNF game.

*Al Michaels is a nice man, thank you and have a nice day.

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Michael Cardoza: 'Charges Will Be Filed Against 49ers Player, Ray McDonald';

 Michael Cardoza is a noted criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor. You've probably seen him on TV as he's done a lot of legal analysis for CNN, Fox, and KTVU, here locally.

Cardoza didn't just walk in off the street--he's been practicing law for over 40 years and knows his stuff.

I asked him about Ray McDonald, the 49ers lineman, who was arrested recently but has yet to be charged.

Cardoza told me directly that McDonald would be charged even though there's a perception from some, rightly or wrongly, that the Santa Clara County DA's office is thought to be lenient.

"The real question, will he be charged because there is enough evidence or because of the national spotlight on domestic violence despite lack of evidence", says Cardoza.

So, I asked him further, Will the Ray Rice case have an impact on the DA's decision? "Absolutely, it will--expect to see him, (McDonald), in a criminal court."


Cardoza's prediction is significant only because there's been a noticeable lack of news regarding McDonald's legal status. The DA, I assume, when it gets the case, will interview witnesses and, presumably, talk to police and examine the evidence.


We'll know soon enough.
Updated/Edited: 5: 29 AM 9-13-14






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49ers PBP Broadcaster, Ted Robinson, Defense Attorney Michael Cardoza and Esteemed NY Times Writer Dave Anderson on Lieberman Live Today From 2-4 PM

Ted Robinson

 TODAY ON MY RADIO SHOW:

Ted Robinson/49ers PBP Broadcaster: 2: 05-2: 20 PM

Michael Cardoza/Defense Attorney/Former Prosecutor/CNN Legal analyst 2: 30-3 PM

Dave Anderson: Award-winning sports-writer, NY Times: 3: 05-3: 30 PM

To listen live: ksco.com --click on my link, you can also listen later on demand on podcast.

Michael Cardoza

Dave Anderson/NY Times

Radnich Comedy Act on KNBR Sprinkled In Even on McDonald Domestic Violence Allegations

 To Gary Radnich everything is just a barrel of laughs no matter what the subject, even domestic violence allegations.

Radnich returned to KNBR from his vacation Monday morning and couldn't help himself with his own style of reacting to the news of Ray McDonald's arrest on Sunday.

The arrest involved 49ers player, McDonald allegedly beating his pregnant fiancé. The facts aren't totally clear now, but what the general public has heard thus far isn't pretty. We're now due for yet another lengthy legal process but right now the 49ers and, namely, McDonald are in the limelight for all the wrong reasons.

Worse yet, KNBR, per usual, shows its amateur light when it comes to matters of serious nature that don't involve the Giants and fanfests. Moreover, Radnich's sprinkling of faux anger over McDonald's alleged behavior rings hollow, just another backdrop to his shameful Don Rickles act. Deplorable.

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KPIX Does a Good Job on 49ers First Game at Levi's Stadium; Bastida-Cook Shine, (Although Game Not So Much); Robinson and Ryan Effective; Not So Much Vern Glenn; Monday First Take

 MONDAY FIRST TAKE

KPIX milked the first official, (albeit exhibition), 49ers game at Levi's Stadium, devoting a pre and post-game special news show. Which is good because the game was sort of a sideshow and the final score confirmed it.

Ken Bastida and Elizabeth Cook took part in the news event with various reporters, Mike Sugerman and Len Ramirez,  providing Levi's sidebars. Sugerman's live shots from a CalTrain  was both unique and informative. Ramirez' report on the traffic situation after the game was especially effective featuring a dash top camera in the PIX news car. Nice work.

Christin Ayers had a nice report featuring a young fan's first game at the new digs and got an exclusive telling viewers police made arrests at the game of some over-eager fans. Maybe they watched the entire game.

All in all, good work from the PIXers.

QUICK HEADERS--

*Ted Robinson and Tim Ryan were in mid-season form--clearly the 49ers have the a quality broadcast team. Ryan's no-nonsense style is a welcome relief from his giddy predecessor and Robinson's usual understated approach is both appreciated and respected.

*Vern Glenn, I like you and most of your studio sports work, but your over-glee interviews with 49ers players was a tad too cheesy. You kept reminding everyone that "hey, it's only pre-season" every two minutes and the cackling was way over the top.

*Dennis O'Donnell and Jeremy Newberry post-game show was both first-rate and enjoyable. Newberry's critical analysis was a welcome relief from the usual homerish ex-player take and O'Donnell's crisp commentary was also effective.

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We Defer To A Certain Football Game Today On The Frozen Tundra (and a SF Win)

  Looks just peachy.

Final: 49ers: 16 My pick...actual F 49ers: 23 --Packers: 20
Packers 10 --OT

(Deadspin)

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