ESPN's CFP Megacast options last night "were interesting" and showed the network "at its innovative, understated best," according to Richard Deitsch of SI.com. The "Film Room" coverage, which aired on ESPN2, was a "fantastic platform." This year’s group of coaches -- Mississippi State's Dan Mullen, Pitt's Pat Narduzzi, Nebraska's Mike Riley and Vanderbilt's Derek Mason -- was "targeted specifically because of their connections to the title teams," and none was "TV polished, which was perfect." Deitsch: "Each time I put up on the Film Room, I learned something." Part of that was due to the "work of ego-free hosts Chris Spielman and Tom Luginbill," who "facilitated smart conversation in an unobtrusive way, a rarity in sports television." Meanwhile, ESPNU aired "Voices of the Game," which consisted of six ESPN broadcasters with no connection to college football. It was an "equal mix of amusing and train-wreck television." Finally, ESPN Classic’s “Sounds of the Game” offered "no announcers, just natural sound and amped up mics," and was a "great change of pace for viewers looking to get away from all the talking" (SI.com, 1/13).
FILM STUDY: ESPN's Fran Fraschilla wrote on his Twitter account, "It's not for everyone, but the ESPN Film Room with the coaches was outstanding last night. For a coaching geek, I learned a lot of football." SI's Tim Layden wrote, "Switched over to film room and now I'll never go back to regular telecast." Draft Express' Jonathan Givony wrote, "Absolutely hooked on the ESPN2 'film room' feed. Five head coaches breaking the game details down in a very insightful and entertaining way." NFL Giants VP/Communications Pat Hanlon: "Film Room on #ESPN2 and Off The Ball on #ESPNNews is the way to go tonite!!" ESPN Radio 96.3 Mississippi's Brad Logan: "The analysis by Dan Mullen, Derrick Mason and Mike Riley on ESPN2 is terrific. I always knew Mullen was a great football mind but wow." Grantland's Chris Brown wrote, "ESPN2 film room rankings: 1. Dan Mullen. (big gap) . 2. Mike Riley/Narduzzi (tie) 3. Derek Mason 4. Spielman 5. Luginbill." Lincoln-based KLIN-AM's Jack Mitchell: "I'm starting to worry that when Mike Riley has his next team meeting, Dan Mullen is going to show up and talk over top of him." Bleacher Report's Matt Miller: "Was excited about ESPN2 film room, but live game screen is way too small. Had to switch to ESPN feed."
VOICES CARRY? In Cleveland, Marc Bona writes the "Voices of the Game" feature might have been the "craziest choice" for viewers, as analysts "weighed in with chatter ...
while they were eating." Bona: "When a fumble stymied Ohio State's drive in the second quarter, six people saying 'Ohh!' simultaneously didn't tell me anything. It felt more like a 'Simpsons' parody" (
Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 1/13). In Dallas, Barry Horn writes it was "more than a little disconcerting" to tune in to "Voices of the Game" and see several analysts "chowing down without offering any crumbs to viewers." Meanwhile, the "Film Room" broadcast "sounded like a gaggle of second-guessers while scribbling yellow lines, drawing circles and talking in jargon" (
DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 1/13). SPORTS ON EARTH's Michael Clair wrote of "Voices," "What we got, other than some humorous takes from Julie Foudy, was a bunch of guys eating and saying things like 'Whoo! Nice!'" Meanwhile, the coaches on "Film Room" were "able to provide great insight into Oregon and Ohio State's offensive and defensive game plans, there was still the occasional dip into old school football cliches." "Film Room" and
ESPNews'
"Off the Ball" feature "probably could have been combined as they tended to highlight similar information" (
SPORTSONEARTH.com, 1/13).
BREAK MEGACAST OUT MORE OFTEN: In California, Michael Lev writes Megacast is a "brilliant concept that ought to be utilized" during the Super Bowl. It "provides choices, and we like choices." Whatever the "complications are -- technical, contractual or otherwise -- the Supercast is an idea worthy of exploration" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 1/13). ESPN's Matthew Berry wrote on Twitter, "I'd like @espn to also do film room treatment with current ESPN analysts for big #MNF games on E2" (TWITTER.com, 1/12).
