Monday, July 14, 2008

Billy Packer Sent Packing...

CBS has decided to end its 27 year relationship with Billy Packer by not renewing his contract. His final four commentary streak will end at 34. He will pursue "other projects in basketball'. Jim Nantz will remain as the play-by-play broadcaster, and Clark Kellogg will replace Packer. This is good new for tons of basketball fans who have grown tired of Packer's style and comments. He made absolutely zero friends during this year's semi-final when he declared the "game over" early in the contest with North Carolina trailing Kansas 38-12. The Tarheels came back to close the gap to 54-50 with 11 minutes remaining before Kansas pulled away again. For all practical purposes, he told his audience they might as well turn the channel. I'm sure the CBS execs had to smooth that out with a few sponsors. Their spots only cost a few million, right? His most infamous gaffe probably was uttered in a 1996 Georgetown-Villanova game when he referred to Allen Iverson as a "tough monkey". Had he waited a few years to pull that one out, this post would be about his retirement activities. 'Monkey' won't cut it on the airways, it will just get you cut off the airways. On the other side of the coin, no one can dispute Packer's genuine passion for the game of college basketball. His love for it and his knowledge of it are inarguable. His longevity speaks for itself, altough in reality, he did overstay his welcome. CBS should have made this change several years ago. It was a decision that was overdue. Packer got into a habit used by southern Baptist preachers, he stayed too long. (I can do you a long post on that one!). It's been a long run. Good luck Billy!

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