Dump Billy packer petition

[jtholland]

This is a pre-emptive shot at the one guy who every year casts a long shadow on what otherwise be, for me, the most glorious time of year.

Billy Packer ruins March madness. Let's get CBS to dump this chump.

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http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/Billy_Packer?e

CBS- Please consider removing Billy Packer from your NCAA Basketball coverage.

We enjoy watching nothing more than a good NCAA college basketball game. That is, unless we have the misfortune of having Billy Packer sitting at the microphone for an almost unbearable tirade of negativity, second guessing, and harassing of every decision every player, coach, and even referee makes on the floor. We have yet to hear him make disparaging comments about the mascots or maintenance workers, but perhaps that is because we missed some of the games this year.

He is an appalling ambassador for the game, and his negative attitude towards it's every aspect makes for an unbearable experience. As a result, we watch the games with volume muted. We're sure your advertisers will be happy to hear that.

We have never talked to anyone who has had anything but disdain for Mr. Packer and the poor sportsmanship he exhibits from the microphone.

It is our hope, by creating this petition, that you, CBS will consider removing Billy Packer as an announcer from your staff. We, and many, many others would look forward to watching games with a more positive commentator who could make watching- and listening- to your coverage bearable.

Thank you for your consideration of this request.

[godukerocks]

Do we really have to take it this far?

Count me out.

[hedgehog]

At least Packer pays attention to the game and has insightful commentary. He is also an equal opportunity hater. Sure, I wish he was less of a curmudgeon

Dick Vitale doesn't even see many of the plays, he is too busy talking about something else. Thank goodness he is not with CBS.

Len Elmore hates us. Enough said. That is the guy I wish CBS would boot. I would sign that petition.

Of course, I would prefer Jim Spanarkel to Packer. If I had to choose someone with the same level of experience as Packer in color commentary, I would definitely prefer Raftery to Packer.

I think Jim Nantz does a great job as announcer. Who knows, maybe he likes working with Billy...

[SilkyJ]

He is also an equal opportunity hater.

Sorta. He does a lot of hating, but hates extra on Duke/UNC

[hedgehog]

Sorta. He does a lot of hating, but hates extra on Duke/UNC

As long as it is not more on Duke than UNC, that is equal enough for me.

[SilkyJ]

^this decade there he has been hating more on Duke. But we've been much better this decade.

[roywhite]

Billy can be annoying at times. He still officiates too much, and once he adopts a template for the way the game is going, he tends to stick with that template, even if the facts begin to change.

That said, Billy knows hoops. So, no, I wouldn't cast him aside unless there is someone clearly better on the network scene to replace his role; offhand, I can't identify a person that would be better (and team up better with Jim Nantz, who is entrenched as the lead play-by-play guy).

[devildownunder]

Billy can be annoying at times. He still officiates too much, and once he adopts a template for the way the game is going, he tends to stick with that template, even if the facts begin to change.

That said, Billy knows hoops. So, no, I wouldn't cast him aside unless there is someone clearly better on the network scene to replace his role; offhand, I can't identify a person that would be better (and team up better with Jim Nantz, who is entrenched as the lead play-by-play guy).

...but I love Packer. He talks about almost nothing but the game and what actions/strategies are affecting/will affect its outcome. And he knows his stuff. If you pay attention to what he sees and then compare it with what actually happens on court, you notice that his analysis is almost always on point. That's what I like from a color man. Dickie V may be "mr college basketball", and I do like him for flavour but for analysis, packer is the man, IMO.

And on another point, I have never understood why so many fanbases seem to think he has a personal vendetta against their team/school. I've never heard him say anything to make me think he hates duke. Heck, today when they were talking about ff comebacks during the unc game he said duke played "great basketball" to win that game after being down 22, overcoming maryland even though they played "good basketball". That hardly sounds like hate to me. I just think he honestly calls them the way he sees them and that means he's not always going to see things your way if you are a fan of a team involved.

One criticism of bp that I do think is valid is that he does too much informal officiating. I'd prefer to see him stick to breaking down how players and coaches should approach games, because I truly believe he is the best on the air at it.

[davekay1971]

^this decade there he has been hating more on Duke. But we've been much better this decade.

Errrr, really? I thought hitting the championship game 5 times in the 90s was pretty good...

[pfrduke]

http://bigtenwonk.blogspot.com/2006/...ly-packer.html

[Capn Poptart]

Sure, Billy's arrogant and surly, but he knows basketball. Quite often he'll say something like, "The Fighting Sea Otters need to go to a box-and-one on this trip down the floor." And lo and behold, they do.

He's a sharp analyst. I'd miss him.

Not to mention that his autobiography is a fun read (hilarious memories of Al McGuire):
(http://www.amazon.com/Hoops-Confessi.../dp/0809253054)

[RelativeWays]

Packer is a definite curmudgeon but it wouldn't be the NCAA tourney without him. He seems to have mellowed a bit this year, despite pronouncing last nights game over in the 1st half, and, like Vitale, he's a natural character unlike these fake announcers that try to force their "personalities" down our throats...*looks at Jimmy Dykes*

[The Slamming Butcher]

Actually, he moved up a couple of notches in my book last night.

"This game...IS OVER!"

[eddiehaskell]

I kinda like him.

[gvtucker]

IMO, Billy Packer is one of the best announcers out there.

I really don't mind his curmudgeonliness, I vastly prefer that to Dick Vitale's over-the-top praise.

[3rd Dukie]

IMO, Billy Packer is one of the best announcers out there.

I really don't mind his curmudgeonliness, I vastly prefer that to Dick Vitale's over-the-top praise.

I could not agree more! Start a Vitale petition and I'll sign that. Others above have described Packer well.

[sagegrouse]

You know, I think one of the signs of senility is that I am beginning to like Billy Packer.

sagegrouse

[soccerstud2210]

now we just need a petition to remove bill walton, and steven a. smith as well... the announcing world would be fantastic then...

[Devilsfan]

I loved Billy Packard's call in the first half stating to the world the game was over. He was right except Kansas won by only 16 not the 28 they were ahead at the time.

[BlueintheFace]

I think Jim Nantz does a great job as announcer. Who knows, maybe he likes working with Billy...

I can't source this or anything, but I thought it was universally accepted that Nantz dislikes Packer. I can remember multiple games in recent years where Nantz has gone out of his way to make a snide remark about billy's negativity during a game.