For the UT fans who hate Bob Kesling…
- Thread starter Lawrence Wright
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Not sure it's a case of hate with Bob. As the saying goes, you don't want to be the guy who replaces a legend. Under the circumstances, Kesling has done about as well as he could have. No one would have lived up to the legend that was John Ward. Kesling's replacement will have a much, much easier time being accepted and celebrated by our fan base.
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That was always my position with Kesling…he’s your Ron Zook, doomed to fail based on the legend he followed.
But make no mistake, there’s more than a few UT fans out there who straight up hate Kesling.
But make no mistake, there’s more than a few UT fans out there who straight up hate Kesling.
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PandamoniumReigns
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Yeah ... but I would still have to say, even if for no other reason than simply showing that he gives a darn about who wins the games he is calling, Mick Hubert is better than Bob Kesling.
Fair points of criticism with Hubert :
* Mick Hubert says "Oh My!" too much and over does it with cutesy little catch phrases. From the mid 90's to early 00's, Florida had multiple backs and receivers named Taylor (either first name or surname), including Fred Taylor, Travis Taylor, Taylor Jacobs, etc. ... and every play was "Taylor Made!"
.... but in his defense, he does seem to genuinely love his team, and he isn't dry as dust like Bob either.
Fair points of criticism with Hubert :
* Mick Hubert says "Oh My!" too much and over does it with cutesy little catch phrases. From the mid 90's to early 00's, Florida had multiple backs and receivers named Taylor (either first name or surname), including Fred Taylor, Travis Taylor, Taylor Jacobs, etc. ... and every play was "Taylor Made!"
.... but in his defense, he does seem to genuinely love his team, and he isn't dry as dust like Bob either.
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Lawrence Wright
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Kesling has not done “about as well as he could have.” Calling him terrible has nothing to do with how great Ward was. He never says what yard line the ball is on, he calls a 2 yard pass a “deep out.” It takes him forever to call the down and distance, he always messes up the players’ names, and he hardly ever tells you what the score is or how much time is left in the game. And my favorite, something I’ve noticed since 1999, he always says things like, “1st and 10, run up the middle, that’s a gain of a couple…about 2 yards. It’ll be 2nd and 6.” Yeah, Bob. 10 - 2 = 6. These are basics when it comes to radio play-by-play. These are things a middle schooler could do better.
I agree with one thing. Kesling is no John Ward. Ward had an amazing ability to quickly, (almost instantaneously) verbalize what his eyes were seeing with an interjection of some Shakespearian vocabulary. Take Powell's run in the '85 Sugarbowl. "He came roaring down the Greensward!" Where have you ever heard a football field called a "Greensward"? Maybe he used that because his last name was embedded in it.. Honestly, I had to google it. One of his hallmark calls.
Ward set the bar high, but I swear - Kesling really does an OK job. I usually have my radio going as I watch the game and I grade him. He does screw up some, but for the most part, he hangs in there pretty good. Would take him over Eli Gold any day. Loved it when Tim Priest was doing color commentary.
Bud Ford: Jeff Powell Sugar Bowl TD was John Ward's top call
Ward set the bar high, but I swear - Kesling really does an OK job. I usually have my radio going as I watch the game and I grade him. He does screw up some, but for the most part, he hangs in there pretty good. Would take him over Eli Gold any day. Loved it when Tim Priest was doing color commentary.
Bud Ford: Jeff Powell Sugar Bowl TD was John Ward's top call
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volfanbill
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Hot take - Kesling would get ripped (and rightly so) even if he didn't follow Ward. There is no doubt that he's following a guy who made the job look easy, but I'm not comparing Bob to John Ward; I'm just comparing him to other PBP guys of today.
He gives you no sense whatsoever of the play that is developing, even if it is a big play. I don't know how many times I've listened to him call a big play, say, a 50-yard TD pass, and he'll call it like this:
"Hooker back to throw. Looking. Pass...complete! (multi-second delay, crowd roaring) To the 20, to the 10, to the cheggarboards!"
I mean...what kind of pass? Where was the ball caught? Who caught it? Then you see the highlight, and it turns out it was Tillman making an acrobatic catch at the 40, he makes 2 people miss to get to the 20, and then from the 20 to the end zone he had already outrun everyone. But Bob misses all of that...all you know is that the ball was at midfield, a pass was thrown, then all of the sudden the guy who caught the pass is 30 yards downfield, running into the end zone.
He gives you no sense whatsoever of the play that is developing, even if it is a big play. I don't know how many times I've listened to him call a big play, say, a 50-yard TD pass, and he'll call it like this:
"Hooker back to throw. Looking. Pass...complete! (multi-second delay, crowd roaring) To the 20, to the 10, to the cheggarboards!"
I mean...what kind of pass? Where was the ball caught? Who caught it? Then you see the highlight, and it turns out it was Tillman making an acrobatic catch at the 40, he makes 2 people miss to get to the 20, and then from the 20 to the end zone he had already outrun everyone. But Bob misses all of that...all you know is that the ball was at midfield, a pass was thrown, then all of the sudden the guy who caught the pass is 30 yards downfield, running into the end zone.
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PandamoniumReigns
Listened to him call an entire game while driving across tennessee during the Dooley era. Seemed to only give the score coming in and out of breaks. Half the time wouldnt even tell you which team had the ball. No down or distance, and the deep deep pass for 2 yard gain drove me crazy. No sense of the flow of the game listening to him. Plus the UT player issue. It wouldnt be bad if he was getting the other team wrong, could be funny. But he gets our four year starters wrong. Likes to blend names too, so even if you know the roster you come away confused.
As long as someone can communicate information effectively they would be better than Bob Kesling.
As long as someone can communicate information effectively they would be better than Bob Kesling.
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Bad take.
Kesling could have followed Gilbert Gottfried (RIP) and he would still have been awful.
Kesling is a bumbling idiot who tried to hard to be unbiased. He doesn't correctly describe the play, he isn't consistent in giving time remaining or the score. He is awful at down and distance. And frankly he's a lousy human. If he's at UT events it's one thing, but aside from that he feels he's a "celebrity" and is above others.
The time has come for him to leave. He sucks. Regardless of who he followed
Kesling could have followed Gilbert Gottfried (RIP) and he would still have been awful.
Kesling is a bumbling idiot who tried to hard to be unbiased. He doesn't correctly describe the play, he isn't consistent in giving time remaining or the score. He is awful at down and distance. And frankly he's a lousy human. If he's at UT events it's one thing, but aside from that he feels he's a "celebrity" and is above others.
The time has come for him to leave. He sucks. Regardless of who he followed
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LouderVol and KoachKrab127
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Agree to disagree. My experience with Bob is far different. Glad you had a good one. He's was a total jerk with a foul mouth around my elderly mother. Wasn't directed at my mother, but he knew she could hear every word he was spewing. He feels he is on a higher plane than those around him.
And his calls are awful. "Turn of events" was the epitome of his sucktitude.
And his calls are awful. "Turn of events" was the epitome of his sucktitude.
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Bob Kesling is a nice broadcaster, terrific human being, and loyal VFL. There are a lot of better broadcasters out there, and after almost 25 years it would be great to have a new voice of the Vols. I don't hate him, I like and respect him. I also would like to have someone new in his role.
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VOLtaism and Otis07
I don't love him or hate him. It feels like he could call any game for any team and seem neutral. You could tell Ward was orange inside and out without a doubt. He called the game like a fan and this is why he was beloved by the nation. Kessling should be working for ESPN calling a different team every week.
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ShoalCreekVol
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I'm not sure I would describe Ward in that fashion. Calling the game like a fan would is more the style of Larry Munson. Ward was far too professional and by-the-book for that. Ward called the game in this very unique style where you could absolutely tell he was partial and wanted Tennessee to win, but if something happened that was not in our favor he'd call it like it was. I never remember him bellyaching about officials, taking veiled shots at the other team or their fans, complaining about how we were playing if playing poorly, etc.
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He was amazing and so much fun to listen to...You could just hear the excitement in his voice every game.
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Plecoptera
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