[Phogge]

Ed Macauley never resorted to histrionics but you could tell where his sympathies lied. "Muster the ballcarrier," "That was Plunkett to Vataha," simple and descriptive. There was no artificial event going on Angel Field so you were free to wrestle with your sons on the grass. You could hear the band. No brutal canned music. The old stadium where my kids collected bottle caps 25 years old discarded on the dirt mound that supported the bleachers. An early afternoon kickoff so you could sneak an ice cream after the game and still make a movie in The City at 6:30.

Now you have a system effuse with ageism and noise. I'm glad I'm done.

[Phogge]

Ed Macauley never resorted to histrionics but you could tell where his sympathies lied. "Muster the ballcarrier," "That was Plunkett to Vataha," simple and descriptive. There was no artificial event going on Angel Field so you were free to wrestle with your sons on the grass. You could hear the band. No brutal canned music. The old stadium where my kids collected bottle caps 25 years old discarded on the dirt mound that supported the bleachers. An early afternoon kickoff so you could sneak an ice cream after the game and still make a movie in The City at 6:30.

Now you have a system effuse with ageism and noise. I'm glad I'm done.

[teejers1]

Ed Macauley never resorted to histrionics but you could tell where his sympathies lied. "Muster the ballcarrier," "That was Plunkett to Vataha," simple and descriptive. There was no artificial event going on Angel Field so you were free to wrestle with your sons on the grass. You could hear the band. No brutal canned music. The old stadium where my kids collected bottle caps 25 years old discarded on the dirt mound that supported the bleachers. An early afternoon kickoff so you could sneak an ice cream after the game and still make a movie in The City at 6:30.

Now you have a system effuse with ageism and noise. I'm glad I'm done.

Macauley was the best.  Didn't he also do radio broadcasts for Stanford away games, or was that somebody else?

[teejers1]

Ed Macauley never resorted to histrionics but you could tell where his sympathies lied. "Muster the ballcarrier," "That was Plunkett to Vataha," simple and descriptive. There was no artificial event going on Angel Field so you were free to wrestle with your sons on the grass. You could hear the band. No brutal canned music. The old stadium where my kids collected bottle caps 25 years old discarded on the dirt mound that supported the bleachers. An early afternoon kickoff so you could sneak an ice cream after the game and still make a movie in The City at 6:30.

Now you have a system effuse with ageism and noise. I'm glad I'm done.

Macauley was the best.  Didn't he also do radio broadcasts for Stanford away games, or was that somebody else?

[76lsjumb]

Ed Macauley never resorted to histrionics but you could tell where his sympathies lied. "Muster the ballcarrier," "That was Plunkett to Vataha," simple and descriptive. There was no artificial event going on Angel Field so you were free to wrestle with your sons on the grass. You could hear the band. No brutal canned music. The old stadium where my kids collected bottle caps 25 years old discarded on the dirt mound that supported the bleachers. An early afternoon kickoff so you could sneak an ice cream after the game and still make a movie in The City at 6:30.

Now you have a system effuse with ageism and noise. I'm glad I'm done.

Macauley was the best.  Didn't he also do radio broadcasts for Stanford away games, or was that somebody else?

I believe that would have been Don Klein.

[76lsjumb]

Ed Macauley never resorted to histrionics but you could tell where his sympathies lied. "Muster the ballcarrier," "That was Plunkett to Vataha," simple and descriptive. There was no artificial event going on Angel Field so you were free to wrestle with your sons on the grass. You could hear the band. No brutal canned music. The old stadium where my kids collected bottle caps 25 years old discarded on the dirt mound that supported the bleachers. An early afternoon kickoff so you could sneak an ice cream after the game and still make a movie in The City at 6:30.

Now you have a system effuse with ageism and noise. I'm glad I'm done.

Macauley was the best.  Didn't he also do radio broadcasts for Stanford away games, or was that somebody else?

I believe that would have been Don Klein.

[Phogge]

Don was play by play from 1956-1980. He left to do Niner games starting in ‘81. He had the call, “Clark caught a touchdown!”

[Phogge]

Don was play by play from 1956-1980. He left to do Niner games starting in ‘81. He had the call, “Clark caught a touchdown!”

[BostonCard]

Music was fine where we were sitting.

BC

[BostonCard]

Music was fine where we were sitting.

BC

[gailtate]

Ed Macauley never resorted to histrionics but you could tell where his sympathies lied. "Muster the ballcarrier," "That was Plunkett to Vataha," simple and descriptive. There was no artificial event going on Angel Field so you were free to wrestle with your sons on the grass. You could hear the band. No brutal canned music. The old stadium where my kids collected bottle caps 25 years old discarded on the dirt mound that supported the bleachers. An early afternoon kickoff so you could sneak an ice cream after the game and still make a movie in The City at 6:30.

Now you have a system effuse with ageism and noise. I'm glad I'm done.

Macauley was the Ray Scott of P.A. announcers. Scott, with CBS back in the day, would simply say:  "Starr...Dowler...touchdown." And let the Packer Stadium crowd provide the drama. Today there's a old tree beside one of the tee boxes at Peninsula G&CC (San Mateo), I can't remember which one, with several gashes in its trunk about the size of a golf ball. And I believe it still has the metal plaque attached, commemorating it "The Ed Macauley Tree". Ed's errant tee shots memorialized.

[gailtate]

Ed Macauley never resorted to histrionics but you could tell where his sympathies lied. "Muster the ballcarrier," "That was Plunkett to Vataha," simple and descriptive. There was no artificial event going on Angel Field so you were free to wrestle with your sons on the grass. You could hear the band. No brutal canned music. The old stadium where my kids collected bottle caps 25 years old discarded on the dirt mound that supported the bleachers. An early afternoon kickoff so you could sneak an ice cream after the game and still make a movie in The City at 6:30.

Now you have a system effuse with ageism and noise. I'm glad I'm done.

Macauley was the Ray Scott of P.A. announcers. Scott, with CBS back in the day, would simply say:  "Starr...Dowler...touchdown." And let the Packer Stadium crowd provide the drama. Today there's a old tree beside one of the tee boxes at Peninsula G&CC (San Mateo), I can't remember which one, with several gashes in its trunk about the size of a golf ball. And I believe it still has the metal plaque attached, commemorating it "The Ed Macauley Tree". Ed's errant tee shots memorialized.

[teejers1]

Don was play by play from 1956-1980. He left to do Niner games starting in ‘81. He had the call, “Clark caught a touchdown!”

Yes, thanks, Don Klein.
That guy was the best, too.

[teejers1]

Don was play by play from 1956-1980. He left to do Niner games starting in ‘81. He had the call, “Clark caught a touchdown!”

Yes, thanks, Don Klein.
That guy was the best, too.

[M T]

There is a Santa Clara County noise ordinance: https://cpd.sccgov.org/sites/g/files/exj...inance.pdf

I'm not exactly sure how it applies to Stanford University property, but I would encourage someone who attends the games to check it out. It's a matter of public safety.

From that ordinance:

The provisions of this chapter will not apply to occasional outdoor gatherings,
public dances, shows, and sporting and entertainment events, provided the events are conducted
pursuant to a permit or license issued by the County relative to the staging of the events.

(Uh, since that provision is in that chapter, the logician in me senses a fallacy.)

I presume Stanford football games have a permit.  However, if the levels are documented & shown to be unhealthy, I presume the county would withdraw the permit unless changes are made.

While probably not accurate for legal purposes, people might consider getting one (or several) of the apps for their smart phones that record & measure the sound level.  These readings might help when you complain to the county and/or Stanford about unhealthy levels of sound.   If there are enough documented complaints, I'd think Stanford would have to measure and document the sound levels.  (The problem with that is that the guy in charge of the volume control would hear about it,  and turn the volume down for games he knew they were measuring.  So keep track of the sound level for multiple games, even if some are tolerable.)

[M T]

There is a Santa Clara County noise ordinance: https://cpd.sccgov.org/sites/g/files/exj...inance.pdf

I'm not exactly sure how it applies to Stanford University property, but I would encourage someone who attends the games to check it out. It's a matter of public safety.

From that ordinance:

The provisions of this chapter will not apply to occasional outdoor gatherings,
public dances, shows, and sporting and entertainment events, provided the events are conducted
pursuant to a permit or license issued by the County relative to the staging of the events.

(Uh, since that provision is in that chapter, the logician in me senses a fallacy.)

I presume Stanford football games have a permit.  However, if the levels are documented & shown to be unhealthy, I presume the county would withdraw the permit unless changes are made.

While probably not accurate for legal purposes, people might consider getting one (or several) of the apps for their smart phones that record & measure the sound level.  These readings might help when you complain to the county and/or Stanford about unhealthy levels of sound.   If there are enough documented complaints, I'd think Stanford would have to measure and document the sound levels.  (The problem with that is that the guy in charge of the volume control would hear about it,  and turn the volume down for games he knew they were measuring.  So keep track of the sound level for multiple games, even if some are tolerable.)

[martyup]

I would like to point out that Florida State is 0-4 and Clemson is 2-2 and just lost to an unranked team.

And your point is...???

Obviously lost on you.  For other readers of the OP rant, other elite programs with good coaches lose games because their players don't execute.

[martyup]

I would like to point out that Florida State is 0-4 and Clemson is 2-2 and just lost to an unranked team.

And your point is...???

Obviously lost on you.  For other readers of the OP rant, other elite programs with good coaches lose games because their players don't execute.

[gailtate]

I would like to point out that Florida State is 0-4 and Clemson is 2-2 and just lost to an unranked team.

And your point is...???

Obviously lost on you.  For other readers of the OP rant, other elite programs with good coaches lose games because their players don't execute.

Yes, they do. But rarely. That's why they're elite and their coaches don't point to "execution" week after week.

[gailtate]

I would like to point out that Florida State is 0-4 and Clemson is 2-2 and just lost to an unranked team.

And your point is...???

Obviously lost on you.  For other readers of the OP rant, other elite programs with good coaches lose games because their players don't execute.

Yes, they do. But rarely. That's why they're elite and their coaches don't point to "execution" week after week.

[BostonCard]

Even the great Nick Saban complains about execution sometimes…

https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/2020/...issue.html

Specifically, here he is defending the play-calling.

I honestly don’t get why a coach shouldn’t point to poor execution when it happens.  Honestly, does anyone here think that the offensive line executed its blocking assignments well, or that the defense executed well against the run, or that, aside from our punter and maybe our passing game, that any aspect of that game was well executed (and even the passing game left a lot to be desired in terms of pass protection).  And I don’t think that point out the obvious in any way absolves the coaches of their responsibility.  Shaw has been here for 10+ years.  All the recruits on the team are his.  All the coaches were hired by him.  He runs every practice.  He’s responsible for getting them ready to perform on game day.  If the players are not executing, the buck stops with the coach.  Shaw should have recruited harder three and four years ago.  He should have hired coaches who are more effective teaching the players technique.  He should have run practices more efficiently.  Whatever it is, I think it is a bigger indictment of the coaching staff to say that we are executing poorly than to say our play-calling was deficient.  Play calling is fixable. I mean, any one of the armchair quarterbacks posting on this board could do it, right.  Recruiting, practicing, and performing on game day is not as easily fixable, and it takes years to turn a team around.

BC

[BostonCard]

Even the great Nick Saban complains about execution sometimes…

https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/2020/...issue.html

Specifically, here he is defending the play-calling.

I honestly don’t get why a coach shouldn’t point to poor execution when it happens.  Honestly, does anyone here think that the offensive line executed its blocking assignments well, or that the defense executed well against the run, or that, aside from our punter and maybe our passing game, that any aspect of that game was well executed (and even the passing game left a lot to be desired in terms of pass protection).  And I don’t think that point out the obvious in any way absolves the coaches of their responsibility.  Shaw has been here for 10+ years.  All the recruits on the team are his.  All the coaches were hired by him.  He runs every practice.  He’s responsible for getting them ready to perform on game day.  If the players are not executing, the buck stops with the coach.  Shaw should have recruited harder three and four years ago.  He should have hired coaches who are more effective teaching the players technique.  He should have run practices more efficiently.  Whatever it is, I think it is a bigger indictment of the coaching staff to say that we are executing poorly than to say our play-calling was deficient.  Play calling is fixable. I mean, any one of the armchair quarterbacks posting on this board could do it, right.  Recruiting, practicing, and performing on game day is not as easily fixable, and it takes years to turn a team around.

BC

[DC 86]

Yes, they do. But rarely. That's why they're elite and their coaches don't point to "execution" week after week.

As far as I can tell every single coach points to "execution" in the press conference after a loss.

In fact, every coach whose team is behind at halftime seems to say "we're just not executing" when they do those insipid interviews with the sideline reporter as they walk to the locker room.

[DC 86]

Yes, they do. But rarely. That's why they're elite and their coaches don't point to "execution" week after week.

As far as I can tell every single coach points to "execution" in the press conference after a loss.

In fact, every coach whose team is behind at halftime seems to say "we're just not executing" when they do those insipid interviews with the sideline reporter as they walk to the locker room.

[BostonCard]

Yeah, of all the things to complain about Shaw, and one can reasonably point to a fir number, that he gives the standard coach line about “execution” when the team plays poorly seems to me to be the most insipid complaint.  And yet it really seems to chap people’s hide on this board.

BC

[BostonCard]

Yeah, of all the things to complain about Shaw, and one can reasonably point to a fir number, that he gives the standard coach line about “execution” when the team plays poorly seems to me to be the most insipid complaint.  And yet it really seems to chap people’s hide on this board.

BC

[Row80Critic]

Even the great Nick Saban complains about execution sometimes…

https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/2020/...issue.html

Specifically, here he is defending the play-calling.

I honestly don’t get why a coach shouldn’t point to poor execution when it happens.  Honestly, does anyone here think that the offensive line executed its blocking assignments well, or that the defense executed well against the run, or that, aside from our punter and maybe our passing game, that any aspect of that game was well executed (and even the passing game left a lot to be desired in terms of pass protection).  And I don’t think that point out the obvious in any way absolves the coaches of their responsibility.  Shaw has been here for 10+ years.  All the recruits on the team are his.  All the coaches were hired by him.  He runs every practice.  He’s responsible for getting them ready to perform on game day.  If the players are not executing, the buck stops with the coach.  Shaw should have recruited harder three and four years ago.  He should have hired coaches who are more effective teaching the players technique.  He should have run practices more efficiently.  Whatever it is, I think it is a bigger indictment of the coaching staff to say that we are executing poorly than to say our play-calling was deficient.  Play calling is fixable. I mean, any one of the armchair quarterbacks posting on this board could do it, right.  Recruiting, practicing, and performing on game day is not as easily fixable, and it takes years to turn a team around.

BC

The 'we didn't execute' thing just gets tiring to hear and -- at least to me -- sounds a lot like "if the players just did what I told them to do, we would have won."  He's right, if everyone makes every block; every tackle; every catch; every pass; every kick; no turnovers; no penalties, etc., then sure the team will win.  But that's more of a tautology than reason for the loss.  Might as well blame the loss on the players not outscoring the other team.  Reminds me of an old softball coach who would literally scream "why'd you pop-out!!! I TOLD you to get a base hit!!!"  All I can hope is that Shaw doesn't mean it that way, and that he hasn't convinced himself that all is well with the program if these kids would just do what he tells them to do.

[Row80Critic]

Even the great Nick Saban complains about execution sometimes…

https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/2020/...issue.html

Specifically, here he is defending the play-calling.

I honestly don’t get why a coach shouldn’t point to poor execution when it happens.  Honestly, does anyone here think that the offensive line executed its blocking assignments well, or that the defense executed well against the run, or that, aside from our punter and maybe our passing game, that any aspect of that game was well executed (and even the passing game left a lot to be desired in terms of pass protection).  And I don’t think that point out the obvious in any way absolves the coaches of their responsibility.  Shaw has been here for 10+ years.  All the recruits on the team are his.  All the coaches were hired by him.  He runs every practice.  He’s responsible for getting them ready to perform on game day.  If the players are not executing, the buck stops with the coach.  Shaw should have recruited harder three and four years ago.  He should have hired coaches who are more effective teaching the players technique.  He should have run practices more efficiently.  Whatever it is, I think it is a bigger indictment of the coaching staff to say that we are executing poorly than to say our play-calling was deficient.  Play calling is fixable. I mean, any one of the armchair quarterbacks posting on this board could do it, right.  Recruiting, practicing, and performing on game day is not as easily fixable, and it takes years to turn a team around.

BC

The 'we didn't execute' thing just gets tiring to hear and -- at least to me -- sounds a lot like "if the players just did what I told them to do, we would have won."  He's right, if everyone makes every block; every tackle; every catch; every pass; every kick; no turnovers; no penalties, etc., then sure the team will win.  But that's more of a tautology than reason for the loss.  Might as well blame the loss on the players not outscoring the other team.  Reminds me of an old softball coach who would literally scream "why'd you pop-out!!! I TOLD you to get a base hit!!!"  All I can hope is that Shaw doesn't mean it that way, and that he hasn't convinced himself that all is well with the program if these kids would just do what he tells them to do.

[BostonCard]

I suppose that is a fair criticism, but I think fundamentally, you are asking for something that virtually no coach thinks you are entitled to.  I keep going back to the fact that the coach is required to give a press conference, even though (especially after a loss), they almost certainly would rather not do.  Answering questions from the press is not why they went into coaching, doesn't help them win the next game, and after a loss will put even the most thoughtful and engaging coach into a defensive posture.  We're paying our coach $6 million, so he's going to do a press conference if he's asked to, but I don't think it is a reasonable expectation to expect him to enjoy it or to offer anything more than platitudes in response.  Believe me "I give good press conferences" did not factor into his contract negotiations.

I try to empathize a bit with coaches.  I try to imagine what I would say if I had to give a press conference every time something at work went wrong.

BC

[BostonCard]

I suppose that is a fair criticism, but I think fundamentally, you are asking for something that virtually no coach thinks you are entitled to.  I keep going back to the fact that the coach is required to give a press conference, even though (especially after a loss), they almost certainly would rather not do.  Answering questions from the press is not why they went into coaching, doesn't help them win the next game, and after a loss will put even the most thoughtful and engaging coach into a defensive posture.  We're paying our coach $6 million, so he's going to do a press conference if he's asked to, but I don't think it is a reasonable expectation to expect him to enjoy it or to offer anything more than platitudes in response.  Believe me "I give good press conferences" did not factor into his contract negotiations.

I try to empathize a bit with coaches.  I try to imagine what I would say if I had to give a press conference every time something at work went wrong.

BC

[doubledub]

I suppose that is a fair criticism, but I think fundamentally, you are asking for something that virtually no coach thinks you are entitled to.  I keep going back to the fact that the coach is required to give a press conference, even though (especially after a loss), they almost certainly would rather not do.  Answering questions from the press is not why they went into coaching, doesn't help them win the next game, and after a loss will put even the most thoughtful and engaging coach into a defensive posture.  We're paying our coach $6 million, so he's going to do a press conference if he's asked to, but I don't think it is a reasonable expectation to expect him to enjoy it or to offer anything more than platitudes in response.  Believe me "I give good press conferences" did not factor into his contract negotiations.

I try to empathize a bit with coaches.  I try to imagine what I would say if I had to give a press conference every time something at work went wrong.

BC

For $6m per year I would be happy to give a press conference to explain what happens every time something goes wrong.

[doubledub]

I suppose that is a fair criticism, but I think fundamentally, you are asking for something that virtually no coach thinks you are entitled to.  I keep going back to the fact that the coach is required to give a press conference, even though (especially after a loss), they almost certainly would rather not do.  Answering questions from the press is not why they went into coaching, doesn't help them win the next game, and after a loss will put even the most thoughtful and engaging coach into a defensive posture.  We're paying our coach $6 million, so he's going to do a press conference if he's asked to, but I don't think it is a reasonable expectation to expect him to enjoy it or to offer anything more than platitudes in response.  Believe me "I give good press conferences" did not factor into his contract negotiations.

I try to empathize a bit with coaches.  I try to imagine what I would say if I had to give a press conference every time something at work went wrong.

BC

For $6m per year I would be happy to give a press conference to explain what happens every time something goes wrong.

[slide]

the sinecure is only $6M a year?

[slide]

the sinecure is only $6M a year?

[76lsjumb]

I suppose that is a fair criticism, but I think fundamentally, you are asking for something that virtually no coach thinks you are entitled to.  I keep going back to the fact that the coach is required to give a press conference, even though (especially after a loss), they almost certainly would rather not do.  Answering questions from the press is not why they went into coaching, doesn't help them win the next game, and after a loss will put even the most thoughtful and engaging coach into a defensive posture.  We're paying our coach $6 million, so he's going to do a press conference if he's asked to, but I don't think it is a reasonable expectation to expect him to enjoy it or to offer anything more than platitudes in response.  Believe me "I give good press conferences" did not factor into his contract negotiations.

I try to empathize a bit with coaches.  I try to imagine what I would say if I had to give a press conference every time something at work went wrong.

BC

For $6m per year I would be happy to give a press conference to explain what happens every time something goes wrong.

And most of the time you would probably blame it on poor execution…

[76lsjumb]

I suppose that is a fair criticism, but I think fundamentally, you are asking for something that virtually no coach thinks you are entitled to.  I keep going back to the fact that the coach is required to give a press conference, even though (especially after a loss), they almost certainly would rather not do.  Answering questions from the press is not why they went into coaching, doesn't help them win the next game, and after a loss will put even the most thoughtful and engaging coach into a defensive posture.  We're paying our coach $6 million, so he's going to do a press conference if he's asked to, but I don't think it is a reasonable expectation to expect him to enjoy it or to offer anything more than platitudes in response.  Believe me "I give good press conferences" did not factor into his contract negotiations.

I try to empathize a bit with coaches.  I try to imagine what I would say if I had to give a press conference every time something at work went wrong.

BC

For $6m per year I would be happy to give a press conference to explain what happens every time something goes wrong.

And most of the time you would probably blame it on poor execution…

[Phogge]

Hang in there guys. Just over four months and then pitchers and catchers report.

[Phogge]

Hang in there guys. Just over four months and then pitchers and catchers report.

[Row80Critic]

I suppose that is a fair criticism, but I think fundamentally, you are asking for something that virtually no coach thinks you are entitled to.  I keep going back to the fact that the coach is required to give a press conference, even though (especially after a loss), they almost certainly would rather not do.  Answering questions from the press is not why they went into coaching, doesn't help them win the next game, and after a loss will put even the most thoughtful and engaging coach into a defensive posture.  We're paying our coach $6 million, so he's going to do a press conference if he's asked to, but I don't think it is a reasonable expectation to expect him to enjoy it or to offer anything more than platitudes in response.  Believe me "I give good press conferences" did not factor into his contract negotiations.

I try to empathize a bit with coaches.  I try to imagine what I would say if I had to give a press conference every time something at work went wrong.

BC

No, I'm not asking Shaw to do that.  I'm asking him to stop throwing shade at the student athletes, when is seem obvious from outer space that he is a big part of the issue.  Shaw needs to get more qualified/talented assistants; revamp a philosophy/playbook that fails as often as succeeds, yet squanders young talent; make better in-game and in-season decisions; stop telegraphing plays so obviously (gee, what's Sanders going to do this time, said no one ever....); and more generally wake up and smell the coffee.  He needs to adapt and grow, not blame the students because they didn't execute.  I actually like Shaw and want him to succeed, but the man is stubborn with a capital S.

[Row80Critic]

I suppose that is a fair criticism, but I think fundamentally, you are asking for something that virtually no coach thinks you are entitled to.  I keep going back to the fact that the coach is required to give a press conference, even though (especially after a loss), they almost certainly would rather not do.  Answering questions from the press is not why they went into coaching, doesn't help them win the next game, and after a loss will put even the most thoughtful and engaging coach into a defensive posture.  We're paying our coach $6 million, so he's going to do a press conference if he's asked to, but I don't think it is a reasonable expectation to expect him to enjoy it or to offer anything more than platitudes in response.  Believe me "I give good press conferences" did not factor into his contract negotiations.

I try to empathize a bit with coaches.  I try to imagine what I would say if I had to give a press conference every time something at work went wrong.

BC

No, I'm not asking Shaw to do that.  I'm asking him to stop throwing shade at the student athletes, when is seem obvious from outer space that he is a big part of the issue.  Shaw needs to get more qualified/talented assistants; revamp a philosophy/playbook that fails as often as succeeds, yet squanders young talent; make better in-game and in-season decisions; stop telegraphing plays so obviously (gee, what's Sanders going to do this time, said no one ever....); and more generally wake up and smell the coffee.  He needs to adapt and grow, not blame the students because they didn't execute.  I actually like Shaw and want him to succeed, but the man is stubborn with a capital S.