Henoc is new to this. The jump from the Waggle podcast, where he and DB have time to stretch out their thoughts and analysis, to a 3-minute TSN clip where he’s gotta speak concisely and fast, is substantial. I’m confident he’ll get there. He’s got personality and he knows how to focus his lines. And he already seems to have chemistry with the rest of the panel, which is important.
Sanchez still struggles with his words, and it’s hard to watch, but if you can get past his marblemouth, he’s got a lot of crunchy analysis as a former DB to offer. I’m surprised, honestly. He went years just being a dead loss on the air. Now suddenly he’s contributing quality content. Good on him for stepping up.
Pour ma part, je préfère les gars de RDS à ceux de TSN. Premièrement à cause de la présence de Pierre Vercheval, qui est à mon avis le meilleur analyste de football des deux réseaux. Deuxièmement, parce que les gars de RDS restent généralement centrés sur la partie qui se joue au lieu de se perdre dans des sujets hors-contexte, quand ce n’est pas carrément du cabotinage. Troisièmement, parce que ces gars ne prétendent pas que leur point de vue soit le seul qui est valable. Il n’y a pas d’enflure verbale lorsque des points de vue divergent : chacun amène ses arguments et ça sert mieux le propos, à mon sens. Nous n’avons pas besoin qu’un autre nous dise ce qui est préférable ou pas dans ce contexte.
As someone who has difficulty hearing, the panel is a problem because they all are talking over each other. I think Kate is the ringleader in that with Milt being right behind her.
Main problem is that of roles. Kate Beirness is a broadcaster by training but she tries way too hard to be a football expert.
The others are all ex-players, failed coaches or GMs, unemployable rounders who are trying too hard to be broadcasters.
Milt really tries too hard to be the panel broadcaster, especially when Kate is off the rails.
I learn most from Jim Barker, a bit slovenly but he has lots of good moments
Sanchez adds little. May as well have retained the hapless Cabby Cabral.
Dunigan on last legs
Panelists in waiting = Bo-Levi, Zach Collaros, Kenny Lawler, Lord Stanley Bryant.
Panelists you NEVER WANT: Pyrogy Ambrosie, Jim Popp, Jeff Reinbold, Jennifer Hedger, Garrett Merino, Chris Jones, Wade Miller, Goober (Mcleod Bethel-Thompson)
That’s a fair point, though people talking over each other is a common phenomenon on sports panel shows of all kinds.
Sanchez does good work on that panel. He stammers a lot, which grates a bit, but he actually provides a lot of solid content if you pay attention and he’s not afraid to come out and say something even if it’s not the popular opinion.
Barker should retire. Dunigan should be in the colour booth exclusively.
We need some new color guys too. There are some articulate and entertaining ex players that would probably love the opportunity to be around the game on game day.
I don’t watch RDS but I knew Pierre when he played in Edmonton. I can imagine he is an excellent commentator as he was a really fun guy to hang out with…
Marshall is fantastic at play by play and at colour, but I think I prefer him in the colour role because then he can really bring all his expertise to bear on a given play without worrying about calling the action. He and Dusty make a great combo IMO.
Please get Duane Forde out of colour commentary. I know he’s been helping insomniacs get a good night’s sleep for decades, but my gosh, think of the rest of us!
First player that comes to mind would be BLM. He’s not retired yet, but I was really impressed by his stint on TSN after the 2023 season ended. Recently retired Kristian Matte might be another candidate.
Pierre is so good. Age has taken a bit of the edge off his game, but he is still highly entertaining and informative in the booth. He and David Arsenault are probably tied with Nielson-Ferguson as my favourite broadcast duo.
Well there is a saying about opinions and those that have them , no matter which way the opinion goes . Thus that is why they are known as an opinion and not as fact .
I like it too but freshen it up a bit by adding a couple segments. Lapo’s is good.
Add some other X’s and O’s stuff, or technique stuff - with high school or JR players.
Maybe a support your local grassroots teams segment…or even “revive a high school football team” 50/50 or something. Even if it was only local to where the game was being played…
When I read critical views about Sanchez starting two seasons ago, I thought he was okay.
But something snapped in 2024, for Sanchez was terrible, and so now I agree with that view on replacing him too as well as many of your other views here.
Keep Beirness for a year of transition and newcomer Henoc, include LaPolice more often, c’mon BLM once he’s done playing, and make it the last season for Dunigan and Milt.
Build this season with a few more guest hosts in especially the summer until they figure out the new mix for 2026.
To me, it’s the opposite. I HATED him for a long time, but in 2024 I was pleasantly surprised to see him providing meaty Xs and Os content. He’s still got marble mouth, and a stammer, but he is delivering on substance even if the style ain’t there.
