Grading Bob’s call

[GetEmVols]

I know I’m about to get lit up. That’s OK and not new.

I’ve been a fan of Bob since he replaced King Ward. I listen to games on radio often and he’s done a good job following a true VOL legend.

I’ll give Bob an A- on this call. I got excitement during the call but not that jumping up and down screaming I don’t like. He also filled in with good info (2nd INT and a walk-on). He also got time and location on field correct. Great call.

Everyone looked so excited. Except for him

 

[BruisedOrange]

I had to go back and listen to the best of John Ward calls. He certainly didn’t have Mike Keith or Juan Ward energy. He did however have the “35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 20, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 give him 6” schtick down pretty well.

Ward was a legend and great announcer for VOL Nation.

I simply believe this Bob call on the INT was pretty special.

Agreed! On both Bob's interception call, and what made John Ward special. He let us know what happened, and often with a verbal wink.

Back when the only chance to see video of a game was Sunday's "The Bill Battle Show," the plays always looked exactly the way John had called them the day before.

 

[AdoptedVOL]

Everyone looked so excited. Except for him

Radio? Focus?

 

[BruisedOrange]

Everyone looked so excited. Except for him

HE'S WORKING!

I'm amazed, seeing both views together, that he called out the yard line of the interception so effortlessly and immediately! He couldn't have done that if he was reacting in-the-moment as a fan. Total professional. I'll bet among his peers he's considered one of the best working today.

 

[Gladiator1]

What did you find unacceptable about this call? I thought he did a good job.

Not that it was terrible but i would like more. It's like he is holding back trying to be fair. He is a UT guy, act like it.

 

[KoachKrab127]

I found nothing wrong with that call. His words accurately portrayed what happened on the field. He got Will Brooks’s name correct as well.

What I don’t like is when he’s extremely vague with his calls, which happens way too often. He always says “that play gained a couple,” but a “couple” to Bob is anywhere between 1 and 6 yards.

 

[Cornvol]

Just going to leave this here for comparison with Bob

What the $&@“ did I just hear?? I’ll take Kessling

 

[AdoptedVOL]

What the $&@“ did I just hear?? I’ll take Kessling

I laughed

 

[MHS Rebel]

Mike Keith's call sound like a bunch of Tweets or someone posting a series of short sentences in a chat room.

 

[sonofUT62]

What the $&@“ did I just hear?? I’ll take Kessling

Someone speaking a different language who loves the VOLS and has an awesome Twitter account. I'm sure you're a real hoot at parties.

 

[tombowalker]

I agree. I think his basketball calls are much better than his football……what a turn of events

I get a kick out of ol' Bert. He's like a fan you sit next to at a sports bar.

"That's a foul, Bob!"

 

[djohnnyg]

Bobs call was as if Vols just sealed a 56-0 victory over New Orleans A and M. YOU JUST BEAT ALABAMA Bob. He didn't even have the excitement of a neutral announcer doing a national broadcast. I don't need Joe Tessitore level excitement...but come on. It's a game sealing pick vs Alabama. D- and that's being generous. I can just hear his call after winning national title game. "That's it. Tennessee wins the national championship. Stay tuned for more postgame brought to you by Pilot Truck Stops."

 

[UTFanForLife]

What the $&@“ did I just hear?? I’ll take Kessling

Acabas de escuchar una decisión en español del juego sellando la intercepción de Will Brooks.

 

[Volfan1000]

Grade D

C Plus Grade.

 

[Volfan1000]

We should petition Learfield IMG and the Vol Network and tell them we want a better announcer than Kesling.

 

[BigOrangeFanatic]

Listening to some of Bob’s earlier games (99-01) he had more energy. While still not great, it was better than recent years.

Not sure if it’s age, or health? I know he had some issues not long ago.

It’s just bland. I’m sure he’s a great person, but I think it’s time for some new blood. 1999 to 2024 is quite a while.

Exactly where I stand. I've heard he's one of the kindest human beings.

But as John Ward once said "it's time"

Past time actually.

 

[ETV]

Why has he not re-retired?

 

[Cornvol]

Someone speaking a different language who loves the VOLS and has an awesome Twitter account. I'm sure you're a real hoot at parties.

Ok. If you say so

 

[Brave Volunteer]

I sounded more excited with my morning bowel movement.

Hey when you reach my age, a good bowel movement IS exciting!

 

[GetEmVols]

Radio? Focus?

I can’t contain my excitement I don’t care if people are watching me or not.

 

[GetEmVols]

What the $&@“ did I just hear?? I’ll take Kessling

Really? That was awesome. Love the emotion.

 

[AdoptedVOL]

Really? That was awesome. Love the emotion.

Was this television or radio? What exactly was he saying/screaming? Did he add commentary as did Kessling such as 2nd interception, location on field, walk-on player, TN going to WBFA?

 

[HambyVol]

Bob sucks. No emotion.

 

[GAVol]

Bob is a pro who sounds like an SEC Network guy who just happens to call your games all the time. I get why some want emotion, but it’s just not in him to scream into the headset like he’s calling pro wrestling. Ward called games in much the same way but would turn it up at times… but he’d also get awkward and behind the action sometimes.

If you channel hop on game days, you’ll find we’re lucky to have had both guys for the last 50 years.

 

[AdoptedVOL]

What a turn of events

“The kick is good!”

John Ward call at ND. Somehow he was able to overcome.