Did Brent Musburger stab USC in the Back?

[bababui]

WAH WAH WAH WAH

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-...d-sectionfront

USC Signals Its Displeasure

Trojans complain to ESPN about disclosure by ABC's Musburger of what they consider privileged information during Saturday's game.
By Larry Stewart, Times Staff Writer
September 19, 2006


USC, outraged over play-by-play veteran Brent Musburger's revealing during ABC's telecast of the Nebraska game what the Trojans contend was privileged information, fired off a complaint Monday to ESPN, which now oversees all sports programming on ABC.


With just over 9 1/2 minutes to play in the fourth quarter of Saturday's game and USC leading, 21-10, Musburger began describing on the air how USC quarterback John David Booty lets his receivers know he has spotted a certain kind of coverage.

"John David told us that his signal when he finds one-on-one and they're coming, it's that 'hang loose,' that familiar sign you've seen surfers use," said Musburger, referring to the sign where the thumb and little finger are raised.


That information had been gleaned from Booty on Friday during a standard production meeting. Announcers and producers meet with coaches and star players as part of their game preparation. However, much of what is said in those meetings is considered private, as background only, to help the announcers spot trends and potential plays.


USC sports information director Tim Tessalone, on behalf of the university, sent a formal complaint to ESPN/ABC game producer Bill Bonnell and a copy to the Pacific 10 Conference office in Walnut Creek, Calif.


"We're supposed to be partners in this," Tessalone said, "but this is certainly going to make us think twice about trying to help them have as good a broadcast as possible.


"What he did was unconscionable. In my 28 years, I've never seen such an egregious breach of trust. Brent is not a rookie at this, and he should know better."


Musburger late Monday, through an ESPN spokesman, issued this statement: "We've explained to USC that during our pregame meeting we discussed how we used replays to illustrate a specific signal the week before in the Ohio State-Texas telecast. In that context, we asked if USC has a similar way of communicating and the specific signal was offered.


"Clearly, there is a misunderstanding, and we regret the confusion. We look forward to working with USC on future telecasts as we continue to cover [its] great program."


The ESPN spokesman, Josh Krulewitz, also offered this company statement: "We are very mindful of what we learn in pregame meetings in terms in what is appropriate for broadcast and what is for our background. We're sorry this led to an unfortunate misunderstanding, which was never our intention."


Retired play-by-play announcer Keith Jackson, long considered the voice of college football on ABC, was told of the situation involving Musburger and Booty.


"I would have stopped [Booty] in mid-sentence," Jackson said from his vacation home in British Columbia, referring to the Friday production meeting. "I would have told him I don't want to know."


It all began when the subject of secret signals came up in that Friday meeting. A replay of the Ohio State-Texas telecast on Sept. 9 had shown how Buckeyes quarterback Troy Smith taps the top of the helmet to let receiver Ted Ginn Jr. know he's noticed one-on-one coverage. Booty was asked if USC had a similar signal. At that point, he told Musburger about USC's signal.


Booty was surprised that it had become an issue by Monday. "Going in there the other day, I wasn't going in there to tell them what we were doing or what we were trying to accomplish," he said of the production meeting. "And I'm going to do the same thing the next time I go in there."


Coach Pete Carroll, asked what his reaction was when he heard about Musburger's on-air revelation, said with a laugh, "Just wondering what they're going to tell us next.


"I'm not worried about it. There's a million signals, a million ways to do it."


After Musburger mentioned Booty's hand signal, commentator Bob Davie, the former Notre Dame coach, said on the air: "I was surprised he told us that, particularly now that you've told all of America what the signal is."


Commentator Kirk Herbstreit added, "He can use it as an indicator next week." An "indicator," which can also be verbal, tells players whether a signal is for real or not.


Musburger responded, "Yeah, he can use it as an indicator. What the heck."


USC will appear on ABC at least five more times this season, including Saturday at 5 p.m. when the Trojans play at Arizona. But that is a regional telecast, and the announcers will be Dan Fouts and Tim Brant. Musburger may not work another USC game until Nov. 25, when USC plays host to Notre Dame. That game will be televised nationally on ABC at 5 p.m.


USC offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin is also taking it in stride. "It's not a big deal, " he said. "I'm sure people would think it would be, but we change our signals a lot. They're on film anyway."

[JDOldSchool]

I don't understand the "WAH WAH WAH." Every team gives this kind of information to announcers, but it's done with the knowledge that the announcer won't give it out to the entire world. The announcer is supposed to see the sign and say what is happening without alerting other teams (including the other team playing that day) of the plays.

The signal can be changed, so it's not a major blow to the program or anything, but Musburger still made a mistake here.

[Tribe Fan 24]

I really just wish that Musberger would just retire altogether. I personally think that he has become a caracature of himself at this point in his career. (ping: Chris Berman) Listen to him next time, he tries too hard (IMO) to make every play sound interesting and exciting. "Twisting, turning, darting, oh my gosh it is the best run that I have seen in yeeeeeeeeeeears...................gain of one." I have gotten to the point where I will turn down the sound and just watch the video feed.

I really don't hate the man or anything, just grates my nerves at times.

Kevin

[dudeosu]

Originally Posted by JDOldSchool

I don't understand the "WAH WAH WAH." Every team gives this kind of information to announcers, but it's done with the knowledge that the announcer won't give it out to the entire world. The announcer is supposed to see the sign and say what is happening without alerting other teams (including the other team playing that day) of the plays.

The signal can be changed, so it's not a major blow to the program or anything, but Musburger still made a mistake here.

With the prevalence of film study these days, don't signals change every week anyway?

I mean since the game wasn't over I suppose some Nebraska staff might've picked up on Musburger's comments and made adjustments, but it's not like the plan for the season has to be scrapped and re-written.

[CHCfan]

Originally Posted by dudeosu

With the prevalence of film study these days, don't signals change every week anyway?

I mean since the game wasn't over I suppose some Nebraska staff might've picked up on Musburger's comments and made adjustments, but it's not like the plan for the season has to be scrapped and re-written.

the way Callahan was running the show on saturday, the Huskers needed to know more than USC's playcalling. That's saying something

[TC Dale]

Originally Posted by Tribe Fan 24

I really just wish that Musberger would just retire altogether. I personally think that he has become a caracature of himself at this point in his career. (ping: Chris Berman) Listen to him next time, he tries too hard (IMO) to make every play sound interesting and exciting. "Twisting, turning, darting, oh my gosh it is the best run that I have seen in yeeeeeeeeeeears...................gain of one." I have gotten to the point where I will turn down the sound and just watch the video feed.

I really don't hate the man or anything, just grates my nerves at times.

Kevin

Far cry from... "You are looking live at Boston Garden where the Knicks take on the Celtics in the NBA playoffs... etc.." His NFL on CBS studio host days are long gone, and his talent as well.

I was trying to remember when he started losing it, and I would say probably about the time he had to move networks and he never had the "star position" again...

When I hear him know, I just cringe. He was good years ago, but he reminds me of Howard Cosell in the MNF later years for Cosell before his blowup... living on past glory and hating those that have moved on and gotten better.

Time to retire Brent, your cohorts have long retired.

[dudeosu]

Originally Posted by CHCfan

the way Callahan was running the show on saturday, the Huskers needed to know more than USC's playcalling. That's saying something

Yes, well that's a whole other discussion altogether.

I can't imagine the Nebraska faithful are too happy with Callahan essentially changing the whole Nebraska offensive image. When I thought Nebraska, I thought power option attack. Now it's dink and dunk west coast (and I won't get started on that).

[atarizx3]

Originally Posted by article

That information had been gleaned from Booty on Friday

my favorite line in the story

[Skipaway]

Originally Posted by dudeosu

With the prevalence of film study these days, don't signals change every week anyway?

I mean since the game wasn't over I suppose some Nebraska staff might've picked up on Musburger's comments and made adjustments, but it's not like the plan for the season has to be scrapped and re-written.

That's why you can read in the article none of the USC coaches cared. Pete Carrol just laughed.

This is just a complaint from the school authority for Musburger being unprofessional.

[Tribe Fan 24]

Originally Posted by TC Dale

Far cry from... "You are looking live at Boston Garden where the Knicks take on the Celtics in the NBA playoffs... etc.." His NFL on CBS studio host days are long gone, and his talent as well.

I was trying to remember when he started losing it, and I would say probably about the time he had to move networks and he never had the "star position" again...

When I hear him know, I just cringe. He was good years ago, but he reminds me of Howard Cosell in the MNF later years for Cosell before his blowup... living on past glory and hating those that have moved on and gotten better.

Time to retire Brent, your cohorts have long retired.

I am so glad that I am not the only one who feels this way. My wife laughs at me whenever he comes on the TV. (I have to do my really bad, but very accurate BM imitation.) I remember him being on the NFL Today show, and NBA broadcasts on CBS. I think that you are spot-on about his never really recovering from his move from CBS. It was like he had to try to prove that he was still on top of his game. I think that was the genesis of the sensationalism that his broadcasts have become.

[Prodigal Son]

Originally Posted by Skipaway

That's why you can read in the article none of the USC coaches cared. Pete Carrol just laughed.

This is just a complaint from the school authority for Musburger being unprofessional.

Yeah, from a purely football standpoint, this is a non-issue.