Mark Sanchez’s call of Broncos-Browns elicited plenty of criticism
“Mark Sanchez makes the viewing experience even more worse.”
Fans of the Cleveland Browns didn’t enjoy seeing their team play the Denver Broncos in Week 12. But if social media’s response was any guide, Mark Sanchez’s call of the game was just as much of a factor in the unfavourable viewing experience as the Browns’ 29-12 loss.
This Sunday’s AFC matchup in Denver was called by Sanchez, who is currently in his third season as a Fox analyst, along with play-caller Kevin Kugler. Moreover, the former New York Jets quarterback’s commentary only served to exacerbate the irate mood among Cleveland fans, who were already agitated over the on-field performance. The former USC star’s grievances included play-calling by the Browns and Sanchez’s attempts to predict plays like Tony Romo.
As in the following tweets:
.
Not only did Browns supporters object to Sanchez’s call of Sunday’s game, though.
Although, to his credit, he was frequently correct, Sanchez’s tendency to call plays before they were executed was undoubtedly annoying, as I saw firsthand when I watched the Fox broadcast. Though Sanchez’s NFL career is primarily remembered by fans as a disappointment typified by a play known as “The Butt Fumble,” Romo built his name with similar in-game predictions. In actuality, though, the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback has more cache as a former All-Pro.
In addition to the valid critiques directed on Sanchez during Sunday’s game, supporters also voiced some of the same grievances that you hear about almost every game day. The 37-year-old was accused of supporting the opposing side by fans of both the Broncos and the Browns. Remembering that Sanchez is only in his third season of broadcasting and is by no means a polished broadcaster should also be emphasised.
It’s not necessary to be a future Hall of Famer to be a beloved figure in the broadcast booth, as Greg Olsen has shown. Analysts who aren’t thought to have performed at a particular level during their playing days, however, may find it difficult to get acceptance, as the response to Sanchez demonstrates.
