Football Buzzwords and Catch Phrases

[Quack 12]

I’ve been thinking about starting this thread for awhile, but last weekend sealed it. I’m sure we’ve all noticed that when someone comes up with a “new†phrase, everyone in the broadcasting business jumps on the bandwagon, so let’s make a list of these silly expressions.

 

I’m not talking about so-called “signature phrases†like ****** Raible’s donkey bray “TOUCHdown, SEAhawks!†or former Beaver announcer Darrell Aune’s infamous “Holy jumpin’ up and down Martha!†I’m referring to descriptive phrases that become popular then get beaten to death.

 

On the radio this week I’ve heard several clips of play-by-play guys describing the final seconds of the Seahawks/Vikings game. Every one of them used the phrase, “Are you kidding me?†I realize this one’s been around a long time, but apparently nowadays everyone is questioning whether or not we’re serious.

 

For me, this all started with Frank Gifford on MNF back in the day, and his use of “nifty.†Even today, “nifty run†remains a staple of broadcasters.

 

“Explosion plays†is another heavily trodden term, as though the tight end is dropping an IED 40 yards downfield.

 

I’ve noticed in recent years that once one of these “fresh†terms becomes popular, it spreads through sports media like impetigo at a middle school.

 

A few years ago, some clever commentator described a speedy receiver as being able to “take the top off the defense.†Before long, topless defenses were everywhere.

 

But then someone (I blame Herbstreit) mentioned that once an opponent got to the red zone, the defense would “bow up†to stop them. Now I regularly hear about defenses bowing up, without actually lobbing arrows at the offense, of course.

 

How ‘bout “chunk yardage� Can’t you just hear Danny Kannell?

 

So what else?   

[Orange]

I'm getting sick of "downhill runner."

Really?  Now they put a slope in the field?  Goddamn Goddell is ruining everything about the sport!

 

(seriously though anyone who's been on a football field -- or maybe the older fields? -- notices that there is a slope for drainage but it typically runs from the middle of the field to the sidelines, so the OPPOSITE of what the announcers term a "downhill runner" is literally running downhill.)

 

"It's getting chippy out there" always made my ears perk up.

[KUGRDON]

I'm getting sick of "downhill runner."

Really? Now they put a slope in the field? Goddamn Goddell is ruining everything about the sport!

 

(seriously though anyone who's been on a football field -- or maybe the older fields? -- notices that there is a slope for drainage but it typically runs from the middle of the field to the sidelines, so the OPPOSITE of what the announcers term a "downhill runner" is literally running downhill.)

 

"It's getting chippy out there" always made my ears perk up.

someone apparently doesn't know what downhill runner means.

[PAC MAN]

I miss reading about Honey Badger.  Brent Mushburger (or however that is spelled) would be good for some phrases.  Read his commentary quite often in the Big 12...college football will miss him when he calls it a career.

[Orange]

someone apparently doesn't know what downhill runner means.

 

http://www.sportingcharts.com/dictionary/nfl/downhill-running-style.aspx

 

Refers to a running back's style of rushing the football where the ball is ran in a usually straight and direct manner through the defensive line, and has very little to do with actually running down a slope.  A downhill rusher primarily runs the ball up the field with power towards the opponents endzone with the help of the offensive line as opposed to running out to the sides towards open field

 

 

 

 

Therefore, running toward "the edge" of the O-line instead of straight at the defense is NOT "downhill running" in the announcer's sense, yet IS downhill running in the literal sense if they're going from the middle of the field to the sideline.

 

 

Once again, you're up your own ass...and incorrect.

[Quack 12]

someone apparently doesn't know what downhill runner means.

 

Hijack someone else's thread, will ya?

 

"It's getting chippy out there" is a classic, and it's always the same. No one ever says "It IS chippy out there," it's always "getting."  

[glduck]

not the same thing at all, but after growing up watching zero football my wife still giggles like a drunk hyena every time an announcer says 'penetration.'

[KUGRDON]

http://www.sportingcharts.com/dictionary/nfl/downhill-running-style.aspx

 

Refers to a running back's style of rushing the football where the ball is ran in a usually straight and direct manner through the defensive line, and has very little to do with actually running down a slope.  A downhill rusher primarily runs the ball up the field with power towards the opponents endzone with the help of the offensive line as opposed to running out to the sides towards open field[/size]

 

 

 

 

Therefore, running toward "the edge" of the O-line instead of straight at the defense is NOT "downhill running" in the announcer's sense, yet IS downhill running in the literal sense if they're going from the middle of the field to the sideline.

 

 

Once again, you're up your own ass...and incorrect.

And here I thought running uphill was the opposite of running downhill. Thank you for being you Org.

[Orange]

And here I thought running uphill was the opposite of running downhill. Thank you for being you Org.

 

Ahh, I see, you're confused.  The opposite of being a "downhill runner" is not being one.  AKA, being shifty, running sideline to sideline.

 

I suppose you could quibble and claim that it's running backward.  But then you'd be you: Stupid.

[KUGRDON]

Lol. Like I said, never stop being you.

[All Hail]

Cat-like quickness.  

Spark plug

class act

big-uglies (Thank you Keith Jackson.)

difference maker

Gym-rat or scrappy player (= white dude but this might be more of a basketball buzzword.)

[All Hail]

not the same thing at all, but after growing up watching zero football my wife still giggles like a drunk hyena every time an announcer says 'penetration.'

 

So do I. Never gets old!

[Mano]

Running backs who "put their foot in the ground" to make a cut. Utah's coach loves referring to the "throw game".

[Scscsc89]

Do people still emphasize foot-speed?

[glduck]

with lamichael james and marcus mariota in various heisman discussions in recent years, any big game by an opposing player against oregon always comes with:

 

"WHO'S THE HEISMAN CONTENDER NOW, AMIRITE?"

[KUGRDON]

Touch passes.

[Scscsc89]

Touch passes.

 

 

Is that like delivering a very catchable ball?

[win2bfree]

"off to the races"

"hi football IQ"

[glduck]

every announcer in every game ever televised has noticed a defensive lineman with his hands on his hips and has introduced the viewing audience to his groundbreaking theory that "the defense looks gassed."

[Nakedmolerat]

How about two phrases from the field that no matter the level of play, or location, seem to be ubiquitous:

 

"Oskie"

 

"Peter"