Jim Jackson has been with us on Flyers broadcasts for almost two decades, and really, as someone that didn’t have the privilege of hearing Gene Hart call games live, he’s the only Voice of the Flyers that I know (sorry, Tim Saunders. We love you too). I’m sure it’s that way for a lot of people.
But where does JJ and the CSN team fall in line when compared with other NHL broadcasters? Derek Zona ranked each of the crews from around the league in a story over at SBNation.com today. Here’s what he had to say about our crew, giving them a two star rating.
Keith Jones has become a caricature of the “good Canadian boy” ex-hockey player. On Versus, he’s somewhat balanced and talks about things other than physical play.
On the Comcast broadcast, Jones wears his heart on his sleeve. Everything can be improved with toughness and every player having an off night “needs more effort”, regardless of the level of effort. “Being more physical” in all aspects of the game is paramount.
Jackson carries a heavy Philadelphia bias and refuses to criticize a Flyer, even when the criticism is obvious.
I think a big part of the local broadcast is playing off of the bias. Saunders once said in an interview that his job is to pander to his audience, and that his audience is primarily Flyers fans every night. In that regard, I don’t mind the Philadelphia bias of JJ and Jonesy on the CSN broadcast. Is it fair to say that he doesn’t criticize the Flyers?
I’m not so sure — curious to hear what you think about that.
Is this a fair judgment of Jim Jackson and Keith Jones?
| Yes | 219 |
| No | 449 |
| Kind of | 353 |
| Not sure | 31 |
