I guess I missed it, but I'm guessing you are now a sports guy. Somehow, you are the 1st person who has ever given me any negative comments about Dennis. I have not had 1 other in 20 years in the 'burg and 17 years working here. Dennis is one of the most dedicated on air folks I have ever met. No one does more homework than he. He daily has to fit in tons of stuff into 2.5 min and does a good job with what he has.
On the pxp stuff. He does so few and sporadic LU basketball games it is difficult. Because he works here m-f LU doesn't get him on many bball games. so, when he fills in on 5 or 6 games (most Women's and a few men's)a year he has a huge chunk of info to digest. He is the hardest working spotts guy I know. He works on average 50 hours per week. During HS football it's more than that. In this case he is getting the entire slate of home Football games, and I guarantee he will be spot on!
Also, you say you are not attacking him personally, but I'd like to take issue with that.
Here is you from above:
Sly Fox wrote:
My sole bone of contention has to do with his calling games on Liberty's nickel on our air. He comes across as someone who has little to no knowledge of the home team (perhaps some more prep work could make a difference) and who really doesn't care about what he is doing.
. . . I'll take the guy busting his tail over the guy who is showing up for an easy paycheck anytime. Perhaps I am 100% wrong about how seriously he takes these opportunities. But its just the way it comes across on the air.
Sounds pretty personal to me.
No knowledge of the home team - Are you kidding me. Covers LU constantly. Call him up now and ask him some LU trivia.
Doesn't care about what he is doing - This is where you keep killing me. He is extremely passionate about sports. He puts a ton of energy into it every day.
Easy paycheck - no way. DC is not at all about money and that can be proven easily. He just 100% loves sports.
I really would like to know how much you have really seen him. Sounds like you are basing these long range Texas missels on a very small body of work. If you'd like check out the videos on wset.com. There's even one there on the LU track team which he doesn't know anything about.