At least he learnt the lesson and took away the need to check more than the damned FD and looking outside. Energy management has various parameters under our control
Agree about the addiction of flight directors. They are one of the main factors IMHO of the poor rates of instrument scan one frequently observes during simulator training. Being locked on to keeping the twin needle centred requires intense concentration and scan skills soon degrade. That is why many pilots are frightened of turning off the FD and looking foolish.
With regard to the SOP calls in some airlines of "Speed" to caution the PF of undesired out of tolerance IAS indications.
Some operators prefer a call of "Speed low" or Speed high." This at least gives the PF an indication of the direction of speed error. It also has the advantage of picking up an erroneous airspeed problem quickly, if one ASI disagrees with the others. Same principle with a call of "Altimeter." Better to say "Altimeter High" or "Altimeter Low."
"Sink Rate" is yet another vague call. Usually said on final approach.
"Sink Rate high" implies urgency which in the case of below 500 feet on short final is true