Broadcasters Of The NFL
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When it was established that Tony Romo was no longer CBS Sports’ NFL lead expert analyst on TV, the move evoked considerable reaction. It really shouldn’t have.
When the former Cowboys quarterback was cited for driving while intoxicated, CBS suspended him.
It wasn’t a surprise because the network had long since regretted giving him a contract worth about $18 million a year. Romo actually came out of the box impressively when he began in 2017. He seemed to be better than the other lead experts and it remained that way for several years. If you asked football viewers they’d tell you Romo was an original of sorts, refreshing in his approach, a likable listen, extending to his ability to predict the upcoming play. Of course, that’s not what the job is about and sometimes a good guess is spot on, but Romo was accurate enough to make him the guy you wanted talking on the game you were watching. I was impressed by his style as well. I thought CBS caught lightning in a bottle.
But as the years passed, Romo began to lose steam, and his lack of preparation started to become evident. His voice became more gravelly, he talked a lot more, always a clue that you’re searching for precisely what you want to say and resorted to a kind of cheerleading method in his delivery. Then came the incident in Wisconsin following a golf outing (he has envisioned a place on the PGA Tour, he is that good) when he was stopped by police and ultimately arrested on charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. He pleaded no contest and had his driving privileges revoked for six months.
For CBS it was an easy decision to suspend Romo and have wound up making a settlement in which he will be paid a huge amount of the money on his contract.
They saw his decline in the booth and saw the chance to end the expensive relationship.
All of this is not earth-shattering in itself, but the story reveals how much interest NFL viewers have in the men who are #1 in that role.
J.J. Watt has replaced Romo in the lead saddle with Jim Nantz on CBS. He moved up from the second slot but hasn’t had many years working games.
I heard him on the Chiefs-Raiders game last weekend and spouted too many obvious thoughts that many of the average analysts speak. There was little that set him apart in my view and he delivered that in a screaming style which is a turn off to someone like myself who has always felt that by yelling you’ve become just like the fan in the stadium. Allow the play on the field be exciting and just raise your enthusiasm enough and don’t lose control. But it’s only fair to give Watt time to see how he develops.
Troy Aikman, who has been the lead man for ESPN with play-by-play partner Joe Buck strangely is not signed for next year while Buck has had his contract extended for several years.
You have to wonder what all that means.
When Tom Brady moved from the field to the booth, he was met with harsh criticism in his first year, given a short leash for someone just learning a new career. Look at the tapes of John Madden in his first season, and you’ll see what I mean.
But there were things you could see in the former coach that warranted the lofty predictions, and it’s the same for Brady. I wish I had a nickel for those who have told me how good Tom Brady has become.
He just may be the best right now, in his third season, and the sky’s the limit for him.
Greg Olsen, Fox’s #2 who briefly was top dog might be worthy of moving into the top spot at another network. Once you’re the lead man at any network, you’re in a new universe. And you better do things consistently that set you apart, otherwise you become vulnerable.
Cris Collinsworth has been the #1 expert the longest of anyone. This is his 17th season on Sunday Night Football after serving at NBC, CBS, and Fox in several roles. He has had his critics but continues to maintain his gravitas as a leading man on the big NFL games.
There might be one out there, not working in any booth, who I believe could be a sleeper.
Mike Tomlin has all the marquee value needed when it comes to credentials. He left the Pittsburgh Steelers after last season, having been head coach for 19 years and never having a losing season. He is currently on the pre and post-game show as a studio analyst for NBC’s Football Night in America. Tomlin, who has always come up with clever and original ways to answer questions, shows plenty of promise to be an unusual figure if he ever makes the switch to the broadcast booth. We’ll see.
Now we circle back to Tony Romo, who seemed to have all, on his way to having a long career as a successful broadcaster in one of the most difficult and demanding roles in the business.
But now he is out. You have to wonder if he has a chance to make a comeback somewhere else?
Don’t bet against it.
Romo and Nance
Buck and Aikman
Collinsworth
Tomlin
