The previous adage that timing is all the pieces is just not all the time relevant. Especially in the case of potential NFL broadcasters.
Like Sean McVay. The Los Angeles Rams coach was as soon as once more pondering his future. Speculation ran deep, because it did after his staff received the Super Bowl, that he had a severe curiosity within the broadcast sales space or a studio gig.
McVay ended the hypothesis Friday, saying he can be returning to teach the Rams. Some business sources mentioned the broadcasting possibility was off the desk as a result of the marquee gigs, becoming somebody with McVay’s magnetic persona and training popularity, are all crammed.
Some even gave the impression to be offended by their very own notion that McVay thought he might simply abandon the Rams and parachute right into a excessive profile, excessive paying broadcast job, when he feels prefer it.
Christopher (Mad Dog) Russo, on his SiriusXM gabfest, went so far as saying McVay is so smug he thinks he can change into “the next” John Madden.
“He thinks doing two Chunky Soup commercials is a big deal. McVay is not going to become a cultural icon on TV like Madden,” Russo mentioned on SXM. “… McVay isn’t going to be Moses at the mountain top delivering a [football] sermon.”
Yet, for the file, McVay has by no means indicated he sees himself as the following Madden. There is no person at the moment working as a No. 1 NFL TV analyst who can come shut to creating that declare. If monetary compensation is the one barometer, CBS’ Tony Romo is the chief of the pack. If that makes him numero uno than the efficiency bar is about low, giving McVay an honest probability to vault over it.
Those who clarify away McVay’s broadcast prospects by saying all the present chairs are crammed, underestimated the lengths and artistic considering community executives will roll out to rent out of the blue out there marquee stars or a voice they see as the following massive star. Hitting paydirt with the following massive factor enhances the go well with’s personal popularity on quite a few ranges.
The community executives have confirmed time after time that they will’t assist themselves. NBC Sports execs thought they’d a No. 1-analyst-in-waiting once they employed Drew Brees. That transfer failed, miserably.
ESPN had assembled a top quality Monday Night Football staff of Steve Levy, Louis Riddick and Brian Griese, solely to blow it up then break the financial institution to rent two confirmed stars, Troy Aikman and Joe Buck. That transaction was not a chance.
If somebody at a community is already enamored with McVay’s potential (printed studies had Amazon providing him $20 million per to affix its NFL Stream Team final season), and already mentioned his TV future with him or his representatives, there will likely be a microphone ready for McVay when and if he decides to depart teaching.
An NFL seat received’t be McVay’s solely possibility. With the faculty soccer TV panorama rising quickly, a marquee spot might open up for McVay on one of many community packages.
It’s actually easy, so long as McVay retains flashing his persona, and brings the thrill, his resolution to stick with the Rams solely delays the inevitable.
KAY IS THE BRONX BULLY
Working within the twisted world of sports activities discuss radio, mixed along with his hyper-sensitivity, has carried out nothing to reinforce Michael Kay’s popularity as the tv voice of the New York Yankees.
The storied franchise is called a lot for its organizational class as its wealthy historical past, which in
cludes Kay, an unhinged Gasbag who lately verbally punched down at Ray Santiago, who produces one other ESPN-98.7 program. Santiago dared criticize Kay’s simulcast (98.7/Yankees Entertainment and Sports Network) soiree, stating its sinking scores.
Clearly, this was simply a part of the traditional intramural dissing that routinely goes on on the earth of sports activities discuss.
Kay, after all, overreacted. In full bully mode, he went on the air and threatened Santiago’s livelihood. “Do you realize, Ray, that all I’d have to do is make one phone call and you would be on the unemployment line,” an agitated Kay mentioned.
Worse nonetheless, Kay tried to bail out of his big-footing commentary. Kay weaseled, saying: “It was performative, because I’m such a good performer on the air.”
So, not solely did Kay, the TV voice of the Yankees, threaten to have Santiago fired, he additionally tried taking part in listeners of his radio present for morons by attempting to persuade them he was solely kidding.
Yep, that’s your TV voice of the Yankees. Class. Pinstripes. Pride. Will the fits operating YES proudly embody the Santiago flap in Kay’s Yankeeography?
BOOING BERNIE BAN
The hypocrisy of the NFL’s playing coverage rose to hysterical heights when Cleveland fired its former quarterback Bernie Kosar from the staff’s radio pregame present for putting a authorized wager final week on the Brownies in opposition to the Steelers.
Kosar mentioned any winnings (there have been none as a result of Pittsburgh was victorious) from the $19,000 wager, mentioned to be the primary since Ohio legalized playing, can be donated to charity. Nonetheless, the Browns insisted Kosar’s good intentions nonetheless violated the league’s playing coverage. By the way in which, the Browns have already got an “official” playing sponsorship with Bally’s Corporation.
And wanna wager the Browns radio pregame present is stuffed with advertisements for playing retailers?
ENOUGH COWBOY TALK
No NFL staff will get the type of play the Cowboys do on ESPN’s “First Take.” Heck, pom-pom waving Dallas Mascot Michael Irvin is even a daily on the Monday editions.
And all through the week, Stephen A. Smith torments Cowboys followers, whereas Molly Qerim presents acquainted Dallas subjects to SAS and the panelists, which on Wednesday consists of Christopher (Mad Dog) Russo.
This led an astute caller to Doggie’s SXM soiree to ask if he’s “sick” of speaking Cowboys on First Take with “the same Dallas” storylines?” Russo, uncharacteristically, paused earlier than answering: “I’m not the producer (of First Take), can we leave it at that? What do you want me to do, walk off the set?”
Why not?
AROUND THE DIAL
Was this a case of nice minds considering alike? Or simply data they each picked up at a Mensa assembly? For causes recognized solely to them, FAN’s Brandon Tierney and Gregg Giannotti thought it was a swell concept Monday to make a problem out of Joe Flacco’s 5 younger kids carrying Dolphins’ jerseys to final Sunday’s sport in Miami (they’re Tyreek Hill followers). Couldn’t the Gasbags discover one other nit to choose? Even Joe Benigno didn’t have an issue with it. … ESPN missed a part of the dwell shot of the Chiefs within the Ring Around the Rosie huddle. Why? Because they had been caught in an inside-the-booth shot of Steve Levy, Louis Riddick and Dan Orlovsky. The digital camera did catch Riddick pointing all the way down to the sector indicating there was one thing happening. … Michael Kay requested Steve Young if issues would have been totally different for Zach Wilson had he been drafted by the 49ers? Was that speculated to be a rhetorical query?… On FAN’s Giants particular, Carl Banks and Bob Papa interviewed DC Wink Martindale. After the interview, Tiki Barber joined the panel. Why was the inquisitive Barber not included within the Martindale spot? … Kevin Burkhardt/Greg Olsen are scheduled to name Giants-Vikings on Sunday. … While the ultimate episode of “Hard Knocks In Season” with the Arizona Cardinals projected the disappointment of the staff’s depressing 2022, it was extra about celebrating J.J. Watt’s last efficiency as he walked into retirement.
* * *
DUDE OF THE WEEK: LOVIE SMITH
For not tanking. Instead, he saved his Texans taking part in arduous to the ultimate play in a win over Indy, which “cost” Houston the No. 1 choose within the draft (Chicago will get it). Hours after the win, the Disorganization fired Smith. Yet he didn’t let it get in the way in which of his staff’s effort, saying: “We wanted to leave the season with a good taste in our mouths.”
DWEEB OF THE WEEK: COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS
Another CFP championship tilt. Another dud. This time it was Georgia scorching TCU 65-7. Perhaps it’s time to disband the choice committee and begin choosing the ultimate 4 groups out of a hat.
DOUBLE TALK
What Scott Boras mentioned: “Certain athletes have certain pain limits and pain tolerance where it’s almost a Darwinian concept.”
What Scott Boras meant to say: “When it comes to my clients, I know more than the doctors do.”
()
Source: www.bostonherald.com
