About Those Al Michaels To NFL Network Rumors
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
So late last week rumors surfaced that the NFL Network was looking to fill their vacant play-by-play job with NBC's Al Michaels. The plan was to keep him on Sunday nights and just add a Thursday game to his schedule. Doesn't seem like that bad of an idea, and Neil Best has the details of said rumor....
Well...I am told by a reliable spy that one name on the wish list for the job is as big a name as it gets in play-by-play: Al Michaels, who would have to add the Thursday night games to his existing NBC slate.I too have heard that the NFL Network has been looking at Al Michaels, but there's really no substantial evidence to back the report up (just an employee or two). The only problem I have with the whole thing is that Al Michaels wouldn't be a good fit. Sure there are worse people that could be selected, but Al seems like he doesn't want to call games these days. I remember multiple times last year him having "get off my lawn" moments, most notably anytime there were fireworks set off inside an arena.
That would be interesting. It also would be a little depressing for Hammond, who had hoped to get the Sunday night job on NBC before Michaels defected from ESPN/ABC.
Michaels would be fine. So would Hammond.
I just don't see Al and someone sarcastic like Cris Collinsworth getting along. Tom Hammond has already proved he can trade punches with Collinsworth and still call a good game, so he's the candidate I'm endorsing in this search. "Big Splashes" rarely work these days, and for once I'd love for a network to make the smart decision.
Again, not the worst choice, but definitely not the best.
Is Al Michaels a candidate for the NFL Network job? (Watchdog)
8 Comments:
I think Hammond would be the better option to go.
I bet Darrell Hammond could do a great Al Michaels impression, then we'd get the best of both worlds.
-CBH
Maybe it's just me, but I just can't consider someone who also broadcasts figure skating during the Winter Olympics to be any sort of an authority on football.
What you are forgetting is that Tom Hammond is the lead play by play guy for ND football on Saturday's, so a tight Thursday - Saturday turn is probably not in the cards right now.
I don't think there are enough degenerate gamblers for the Thursday night games as opposed to your Sunday/Monday night games (Thanksgiving night game the exception). So not enough people will enjoy his wink-wink, last minute drive to cover the spread or totals diatribes. Of course, if you are watching an NFL Network game, you just might be a degenerate gambler. Bring on Arliss' cousin!
I would have guessed Tiki Barber's idol Matt Lauer.
If you could get Al Michaels to announce your games it would be like looking for a quarterback and getting Tom Brady. Michaels and Collinsworth would be beyond awesome!
I'm actually not that big of a Michaels fan anymore. He's starting to become smug. Not Buck smug, but still gives off an air of "I'm better than you".