Collinsworth In Line For Madden's Spot On Sunday Night Football
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
I guess this shouldn't come as shock to anyone, but NBC Chairman Dick Ebersol told USA Today that if Madden should want to retire, they have a replacement already lined up. That person of course is Cris Collinsworth.
Not that Madden has ever suggested he wants to retire. He noted Tuesday that "it doesn't get any better" than working a Super Bowl and working another one "sounds pretty good." And NBC's Ebersol has repeated said that Madden will get that chance, saying he plans on keeping Madden at least through the remaining three seasons on NBC's NFL TV deal. Tuesday, Ebersol even volunteered he'd be "devastated" if Madden decided to retire. But if Madden did step aside, said Ebersol, Collinsworth would be "the first guy" in line. Which makes sense, given that Ebersol hired Collinsworth to be NBC's game analyst -- until Madden, who'd been at ABC, became available. Ebersol, still wanting Collinsworth on games, had him practice play-by-play calls in hopes he could be teamed with Madden -- until Al Michaels became available. Collinsworth, Tuesday, after being asked if he saw any chance in which he'd replace Madden in NBC's current deal: "I hope not."I'm certainly a Collinsworth fan, but I don't know how I would feel about the guy actually doing play-by-play for a network. There are certainly worse options out there, but I think the current plan of succession is perfect for NBC. The only problem is that Michaels has already said he would retire when Madden does, so I'm not sure if that ultimately does mean a move to PbP for Collinsworth.
Whither John Madden (Open Mike)
10 Comments:
AA, Collinsworth is not going to do pbp when Madden reires. He was supposed to do pbp with Madden before Micheals become alvailable. I think Collinsworth will be a godo hire for NBC to replace Madden.
good
Does Al Michaels do anything besides the NFL? Most broadcasters doing NFL PxP -- TV and radio -- handle other sports as well.
The only problem is that Michaels has already said he would retire when Madden does
It's the other way around. John Madden said he plans on retiring when Al Michaels retires.
http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2009/01/20/john-madden-when-al-michaels-retires-im-retiring-too/
And the Collinsworth PbP thing was 3-years ago when they had hired Madden but not yet Michaels.
The question is who will do play-by-play along with Collinsworth's analysis if Michaels and Madden go out together.
CC is a much better x's and o's guy than he is a pbp man. Bring that Papa guy with him and NBC will be just fine.
Tom Hammond will more than likely take over...
or maybe Costas, have Dan and Keith host highlights and Costas do something useful
I like Cris Collinsworth and I think he has a great voice for play by play. I put scenarios in my head and I hope when Madden and Michaels both retire then Collinsworth will take over as PBP and a new aquistion as Color
nooooo