Best, worst NFL shows?

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Sep 06, 2002 9:51 am

Hi all:
 
 Now that the NFL season has arrived -- thank God! -- it´s time to rank the NFL-related shows on network TV. What are the best and worst NFL shows on TV?
 
 My picks:
 
 BEST
 -- "NFL PrimeTime," ESPN. Yeah, Berman tries to be too cute and become the center of the show too much these days, but there´s still not a better mix of highlights, reporting, analysis and fun in any other NFL show on TV. This is the gold standard of NFL TV shows since it went on the air.
 
 WORST
 -- Tie, FOX pre-game show and CBS pre-game show. FOX´s pre-game show is a joke. It´s all style and no substance. James Brown is the token, smiling host, passing it off to Terry Bradshaw, whose cackling redneck act was old 10 years ago. Howie Long just has to be Howie Long -- artificially cool in a vain attempt to be the next Clint Eastwood -- every time the camera aims toward him. I get absolutely no football information from this show. It´s a white trash delight -- puke. CBS´ show is totally empty. Jim Nantz is a blue-blooded milquetoast who should stick to golf, tennis or funeral-home commercials. Is there a more dull, wimpy host in TV sports today? No. Ditka, Glanville and James are the Three Stooges of football. These guys are wrong all the time and work way too hard to inject life into the show due to the comatose presence of Nantz.
 
 What do you guys think?
 
 Take care,
 PK

Steve_OS · Post by **Steve_OS** » Fri Sep 06, 2002 9:56 am

I´m a "PrimeTime" fan myself. I hate listening to Terry Bradshaw, the man just irritates me.

JDE · Post by **JDE** » Fri Sep 06, 2002 10:17 am

Theres no comparing NFL primetime to the others..
 
 I still enjoy T.Bradshaw from time to time, and James is a decent host. I hate Collinsworth, and i don´t care how tough of a football player he was, he´s still under suspicion. Long is a pretty version of Bozworth.
 
 CBS was worse, but I do like deion and perhaps Marino now, but they seriously need a new host... but CBS still has Simms for color so I´ll be watchin either way.. <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_smile.gif">

JOZ · Post by **JOZ** » Fri Sep 06, 2002 10:48 am

I can´t stand any of them. I absolutely hate all of the NFL related pre-pre, pre, post,post- post, middle, analyzing, etc. shows that are on. Just give me the game and espn.com and that´s all I need. I mean these announcer guys say the most obvious crap every time they talk. "If Indianapolis takes care of the ball, they should do well." No sh**. It really detracts from the NFL season IMO. Just show some highlight from each game, the final score, and keep your yapper shut.
 
 Maybe I´m just bitter because the coming of football season means the more exciting baseball season is coming to an end. Just my opinion <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_smile.gif">

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Sep 06, 2002 11:06 am

JOZ:
 
 Not to digress from the topic, but "more exciting baseball season?"
 
 Let´s see: The three biggest stories in baseball this year have been:
 
 1. Possible work stoppage.
 2. Steroids.
 3. A´s winning streak.
 
 Only one of those stories has pertained to the game on the field.
 
 And look at the pennant races -- they suck. Yankees, Atlanta, Arizona again on cruise control. Excuse me while I yawn.
 
 Sure, Minnesota has been a nice story. But the closest pennant race right now is three games, in the AL West. Two of the division-leading teams have leads of more than 13 games, with the Yanks up by 9.5.
 
 This is exciting, compared to the NFL, where you know that you´ll need a Chinese abacus to figure out the playoff possibilities in the final two weeks of the season?
 
 This has been one of the most nondescript, fractious regular seasons I can remember. But maybe I´m missing something ...
 
 Take care,
 PK [ This message was edited by: pk500 on 06-09-2002 08:08 ]

JOZ · Post by **JOZ** » Fri Sep 06, 2002 3:09 pm

Sorry, didn´t say what I actually meant. I just mean I think baseball is more exciting than football. Didn´t actually mean the season (as far as pennant races and such). Although to me, any season of baseball is more exciting than football <IMG SRC="images/forum/icons/icon_smile.gif"> Again, just my opinion.

Post by **Jared** » Fri Sep 06, 2002 3:44 pm

It´s all about the Primetime. Few come close.
 
 (and College Gameday is pretty sweet too, for those that like the academic pigskin.)

Jackdog · Post by **Jackdog** » Fri Sep 06, 2002 5:54 pm

1. Primetime,the best.ESPN is on it.
 
 Worst,CBS,Dion Sanders,enough said!

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Fri Sep 06, 2002 9:01 pm

"Just give me the game and espn.com and that´s all I need. I mean these announcer guys say the most obvious crap every time they talk. "If Indianapolis takes care of the ball, they should do well." No sh**."
 
 I agree as far as the pre-game shows are concerned. I am a lifelong diehard Steelers fan and I never miss a game, but I usually turn the TV on at 12:59. Sometimes I will listen to the pre-game radio shows if I am running or if I am in the car, but that is about it for me.
 
 I enjoy Primetime for the postgame highlights though.

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 10:33 am

The fantasy show on prior to Redzone kicking off is pretty good. The pre-game shows go on far too long and have too many former players and coaches. I envy the west coasters who can just get up and start watching games.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 10:48 am

They're all $hit. Every single one.

I was just saying this a few days ago, but it is so far beyond the point where some network really has to change the paradigm completely. I don't know how, probably a simple two-man show where smart people actually talk about the game in some depth free from pathetic oversimplification and gross overuse of human-interest stories.

Can't believe that The Onion or SNL hasn't satirized the ridiculous number of useless former players these shows stack on top of one another in the studio. It's the safety razor school of broadcast production: If 4 analysts are good, 5 must be better. At some point I fear that we're headed toward a point where they'll have to create vertical space for all the vapid former pros and we're going to end up with ESPN or Fox using the old Hollywood Squares set to fit them all in.

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 10:53 am

RobVarak wrote:They're all $hit. Every single one.

I was just saying this a few days ago, but it is so far beyond the point where some network really has to change the paradigm completely. I don't know how, probably a simple two-man show where smart people actually talk about the game in some depth free from pathetic oversimplification and gross overuse of human-interest stories.

Can't believe that The Onion or SNL hasn't satirized the ridiculous number of useless former players these shows stack on top of one another in the studio. It's the safety razor school of broadcast production: If 4 analysts are good, 5 must be better. At some point I fear that we're headed toward a point where they'll have to create vertical space for all the vapid former pros and we're going to end up with ESPN or Fox using the old Hollywood Squares set to fit them all in.

Drew Magary talked about in this week's Deadspin Jambaroo column, that they are starting to look like the broadcast booth in Naked Gun.

They really need a Barkley-Kenny-Ernie version for the NFL. It can't be that hard to find guys who fit the bill. Hell, have Clinton Portis talking as different characters each week.

Spooky · Post by **Spooky** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 10:54 am

Nice thread revival.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 11:08 am

I like "NFL Turning Point" and "Football Night in America" even though both suffer from terrible bloat, as Rob said. Watching "Football Night" with my sons has become a Sunday night tradition in the Kelly household, along with watching the Premier League Review Show on Tuesday or Wednesday nights.

The rest of the NFL shows are sh*t.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 11:37 am

I never tune into any of those shows as I think they are all garbage. If I had to watch one show, it would have to be ESPN so I can watch Frank Caliendo doing his impersonations of Kiper, Gru, Ditka and the others.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 2:48 pm

Deion is about the closest counterpart to Barkeley. But beyond the schtick, he makes some good points.

ESPN doesn't have a dedicated post-game show any more, it's the blitz within Sportscenter.

I caught bits of Ray Lewis on ESPN. Seems pretty smooth and well-prepped for his first time out. He was a student of the game so presumably could speak better to the strategy.

Both networks seem to go after recent players, auditioning them to see if the fresh new faces make ratings impact. NFL Network has been really pushing Merriman and now Michael Robinson, freshly cut from the Seahawks.

Darren Sharper and Heath Ledger had good insights last year on NFLN.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 4:25 pm

wco81 wrote:Darren Sharper and Heath Ledger had good insights last year on NFLN.

Pretty sure Heath Ledger isn't making any insights at this point.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 7:19 pm

dbdynsty25 wrote:
wco81 wrote:Darren Sharper and Heath Ledger had good insights last year on NFLN.
Pretty sure Heath Ledger isn't making any insights at this point.

Whyy sso serioussssssssss?

I really dont like any but I can at least tolerate the NFL Network.

Is Berman still at ESPN? What a sack of s*** he is.

bulls23 · Post by **bulls23** » Sat Sep 14, 2013 1:27 am

dbdynsty25 wrote:
wco81 wrote:Darren Sharper and Heath Ledger had good insights last year on NFLN.
Pretty sure Heath Ledger isn't making any insights at this point.

Sunday NFL Countdown was pretty good this week with Frank Caliendo's impressions of Mike Ditka and Adam Schefter. You should have seen their faces afterwards. Mike looked borderline pissed

I don't like Ray Lewis but have to admit he impressed on his first show with solid player perspective.

There has not been an appointment NFL show for me since "NFL Primetime" was forced off by the NFL due to them giving NBC exclusivity for highlights.

Notice NFL Primetime was only two guys (BERMAN and TJ). There has never been a better example of why less is more.

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Sat Sep 14, 2013 9:04 am

I watch Inside the NFL on Showtime religiously, as I have since I first had access to the show on HBO in the early 90s. I still nostalgiacally miss the days of Lenny Dawson, Nick Buoniconti and later Jerry Glanville and Chris Collinsworth added in, especially when it came to the picks of the upcoming weekend's games, but I do enjoy the current group of James Brown, Phil Simms and Chris Collinsworth. That small crew is the opposite of the Hollywood Squares trend of the Sunday morning shows

.

But of course, the key to the show is the uniquely excellent highlight packages from NFL Films. No one else does anything like that stuff, not for any sport. The nature of football is particularly suited to their type of highlights, and NFL Films is an institution that is an integral part of the NFL. Once the Playoffs come around, the highlights get longer and more in depth and are second to none.

Other than that they do a pretty good job discussing current topics and do not shy away from digging into controversial issues surrounding the NFL.

Otherwise I'm like most here seem to be in that I don't get much out of the bloated, redundant pregame behemoths on ESPN and the networks. Maybe I could give the NFL Network's show a shot, but I just don't feel any urgency to watch these shows. Not to say I don't flip around until the games start, but oftentimes I'm watching an EPL match or the F1 race on my DVR until football starts on Sundays.

I also enjoy ESPN's NFL Matchup show when I remember to record it. I miss Suzy Kolber, whom I preferred to Sal Palanonio, but Merrill Hodge and Ron Jaworski do an excellent job of breaking down the nuts and bolts of football in a way the Sunday morning pregame shows don't even bother to get into. I wish the show were an hour (well you know, 48 minutes instead of 23), because the half hour format doesn't give them time to look at very many games each week.

And this is one bizarre thread resurrection. Had me thrown for a loop for a while!

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Sat Sep 14, 2013 10:48 am

Zeppo wrote: I do enjoy the current group of James Brown, Phil Simms and Chris Collinsworth.

I'll take your word for it, but I have a hard time believing anything with Simms has any redeeming value. It is agonizing to listen to that guy speak for more than a handful of minutes. There can't be too many NFL analysts who are worse at the job, and certainly none with his inexplicably high profile. He's football Joe Morgan without Morgan's technical polish in the booth.

Maybe he's better in a format where he can reflect rather than in the gameday booth where he is constantly misidentifying players and events that are obvious to the audience.

bulls23 · Post by **bulls23** » Sun Sep 15, 2013 12:31 am

RobVarak wrote:
Zeppo wrote: I do enjoy the current group of James Brown, Phil Simms and Chris Collinsworth.
I'll take your word for it, but I have a hard time believing anything with Simms has any redeeming value. It is agonizing to listen to that guy speak for more than a handful of minutes. There can't be too many NFL analysts who are worse at the job, and certainly none with his inexplicably high profile. He's football Joe Morgan without Morgan's technical polish in the booth.

Maybe he's better in a format where he can reflect rather than in the gameday booth where he is constantly misidentifying players and events that are obvious to the audience.

If Simms is the "football Joe Morgan" (good comparison BTW), then the football Tim McCarver is Dan Dierdorf. Always stating the obvious but somehow continues to be on TV year after year after year.

pigpen81 · Post by **pigpen81** » Sun Sep 15, 2013 1:16 am

I have watched maybe 4 total quarters of action of the NFL and NCAA since preseason began and I haven't missed it a bit.

I did watch a little bit of the Chargers/Texans last Monday and Berman was beyond abysmal.

The NFL is the most over hyped game in the world. The talk and hype is bigger than the game itself.

I sincerely believe they will rue the day in making the NFL a year round in your face operation as I am burned out of the NFL before the season even begins.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sun Sep 15, 2013 1:44 pm

bulls23 wrote:If Simms is the "football Joe Morgan" (good comparison BTW), then the football Tim McCarver is Dan Dierdorf. Always stating the obvious but somehow continues to be on TV year after year after year.

Agree 1,000 percent. Perfect analogy.

I like Collinsworth on NBC and Mike Mayock on NFL Network as analysts. Aikman seemed like a dope when interviewed as a player, but I think he's pretty solid as an analyst.

Does Moose Johnston still work for FOX? He was good. I don't watch a ton of FOX games since the Bills usually are on CBS.

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