TUBE BOOBS?
Networks likely to pass on bounty boys Payton & Williams
JIMMY JOHNSON, one of Fox’s NFL studio analysts, has big problems with the sanctions Roger Goodell slapped on the Saints as punishment for rewarding and encouraging bounty hunters.
“It’s too severe and I 100% don’t agree with it,” Johnson said. “To lose your head coach for a whole year — that’s essentially an $6 million fine against Sean ( Payton). That’s wrong.”
Johnson is so upset about this he should march right into his boss David Hill’s office and ask him to hire Payton as an analyst. And while he’s at it, why not ink Gregg Williams, the defensive coordinator nator and alleged mastermind of New Orleans’ pay-for-pain operation, on, who was suspended indefinitely. .
Even if the Foxies, or any of the NFL’S television partners, ners, want to hire the men who were re suspended (GM Mickey Loomis and linebacker/assistant head coach h Joe Vitt received lesser penalties) could they?
“Putting one of these se guys on, as a regular guest or analyst, would be a slap at the NFL,” said a network executive with NFL connections. “I don’t think that could happen. I also don’t know what’s in the language of the suspensions, but (the suspension) could be from any or all NFL-related participation. The decision may already have been made.”
Agreed. The tough-justice Goodell delivered more than suggests he wouldn’t be happy seeing Payton or Williams in a broadcast booth analyzing games. Or talking about NFL issues. Or debating unnecessary roughness calls.
Still, none of these guys committed “crimes” that would land them in jail. The only law they broke, according to Goodell, is NFL law.
Don’t they still have a right to earn a living?
So, who would be the better NFL analyst Payton or Williams?
“I don’t see Payton as a good TV analyst,” said another network executive. “He should lay low and go scout college games. Gregg Williams is the more intriguing pick. He’s got something different going for him. Now he’s viewed as a renegade, a sinister character. Younger viewers are attracted to that.”
RADIO HEAD
The coming of Tim Tebow to the Jets will likely result in a media first here — a backup QB with his own weekly radio segment.
If Tebow wants to participate, the early favorite to acquire his services is ESPN-1050, the radio home of the Jets. That outlet also has a relationship with Mark Sanchez, who appeared regularly during the season on “The Michael Kay” show. 1050 brass has been aggressive. It should already know a Tebow segment would be a must listen — as big or bigger than Sanchez’s spot.
Chances of Tebow going to WFAN — on any show — are slim, according to industry moles. Mike (Sports Pope) Francesa’s bizarre fascination with the Jets makes FAN an uncomfortable place for Tebow to land — unless the Fandroids are willing to overpay for his services.
WAIT-AND-SEE TV
Will Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos be seen early on the NFL’S prime-time TV stage? Doubt it. Word is both NBC (“Sunday Night Football”) and ESPN (“Monday Night Football”) are concerned about Manning having a physical setback and not being able to play from the get-go. Then they would be stuck with a game they feel will be unable to generate the kind of TV ratings a Manning-led Broncos team would produce.
So, it’s likely Denver’s prime-time appearances will be scheduled later in the season.
KELLY’S HEROES
Not only does MSG’S Kelly Tripucka have the stones to call out the Knicks for quitting on Mike D’antoni, he also has a wicked take on NBA owners, which would include James (Guitar Jimmy) Dolan.
On Wednesday’s pregame, prior to Knicks-philly, MSG posted a quote from Sixers CEO Adam Aron predicting a win.
“He’s an owner,” Tripucka said. “Owners don’t know anything. They just got money.”
Anyway, even as the Knicks were running off a streak of wins under interim coach Mike Woodson, Tripucka wasn’t mincing words about a team suddenly showing effort.
He said he couldn’t “accept” how the Knicks showed no heart or hustle for D’antoni. “There can be no excuses,” Tripucka said. “Why all of a sudden do you decide to play hard? To me it’s mind-boggling.”
How do you think D’antoni feels?
NO BARK...NO BITE
For the second straight year, Charles Barkley is taking up space in CBS’ NCAA hoops studio. This ain’t his fault.
Someone doesn’t want Barkley to be Barkley. This isn’t some sinister plot. It’s just a matter of CBS Sports, as with all its studio shows, being locked into a rigid formula.
It’s you talk....then you talk....and now Charles it’s your turn to talk. There is no spontaneity.
And when there are too many mouths (Barkley, Greg Gumbel, Greg Anthony, Kenny Smith and a guest coach/analyst) locked into this format there 1) is no give-and-take, no conversation and 2) by the time the last guy gets to speak (it’s often Barkley), there’s not much left to say.
Why even bother putting Barkley on unless you want him to be himself?
He’s a far bigger personality than any of the other guys on the CBS panel. Still, he’s not been able to display what’s made him a star on TNT when put in CBS’ box and encouraged to drone on only about X’s and O’s.
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