GETTING OUT-FOXED
Olsen already looking over shoulder as Brady looms as network’s top color guy
When NBC Sports suits signed Drew Brees to a futures contract, they didn’t go out of their way to discourage a scenario that all but guaranteed him replacing Cris Collinsworth as the network’s Sunday Night Football analyst.
Then, as now, we would have a tough time making the case for any current NFL analyst (including Tony Romo and Troy Aikman) replacing the fearless, cogent and credible Collinsworth. Yet Peacock brainiacs were anointing Brees their heir apparent while he was still wearing a Saints helmet; before he had even burped into a microphone.
In his first season working for NBC, the personable quarterback quickly revealed the obvious: When it comes to broadcasting, Drew Brees ain’t no Cris Collinsworth. Even the earliest version of Collinsworth was better than Brees. Apparently, the network and Brees have now decided to part company (Brees claims he has not made up his mind) after what amounted to a blind date at the coffee shop. Stunning? No. Embarrassing? Oh, yeah!
At least NBC Sports, despite its attempt at self-sabotage, is left holding The Collinsworth. NBC Sports is off the hook. It even extended Collinsworth’s contract through 2026.
Yet the cockeyed nature of NBC’s Brees gambit is now being played out at much higher financial, and farcical, levels with Fox’s decision to hire Tom Brady after he retires. His 10-year deal reportedly is worth $37.5 million per. Fox has yet to select the guy lucky enough to keep Brady’s seat warm.
The name often mentioned to fill Fox’s No. 1 analyst role is Greg Olsen, who teamed with Kevin Burkhardt (he will move to the No. 1 play-by-play role replacing Joe Buck who is joining Aikman at ESPN) on Fox’s No. 2 team last season. Olsen showed potential but is nothing to go gaga over. He could develop into a No. 1 voice but with Brady looking over his shoulder, waiting to swoop in whenever he pleases, how much of a chance does Olsen really have?
And how do the Foxies aggressively sell and market Olsen as their No. 1 analyst while at the same time hyping Brady as their broadcast savior-in-waiting. Now, that’s a hard sell. Olsen has an unknown window to prove he’s got the goods.
Unfortunately, he’s going to be spending time fighting the perception that he’s nothing more than football’s version of a substitute teacher. Not only does Olsen have the pressure of proving himself to the unwashed masses, but also the burden of wondering how many openings will be available at the networks and streaming services after Brady decides to parachute in.
A producer with NFL connections said the only thing he would tell Olsen is: “This season you are our No. 1 analyst. You will be doing our biggest games with the most exposure. Here’s your opportunity to shine and show everyone how good you are.” How will Roger Goodell & Co., who prioritize entertainment, view Fox’s No. 1 team of Olsen & Burkhardt? No doubt the NFL will be sticking its beak into this situation if it hasn’t already.
Remember, Fox airs Super Bowl LVII adding another layer of pressure for its new No. 1 team to develop quickly. What about Burkhardt’s gig as Fox’s MLB studio host? Will he be able to leave the NFL booth in October to anchor MLB’s postseason studio? Or will it be necessary to bail on that assignment to continue to put the work in with Olsen, attempting to burnish and build a unique image each and every Sunday.
The two voices have some catching up to do with the competition, especially Olsen — if he gets the gig. As unlikely as it might seem today, Fox has options, other than Olsen, for its Super Bowl LVII booth. And if the NFL wants more of a buzz factor and big-game atmosphere, the Foxies could bring in, well, Michael Strahan and Howie Long to join Burkhardt.
Crazy?
Whoever believed the uptight Brady would accept Fox’s offer?
ROUND 2 ON HOLD
Highly disappointing, and very weak, that ESPN’s “First Take” did not present the rematch between Christopher (Mad Dog) Russo and J.J. Redick last Wednesday when The Dog returned to the show after a vacation week in Ireland. With Russo back on the scene, Redick was nowhere to be found. Got to believe Doggie wants a chance at redemption after Redick rolled up on him, scoring a lopsided debate win while accusing Russo’s “Just shut up and play, will you please” directive to Draymond Green, of containing not-so-subtle racial undertones. Russo was reacting to Green’s flipping off Grizzlies’ fans during the first round of the playoffs. Anyway, maybe Redick had a medical excuse. Like visiting the doctor to have his mouth permanently sealed. Seriously, only a medical emergency or family business should have prevented him from another faceoff with Russo. There is no need for a cooling-off period. Clearly, Russo has not forgotten what went down. On his SiriusXM show last week, an agitated Russo said he would not let any former athlete verbally push him around again. Also, on the air, Russo said while he was vacationing in Ireland, Stephen A. Smith reached out to him. “He said: ‘Doggie, we’re behind you 1000%.’” Surprisingly, Russo said Redick called him too.”He reached out to me,” Russo said on the satellite. “Not the other way around.”
DON’T FORGET TO SMILE
If nothing else Patrick Beverley, during his Tour de Diss of ESPN, succeeded in setting the bar so high for himself, he may have trouble touching it again during future appearances. While his negative takes, especially the one on Chris Paul, made some memories, could the T-Wolves journeyman deliver a steady stream of controversy and insight should he become a permanent part of ESPN’s NBA coverage? His initial appearances will be hard to top. Will the fire Beverly brings offset his mostly dour demeanor? Beverley needed to lighten up and focus on projecting at least a bit of likeability. He should remember that there are some viewers who actually like to laugh. A constant state of seriousness is not the way to go. Smiles often work better than scowls.
HALL CALL FOR PARKER
What took them so long? Former Daily News sportswriter, and current co-host of Fox SportsRadio “The Odd Couple” gabfest, Rob Parker, graduated from Martin Van Buren High School in Queens 40 years ago. Finally, the powers that be at MVBHS have recognized his achievements in life and journalism and are inducting him into the school’s Hall of Fame. For Parker, who always cherished his roots, this is something special. “I’m humbled by the honor,” Parker said. “When I went to high school in 1978, I wanted to be a sports writer. I couldn’t have imagined the career I have had in newspapers, TV and radio.” Just as important is Parker mentoring over 50 students looking for media work. Parker counts the late Mets radio voice Bob Murphy as one of his heroes. You think Parker will plant the famous Murph line: “That’s why they put erasers on pencils” into his induction speech?