The dust settling still has not translated into a clear vision of why CBS Sports decided to dump Phil Simms and Norman Julius Esiason from its “The NFL Today” studio team.
Was it money? Lack of performance by the two former quarterbacks who both worked at the network for over two decades? Executive ego? Or CBS wanting to get younger?
Some of the fingers pointed in CBS’ direction believe age — Simms is 68; Esiason, 63 — played a large part in the decision. Yet it’s hard to cry ageism considering CBS extended the contract of NFL Today anchor James Brown who is 73. Bill Cowher, another analyst on the show, is 67.
Nonetheless, if new CBS Sports boss David Berson, who replaced the recently retired Sean McManus, was fashioning a move to make the show younger, he would be ignoring what’s worked for CBS’ pregame competition at Fox Sports. The Foxies changed the landscape of Sunday pregame offerings by placing a high priority on entertaining.
In large part, the Fox Sports philosophy was successfully executed by three voices on the far side of 30. Howie Long, 64, Jimmy Johnson, who will be 81 when the 2024 season starts, and master showman Terry Bradshaw, who will be 76 when the season starts. Fox has stuck with its Golden Boys. The three have blended for some unique chemistry, giving the show a distinct personality.
The same kind of chemical balance Esiason and Simms had on CBS. Individually, their football insight and analysis were original but when they went one-on-one with insults, some subtle some not, that’s when they brought a different dimension to the X’s and O’s talk.
Apparently, this was of no value to those in charge of “The NFL Today.” The suits didn’t factor the uniqueness of the former quarterback’s on-air relationship into their decision. They also did not take into account that Esiason recently signed a three-year extension with Audacy to continue hosting his WFAN morning show, which has successfully attracted a young demographic.
CBS disposed of Simms/Esiason to bring in Matt Ryan, the former Falcons quarterback who worked in a three-person booth with Tiki Barber and Andrew Catalon. Ryan, 38, was workmanlike but straight-up X’s-and-O’s vanilla. CBS also retained J.J. Watt, who worked an abbreviated studio schedule in 2023.
Money can never be dismissed as part of the equation when management jettisons veteran talent. Yet industry sources say the move is not saving CBS Sports a significant amount of dough.
In the end, this could be just a case of Berson, the new CBS Sports boss, wanting to shake things up quickly and put his stamp on the sports department. This is not an unusual move for new management to make.
Still, the coming of Ryan is not exactly a blockbuster acquisition. All the attention was on the guys kicked out the door. A big-time play for Berson would have brought Jason Kelce or Greg Olsen to “The NFL Today.”
Perhaps the only time-tested truism confirmed by the departures of Esiason and Simms is this: In the sports media business, in this case sports television, loyalty is in limited supply. After 19 seasons as CBS’ No. 1 NFL analyst, producing at the highest level, with Jim Nantz, Simms was unceremoniously replaced by Tony Romo in 2017.
And now CBS boots Simms off the studio stage for (pick your favorite dubious reason). Simms has the right to be ticked off. This episode reminds us of many moons ago when NBC Sports fired the former great Chiefs Hall of Fame quarterback Len Dawson.
Back then, Dawson was asked if he knew anything was wrong with his TV performances?
“No,” Dawson said. “They kept saying everything was fine. Then they fired me.”
SPOTLIGHT ON CHRISTMAS
With the NFL draft in the rear-view mirror, ESPN, FS1 and the NFL Network can spend countless hours speculating on the release of the 2024 regular season schedule, which the league will reportedly distribute on May 15. It’s also going to be a very big deal to four teams who are going to be viewed as unlucky.
With the NFL’s decision to play on Christmas, a Wednesday this year, the league will force four teams to play Saturday, Dec. 21 on national TV and then reboot and play again on Dec. 25 in the national spotlight. The doubleheader matchups will alternate among the four teams.
Who gets chosen is going to be very interesting. The league doesn’t want to book teams that might be carrying only three or four wins and appear hapless. Division rivals are always spicy.
The Jets and Dolphins feel like two that could be selected. The most challenging aspect remains the fact the four teams need to already be on each other’s schedule in order to be able to be paired on both Dec. 21 and Dec. 25.
ALL REGGIE ALL THE TIME
Was TNT’s NBA crew so preoccupied with the presence of Reggie Miller during its Game No. 2 Pacers-Knicks coverage that it dropped the ball updating, and identifying, Jalen Brunson’s foot injury?
The play-by-play voice on the telecast, Brian Anderson, during a Thursday interview with SXM’s Adam Schein, bristled at the notion, saying Miller’s presence was not a hinderance.
The “notion” was first raised during the game by ESPN’s NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins on X. “Are we going to make this entire game about Reggie Miller?” Perkins asked. “Or can I know if Big Body Brunson is going to return or not?”
Anderson told Schein the perceived Brunson info blackout was a procedural matter. He said TNT was on the story.
“We were waiting for the Knicks for the [Brunson] information,” Anderson told Schein. “And without them [revealing the exact injury], we couldn’t get it. We can’t give it out [on the air] if we can’t get it. So that was a little bit unfair saying we were paying attention to Reggie and not Jalen Brunson’s injury. That’s a pretty ridiculous statement.”
Anderson could have also mentioned that broadcasters shouldn’t hold their breath while waiting for the Knicks to provide injury updates.
WILBON TAKES ON LEBRON
In a world full of alleged fiery takes, Mike Wilbon actually delivered one.
It was a real deal takedown of LeBron James and Anthony Davis for running as fast and far away as they could from recently axed Lakers coach, Darvin Ham.
Wilbon’s pointed soliloquy took aim at LBJ.
“If you [LeBron] want to be the GOAT and you want to tell everybody you’re the greatest player of all time, then take accountability like one. Do that!” Wilbon said on ESPN’s PTI. “….I don’t want to hear from anybody in a Lakers uniform that the primary problem was Darvin Ham.”
Wilbon’s words constructed the most meaningful, so far, rant of 2024.
AROUND THE DIAL
On ESPN-98.7 after Game No. 2 of the Knicks-76ers opening round series (NY beat Philly 104-101 to take a 2-0 lead), Gordon Damer declared that “the series is over.”
Then, before the Kentucky Derby he picked, via info from “a source,” eventual longshot winner (18-1) Mystik Dan. Damer, who teams with Larry Hardesty on 98.7’s nightshift, must be doing something righteous.
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DUDE OF THE WEEK: MEL KIPER JR.
For igniting a cottage industry. Forty years of assembling mock NFL drafts is a considerable accomplishment. Especially since when the ESPN Draft guru started the process nobody cared. Kiper changed that and, in the process, created endless content for the NFL.
DWEEB OF THE WEEK: PATRICK BEVERLEY
For his irrational behavior. The veteran agitator, now with the Bucks, thought it was a great idea to throw a basketball, hitting a lady, sitting behind the Bucks bench, in the head. Then, after asking for the ball back, Beverley threw it even harder at another Pacers fan.
DOUBLE TALK
What Josh Hart said: “I’m playing 48 [minutes] anyways. Ain’t s—t change.”
What Josh Hart meant to say: “[Expletive deleted] the Minutes Police. Some things just don’t change.”