CBS Announces Broadcast Pairings For 2012 NFL Season

[TheImmortalGoud]

http://www.awfulannouncing.com/2012-articles/august/status-quo-for-nfl-on-cbs-broadcast-pairings-in-2012.html

While Fox Sports announced recently that two new members would be joining the broadcast booth on that network for the 2012 NFL season, CBS Sports has done nothing to its broadcast pairings for the upcoming season. The network announced Tuesday its seven top pairings from last season would stay intact... and in the exact same order of prominence...

1. Jim Nantz, Phil Simms
2. Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf
3. Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts
4. Marv Albert, Rich Gannon
5. Kevin Harlan, Solomon Wilcots
6. Bill Macatee, Steve Tasker
7. Spero Dedes, Steve Beuerlein

The only change: Don Criqui and Randy Cross won't be back this season, which might have something to do with the fact NFL Network is airing a full slate of Thursday night games for the first time. Criqui and Cross did only three games in 2011.

That's a bit of a shame, because Criqui is a Hall of Fame broadcaster who even into his 70s did a bang-up job. But it goes to show how deep CBS's roster is. You could argue that at Fox, Criqui would be in Dick Stockton territory, which would mean he'd be in the fourth or fifth spot. At 72, he might be ready to walk away, but he's still doing New England Patriots preseason broadcasts along with Cross.

Regardless, CBS can continue to allow their younger voices--Eagle, Harlan and Dedes--to grow, waiting in the wings for veterans like Gumbel and Albert (and eventually Nantz) to step aside. It's a nice balance.

Some might have preferred to see Eagle (an Awful Announcing favorite) and Fouts move up into the No. 2 spot, but Gumbel might have had something to say about that as the former top NFL play by play man for CBS. I'd personally prefer to hear Eagle or Albert, who has the résumé be a top play by play man at any network.

As for the color guys: we've gotten used to Simms and his unintentional comedy. He had a few classic moments in last year's playoffs, but he and Nantz have good chemistry and their voices indicate the game you're watching matters. It's too late to go back now.

I'd also prefer Fouts to Dierdorf, but both are tolerable, which in the analyst world means they're above average. Gannon's a bore made better by his partner and I can't recall what Beuerlein's voice even sounds like. Tasker's underrated; I'd much prefer to see him or even Wilcots with Gumbel or Albert. On the whole though, CBS has decided not to tinker with an announcing lineup that has served them well for several years.

 

[ram29jackson]

as long as there arent any women...

 

[Rudi]

Who is Spero Dedes?

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

Who is Spero Dedes?

Came out of New York, also does early round NCAA Tournament games. He's not bad, but will never rise above the middle of the pack.

Eagle & Fouts is the best crew on CBS, and it's not even close. Both are fantastic. This is the only crew in football that can sniff Thom Brennaman & Brian Billick. Ironically, both are #3 on their respective depth charts, but only because "bigger names" are ahead of them, but that's how TV works.

What a shame about Don Criqui (fuck Randy Cross, he sucks). Criqui is a true pro, and one of the last links to the golden era of CBS & NBC (Criqui was NBC) covering the NFL in the 80's. To be fair they kept him around as long as they could, but there are simply not enough games anymore, because of the shitty Thursday night package.

 

[EmpireWF]

From the few times I get to watch his game, Rich Gannon is a good color guy.

 

[ram29jackson]

Who is Spero Dedes?

 

[dave]

I like Randy Cross. Shame to see him gone.

 

[Maynard]

looks like i will be hearing alot of this crew
7. Spero Dedes, Steve Beuerlein

and lmao at

That's a bit of a shame, because Criqui is a Hall of Fame broadcaster who even into his 70s did a bang-up job.

he is worse than pat summerall was at the end of his career. Criqui would forget Randys name half the time

 

[Hasselbeck]

Don Criqui is awful. Thank god they got rid of him. He's as putrid as Dick Stockton

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

I like Randy Cross.

You might be the only person who does.

He was the last of the "Madden Clones", hired in the 80's & 90's in hopes another Madden would emerge from one of those 'down to earth' straight talking blue collar types....Cross, Matt Millen, Bill Maas, Bill Golic etc.

Eventually, networks went back to hiring cerebral types like QB's & ex-coaches who could form coherent sentences and weren't blatantly trying to dumb it down for the "everyman".

What ever happened to Chad Pennington? He was a rising star a couple of years ago.

 

[Camby23Land]

God I hate Phil Simms. Please don't do the last 5 Broncos games again this year.

 

[StealthShot]

You might be the only person who does.

He was the last of the "Madden Clones", hired in the 80's & 90's in hopes another Madden would emerge from one of those 'down to earth' straight talking blue collar types....Cross, Matt Millen, Bill Maas, Bill Golic etc.

Eventually, networks went back to hiring cerebral types like QB's & ex-coaches who could form coherent sentences and weren't blatantly trying to dumb it down for the "everyman".

What ever happened to Chad Pennington? He was a rising star a couple of years ago.

Yea thought he did a fine job, but think he might be into coaching now or something.

 

[dave]

You might be the only person who does.

He was the last of the "Madden Clones", hired in the 80's & 90's in hopes another Madden would emerge from one of those 'down to earth' straight talking blue collar types....Cross, Matt Millen, Bill Maas, Bill Golic etc.

Which is odd ... because I always hated Madden in the booth. Seriously.

I'm sure Madden is a good guy, but I absolutely hated him as a color/colour guy.