And Harlan was a strong-enough lead to keep him in line. I kind of loved to hear him complain - about officiating, play calls, a quarterback’s decision, etc. Which matters because, as an announcer, he was basically a crank. He ticked off Cleveland fans (look it up). Wyche was the coach of the Cincinnati Bengals and led them to a Super Bowl appearance. Harlan is one of my favorite play-by-play announcers - you can still hear him on radio. But they have historical import: They not only called the infamous “Heidi” game, but Super Bowl III, in which Joe Namath’s New York Jets defeated the mighty Baltimore Colts and basically established the AFL as a going concern. Gowdy was the voice of sports for a time in the 1960s - matter-of-fact, play it as it lays. Let’s take a trip in the way-back machine. Staying power has a little to do with it. The argument is part of the fun.Ĭontemporary broadcasters are not well-represented here, because … well, this is an all-time list. I’ll give brief explanations for each choice, but what I liked about, say, Hank Stram, you might despise. Yours can, and should, differ substantially. With this in mind, it’s a good time to start a real fight - to ask, and answer, this question: Who are the best NFL broadcast teams of all time? You think cilantro is a matter of personal taste? Ask someone how they feel about Cris Collinsworth. (As an aside, evidently being a quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys is a good way to secure a spot in an NFL broadcast booth.) 20, the Fox team of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman will call the NFC Championship on CBS, Jim Nantz and Tony Romo will call the AFC Championship.
#ORIGINAL MNF CREW TV#
If you really want to start a fight, check politics at the proverbial door, turn on the TV and watch an NFL game - and listen to the broadcast teams. If you're not watching them when they're doing MNF, you would be a lot less entertained and informed.And you thought the political divide was nasty. With the Mannings, you get the most comprehensive and modern experience possible. There was some of that raw "YouTok or TikTube" vibes that the kids love, but also the polish of the Mannings for more mature and less cavalier football watchers. To reach a casual audience who are staying more for what the Mannings are saying than who's playing on MNF, it was perfect. The Mannings are breaking convention in their newest medium. Traditional sports viewing is fine, but it's 2021, when we have Nickelodeon doing NFL playoff games.
#ORIGINAL MNF CREW FULL#
It had the feel of a beta test, with the network creating a complementary show that's competition for the main one to perhaps see if it can convince the Mannings to do this full time, still on their terms. The Manning MegaCast had it all and then some. When watching the Mannings and only the Mannings on "Monday Night Football," there was no thought of what was being missed on ESPN with the regular crew of Steve Levy, Brian Griese and Louis Riddick. Just complete disbelief by Eli, Peyton and Russell. "They didn't have a timeout? oh my gosh." Wilson, who had his own crazy ending in a big Super Bowl like Eli, was in the right place in the right time to also react to the Ravens-Raiders unbelievable ending. The Mannings brought out his personality, which is easier said than done. Wilson looked like he had his own future in television with his complementary observations and insight. Then it went to a next level with Wilson right there to break down the fourth quarter and overtime. MORE: Breaking down ESPN's 'Monday Night Football' broadcast booth He was a smart A-list get, knowing his Chiefs will be playing the Ravens in Baltimore next Sunday night. Barkley brought his typical Barkley, like he had just walked off the "Inside the NBA" set, showing the same Kenny Smith chemistry with the Mannings. Kelce gave an important perspective with two fellow top tight ends, Darren Waller and Mark Andrews, in the game. Peyton is out here dressed in full Gruden gear ? /AYGf6tj8ne