In N.Y., Bob Raissman questioned NBC's decision to
allow TBS MLB play-by-play announcer Skip Caray and Turner's
Braves production crew to broadcast NBC's three divisional
playoff games on October 3, 6 and 7, which will likely
feature some Mets games. Raissman wrote that Caray "is not
exactly impartial when it comes to the Mets," as the Braves
announcers "openly root for their team." Raissman: "Will
[Caray], all of a sudden, change his game overnight, hide
his distaste for the Mets and be objective? ... I would have
felt more comfortable if NBC would have gone to an impartial
voice, such as Vin Scully or Sean McDonough, to pinch-hit
for Costas" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 9/10).
CBS SHUFFLE: USA TODAY's Rudy Martzke writes that CBS
Exec Producer Terry Ewert "had to scramble over the weekend
to find a replacement" for NFL analysts Phil Simms and Sam
Wyche. Simms had an emergency appendectomy Saturday in
Indianapolis while preparing for the Raiders-Colts game and
was replaced by Todd Blackledge. Meanwhile, Wyche's voice
"was weak and scratchy" in his first game since returning
from throat surgery and he was "spelled" by Beasley Reece
for the Dolphins-Vikings, who was switched from his
reporter's role for the Jags-Ravens (USA TODAY, 9/11).
GRIDIRON GOSSIP? The NFL Cardinals "reacted angrily" on
Sunday following a report by ESPN's John Clayton that coach
Vince Tobin "would be fired" if the Cardinals lost to the
Cowboys on Sunday night. Cardinals GM Bob Ferguson: "I know
John Clayton. It's irresponsible for him to treat gossip as
news" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 9/11)...."MNF" Exec Producer Don
Ohlmeyer "confirmed" analyst Dennis Miller "is shunning
print interviews." Ohlmeyer: "Dennis has really been
burned. He's been too up-front with a number of writers who
aren't looking for a straight story. The Associated Press
twisted three unrelated facts on him" (BOSTON HERALD, 9/11).
KATZ MEOW: USA TODAY's Rudy Martzke gives his "hustle"
award to ESPN.com's Andy Katz for the "first confirmation"
of Sunday's firing of IN Univ. men's basketball coach Bobby
Knight. ESPN's Stuart Scott announced Katz' news at 12:59pm
ET on "Sunday NFL Countdown" (USA TODAY, 9/11). CBS' "The
Early Show" led with Knight's dismissal this morning, with
Bryant Gumbel interviewing John Feinstein (CBS, 9/11).
