CBS NFL analyst Phil Simms "often trends on Twitter during the Sundays he broadcasts games, and not for positive reasons," but CBS Sports Chair Sean McManus has the "only opinion that ultimately matters when it comes to Simms’s employment, and he does not waver on his opinion of the broadcaster," according to Richard Deitsch of SI.com. McManus said, "He had an outstanding year, and I think he is right up there with the best of the NFL analysts. ... Listening to it with a very critical ear, I think Phil is vastly underappreciated. ... I would just suggest that if people listen to Jim [Nantz] and Phil with an open mind, I think they would recognize what a good job they are doing." McManus added, "This is a very subjective business. Everyone has their opinions, and the Twitter opinions are generally negative. Phil is someone with strong opinions, he’s not shy about expressing those opinions, and whenever you are that expressive with your opinions, you will get a lot of criticism" (SI.com, 8/31).
AFTER FURTHER REVIEW: On Long Island, Neil Best notes CBS has "not replaced Mike Carey as its NFL officiating analyst for the coming season and has no current plans to." However, if the "right person comes along, the network might someday revisit the idea." McManus: "We’re not actively looking, but if we found somebody we would reinstitute that role." Best notes CBS discovered in its two years with Carey that his role is "not as easy" as Fox' Mike Pereira makes it look. The challenge is "finding someone both knowledgeable and comfortable with communicating via mass media." Carey "struggled at times with the latter" (NEWSDAY, 9/1).
FACE TIME: The NFLPA has partnered with California-based tech company Whalerock Industries to develop a new app entitled Any Given Emoji. The $1.99 emoji keyboard, the first officially licensed by the union, features more than 170 players, including Patriots QB Tom Brady, Packers QB Aaron Rodgers and Seahawks QB Russell Wilson in more realistic depictions than many other emoji products. Whalerock also has developed emoji apps for entertainers and personalities such as Kim Kardashian and Ellen DeGeneres (Eric Fisher, Staff Writer).
SPORTS AS RELIGION: The HOLLYWOOD REPORTER's Lesley Goldberg reported AT&T's Audience Network has "picked up six episodes" of a docuseries created by Patriots QB Tom Brady and Pro Football HOFer Michael Strahan that will "examine the unique examples of sports' cultural and often spiritual impact in regions around the world." The series was also created by filmmaker Gotham Chopra and will debut Nov. 15 at 8:00pm ET. Each hourlong episode will "examine instances where specific sports profoundly influence societies and cultures in a manner that extends beyond entertainment value." Episodes will include NASCAR events, the Calgary Stampede and the "rise of UFC and MMA fighting" (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 8/31).
