NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger last week "suggested in a radio interview that the Eagles should 'put a little bounty'" on Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott when the teams played this past Sunday. In Newark, Steve Politi writes those comments "should, at the very least, lead to a suspension and an apology." Baldinger suggested that the comments were "mostly tongue in cheek." But Politi writes it will be "telling if his employers see them the same way." If Bountygate landed Saints coach Sean Payton a one-year suspension, Baldinger's rant "should lead to some discipline from the league" (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 11/1). ESPN's Mike Greenberg said, "If you work for the NFL Network ... you are actually an NFL employee. The NFL went after the Saints and basically destroyed the franchise for Bountygate and all the rest of that. Now here you have an NFL employee saying, ‘Well, what I think the Eagles need to do is put a bounty on Ezekiel Elliott.’ That’s a very interesting thing to me” (“Mike & Mike,” ESPN Radio, 11/1).
NEW CHALLENGES: In Portland, Kerry Eggers noted former NBAer Brian Grant last Tuesday "learned quickly" during his first turn as a radio analyst alongside Trail Blazers play-by-play man Brian Wheeler "wasn’t as easy as it may seem." Grant said, “I have a lot of respect for what Brian and all broadcasters do, because it’s not as simple as sitting down and speaking." Grant is "scheduled to work alongside Wheeler for 11 home games this season, including the first four." Grant said, “It’s timing. I know a lot of things, but it’s hard to get them out at the right time. Brian’s a great coach. I’ll try to get better with each broadcast" (PORTLAND TRIBUNE, 10/28).
NOTES: In N.Y., Bob Raissman wrote if Ravens WR Steve Smith Sr. is "indeed pursuing a post-playing media career -- he’s already a regular on ESPN Radio -- he might want to focus on his delivery." Smith "talks faster than he runs, making it hard to understand him" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 10/31)....In Charlotte, Miller & Washburn note Jim Celania, one of the city's "longest-running and best-known sports media personalities," retired yesterday from WFNZ-AM after 19 years (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 11/1)....Dave LaMont will join ESPN's PBA broadcast team as play-by-play announcer at the start of the new season. He will join Randy Peterson (color analyst) and Kimberly Pressler (sideline reporter) (PBA)....In Colorado, Kelly Lyell notes Adam Nigon, a "fan favorite during his playing days, will serve as the color analyst on radio broadcasts" of Colorado State men's basketball games this season. He will join play-by-play broadcaster Brian Roth (Ft. Collins COLORADOAN, 11/1).
