CBS' Tony Romo already ranks "near the top" -- if not "at the top of the list" -- of the best on-air NFL analysts, according to Richard Deitsch of SI.com. Romo in his first season has "received both massive fan and industry praise." What is "particularly remarkable" is that CBS "gambled heavily in naming Romo as its lead game analyst with zero network broadcasting experience." "NFL on CBS" Lead Producer Jim Rikhoff is "clearly one of the reasons why this has worked." He "initiated the plan to help Romo’s comfort level with the mechanics and jargon of an NFL broadcast." That plan included Rikhoff making "six trips to Dallas to Romo’s home prior to the season." Rikhoff said that something he "noticed immediately about Romo was that his brain works very quickly for an analyst." Deitsch wrote something that has "really helped Romo -- and by extension the whole crew -- is the comfort level players and coaches have with Romo in the Friday and Saturday production meetings CBS has with the teams." Rikhoff added that it is worth noting how much play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz has "helped Romo." It "sounds like Nantz has been rejuvenated by the opportunity to work with a fresh and unique voice" (SI.com, 10/29).
CREAM RISES TO THE TOP: THE RINGER's Bill Simmons wrote one of the "best things about the Romo-on-TV era" is that he has "exposed color analysts" like ESPN's Jon Gruden. ESPN’s "handsomely paid star ... won’t ever criticize a quarterback or a coach, isn’t funny and rarely offers anything beyond generic bullshit." ESPN "loves Gruden because ESPN is run, for the most part, by middle-aged white guys who spent the past 15-25 years living in central Connecticut." It is just "not that entertaining to hear Gruden announce an NFL game" (THERINGER.com, 10/27). THE BIG LEAD's Stephen Douglas wrote while he understands why Simmons singled out Gruden after his history with ESPN, Romo has in fact "blown just about every other color guy out of the water." Douglas: "How is it that Romo is the only affable and knowledgeable guy announcing the NFL?" Gruden is "bland" and is "probably hedging in case another dream job comes along, but what is everyone else’s excuse?" (THEBIGLEAD.com, 10/27).
