In Dallas, Barry Horn predicted CBS' Tony Romo could have a "sophomore slump" as an NFL analyst. Horn on the "Ballzy" podcast said, "It's natural. It's the same as being a quarterback." The Dallas Morning News' David Moore: "He's looking ahead anticipating already what the criticism's going to be because he wants to answer it before it becomes full-fledged" (DALLASNEWS.com, 3/14).
NEW TERRITORY: USA TODAY's Michelle Martinelli noted former NFLers Greg Jennings and Shawne Merriman -- who owns a race car in the developmental NASCAR K&N Pro Series -- "tried their hands at being a NASCAR analyst this week." The pair appeared on FS1's "NASCAR Race Hub" to "share their perspectives on the sport" (USATODAY.com, 3/14). In Cleveland, Joe Vardon noted Allie Clifton on Tuesday was the color commentator on FS Ohio's broadcast of Cavaliers-Suns, alongside play-by-play man Fred McLeod. A Fox Sports spokesperson said that a woman "served as analyst for the Cavs one other time," in the '90s. Clifton is in her sixth season on the Cavs' broadcasts and usually "serves as sideline reporter" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 3/14).
COMING & GOING: In Chicago, Phil Rosenthal cited sources as saying that WSCR-AM host Dan McNeil is returning to weekday afternoons on the station, teamed with Danny Parkins as "part of a shake-up that will have Dan Bernstein moving to middays." The moves may leave host Matt Spiegel the "odd man out out after 15 months with Parkins" on the 9:00am-1:00pm CT weekday shift. Spiegel was McNeil’s broadcast partner when McNeil left the station in '14 after "failing to agree on a new contract." Spiegel was "on the air Monday but absent Tuesday." Also apparently "on the outside looking in is Jason Goff, who had been doing" the 1:00-6:00pm slot with Bernstein (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 3/14). New Orleans-based WWL-AM has “parted ways with longtime host Deke Bellavia, who for nearly a decade has served as Bobby Hebert's on-air wingman during their daily ‘SportsTalk’ broadcast and the station's long-running ‘Point After’” Saints postgame show. The reason behind Bellavia's departure “hasn't been announced” (NOLA.com, 3/13).
