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The Play-By-Play: Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and Jason Kelce debut, Colt McCoy has rough broadcast
On the latest episode of The Play-By-Play, Awful Announcing's Brendon Kleen and Ben Axelrod discuss the Fox broadcasting debut of Tom Brady, the ESPN debut of Jason Kelce, Bill Belichick's numerous appearances. The guys also discuss the changes on "The NFL Today," Greg Olsen's pivot to the No. 2 Fox NFL broadcast booth, and Colt McCoy's rough broadcast.
Time Stamps:
-1:47: Tom Brady broadcast booth review
-18:51: Bill Belichick analysis review
-28:19: Jason Kelce “Monday Night Countdown” review
-33:52: “The NFL Today” getting younger
-36:04: Praise for Mike Greenberg hosting “Sunday NFL Countdown”
-38:14: Greg Olsen with Joe Davis as Fox’s No. 2 NFL booth
-39:34: Colt McCoy
-45:14: “Out of the Darkness”
-53:09: ESPN/NFL Media equity talks are off
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Alan Hahn on new ESPN Radio show, Mike Breen, NBA ratings, and more
01:09:38|Host Brandon Contes interviews "Get Up" contributor, host of "Don, Hahn & Rosenberg," and Knicks MSG broadcaster Alan Hahn. Brandon and Alan discuss a wide range of topics including replacing Michael Kay and working with Don La Greca and Peter Rosenberg, working with Mike Breen, Alan's thoughts on falling NBA ratings, and more.-46: Afternoon drive in NYC-1:52: How did soft opening feel?-3:17: Working with Don La Greca and Peter Rosenberg-4:45: Is it positive or negative to go in while La Greca and Rosenberg have been working together for so long?-7:18: La Greca’s and Rosenberg’s approach to the show?-10:31: “Don, Hahn & Rosenberg”-12:05: Getting the job-13:51: Relationship with Michael Kay-14:51: Kay rooting for the show to succeed?-17:11: Co-hosting with Rick DiPetro-25:00: Working with Chris Canty-27:47: Leaving “Hahn, Humpty & Canty”-33:09: Working with Bart Scott-35:58: Talking to Scott about the challenges of replacing a legend-37:52: Is there competition between WFAN and ESPN New York?-41:18: YES simulcast over?-44:30: Working with Mike Breen-47:43: Wanting to work more Knicks games-49:30: Doing “First Take” with Stephen A. Smith on the show-50:54: Playing basketball against Jay Williams and Keyshawn Johnson-53:39: Filling in for Zubin Mehenti-57:50: Rex Ryan for Jets head coaching job-1:01:08: NBA TV ratingsDownload the Awful Announcing Podcast:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedInAwful Announcing on YouTubeJeff Marek on Sportsnet, NHL expansion, J.T. Miller, and more
59:38|Host Brandon Contes interviews former Sportsnet NHL host and current host of "The Sheet with Jeff Marek," Jeff Marek. Brandon and Jeff discuss a wide range of topics including his dismissal from Sportsnet, which cities are prime for an NHL expansion team, his thoughts on J.T. Miller's reported mental health break from hockey, and more.-37: “The Sheet with Jeff Marek”-1:41: Missing the grind-3:21: Feeling of not covering hockey at first-4:47: Having a deal with The Nation Network-5:12: Being a “podcaster” in the 90s-7:00: Familiarity with the Internet in the 90s-12:22: Wanting to do radio?-13:30: Going from promotions department to on-air-18:21: Going to Sportsnet-20:36: Looking back at Sportsnet tenure-21:34: Emotions of parting ways with Sportsnet-25:09: Jeff thinking about his future at Sportsnet?-26:01: Desire to talk about what happened?-26:38: Relationship with NHL-27:00: Relationship with Sportsnet-28:34: Response from fans about “The Sheet”-30:41: What should fans expect from “The Sheet”-32:07: Interest level in amateur and junior hockey-35:07: Growth potential of PWHL-37:15: Does NHL do a good job at marketing its stars?-39:50: How was Wayne Gretzky able to breakthrough in America?-42:50: J.T. Miller -45:16: Could more players request time off for mental health?-46:47: How did hockey fans react to Miller’s absence?-48:20: How would Don Cherry react to Miller’s absence?-49:32: Working with Cherry-50:20: Media partnerships in Canada-52:55: NHL expansionDownload the Awful Announcing Podcast:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedInAwful Announcing on YouTubeChris Mannix on Adrian Wojnarowski, Sports Illustrated, Jake Paul, and more
01:00:54|Host Brandon Contes interviews Sports Illustrated senior writer Chris Mannix. Brandon and Chris discuss a wide range of topics including Chris' profile on Adrian Wojnarowski for Sports Illustrated, how SI is doing with Minute Media in charge, if Jake Paul is good or bad for boxing, and more.-42: Response to Chris’ profile on Adrian Wojnarowski-2:11: Woj’s apartment-4:04: Learning about Woj-6:48: Woj’s willingness to do profile-8:49: Surprise of Woj’s retirement at the time-10:07: How did Woj revolutionize what it meant to be a reporter?-11:29: Woj and social media-12:54: Origin of Chris and Woj’s friendship-14:23: Leaving Sports Illustrated to work with Woj at Yahoo-15:32: Working with Woj-18:17: Did Chris ever want to become an insider?-20:07: Did Woj try to recruit Chris to ESPN?-21:06: Working with Shams Charania-22:09: Will Shams be comfortable at ESPN?-23:56: Would Woj come back to media?-25:54: Working at Sports Illustrated under Minute Media’s control-27:44: Beginning of Minute Media running Sports Illustrated-29:25: Working for SI when Chris started-31:35: Jokingly wanting to replace Dan Patrick?-34:07: “Inside the NBA” and ESPN-37:41: Being a Celtics ball boy-40:06: Being friends with players-42:34: Being able to be a Celtics fan now Chris is a journalist?-43:50: How is Chris received by Celtics fans?-44:49: How is Bill Simmons received by Celtics fans?-46:03: Jake Paul/Mike Tyson fight-49:06: Reaction to accusations that the fight was fixed-50:52: Was the fight good or bad for boxing?-52:24: Is Jake Paul good for boxing?-54:17: Does the NBA have a problem where many stars are in smaller markets?-57:27: Does the NBA internally acknowledge three point shooting as a problem?-58:39: How is JJ Redick’s rookie season going as LA Lakers coach?Download the Awful Announcing Podcast:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedInAwful Announcing on YouTubeThe guys from 'Breakfast Ball' on show origins, taking risks, Bob Costas, and more
54:38|Host Brandon Contes interviews Craig Carton, Danny Parkins, and Mark Schlereth from FS1's "Breakfast Ball." Brandon and the guys discuss a wide range of topics including the start of "Breakfast Ball," developing chemistry among the three of them, a hilarious story involving Danny and Bob Costas, and more.-46: How does “Breakfast Ball” compare to “The Carton Show?”-3:14: What does “Breakfast Ball” strive to be?-4:41: What was the pitch to Danny?-6:29: Mark being a full-time member of the show-9:04: Mark’s comfort level when told he was leading the show-12:50: Craig’s thoughts on having Mark host-15:00: First week without having a dress rehearsal-19:13: Harder to fill in on a show where you’re the sole host or a show with co-hosts?-21:25: Doing “The Herd”-22:29: Extra pressure due to FS1 making them the succession plan post-Skip Bayless-25:25: Having a bigger staff for “Breakfast Ball”-27:12: Was it difficult for Danny to make decision to leave dream job in Chicago?-30:47: Does Danny miss radio?-31:42: Mark’s radio schedule with “Breakfast Ball” now-34:29: Craig missing daily radio?-35:45: Craig having any input in the show?-39:02: Reassuring that FS1 investing in the show with their changes?-40:40: Craig doing Yankees games -42:30: Craig wanting to call a Knicks game-43:39: Mark’s thoughts on Tom Brady not able to do production meetings-46:09: Has Mark spoken to Brady about broadcasting?-46:38: Danny’s thoughts on the Dan Bernstein/Barstool feud-48:10: Does Danny get to listen to his former show?-49:40: Craig being inducted into the New York State Broadcasters Hall of Fame-52:22: Danny’s Bob Costas storyDownload the Awful Announcing Podcast:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedInAwful Announcing on YouTubeKimberley A. Martin on 'First Take,' Stephen A. Smith, New York Jets, and more
52:06|Host Brandon Contes interviews NFL reporter and "First Take"/"Get Up" contributor, Kimberley A. Martin. Brandon and Kimberley discuss a wide range of topics including the happenings with the New York Jets, having Stephen A. Smith as a mentor, the time Jim Irsay went after Kimberley on social media, and more.-:40: Missing the New York Jets beat?-1:30: Being on the Jets beat-2:09: Mike Tannenbaum-2:45: Working with Tannenbaum and Rex Ryan-3:35: Jets using Tannenbaum and The 33rd Team to find a HC and GM-4:36: Ryan campaigning for the Jets head coach job-5:38: Does Ryan have an “in” with Tannenbaum?-6:54: Eric Mangini-8:00: Jets’ wild bye week-9:43: Did it bother Kimberley when she was a local beat reporter and national writers got scoops?-10:31: Getting info from various teams-12:50: Is Woody Johnson caring about what others think good for running an NFL team?-14:08: Were the Jets any different when Christopher Johnson was running the team?-16:18: Reporting things players/coaches/GM’s deny-20:57: Career before first beat-22:03: Focusing on sports coverage-23:48: Sports people Kimberley looked up to-25:33: Challenges faced when breaking into industry-29:41: Harder to build trust with players/teams or media execs?-32:03: NFL players trying to keep reporters out of locker room-34:15: Going to ESPN-36:13: Getting to know people at ESPN in pandemic-37:25: What made Kimberley know she’d be good at TV?-39:35: Facial expressions while on “First Take”-41:25: Stephen A. Smith-43:05: Getting into the rotating cast of “First Take” -44:23: Are atmospheres of “Get Up” and “First Take” different?-45:50: Hearing from the Colts or Jim Irsay after his insulting X post?-47:52: Wanting to do more writing-48:50: Future goals-50:31: Contract talkDownload the Awful Announcing Podcast:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedInAwful Announcing on YouTubeBob Wischusen on calling Jets games, Robert Saleh's firing, Aaron Rodgers as QB, and more
01:15:20|Host Brandon Contes interviews New York Jets radio voice and ESPN NHL, college football, and college basketball broadcaster, Bob Wischusen. Brandon and Bob discuss a bunch of Jets topics, among other things, including what changes for the Jets after Robert Saleh's firing, Aaron Rodgers' future as Jets QB, Rex Ryan wanting to come back as head coach, and more.NOTE: We recorded with Bob the day before Joe Douglas was fired as Jets GM. So you will not hear Bob's thoughts on Douglas' firing.-:54: When did Bob realize the Jets would do poorly this season?-3:52: Aaron Rodgers’ thought process this season-5:26: Robert Saleh fired-9:37: Harder to watch this season’s Jets or last season’s Jets?-13:40: Rodgers’ influence in upcoming offseason-18:04: Is Jets situation appealing to a head coach?-21:09: Should Jets run it back with Rodgers next season?-24:11: Surprised by Sam Darnold’s success?-26:53: Woody Johnson and Donald Trump-28:20: How Christopher Johnson differs from Woody?-32:00: Biggest issue with the Jets?-34:01: Rex Ryan coming back to the Jets?-38:04: Access as Jets play-by-play radio person-38:48: Rodgers fitting in Jets locker room?-39:41: Brett Favre fitting in Jets locker room?-41:17: Rodgers handling the New York media-43:40: Rodgers’ appearances on Pat McAfee-44:59: Working with Anthony Becht-48:53: Bob’s travel schedule-52:25: CFB broadcast partners-55:07: Calling NHL games-1:00:10: How Bob got the Jets PXP jobDownload the Awful Announcing Podcast:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedInAwful Announcing on YouTubePeter King on retirement, Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and more
01:19:17|Host Brandon Contes interviews legendary NFL reporter and columnist Peter King. Brandon and Peter discuss a wide range of topics including enjoying football and America during retirement, Tom Brady trying to be an NFL team owner and a broadcaster, being on the same podcast as Bill Belichick despite not being on speaking terms, and more.-:42: Enjoying NFL season and driving across America in retirement-4:17: Not missing “Monday Morning Quarterback/Monday Morning in America” column-7:30: How did column start?-9:58: Writing process-12:41: Ready to retire-16:08: Raising money to save school sports in hometown-19:08: Watching football differently in retirement-22:37: Can someone come into sports media and write a weekly longform column these days?-24:06: “Let’s Go!” podcast-27:57: Does Jerry Jones belong in the Pro Football Hall of Fame?-29:41: Relationship with Tom Brady-34:03: Should Brady be an owner and an analyst?-37:14: Not working with Bill Belichick on “Let’s Go!”-38:36: Relationship with Belichick pre-Spygate-39:17: Surprise of Belichick in sports media?-43:53: Belichick’s young girlfriend causing concern among NFL teams hiring head coaches?-46:58: Favorite story or report of career-51:01: Least favorite story-55:26: What made the NFL skyrocket in popularity over the last 20 years? -1:00:37: State of NFL teams and the NFL product in 2024-1:06:13: Is Aaron Rodgers hurting his legacy right now?-1:09:46: Last time Peter spoke with Brett Favre-1:12:19: Is Russell Wilson cementing his Hall of Fame case?-1:13:48: State of sports media and sports journalismDownload the Awful Announcing Podcast:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedInAwful Announcing on YouTubeJeff Gluck on NASCAR lawsuits and controversies, embracing Patreon, Michael Jordan, and more
01:20:02|Host Brandon Contes interviews motorsports staff writer for The Athletic, Jeff Gluck. Brandon and Jeff discuss a wide range of topics including the fallout from Martinsville as well as the 23XI Racing-Front Row Motorsports lawsuit against NASCAR, making a living in the early days of Patreon, Michael Jordan possibly becoming a NASCAR champion team owner while suing NASCAR, and more.-:46: Being childhood friends with Awful Announcing’s Ben Koo-1:45: Growing up in Northern California-3:12: Going to college/covering the Super Bowl-4:53: What lured Jeff to NASCAR?-6:49: Learning about NASCAR while covering the sport-9:36: Leaving USA Today in 2017-13:45: Being on Patreon-18:58: NASCAR media access-20:40: Covering NASCAR while not in Charlotte-23:29: Kyle Busch/Joey Logano fight video-29:50: Joining The Athletic-32:16: Going back to working for a company-36:09: Having content separate from The Athletic-38:51: Working for The Athletic pre-New York Times purchase and during-42:28: How did Patreon subscribers react to Athletic move?-44:28: Backlash from USA Today article on the state of NASCAR in 2016-47:20: What is the current state of NASCAR on TV?-50:38: NASCAR embracing a younger, more diverse fanbase-53:46: Confederate flag ban-56:39: 23XI Racing/Front Row Motorsports antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR -1:01:03: Revenue split to teams now and in the next deal?-1:04:06: NASCAR’s reasoning for not having permanent charters?-1:05:25: Michael Jordan in NASCAR-1:07:51: Will NASCAR give Tyler Reddick the championship trophy if he wins?-1:08:42: What happens to 23XI and Front Row?-1:10:27: Massive controversy at Martinsville-1:13:47: Will NASCAR change playoff system-1:15:51: Does NASCAR like the controversy?-1:16:49: Championship 4Download the Awful Announcing Podcast:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedInAwful Announcing on YouTubeAndrew Siciliano on Scott Hanson, Jim Donovan, Cleveland Browns, and more
01:01:00|Host Brandon Contes interviews former host of Red Zone Channel and current radio voice of the Cleveland Browns, Andrew Siciliano. Brandon and Andrew discuss a wide range of topics including working Red Zone and working with Scott Hanson, Jameis Winston taking charge of the Cleveland Browns, the emotion in the booth after the loss of Jim Donovan, and more.-:38: Emotions in Browns broadcast booth after Jim Donovan’s passing-3:03: What did Donovan mean to the Browns?-6:33: Replacing Donovan on Browns radio broadcasts-8:16: Talking with Donovan about the job-9:02: How Andrew became a Browns fan-10:32: Feeling of the Browns moving near Andrew’s family and becoming the Ravens-13:50: Jameis Winston-15:45: Should Browns have switched to Winston earlier in the season?-17:33: Were the Browns trending in the direction to make the switch if Watson didn’t get injured?-18:57: In-stadium reaction to Deshaun Watson’s injury-21:30: Rush of being in stadium on radio broadcast-23:53: Was Browns job still attainable when Andrew had a TV career?-25:13: Fox Sports Radio-25:50: Tony Bruno-27:03: Passion for radio-28:00: Missing radio when doing TV-30:54: Red Zone Channel-34:19: Scott Hanson-35:14: Working with Hanson during Olympics-36:42: Preparation for doing an Olympics whiparound show-39:15: Feelings about the NFL’s version of Red Zone at the time-44:32: Enjoying whiparound NFL coverage-46:53: Mindset of working Red Zone-48:40: Caffeine intake on Sunday’s-50:01: Ideal split of games in the 1:00 and 4:00 window for Red Zone-53:16: Getting the call to work at NFL Network-57:50: Who’s better suited for media? Matthew Stafford or Sean McVay?-59:11: Is Andrew interested in doing NFL play-by-play on TV?Download the Awful Announcing Podcast:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedInAwful Announcing on YouTube