All star NFL broadcasting team

[jrmitch]

Okay, guys, this one's my wifes fault. Being an avid football fan herself, we often kick around strange ideas just for the heck of it. While talking sports one night last week she stopped me dead in my tracks with this question: "Using only retired players who have gone into broadcasting, who would your All Pro team be?"

It took Robin and I about 2 days to do it, but we eventually came up with an absolute monster of a team that included former All Pros at all 22 positions; special teams; a full coaching staff; and a General Manager. Granted, I had to do a little digging to flesh the team out - but I was able to do it with a minimal amount of effort (though I became somewhat obsessed with it because I initially couldn't find a starting center). So anyway, here are the ground rules: All players must be fully retired from the game and still be living. They can have played or broadcasted at any time and do not need to be currently active in a broadcasting role. They must have pulled at least one full year of broadcasting experience on either the national or local level in either radio or television. They also must have covered either college or pro football. They must have at least one full season of playing experience at the position you choose them for. You can choose up to 15 players for offense to allow for multiple wide receiver/tight end/running back sets and 14 for defense to allow for a 4-3 and 3-4 scheme up front and a nickel and dime package in the secondary.
That's it. Any resources you want to use for research are allowable (Lord knows I had to use 'em, even being a huge football fan for 40 years). I'll give you a few days before I share mine - I want to tax everyone's brain first........:D

[ZippyApplePants]

Okay, guys, this one's my wifes fault. Being an avid football fan herself, we often kick around strange ideas just for the heck of it. While talking sports one night last week she stopped me dead in my tracks with this question: "Using only retired players who have gone into broadcasting, who would your All Pro team be?"

It took me about 24 hours to do it, but I eventually came up with an absolute monster of a team that included former All Pros at all 22 positions; special teams; a full coaching staff of a head coach and 9 assistants; and a General Manager. Granted, I had to do a little digging to flesh the team out - but I was able to do it with a minimal amount of effort (though I became somewhat obsessed with it because I initially couldn't find a starting center). So anyway, here are the ground rules: All players must be fully retired from the game and still be living; They must have pulled at least one full year of broadcasting experience on either the national or local level in either radio or television. They also do not necessarily need to have been involved in covering pro football. They must have at least one full season of experience at the position you choose them for. You can choose up to 14 players for offense to allow for multiple wide receiver/running back sets and 14 for defense to allow for a 4-3 and 3-4 scheme up front and a nickel and dime package in the secondary.
That's it. Any resources you want to use for research are allowable (Lord knows I had to use 'em, even being a huge football fan for 40 years). I'll give you a few days before I share mine - I want to tax everyone's brain first........:D

What do you mean "guys"?! Females that love football can't answer? :P :D Remind me to not talk to Robin too much. She might ask me a hard question and my head may explode. :D In all seriousness, this is a good topic and I'll have to see what I can come up with.

[jrmitch]

What do you mean "guys"?! Females that love football can't answer? :P :D Uh, oops.....I meant "guys" in the generic sense, as in "y'all".......:D

I also want to add that there aren't necessarily right or wrong answers here; several positions have numerous players who made All Pro at least once in their career. Many of them also either are, or will be, in the Hall of Fame. I've also decided for my team that rather than try to detrmine if players from one era would have been equally succesful in another era I'm simply going to look at individual skills and accomplishments on the field; as a result my team has players from 5 different decades on it. I fully expect us to have honest differences of opinion regarding the best players for at least three different positions - but that's half of the fun.....:D

[ZippyApplePants]

I know what you meant I was just giving you grief!

[jrmitch]

I know what you meant I was just giving you grief!Nothing new there.....you want grief? Wait'll you try to find a starting center.......:P :D

Oh, one other tidbit - I've come up with at least a dozen different quarterbacks.......:)

[ZippyApplePants]

Nothing new there.....you want grief? Wait'll you try to find a starting center.......:P :D

Oh, one other tidbit - I've come up with at least a dozen different quarterbacks.......:)

I have a starting Center...Birdman! Oh sorry, wrong sport. :P :D I figured if nothing else I can just put your ferocious Labs in there and they can bite the hands that don't feed them. :D

I've thought of several quarterbacks too.

[jrmitch]

I have a starting Center...Birdman! Oh sorry, wrong sport. :P :D I figured if nothing else I can just put your ferocious Labs in there and they can bite the hands that don't feed them. :D

I've thought of several quarterbacks too.Sorry, Zip; my hounds haven't played in the NFL - at least not yet........:D

My QB count is currently at 18 and climbing.

[ZippyApplePants]

Sorry, Zip; my hounds haven't played in the NFL - at least not yet........:D

My QB count is currently at 18 and climbing.

Oh right, well I'll think of something. 18 is a good number for a QB. (nudge nudge) :D

[rossid]

Well then you would have to include John "let me state the obvious" Madden.

This comes from a Raiders fan who has been influenced by his 14 y.o. son.

[VerbumReale]

Well then you would have to include John "let me state the obvious" Madden.

This comes from a Raiders fan who has been influenced by his 14 y.o. son.


I think the two Raider fans can work on this together. Since we apparently need a coaching staff then I think we should also include Tom Flores who covers the Raiders on their local radio. The guy won 2 Super Bowls and never even gets as much as a mention for the HOF and yet someone like Bud Grant who never won one is a shoo-in. That said, I also want Jimmy Johnson and Bill Cowher on our staff. No potential ego conflicts there.

On defense we gotta have Howie and it pains me to say this but Tom Jackson also. Thats what I got for now, I'll come fill in more later.

[jrmitch]

I think the two Raider fans can work on this together. Since we apparently need a coaching staff then I think we should also include Tom Flores who covers the Raiders on their local radio. The guy won 2 Super Bowls and never even gets as much as a mention for the HOF and yet someone like Bud Grant who never won one is a shoo-in. That said, I also want Jimmy Johnson and Bill Cowher on our staff. No potential ego conflicts there.

On defense we gotta have Howie and it pains me to say this but Tom Jackson also. Thats what I got for now, I'll come fill in more later.Steve, I'd completely forgotten about Tom Flores - thanks! It's now been 5 days since Robin tossed this question in my lap and I'm still discovering guys who I've missed. (That's why my list of potential quarterbacks keeps growing). I'll also admit that I had to grudgingly acknowledge a couple of former Raiders for my team....:D

[VerbumReale]

Steve, I'd completely forgotten about Tom Flores - thanks! It's now been 5 days since Robin tossed this question in my lap and I'm still discovering guys who I've missed. (That's why my list of potential quarterbacks keeps growing). I'll also admit that I had to grudgingly acknowledge a couple of former Raiders for my team....:D


Heres a few more.

WR-Sterling Sharpe and Cris Carter
QB-Dan Marino, Terry Bradshaw, Dan Fouts
RB-Jermome Bettis and Marshall Faulk


Now if someone could just let me know of any former punters who went into broadcasting. Surely Ray Guy must have dabbled in that for a while.

[jrmitch]

No luck on Ray Guy; at least I couldn't find any confirmation of any radio or TV stuff he's done. (And I looked hard, because he's the best punter God ever placed on this earth). I've found 3 punters; one of whom also played another position where he was an All Pro. A couple of other things that may help: thus far I've only found 1 center and 3 tight ends. And there are also a couple of coaches who double as players...:D

The player/coach pool to pick your lineup from just keeps growing. I've been digging around on the net to refresh my memory and here's the body count thus far: I've found 12 offensive linemen; 11 defensive linemen; 15 running backs (including both halfbacks and fullbacks); 11 Wide receivers; 3 tight ends; 11 linebackers; 8 defensive backs; 8 kickers (including two players who played other positions full time and kicked part time); 3 punters; and 22 - yes, 22 - quarterbacks (18 of whom made either All Pro or went to the Pro Bowl). I've also got 12 - oops, make that 13......uh, never mind - he's dead; back to 12 - former head coaches. And every time I turn around I seem to be finding someone else. This thing has also spun out of control; I've now got about 10 people from my church also racking their brain trying to remember guys and arguing over who should be on the starting team. I think we've all gone slightly daft and really need the football season to start - soon.......:eek: :D

[rossid]

I think the two Raider fans can work on this together. Since we apparently need a coaching staff then I think we should also include Tom Flores who covers the Raiders on their local radio. The guy won 2 Super Bowls and never even gets as much as a mention for the HOF and yet someone like Bud Grant who never won one is a shoo-in. That said, I also want Jimmy Johnson and Bill Cowher on our staff. No potential ego conflicts there.

On defense we gotta have Howie and it pains me to say this but Tom Jackson also. Thats what I got for now, I'll come fill in more later.

ROTFL!!

But I'm confused. Are we talking about broadcasting all star team and/or new Raiders coaches?

What about Deion Sanders?

[jrmitch]

ROTFL!!

But I'm confused. Are we talking about broadcasting all star team and/or new Raiders coaches?

What about Deion Sanders?Actually, we're talking your NFL All-Pro team made up of retired players and coaches who went into broadcasting. They can have played or coached at any time; must be still alive and retired from the game; and do not need to be currently broadcasting now but must have spent at least one year in either tv or radio covering college or pro football. ;)

I'll give y'all a couple more days to scratch your heads (unless you want help now); then I'll tell you who I've discovered and give you my starting lineup. I'm sure we'll have plenty of room to debate this one.......:D

[jrmitch]

Guys, I've admittedly become slightly nuts with this, because it's driving me bonkers......:D

Anyway, I'm gonna post the list of everyone I've found so far as well as my starters. There'll obviously be plenty of room for debate, but I''d be curious to know what differences we can find. First, the offensive roster by position:

O LINE:
BALDINGER, BRIAN
CUNNINGHAM, ED
DIERDORF, DAN
FARR, DEMARCO
HILGENBERG, JAY
ILKIN, TUNCH
KRAMER, JERRY
MAY, MARK
MCGUIRE, PAUL
MUNOZ, ANTHONY
SCHLERETH, MARK
SLATER, JACKIE
TAYLOR, AARON

TIGHT ENDS:
DITKA, MIKE
FRANCIS, RUSS
SHARPE, SHANNON

WIDE RECEIVERS
BROWN, TIM
CARTER, CHRIS
COLLINSWORTH, CHRIS
GIFFORD, FRANK
HOWARD, DEXTER
IRVIN, MICHAEL
ISHMAEL, QADRY
JOHNSON, KEYSHAWN
LOGAN, DAVE
RASHAD, AHMAD
RICE, JERRY
SHARPE, STERLING
SWANN, LYNN
TASKER, STEVE

RUNNING BACKS
ADAMLE, MIKE
ANDERSON, JAMAAL
BARBER, TIKI
BETTIS, JEROME
DAVIS, TERELL
DICKERSON, ERIC
DORSETT, TONY
FAULK, MARSHALL
GARRISON, WALT
HOGE, MERRILL
HORNUG, PAUL
JAMES, CRAIG
JOHNSON, DARREL
REEVES, DAN
RIGGINS, JOHN
SIMPSON, OJ
SMITH, EMMIT

QUARTERBACKS
AIKMAN, TROY
BLACKLEDGE, TODD
BRADSHAW, TERRY
DANIELSON, GARY
DAWSON, LEN
ESAISON, BOOMER
FOUTS, DAN
GABRIEL, ROMAN
GANNON, RICH
GRIESE, BOB
HADEN, PAT
JAWORSKI, RON
KELLY, JIM
KING, SHAUN
MARINO, DAN
MEREDITH, DON
NAMATH, JOE
SIMMS, PHIL
STABLER, KEN
TARKENTON, FRAN
THEISMAN, JOE
UNITAS, JOHN

[jrmitch]

Now for the defense and coaches:

D-LINEMEN
DONOVAN, ART
DRYER, FRED
GOLIC, MIKE
KARRAS, ALEX
LONG, HOWIE
OLSEN, MERLIN
RYAN, TIM
SAPP, WARREN
SARAGUSA, TONY
STRAHAN, MICHAEL
WILEY, MARCELUS

LINEBACKERS
BANKS, CARL
BUTKUS, DICK
CARSON, HARRY
COWHER, BILL
JACKSON, TOM
MILLEN, MATT
NORTON, KEN JR
SMITH, BILLY RAY JR
SPIELMAN, CHRIS
TAYLOR, LAWRENCE
TURNER, KEENA
WALKER, WAYNE
WILCOTS, SOLOMON

D BACKS:
ALLEN, ERIC
DOCKERY, JOHN
FENCIK, GARY
HASTY, JAMES
LOTT, RONNIE
LYNCH, JOHN
SANDERS, DEION
WOODSON, ROD

KICKERS:
ALLEGRE, RAUL
DE GRECO, AL
JENNINGS, DAVE
KRAMER, JERRY
LANDETA, SEAN
LOWERY, NICK
MCGUIRE, PAUL
SUMMERALL, PAT
TREADWELL, DAVID
TURNER, JIM
WALKER, WAYNE

COACHES:
BILLICK, BRIAN
COWHER, BILL
DITKA, MIKE
GIBBS, JOE
GREEN, DENNY
JOHNSON, JIMMIE
LEVY, MARV
MADDEN, JOHN
MARIUCCI, STEVE
MORA, JIM
REEVES, DAN
SHOTTENHEIMER, MARTY
SWITZER, BARRY

[jrmitch]

Finally, my starting lineup. I picked 16 players for offense and 15 for defense, as that allows me multiple offensive and defensive packages and skill sets:

OFFENSE

Starting receivers:
Jerry Rice
Michael Irvin
Shannon Sharpe

O - line:
Anthony Munoz
Mark Schlereth
Jay Hilgenburg
Jerry Kramer
Dan Dierdorf

Quarterback:
Johnny Unitas

Running Backs:
Marshall Faulk
Jerome Bettis

3rd, 4th 5th Receiver/2nd TE
Frank Gifford
Lynn Swann
Sterling Sharpe
Russ Francis

3rd/4th Running backs
Emmit Smith
Darrell Johnson


DEFENSE

D - line:
Michael Strahan
Merlin Olsen
Warren Sapp
Howie Long

Linebackers
Harry Carter
Dick Butkus
Lawrence Taylor

Defensive backs
Deion Sanders
Rod Woodson
Ronnie Lott
John Lynch

Extra Linebackers/D-backs
Tom Jackson
Keena Turner
Eric Allen
Gary Fencik

Kicker/Punter
Nick Lowerey
Sean Landeta

Head Coach
Joe Gibbs

[VerbumReale]

Guys, I've admittedly become slightly nuts with this, because it's driving me bonkers......:D

Anyway, I'm gonna post the list of everyone I've found so far as well as my starters. There'll obviously be plenty of room for debate, but I''d be curious to know what differences we can find. First, the offensive roster by position:

O LINE:
BALDINGER, BRIAN
CUNNINGHAM, ED
DIERDORF, DAN
FARR, DEMARCO
HILGENBERG, JAY
ILKIN, TUNCH
KRAMER, JERRY
MAY, MARK
MCGUIRE, PAUL
MUNOZ, ANTHONY
SCHLERETH, MARK
SLATER, JACKIE
TAYLOR, AARON

TIGHT ENDS:
DITKA, MIKE
FRANCIS, RUSS
SHARPE, SHANNON

WIDE RECEIVERS
CARTER, CHRIS
COLLINSWORTH, CHRIS
GIFFORD, FRANK
HOWARD, DEXTER
IRVIN, MICHAEL
ISHMAEL, QADRY
JOHNSON, KEYSHAWN
LOGAN, DAVE
RASHAD, AHMAD
RICE, JERRY
SHARPE, STERLING
SWANN, LYNN
TASKER, STEVE

RUNNING BACKS
ADAMLE, MIKE
ANDERSON, JAMAAL
BARBER, TIKI
BETTIS, JEROME
DAVIS, TERELL
DICKERSON, ERIC
DORSETT, TONY
FAULK, MARSHALL
GARRISON, WALT
HOGE, MERRILL
HORNUG, PAUL
JAMES, CRAIG
JOHNSON, DARREL
REEVES, DAN
RIGGINS, JOHN
SIMPSON, OJ
SMITH, EMMIT

QUARTERBACKS
AIKMAN, TROY
BLACKLEDGE, TODD
BRADSHAW, TERRY
DANIELSON, GARY
DAWSON, LEN
ESAISON, BOOMER
FOUTS, DAN
GABRIEL, ROMAN
GANNON, RICH
GRIESE, BOB
HADEN, PAT
JAWORSKI, RON
KELLY, JIM
KING, SHAUN
MARINO, DAN
MEREDITH, DON
NAMATH, JOE
SIMMS, PHIL
STABLER, KEN
TARKENTON, FRAN
THEISMAN, JOE
UNITAS, JOHN


You forgot Tim Brown. I don't know if he still is but he was with FSN for a while.

[jrmitch]

You forgot Tim Brown. I don't know if he still is but he was with FSN for a while.*Groan* You're right, I sure did. Thanks, Steve.

How on earth could I forget a Notre Dame alum...?? Wait - don't answer that.....:D

[ZippyApplePants]

Guys, I've admittedly become slightly nuts with this, because it's driving me bonkers......:D

Anyway, I'm gonna post the list of everyone I've found so far as well as my starters. There'll obviously be plenty of room for debate, but I''d be curious to know what differences we can find. First, the offensive roster by position:

O LINE:
BALDINGER, BRIAN
CUNNINGHAM, ED
DIERDORF, DAN
FARR, DEMARCO
HILGENBERG, JAY
ILKIN, TUNCH
KRAMER, JERRY
MAY, MARK
MCGUIRE, PAUL
MUNOZ, ANTHONY
SCHLERETH, MARK
SLATER, JACKIE
TAYLOR, AARON

TIGHT ENDS:
DITKA, MIKE
FRANCIS, RUSS
SHARPE, SHANNON

WIDE RECEIVERS
BROWN, TIM
CARTER, CHRIS
COLLINSWORTH, CHRIS
GIFFORD, FRANK
HOWARD, DEXTER
IRVIN, MICHAEL
ISHMAEL, QADRY
JOHNSON, KEYSHAWN
LOGAN, DAVE
RASHAD, AHMAD
RICE, JERRY
SHARPE, STERLING
SWANN, LYNN
TASKER, STEVE

RUNNING BACKS
ADAMLE, MIKE
ANDERSON, JAMAAL
BARBER, TIKI
BETTIS, JEROME
DAVIS, TERELL
DICKERSON, ERIC
DORSETT, TONY
FAULK, MARSHALL
GARRISON, WALT
HOGE, MERRILL
HORNUG, PAUL
JAMES, CRAIG
JOHNSON, DARREL
REEVES, DAN
RIGGINS, JOHN
SIMPSON, OJ
SMITH, EMMIT

QUARTERBACKS
AIKMAN, TROY
BLACKLEDGE, TODD
BRADSHAW, TERRY
DANIELSON, GARY
DAWSON, LEN
ESAISON, BOOMER
FOUTS, DAN
GABRIEL, ROMAN
GANNON, RICH
GRIESE, BOB
HADEN, PAT
JAWORSKI, RON
KELLY, JIM
KING, SHAUN
MARINO, DAN
MEREDITH, DON
NAMATH, JOE
SIMMS, PHIL
STABLER, KEN
TARKENTON, FRAN
THEISMAN, JOE
UNITAS, JOHN

Hmph! Slightly nuts?! You are way past slightly nuts!
What about Archie Manning? I know he didn't have a great career but it is not his fault he was on lousy teams.
I noticed you have 1980 posts. That was a good year. :D

[jrmitch]

Hmph! Slightly nuts?! You are way past slightly nuts!
What about Archie Manning? I know he didn't have a great career but it is not his fault he was on lousy teams.
I noticed you have 1980 posts. That was a good year. :DThanks, Zip. Uh, excuse me a sec....(clears throat}:.......AAARRRGGHH HHHHH!!!!!......There - I feel so much better.........:D

This one has pushed me completely over the edge (Zip it, Zipster). See, I thought, smart guy that I am, that if I wrote all of these guys down I'd be sure and get everyone. Yet I keep finding guys who I missed...and more guys who I missed......and even more guys who I missed. I thought I was nuts before I started this list, but that pales in comparison to what I've turned into. Pretty soon the guys in the white jackets will show up to lock me up. My fear is that my treatment program will consist of watching video of all of the guys who I've still missed.........:eek:

[ZippyApplePants]

Uh, excuse me a sec....(clears throat}:.......AAARRRGGHH HHHHH!!!!!......There - I feel so much better.........:D

This one has pushed me completely over the edge (Zip it, Zipster). See, I thought, smart guy that I am, that if I wrote all of these guys down I'd be sure and get everyone. Yet I keep finding guys who I missed...and more guys who I missed......and even more guys who I missed. I thought I was nuts before I started this list, but that pales in comparison to what I've turned into. Pretty soon the guys in the white jackets will show up to lock me up. My fear is that my treatment program will consist of watching video of all of the guys who I've still missed.........:eek:

What did you say? My ears are ringing from your yelling. :P :D *zips it* :D

[JanetRN]

Brian Sipe would qualify wouldn't he? ... if so he's my #1 choice...(mainly cuz he's the reason #17 is my favorite number! LOL)