Team atmosphere makes for successful telecasts - NFL

Football is the ultimate team sport; each player must execute his responsibilities for a play to succeed. But the team's success demands more than just 53 players working together. There are coaches, executives, trainers, equipment men. Everyone plays an important role.

That's also true in my current occupation. As a color analyst for FOX broadcasts of the NFL, I work with a team that's every bit as good as the Cowboys teams of the 1990s. And there are just as many behind-the-scenes guys whose work is crucial to our success.

As I'm reminded often, the quarterback of our broadcast team is not me. It's Artie Kempner, the director. He calls the audibles in the trucks that determine what we see in the booth and what viewers see on TV. The head coach is our producer, Richie Zyontz. He determines the game plan for each broadcast and sets the tone for everybody. Richie and Artie are regarded by many as the best in the business. I've been fortunate to have worked with them since starting with FOX in 2001.

Each FOX game crew has about 85 technical and production people, most of whom travel wherever we're assigned. Mike Steavpack, for example, lives in Green Bay, but if we're doing a game in Tampa, he leaves home Friday morning and returns Sunday night. Mike does a little bit of everything leading up to the game, then handles the FOX Box in the corner of your screen Sunday. He works his tail off.

In the booth, I work with a couple of pros, as well. Joe Buck sets the standard for play-by-play. His description of the action is informative and entertaining, thanks to a great sense of humor and seamless delivery. You probably couldn't tell by listening, but he's intense about his work. So is Cris Collinsworth, who prepares like a madman. He takes meticulous notes and enters a game ready for anything.

Our crew enjoys great camaraderie. That team atmosphere is much like it was when I was a player; except on Mondays, I'm not nearly as sore.

The Troy Aikman Show airs at 5 p.m. ET every Thursday through the Super Bowl on Sporting News Radio. Listen online at http://radio.sportingnews.com.

Scouts' views

Observations and opinions from two NFL pro scouts, one from each conference:

Michael Bennett brings more big-play potential to the Vikings' offense. He gives them that ability to score from any point on the field, whether it's their own 2-yard line or the opponent's 40. That takes a little bit of heat off Bandy Moss and Daunte Culpepper, their other big-play guys. Now they can put the ball in the hands of a guy who adds another dimension to their explosiveness.... If Marty Schottenheimer is trying to save his job, he needs to win now. So he goes with Doug Flutie. If he has a secure job and he cares about building the team, he plays Drew Brees. That's the way I see it.... Teams have gotten back to that old-school style of "let's run the ball and play good defense." For the most part, the teams that are having success are trying to live close to that philosophy.... Lito Sheppard hasn't been spectacular filling in for Bobby Taylor, but he's been a steady cornerback who has made some plays when he had to. Physically, he's got the makeup to be a good player. He just lacks experience aim recognition.... My opinion on Rodney Harrison hasn't changed. The phase of his game that he's still known for is hitting. He's still got all of that. But as a coverage guy, I don't think he's anywhere close to where be was earlier in his career.... I think if you're Green Bay, you have to scale back the amount of time Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila is on the field, especially if tendencies dictate that it's going to be more of a running situation. You have to protect him a little bit so that teams aren't running at him and putting big bodies on him all the time and wearing him down. It'd be different if he were 280 pounds, but he isn't. You'd like for him to be flesh in pass-rushing situations, so he can just turn it loose and get up the field.... I haven't been that impressed with Dexter McCleon. People will say this is his breakout year, and you do have to give him credit for what he's done. He's intercepted the hall when it's been thrown to him. But there are other times when he's out of position and looks bad. He really hasn't done anything consistently until this year, and as far as having any special talents, I don't see that.... If you looked at all the players who could be flee agents after this season, the one position that stands out as littered with guys with pretty good ability is cornerback. You've got guys like Champ Bailey, Charles Woodson, Chris McAlister, Shawn Springs. Of course, teams franchising them or designating them as transition players could slow down the movement.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Sporting News Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group