Top NFL broadcasters

I was checking out Page 2 (I was very bored at work today) and I read Simmons' column. Surprisingly, it's not that bad, and I think it echos a lot of the complaints I see on this site. Have a look:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/061201

What do you think? Any of you have good ideas for a broadcast team?

 

I actually like Buck-Aikman.

Aikman has no schtick, and he sticks to the football stuff, and he doesn't put a happy face on everything.

 

I agree with Marv Albert as well. I was actually kind of curious as to why he wasn't even considered after NBC hired Madden and Michaels was in limbo. And yes, I'm aware of his past transgressions, but that was almost 10 years ago, no?

In my book, Marv's the best play-by-play guy ever.

 

Has anyone else heard Jesse "The Bachelor" Palmer call games yet? If so, is there really anything in between the ears?

 

Right now, Jesse gets stuck with the shitpile games. So I haven't heard him yet.

 

Oh, how awesome is it that Summerall is back in the booth? Yeah, he's been exiled to the Rams - Cards, but still... it's Summerall!

 

Chris Boniol was unavailable for comment.

 

Compared to the rest of the available talent out there, you should understand why I'd be excited. I have less memory of what good broadcasting is supposed to be, as opposed the rest of yous guys.

 

Tommy is dead on. The Marv Alberts - Boomer Esiason pairing is one of the best I've heard.

 

The last thing I remember about Summerall was him really struggling on an ESPN game when Mike Patrick was out (with a heart problem or some such ailment if I recall).

 

I think Gumbel is a solid studio host. But I'm not real fond of his pairing with Collinsworth. I don't think they connect well and Gumbel sounds like he hasn't done football since Landry.

I think, unfortunately, the analysts are better than the play-by-play announcers now. Aikman and Dierdorf are pretty good. If Vermeil does more than three games, he'll be the best by far.