(C) Poynter Institute This story was originally published by Poynter Institute and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Who is the best of the NFL media? [1] ['Tom Jones', 'Tom Jones Is Poynter S Senior Media Writer For Poynter.Org. He Was Previously Part Of The Tampa Bay Times Family During Three Stints Over Some'] Date: 2023-09-07 11:30:09+00:00 Today, let’s take a break from all the serious political drama and media controversies and get down to what’s really important in this country: The start of the NFL season. The NFL kicks off the 2023 season tonight as the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs host the Detroit Lions. So to commemorate the start of football season, here are my rankings and thoughts on the best of NFL broadcasting and media. Best play-by-play announcer You could make an argument that the A teams for each network that carries the NFL have never been this strong. In fact, I will make that argument. This is the golden age of A-team broadcasters: Joe Buck and Troy Aikman (ESPN), Jim Nantz and Tony Romo (CBS), Kevin Burkhardt and Greg Olsen (Fox), Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth (NBC), Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit (Amazon Prime). I’d take any team from this group to call any game and be perfectly content. So, top play-by-play guy? I’ll stick with Michaels, who is the best of all time. He was criticized a bit last year for seemingly not being into every game and not having great chemistry with Herbstreit. I think a lousy Thursday night schedule had a lot to do with that. (The Herbstreit chemistry thing remains a work in progress.) This year’s schedule figures to be more competitive, and that should spark Michaels’ enthusiasm — or at least change the narrative among viewers. Michaels will again show he’s the best in the business. Best game analyst For several years, CBS’s Tony Romo was the hot new kid in town — the darling of fans and media critics. And then as always happens, the pendulum swung the other way and now Romo is everyone’s chew toy. He has gotten a rap for not being prepared. I’m not sure that’s true, but I think the pendulum swings back the other way again and he will be recognized for just how good (and fired up) he is at calling games. Don’t be surprised if he goes out of his way to show his preparation and goes back to things that made him a media darling, like predicting plays before they happen. Plus, he’s at his best when the quarterbacks are the stars of the game and he, a former QB himself, can focus on what makes them so good. He works for CBS, which concentrates on the AFC. And the AFC is loaded with the league’s best QB’s: Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes, Buffalo’s Josh Allen, Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow, Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson, Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert, Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence and new New York Jets’ QB Aaron Rodgers. So Romo will be my comeback broadcaster of the year. Best pregame show The problem with long-standing pregame shows at Fox and CBS is that they are full of old guys. The young one on “Fox NFL Sunday” is Michael Strahan, who hasn’t played since 2007. To its credit, CBS’s “The NFL Today” is adding the newly retired J.J. Watt, but the most recent former player aside from Watt is Nate Burleson, who hasn’t played in a decade. This isn’t to say old guys don’t have something to say. Heck, Fox’s Terry Bradshaw, who is 75, remains probably the most relevant voice on the Sunday pregame shows. But the point is they tend to rely on the same personalities and, worse, the same formulas for their pregame shows. Feels like we’ve been watching the same shows since, well, forever. In the end, none of the pregame shows are special, but NBC’s “Football Night in America” before “Sunday Night Football” seems to be the most vibrant. They have a major advantage of being able to show highlights from earlier in the day, but they make the most of it. Actually … Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina had a shoutout for a nontraditional pregame show: “The Other Pregame Show” on CBS Sports Network. Traina wrote, “The Sunday NFL pregame shows, for the most part, are the same across the board. ‘TOPS’ stands out for being a little different. … (it’s) loose. It’s fun. It doesn’t take itself so seriously like the rest of the pregame shows.” Most underrated (play-by-play) Ian Eagle, CBS. Just as good as any of the A-team announcers. Most underrated (analyst) Mark Sanchez, Fox. He’s best known for his infamous “Butt Fumble.” (Here’s the hilarious clip if you’ve never seen it.) But he has also developed into a respectable announcer, who isn’t afraid to poke fun at himself in between telling viewers what’s going on. Must-see interview of the week Pat McAfee and Aaron Rodgers might annoy some people, especially Rodgers, but their weekly chat on McAfee’s show is a must-listen for football fans and reporters alike. It’s always interesting, constantly entertaining and often news-breaking. Rodgers gets so relaxed around McAfee that he’s liable to say anything. Now that McAfee is moving over to ESPN, the interview will get even more attention. Best show NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football.” This weekday morning show has found the secret sauce: charismatic co-hosts with perfect chemistry, a wonderful mix of news and analysis and, best of all, it’s stress-free. There aren’t over-the-top, performative, made-for-TV arguments. It’s just a fun time with plenty of humor and irreverence and just a really likable panel of Peter Schrager, Kyle Brandt, Jamie Erdahl and Jason McCourty. This is the show that NFL players watch. Now on to other media thoughts, links and tidbits … More resources for journalists Have feedback or a tip? Email Poynter senior media writer Tom Jones at tjones@poynter.org. The Poynter Report is our daily media newsletter. To have it delivered to your inbox Monday-Friday, sign up here. 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