Messages
46,859
Reaction score
5
Posted by Michael David Smith on February 18, 2014, 12:37 PM EST

Any thought that Tony Gonzalez might change his mind about retirement (again) can probably put to rest, as Gonzalez has a high-profile new job: CBS has announced that Gonzalez is joining its pregame show.

As part of the same announcement, CBS said Dan Marino and Shannon Sharpe will no longer appear on The NFL Today. The new cast of the show will be James Brown, Bill Cowher, Boomer Esiason and Gonzalez.

“Having just stepped off the playing field, Tony brings a fresh and insightful perspective,” CBS Sports Chairman Sean McManus said in a statement. “As a future Hall of Famer, we are excited for him to share his knowledge, experiences and opinions with our viewers. Tony was one of the most respected and hardworking players in the NFL and a tremendous teammate. We look forward to him bringing these attributes to CBS Sports. While we welcome Tony, we want to acknowledge Dan Marino and Shannon Sharpe who have contributed greatly to the success of The NFL Today for more than a decade. Dan and Shannon are true Hall of Famers on the field and in front of the camera. As they pursue other professional opportunities, we thank them for their hard work and dedication and wish them nothing but the best.”

Gonzalez was the first-round draft pick of the Chiefs in 1997, and played in Kansas City for 11 years, then played five more years in Atlanta. Gonzalez was chosen to 14 Pro Bowls, tied for the most of any player in NFL history, and is the all-time record holder for touchdowns and yards by a tight end. Although he initially said he would retire after the 2012 season, he returned for 2013. From all indications he now really is retired and is ready to embark on a career in broadcasting.
 

Jon88

Pro Bowler
Messages
19,523
Reaction score
0
[video=youtube;YOacOZcAihY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOacOZcAihY[/video]
 

Jon88

Pro Bowler
Messages
19,523
Reaction score
0
Sharpe was so bad, and then the Super Bowl Winning QB comment with Marino right next to him was beyond terrible.

And he always dressed like a clown too. I don't know what was more ridiculous, his commentary or his clothes.
 

Jon88

Pro Bowler
Messages
19,523
Reaction score
0
Shannon Sharpe “thad and dithappointed” to be out at CBS

Posted by Michael David Smith on February 19, 2014, 2:16 PM EST

CBS announced Tuesday that Tony Gonzalez is the newest commentator on The NFL Today, and Shannon Sharpe and Dan Marino won’t return. Unsurprisingly, Sharpe isn’t thrilled about that.

Sharpe told Mike Klis of the Denver Post that he would have liked to stay on CBS, but he appreciates the network hiring him after he retired from playing in 2003.

“There’s no way I would ever complain,” Sharpe said. “Am I sad and disappointed? Absolutely. But I’m grateful for the 10 years they did give me. They gave me the opportunity when I had no broadcasting experience. So I’m forever grateful what they did for me. I’ll be fine.”

Sharpe said he could simply retire, but he expects to return to television somewhere.

“I’m going to work because I want to not because I have to. I can be a little more picky,” he said. “I don’t have to rush into anything because I’m under no financial strain or obligation. I’m going to weigh all my options.”

Sharpe is good enough on TV that he’ll surely find work, but there probably won’t be any options that come with as big a platform as Sharpe had at CBS.
 
Messages
46,859
Reaction score
5
I used to. Then I'd at least leave the pregame show on for background noise. Now I pretty much just turn the TV on right around kick off.
 
Messages
46,859
Reaction score
5
I dislike too many of the people on TV.

Tom Jackson, Keyshawn Johnson, Marshall Faulk, Shannon Sharpe, Chris Berman, ... basically everyone.
 

VTA

UDFA
Messages
2,666
Reaction score
585
CBS' broadcast is the dullest on TV any way. From their pre-game to the games themselves. The whole team sucks. Sharpe is a mush mouth, but he doesn't have a shitty attitude. I'd rather listen to him mangle English than hear Keyshawn mangle professionalism.
 
Messages
46,859
Reaction score
5
Yeah I've never gotten into CBS/AFC football.

Goes back to when I was growing up, they'd always have the Cowboys on Fox and each week there'd be differeng AFC games being broadcast. Like, hmmm.... watch Cowboys vs whomever or Jets vs Cleveland?!?!?!?!

Played a direct hand in me being a Cowboys fan. Which sucks now.
 

Jon88

Pro Bowler
Messages
19,523
Reaction score
0
Marshall Faulk, Shannon Sharpe, Tom Jackson, and James brown are the worst. They're awful.

Phil Simms and Bill Cowher are bad too.

I like Fox's Pregame show but I can't stand Howie Long. Fucking grandstanding square.
 
Messages
46,859
Reaction score
5
I like how all the pregame shows have like 10 people on the set.

Pretty sure everyone who retires from the NFL get either a pregame show gig, or a talking head gig at ESPN or NFL Network.
 

VTA

UDFA
Messages
2,666
Reaction score
585
It is ridiculous. A 'panel' to talk shit about football. Only in America can superfluous high-paying 'job's' be created with such little value.
 

Texas Ace

Practice Squad
Messages
402
Reaction score
0
I like how all the pregame shows have like 10 people on the set.

Pretty sure everyone who retires from the NFL get either a pregame show gig, or a talking head gig at ESPN or NFL Network.

I remember growing up and watching those pre-game shows and it was like 2 guys.

CBS when it had the NFC was Greg Gumbel and Terry Bradshaw.

NBC had the NFL and it was Bob Costas and whomever.

And ESPN had Berman and Jackson for the most part.

Like you said, it's not like this huge set as if anyone really cares for their insight.
 
Top Bottom