Longtime sportscaster James Brown recently spoke about the lasting influence his former hosts on CBS’ “The NFL Today” show have had on the show as it transitions into a new era.
In an appearance on the SI Media Podcast with Jimmy Traina last week, Brown praised former Jets quarterback Boomer Esiason and former Giants quarterback Phil Simms for their contributions to the show over the past two decades.
CBS replaced veteran broadcasters with five-time Pro Bowl defensive end JJ Watt and former NFL quarterback Matt Ryan this season.
“Absolutely yes,” Brown said of the disappearance of Esiason and Simms via a terrible announcement. “We acknowledge that and stay in touch with them. Boomer and Phil have been an integral part of what we have done and the relationships we have.
“No one has tried harder than Phil Simms to know all the
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Brown also credited the network for the way it handled the transition to bring in new talent.
“To give CBS a tip of the hat…how many teams have you seen with some veterans that have done well, but at some point, you have the young talent that you bring in,” Brown said via a terrible ad.
“The key is finding that happy medium and balance. You have a veteran who’s still performing well, who has some utility and value, but also has value in showing them what it means to be a professional, and he’s a model of that. Getting them in a relationship with a young talent to groom them.” “This is important.”
Esiason, who co-hosts WFAN’s “Boomer & Gio,” has been part of the CBS pregame show for 22 years while Simms, who led the Giants to two Super Bowl victories, has been with the program for 26 years.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think it would last 22 years,” Esiason said in April of his time with the show.
“It’s been an amazing run.”
Simms played his 14-year career with the Giants, where he won two Super Bowls. Esiason, the 1988 MVP, played three seasons with the Jets late in his career.
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