Rating the CBS announcers for Vikings-Packers
The network isn't sending its No. 1 team to Lambeau Field, but fans should be happy with who is calling the game.
(Photo courtesy of Minnesota Vikings)
Having covered the sports TV-radio beat for the Star Tribune for eight years, I found there was plenty of interest in that side of the business.
We tune into games to watch the action, but the viewing experience either can be enhanced or taken away from by those describing what is going on.
Thus, each week I’m planning to do a brief analysis of who will be in the booth to call Vikings’ game and whether the assignment is a good or bad one.
Network and broadcast team: CBS will have Vikings-Green Bay on Sunday with Kevin Harlan and Trent Green on the call.
Rating the duo: 8.5 on a scale of 1-10.
Why that rating? This is the Vikings’ third consecutive game on CBS and the second time in three weeks that Harlan, Green and sideline reporter Melanie Collins have been assigned to call a game involving the team.
Ian Eagle and Charles Davis, who are listed as CBS’ No. 2 NFL team, worked Vikings-Texans last Sunday. Harlan and Green are CBS’ No. 3 team, but Harlan is one of the best in the business and any game he works he makes more enjoyable.
Green, a former NFL quarterback, is solid in the analyst role, so Vikings and Packers fans won’t be complaining about getting this duo.
As long as the Vikings (3-0) continue to be one of the NFL’s best stories, their fans won’t have to worry about getting the bottom of the barrel announcers from CBS and FOX.
The Vikings are becoming a prime candidate to have a game or two flexed to Sunday or Monday nights, if their success continues. The ability to flex games into the Sunday night window starts in Week 5. A maximum of two games can be moved from Sunday afternoon to Sunday night from Weeks 5 to 10. A decision on flexing a game to Sunday night must be made at least 12 days in advance from Weeks 5 to 13.
Interesting point. This is technically the No. 3 team.
Will take Kevin Harlan anytime. Great announcer. Could CBS have some sensitivity to assigning its number 1 broadcast team to an NFC matchup as it remains predominantly an AFC-focused NFL TV partner?