A few months back I read somewhere an article about the reason Tony Romo was such a good analyst in his first year, despite the lack of prior broadcasting experience.
The author hypothesized that Romo had so recently been in game preparation as a player (watching film, game plan meetings with coaches, preparing for the next opponent) that he was able to draw on that experience as a commentator.
Other ex-jocks had been away for the game longer so that experience had either faded, or their experiences were less relevant. For example, Romo still had relevant game planning vs the Giants, Wash, Philly to draw on if those teams were playing a game he was announcing. A guy like Dan Fouts had no such similar recent experience.
Rodney Harrison blows that theory up. He has not played an NFL game in a decade, but he is a thousand times better than Jason Witten - despite Witten's being groomed and trained for the position in multiple telecasts while still playing in the NFL.
I thought Matt Light's personality would make him great as an NFL (non-game broadcast), but he decided quickly that tv was not for him. Heath Evans was good as a studio analyst, but that harassment suit ended his career. Rodney Harrison on the other hand is a natural, whether it is in studio or in the booth.
I hope all NFL broadcast networks will take note of tonight's telecast. Announcers like Fouts (any many others, whether in studio or in booth) need to be put out to pasture. Capable announcers like Rodney should be given the opportunity they deserve.
