NAT COOMBS is a writer and broadcaster who hosts the chat show Talk of The Terrace on our partner channel ESPN, and both NFL & MLB coverage on BBC Radio Five Live. He also anchors the US sports podcast Americarnage and is a regular guest on ESPN Radio’s Fantasy Baseball Podcast.

Arizona Cardinals star receiver Larry Fitzgerald’s new deal – which could be worth up to $120 million dollars over 8 years – has raised more than a few eyebrows, mine included, though I wish I was able to actually move them without using my finger, or by using tape.

Now we’re not talking the kind of jaw-drop shock that, say, casting Zach Galifianakis as Batman would generate. Though if we got David Lynch to direct, and cast Steve Guttenberg as Robin, we may just have an Oscar on our hands.

No-one could begrudge Fitzgerald the money – he’s the consummate contemporary NFL pro – explosive power, superhero size, nearly flawless dexterity all bound together by a 1000 watt smile that wouldn’t look out of place on the campaign trail (you heard it here first: the Democratic nomination for the 2024 President of the United States is Larry Darnell Fitzgerald).

Yep, Everybody Loves Larry, and his loyalty to the Arizona Cardinals – whose post Super Bowl XLIII hangover is second in the list of greatest hangovers ever, just behind every morning of Motley Crue’s life – is to be heartily admired.

But it’s still a significant deal for a receiver – and in fact, makes him tied with Richard Seymour as the fifth highest paid player of any position in the NFL – a list that is typically populated by two types of player: defensive linemen and, of course, quarterbacks.

Indeed, in this year’s Best Paid List, the top four above Fitz are all QBs, including the Rams’ Sam Bradford who was the lucky final recipient of the megabucks deals given to Number One draft picks prior to the new CBA and rookie salary cap getting struck.

You see, when it comes to spending money in the NFL, the following law seems to apply:
Spend your money on the QB, the guy who protects the QB, or the guy who tries to kill the other team’s QB.

The Colts’ President Bill Polian – who recently made four-time League MVP Peyton Manning the best-paid player in the NFL, is among the shrewdest operators in the league and reinforces this view, saying that other positional players are interchangeable.

This strategy is borne out in the Draft too, where wide receivers are always among the riskiest players to take during the early rounds. That logic is fairly sound: if a tackle doesn’t work out, he can be switched to a guard. If a WR doesn’t work out, well, there’s always Arena Football. Or TNA Wrestling.

Fitz isn’t a spring chicken either, with the 2011 season representing his seventh in the league. There’s no doubt as to his peak physical conditioning, and his professionalism will buy him an extra year or two, but this is a League where pace is ever increasing. The fact that in the NFL the passing game is once again gaining increasing significance (after the early noughties where the running back was King) may make this deal seem like a smart play, but remember that this inevitably means that the play of defensive backs will continue to become sharper and sharper. Reckon it’s any coincidence some of the biggest superstars in the NFL right now are shut-down corners Darrelle Revis and Nnamdi Asomugha? No, didn’t think so.

There is, of course, the argument that Fitzgerald has been rewarded for his loyalty Derek Jeter-style – in so far as the exactitude of the deal in financial terms doesn’t stack up, but it’s the contractual equivalent of back pay for years of service where the original deal wasn’t fair to the player. (To use a cultural parallel, take Martin Scorsese’s Academy Award for Gangs of New York, which was given more for the awards he should have won in the past but didn’t, rather than that specific movie.)

Furthermore, the Cardinals knew that letting Fitz go would have been disastrous – not just for the immediate negative impact on the quality of the team but the message it would send out to other existing stars, potential free agents and future draft picks.

Time will tell if the deal stacks up. While I  ponder it further – and also consider whether I’ll ever write a column, which includes the statement “The Punter is King”, why don’t you browse my Top Five NFL Deals Ever. Not surprisingly, it doesn’t include Ryan Leaf.

TOP FIVE NFL DEALS EVER

5. 49ers trade up to get Jerry Rice

Unbelievable as it may seem, Mississippi Valley’s Rice wasn’t that highly rated coming into the 1985 NFL draft. He had a 4.59 40 Yard Time – which was both unrepresentative of his true speed, and (other than the widely held belief in the MLB during the early 80’s that moustaches “make you hit the ball harder”) the biggest red herring in sporting history as coaching staffs across the league sniffed at his mediocre time.

As Rice dropped down the draft board, the Cowboys had their eye on him at #17 but at the last minute the late, great Bill Walsh struck a momentous deal with the New England Patriots, who had pick #16.

The 49ers gave up a lot (at the time): their first two picks (and swapped third round picks) but ended up with the best receiver the game has ever seen. Case closed.

4. Drew Brees to New Orleans Saints

In 2006, after Drew Brees wanted out of San Diego, feeling that the offer of a 5-year $50 million dollar was too low on the “guara” (guaranteed money within a contract). He had two options. Going to the promising Miami Dolphins (contenders for the playoffs under head coach Nick Saban) or to New Orleans, a franchise in disarray after Hurricane Katrina, with an untested first year head coach in Sean Payton.

Surprisingly, Brees took the Saints’ 6-year $60 million dollar offer (similar to the Chargers deal but with a much bigger portion of ‘guara’) and three seasons later the pair took New Orleans to the Promised Land. Clearly Philip Rivers has now emerged as a terrific young quarterback, but would the (14-2) 2006 Chargers, knocked out in the AFC Divisional Round in the playoffs, have gone all the way with Brees at the helm? Probably.

3. Brett Favre to the Packers

It’s somewhat appropriate that former Falcons’ head coach Jerry Glanville likes wearing black so much, seeing as he was responsible for one of the blackest days in Falcons’ history. For Jerry was the man who traded away Brett Favre. Much to Jerry’s chagrin, Atlanta had drafted Favre in the second round of the 1991 Draft (33rd overall pick) and he offloaded the future Hall of Famer to the Green Bay Packers for a first round draft pick in the 1992 Draft.

And with the 19th overall pick, the Falcons drafted Favre’s Southern Mississippi team-mate and running back Tony Smith. Yep, that Tony Smith, who played for three seasons and promptly retired. To be fair he did average a touchdown a season (starting in just six games). Favre – as we all know and Falcons’ fans keep trying to forget – went on to become one the greatest players the game has ever seen (despite having Lorenzo as a middle name).

2. Johnny Unitas to the Baltimore Colts

In 1955, Unitas was drafted in the ninth round by the Pittsburgh Steelers, but they released him before the start of the season. Head coach Walt Kiesling had him ranked fourth on the depth chart … as you do, with one of the all-time greats.

Drifting around semi-pro ball and working in construction to support his family, Unitas went along with his cousin for a trial at the Baltimore Colts. Their head coach, the remarkably named Weeb Ewbank saw a spark in Unitas that prompted him to take a chance, and offered him a slot on the roster as a backup. An injury to Colts’ starter George Shaw gave Unitas his shot and three Championships (including Super Bowl V) and a Hall of Fame career later, the legend of Johnny U lives on (everywhere except in Steeltown)

1. Herschel Walker to the Vikings

The fact that this deal is often referred to HWT (the Herschel Walker Trade) – or as I prefer to call it “The Great Train Robbery” – ossibly tells you all you need to know. In 1989 new Cowboys’ head coach Jimmy Johnson did the unthinkable and traded away his star running back Herschel Walker, virtually the only Cowboy with any significant talent. In return from the Minnesota Vikings, America’s Team received five starters plus three first round draft picks and three second round draft picks, which they subsequently used to bring in the likes of Emmitt Smith and Darren Woodson, and a host of others/ This almost complete team rebuilding courtesy of the ‘HWT’ proved to be the foundation for the Cowboys’ 1990s dynasty, and three Super Bowl wins.

Walker didn’t post a single 1000+ yard seasons in his time at Minnesota and left in 1991 making him this deal the Poster Child for Buy Low, Sell High. After dabbling with Olympic Bobsleigh and MMA, he has recently hinted at a return to the NFL (he’s currently 49) so watch this space. What are the chances that the Vikes could use him alongside Adrian Peterson?

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NAT COOMBS is a writer and broadcaster who hosts the chat show Talk of The Terrace on our partner channel ESPN, and both NFL & MLB coverage on BBC Radio Five Live. He also anchors the US sports podcast Americarnage and is a regular guest on ESPN Radio’s Fantasy Baseball Podcast.

Nat looks at the current MLB season and the new NFL season to gauge which players are set to rebound from past setbacks and loss of form (or, in some cases, freedom).

America loves a comeback kid; always has, always will. Frank Sinatra, Bill Clinton, and, to a lesser extent, the cast of the Police Academy movies (rest in peace, Charles ‘Bubba’ Smith aka ‘Hightower’ and the overall first round pick and a Super Bowl V winning lineman with the Colts).

And this sentimental attachment to an unlikely return to glory is perhaps most poignant in sports, where some of the most remarkable tales of fighting back from the brink (and beyond) can be found. Indeed both the NFL and MLB have an official “Comeback Player of the Year Award” – though it isn’t always necessarily awarded to the player with the most colorful back story, more so directly linked with improvement in that player’s overall performance on the field.

In recent years we’ve seen some diverse tales of redemption: Josh Hamilton [Texas Rangers] returning from crack addiction (and more) to play in a World Series and win a MVP award; Michael Vick rehabilitated (on the field anyway) after disappearing from the NFL for his globally-publicized incarceration, and indeed bagging the aforementioned NFL CPOTY Award.

On a less complex, but no less impactful level, you have less noticeable players like Bartolo Colon. Having played for five MLB teams since 1997 and winning the 2005 Cy Young Award with the Indians, the 38-year-old had seemingly been discarded as the poster boy of washed up, overweight has-beens. He was even reduced to pitching in Winter Ball this off-season to try to earn a ticket back to the Majors. And back he came, only to shock everyone and as a bona-fide starting pitcher (8-6, as I write this) for one of this year’s genuine contenders, the New York Yankees.

Second-guessing who may be the comeback kids next season in the NFL – officially or otherwise – is an interesting subject. Obvious candidates include Plaxico Burress – like Vick, coming back into the league after a period in jail, and recent Patriots’ signings Albert Haynesworth and Chad Johnson, who pack more baggage than Lady Ga Ga and her entourage flying into JFK Airport.

Then, there are some long shots who would represent the Rocky Balboa style underdogs, that includes: Rex Grossman of the Redskins (who took the Bears to the Big Show in 2006 and didn’t so much suffer a Super Bowl hangover as a ‘Super Sunday emergency ward stomach pump’) and Chad Henne of the Dolphins, providing he hangs onto the starter’s jersey, which quite frankly, would represent a success of significant proportions given the fact he’s even been booed in pre-season training by his own teams’ fans – like he’s a WWE heel squaring off against John Cena.

Whoever it is, in whichever league, they’ll have a hard ‘return to combat’ act to follow when it comes to the All-time Comeback Kids in North American sport. Listed below is my take on the best of the best across the four major leagues along with a college wildcard.

NFL – FRANK GIFFORD
Those of you who have been watching ESPN America’s Monday Night Football retrospective this summer will know Frank Gifford as a respected commentator. Less well-known, as a New York Giant, he was elected to the NFL’s 1950s All-Decade Team as a running back. Another of Gifford’s many football-related legacies was to inspire the “Comeback Player of the Year” award … and here’s why.

His All-Pro career came to a crushing halt back in 1960. During a game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Gifford was infamously knocked out cold by Chuck Bednarik – one the game’s hardest and meanest tacklers – suffering a severe head injury that forced him out of football.

Undaunted, Gifford miraculously returned to the Giants two years later. Equally surprising as his return was that he had changed positions from running back to wide receiver – catching 43 TDs (nine more than he’d rushed for), and became a star again. He even made the Pro Bowl again as a receiver, in 1964, and then promptly retired – for good. This makes sense when you consider that he’d made the NFC’s All Star team eight times and at three positions (RB, DB and WR). Frank even found time to pass for a non-QB record14 touchdowns (we’ll ignore the non-QB record six interceptions!). Oh! And to cap the comeback Gifford was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1977.

MLB – 2004 BOSTON RED SOX

I’ve not gone for an individual player but a team that made an eight-decade comeback. (Hey, it’s my game, so my rules). The 2004 Sox had lived in the long, cold shadow of the New York Yankees for years. Red Sox Nation was desperate to break the ‘Curse of the Bambino’ having traded Babe Ruth in 1919 to their rivals instigating an 86-year stretch without a World Series crown.

Having come up short time and time again in the intervening years, fate pitted the old enemies against each other in the 2004 ALCS. The Yankees took a 3-0 lead in the best of seven series, which led to one of the most extraordinary sporting comebacks ever witnessed. The Sox fought back and ultimately won the series 4-3, exorcising the Curse, before going on to take the World Series.

Games 4 and 5 alone – with Boston so far on the ropes they were sitting in the cheap seats – went into extra innings. This late drama created a surreal atmosphere with play going past midnight in the chill of the October night. The Sox roster delivered a range of exceptional individual performances – from Dave Roberts’ pivotal stolen base in Game 4 to Curt Schilling’s bloody sock in Game 6. Most notable among all these solo efforts was a Series MVP display from David Ortiz who smacked a walk-off homer in Game 4 and a walk-off single in the 14th inning of Game 5.

NHL – MARIO LEMIEUX

There is no doubt that Montreal-born Lemieux is one of the great comeback stories across all North American sporting history.

The NHL’s first overall draft pick in 1984 – who Bobby Orr called “the most talented player I’ve ever seen,” – retired not once, but twice, because of serious health issues. Not forgetting he missed 50 games in 1990-91 after back surgery, number 66 still goes down as one of the NHL’s all-time legends. Lemieux won the Hart Trophy and scoring title in 1995-96 – having sat out the entire previous season. In 1997, he was forced into ‘early’ retirement to battle cancer and was immediately elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame on what he had achieved in his stellar career.

Not content with all that had gone before and having beaten the Big C, he strapped his skates back on in 2000 and played another five seasons for the Pens. He was still at the top of his game and was a key player in Canada’s 2002 Olympic gold winning team.

In 2006, he was then diagnosed with an atrial fibrillation (causing irregular heartbeats), which forced him to retire for the second and final time.

NBA – EARVIN ‘MAGIC’ JOHNSON

I haven’t chosen Magic based on his post-comeback performance, despite the fact that he is undeniably one of the games’s all-time greats, but for the symbolic nature of his re-appearance after the announcement that rocked and shocked the sporting world, in 1991, that he was HIV positive.

At that time no major professional athlete – and very few public figures of any kind – had publically announced that they were carrying the HIV virus, and sufferers were overwhelmingly found within the homosexual communities, which propelled Johnson, who contacted the disease from heterosexual partners, into the, then, most unlikely, role of spokesperson for education and awareness of the disease.

Having already built a Hall of Fame, five world titles and three MVP career, his subsequent “post-retirement” performances at the 1992 Summer Olympics – as part of the US Dream Team – were infrequent due to a knee injury, but the inspirational manner of his appearances in Barcelona, and the hope and belief they gave thousands of people, irrespective of the specific nature of their individual problems, was as brave as it gets.

NCAA – MARCUS DUPREE

One of my favorite back from the scrapheap stories has been poignantly recorded in ESPN’S remarkable 30 for 30 documentary The Best There Never Was. Be sure to catch it next time it airs on ESPN America [or see trailer below]. The clue to my favoritism is in the title: Dupree was a prolifically talented high school running back (87 TDs), so good that when you watch the tape back, it genuinely appears as if you’re watching a video game.

The much courted phenom eventually settled on signing with Oklahoma. He starred in his freshman season and even forced Coach Barry Switzer to adapt his legendary wishbone offense to a Dupree-orientated I-formation. Despite his success on the field, he suffered a series of injuries including a bad concussion, took terrible advice that saw him transfer to Southern Miss and then found himself ineligible to play anymore in the NCAA and left his new team without ever playing for them.

Turning pro, in 1984, he was signed by the New Orleans Breakers to the newly-formed USFL, where he was horrifically injured in the season opener and was told, before he turned 21, that he would never play football again.

Six years later, the great Walter Payton visited him and talked him into getting back into shape. Dupree shed almost 100 pounds and wrote to every NFL franchise. The (then LA) Rams gave him a trial, and offered him a contract. He only carried the ball 68 times in the NFL before retiring, but the very fact he made it there after such a problematic injury and prolonged absence, is all you need to know.

Let me know if you agree with my list, and even better let me know if you don’t [comments welcome below or via ESPN America Twitter or Facebook]. Because, like most opinions subjectivity is key. Other than the fact that Police Academy 5: Operation Miami Beach is Oscar worthy. That’s a stone cold fact.

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You can follow the MLB regular season ending pennant races and then the postseason and the World Series on ESPN America. Click here for more details.

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While viewers in the UK and Irleand can tune in to the NFL on ESPN. Click here for more details.

The new NCAA College Football season is also available throughout Europe on ESPN America – click here for details.

NAT COOMBS is a writer and broadcaster who hosts the chat show Talk of The Terrace on our partner channel ESPN, and both NFL & MLB coverage on BBC Radio Five Live. He also anchors the US sports podcast Americarnage and is a regular guest on ESPN Radio’s Fantasy Baseball Podcast.

If you, like me, have been trying to make sense of the last couple of weeks of horse trading in the NFL – and by horse trading, I’m not making a literal reference to Albert Haynesworth moving to the Patriots, but all of the frenetic wheeling and dealing that has been going on – then you probably need three weeks in Cabo on a diet of margaritas and pecan pie just to recover from the overwhelming amount of information to absorb.

But before I book that beach hut in the sun – and because I feel obliged to update those of you who’ve been living under a rock (or in Cleveland), and have therefore missed what’s been going on, I thought I’d try to make sense of the major changes and give you guys a guide to the winners and losers in the organized chaos that has been the 2011 NFL Free Agency so far.

WINNER: Philadelphia Eagles
First, they sensationally land Nnamdi Asomugha from under the noses of more likely candidates (take a bow the New York Jets) and get Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie as part of the Kevin Kolb trade to Arizona. Along with Asante Samuel these three make the most fearsome cornerback trio in recent memory.

Then, the Eagles add Vince Young (record as a starting QB 30-18) as a backup to Michael Vick (under the expert coaching of Andy Reid and Marty Mornhinweg) and RB Ronnie Brown now backs up LeSean “Shady” McCoy on an offense already winner of the “Real Life Offense Most Like a Video Game” Award ™.

Rumors are that they were also in the hunt for both Reggie Bush (who went from New Orleans to Miami) and Darren Sproles (who headed to the Big Easy from San Diego) but that Roger Goodell stepped in because it just wouldn’t have been fair.

LOSER: Cincinnati Bengals
Embroiled in a titanic battle with the L.A. Dodgers for the “Most Absurdly Run Franchise of 2011 Award™” the Bengals have taken a fourth quarter lead against their MLB ‘rival’ – ironically the only fourth quarter lead they’ll probably have this season.

Bengals’ owner Mike Brown doesn’t so much dig his heels in the ground, as order an excavator, drill down 40 feet and jumps in whilst the industrial strength concrete swirls around his ankles. Brown could have picked up two first round picks (from the Redskins) for Chad Ochocinco a couple of years ago when the unsettled receiver wanted out of Cincy. Brown refused, and two years later has cashed in on Ocho’s departure to New England with the tidy package of, err, a fifth round pick in 2012 and a whopping sixth round pick in 2013. A dynasty cannot be built on picks like those.

Brown also steadfastly refused to let Carson Palmer move on. The USC Heisman Trophy winner hates playing in Cincy so much that he’s retired. Nonsense, when you consider how many teams were in the hunt for a decent QB this summer, and the value that could have been secured for his services. But Brown has a masterplan: future HOF Bruce Gradkowski has arrived from Oakland. Don’t get me wrong – I think he’s a competent player, but he is hardly the answer. Unless the answer is to be so bad that the Bengals will end up with the worst record in football, the Number One Draft Pick and Stanford QB Andrew Luck. Who you really can build a dynasty around.

Highly regarded cornerback Johnathan Joseph moved south to Houston – but again it’s OK because he’s been replaced by Nate Clements, which is a little like removing your right hand and replacing it with four sticks and a carrot, and hoping you can still function as well. To add insult to more insult, Cedric Benson, perennial bad boy who had seemingly been rehabilitated in Cincy has been rewarded – after being recently accused of domestic assault – with a New Year contract, despite the very real fact that he may not be able to play for any of it.

WINNER: Alex Smith (49ers)
In the same way we’ve all asked “How did we keep on letting them make episodes of Dawson’s Creek without even trying to stop them?” … the fact that Alex Smith still has a starting job in 2011 is astonishing. The fact it’s for the 49ers is even more baffling.

Smith, the overall No. 1 draft pick in 2005, gets his sixth shot at trying to prove he can actually hack it at the elite level. In his 54 starts he has thrown 51 TDs and 54 Interceptions … and still gets a crack. Compare him with Brady Quinn (now number three at Denver behind Tim Tebow and Kyle Orton, see below) who’s played only 14 games (10 TDs and 9 Int) and is seemingly on the scrapheap.

SportsNation’s Colin Cowherd ruminated on his Thundering Herd show that 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh is deliberately treading water for a year so he can land the aforementioned Luck, and starting Smith as opposed to trading for someone like Vince Young or Kevin Kolb, is the best way to ensure this.

LOSER: Kyle Orton (Broncos)
Surely a candidate for the most underrated player in the NFL, Orton just can’t land a break. In a league where teams are so desperate for a starting QB that I was in contention for the Bengals job, Orton has to be asking himself: “What am I still doing in Colorado?” where, at best, he’ll be holding the fort until Tim Tebow makes his triumphant entrance as the Bronco’s starter. (BTW Tebow is the most boom or bust prospect for a long time and will be remarkable or stink the place up).

Trouble is Orton is unfashionable. He’s cursed by not one but two rules of thumb when it comes to NFL quarterbacks. Firstly, everyone loves a big arm coupled with exceptional athletic ability, which is why JaMarcus Russell made as much money as he did, why Cam Newton went number one this year, and why Chad Pennington was criminally underrated thorough much of his career. Orton is regularly referred to as “game manager” – a polite of way of saying he’s bland.

Second up is this fascination in the NFL – mirroring much of society – with something new. This is the Brady issue: he’s possibly as talented a QB as rookies Christian Ponder (Vikings) or Blaine Gabbert (Jaguars), but Quinn is already yesterday’s news, despite never being properly tested. Experience, which is so valuable, particularly in the QB position, gets overlooked time and again.

WINNER: Plaxico Burress (Jets)
Plax may have been a silly boy, but his two-year prison term for (accidentally) unleashing a firearm in a New York nightclub was remarkably severe by all accounts. The controversial wide out was released in June and in many respects has benefited from the lockout more than most, because other players haven’t had the normal preparation for the season which would have worked against him when courting potential suitors.

It was unclear if Plax would find anyone that wanted him having been out of the game for so long, plus he’ll turn 34 this month so he’s no spring chicken. While it represents a risk, the Jets must feel that the one-year, $3million deal is a calculated one, particularly given the fact that Plax has always been less about speed (which he may have lost) and more about an imposing big play threat (which he probably still is).

LOSER: Randy Moss (Rtd)
One of the all time greats, Moss is a no brainer first ballot Hall of Famer. ESPN analyst and former Viking’s teammate Cris Carter calls him the “best he’s ever seen.” Despite being shopped around energetically by his agent Joel Segal, he couldn’t get the deal he wanted. Sure, he’s in the twilight of his career, but it’s remarkable that no-one was prepared to take a chance on this 34-year-old, particularly given the fact that both Burress and Chad Johnson got deals.

True, the Patriots and Eagles were rumored to be interested but you’d have thought that if a credible deal was on the table with both those contenders, which Moss would have gladly signed, given his pursuit of glory, not cash, these days. He still may “un-retire” and write one final chapter, but if that doesn’t happen, it seems an unfittingly low-key end to an explosive career.

Think I’ve missed a stronger case for winner/loser or if you just plain don’t agree with me, let me know below in the comments box …

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NAT COOMBS is a writer and broadcaster who hosts the chat show Talk of The Terrace on our partner channel ESPN, and both NFL & MLB coverage on BBC Radio Five Live. He also anchors the US sports podcast Americarnage and is a regular guest on ESPN Radio’s Fantasy Baseball Podcast.

Some tasks seem insurmountable, whichever way you look at them. Like convincing a gaggle of screaming teenage Jonas Brothers fans of the merits of Bob Dylan’s Subterranean Homesick Blues. Or persuading sportscaster Joe Buck – as comedian Sarah Silverman tried to do – that more MLB players should take LSD whilst playing; as Dock Ellis freely admitted to taking before pitching a no-hitter in 1970. Let’s just say Buck was less than impressed with the argument.

Or how about telling a tailback-guzzling linebacker turned wannabe TV host that his performance in front of the camera was more wooden than the cast of The Bold & the Beautiful trying their hand at King Lear?

Well, that’s exactly what the teachers on the NFL Broadcast Boot Camp – where various players past and present sign up to learn the tricks of the broadcast trade from a faculty made up of leading TV & Radio hosts & analysts – have to do. 

According to Robert Morrissey, the NFL’s Manger of Player Development, rather than throw a diva fit that Mariah Carey would find uncomfortable to watch, the players are receptive to direction. “The players are very humbled. Our faculty features some of the best in the industry and it’s unfamiliar territory for all the participants. Plus they’re accustomed to being coached. It doesn’t take many reps for them to adjust”

The Boot Camp – so named because it’s a “sun up to sun down curriculum” – is an intensive three-day course where 25 or so players (who this year included Super Bowl winning receivers Amani Toomer and Antonio Freeman) learn about different aspects of sportscasting – including calling play-by-play in a simulated broadcast, understanding tape study and experiencing a studio environment, both as an analyst and an anchor.

Surprisingly, Morrissey explains that the players’ expectations change during the course of the camp. “Most are initially excited about being game analysts, but often their perspective changes as they find out more about the different skill sets required for various roles”

The players that Morrissey and his team welcome into the camp have already gone through a screening process, which establishes those that are serious from those that aren’t.

Applicants are recruited primarily via word of mouth; with the player development manager at each of the 32 NFL franchises working the roster “tapping guys on the shoulder” that they think may be interested in a career in radio or TV. The 25 students are whittled down from 70 or so applicants – with typically two thirds of that number made up of current players.

Most have to demonstrate a proven interest in broadcasting, submit an audio/visual sample and provide a compelling personal statement in order to make the cut.

But what precise qualities do Morrissey and his colleagues want to see? “We look at authenticity and for people that don’t try to be someone they’re not”

Once they have made the first cut, players receive instruction from the likes of Ron Jaworski [right], Mike Mayock and Solomon Wilcotts. Of the 90 players who have taken part in the program since its inception in 2007 encouragingly 36 have already earned broadcasting jobs.

The Boot Camp is one of several NFL Player Engagement Programs that prepares and supports players for their post playing careers – which often end more abruptly than many had anticipated, though there is some disagreement about just how long a player lasts in the big leagues. According to a recent NFL Management Council analysis of players who entered the NFL between 1993 and 2002, the average career length for a player who is on his club’s opening-day roster as a rookie is 6.0 years.

Yet NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith – I figured I’d include him as he hasn’t had much publicity recently – claimed in a forum with MBA students at the University of Virginia that “every player only plays for an average of 3.2 years”

Whichever is the more accurate figure, it clearly indicates a need for players to consider their next professional move within just a few years of making the grade. Not least because of their reliance on a regimented, ordered approach to their day that’s been drummed into them from Junior High, through High School to College and the Pros. And there is one undeniable parallel between the two vocations.

“We continually remind them about the importance of preparation” says Morrissey “We hammer day in day out, how much work that preparing for a game entails”.

It’s not surprising really, that the likes of Toomer or QB Tim Hasselbeck (another former Giant & alumni, fast rising up the ranks of ESPN) respond so well to this aspect of broadcasting, having spent half their lives or longer studying playbooks, their opposition and tape of their own performance to identify nuance with meticulous attention to detail.

Coupled with the savvy on camera experience (admittedly as interviewees than the other way around) that many NFL athletes already possess, and you realize there’s a logical synergy, and progression at play here. The ones who have enrolled in such a scheme are the ones who realize they can’t just waltz in and wing it in front of camera. And, much as I’d love to see the likes of Albert Haynesworth waltz anywhere, this is precisely the kind of self awareness they’ll need to succeed, and is consistent with everything they’ve had to adhere to, to get to the top.

Indeed when I think of current players who I’d love to see on the screen (as long as they don’t nab my gig, naturally) I’m tempted to send Mr. Morrissey a list and encourage a “tap on the shoulder” over the next year or two. Yes, Ray Lewis, I’m talking about you.

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NAT COOMBS is a writer and broadcaster who hosts the chat show Talk of The Terrace on our partner channel ESPN, and both NFL & MLB coverage on BBC Radio Five Live. He also anchors the US sports podcast Americarnage and is a regular guest on ESPN Radio’s Fantasy Baseball Podcast.

Seeing as we’ve just started the second half of the baseball season I figured it made sense to put together my Half Term Report Card. Don’t panic gang – I’m not gonna be giving A-Rod a grade for his performance in Math class, or CC Sabathia for Home Economics – though if I did, they’d be C+ and A respectively. And I won’t even mention the note from his Mum that Derek Jeter brought in to excuse him from the All Star Game.

Nope, these are my Special Awards for performances – good, and not so good – for the season so far.

BEST OFFENSIVE PLAYER
Honorable mentions here for the Dodgers Matt Kemp, who is playing on the most dysfunctional franchise since Charlie Manson uttered the immortal words: “Who fancies a game of pick up?” Adrian Gonzalez whose 128 hits up to the All Star Break is the most in Red Sox history, and the Mets Jo Jo Reyes who led the Majors (along with A-Gon with a .354 BA) but for me, much as like tip & run, Offense = Power, so my first award goes to the remarkable Blue Jay Jose Bautista – or “Joey Bats” to his mates – whose whopping 31 Home Runs was 6 ahead of his nearest rival (Curtis Granderson) and means he’s on pace for a 60 HR season – (see, I’ve been taking Math class with Tony La Russa). He’s redefining the term Power Hitter and is showing no sign of letting up.

BEST STARTING PITCHER
Some remarkable performances in the first half of the year, including 2 no-hitters (step forward & take a bow Justin Verlander & Franciso Liriano), shutouts becoming all the rage, and some unfashionable names in Jair Jurrjens and Jared Weaver leading the league in ERA but my half time award goes to Josh Beckett of the Red Sox, whose all round stats coupled by pitching after a so-so year in the pressure cooker that is Boston inches him ahead of stiff competition. Plus he still manages to appear formidable despite wearing that rather odd necklace that he must have got as 14 year old on holiday and never gave back.

BEST RELIEVER/CLOSER
Baseball’s most volatile position has been relatively stable this year. New York’s finest Mariano has had injury niggles and been slightly off colour, Giants Brian Wilson, wonderfully barmy as ever, stood up and was counted in closing the All Star game down, and lefty Jonny Venters of the Braves has been reliably unhittable at times and Joel Hanrahan of the Pirates deserved his All Star call up but I’m opting for Craig Kimbrel of the Braves (28 Saves & counting) who, with Venters, makes up what must be the most lethal set up/closer tandem in the majors today

BEST MOMENT
I loved 80-year-old Marlins manager Jack Mckeon pulling a pitcher during an at-bat, but this award is no contest. The remarkable Derek Jeter biffing a HR for his 3000th hit – ending up going 5/5 (plus a SB) at where else, but Yankee Stadium? Even the most die-hard Red Sox fan must have been somewhat impressed – not that they’d ever admit it. Rather like all of you lot claiming you didn’t cry during the last 5 minutes of Titanic.

COMEBACK PLAYER
Admit it. At the start of the season, Bartolo Colon was set for a 3 win, 9.95 ERA type season. But the big man has confounded his detractors and survived a bizarre stem cell controversy, where he was implicated in an unorthodox recovery process.

Let’s show some love to for another big man – ‘Big Papi’ David Ortiz who has been reveling in his role as DH for the Sox, and loved leading the AL team of sluggers in the Home Run Derby.

But the runaway winner has to be Lance Berkman of the Cardinals, which we should have seen coming. The 35 year old kept telling us he was in the best shape of his life coming into the season (shedding 20 lbs from last year) and his stats tell you all you need to know – he’s well on course for a 40HR / 100RBI / .300+ season

SURPRISE TEAM
No-one saw the Diamondbacks coming, least of all any other teams in the NL West, and the Pirates are a genuine feel-good story, as the Pittsburgh franchise has been suffering for so many years, but no doubt that the surprise team of the year so far is the Cleveland Indians. An unsung pitching rotation, young, fast offense and a fearless attitude. Experts keep tipping them to freefall but there they are, still on top of the AL Central and seemingly not going anywhere.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT
A number of big names just haven’t come to the party this year for various reasons – Jason Heyward (Braves), Phil Hughes (Yankees), and I was hugely tempted to award this on points to Dan Uggla (.185 AVG, 34 RBI’s) of the Braves as I own him in my fantasy team (Reno Rehab) but it would be far too ironic to connect him to anything relating to points as he hasn’t managed to score me any, so my winner is Edinson Volquez.

The Reds opening Day starter found himself sent packing to AAA ball after walking nearly 16 percent of the batters he faced which would have been fine, if he had a decent ERA right? Maybenotsomuch (6.35 ERA). He was called back, was equally poor and went back down again. And guess which mug had him on his fantasy team too. Yes, I’m last place before you ask.

BEST HISSY FIT
Shouts to BJ Upton (Rays), Carlos Zambrano (Cubs) and Jorge Posada of the Yankees who refused to play after being dropped down the order, but Brian Wilson of the Giants takes the crown by a country mile. Pulled after blowing a save, the bearded beat the hell out of a large drinks container with a bat. And then went back for some more. I don’t care what the purists say – it was a thing of beauty. Much like his spandex tux he wore to the ESPY’s.

BEST HAIR
Two words. Coco Crisp. In fact can we just give him the award for the next 10 years please?

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NAT COOMBS is a writer and broadcaster who hosts the chat show Talk of The Terrace on our partner channel ESPN, and both NFL & MLB coverage on BBC Radio Five Live. He also anchors the US sports podcast Americarnage.

Sometimes, I really feel for Allan Huber “Bud” Selig. As much as you can hold out sympathy for someone who is paid nearly $20 million a year.

Along with managing a team in a major market with high expectations, or the guy Vladimir Klitchko practices his ‘big punch’ on during sparring, the role of Major League Baseball’s Commissioner – during the period Selig’s presided over everything – must rank among the hardest jobs in the sporting world.

Obviously there is the huge issue of Performance Enhancing Drugs – not so much the elephant in the room as 97% of the inhabitants of the Bronx Zoo in the room – which has tainted his stewardship, and indeed people’s perceptions of his capability, even though the zero tolerance legislation now in place against transgressors would make Rudy Giuliani blush. (Critics argue that his deliberation and hesitation to do anything perpetuated the use of PED’s in the game for too long)

Then, there is the ongoing battle against tradition – which baseball reveres more than any other sport on the planet, including cricket. This is the multi-billion dollar league that still refuses to include instant replay on contentious calls to any significant degree. All around him, there are threats from bigger, flashier products – the NFL being the poster child for a progressive sporting organization, and whilst its attendances are up this season, you can’t help fearing that trouble looms for the MLB unless it keeps up with the times. And by this, I mean more than just an impressive use of digital media, for which it has always been a trend-setter.

Don’t get me wrong – I’m a born and bred old school mind, an 80-year-old trapped in a thirtysomething body – and fully endorse protection of the game so it doesn’t deviate too far from what it always was. I still wince when a cheesy middle of the road chart track gets pumped around stadiums when a Home Run is biffed. What’s wrong with the (always) remarkable sound of 40,000 people cheering and celebrating in an instinctive, reflexive way?

But there is, as with most things, a level of compromise; a possibility to entertain change without diminishing the charm, impact and authenticity of the overall experience.

And this is where I think Selig has been really underrated because he has introduced three changes to the game since he took control – each of which met with opposition (in some cases vociferous), and each of which has incontrovertibly improved the game of baseball for ‘most’ fans. And despite these changes, he is at best, tolerated by baseball fans, when he should be given just a little more kudos.

Firstly, the introduction of the Wild Card in 1994 – which guaranteed that the team with the second-best record in each league qualifies for the playoffs, even if it is in the same division as the team that has the best record. This opened up the chance of postseason action for fans who previously wouldn’t have stood a chance of seeing their team in the playoffs, kept divisional races interesting for longer, and yet added this excitement in a measured, balanced way, unlike, for example the NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament which seems to increase year on year, meaning that I’ll be entering a team in 2015.

Selig also brought in Interleague play - where teams from the NL and AL met during the regular season – which had purists up in arms, arguing that the magic of teams meeting for the first time that season (or ever) in the World Series shouldn’t be diluted. But the fans – the lifeblood of this, or any sport – have voted with their wallets. This year attendance at Interleague games is up 18.2% – much higher than Intraleague play. Furthermore, matchups that grip the neutral have cropped up; for example, the Chicago Cubs played at Fenway Park for the first time in 93 years in May. Plus it enables Houston Astros’ season ticket holders the chance to see some actual baseball played at Minute Maid Park.

Selig also changed the All Star Game (LIVE on ESPN America – July 12th) giving it significant meaning – as opposed to fun but ultimately pointless exhibition game – by ensuring that the winning league earns the added benefit of their representative in the World Series hosting Game 7, should the Fall Classic stretch that far.

Don’t get me wrong – I’ve always loved so many aspects of the All Star Game – how fans of terrible teams can cheer their sole stand out hero on a national stage, the compelling splash of color with players lining up in their own clubs uniform. But the added competitive edge Selig brought into the game (somewhat forced after the farcical 2002 game ended in a tie after both managers had used their entire roster!) now means that the players really want to win, as opposed to a glorified showboat. Viewers of any of the NFL Pro Bowls will know exactly where I’m coming from here.

There’s no doubt about it, the ASG Festivities can be made even more exciting than they are right now. My own personal favorite? The addition of an Ejection Derby where players and managers are given 60 seconds to see how much chaos they can cause before getting ejected. But Selig’s progressive move has made it arguably the best of all major sporting All Star games. His detractors will continue to throw (some justified) criticism at him, but for these three fundamental changes – all measured but dramatic in their own way – we should raise a glass and salute him. Speaking of which, my second favorite way to make the ASG more exciting? Every time a Yankee touches the ball, down a shot of tequila. Trust me. Derek Jeter’s call up will gradually start to make sense.

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Click here to follow all the All Star Festivities on ESPN America via our ASG page.

NAT COOMBS is a TV presenter, comedian, producer and writer. He anchors Major League Baseball & NFL Live on BBC Five Live Sports Xtra and is a regular guest on TV and radio shows, adding his leftfield insight and unique take on the world of sports and their pop culture crossover. He writes for a range of national newspapers and websites, including this blog for ESPN America.

Discovering a celebrity has changed their name is nothing new. Stage names are almost old as the concept of fame itself. Many A-listers across the globe consider a fake name as essential to the blueprint of fame as owning a sausage dog, a portable vial of botox and a regularly belittled personal assistant called Todd who isn’t allowed to make eye contact (except on Thursdays).

But just when you thought it wasn’t possible to be surprised anymore by the exploits of the rich and famous, along comes Mr. Ron Artest, L.A.Laker and card carrying elite maverick.

You remember Ron, right? The first round draft pick who was banned for no less than 86 games (still a record) after almost single-handedly instigating a fans/players brawl during a game whilst he played for the Indiana Pacers.

The thing is, referring to him as Ron Artest isn’t factually correct. Because Ron has changed his name: to Metta World Peace. Nope – that’s not a typo. Metta World Peace.

A number of questions spring to mind. Is Metta his first name, and World Peace his surname? Or is it all meant to be “as one,” like Beyoncé, or perhaps more appropriately Lady Ga Ga. What do we call him? If Kobe playfully calls him “Met” in the locker will it kick off?

What’s he going to have on the back of his shirt? Will they have to make the letters really small to fit them on?

And perhaps most importantly – what does Metta World Peace actually mean?

Yes, the first word is derived from the Sanskrit – and by extension has Buddhist origins, so maybe it’s Ron’s display of loyalty to that benign way of thinking. It obviously has nothing to do with his reality TV show Last Second Shot - the appearance of which at the same time as this is purely a (karmic) coincidence.

I’d lay even money that Ron isn’t entirely sure what it means either, like 91% of the people travelling the globe with oriental lettering tattoos.

But this remarkable piece of Artestry (see what I did there?) has placed Ron automatically in my Top Five left-field athletes. And by “left-field”, I mean so out there the elevators stopped between floor 1 and 2, not the position that Carl Crawford plays.

Here are the other Four Crazies …

TERRELL OWENS
Love him or hate him, Owens is one of the game’s all time great receivers – who may be nearing the end of his career having announced, at the age of 37, that he requires surgery for a torn ACL. His performance credentials are there for all to see but it’s his behavioral antics that have set him apart from the pack just as much as his on field skill.Like when he ran 50 yards to celebrate a TD against Dallas (a team he was later to play for) and jigged around Michael Flatley style over the famous Cowboy star on the halfway line. Or the improvised press conference he held in his driveway (whilst on suspension from the Eagles) where he fielded questions from reporters whilst doing sit-ups. As you do. Or his teary defense, behind Jackie O shades, of Tony Romo – “that’s my quarterback man” (in case we weren’t clear) – refers to himself as both Terrell Owens and TO. As you do.

EDMUNDO
The controversial Brazilian was a frustrating whirlwind of impressive skill and shocking indiscipline. Once sent off seven times in one season, nicknamed “Animal,” reprimanded regularly for frequent fist fighting on the pitch, and supposedly bared his genitals at opposing fans. Walked out on Fiorentina at a crucial time of season to attend the Rio carnival. Photographed feeding beer to a monkey.

THE BUSHWACKERS
Part of the vintage era of 1980’s WWE wrestling, the Bushwackers were as crackers as they come. Often seen rubbing their heads manically or licking each other (for luck apparently), the Whackers (sometimes known as the Sheepherders) brought a giant kangaroo with them to the ring and walked like manic chickens. 300lb chickens. One of them, Cousin Luke was missing most of his front teeth, but that didn’t stop him running up to the camera to show the world his unique oral hygiene on a regular basis.

DENNIS RODMAN

The Godfather to Artest’s Carlito’s Way, Rodman’s crazy creds are second to none.

In no particular order he has: turned up in a wedding dress to promote his autobiography (called I Should Be Dead By Now), dyed his hair green, appeared in an action film with Jean Claude Van Damme, been pushed into a portable toilet whilst wrestling the late Macho Man Randy Savage, frequently dressed in women’s clothing.

Nat Coombs is a writer & broadcaster who hosts the chat show Talk of The Terrace on our sister channel ESPN and MLB coverage on BBC Radio Five Live. He also anchors the US sports podcast Americarnage. Follow him on Twitter

NAT COOMBS is a TV presenter, comedian, producer and writer. He anchors Major League Baseball & NFL Live on BBC Five Live Sports Xtra and is a regular guest on TV and radio shows, adding his leftfield insight and unique take on the world of sports and their pop culture crossover. He writes for a range of national newspapers and websites, including this blog for ESPN America.

As a wise man once said, life is all about compromise. Take me, for example. When I realized I wasn’t going to make it as an Usher tribute act, I turned my hand to writing and broadcasting sports. If we’re lucky, we find our calling and try to do as best a job as we can.

That’s most people, anyway. Usain Bolt is not most people.

The world record holding Olympic champion sprinter isn’t content with being the best in the business in one sporting discipline. He wants to master another sport at the top level – soccer; for no less than Manchester United. Bolt suggests, in his new autobiography 9.58, that when he retires (from sprinting), “I could replace Ryan Giggs” – presumably the ambiguity of this statement given the Welshman’s recent philandering is lost on him.

Bolt’s remarkable suggestion did get me considering a few things. Firstly, is it even possible for an athlete to capably switch sports to a suitable level in 2011? Sure, there are examples of it happening historically: C.B. Fry knocked up 30,000 first class runs in cricket and simultaneously was a capable defender for Southampton FC and England.

‘Neon Deion’ Sanders played his way to a Hall of Fame career in the NFL whilst turning out for the New York Yankees and others as a professional baseball player. The great Michael Jordan – in many peoples’ eyes the finest athlete of all – switched from basketball to baseball too, but never made the Major Leagues.

More recently, Chad Johnson of the Cincinnati Bengals, arguably the NFL’s most flamboyant superstar, tried his hand in the MLS. You think Man City’s Mario Balotelli is eccentric? Couple of years back Johnson legally changed his name to Ocho Cinco: his shirt number, 85, in Spanish. He was prolifically tweeting and appearing live on Ustream talking about Lady Ga-Ga and his love of cigars, whilst other athletes were still getting to grips with MySpace or Facebook. Even Middle America fell in love with him when he fox-trotted his way around on Dancing with the Stars. And he announced, amid labor disputes in his primary sport which means NFL players are, effectively, on enforced holiday, that he was having a five-day trial with Sporting Kansas City. It didn’t pan out, though it’s unlikely that it was anything more than another stunt in a career full of more colorful maneuvers than a Miro retrospective at Tate Modern.

The thing that connects all these stories is that there hasn’t been a recent example of a player pulling it off. It just hasn’t happened in the last 20 years. Presumably there are lots of reasons for this. The dramatic increase in pace that we’ve seen in football is representative of all major sports. The levels of conditioning, positional focus and training, plus the fact that so many leagues are now truly global, and thus subject to a higher level of competition. So not only is the transition between one sport to another that much harder, but barely considered by an athlete whose main focus is the protection of his standing within his primary sport.

Factor in tactical savvy and an understanding of the game that is only developed with repetitive experience, and the difference between looking good in training – or over a 5 day trial – and putting in a capable performance over 90 minutes in a system that relies on all 11 players knowing what their individual role is continuously, and the scale of the challenge is magnified. Johnson – a pacy wide receiver – is a huge football fan (he’s reputedly good mates with Thierry Henry) and played the game when he was younger. He’s clearly on a par with many, if not all, of the MLS players in terms of physical attributes and instinctive athletic ability. But his speed and agility – much like Bolt’s – will only carry him so far.

Conversely, despite the strategic complexity of the NFL, certain positions, and the short, sharp explosive involvement they require, lend themselves far more to a player making the transition between sports, because they can rely on physicality and natural ability more than anything else. So Bolt as a wide receiver maybe?

Will a two-sport player ever happen in our lifetime?

Brock Lesnar’s move from the WWE to UFC notwithstanding, so probably not. But, because I refuse to compromise on absolutely everything, here is my Top Five list of players that I think could conceivably make the switch.

In the meantime, I’ll keep on practicing those RnB dance moves – and you never know …

Ray Lewis – Baltimore Ravens: NFL to Rugby Union
The genius of this, is that, in one fluent move, those rugby naysayers who say football players are soft because they wear pads and helmets would be permanently silenced. Quite possibly, actually silenced.

Nikola Zigic – Birmingham City: Soccer to Basketball
He’s tall, and presumably he’s better with his hands than he is with his feet, or head.

Adrian Gonzalez – Boston Red Sox: Baseball to Tennis
Take that hand eye co-ordination, get him the right coaching (or a Swingball set) and he’ll end up with a better chance of landing a major than Andy Murray.

LeBron James – Miami Heat: Basketball to Soccer
But only if he was made to play for an Icelandic third division team, and had to announce his move to them from the Heat in a one hour TV special.

Tiger Woods: PGA Golf to Crazy Golf
C’mon, admit it. A crazy golf tournament pitting Woods vs. Jack Nicklaus? I’d watch.

Nat Coombs is a writer & broadcaster who hosts the chat show Talk of The Terrace on our sister channel ESPN and MLB coverage on BBC Radio Five Live. He also anchors the US sports podcast Americarnage. Follow him on Twitter

For NFL fans, click here for your chance to vote for great Monday Night Football games to watch on ESPN America.

NAT COOMBS is a TV presenter, comedian, producer and writer. He anchors Major League Baseball & NFL Live on BBC Five Live Sports Xtra and is a regular guest on TV and radio shows, adding his leftfield insight and unique take on the world of sports and their pop culture crossover. He writes for a range of national newspapers and websites, including this blog for ESPN America. 

Much like Columbo and that episode of Quantum Leap where Sam comes back as a chimp, Monday Night Football is one of television’s enduring legends, much loved by millions of fans, who have discovered it over many decades. Disappointingly the MNF broadcast booth has never been graced by Peter Falk’s dirty mac wearing, cigar-chomping sleuth, but it has seen its fair share of characters in its forty years. 

Like trying to choose the best Marx Brother, picking a list of favorite MNF broadcasters is a somewhat futile experience, so I’ve picked a figure from each decade that the show has been televised, who – along with the players, the coaches and Kermit The Frog (surely the best guest appearance in the history of televised sport) – have played such a memorable role in its ongoing success. 

To vote in the ESPN America Monday Night Football Viewers’ Poll (from 6th June),
click here for the UK and click here for Europe.

NAT’S FIVE MNF COMMENTATORS FOR THE AGES

1970s : HOWARD COSELL 

Elevator Pitch : Innovative broadcaster who provided the blueprint for the opinionated, self-conciously smart and often pointedly critical approach of his successors. Part of the very first MNF broadcasting crew in 1970. Known for his idiosyncratic delivery – nasal, staccato, clipped, brusque. Once had his hairpiece knocked off during a boxing broadcast but styled it out like the pro he was. 

NFL Player Most Similar To : For his innate self assuredness, underpinned with his intellectual approach, Steve Young (MVP of Super Bowl XXIX) 

MNF Personality Least Likely To Say : “I thoroughly enjoyed Fast & Furious 5: Rio Heist, particularly Vin Diesel’s performance.” 

Karaoke Song Most Likely to Sing : My Way - Frank Sinatra 

Memorable Quote : His announcement to America of the death of John Lennon, live on air during a Dolphins/Patriots MNF game (8th December 1980) 

“This, we have to say it, remember this is just a football game, no matter who wins or loses. An unspeakable tragedy, confirmed to us by ABC News in New York City: John Lennon, outside of his apartment building on the West Side of New York City, the most famous, perhaps, of all of The Beatles, shot twice in the back, rushed to Roosevelt Hospital, dead … on … arrival. Hard to go back to the game after that newsflash, which in duty bound, we had to take” 

1980s : O.J. SIMPSON 

Elevator Pitch : One of the best running backs ever to play the game, Juice was in the MNF commentary booth for 3 years during the 1980′s. Had a successful career as a comic actor who starred in, among others, the Naked Gun movies. Arguably his most famous on screen performance though was the hours of live televised coverage featuring him driving for miles evading police capture. Eventually acquitted of murdering his wife. Wrote a book called If I did it. NFL Player most similar to : Tough one. Probably, O.J. Simpson 

Karaoke song most likely to sing : It Wasn’t Me - Shaggy 

Memorable Quote : “I think I’ve been a great citizen.” 

MNF Personality Least Likely To Say : “There’s nothing more I like doing than popping on some Barbara Streisand and painting my toenails.” 

1990s : AL MICHAELS 

Elevator Pitch : A broadcasting heavyweight Michaels – still going strong calling play by play on NBC’s Sunday Night Football – anchored MNF for 20 years so could have been my choice for the 80′s, 90′s or 00′s. His C.V. is peppered with remarkable achievements – calling the famous “Miracle on Ice” 1980 Olympics Ice Hockey match between the USA and the USSR for example, or being on air for the ’89 World Series when an earthquake hit California. Silky, smooth, assured – the prototypical US Sports commentator. Plus he’s got a great tan. 

Who would play Al Michaels in a movie? : Michael Douglas. If Al Michaels wasn’t available to play himself. 

Karaoke song most likely to sing : You Can Call Me Al - Paul Simon 

Memorable quote : “Those three words – Monday Night Football – resonate like no other.” 

MNF Personality Least Likely To Say : “I’m not really in the mood for watching baseball tonight. Is American Idol on?” 

2000s : RON JAWORSKI 

Elevator Pitch : “Jaws” is one of the game’s true gentlemen. In fact the former Eagle, who played 17 years in the NFL, is so affable; he’s the current holder of “most inappropriate nickname in the history of football” award. Don’t let his everyman nature fool you though – his insight into the game is razor sharp, and his ability to break down plays among the best out the elite broadcasters working in the US today. Part of the current MNF crew alongside Mike Tirico & Jon ‘Chucky’ Gruden. 

Who would play Ron Jaworski in a movie? Chevy Chase. No contest. 

Excitability rating during typical broadcast? : 89% 

Memorable quote : “Positive thinking is the key to success in business, education, pro football, anything that you can mention. I go out there thinking that I’m going to complete every pass” 

MNF Personality Least Likely To Say : “Let’s be honest. Football’s a girls’ game” 

THE JOKER : DENNIS MILLER 

Comedian Miller had two infamous seasons in the MNF booth, which were the subject of much, not altogether reasonable, criticism. His unorthodox approach, often drawing on relatively obscure references & ranting comedy style, alienated much of the conventional football audience. But he often fired off some absolute zingers – like the time, when talking about Patriots RB J.R. Redmond coming off “minor groin surgery,” he offered : “I’m not sure there is such a thing as minor groin surgery. Anybody who has a sharp instrument around my genitalia, I’m thinking it’s major.” 

Miller tells a terrific story about meeting the great George Burns at the Taj Mahal hotel and casino in Atlantic City in the 1980′s. Waiting for the elevator, Miller wondered if he was going to run into his idol to ask what he thought of his act: they were both performing shows at the same time. Right on cue, the elevator doors open, and there’s Burns, all five feet nothing of him, with a young, leggy blonde on his arm, holding his trademark cigar. A security guard is standing next to them – presumably hired to “keep the people away from George”. Miller is speechless and stares dumbfounded. Burns takes a beat, a puff of his cigar and offers “Don’t ask!” – as the elevator doors slowly close. 

Of course, the appointment of a stand up into the commentary booth, short lived as it may have been, is an entirely appropriate chapter in the history of MNF which has, since day one, been groundbreaking and innovative. 

Raise your glass/cigar/hairpiece to the next 40 years. 

ABOUT NAT
Nat Coombs presents Talk of the Terrace every Monday night (6.30pm UK) on our sister TV channel ESPN, as well as hosting the MLB coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live in the UK. Nat also writes his own US sports blog entitled: Tea With Tony La Russa and broadcasts the US Sport themed podcast Americarnage.

Click here to listen to NAT COOMBS as he makes a guest ‘appearance’ on the ESPN Fantasy Focus Baseball Podcast with Matthew Berry and Nate Ravitz.

Throughout life, we all have to live with things about ourselves that we don’t like, or wished we hadn’t done, but we know we’ll never be able to change.

Top of my list? Has to be drunkenly singing Country & Western in a late-night karaoke bar in Atlanta after covering a Falcons / Giants MNF game for TV – the same night the Colorado Rockies made it to the World Series. Colorado … John Denver … geddit? Yep, my rendition of Annie’s Song went down about as well as the Rockies did against the Sox that year.

Now I’ve added a new one to my list of shame which has filled me with the same element of surprise and bafflement that Sly’s agent must have felt when Stallone turned round and mumbled, “We’re gonna do another Rocky picture and this time I fight a Russian dude. In Moscow. Get me Lundgren. Now!”

Don’t believe me? Here goes: I am a Cubs fan … who loves Albert Pujols.

Yes, ‘loves’ – in the same way that sunbed manufacturers the world over ‘love’ Hulk Hogan. I fully appreciate that this is akin to John W. Henry starting a “We Love Tex!!” chant from the owners’ box at Fenway, Laker nut Jack Nicholson getting a Bird 33 tattoo across his chest, or Captain America telling his buddies at S.H.I.E.L.D. “You know, when you really get to know him, Red Skull is actually quite a funny guy.”

But there’s no escaping it. Whether Albert Pujols plays for the mortal enemy or not, “The Machine” is not only one of the best players of the current generation, possibly of all time, but he’s one of my favorite personalities. And it’s this that I can’t quite fathom.

The essence of partisanship is one of the best things about sports. Reveling in the opposition’s misfortunes – as long as it’s playful – is just so much fun, and we all do it … C’mon, admit it. Close your eyes right now and imagine everybody’s darling A-Rod attempting to steal third against yourteam. Now picture his pinstripe pants splitting all the way down, as he trips head over heels and lands face first with a mouthful of dirt, getting tagged six feet shy of the bag. You’re smiling aren’t you? [If you're not, Dr. Coombs recommends 17 hours of laughter therapy, starting with Pryor and Candy in Brewsters Millions.]

It really takes a certain kind of special to transcend this natural hatred of your number one rival especially when you’re dealing with their bona fide megastar. Sure, respect can be there. I respect Jeter (not least for how he blagged a $45 million three-year deal at the age of 58) but I don’t have any kind of affection for him.

But Prince Albert? Somehow, against all quantifiable forms of logic, Number 5 has powered his way into the Nat Coombs All-Time All-Stars (don’t worry – I’ll be sure to add it to his Wikipedia page under “Achievements: Other”)

So, the next question is, why? I am obviously not alone. There is no doubt about Albert’s playing creds: he was selected by ESPN.com as the greatest baseball player of the decade from 2000–2009. He’s won the “Best MLB Player” at The ESPYS four times. He bats .330 career, is a World Champ and a three-time National League MVP. His worst season, in terms of homers, was 32 in 2007 which still put him in the Top 10.

If playing at the very highest level – day in, day out – doesn’t keep him busy enough, he also fronts the Pujols Family Foundation – a charity that works tirelessly to help disenfranchised, disabled and young people suffering from disease. My favorite story in this capacity? When he paid a hospital visit to a young boy with a brain tumor, Pujols brought a gift – one of his bats. Not any bat. THE bat that crushed his 400th HR.

What makes this noble act all the more remarkable is that there was no fanfare, no pomp – the only reason this story made the news was because 60 Minutes, making a documentary about the Cardinal’s slugger, unearthed this little-known story.

It’s not just this tireless, selfless and inspiringly authentic charitable work that separates Big Al from his contemporaries. It’s the humility in the way that he undertakes it – which is parallel to his work on the field. He’s never cocky, always competitive, doesn’t celebrate ostentatiously, plays the game as hard as he can, and if he wins, great; if he loses … there’s always tomorrow. As long he’s hitting .375, of course. Otherwise, I suspect it is best not to talk to him for about 16 or 17 hours.

I’m sure Pujols isn’t alone out there – he’s just MY unlikely hero, when he should be the villain of villains in my sporting world. (Though he will be of course, next time he hits a grand slam at Wrigley).

And you all have one too. You just need to find him. Or her. Or Ivan Drago. And when you do, you’ll have your own version of my new favorite mantra – and it’ll be yours, and no-one else’s. I say it loud and I say it proud.

My name is Nat and I’m possibly the only Chicago Cubs fan in the world who loves Albert Pujols.

Five Little Known Facts about Albert Pujols
(They may not be entirely true)

Albert often closes his eyes right before he hits the ball, just to “give the other guys a chance”

Albert Pujols once hit a walk off double with his bat taped to his forehead

If Albert Pujols fought Floyd Mayweather, Jr. & Manny Pacquaio at the same time, he’d still win on points

Simon Cowell thinks that if Pujols released Flame’s Go Buck (Albert’s At-Bat Music) tomorrow “it’d be a hit record”

If Albert Pujols hit for a month with a rubber bat he’d still have a higher average than Marco Scutaro

ABOUT NAT
Nat Coombs presents Talk of the Terrace every Monday night (6.30pm UK) on our sister TV channel ESPN, as well as hosting the MLB coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live in the UK. Nat also writes his own US sports blog entitled: Tea With Tony La Russa and broadcasts the US Sport themed podcast Americarnage.