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Five Best Announcers in NFL Broadcast Booths: Vermeil and Jaworski Shine

Posted Dec 19th 2006 7:09PM by Michael David Smith

As the NFL season draws to a close, here is the NFL FanHouse list of the five best announcers in the game:

1. Dick Vermeil, ESPN (non-laryngitis edition): It was the first Monday night of the season, and ESPN had two games. So in addition to the much hyped-crew of Tony Kornheiser, Mike Tirico and Joe Theismann, we got the rare treat of a broadcast team of Brad Nessler, Dick Vermeil and Ron Jaworski. Vermeil was insightful and polished...

2. Ron Jaworski, ESPN: ... and Jaworski knew just how to converse with him. The two have obvious chemistry from the days when Vermeil coached Jaworski with the Eagles, and the two of them gave wonderful explanations of the subtleties of the game, like the way Raiders quarterback Aaron Brooks would throw a quick pass to Randy Moss any time the cornerback opposite Moss was more than seven yards from the line of scrimmage.

3. Ron Pitts, Fox: Like the great Pat Summerall, he's the rare play-by-play man who actually played in the NFL. And I think he's the heir to Summerall as the best play-by-play man in all of football. He's simple and understated (again like Summerall), but he'll express an opinion when it's warranted. Now if only we could convince Fox to put him on better games than the dogs he usually gets. (Like Lions-Packers Sunday.)

4. Gus Johnson, CBS: Johnson has such enthusiasm in his voice. If you watched Sunday's Jacksonville-Tennessee game and you didn't get excited when Johnson described Tennessee's three return touchdowns, then football isn't the game for you.

5. Marshall Faulk, NFL Network: I was impressed with the way Faulk came in to replace Vermeil Saturday night and made a lot of solid, credible comments even though he hadn't known Vermeil's voice would press him into duty.

See also: The five worst announcers in NFL broadcast booths.

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 14)

12-20-2006 @ 10:29AM

Awful Announcing said...

I'm with you on 1-4, but Marshall is terrible. I thought Deion was better even though he wouldn't shut up.

12-20-2006 @ 1:43PM

jack said...

Sports announcers, hmmmmmm

What I wouldnt give to hear PeeWee Reese and Dizzy Dean do a Yankee game at the Stadium on Saturday afternoons. Anyone remember them, that was announcing.

12-20-2006 @ 2:16PM

Que Rock said...

I thought that Marshall and Deon did an exceptional job concerning the Terrell Owens situation, except for a few things. (1) Marshall and Deon both lied or got caught up in the moment when both of them said that they would have been kicked out of the game by the reactions to the situation. Come on guys! A game with playoff implications and you are going to kicked out? Yeah Right! Deon! You are supposed to be religious, right? Go read your bible about the meaning of demeaning of an individual or read the book "Root" and find out what demeaning someone really is. I'm a Terrell Owens fan, yes he runds his mouth too much sometimes, but all this could have been settled if the cornerback would distinguish whether Terrell hacked in his face or spit in his face as they were bickering. As usual no one wants to hear that side of the story, after all it's T. O.

12-20-2006 @ 2:36PM

Mike said...

I must disagree with Jack. Dizzy Dean was the worst ever. It was all about him and his career and the game at hand was of no concern whatsoever. Bryant Gumbel (Gumball) is presently the worst.

12-20-2006 @ 2:39PM

Joe Grenier said...

What about John Madden? he should be number 1

12-20-2006 @ 2:40PM

Fred Grossman said...

I think all the female on-the-scene announcers are terrible. No exceptions. There might be important activity going on on the field behind them but they drone on, oblivious to everything. Half the time I can't understand what their point is and the other half my response is "who cares!"

12-20-2006 @ 2:40PM

Patricia said...

Hello,
In my opinion Don Criqui does a wonderful job at doing the play by play of Notre Dame Football! He
is a professional in every way!

12-20-2006 @ 2:41PM

Renee said...

I am surprised to see Marshall Faulk listed. He is horrible. I think the NFL network needs to revamp their announcers. They are definitely second class. And, how do you leave out Madden as one, if not the best, announcers?

12-20-2006 @ 2:44PM

jlb said...

Joe Buck is the best. His words seem to come naturally and flow with the moment.

12-20-2006 @ 2:45PM

bill bailey said...

about your announcers, Tony Kornheiser and Joe Buck should go back to there old job's they suck at football announcers. Dan Dierdorf,is another either he likes you or he doesn't and if he doesn't he will not say anything good about you no matter what you do. You could win 56 to nothing and he still talk only about what you did wrong. BILL

12-20-2006 @ 2:46PM

don said...

i think you all missed the boat. john madden is one of the best i've seen in years

12-20-2006 @ 2:46PM

Kim said...

Hey......
What about Troy Aikman? He by far is the best. And the worst is Bryant Gumbel. A.K.A. Bryant Dumbell

12-20-2006 @ 2:47PM

Anne Smith said...

John Madden is the best. I also think Troy Aikman does a good job.

12-20-2006 @ 2:49PM

tom said...

john madden is the absolute worst of all time,he's not watching the same game as we are,he circles and describes the wrong play or player. He just isn't good,never was.

12-20-2006 @ 2:49PM

Kevin said...

I don't know why any of your guys would have John Madden as a good announcer. He is terrbile. He is extremely boring and obvious.

12-20-2006 @ 2:53PM

DMC said...

Sunday Night football provides the football fan with the best pair of announcers. Dan and John are by far the best in the business. The worst, Monday Night footbal trio. Joe and Tony MUST be replaced. I've almost givrn up on MNF.