NFL Week 7: Ian Eagle

This week's announcer in focus: Ian Eagle!

Ian is following a typical announcer's path to national prominence; he started at Syracuse while a student, doing play by play, and upon graduation got a job in New York at WFAN. From there, he got gigs with the Jets and then the Nets, before CBS pulled him to do games for the NFL in 1998. He has worked steadily upward on the CBS ladder since then, going from the #7 announcing team (where he did a record 9 Browns broadcasts in 2004*) to now being part of the #2 broadcast team for CBS with Dan Fouts.

*- OK, that was an exaggeration. But only slightly.

I love his voice and his professionalism, while at the same time being able to have fun when needed. He can pull stories out in boring 3rd quarters of Browns games when we are down 17 to actually make the telecast a bit enjoyable. His nickname is the "bird" and , with his current partner being Dan Fouts with his beard, the team is now known as "the Bird and the Beard". I think the nickname was born during a horrible Browns-49ers game in San Fran back in 2011.

Here's a sample of some levity they bring to a typical broadcast, including a Doug Henning reference!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UT_RmUU44zE

Ian is the play by play announcer for the Nets - which has to be a curse in its own right; there should be a special recognition for play-by-play announcers of teams that are horrid; lifetime honorees would include Herb Score, Jim Donovan, Ian Eagle and Van Miller. Ian also does plenty of CBS work during the year, such as being the host of Amen corner coverage and doing NCAA tournament games. He did the famous Pittsnogle game in 2005 where hometown boy Mike Gansey got hot:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMRokCAYpU0&t=55s

He is also one of the main radio play by play guys for the tournament; Westwood One provides the coverage (and is probably another international shadow company like Jefferson Pilot). Here's his radio call from last year's Wisconsin Florida classic:

https://soundcloud.com/cbssportspodcasts/03-24-florida-wins-84-83-on-chiozza-buzzer-beater-in-otmp3

As far as the Browns, I found two main highlights for Ian; the first has to do with this week's opponent - Tennessee . Another miracle comeback by the Browns in 2002 in the playoff season- down 14 with 3 minutes left to win. You have to watch at the 1:40 mark for the greatest onside kick I have even seen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDeI4LSVLuo&t=191s

This last highlight is a favorite around these parts; this is a famous 2007 game at the Ravens with the controversial field goal by Dawson that took 5-10 minutes to rule as good. I still hate the ref under the right goalpost - why are you signaling it no good? Talk with your partner!

And this is when all Browns fans learned of the word "stanchion" - the curved support bar of the goalpost....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=en65Ws1FNxE

Notre Dame 49 points last night...I'm sure that will rub off on Kizer today.... I'm so apathetic about this team. On to other games:

Buf 23, TB 17. I don't like what I see from TB; lack of discipline and Winston is getting loose with the ball. The Bills are solid and should take advtanage of Tampa's mistakes.

Car 27, Chi 17. I know Luke is out- but Car can take away the run game for the Bears - then what of they have left? Carolina should have enough offense to win.

NO 24, GB 23. Not completely sold on the Saints' D yet, and Hundley has a week to prepare. But a lot of questions for the Packers' D too!

Jax 23, Ind 17. Jax's pass defense should stop Brissett, meaning Grandpa Gore or Turbin willhave to win the game for the Colts? I don't think so.

LAR 30, Az 19. Boy, Arizona's pass D is awful. I was nervous all last week taking the Cards even when they were up 31-0. I will trust Goff and the short passing of the Rams in London.

NYJ 19, Mia 16. Who knows? I think Mia won games due to incompetence of opponents rather than anything good they did.

Bal 20, Min 17. I know the Ravens look awful on O - but their D is still stellar; how will Minnesota score, without Diggs? Low scoring game - meaning the Ravens can pull out one of their special miracles.

Dal 30, SF 27. Impressed with Beatherd last week in relief. I don't see Dallas fixing their defensive issues anytime soon.

Pit 23, Cin 20. Should be closer than most think; Pit still struggles to move the ball but will somehow get a win here due to their hex over the Bengals.

Den 27, LAC 13. First, who thinks the Chargers are any good? They beat the Giants in that injury game and they only scored 17 against the awful Oakland D. I give Denver a mulligan.

Sea 26, NYG 16. Explain to me how the Giants will score. Sea has a top pass D; they are weak in the run D but the Giants can't run. And Wilson won't make mistakes.

NE 27, Atl 24. This is one of those games that will go against all conventional wisdom. Somehow, one or both defenses will play well.

Phi 24, Was 20. So impressed with the Eagles. Their ball control offense with Wentz doing enough will take them far in the weak NFC.

Best bets: 14 of them. Last week: 8-4; overall: 51-33
Buf -3
Car -3
Jax -3
LAR -3
LAR/Az over 46
NYJ +3
Bal +4.5
SF +6
Dal/SF over 49
Pit/Cin over 40.5
Den -1
Sea -3.5
Atl/NE under 56.5
Phi/Was under 49

Supercontest picks: Last week: 4-1; overall: 19-11
Car -3
Bal +5.5
LAR -3.5
Den +1.5
Sea -5.5