Meyers, Maguire Set Rich Tone in Debut

Joel Meyers’ voice might be too good.

The former UCLA radio announcer made his debut as a NBC-TV football announcer Sunday, working the Philadelphia-Seattle game that was shown in Philadelphia and much of the West Coast, including Los Angeles.

NBC reported a few Philadelphia fans called to ask if Meyers’ voice was for real. “Does he put that on?” one fan reportedly asked.

They should hear the Angels’ Al Conin if they want to hear a voice that’s put on.

Meyers wasn’t perfect in his debut, but overall he was solid, and partner Paul Maguire was outstanding.

Meyers made only a few minor mistakes, such as once misidentifying Eagle running back Mark Higgs, No. 22, as Anthony Toney, No. 25.

It would have been more understandable had he called No. 25 Toney Anthony. It is confusing.

Maguire, although he has done fine work in the studio, could become a real star as a commentator. He showed several times Sunday that he sees the game probably as well as any commentator, except maybe John Madden.

Two examples: (1) Maguire spotted that Seattle tackle Mike Wilson was illegally downfield as soon as an official dropped a flag, and (2) he fingered Eagle tight end Keith Jackson and Seahawk cornerback Patrick Hunter for wrongdoings away from the ball even before a double pass-interference penalty was called.

CBS used Steve Zabriskie, an announcer for the New York Mets, on Sunday’s Ram-Atlanta telecast.

Zabriskie filled in for Verne Lundquist, who filled in for Pat Summerall, who was doing U.S. Open tennis.

Zabriskie should stick to baseball. He showed early that he was not well prepared. In announcing the starting lineups, he said the Rams’ linebacking corp was an experienced one.

He failed to mention that two starting inside linebackers, Larry Kelm and Fred Stickland, were injured, and starter Richard Brown had almost no experience.

Later, when statistics for Jim Everett and Henry Ellard were shown, Zabriskie said the 49ers’ Joe Montana and Jerry Rice had nothing on the Ram pair.

Fortunately, commentator Terry Bradshaw stepped in. “Except Montana and Rice each have three Super Bowl rings,” he said.

Rice actually has only two, but you get the idea.

Bill Walsh made his NBC debut on the Chicago Bears’ 17-14 victory over Cincinnati Bengals, which was shown in 75% of the country, but not Los Angeles.

Reports on Walsh’s performance indicate he did fine.

“I couldn’t be more excited or more delighted,” NBC executive producer Terry O’Neil told reporters on a conference call after the game.

Walsh showed he wasn’t afraid to criticize, saying Chicago linebacker Mike Singletary has slowed down and, at one point, that Cincinnati’s Sam Wyche was outcoaching Chicago’s Mike Ditka.

At one point, Walsh announced that the Bengals were leading 7-3. Actually, they were leading 7-0.

Partner Dick Enberg came to the rescue, making light of the mistake. And so did Walsh. “I forgot the score when I was coaching too, so things haven’t changed much,” he said.

One of the hot topics on Sunday’s pregame shows was the Raiders’ proposed move, expected to take place in 1992.

The talk got started early, as ESPN’s 8:30 a.m. “NFL Game Day” show opened with a report from newcomer Fred Edelstein, the editor of a pro football newsletter.

Edelstein had zero camera presence and talked too fast, but his report was interesting.

Citing unidentified sources, he said that the Raiders will move to Oakland, not Sacramento, and that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers might move to Sacramento. Or somewhere.

He said Buccaneer owner Hugh Culverhouse is upset about fan apathy in Tampa Bay. Apparently, the fans aren’t too fond of Culverhouse, either.

During Edelstein’s report ESPN showed a billboard put up by a Tampa Bay radio station. It showed a large screw with Culverhouse’s name under it.

At the top of NBC’s “NFL Live” came more evidence that the Raiders are headed for Oakland, as Bob Costas interviewed Don Perata, the chairman of the Alameda County board of supervisors.

Perata said an announcement was forthcoming Thursday or Friday.

As for O.J. Simpson’s debut on “NFL Live,” he appeared nervous. He continually fiddled with his pen, which was distracting.

On CBS’ “NFL Today,” Will McDonough speculated that Raider Coach Mike Shanahan would be replaced by offensive line coach Art Shell if the teams doesn’t get off to a good start. This came before the Raiders’ win over San Diego.

Irv Cross got a scoop by reporting that the Eagles want to renegotiate Randall Cunningham’s contract and give him a raise, a report that was later confirmed.