Getting To Know NFL On CBS 2023 Commentators
NFL fans take the regular season very seriously considering the slate only consists of 17 games. As a result, enthusiasts hope for the very best talent on NFL broadcasts in order stay informed and entertained. CBS will carry the Super Bowl this season, and bring fans a bevy of important contests leading up to that point. We’ll get familiar with the voices and faces that will call the action.
Nantz is a CBS staple, having called sporting events for the network since 1985. He’s been the lead play by play announcer for their NFL coverage since 2004, and will continue in that role for the foreseeable future. Nantz has a likeable personality, starting off each game by welcoming the audience with his trademark “hello friends” introduction.
It’s hard to believe, but Romo will be entering his seventh NFL season as CBS’ lead game analyst. It doesn’t seem like that long ago when the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback was a complete unknown in the media. He’s acquitted himself well, showing fans that he’s well prepared to discuss and anticipate the strategy teams will use on the field.
It was natural to wonder whether Eagle might soon be elevated into the lead role for CBS now or in the future. Nantz gave lead play by play for college basketball up to Eagle, and it seemed possible that a similar transition would happen for NFL responsibilities. At this point, Eagle remains on the second team, and does a superb job keeping fans engaged with his enthusiasm.
It’s not completely unheard of, but Davis made the major network switch ahead of the 2020 NFL season. He’s received more opportunity to be part of a higher profile broadcast at CBS than he did at FOX. Unlike a lot of his counterparts, Davis has never appeared in an NFL game. That hasn’t stopped him from putting in the effort it takes to get to this point.
There’s perhaps no commentator in sports broadcasting today with a better voice than Harlan’s. His pitch and delivery bring fans out of their seats when big plays occur, and the experience is that much more exciting when he’s doing the game. Harlan is well known in NFL and NBA circles.
Paired with the exuberant Harlan is the more mellow Green, who has worked for CBS since 2014. He helps balance the broadcast with even-keel analysis that helps explain what is taking place on the field. Green is a former NFL quarterback, having spent his notable years with the St. Louis Rams and Kansas City Chiefs.
After being introduced to fans on lower-level NFL games, Catalon is starting to make his way up the food chain. His ascension is deserved, as fans can tell that he’s just as invested in the games as they are. Catalon been with CBS full-time since 2013, and graduated from the same media program at Syracuse University that Eagle attended before him.
Barber is no stranger to the sports talk scene, considering that he became a radio host after his football career with the New York Giants ended. The former running back will share the booth with Catalon this season, and it will be interesting to see if he opines about the state of that position in the NFL.
For his introduction to NFL game broadcasts, Ryan will join Catalon and Barber as part of an intriguing three-man booth. Ryan has not stated that he’s officially retired from the NFL, but has committed to working with CBS for the 2023 NFL season. The quarterback spent 15 seasons with the Atlanta Falcons before spending last year with the Indianapolis Colts.
Dedes is versatile play by play professional, as he does a solid job bringing college basketball, NBA and NFL games to fans. He’s had a myriad of opportunities throughout his career, but has consistently worked with CBS since 2010. In addition to his national duties, Dedes is also the television preseason play by play voice of the Los Angeles Chargers.
Even though his work is somewhat shielded from a large part of the audience, Archuleta’s analysis brings honesty to the table. It can be refreshing to hear the former NFL safety’s opinion, as he usually communicates exactly what is on his mind. Archuleta had a seven-year career in the NFL, most notably with the St. Louis Rams.
Many sports fans might know McCarthy as more of a baseball announcer than a football commentator. He’s the lead voice of Philadelphia Phillies broadcasts, and has worked with other Major League Baseball teams in that capacity as well. He also gets in the mix on NFL Sundays as well when CBS has a larger complement of games to air.
He might be one of the best receivers that NFL fans have never heard of. Lofton has been covering NFL games for CBS since 2017, but was a Hall of Fame wide receiver in the NFL from 1978-1993. He spent most of his career with the Green Bay Packers, but was also on some memorable Buffalo Bills teams in the early 1990’s.
The majority of game analysts work from the broadcast booth, but Feely can be stationed almost anywhere in an NFL stadium. The network likes to have him standing near the field so he can assess how the weather might affect field goals. Feely is a former NFL kicker himself, and brings a different perspective to the game.
The network has tabbed Lewis as a reserve play by play announcer for the 2023 NFL season. He may not be called upon too much this year, but he does have experience calling games on the collegiate level. Perhaps not surprisingly, Lewis also hails from the fruitful Syracuse University broadcasting tree.
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McCourty was a well-regarded NFL defensive back for 13 seasons. He spent the majority of his career with the Tennessee Titans, but also played with his brother Devin with the New England Patriots. He spent the final year of his career with the Miami Dolphins in 2021, and is relatively new to the broadcasting scene.
It’s one of the most popular adages in football. “Games are won or lost in the trenches.” If that’s the case, networks don’t generally hire former players who spent their time at the line of scrimmage, which is why Tucker’s experience is valuable. He spent five years in the NFL, having played most notably for the Buffalo Bills.
Networks have brought on former NFL referees to help explain calls made on the field, and Steratore is the man CBS showcases in that role. He has a bunch of practical experience, having been the referee of Super Bowl LII, and worked 14 playoff games in his career. Steratore also contributes by lending his rules expertise on CBS’ college basketball coverage.