Last May, Chris (Mad Dog) Russo said he was unable to find a black host “who is worthy of doing a national (sports) talk (radio) show.” It appears his, and the people running SiriusXM’s “Mad Dog Radio” channel, search is over.
Stephen A. Smith will soon leave ESPN-98.7 FM and take his verbal stylings to SXM’s “MDR,” where he will host his own show, according to satellite radio sources. Smith currently co-hosts a 1 p.m.-3 p.m. program with Ryan Ruocco on 98.7.
The sources said there was no consideration of pairing SAS with Russo. Smith’s new show will probably air from 1 p.m.-3 p.m., which will put him in direct competition with Ruocco on ESPN 98.7. Smith would serve as a lead-in to Russo’s “Mad Dog Unleashed” soiree and force SXM to juggle its current “MDR” lineup.
On one level, Smith’s apparent decision to move to SXM is surprising. It was only two weeks ago when Smith, on the air, suggested his radio days were numbered. “Ryan Ruocco can have the show,” SAS said at the time. “I have enough on my plate (with TV opportunities).
Still, the idea of Smith working freestyle in the uncensored world of satellite radio is fascinating. SAS has gone right up to the line, and sometimes crossed it, as he did on Friday on ESPN’s “First Take” when he went on a rant concerning Ray Rice’s two-game suspension and implied some women should be blamed for domestic violence.
How much further will he push it working without a seatbelt on “MDR?”
Smith’s departure from ESPN-98.7 will leave a void. Not only is he the station’s only black voice hosting a daily show, Smith also has built a loyal core of listeners. His partnership with Ruocco jelled slowly but ultimately produced a compelling, and often controversial, sound.
Smith’s NBA insights and inside look at the league, particularly the Knicks, are a key ingredient of a show that will be missed.
SHOW ME THE HOST
To say Showtime’s “Inside the NFL” is in a state of major transition is an understatement.
With the NFL season closing in, the show still does not have a host. That’s a major issue — embarrassing, too. James Brown, who will continue hosting CBS’ “The NFL Today” as well as a new Thursday night pregame show, won’t be returning to anchor “Inside the NFL.”
A number of high-profile candidates to replace him are on the Showtime/CBS Sports radar (CBS owns Showtime). Greg Gumbel, who spent six seasons (1998-2003) working in CBS’ No. 1 NFL booth with Phil Simms, one of the stars of “Inside the NFL,” has drawn some attention.
So has Adam Schein, who for the past two years produced solid chemistry, and plenty of humorous moments, working with Simms on CBS Sports Network’s “Monday QB” show. Others in the running are Fox’s Curt (Big House) Menefee and Kenny Albert. Ian (The Bird) Eagle, who has moved up on CBS’ NFL play-by-play roster, is also in the running.
Rich Eisen, the host of NFL Network’s Sunday “GameDay Morning,” who also anchored NFLN’s Thursday night pregame show, is a candidate, too. But he is facing a stumbling block. Eisen, according to NFL sources, is in the middle of a rough contract negotiation with NFLN suits.
If Eisen can’t reach an agreement and departs NFLN (could ESPN be in his future?), it’s doubtful he could land the “Inside the NFL” gig. For the first time in its history, the show will re-air on NFLN. This season, “Inside the NFL” will be taped and air Tuesday evenings (rather than Wednesday) on Showtime.
The switch will allow Simms, who will work with Jim Nantz on the CBS/NFLN Thursday night package, to continue appearing on “Inside the NFL.”
As things stand now, even he doesn’t know what host he will be yapping with.
PAPAL DECREES
When you are Mike (Sports Pope) Francesa, you don’t have to be a team player.
His Holiness, who blessed the unwashed masses by briefly returning from his papal summer retreat Tuesday, took some unkind cuts at Joe Benigno and Evan Roberts. The Pope accused his mid-day parishioners of complaining too much.
“….Be quiet and do your show. They are complaining all the time,” an indignant pontiff huffed. “So what, you had to work a couple of hours two days? Jeeez, do a little work.”
Benigno, providing further evidence the Pope is obtuse, said the complaints are meant to be sarcastic. “We’re the short-yardage guys at the FAN,” Benigno said. “The glamour guys run up and down the field. When it’s fourth-and-inches they’re looking for me and Evan to stick it in the end zone.”
When it comes to Francesa, our feeling is there’s another place Benigno/Roberts might want to stick it.
SHORT OF IT
Gary Cohen went down a slippery, yet entertaining slope, Wednesday on SportsNet New York (Mets-Marlins).
He blistered unnamed columnists who, during spring training, pushed for Sandy Alderson to trade for a shortstop — specifically Seattle’s Brad Miller and Nick Franklin. Or sign Stephen Drew, now with Boston, for $14 million.
“Well Brad Miller is hitting .204. Nick Franklin hit .128 and now is in the minor leagues. Stephen Drew is hitting .178 with the Red Sox,” Cohen said. “Has anybody who wrote those columns printed a retraction saying: ‘Hey, mea culpa, I was wrong?’ “
Fair enough. Last time we checked, Cohen, Ron Darling and Keith Hernandez are capable of making mistakes, even while offering strong opinions on in-game situations or player acquisitions they’ve pushed for.
This just in: Nobody is perfect.
MONKEY AROUND
As a communicator, Michael Kay has proved to be versatile.
Who knew he is also a skilled casting director?
With his ESPN-98.7/YES simulcast partner on vacation last Tuesday, Kay cast a stuffed monkey in the role of Don LaGreca.
The monkey filled the co-host’s chair quite well, had nothing insightful to say and bore a striking resemblance to LaGreca.
JOINING THE HOLY TRINITY
By elevating her to Fox’s No. 1 NFL team, Erin Andrews now has a seat at the big girl’s table along with Michele Tafoya, the sideline reporter for NBC’s “Sunday Night Football,” and Tracy Wolfson, who will work the sidelines for CBS/NFLN’s Thursday night package.
The best way to silence her critics is for Andrews to show she is in the same league with these ladies — just tune out all the noise and do it.
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DUDE OF THE WEEK: ANTHONY RIZZO
For keeping his promise to at least “try.” Hours before his Cubs played San Diego Tuesday night, Rizzo visited a Chicago hospital where he met Mike, a 22-year-old cancer patient. Rizzo, who had been diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma in 2008 and is now cancer free, didn’t promise to hit a home run for Mike but said he would try hard to. The Cubs first baseman then went out and swatted two dingers. And on his meeting with Mike, Rizzo told the Cubs website: “This one hit more at home for me. I usually don’t get flashbacks, but I did this time.”
DWEEB OF THE WEEK: RON WASHINGTON
For his not so subtle shot at the Yankees grounds crew. When asked if he thought they purposely messed up covering the infield Wednesday night — it took them 20 minutes — during a windy, torrential downpour, the Rangers’ manager said: “Next question. I’m not going to answer that one, man.” Why not just a simple “no?” Washington had already said he didn’t think it was “intentional, but when they start pulling the tarp it usually makes it.” Anyone watching could see the high winds and sheets of rain made this an unusual situation. Or as John (Pa Pinstripe) Sterling said: “People and animals are pairing off.”
DOUBLE TALK
What Brian Cashman said: “We noticed his (Chase Headley’s) velos have really jumped.”
What Brian Cashman meant to say: “What can I say when we are able to get the third baseman we needed, give up nothing for him and even get a million bucks back from needy Padres? Simply veloful!”
