Tom Brady's 3 Biggest Problems as Rookie 'NFL on FOX' TV Analyst
Tom Brady doesn't seem to have many problems. Life is good, you know?
But as he dives into retirement from his brilliant playing career and into his work as FOX's top NFL analyst, he does face some challenges.
"I think a lot of it is going to come down to how he presents it," said Michael Lombardi, the former Patriots staffer, speaking on the Pat McAfee Show. "The challenge for anyone is to have a lot of information and present it in a condensed fashion quickly.
Tom Brady's 3 Biggest Problems as Rookie 'NFL on FOX' TV Analyst
"That’s where Tom’s going to have to gain his energy and intellect and condense it very quickly."
The Athletic's Richard Deitsch - their TV guy - is pitching in as well, saying that Brady "will need to be insightful in Week 1 and avoid any major mistakes" to prevent fans from missing (predecessor Greg) Olsen on Sept. 8.''
Our response, as Brady and FOX - having agreed to a 10-year deal supposedly worth $375M for the Super Bowl GOAT to take the top chair without having ever done this particular job before?
One, we know a great deal of Brady's prep work has been about "presentation.'' The only way to really get good at that is to practice, with "like-live reps.'' Brady has done that.
Two, we do not know - and not even Brady can know - how much he'll "let his hair down'' here. Troy Aikman offers a regimented and focused style in the ESPN booth. Tony Romo is more ... well, loosey-goosey. That "personality'' thing can be a work in progress. And FOX knows this.
And three, there will be no avoiding the criticism. It wouldn't matter if Olsen excelled (he did) or not. Brady will get ripped not only for every error - and he will make those. Social media and critics being what they are, he will get ripped every time he says, "Umm.'' Seriously.
Brady will begin working at the highest level and for real in September's Week 1 game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns. Life will still be good. But criticism will be unavoidable.