John Madden overstayed his TV time
For the second time in his remarkable life, John Madden is walking away from an astonishingly successful career. As an NFL analyst for four different networks, he set the bar high for all who follow. He applied his own unique brand to that craft just as he had done as a football coach: bombastic but insightful, folksy but shrewd.
At 73, he walks away a legend in two arenas. I wish him well in retirement, whatever that might be.
But I will not miss him. Not as a television analyst, at least.
His schtick has grown too repetitive, too tired, too forced. I've heard enough of his sound effects to last a lifetime. I've listened to him ramble on about inane topics far too often. I was disappointed too often when he was an apologist for the league in moments of controversy, choosing to never ruffle feathers even when he had the opportunity.
And I don't begrudge his endorsements or his fantastically popular video football game. I just think it's time to hear a fresh voice, some new ideas and at a different decibel level.
In the end, I felt like Madden was a caricature of himself, and Al Michaels played to the persona for a national audience. It was so far from the Madden I first grew to watch and enjoy in the '80s.
That Madden could enthrall you between plays. He could tell you why the safety wasn't where he was supposed to be. He could tell you what the coach was thinking when he called that bonehead play. He could tell you the precise moment that momentum changed sides. He was a font of valuable information.
Even when he leaned more on the schtick than analysis in later incarnations, his audience -- or most of it -- still loved him. Let me show you a scene from last season when Madden and his bus showed up at Owings Mills in mid-week to prepare for a Sunday night broadcast.
Dressed in a baseball cap and short, dark jacket, he stood unassuming along the sideline at the Ravens' indoor practice facility, not far from his entourage. One by one, Ravens personnel came over to shake his hand. Wilbert Montgomery, the running backs coach, looked like he just found a long-lost friend. John Harbaugh, all business on the practice field, came over with a huge grin and extended hand. They talked the talk of compatriots, of old friends. It was easy to see the Ravens held Madden in high esteem.
Madden had a momentous career. A knee injury cut short a potential pro career in 1958 and pushed him into coaching, first at a junior college in Santa Maria, Calif., later as a linebackers coach with the Oakland Raiders. In 1969, two years after joining the Raiders, he was the youngest head coach in the AFL.
He eventually won a Super Bowl for Al Davis in January, 1977, but he was on the wrong end of the Immaculate Reception in 1972 when the Steelers beat the Raiders in a historic divisional playoff game. The Raiders almost certainly were cheated in defeat, a loss Madden laments to this day. The shame is that he didn't get a chance to play the undefeated Dolphins in the AFC championship game that year. Who knows how that would have turned out?
I loved his speech in 2006 when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. He rambled, yes, but it was joyful rambling. He talked about how the busts of the NFL heroes would come alive at night after the place was closed down, how they would get together and talk of the old days. It was a beautiful thought.
Photos: AP
Comments
Sounds like the typical east coast bias.
Posted by: Neil Lasley | April 16, 2009 3:56 PM
You couldn't be more wrong; in fact, you're so off base in this assessment of his last years as a TV analyst, that you probably couldn't find the center with a.......probe! There has never been anyone better and he will be missed by most, if not by you!
Posted by: The "Armchair" QB | April 16, 2009 3:58 PM
Nice article...thought it was going to be a slam but it was very respectful and truthful. thanks
Posted by: Terry Thomas | April 16, 2009 4:11 PM
Any chance the big blowhard will take Dick Vitale with him?
Posted by: Eastern Shoreman | April 16, 2009 4:29 PM
Favorite Madden Quotes, anyone? My personal favorite was during a Vikings-Packers game a while back when Madden said "Leroy Hoard is one of the greatest backs in the NFL. He's the kind of guy that says 'Coach, you need 3 yards, I'll get you 3 yards. You need 12 yards, and I'll get you 3 yards.'" These gems will be sorely missed.
Posted by: Leroy Jenkins | April 16, 2009 5:01 PM
off base, and hair splittig!...being critical just for the sake of being critical...I guess your rant worked because I responded...was the purpose of this blog entry simply to stir it up?
Posted by: danceswithcheesesteaks | April 16, 2009 6:29 PM
Well Mr. Murray John Madden did not stay to long. His retirement was unexpected and at a time that he is still good at what he does. Instead of over staying his welcome until a time when we as fan's would be looking forward to his retirement. Good job Madden!
Posted by: Marc Kelly | April 16, 2009 7:01 PM
Hasn't the Sun set on you yet. Farewell to guys like you and Zurawik who are completely out of touch with the world that you think revovles around your opinions. Get a real job Mr. Murray
Posted by: ziggy | April 16, 2009 7:46 PM
You say that now, Murray, but wait until September when you have to hear the ego-maniacal Collinsworth. Maybe you'll get lucky and Joe Theismann will come back to tell you how great he was. Or maybe you'll get the distinct pleasure of watching a Randy Cross game. For 6 figures, you'd think the guy could at least study the freakin' rosters! You'll be begging for Madden's return by week 3. Guaranteed!!!
Posted by: Darren | April 16, 2009 8:18 PM
Might I ask why so many "commentors" feel the need to brazenly insult and degrade the blogger here? If you want to discuss the topic, why not do so in a cognizant, constructive manner? A discussion of sports doesn't have to be about the person proposing the ideas.
Personally, I agree. I think it's truly remarkable how much John Madden knows about football. Unfortunately all things must come to pass. But the "schtick" is just too much and the commentary though still insightful at times has become increasingly bland and uninspired
Posted by: Bryan, Pasadena | April 16, 2009 9:17 PM
Wouldn't want to be Frank Caliendo's agent today. Thanks for the memories, John and if you stayed a little long, who could blame you with that gig? Best job in the world and they throw in a home on wheels with a driver.
Posted by: Joe M | April 16, 2009 9:36 PM
Free at last! Free at Last! Thank God Almighty we're Free of that airbag at last!!
Posted by: Mike Calo | April 16, 2009 10:51 PM
Sure, Madden's not what he used to be - but he was still better than any other color guy on TV last year.
Comparing the Madden of 2008 with the Madden of 1988 only serves to illustrate just how high he set the bar.
Posted by: Baltimoron | April 16, 2009 11:24 PM
C'mon guys... Mike Preston gets all the attention for fabricating BS drama. Let the other reporters try to get some attention too! They should put these opinion articles in the Opinion section of the paper with the rest of the BS though.
Madden will be sorely missed by the vast majority. Nobody should even be having this discussion.
Some people simply have no respect.
Posted by: Matt | April 16, 2009 11:33 PM
Who is going to spoon with Tony Romo & Brett Favre now??
Posted by: Freddy | April 17, 2009 1:26 AM
I Love You Man..........Remeber that commercial.?...You have just gained a new level of respect from me..I need someone to tell the truth now that Mike has sold out and turned into turned into the fan a** K***** ..remember The Truth Shall Set You Free....This is the guy who said the Patriots should run out the clock and play for overtime against the Most explosive ever high powerd always one play away from scoring Rams.......which of course they didnt Belichick being of sound mind and body....so he's been senile for quite a number of years...... and If newsome gives away a 1 and a 3 for crybaby drain the Kitty Bolden....... he needs to follow Madden to the rest Home.....Love the video games.... but if I had Ken Stabler, Cliff Branch, The greatest receiver ever Fred Biletnikoff, Dave Casper, Cant forget My neighbor Raymond Chester,Lyle Alzado,John Matuszak,Ted Hendricks, Jack [the assassan] Tatum, Willie Brown, Gene Upshaw, second and third best ever corners Lester Hayes and Mike Haynes..... I think i could have won a few games.....Al Davis was the star for drafting all these great players....Madden was no more than a Lefty Driesell...he was as lucky as the Holy Roller to be the coach of those teams....I will give him credit for not screwing it up like Billick did with the Ravens preventing atleast 1 if not 2 more championships.
Posted by: Rob | April 17, 2009 10:36 AM
....I'm a septugenarian who watches NFL games with my husband, and I think Madden was the best. He explained the inside game, revealing the great plays and the goofs in language I understood. He made it all enjoyable and will be missed by everyone but puffed-up sports reporters, egomanical bloggers and guys that would like to have his job!
Posted by: shoemamma | April 17, 2009 10:52 AM