1. Where was this confidence three years ago?

In 2022, NBC put Drew Brees in the booth for a Raiders-Bengals playoff game despite him having called only one NFL game prior to that.

The result was not good. Brees’s performance was widely panned (including by me) and NBC parted ways with him a few months later. Brees was timid and sort of just there.

NBC deserved more blame than Brees because he had basically no experience calling NFL games and the network inexplicably threw him into a playoff game.

Despite the rough experience, though, Brees told Dan Patrick on Friday that he thinks he’s CURRENTLY one of the top three analysts in the NFL. Even though he doesn’t have a job.

“I'd step in the booth right now and be a top-three guy, without question,” Brees told the radio host. “And then give me a few years and I could be the best.”

“I love the game. I love talking about the game. I feel like I have an insight to the game that is pretty unique given my playing experience. I see the game a totally different way, I process it a different way.

“So, even as I watch games now, I listen to the commentary, and this and that, and what I’m seeing, I just feel like there’s so much more to add.”

The problem for Brees is that having insight into the game and seeing the game a totally different way does not translate in any way, shape or form into being a good broadcaster. You need to articulate those thoughts in an aggressive and convincing manner. You also need to make sure the casual fan can understand your analysis, while also not insulting the hardcore fan’s intelligence. KNOWING football is not the same as TALKING football.

But I hope Brees gets another chance to prove himself. His broadcasting career should not be one-and-done. That would not be fair.

Selfishly, I’d really like to see Brees get another chance now just to see if his self analysis is accurate or not.

2. ESPN’s Shams Charania has the scoop on the NBA’s Christmas Day games and the opening night doubleheader.

3. Netflix has released a new trailer for its eight-part docuseries on the Cowboys’ 1990s dynasty.

4. This is one of the best all-time Centels.

5. Last week’s SI Media With Jimmy Traina features two interviews.

First up is Puck sports correspondent John Ourand, who shares insight into the blockbuster ESPN-NFL Media deal. Ourand explains why each company wanted to make this deal, what it will mean for the presentation of NFL RedZone and the NFL Network and how ESPN’s upcoming direct-to-consumer $29.99 app is the focal point of this deal. Ourand also talks about how the NFL benefits from the deal by getting four games to sell, why those games will likely go to streamers and how this could result in some interesting changes to the NFL schedule.

Following Ourand, SiriusXM’s Katie Nolan joins the show to discuss her new podcast Casuals, the sad state of getting accurate information these days, coverage of Bill Belichick’s relationship, the trend of adult objects being thrown onto the court at WNBA games, her annoyance with the infiltration of gambling talk on sports broadcasts and more.

Following Nolan, Sal Licata from WFAN radio and SNY TV joins me for our weekly “Traina Thoughts” segment. This week, we discuss the issues with the Yankees, ratings for the NFL Hall of Fame game, betting stories, Brent Musburger, my recent root canal and Sal’s recent experience with a skunk at his house.

You can listen to the SI Media With Jimmy Traina podcast below or on Apple and Spotify.

6. A bonus SI Media With Jimmy Traina dropped this morning. It features a conversation with the WWE undisputed world heavyweight champion Cody Rhodes.

The man known as the “American Nightmare” talks about his SummerSlam match against John Cena, how it felt winning the title for a second time, how banged up he was after the match, the positive reaction to the match, a special moment he had with Cena and whether a heel turn for him at SummerSlam was ever in the cards.

In addition, Rhodes discusses a potential third WrestleMania match against Roman Reigns, whether he would want Roman’s schedule, how satisfied he was with his year as WWE champion, the Netflix series WWE: Unreal, and the WWE’s new deal with ESPN for premium live events.

Rhodes also talks about being a nice guy in real life, his one major beef with fans, hosting a new podcast, his comment about wanting to gain 100 pounds after he retires, moving into an acting career and much more.

You can listen to the SI Media With Jimmy Traina podcast below or on Apple and Spotify.

You can also watch SI Media With Jimmy Traina on Sports Illustrated‘s YouTube channel.

7. RANDOM VIDEO OF THE DAY: Good stuff here in this 1994 appearance by Al Michaels on The Late Show With David Letterman.

Be sure to catch up on past editions of Traina Thoughts and check out the Sports Illustrated Media Podcast hosted by Jimmy Traina on Apple, Spotify or Google. You can also follow Jimmy on X and Instagram.


This article was originally published on www.si.com as Drew Brees Says He Would Be a Top-Three NFL Analyst Right Now If He Were Calling Games.

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