Bob Papa Out As NFL Network Play By Play Announcer
According to the National Football Post, the NFL Network is replacing Bob Papa as its play by play man for their broadcasts. Joe Theismann is also out. They will be replaced by Brad Nessler, who has done play by play before, and Mike Mayock best known for his draft work on the NFL Network.
There were rumors that Gus Johnson, who does NFL work for CBS, would replace Papa, but veteran broadcaster Brad Nessler was selected instead, according to NFL spokesman Greg Aiello. The 54-year-old Nessler is the top college football voice for ABC.
The writing was on the wall for Papa, when the network recently asked him to audition for a job he already had. Fortunately, we will still get to hear Papa as the Giants radio announcer, a job he has held since 1988 and presumably won't have to audition for again. Personally I think Papa is one of the best out there, he calls the games the way they should be called: down the middle, without silly catchphrases, and without putting the spotlight on himself.
[Note by Jim Schmiedeberg, 05/05/11 3:52 PM EDT Forgot to add that Mayock is a former Giant, playing with them from 1982 to 1984.]
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Damn shame...he wasn't the problem....it was the other two nippleheads that ruined the program
Bow to the Fresh Prince of the Meadowlands.
by BigBlueIntervention on May 5, 2011 3:03 PM EDT reply actions
I already have to share Ron Darling with TBS
Less sharing of Bob Papa is a good thing IMO because I’m a greedy American.
"Intelligence is not a genetic predisposition. Think stupid!!"
by Wright of passage on May 5, 2011 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Nessler=boring
Mayock?wtf it’s like having mel freaking kiper in the booth
Revis island? Prince's Kingdom!
f.e.e.t. feet feet feet!
so, then they're keeping matt millen huh
"The NFL doesn’t have $15 million reserve power forwards, though. It doesn’t have lazy, out-of-shape right fielders batting .189. Football players compete hard. They sacrifice. They risk permanent injuries and long-term brain issues. They can get cut at any time. Of all the pro athletes out there, they earn their money."
thats the silver lining
theismann really is terrible.
HELLO HELLO MR WILPON... BUY THAT MANSION. WE DONT NEED A CONDO.
Thank the lord
I had heard they were staying
theisman and millen are gone too
Papa and Theisman are still with the network in different spots.
sigh...
Mayock does the Notre Dame games I think
he’s kind of annoying, tho I think anything Notre dame related is kinda annoying.
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
Maybe he and Theismann can fight it out
20 paces and a sack of manure
The sound?
While Papa was a huge upgrade over Gumbel (obviously) I can’t help but wonder if anyone is going to sound underwhelming in that booth.
My TV sounds great when I watch anything else but the guys in the booth on NFL Network always sounded….I dunno, far away? There was something not quite right.
Gus Johnson should get the job if they’re going to keep the same technical setup, because he’s plenty loud enough and competent.
And yeah, Nessler is borrrrring. He’s not bad, he’s just so blah.
OMAHA!
OMAHA!
I thought
it was just my t.v. But NFL Network’s game telecasts are always so muted. No matter how high I turn up the sound it seems I still struggle to hear what they are saying. Maybe NFLN should invest first in equipment upgrades before changing broadcasters. Although, it won’t be sad to see Joey T. and Millen go.
Questions are a burden to others. Answers a prison to oneself.
by Arthur Curtis on May 5, 2011 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Brad Nessler is terrible
He constantly botches players names, doesn’t know what’s going on, and tries to insert pop culture references whenever possible. Terrible move.
yup, and Theismann
"Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next."
by Larry Soprano on May 5, 2011 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Typical
Its very sad, guys like Papa who just do their job get the shaft, and the Network will push to people like Michael Irvin or MeShawn or someone who has “personality” in their place.
The sad fact is – this is what the world has become. Jerry Springer draws higher ratings than real shows….
Sad. I like Papa and wish him well.
And by the way, Theismann is not the worst – Joe Namath was the worst.
No Namath was entertaining in a HeeHaw way
Theismann is insulting, like I’m too stupid to think
NOOOO Irvin
He seems like a decent enough guy now but him on the radio is torture.
by Last year in Sec 127 on May 5, 2011 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Jamie Dukes is the absolute worst
I know he doesn’t call games but any time that guy opens his mouth on “Total Access” or any special the NFL Network it makes me want to shove pencils into my ears.
sigh...
I like Rod Woodson when he is on NFL Network.
I also think Kurt Warner does a good job.
by giant fan since 57 on May 5, 2011 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions
I sometimes listened to Bob and Carl Banks on Giants.com.
I love Carl and wish he could get a job with one of the big networks. I’ll probably take some heat for saying this but I find Bob to be a little boring.
by giant fan since 57 on May 5, 2011 5:39 PM EDT reply actions
The excitement that he transmitts over the air
when the giants score gets me pumped every time. It is pure.
by Last year in Sec 127 on May 5, 2011 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions
They are fun to listen too calling Giants games
Banks let’s them have it when they are screwing up…it’s great.
“Giants Rewind” on Giants.com is a must watch after each game
sigh...
true that
Carl does not go easy on them, especially the defense
"Sack-Forced Fumble-TD against any QB in the history of the NFL.... honestly, It would probably be Eli because I see him in pratice and we can't touch him (laughs)" - Justin Tuck
by The Always Well Dressed... on May 5, 2011 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh...he rips the LBs
as they should be sometimes
sigh...
I'll bet Osama bin Laden really regrets buying that iPhone now...
Papa was the only good thing about that broadcast
wake up NFLN, jeez….good thing i don’t have you.
Yes, I am a Giants fan. Now that we got that out of the way....
IMPEACH DOLAN!!!!
I will not - lose! -Jay Z-
Some people have the right voice
and some people don’t. Papa doesn’t. He knows how to call a game but I have never liked his voice. It’s like Michael Kay when he gets excited and his voice cracks. Uh uh. Pass.
I think that the NFL Network did him an injustice by asking him to reapply for a job he had held. If you don’t want the guy, then just fire him. The execs. were too cowardice to fire him outright so they tried to save face by giving him a shot at keeping the job. Now they can say that Papa was beaten out by Nessler. Nobody believes it though.
Bob Sheppard would probably not get hired today though
even with his great voice.
The suits would say he’s too aloof and haughty, needs to jazz it up a bit.
I knew Bob Sheppard, and he was classy and definitely like a college English lit prof type personality style.
You could never imagine him even thinking “Let’s get ready to rummmbble!”
Millen and Theisman are gone
praise the lord
Self-praise is for losers. Be a winner. Stand for something. Always have class, and be humble.
-John Madden
+ Hallelujah
Especially Millen. Dunno what the hell they were thinking. It was bad enough NFL Network rarely had intriguing matchups, but to add Theisman and Millen as announcers? Jeeeeeezzzzz!!
And WTF is up with Millen being given all these media jobs after the way he f’d up the Lions???? Oooooh Weeee, what’s up wit dat?
The football team in my school, they were tough! After they sacked the quarterback they went after his family.
by Handsome Stranger on May 6, 2011 1:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Love to hear Papa...
Would love to be given a regular internet link for his play-by-play (hint-hint for us English…)
But can’t complain about Mayock. Love him as a draft specialist, one of the few analysts I listen to religiously, the guy knows his stuff.
Bob Papa- the perfect antidote to Joe Buck.
I can’t stand Joe Buck.
BP is the heat
Poor choice by the NFL network – of course, the NFL isn’t getting too many things right nowadays.
Please get Phil Simms in the Hall of Fame
Papa is the man
I get to listen to him every morning on Sirius NFL radio with Carl Banks
Details of the operations of an interstate dog fighting ring were revealed, with some portions involving drugs and gambling. Gruesome details involving abuse, torture and execution of under-performing dogs ... He admitted to being involved in the destruction of 6–8 dogs, by hanging or drowning...
Millen Thank god
That dullard is gone! Who even listened to what he had to say The worst evaluator of talent their ever was. Could not run a team unless it is into the ground a complete buffoon! I would like to slap the sh*t out of the Exec. who thought it was a good idea to put this bloated wind bag on T.V. Millen should be selling hot dogs at Ford Field.
Why is Tom Quinn still here?
papa
too bad,papa rocks..theisman stinks..mayock is gonna annoying quick..eagles suck!!
Have to be honest, I don’t get the Papa hate. I’ll take Bob Papa over just about anybody else on TV broadcasting football. Even Phil Simms has become unlistenable.
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by Jim Schmiedeberg on May 6, 2011 10:52 AM EDT reply actions
Same here
I think Papa is great. He calls the game neutral, he knows the league. Why does the play by play guy have to be always screaming and animated? I want the announcers to talk about the game, not about Favre or Arod being fed popcorn.
I think Mayock and Papa would have been awesome together. Mayock is not your typical Kiper / McShay draft douche that don’t know anything about playing the game. I watched a couple of Notre Dame games this year and at times Mayock was a ND homer if you will, but he was great at breaking down plays in the game and explaining what you’re seeing without treating the audience like they’re stupid.
Totally agree with you on Papa,
But I disagree on Simms. I think Simms is really good, especially with his insight and knowledge.
The football team in my school, they were tough! After they sacked the quarterback they went after his family.
by Handsome Stranger on May 6, 2011 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions
I like Phil as well.
I really think Carl Banks is good enough to be on the national scene.
by giant fan since 57 on May 6, 2011 5:06 PM EDT reply actions
Bob Papa's annoying habit
Is it just me or has anyone else noticed this – when Papa is calling a game on the radio, and a DB breaks up a pass, Bob will announce that the receiver has dropped the pass – not that the DB has broken it up. Inaccurate and unfair to the receiver and unfair to the DB who has just made a good play.
Big Blue!
Watching oatmeal
harden is more exciting than listening to Mayock.
Carl Banks is better. Papa was pathetic.
It’s just that Mayock sounds like a Flatliner when talking. He’ll talk about one
play for 20 min.

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