74_75_78_79_ wrote:In my mourning over Phyllis George, watching old 'NFL Today' stuff, I stumble across the final week of '77. Brandt discussing possibly offering a trade for TB's 1st-round draft pick so they can get Earl Campbell (he AND Dorsett in same backfield)???? Rams at Redskins game getting most attention. "Namath is being saved just in case anything happens to Haden for the playoffs. I mean he's GOT to be for that reason." Jimmy's own piece with Brent asking him questions with that big ol'e brick-and-mortar head-to-head checklist above them. Jimmy suggests that Bill Walsh may actually go to Buffalo the following year ('78) but then is quick to point out not likely in that Walsh is happy at Stanford. Then he correctly, FWIW, predicts George Allen going back to the Rams. "FWIW" in that, well you all know...Jimmy then says that Knox will go to...Detroit! As for that Minny at Detroit finale, Jimmy (in addition to pointing out that Grant is thus far 17-2 vs Lions) said Vikes would win with play-action and by a...blocked kick.
Thoughts?
"Is there any chance Ringo can save his job at Buffalo if he upsets Miami?" "The odds are 100-to-1 against him and I'll tell ya...he's a good man."
"Tuborg Gold, the Golden Beer of Danish Kings."
I remember watching that program when it originally aired. I grew up primarily being an AFC fan but I did like the Vikings and Redskins. The 12/17/77 Rams at Redskins game was played on a Saturday, the first of 3 NFL games that day. I don't recall watching alot of the NFL Today on CBS but I did on that Saturday. I must say Phyllis George never looked better. I thought she was an excellent studio member and interviewer. I went back and looked at that episode and saw that The Greek picked the Rams to win even though they had nothing to play for. The Greek's "Allen to the Rams" prediction was a good one but he missed with Knox going to Detroit. He stayed with the Knox rumor well into 1978. His game predictions were becoming less reliable though. His percentage of picking winners was nothing to write home about in those days. The Rams at Redskins turned out to be a great game. Washington squeaked out a 17-14 win and they remained alive for a playoff spot. George Allen was carried off the field after the gun sounded. The next morning Chicago beat the New York Giants in overtime and the George Allen era in Washington was over.
For me it was the golden era of pro football. The whole decade of the '70's really. Looking back, the NFL Today was a fine production, though I watched NBC's pregame show more often. Our local team the Seahawks moved to the AFC in 1977 so that probably had something to do with it.
Phyllis, Brent and Irv were a great team. Jack Whitaker and Jimmy the Greek gave the groundbreaking NFL Today an added dimension as well.