Need Analysis? Doc Madden Is In
America’s football analyst, John Madden, sizes up the NFL season as it turns for home and glances back at his television career:
Q. Are there really more occasions this season, as you hear, of teams not going full bore each week?
A. Yes, and it is because of the continuing difference caused by free agency. There is no loyalty anymore, and in football you really need it. The players used to stay with a team and there would be loyalty between them and the coaches. And with all the changes, there is less loyalty from the fans. It is harder to have that exchange of loyalty today. People keep calling it a business now. It is harder to coach than in my day.
Q. But doesn’t free agency help teams get better in a hurry?
A. Maybe, but it leaves them lacking the depth they once had. Things are so fragile now. Even the top teams hold on by a string now. If Charles Haley is out for the year, not only do the Cowboys lose their best pass rusher but they lose the guy who made other Cowboys better pass rushers.
Q. Will the 49ers keep the title?
A. With Haley out, the 49ers will have the Cowboys’ number.
Q. Who is the NFL’s best player?
A. Emmitt Smith, without a doubt. He does everything. He’s a great, tough football player.
Q. Who is the best quarterback you ever saw?
A. Joe Namath. He was smart and tough, and if you made a video on how to throw a football, you would just copy his form. If he had been really healthy, he would have been something.
Q. You always sound relaxed broadcasting. Were you ever scared?
A. Once. George Allen and I were going to do a live interview with Brent Musburger during the 1979 Super Bowl pregame show. Just before we began, Brent said to us, “Just think of it, 100 million people will be watching.” I got to thinking.
Q. The first time you did analysis, did you discover very quickly that you could do it?
A. The first time was a simulated game with Bob Costas. He was very helpful. When I played it back, there I was talking about the last play when they were lining up for the next one. You have to learn timing, to make a point quickly.
Q. Did you get any formal training?
A. We had a seminar at CBS my first year (1979). The most important thing to learn seemed to be how to make out your expense slip.
Q. What was the greatest difference when you went from coaching to broadcasting?
A. On the sidelines, you would hear the sound; upstairs you wouldn’t. You were detached. Fox has really helped with audio. You now can hear audibles and the initial line contact. But you have to pull out because of bad language.
Q. How do you deal with being such a visible celebrity? Do you ever wonder how it came about?
A. I never think about it. You lose it if you think about it. You have to keep being yourself.