Jim Nantz is facing perhaps the toughest task of his career.
Sure the Olympics, with all of their glitches, weather problems and criticism, were a struggle for the longtime CBS announcer, but at least there was no competition in Nagano.In his new role as host of CBS's pregame show, Nantz will be competing with the established shows at Fox and ESPN, as well as the storied history of the "NFL Today" at CBS.
"I know I will be scrutinized and picked apart," he said. "I'm not afraid of that. I expect it. This is network television. I just hope people give us a chance to grow together as a team before judging us against the other shows."
What makes Nantz's role particularly difficult is the roster of rookie analysts - Marcus Allen, George Seifert and Brent Jones - at his disposal.
But Nantz, who was once a sports anchor in the Salt Lake market, has been preparing for this job ever since he joined CBS as a 26-year-old college football studio host in 1985. Back then he would often stay in New York an extra day just to watch Brent Musburger host the "NFL Today."
"I'd be lying if I said I didn't aspire to his job," Nantz said. "There is a proud heritage of the `NFL Today' on CBS. It is the show I was reared on and I hope to return that tradition to CBS."
But CBS officials know that it will take at least a full season to get up to speed.
"I will be very satisfied if our show is as well-produced and polished as Fox's was and ESPN's was in their first year," CBS Sports president Sean McManus said. "We are starting at a disadvantage as the new guys on the block. I hope everyone will recognize that and not compare us right away to Fox and ESPN because they have had at least a four-year head start on us."
Fox executive producer Ed Goren, who hired Nantz at CBS in 1985 and expects him to succeed in this role, said the adjustment at Fox was made immeasurably easier by the presence of pregame veteran Terry Bradshaw.
"Terry was the veteran who took Howie (Long), James Brown and Jimmy Johnson under his wing. He was not only the veteran, he was the captain," Goren said. "He would hand off notes to the other guys to make them better. He just wanted to win. If Jim had that kind of anchor at his side it would make it easier."
CBS almost did have that kind of person, in former NBC analyst Cris Collinsworth, who instead ended up at Fox with the already smooth and talented Long and Brad-shaw.
"Cris certainly would not have hurt our pregame show," McManus said. "But we decided to try something new and fun. We are certainly taking a chance. I just hope it works out."
Nantz is confident that his rookie team will succeed with time. His says Allen "lights up the studio and is quick with a quip" and Seifert has a "great analytical mind."
But it is Jones who Nantz expects to be the star of the show.
"He is the best person I have ever auditioned in my 13 years at CBS," Nantz said. "He had the best sense of timing, he's opinionated and has a really good sense of humor. I think we found a gem."
Fox has added the Emmy-award winning Collinsworth to its spirited crew of Bradshaw, Brown and Long.