I never cared for Madden as a color analyst. His commentary usually consisted of “Boom, pow, look at the grass stuck in that guy’s helmet!”
Hank Stram was my man. He’s record of calling the Super Bowl winner beforehand was 40-6-2. He would say “Watch for the H back in the flat coming over from the left side” and that’s exactly where the pass would go.
"65 Toss Power Trap!"
I loved listening to Hank Stram who was great but Madden was a teacher (he had done graduate studies in psychology I think).
I remember Madden pointing out stuff that just happened that I didn’t know just happened - why that last play was so successful or what happened to stop that last play - stuff the usual broadcaster totally missed and/or just didn’t talk about.
John Madden helped me watch the game better and have fun doing it. He was fun. Summerall didn’t seem to know what to do with him. I loved his “boom”’s and his “doink”’s and the stuff nobody else would talk about that was woven into the fabric of football. It was like one of my buddies sitting there making jokes while we were watching the game. Madden was just one of the guys. I loved it.
For me, watching and listening to Madden was to football like going to Fenway Park for baseball - both reeked of the sport they were about.
Agree on Stram but Madden was great too.
I loved the Jack Buck - Hank Stram team on the NFL radio broadcasts.
And as an aside, whatever happened to the jacket-and-tied head coach - Lombardi, Dick Nolan, Landry, Stram etc etc. Is that attire no longer allowed?
Yeah...Hank Stram was very good. Madden had a more congenial style. And football players do say things like”boom” and “pow” and other shorts sayings and expletives. Madden was like your best old football budy talkin’ about a game...either way...NFL is Just a processed entertainment product now...needs to go “boom...outta here..”
That's what they say now about Tony Romo. Except I guess they told him to dial it back because he doesn't do it anymore, at least not when I was listening. I think they figured it showcased how predictable most football really is.
Anyway, Stram was the king of color men in his day because he told you what to expect and why. My dad loved it when he was on. I didn't really get excited about football until 1986 when Buddy Ryan took over my Philadelphia Eagles so I didn't get to experience Stram's best years. But those years in the 80s / 90s were Madden's prime. He didn't necessarily predict plays but he kept it entertaining.