CBS doesn’t think the Patriots are ready for prime time — at least not yet. The network will assign the broadcast team of Kevin Harlan, Trent Green and Melanie Collins to the Patriots’ first two contests.
CBS considers Harlan, Green and Collins to be its No. 3 team, according to its website. Jim Nantz, Tony Romo and Tracy Wolfson are No. 1, of course, with Ian Eagle, Charles Davis and Evan Washburn slotted at No. 2.
Harlan is an inoffensive play-by-play man and Green is milquetoast as an analyst — though not quite error-laden as others. He’s called several Patriots games in recent years, and I’m struggling to remember anything he said. I guess that’s better than becoming enraged at the sight of his name.
With the Patriots taking on the ho-hum Dolphins and wretched Jets over the first two weeks, it isn’t surprising to see Nantz and Romo elsewhere. They’ll be calling Browns-Chiefs and Cowboys-Chargers over the first two weeks.
Still, if Tom Brady were on the Patriots, it’s hard to imagine Eagle and Davis wouldn’t get at least one of their first two games. Cam Newton and Mac Jones don’t have the same draw. And if they were coming off a Super Bowl win, well, we know Nantz and Romo would be there for the their home opener against Miami on Week 1. The Patriots are coming off a 7-9 season. They must prove themselves nationally.
As it stands now, they have three night games, one of which is against Brady.
