Sports
Jim Williams: Ex-Ravens coach on verge of TV stardom
By: Jim Williams
Examiner Sports Columnist
September 14, 2008
Brian Billick has moved on from his days in Baltimore and now he enjoys his new roles as a full time analyst for FOX and the NFL Network. This week he was in Landover for the Redskins’ home opener with the Saints joining Dick Stockton and Brian Baldinger.
I had a chance to talk to the former Ravens coach about his new career in broadcasting as a full time broadcaster.
Jim Williams » What is it like doing games from the booth and not coaching on the sidelines?
Brian Billick » I have to tell you that I miss the sidelines I love coaching — but that said broadcasting has been a great release for me. Doing last week’s Tampa Bay-New Orleans game from the Superdome was great. Talking to the coaches and the players, breaking down the game and working with Thom [Brennaman] was a great rush. I really got to watch a game and break it down without being concerned about winning. Now this week I work with Dick [Stockton] and Brian [Baldinger] as part of a three man booth and it will be another new experience for me.
JW » What do you think of the Redskins this year?
BB » I have known Jim Zorn for a number of years all the way back to when I was coaching in Minnesota. I have great respect for how hard he has worked to become a head coach and he will be a good one. As for the West Coast offense, that really is not what it should be called. It should be the Bill Walsh offense and really just about everyone is using some aspect of it these days. I think that in time Jason Campbell and the rest of this talented offense will pick it up. He is a good young quarterback but having to learn six or seven different offense as he has had to do is far from easy. But I think that Redskins fans will see a steady growth in Campbell and this offense that will take a little time but in the end should be worth the wait.
JW » Besides the full time analyst role you have with FOX, you are also part of the Playbook team on NFL Network with Brian Baldinger, Sterling Sharpe and Solomon Wilcots. How do you like that part of the job?
BB » Yes, I enjoy going up to NFL Films and actually breaking down the coach’s films and, really, getting into the X’s and O’s is like old times. Working with the Playbook team, is also a real treat. They are true pros and the people at NFL Films give us great freedom to use whatever we need to tell the story. I am fortunate to be part of Playbook. It really is a wonderful show and the NFL Network has been great to me.
Billick is a natural and the folks at FOX and the NFL Network love him. If he chooses not return to coaching, he has a very bright future in broadcasting. I have a feeling that he will be a star in this business very soon.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this! on dcexaminer.com.
I had a chance to talk to the former Ravens coach about his new career in broadcasting as a full time broadcaster.
Jim Williams » What is it like doing games from the booth and not coaching on the sidelines?
Brian Billick » I have to tell you that I miss the sidelines I love coaching — but that said broadcasting has been a great release for me. Doing last week’s Tampa Bay-New Orleans game from the Superdome was great. Talking to the coaches and the players, breaking down the game and working with Thom [Brennaman] was a great rush. I really got to watch a game and break it down without being concerned about winning. Now this week I work with Dick [Stockton] and Brian [Baldinger] as part of a three man booth and it will be another new experience for me.
JW » What do you think of the Redskins this year?
BB » I have known Jim Zorn for a number of years all the way back to when I was coaching in Minnesota. I have great respect for how hard he has worked to become a head coach and he will be a good one. As for the West Coast offense, that really is not what it should be called. It should be the Bill Walsh offense and really just about everyone is using some aspect of it these days. I think that in time Jason Campbell and the rest of this talented offense will pick it up. He is a good young quarterback but having to learn six or seven different offense as he has had to do is far from easy. But I think that Redskins fans will see a steady growth in Campbell and this offense that will take a little time but in the end should be worth the wait.
JW » Besides the full time analyst role you have with FOX, you are also part of the Playbook team on NFL Network with Brian Baldinger, Sterling Sharpe and Solomon Wilcots. How do you like that part of the job?
BB » Yes, I enjoy going up to NFL Films and actually breaking down the coach’s films and, really, getting into the X’s and O’s is like old times. Working with the Playbook team, is also a real treat. They are true pros and the people at NFL Films give us great freedom to use whatever we need to tell the story. I am fortunate to be part of Playbook. It really is a wonderful show and the NFL Network has been great to me.
Billick is a natural and the folks at FOX and the NFL Network love him. If he chooses not return to coaching, he has a very bright future in broadcasting. I have a feeling that he will be a star in this business very soon.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this! on dcexaminer.com.
