Julian Edelman shows why he is one of the better pregame commentators on television

1. Fox broadcast the Saints’ preseason game against the Niners on Sunday. The new team of Adam Amin and Mark Sanchez provided commentary, while Tom Brady and Kevin Burkhardt used the game as another warm-up before Brady’s highly anticipated debut in Week 1.

Since it was a preseason game, Fox did not have its usual pregame anchors on site. The network used Charissa Thompson and Julian Edelman for preseason and halftime.

Even though it wasn’t a real game, Edelman showed why he is a rising star in the television business.

This clip was particularly strong from Edelman.

He lashes out by talking about gambling and how much money he lost betting against the Chiefs. Although every NFL show and game is littered with gambling advertisements, it’s still rare to see a commentator actually refer to his own bets during an NFL game.

Second, Edelman does something former players rarely do: criticize current players. The former Patriots receiver didn’t hold back when it came to Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, saying, “We need to see Lamar Jackson, who was on a milk carton in the playoffs, he’s missing.”

Edelman also had strong opinions on Niners receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who is sitting out because he is unhappy with his contract.

“If I were Brandon Aiyuk, I’d be in San Francisco in Week 1. Usually the way it goes is a team goes out and wins the Super Bowl and everyone’s trying to get paid. They haven’t won a Super Bowl yet, but everyone’s trying to get paid. If they have the mental toughness, meaning they’re able to do what’s best for the team when it’s not necessarily what’s best for them, then I’m telling you there’s a jackpot at the end of the rainbow that’s a huge payday if they go out there and get it done.”

Edelman is currently part of Fox’s Before Audition show, but with footage like this the network should try to find a way to get him on the main show.

2. It’s pretty crazy that ESPN hasn’t had an anchor for its NFL preseason coverage since August 19, which airs September 8, after Samantha Ponder was fired last Thursday.

Expect an announcement for a new host for NFL countdown on Sunday this week, with the top candidates being Mike Greenberg and Laura Rutledge.

Of course, that would never happen, but I would love it if ESPN brought back Chris Berman. The market for Sunday morning NFL pregame coverage is flooded. Berman would be more likely to get me to tune into ESPN’s offering than Greenberg, Rutledge, or anyone else the network could use in that spot.

3. Mets radio announcer Howie Rose speaks the truth about MLB’s absurd Roku games.

4. It makes me so sad that people thought this nonsense was real.

5. Some information for you if you want to bet on the last games of the pre-season this weekend.

6. The latest episode of SI Media with Jimmy Traina features a conversation with Radio Hall of Fame member Chris “Mad Dog” Russo.

Russo talks about signing a new three-year contract extension with SiriusXM, the challenges of running a daily summer radio show, and staying relevant after so many years in the industry.

Other topics discussed with Russo include his thoughts on whether Stephen A. Smith would ever leave First attempt and ESPN what Molly Qerim told him about his segment “What I’m Mad About,” which First attempt The moment that got the most reaction from him, how he thinks Tom Brady will do as an analyst, being on sports talk radio during an election season, what it’s like to have Peter Schrager on his show, what it’s like to have a son who goes on sports talk radio, and much more.

Following Russo, Sal Licata of WFAN Radio and SNY TV in New York joins us for our weekly segment “Traina Thoughts.” This week’s topics are the gold medal win in USA Basketball, Season 3 of The bear and more.

You can SI Media with Jimmy Traina below or on Apple and Spotify.

You can also watch SI Media with Jimmy Traina To Sports Illustrated YouTube channel.

7. RANDOM VIDEO OF THE DAY: Since I heard about ESPN’s NFL countdown on Sunday in the column and people like to get upset about ESPN being “political”, it is still absolutely remarkable to this day that something like that happened on a pre-game broadcast.

Be sure to, Check out previous issues of Traina Thoughts and see the Sports Illustrated Media Podcast moderated by Jimmy Traina on Apple, Spotify or Google. You can also follow Jimmy on Þjórsárdalur And Instagram.