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CBS Must Bench Romo to Fix Its Broken NFL Broadcasts
Boston Sports Media Shake-Ups: From Booth Changes to Health Scares and New Voices
The Big Picture: What’s Happening in Boston Sports Media Right Now
If you follow Boston sports, you know the media landscape is always buzzing. Recently, there have been some major moves and surprising stories—from potential changes in the NFL broadcast booth to a beloved radio personality’s health miracle, plus new faces joining Patriots coverage. Let’s break it all down in simple terms.
1. The NFL Broadcast Booth: Could Greg Olsen Replace Tony Romo at CBS?
The Current Situation
- Greg Olsen is widely considered one of the best NFL color commentators (the analyst who explains plays alongside the play-by-play announcer).
- He currently works for Fox Sports as part of their #2 broadcast team.
- Tom Brady is set to join Fox as their #1 analyst, which pushed Olsen down to the #2 spot.
Why CBS Might Want Olsen
- Olsen has a contract clause allowing him to leave Fox if a #1 job opens elsewhere.
- Tony Romo, CBS’s current #1 analyst paired with Jim Nantz, was a sensation when he started in 2017.
- Recently, some viewers find Romo’s style "casual and meandering"—meaning he sometimes rambles or doesn’t stay focused on the game.
- Jim Nantz (Romo’s partner) is a professional who won’t criticize publicly, but insiders wonder what he thinks privately.
Other Contenders
- J.J. Watt has been impressive on CBS’s #2 team with Ian Eagle and could be an internal promotion candidate.
KEY TAKEAWAY
CBS has a decision to make: Stick with the familiar Romo-Nantz duo, or pursue Olsen (or promote Watt) for a fresh voice in the #1 booth. Olsen’s contract gives him leverage to move if he wants the top spot.
2. John Dennis ("Dino"): A Radio Legend’s Miracle Health Story
Who Is John Dennis?
- Former Channel 7 sports anchor in Boston.
- Longtime WEEI morning show co-host (one of Boston’s most popular sports radio shows).
- Known by his nickname "Dino."
- Stepped down from WEEI in 2016 and has stayed off social media since.
The Health Scare That Changed Everything
In 2025, Dennis faced a terrifying ordeal:
- Misdiagnosis: Four different medical tests said he had pancreatic cancer (one of the deadliest cancers).
- Goodbye Video: He recorded a farewell message for his wife Kathy, kids, and grandkids.
- Major Surgery: In April 2025, doctors performed a massive operation ("stem to stern" – meaning a large incision from chest to abdomen).
- The Miracle: It wasn’t cancer. Instead, they found a golf-ball-sized benign tumor next to his pancreas. They removed it, and he’s completely fine.
Life Now
- Splits time between Venice, Florida and Upton, Massachusetts (building a home on Lake Maspenock).
- Feels deep gratitude for his career ("The ’80s in local TV were so damn fun") and for surviving the scare.
- Says the experience "altered your perspective on certain things."
IMPORTANT REMINDER
Medical misdiagnoses happen more often than you think. Always consider a second opinion for serious diagnoses, and cherish every day—perspective can change in an instant.
3. New Voice for Patriots Pregame/Postgame: Meet Jack Webb
Who Is Jack Webb?
- 2023 University of Maine graduate.
- Played offensive line for the Maine Black Bears football team.
- Currently sports director and co-anchor at WVII/Fox 22 in Bangor, Maine.
- Also calls Maine Black Bear home football games on radio.
How He Got the Gig
- Mike DeVito (former NFL defensive lineman, Maine grad, now Maine’s director of player development) helped him make a connection.
- That led to an interview with the Patriots organization.
- Now he’ll join Paul Perillo and Mike Dussault on Patriots.com pregame/postgame shows, plus a former Patriot (to be announced).
His Schedule = Dream Come True
- Fridays: High school football (his day job in Bangor).
- Saturdays: Maine Black Bears football analyst.
- Sundays: Patriots pregame/postgame coverage.
"I’m not quite sure it gets better than that." – Jack Webb
4. Boston College Basketball Radio: A Messy Situation
What Happened?
- Two broadcasters, Kevin Collins and Josh Maurer, had their contracts not renewed.
- This followed a column by Chad Finn about the situation.
The Inside Details
- Kevin Collins tried to reach new coach Luke Murray through intermediaries to discuss the job.
- Only one message got through.
- It arrived on the day a top-30 recruit (Antonio Pemberton) was visiting campus.
- Josh Maurer has stayed quiet.
- He’s a rising star: radio voice of the Milwaukee Brewers and part of the PawSox/WooSox-to-MLB broadcaster pipeline.
- Hope: This doesn’t hurt his chances for other jobs (like national baseball work).
Summary: What You Need to Know
| Topic | Key Point |
|---|---|
| Greg Olsen | Top NFL analyst; may leave Fox for CBS #1 job if available. |
| Tony Romo | CBS’s current #1 analyst; style has become polarizing recently. |
| John Dennis | Survived misdiagnosed pancreatic cancer; now lives with gratitude. |
| Jack Webb | Young Maine grad living the dream: HS, college, and NFL coverage every weekend. |
| BC Basketball Radio | Two announcers let go; messy behind-the-scenes details emerging. |
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
1. Why would CBS replace Tony Romo? He was so good at first!
Romo was revolutionary in 2017—he predicted plays before they happened. But over time, his style became looser, with more tangents and less focus. Some fans and insiders now find it distracting. CBS may want a sharper, more disciplined analyst for their biggest games.
2. What is a "color analyst" anyway?
In sports broadcasting, there are usually two voices:
- Play-by-play announcer: Describes the action ("Brady drops back, throws downfield…").
- Color analyst (or color commentator): Explains why things happen, adds strategy, stories, and personality. Think of them as the "teacher" beside the "narrator."
3. How common is a misdiagnosis like John Dennis’s?
Studies suggest diagnostic errors affect ~12 million U.S. adults yearly in outpatient care alone. Pancreatic cancer is especially tricky—symptoms are vague, and imaging can misread cysts or tumors. Always ask: "Could this be something else? Should I get a second opinion?"
4. Who is Mike DeVito, and how did he help Jack Webb?
DeVito played 8 NFL seasons (Jets, Chiefs) as a defensive lineman. He went to University of Maine and now works there as Director of Player Development. He used his Patriots connections (he played for them briefly in 2015) to introduce Webb to the right people. Networking matters!
5. What’s the "PawSox/WooSox-to-MLB pipeline"?
The Pawtucket Red Sox (PawSox) were Boston’s Triple-A affiliate; they moved to Worcester and became the WooSox. Many broadcasters who called their games (like Josh Maurer, Will Flemming, Ryley Paynter) have moved up to MLB radio/TV jobs. It’s a proven training ground for announcers.
Final Thought
Boston sports media never stands still. Whether it’s a potential blockbuster booth swap (Olsen to CBS?), a radio icon’s second chance at life (Dino), a kid from Maine living his dream (Webb), or a college program’s messy transition (BC hoops)—the stories behind the microphones are often as compelling as the games themselves.
Stay tuned. The next chapter is always just a broadcast away.
Chad Finn covers sports media for The Boston Globe. You can reach him at chad.finn@globe.com.
