Boomer Between the Games: Week 1 Preview With Phil Simms
By DJ Sixsmith
The NFL season is finally here! This season, NFL fans will be able to hear even more about their favorite teams in a brand new digital show called Boomer Between the Games. Hosted by NFL on CBS analyst and WFAN radio host Boomer Esiason, the former NFL quarterback gives his thoughts on the week that was in the National Football League and chats with an all-star roster of guests about the upcoming week of games.
On the premiere episode of Boomer Between the Games, Boomer is joined by his good friend and NFL on CBS lead analyst Phil Simms. Simms sounded off on several hot topics across the league including the injury concerns for the stars of the Baltimore Ravens, the challenges facing the Philadelphia Eagles after trading Sam Bradford and what the Patriots offense will look like during Tom Brady's four game suspension. Additionally, Esiason explained why Kirk Cousins won't be a one hit wonder and Simms let everyone know that the Steelers offense will be one of the best and most explosive in all of football.
Speaking of the Steelers and the Redskins, the two quarterbacks provided an extensive preview of the Monday Night Football game between Pittsburgh and Washington. Boomer has been a staunch supporter of Kirk Cousins since his strong finish to the 2015 season. The 1988 NFL MVP believes the Redskins will be able to take advantage of a Steelers defense that has had trouble covering top-flight receivers. In fact, Boomer sees both DeSeason Jackson and Jordan Reed having big nights against a Steelers defense that has some holes. Meanwhile, Simms doesn't have the same concerns with Pittsburgh's defensive because of their strong defensive line and athletic linebackers. Phil even went as far to say that second year receiver Sammy Coates can fill the role of Martavis Bryant if he can learn the playbook and stay on the field.
Esiason and Simms also chatted about one of the more intriguing games of the week between the Eagles and the Browns. Boomer doesn't care one bit that Cleveland has a new head coach and a new quarterback. The co-host of Boomer & Carton in the Morning on WFAN doesn't see the Browns competing for a playoff spot anytime soon. Simms doesn't see the Browns making the playoffs anytime soon either, but the former New York Giants quarterback believes the Cleveland defense can have major success against rookie signal caller Carson Wentz. The playbook will be pretty vanilla for Wentz in his first career start, but both Boomer and Phil have high praise for new Eagles head coach Doug Pederson in the way he'll be able to prepare his new starting quarterback.
Finally, Boomer and Phil grabbed a fan question from Twitter to discuss the most surprising move of the NFL preseason in Sam Bradford being traded to the Minnesota Vikings. Like his colleague at Showtime Brandon Marshall, Esiason believes the Vikings are actually a better team with Bradford under center as opposed to Teddy Bridgewater. Bradford completed 65% of his passes last season and Simms called the new Vikings quarterback one of the most accurate passers in the entire league. This week's guest was also quick to note that Bradford has one of the most underrated arms in all of football and can be good in Minnesota if the offensive line properly protects him.
Boomer Between the Games will be available every week here on CBS Local Sports. Throughout the entire season, Boomer will be joined by guests like CBS Sports Radio's Brian Jones, former NFL quarterback Chris Simms and former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Mike Quick. Join the conversation with Boomer each week by using #BoomerBTG and one of your tweets could be included in next week's show.
DJ Sixsmith hosts CBS Sports Radio Roundup from 2-6pm. The Fordham University graduate is also a play-by-play announcer who has called games on Fox Sports, ESPN 3 and the Big East Digital Network. Follow DJ on Twitter @DJ_Sixsmith.