NFL fans can’t look away from Aqib Talib commentating Eagles-Cardinals
By John Buhler
Aqib Talib made the Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals game a better viewing experience.
Yes, that is Aqib Talib commentating FOX’s telecast of the Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals game in Week 15 of the 2020 NFL season.
No, Sunday was not the first time Talib was in the booth for FOX. He had previously called the Detroit Lions game vs. the Washington Football Team. Talib was a star on the gridiron at Kansas in college and for several teams in his illustrious NFL career as a defensive back. While his commentary is unorthodox, Twitter found his approach to be some fresh air for the stuffy booth.
Aqib Talib is the greatest thing to happen to a broadcast booth since Pat McAfee
Though not every NFL fan is a fan of Talib’s broadcasting abilities, most who are in the media thinks it is great because he is authentic and gives more in-depth analysis than many other analysts in his position.
I find Aqib Talib an absolute delight on the call today...
— Dave Dameshek (@Dameshek) December 20, 2020
https://twitter.com/lt4kicks/status/1340801214355812353
Just talked to the obstetrician who delivered Aqib Talib in 1986.
— Norman Chad (@NormanChad) December 20, 2020
He says Aqib’s first words were, “What’s goin’ on, man?” #GamblingMad
i’ve decided aqib talib is actually good. he’s just having fun and saying stuff and honestly more announcers should be like that
— kos (@kostancaaa__) December 20, 2020
Then again, his insistence to punctuate every sentence with the word man, man, is not for everyone. It is like Billy Corgan singing a Smashing Pumpkins song; you either love it or you hate it and there is no in between.
"Aqib Talib is a terrible announcer!" pic.twitter.com/eC7XQmHWUl
— Jawn Cena (@BonYanni516) December 20, 2020
https://twitter.com/CamJunior1972/status/1340800583083696130
https://twitter.com/JWalizerJr/status/1340801282609729537
The good news is Talib in the booth moves the needle. FOX has always been willing to push the envelope as a broadcasting company. Talib is not as polished as others, but he seems to be doing a fine job calling the occasional NFC game for them.
If Aqib Talib could say "Man" one more time during the @AZCardinals @Eagles broadcast, that would be great.
— Chad Peterson (@chadpete4820) December 20, 2020
Me at halftime after taking a shot every time Aqib Talib says "man" pic.twitter.com/MnpMvR5fdJ
— Kyle Nunnamaker (@Slash_Kyle) December 20, 2020
https://twitter.com/buehIersdayoff/status/1340800728638492672
Clone Aqib Talib and put him in every booth.
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) December 20, 2020
Instead of a barrage of unnecessary redundant cliches in a perpetual quagmire of coachspeak, Talib is giving it to us how it is and we could not ask for anything else out of him in this spot. Keep doing you, man.
Who's idea was it to put Aqib Talib on a mic? @NFLonFOX
— Raising Zona (@RaisingZona) December 20, 2020
Aqib Talib would be fun on a “players only” NFL broadcast.
— Andrew Hammond (@ahammALDC) December 20, 2020
Aqib Talib is back!?! I love it
— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) December 20, 2020
Aqib Talib runs circles around most commentators in terms of knowledge and presents it in a way that doesn’t come off as fake. People just like to bitch about announcers.
— Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) December 20, 2020
Next. Justin Jefferson responds to Kirk Cousins hot mic criticism. dark
With there being plenty of NFL games that will not matter in the next two weeks, let’s hope FOX keeps putting Talib in the booth to call games the way he sees them. It is all about getting reps at this point in the booth. If Talib is part of the No. 5 team for FOX every fall Sunday next year, then we have even more reasons to get excited about watching some utterly atrocious football.
Talib is FOX’s response to ESPN putting Pat McAfee in the booth to call college football games.