Peter Schrager and Ian Eagle were on the call for the Jets-Giants preseason game on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. Credit: Peter Schrager on X
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Peter Schrager gave more credence to having non-former player analysts in the broadcast booth. The NFL Network star appeared alongside Ian Eagle for the broadcast of the New York Jets-New York Giants preseason finale Saturday, aka The Snoopy Bowl.

The Jets’ defensive line had a field day, sacking Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito eight times. The trio of fringe roster players Takk McKinley, Braiden McGregor, and Leonard Taylor were particularly effective for Gang Green, combining for five sacks.

Schrager also impressed, showcasing his skills as a broadcast analyst by working seamlessly with Ian Eagle, one of the NFL’s most renowned voices. Their partnership was so natural that it seemed like they had been working together for years.

But they haven’t, which made Saturday all the more impressive.

As The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand pointed out, Schrager brought a lot of information to the table, which isn’t exactly the norm from a color analyst; they’re generally there to provide commentary based on what they see, which as a former player is rooted in experience.

For example, modern NFL players like Greg Olsen might be more in tune with the analytical side of things, but they’re also approaching it from a different perspective than someone like Schrager. The Good Morning Football personality brings a lot to the table, but it’s all informative, and it never feels like you are being peppered by useless stats or anything of that nature.

Schrager does his research but doesn’t come across as condescending.

He’s been renowned for his impressive knowledge of the NFL and has proven himself quite capable of being a valuable resource for fans, offering a unique perspective that complements the traditional former-player analyst.

He’s also well-connected and shares valuable behind-the-scenes insights with viewers.

Marchand wasn’t the only one with praise for Schrager:

Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina echoed Marchand’s sentiment that not every game analyst needs to be a former player. We recently saw that with Mina Kimes during the Los Angeles Rams preseason broadcast, and we saw it again with Schrager.

Sure, Schrager doesn’t have the notoriety of a former player like Olsen, Tom Brady, Tony Romo, Troy Aikman, or even Cris Collinsworth. But name recognition is only part of the game. And it’s not like Schrager hasn’t already established himself as a leading force and figure in the space. He’s become a household name, not only for his work on GMFB but also for his frequent appearances on other NFL Network shows and podcasts.

Schrager also had a great rapport with his play-by-play partner.

Eagle’s dry, witty humor and command of the English language like no other were complemented by Schrager’s ability to riff on topics like the future of technology in the sport. Together, they reminisced about how they would eventually tell their grandkids about the ‘Landing Zone’ and ‘Hawk Eye Technology.’

As others pointed out, Schrager was having a blast in the booth.

His infectious enthusiasm shone through. And while announcers typically don’t hype up players who won’t make the final 53-man roster in a preseason game, Schrager made the most of his opportunity and had fun with it. There’s a time and place for everything, but his contagious excitement was appreciated, especially during a 10-6 preseason game between two teams that barely played any starters.

Schrager said he had “an absolute blast” and called it a “lifetime memory.”

And with how it was received, perhaps it won’t be the last time we hear him in the booth.

About Sam Neumann

Since the beginning of 2023, Sam has been a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. A 2021 graduate of Temple University, Sam is a Charlotte native, who currently calls Greenville, South Carolina his home. He also has a love/hate relationship with the New York Mets and Jets.

View all posts by Sam Neumann