When NFL reporter and commentator Peter Schrager moved from NFL Network to ESPN, my first question was why. Schrager had certainly established a name for himself, both on FOX and at NFL Network. On FOX, he appeared regularly on a host of NFL pregame shows, giving viewers news, unique insights, and stories to watch. In addition, Schrager was part of a terrific crew of talent on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football (GMFB). He blended perfectly with the likes of Jamie Erdahl, Kyle Brandt, Jason McCourty, and numerous regular and guest panelists on the program.
Schrager bought into and truly embraced the fan-like nature of GMFB. The show allowed him to show his personal side, a love of the game, and enthusiasm for even silly things like NFL merchandise and cool jerseys. With his packed résumé, Schrager truly had become one of the most recognizable and sought-after NFL contributors and commentators.
Despite this, I still questioned the move to ESPN, both for Schrager and the network. I didn’t feel that he was going to add anything to ESPN’s already stacked roster of NFL gabbers. With Adam Schefter, Mina Kimes, Dan Graziano, Dan Orlovsky, Marcus Spears, Bart Scott, Damien Woody, and numerous others, the network is quite set with reporters, journalists, and ex-players and coaches who know the game. Schrager’s move to Bristol, CT, seemed superfluous—just ESPN accumulating any available talent like George Steinbrenner’s 1980s Yankees.
While I wasn’t sure where Schrager would fit in and whether his talents would be misused, ESPN wasted no time in putting Schrager on all of their most popular shows. Schrager is a bit of a tweener as a broadcaster. He’s not quite the insider that Schefter is and cannot match the experience and color analysis of an ex-player or coach. In addition, he has always been part of a team—a key and important part—but not the lead person on a program à la Stephen A. Smith, Mike Greenberg, Laura Rutledge, or Pat McAfee.
Moving From One Network to Another
Whenever a well-known talent comes to an even more well-known network, there is always that awkward beginning, a period of adjustment, and a leaving-the-nest effect. For Schrager, my question was short and simple: Is it a fit?
ESPN had no such query. The network immediately announced that Schrager’s smiling mug would appear on Get Up, First Take, NFL Live, and The Pat McAfee Show—interestingly enough, the four programs dominated by the aforementioned Greenberg, Smith, Rutledge, and McAfee.
Schrager was clearly going to be a face to be reckoned with at ESPN, but still, I wasn’t sold. I always felt that Schrager’s end game would actually be at FOX. He seemed to fit that California-cool sportscaster essence that FOX emits. I put him in the same category with Charissa Thompson, Erin Andrews, Rob Stone, Joel Klatt, Nick Wright, Curt Menefee, Pam Oliver, and others. There’s just a different feel to FOX personalities. It’s a Hollywood thing—hard to define, but clear when you see it. Schrager was definitely in this mold.
While ESPN has its share of glitz with the ESPY Awards and such, there is still a palpable East Coast grit to it, emanating from backwoods Bristol and established by the old-school likes of Bob Ley, Chris Berman, the late Tom Mees and Stuart Scott, Rich Eisen, Keith Olbermann, Dan Patrick, Robin Roberts, Steve Levy, and Linda Cohn.
Was Schrager going to fit in with this aforementioned legacy? Could he stand out and make his mark at a network filled with gigantic personalities? The answer to my questions finally came last week.
Taking Advantage of Opportunity
The Fourth of July holiday and the ensuing couple of weeks are a weird time in sports. The NHL and NBA playoffs are done, MLB is approaching the All-Star break, and the NFL preseason has yet to kick in completely. It is also the time when front-line TV personalities and hosts go on vacation. At ESPN, Monica McNutt did a superb job as a fill-in host on First Take. Michelle Smallmon was similarly excellent hosting NFL Live, and with Mike Greenberg on holiday, Schrager took the anchor spot on Get Up.
I never doubted Schrager’s ability to shine on television, but my question lingered: Could he be the lead guy? On Get Up, Schrager answered that question with a resounding yes. The show did not miss a beat with him at the helm. It was almost like Superman emerging from the phone booth.
This dude shed his contributing-reporter garb, and underneath was a red and blue suit with a big H on the chest—for Host. Schrager maintained his own level of personality and content while moving the show forward and making his panelists and guests excel.
Could he dominate the screen? Could he be the anchor of a program? Is he worthy of having his own show on ESPN? Yes. Schrager is that guy, and it was really fun to watch.
Can Schrager Lead His Own Program?
The truth is that Peter Schrager surprised the hell out of me. He was glib, in charge, forceful, and insightful, while showing a real knack for inciting his guests to some fantastic debate. Schrager has always excelled with a group. In fact, he is the ultimate team player—always ready to play the heavy or the hero, the jerk or the jester, the nice guy or the nerd. On Get Up, it was totally different. He was an island, a mountain, the tallest redwood in the forest. In short, Schrager dominated and displayed the aura and demeanor of a front-line, first-rate, leading sports television performer.
Sometimes, all it takes is an opportunity for a personality to take a big step and rise to a level no one thought possible. Think Pacino in The Godfather, Ford in Raiders of the Lost Ark, Travolta in Pulp Fiction, or Washington in Training Day. The Get Up stint for Schrager might just be that kind of move.
ESPN clearly signed Schrager for a reason. His enthusiasm combined with rock-solid hard work make him a prime candidate to become the network’s next superstar. I now know why he was a target for the folks in Bristol. Schrager is not just a reporter or passionate football talker. He’s a burgeoning talent: mild-mannered, welcoming, and yes, still possessing that FOX coolness.
Is he ready to become the next big thing at ESPN? Darn right he is—whether it’s the rumored 5:00 p.m. time slot vacated by Around the Horn or some other vehicle. ESPN made the move to get Schrager. Now, they need to give him his own show.
Just make it happen, for Pete’s sake.
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John Molori is a weekly columnist for Barrett Sports Media. He has previously contributed to ESPNW, Patriots Football Weekly, Golf Content Network, Methuen Life Magazine, and wrote a syndicated Media Blitz column in the New England region, which was published by numerous outlets including The Boston Metro, Providence Journal, Lowell Sun, and the Eagle-Tribune. His career also includes fourteen years in television as a News and Sports Reporter, Host, Producer working for Continental Cablevision, MediaOne, and AT&T. He can be reached on Twitter @MoloriMedia.
