Who will be the next Sikahema or Reece? by Laura Nachman Bucks County Courier Times www.bradyresidence.com/ontheair.html October 15, 2004 Do any current Eagles have what it takes to make a transition to television broadcaster? According to WCAU's Vai Sikahema and KYW's Beasley Reece, both of whom made the transition from NFL player to television broadcaster, defensive end Hugh Douglas, quarterback Donovan McNabb, linebacker Ike Reese and safety Brian Dawkins do. "Douglas is most likely to get an opportunity upon retirement because he's outspoken and he's genuinely funny," Sikahema said. "He'd be tailor-made for a show like 'The Best Damn Sports Show Period,' where it's loosely scripted and allows his personality to come through." McNabb will have opportunities, Sikahema said, because: "He's a superstar with name recognition." "His degree from Syracuse is in communications." "High visibility." "He's a quarterback." "He's intelligent and can articulate X's and O's succinctly." "He has a TV show, which is always the springboard to network opportunities."Reece tapped Reese and Dawkins. "Ike has the excitement in his voice and body language necessary to make it as a local sportscaster," Reece said. "Ike has a quick smile, and he doesn't take himself too seriously." "Brian Dawkins is smart, well-spoken, professional, handsome, the list goes on and on," Reece said. ''If Brian wants to be a sportscaster, he will be one of the best of the guys making the transition. I still put Ike over Brian because Brian is so rich that he may not wish to lock up his time with a regular TV or radio slot." Sikahema had a dissenting opinion about Dawkins. "[He's] too serious, too intense," Sikahema said. "I don't think serious and intense translates to TV. Brian rarely lets his personality come through the lens. Like a lot of guys, when the camera is off, he's great, but he tenses up and even balls his fists up when he has to answer a question." Reece said the problem with today's athletes becoming broadcasters is money. "I still needed it even though I played nine years in the NFL," Reece said. "My goal was to end my career with $100,000 in the bank. I had $88,000 in cash on retirement day. "If today's athlete is famous enough to be courted by the media, he or she probably has $8 million. Those guys will want to work on Sundays in a network studio and keep the remainder of their week free. They will not be willing to work my six- and seven-days-a-week schedule." Seth un-Joins NFL Network Former Eagle Seth Joyner is no longer with the NFL Network. An NFL Network spokesperson said that Joyner did not want to move to Los Angeles from his home in Arizona. Comcast expands Comcast will team up with Time Warner Cable for a New York Mets Channel in New York. Comcast SportsNet is currently in Philadelphia, the Washington D.C. area, and Chicago. October 15, 2004 6:14 AM