Watchdog

On leaving HBO: "I’ve been very fortunate in my life working with [HBO's] Ross Greenburg and Rick Bernstein and Bob Costas. It's unfortunate and it was sad, but this whole transition happened so fast I didn’t have time [to worry about it]. The next day I was with ESPN and potentially working on a deal to bring me over to them. I miss them. My only experience in TV was with them. They put a good product out. They taught me a lot. We had a great time together."

On whether he always planned for a life in TV: "Always, always. When I went to Ohio State I majored in communications. I began working on my broadcast career through my agent [Maury Gostfrand]. He was just an intern at the agency and we talked about it in the mid-90s. He was going to be my agent, I was going to work in broadcasting, I was going to be on ESPN. From the early 90s when he was in law school we made a deal with each other that when he made it big and I made it big we’d be in broadcasting. He sent me to Europe and I did NFL Europe for five years. He had me doing my own show in Minnesota, had me working with ESPN for three years doing Super Bowl coverage. This is exactly what I thought my life would be."

On the fact TV seems to come naturally to him: "I've been very fortunate. Most of the athletes at ESPN come from playing to right there. I’ve had the experience of being at a world class show. That expertise and pressure to perform every week helps me."

On whether he would like someday to work an NFL game booth: "One thing I like about ESPN is the opportunity. Whatever I might dream of they can do it. Hosting shows, Countdown, Monday night. In the back of my mind I’d say I would like ultimately to take a swipe at Monday Night Football."