Mandich officially back as color analyst

[Lane1974]

yayz

DOLPHINS
Mandich is back as team's radio analyst
BY BARRY JACKSON
bjackson@MiamiHerald.com
As expected, WQAM's Jim Mandich on Tuesday agreed to a three-year contract to return as the Dolphins' radio analyst, sharing a booth with play-by-play voice Jimmy Cefalo.

The Dolphins and new rights-holder WQAM initially talked about the possibility of Joe Rose joining them on the broadcasts before concerns were raised about whether a three-man booth would be too crowded. But the team and station are again considering that idea. That's only possible, however, if Rose leaves 790 The Ticket to join WQAM as a talk-show host (likely in the mornings).

Rose's contract runs through Sept. 1 and he apparently feels no pressure to make a decision, even though The Ticket has given him a mid-May deadline to accept a three-year extension.

Mandich was the Dolphins' analyst for 13 years on WQAM before the team moved to The Ticket two years ago.

''I'm delighted to be working Dolphins games again,'' he said. ``It's the most fun you have in broadcasting.''

Mandich said he would be fine with a three-man booth.

``I've always wanted to work with Joe Rose.''

I'd love to see Rose leave 790, I think it'd be funny. I like Rose, and can appreciate Lebatard. I can't stand Sid.

[mopper8]

Sid is obnoxious. Rose...I can listen to him, sometimes he bothers me, but he's well-intentioned.

[Lane1974]

I don't know where Rose would fit in -- unless he replaces Bokamper on the morning show, I think they gave Kenny Walker some nice change to come over... I was kind of hoping they give OJ McDuffie the morning show to replace Bokamper when the Fins season starts -- OJ was good on 790, and actually left on a matter of principle. He had booked Will Ferrell to come on when Talladega Nights came out, and the station switched it to Lebatard's show after OJ was promoting it for his own show.

[heat4life]

It is refreshing to have two radio stations dedicated to only sports which is why like that 790 The Ticket is still alive, however, from what I read and hear on the radio, The Ticket's GM lives in LeBatard's underwears and whatever he says it's his command. Lebatard has a well known feud with Joe Rose who IMO is as honest (sometimes a jock) as you can get as a radio personality. He is loud, fun and listening to him feels like you are drinking a couple of beers at a bar with him and discussing sports. Awesome alternative to the other station's morning show. If Rose leaves The Ticket, I just don't see anyone on that station being able to replace him although I think LeBatards might be aiming for the morning hour show there. I heard him call Joe Rose a "Greedy Male Prostitute" on the air the other day because he is trying to weight a contract offer from WQMA and The Tickets. Chances are that unless The Ticket gives him an overwhelming offer, Rose leaves for WQMA with his pals. If that happens, we might find ourselves with one radio station in tis market again sooner rather than later. I guess we'll see.

BTW, Thank god Mandich is back. Although Rose did well, Mandich is a cult in the DOlphins booth. As for Cefalo....... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[mopper8]

I dunno, the GM is in Lebatard's pants b/c he can carry a station pretty much by himself. He kills whoever he's lined up against in his hours and has been voted by AM personality and best radio personality in So Fla by pretty much everyone who gives those honors out.

Lane-I agree about OJ, I liked him a lot.

[heat4life]

OJ was good but at the time he was on the show, the ratings were horrible for those hours. I believe that is why 790 never made an attempt to make peace with him. LeBatard is good, well connected and gives sports radio a new flavor with his show but I don't know about him carrying a whole station by himself. I believe you give him too much credit just because South Florida lacks good sports personalities to compete with him. IMO everyone at 560 are dull. If they get Joe Rose and McDuffie, they might get some of the listeners back. Goldberg is old and most of the time doesn't know what he is talking about unless it is about gambling.

[Flash3]

LeBetard jokes around too much on his show, and it's more dedicated to other things than it is to sports in general. His show, IMO is more suited for the morning hours. On the way home, I'd rather listen to a Joe Rose or Jim Mandich to get an update of what really happened in terms of sports during the day.