Courtesy Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

(July 14, 2008) Rumors circulating around town that 1250 ESPN would bring in Jerome Bettis as part of its new afternoon drive-time team seemed too preposterous to even investigate. Bettis would not figure to be interested in such a role and nor did his skill set seem to be right for such a show. But a phone call to Bettis' business manager Jahmal Dokes put a different spin on the possibility.

"We're not going to comment on that," Dokes said.

That's not quite an admission that negotiations are in progress, but close. If Bettis did the show, he would need a strong studio presence with him. He is comfortable behind the microphone, as evidenced by his work on television for NBC, but talk-radio is a whole different, and less scripted, thing. Nor is Bettis particularly up to speed on sports other than football or local teams other than the Steelers. But he's one of the biggest names in town and his arrival would certainly cause a splash and draw listeners.

Keeping them would be the problem. One name floated as a possible co-host is Eddy Crow, currently with the successful "Junker & Crow Show," heard weekdays on 1250 ESPN from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. If Crow left the midday show, it would open the door for Stan Savran, of FSN Pittsburgh, to team once again with his longtime partner Guy Junker.

Other in-house candidates would be Ken Laird and Chris Mack. Neither can match Madden's on-air showmanship but both, like Madden, are clearly Penguins partisans. Mack brings a little bit extra in that like Madden he's not afraid to deliver vicious personal attacks against people he doesn't like. Thompson said he hopes to have his afternoon drive-time team in place by the time the Steelers go to camp or shortly thereafter.