NEWS

Boselli gives broadcast booth a try

Texans' 1st pick to call NFL games on 4 Fox telecasts

By DAVID BARRON
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

In the annals of NFL television broadcasters, the Giants have alumni like Pat Summerall, Frank Gifford, Al Derogatis and Kyle Rote. More recently, the Cowboys have been represented by the likes of Troy Aikman, Jimmy Johnson, Daryl Johnston and Michael Irvin.

As for the Texans... well, say hello once more to Tony Boselli.

Granted, Boselli, the All-Pro offensive lineman who was Houston's first pick in the 2002 expansion draft, never played a down for the team. But he was, briefly, a Texan, and now he's a broadcaster, signing on to work four games with Ron Pitts this season for Fox Sports.

Every legacy, remember, has to start somewhere.

Boselli, who after leaving Houston returned to Jacksonville, Fla., where he played seven years for the Jaguars, worked on the Jaguars' preseason games last year with Fox NFL Sunday host Curt Menefee and called one game for Fox Sports. He's the last analyst on the network depth chart, but at least he's on the roster.

As you might expect, Boselli has mixed emotions about his season in Houston.

"I continue to believe that (Texans owner) Bob McNair is one of the classiest individuals in the business," he said. "I enjoyed the people and the city, but it was frustrating not to be able to do what they brought me to Houston to do. It was a difficult time."

Along with most Texans fans, he sees a glimmer of hope in the acquisition of quarterback Matt Schaub.

"I want to see them do well," he said. "David Carr just wasn't going to work, but Matt has the ability to be a franchise-type quarterback. If he does so, they have weapons on offense who can stretch the field."

Boselli retains ties to Texas as a principal in the Georgetown-based marketing company Intra-Focus with partners Will Furrer, the former Oilers quarterback, and former Jaguars teammate Jeff Novak. He also co-owns several Whataburger franchises in Jacksonville.

As for his future in broadcasting, he said, "Ask me after four games. The verdict is still out."