I had mentioned in the comments of the simulcast post that Patriots radio announcers Gil Santos and Gino Cappelletti are merely shells of their former selves when it comes to calling a game.  Santos is listenable but Cappelletti has really fallen and now according to Scotts Shots the Kraft family has become aware of the slide in the booth.  

“The second is a murmur out of Foxboro that seems to indicate the lifespan of the badly deteriorated Gil Santos and Gino Cappelletti radio network pairing could be in its final weeks. Shots is being informed by some Ft. Foxboro spies that the Krafts are finally understanding just how far Gino has fallen and indications are that he will be slid out of the WBCN booth (perhaps kicking and screaming) and replaced by a more relevant (and cognizant) former player.

Shots has gone on record saying it’s time for both the G-Men to leave the P-Men’s airwaves, but if we can only get rid of one, the cap has to be shot into Cap. No ifs, ands or buts.”

I totally concur.  Cappelletti has been a wonderful member of the Patriots family but he add’s nothing any longer, while Santos still is decent but doesn’t identify the players as quickly as he should.  Case in point, the record setting touchdown from Tom Brady to Randy Moss.  Moss was not identified as the receiver until well into the celebration and then Cappelletti was the first to say who it was.  This isn’t ice hockey, this is football and a guy who is 6’5″ ran a go route and he should have been id’d before he ever caught the ball.  It was a history making moment for both players as two records were set but if you were listening on the radio you didn’t know it until the celebration had started.

I wonder who the Kraft’s have in mind to replace Cappelletti?  Off the top of my head some former players with some broadcast experience include Tim Fox, Pete Brock, Steve Nelson, Scott Zolak, Steve DeOssie and Fred Smerlas.  I wouldn’t want any part of DeOssie or Smerlas in the booth as for the others I think maybe Fox or Zolak would have the best shot.  And what about Steve Grogan?  As a former quarterback he’d surely add some insight and he’s far more relevant than ayone previously mentioned except maybe Nelson. 

I guess we will just have to sit back and wait to see what the Kraft’s do.  Personally I think it’s time for a complete overhaul of the game crew and if Santos goes too I’d love to see former Red Sox play-by-play man Sean McDonough take his spot.