NEW YORK — Those looking for future stars of the football broadcasting world might want to keep an eye on Denver Broncos tight end Joel Dreessen. The 31-year-old used to do some video work for the Houston Texans' website, and when he got some positive feedback and found himself enjoying it, he figured it might be worth taking his media involvement to a new level.
Enter "broadcast boot camp," which NFL Films hosts each year in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey. Figuring he was closer to the end than the beginning of his football career, Dreessen enrolled in 2012.
"It was intense," Dreessen said of his experience. "A lot of classes, a lot of hands-on experience."
Ultimately, though, he says he got a lot of positive feedback. In fact, it led to him gaining a regular guest host spot on Sirius XM NFL Radio.
After learning from some of the best producers, hosts and reporters in the country for the four-day camp, he says he watches broadcasts now with a skeptical eye.
"Sometimes I'll even grab a notebook and take notes as far as who's doing things that I like, who doesn't do things that I don't like," Dreessen said. "Just kind of trying to absorb it all."
During a media session this week in New Jersey, we had a few industry-related questions for him.
Favorite play-by-play duo?
"I like Troy Aikman and Joe Buck. I think they do a really good job as far as calling the games."
Favorite reporters?
"I think Adam Schefter does a really good job on NFL Network. Jason La Canfora. I like watching those guys just as far as how they present the information."
Do you see yourself as an analyst or a host?
"It's tough to say. I'm definitely interested in trying both."
What did you think of that now-infamous postgame interview between Erin Andrews and Richard Sherman?
"I thought Erin handled it well. Obviously he was really excited in that moment and she was obviously taken aback by it, but I think she did a good job of composing herself and basically asking the question based on what he said. I thought she did an outstanding job."
Do you think pulling away from that interview was a good decision?
"I think it was a good decision. You didn't want to antagonize that situation anymore. He was clearly fired up, clearly not himself. So I think it was a wise decision."
Comments are closed.
About Brad Gagnon
Brad Gagnon has been passionate about both sports and mass media since he was in diapers -- a passion that won't die until he's in them again. Based in Toronto, he's worked as a national NFL blog editor at theScore.com, a producer and writer at theScore Television Network and a host, reporter and play-by-play voice at Rogers TV. His work has also appeared at CBSSports.com, Deadspin, FoxSports.com, The Guardian, The Hockey News and elsewhere at Comeback Media, but his day gig has him covering the NFL nationally for Bleacher Report.