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By Greg Hardwig
Naples Daily News
Chris Berman is coming back, back, back to The Franklin Templeton Shootout. Only this time, he's just bringing his golf clubs.
The ESPN anchor and part-time Captiva Island resident will play in the pro-am on Wednesday and Thursday. But Berman won't emcee the Thursday night tournament banquet this year; CBS Sports' Jim Nantz has that honor.
 | | Berman will play with Mark O'Meara Wednesday and J.J. Henry Thursday in this year's Pro-am. |
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"Chris has become a true friend to the Shootout," tournament director Taylor Ives said. "We're happy to have him back."
Berman, who also was the banquet emcee in 2004 and 2005, wouldn't pass up escaping the "football bunker," as he called it, for a few days, although his journey to Southwest Florida may seem that long to him.
Berman was in Seattle for ESPN's "Monday Night Football" between the Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks. He was scheduled to fly most of the day today, then has a 9:57 a.m. tee time with pro Mark O'Meara on Wednesday. He'll play with J.J. Henry on Thursday.
"I've played once since Labor Day, and I'm like a 16 anyway," Berman said Saturday night. "I wouldn't stand behind me, especially Wednesday. But two years ago, expecting nothing in the middle of football season, we won. I don't know how -- which looked bad when I had to present the trophies."
Berman, 51, shared his thoughts on the two NFL teams in close proximity to Southwest Florida -- the Dolphins and the Bucs. Both are struggling, and both are at 2-6, although the Dolphins have some momentum after upsetting the previously undefeated Bears on Sunday.
While many publications had the Dolphins mentioned as Super Bowl possibilities prior to this season, Berman wasn't one of those who was sold on that.
"When I looked at it, I thought I was missing the boat, not that they'd be a Super Bowl team, but somewhere around .500," Berman said. "I didn't think they'd be (2-6)."
Berman, a six-time National Sportscaster of the Year, also thought Dolphins quarterback Daunte Culpepper may have come back too soon from knee surgery, or that the team's expectations of him were a bit much.
"As someone who's had knee surgery ... to expect anything inside 12 months for Culpepper, and for that matter, (Cincinnati quarterback) Carson Palmer, to be like 'OK, press a button and you're going to be about the same,' that was a fallacy," Berman said.
As for the Bucs, Berman could sense that the end was near for their vaunted defense.
"Maybe, in retrospect, their last great stand was last season when they won the division," Berman said. "I'm not close enough to it to analyze why (running back) Cadillac Williams looked like an Edsel, then a Cadillac for a couple of games, and then back to an Edsel."
Berman has liked Bucs rookie quarterback Bruce Gradkowski so far. Gradkowski was pressed into playing when starter Chris Simms ruptured his spleen early in the season.
"He may be the best rookie quarterback playing this season, even though Vince Young and Matt Leinart are going to have great careers," Berman said.
While Berman perhaps is best known for football -- he is in his 21st year as host of "Sunday NFL Countdown" -- he still dabbles in America's pastime. Berman called the National League Division Series between the eventual world champion St. Louis Cardinals and San Diego Padres.
"For four years in a row, the winner of the series I did in the opening round won the whole thing, which is odd," said Berman, who later picked the Cardinals to beat the Detroit Tigers in six games in the World Series.
"These guys, they knew what to do when they got there," Berman said of the Cardinals, who won in five games. "Detroit, the lights were pretty bright."
Berman has been in front of the bright lights for decades and seemingly always knows what to do. But he can see the lights dimming on his career. According to his ESPN bio, he is signed through May 10, 2010, his 55th birthday. Berman was hired in October 1979, one month after ESPN debuted.
"I want to be George Brett, Tony Gwynn and the late Walter Payton," Berman said in the bio. "I want to retire with the team I came in with."
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