NFL: 9 Players and Coaches We'd Love to See in the Announcing Booth

It's tough to say what the NFL announcing booth has become since athletes turned to broadcasting as a retirement career.

Pro athletes and coaches make plenty of appearances on game-day shows and even during-game broadcasts, providing colorful analysis and an interesting viewpoint that a non-player could never provide.

Some athletes on air, like Tiki Barber, aren't terribly interesting and draw fan ire easily.

Other athletes and coaches, however, keep us glued to the TV with interesting insight. Here are nine guys we'd like to see on-air.

Ray Lewis

Ray Lewis is like a father figure in the NFL and speaks about the game from a very interesting and unique perspective.

With the numbers he puts up, he is entitled to speak his mind. We love him for his captivating analysis in interviews and such.

Putting Lewis in the announcers' booth would just mean hearing the middle linebacker's colorful commentary on a regular basis.

No. 52 loves the game, and this would be a wonderful way for him to stay in football once his playing days are over.

Terrell Suggs

"T-Sizzle" has fallen into Lewis' shadow a bit over the years. But he remains a unique, funny individual capable of surviving in the announcer's booth.

Suggs isn't afraid to speak his mind on any range of topic, and his candidness could really contribute to an NFL show.

The rush linebacker is a hard worker well-versed in his craft. He could parlay his dedication into the announcers' booth with seamless ease.

Watch Suggs on NFL Network here to get a better idea of the Raven's broadcasting abilities.

Darnell Dockett

If you watch NFL Network, chances are good that Warren Sapp entertains you.

Dockett is like today's version of Sapp—a productive defensive lineman who runs his mouth and backs it up on the field.

As evidenced by his Twitter account, Dockett is entertaining. He'd probably be just as fun to listen to in the announcers' booth.

Watch Dockett and Sapp here on NFL Network, and tell me the comparison isn't justified.

Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning is one of the most cerebral passers in NFL history. Listening to him would be similar to listening to current analysts Kurt Warner or Troy Aikman.

Manning would professionally represent whatever network he works for, judging by his past forays into media like commercials.

The Colts' quarterback has charisma, and it would be a treat for football fans to hear this views of the game.

As his storied career enters its twilight, Manning should really consider a career in TV and broadcast.

Brett Favre

Brett Favre may not be the sharpest tool in the box, but everyone gets a kick out of listening to Terry Bradshaw here and there, right?

Favre may not be the most professional guy around, but he knows his stuff when it comes to football. He's seen everything the game has to offer.

The quarterback could probably give interesting insight about teams and players across the NFL, as well as talk about many aspects of the game the casual fan wouldn't notice.

No. 4 seems to be retired now and should look into becoming the next Bradshaw when the time is right.

Chad Ochocinco

Chad Ochocinco is crazy and creative enough to make a career as a very entertaining broadcaster—one whom I'd certainly pay to watch.

Ochocinco's value is more from his mouth than from his play at this point. When he hangs it up (which could be soon,) the wideout could pursue the announcers' booth.

From bull-riding to a soccer career, No. 85 is quite the personality.

Players like Deion Sanders and Michael Irvin have parlayed their big egos into big broadcasting gigs, and Ochocinco could do the same.

Raheem Morris

I'm not sure what it is with Buccaneer coaches and fiery personalities, but both Morris and Jon Gruden are tailor-made for television.

Morris isn't afraid to "call it like he sees it" and give real analysis on the NFL around him. He'd be a fantastic add to a game-day crew.

The Buccaneer coach knows what it takes to win in the NFL and took a group of young guys to a 10-6 record.

Morris could perceivably take his success from the sidelines to the broadcasting arena with his bubbling personality and flair.

Todd Haley

Todd Haley is one of the loudest, most obnoxious coaches in the NFL (more on another one of those in the next slide,) but his intensity goes relatively unnoticed because he coaches the Chiefs.

Kansas City isn't a big enough market to showcase Haley's overactive temper, but a television network program would be.

Putting Haley on TV would be entertaining to a lot of fans, as even a subdued Haley would still be amusing to most.

I doubt we ever see this happen, but Haley in the announcers' booth is an interesting thought.

Rex Ryan

Speaking of loud coaches who speak and then think about what they said, Rex Ryan and the announcers' booth are the most perfect fit you'll find on this list.

No one tells it like it is more than Ryan, and fans want to listen to an insightful guy like Ryan tell them what's going on during the game.

Every other day, Ryan is in the news for something he said. Listening to Ryan's sound bites on a regular basis would be like going to mecca for some football fans.

The Jets' head coach has a long career to come as a coach, but broadcasting is certainly feasible once his career days are over.