The NFL broadcasting merry-go-round continues to spin.

Cris Carter is the newest member of HBO's "Inside the NFL," joining new host Bob Costas and holdovers Cris Collinsworth and Dan Marino. Len Dawson and Nick Buoniconti were released from the weekly show when Costas was hired a few weeks ago.

Carter, 36, ranks second on the NFL's all-time list for total receptions (1,093) and receiving touchdowns (129). He spent his first three years with the Eagles before becoming an All-Pro with the Minnesota Vikings where he starred for twelve years.

If Carter hopes to succeed as a broadcaster, he needs to look no further than fellow former wide receiver Collinsworth who is hitting the peak of his career with his new assignment, moving to the No. 1 announcing team with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman on Fox.

Fox has not named a replacement on its pre-game show for Collinsworth or for resident "goofball" Jimmy Kimmel, who somehow impressed ABC enough for them to sign him to the "Politically Incorrect" timeslot on ABC next year.

Maybe Bill Maher should go to the Fox pregame show. Let's just hope it's not another ex-Dallas Cowboy.

The CBS "NFL Today" team is set with Jim Nantz, Deion Sanders, Dan Marino and Boomer Esiason. Esiason and Sanders are replacing poor Jerry Glanville, who was also dropped from "Inside the NFL," Mike Ditka, and Randy Cross. Esiason is a good addition, but Deion has managed to be more annoying as an announcer than a player.

Rendell seeks return

A Comcast SportsNet spokesperson said that Ed Rendell, who just won the Democratic primary for governor, expressed an interest in returning to "Eagles Post Game Live," even though he'll be busy this fall running for governor. There's no truth to the rumor that Ray Didinger, who has the Ari Fleisher scowl down pat, will be press secretary if Rendell wins.

You're out!

Revelation of the week: When discussing whether the time is right for a homosexual baseball player to "come out," former MLB umpire Eric Gregg said on "Lou Tilley's Sports Connection" on CN8 that when he was in the league, there were players and umpires who dated.

House cleaning

What is Mike Missanelli doing to the sports staff at WPHL? Within the last few weeks, weekend sports anchor Jenna Wolfe departed, full-time sports producer George Wallace defected to WCAU, and part-time sports producer Steve Voorhees gave his notice.

Indy lineup

ABC airs the 86th Indianapolis 500 Sunday from 11 a.m.-3:30. Announcers are Bob Jenkins, Paul Page, Scott Goodyear, Jack Arute, Gary Gerould and Vince Welch. Dr. Jerry Punch will serve as a roving reporter. With that name, he should be doing boxing.

Fight talk

Speaking of boxing, the announcing team for the Mike Tyson-Lennox Lewis fight will be Jim Lampley, Bobby Czyz, James Brown and Jim Gray. The HBO and Showtime joint production will be on pay-per-view June 8.

No horsing around

The Preakness Stakes scored its highest ratings since 1990 with a 6.5 rating, 15 share for NBC. Each national rating point is equal to around a million homes. NBC should enjoy even higher numbers as War Emblem attempts to win the Triple Crown in The Belmont Stakes on June 8. Let's hope that NBC doesn't try to put the horses on "Fear Factor" next.

Rhea returns

After 21/2 weeks off the air, Rhea Hughes, 33, returned to WIP 610-AM Monday with a new three-year deal that was worked out late Sunday night. Unfortunately, we report that many of the other WIP personalities are not having contract disputes and continue on the station.

Laura Nachman covers television and radio sports for the Courier Times. Write her in care of the Courier Times, 8400 Route 13, Levittown, PA 19057, fax 215-949-4177 or e-mail bradyresident@aol.com

Friday, May 24, 2002