Johnson Makes Last Fox Appearance

Jimmy Johnson will take his last breath as a Fox television announcer on the network’s pregame show today, reporting from Texas Stadium.

Johnson, also a studio analyst for HBO’s “Inside the NFL,” will make his final appearance as a member of the media on that show Jan. 25 in a Super Bowl preview.

There is no official word on who will replace Johnson on either show, although Fox especially needs to get a big name because of the enormous impact Johnson had on its sports programming. Sam Wyche has been mentioned.

Rhodes irked at Switzer

Don’t invite Eagles coach Ray Rhodes to sit with Cowboys coach Barry Switzer at your next party.

“I thought it was in poor taste when Barry said after our game last week that they kicked our ass,” said Rhodes. “We won’t forget that. Every time we play them from now on, I’m going to remind our players of that. There was no need for it. I believe in being a gracious winner.”

Spurrier ploy?

University of Florida coach Steve Spurrier is said to have rejected a lucrative offer from Tampa Bay. Some believe that no offer was made, and that Spurrier and Bucs general manager Rich McKay, longtime friends from Spurrier’s playing days, met to prompt Florida into giving the coach a raise.