Mike Tirico discusses praise amid criticism of Al Michaels

Play-by-play commentator Mike Tirico has received figurative flowers for his work in calling last Sunday's wild-card playoff game between the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals which Cincinnati won 24-17. 

"It’s why you’re sitting there on a Tuesday night at 10 o’clock asking 'Do I have to watch another game of Jacksonville’s?' It pays off," Tirico explained about his latest performance during an appearance on ESPN 1000 out of Chicago, per the Barrett Sports Media website. "People have been very kind. The nicest thing that I’ve received from people that has made me– to be brutally honest with you — feel good is that people have said 'When we watch the game, we feel like you want to be there,' and I do." 

As Andrew Holleran noted for The Spun, football fans took to Twitter last Sunday to praise Tirico and Cris Collinsworth and once again bash Al Michaels and Tony Dungy. The Michaels-Dungy duo was crushed for allegedly lacking energy and enthusiasm while working the Saturday matchup between the Los Angeles Chargers and Jacksonville Jaguars that saw Jacksonville turn a 27-0 deficit into a 31-30 victory. Michaels later responded that such criticism was nothing more than "Internet compost" and added that he wasn't "doing a game for over-the-top YouTube hits."

While Michaels also generated headlines when he compared calling "Thursday Night Football" games for Amazon Prime Video to selling "a 20-year-old Mazda," Tirico sounded grateful for the NFL opportunities he's acquired. 

"Other than being at home with my family, there’s no place I’d rather be," Tirico said about the broadcast booth. "And every week, before I do the game, I take a little picture on my phone during the national anthem from our spot. It’s just great to look back. You’re sitting in the best spot, with all these cameras and all these TVs and all these stats. A 17-time Emmy Award winner in Cris Collinsworth right next to you. You are so lucky to do this, and I enjoy every second of it." 

While it's fine that Tirico and Michaels have different styles, fans have seemingly made it known they prefer when commentators sound happy rather than punished when calling NFL action.