Bob Trumpy loves doing football games. That's why he was willing to go from a cushy job with NBC to radio, even though it means a lot less money, rent-a-cars instead of limos and hot dogs instead of catered meals.

        “It's different,” Trumpy said. “In TV, a limo picks you up and takes you right to the door. In radio, you're out in the parking lot with everyone else.”

        Trumpy is the analyst on Sunday night NFL games for Westwood One.

        Trumpy was left out when NBC lost its NFL package to CBS. Given the lineup CBS put together, it's still astounding that Trumpy, who had been NBC's No.1 guy, didn't get a job.

        Trumpy didn't do games for a year before getting the radio gig.

        “It's great fun,” he said.

        The thing Trumpy likes best about radio is he can concentrate on football, not the show.

        “With radio, I can be on the field 45 minutes before the game,” he said. “With television, there's rehearsal and meetings. It's a great plus to be able to be on the field.”

        Trumpy is still kicking himself for not noticing that Marshall Faulk was hobbling during warmups before the St. Louis-Carolina game last week. But by being on the field, that's the kind of information you can pick up.

        While Trumpy enjoys the radio work, he'd love to return to TV. Next season could be his opening — most of the talent CBS signed when it got the NFL back is in the third year of three-year contracts.

        But Trumpy realizes network TV is tough to get into, or, in his case, back into.

        “Every year you're out of TV is like a dog year,” he said. “It's like being out seven years. Hopefully, something will open up. They know where I live.”

        Trumpy wants to do football on a network, but not just any football.

        NBC, his old employer, is launching a new pro league, the XFL, with World Wrestling Federation in February.

        “I'm not interested,” Trumpy said. “I've never been a fan of the WWF. I have no interest.”

        Trumpy also is doing the afternoon show on WCKY-AM (1360) with Lance McAlister.

        “It works out great,” Trumpy said. “He disagrees with everything I say, and I disagree with everything he says.”

        McAlister and Trumpy have a nice rapport that makes for lively radio. But sometimes when you hear Trumpy talking about the Bengals' problems, you think you've driven into a time warp and picked up WLW's signal from 1987. With the Bengals, the names change, the problems don't.

        Trumpy also does a call-in spot with Jim Scott and an interview for the Bengals' pregame show.

        “The interview was my idea,” he said. “I know I could get a head coach or player on the phone. I try to something beyond the X's and O's.”

        Trumpy familiarity with league allows him to tap good talkers, like Tony Siragusa of Baltimore.

        “That's worked out well,” Trumpy said.

        A RAVE: Larry from Avondale called, pumped up over the sports talk show on The Buzz (WDBZ-AM 1230) “There's no shock, no hate. Just good, fun sports talk. It's worth checking out.”

        Jay Love is host of the show, with former Bengal Eric Thomas and mover and shaker Wayne “Box” Miller. They have landed some top guests.

        SEE YA: Chris Spielman left Fox Sports Net's NFL This Morning pregame show this week. He told the the New York Times he had become uncomfortable with show's slant toward humor and away from football.

        “I talk serious football,” he said, “and they're going for a different target. They wanted me to do things they knew I wouldn't be comfortable with. And I wasn't.”

        The show, with comedian Jay Mohr, does push the envelope. But it is funny, and Fox has found entertainment sells better than hard-core football.

        John Fay covers radio/TV sports for The Enquirer. He can be reached at 768-8445.

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