Coatesy has the market cornered This year's exciting Flyers' season marks the 22nd year of broadcasting for Flyers announcer and Comcast SportsNet analyst Steve Coates. Coatesy's broadcasting career has surpassed his eight-year professional ice hockey career (1973-1980), which was spent primarily in the minor leagues. "You wouldn't have room in your article to list all the teams," he joked. We will anyway: Detroit Red Wings in 1976-77; Des Moines Capitals (IHL, 1973-74); Richmond Robins (AHL, 1974-76); Springfield Indians (AHL, 1976-77); Kansas City Red Wings (CHL, 1977-78); Maine Mariners (AHL, 1978); and the Philadelphia/Syracuse Firebirds (AHL, 1978-80). Noticed for his ability to mimic the announcers, Coates was invited to do 30 radio games with the late Gene Hart in 1980, and has been with the Flyers organization ever since, save for a couple of years. Coates, who described himself as a winger who played each wing "equally poorly," said the reason he has succeeded as an announcer is because he spent plenty of time on the bench. "That is also the reason so many backup goalies are commentators," said Coates, who hosts "Coatesy's Corner" between the first and second period of Flyers games. "There is a lot of time to watch." Coates put his good friend and former Flyers announcer and player Bobby "The Chief" Taylor into that category. Currently, Taylor is the color analyst for the Tampa Bay Lightning. When the hockey season ends, Coates will put his business degree from Michigan Tech University to work as the part owner of a company that provides furnishings for the Atlantic City casinos. Round Mound of Touchdown There is talk that ABC wants TNT basketball announcer and former Sixer Charles Barkley to join Al Michaels and John Madden on "Monday Night Football." Sounds like a good idea to me. Barkley is fun to listen to, and I don't think it matters that he didn't play professional football. He's more interesting than most of the NFL commentators on the air. NFL Today scores Thankfully, CBS hired Shannon Sharpe to replace Deion Sanders on "The NFL Today" before the veteran tight end could change his mind. Dan Marino left the show a few months ago to join the Miami Dolphins' front office before he had a change of heart and returned to the pre-game show. Boxing rerun HBO will air a replay of last week's upset of boxer Roy Jones Jr. (no relation to Smarty) Saturday night. Let's hope it's better than that "Sopranos" dream episode. Laura Nachman covers television and radio sports for the Courier Times. She can be reached at lauranachman@aol.com.   May 21, 2004 7:21 AM