Theismann to be replaced on 'MNF'

[Merlin]

William Henderson could run it by himself...

[BallHawk]

William Henderson could run it by himself...

But then which ESPN Analyst would he have to be his whipping boy?

And Jaworski At least he understands the game better than Theisman, but he still annoys me. I'd still rather have Parcells on MNF. That'd be entertaining.

I'd also like to see John Clayton and Sean Salisbury on MNF. That'd be a reason to tune it by itself.

[oregonpackfan]

I like the move because Jaworski is a student of the game. He spends a considerable amount of time of explaining the x's and o's. Just as important, he does a good job of explaining the plays to the average fan.

[mraynrand]

Didn't Jaws do that playbook show with Kolber and Hodge? I though that was okay. I agree with the prep work - Jaws knows his stuff. I don't care for TV Dinner, though. He's a pretty mean-spirited guy - and he talks more than Theisman, if that can be believed.

[Freak Out]

Has MNF gone to shit or what? Break a leg was brutal so Jaws is a welcome upgrade but what the hell happened on the way to the forum? I can't stand Tirico and Kornsheister is ok in print but stinks in the booth. These schmucks make me pine for the days of Howie, Frank and Don. If Tuna passes the studio test they need to get him on MNF ASAP!

[BallHawk]

Mike Torico is the only guy completely decent on there. He doesn't annoy me, partially because he is required not to have an opinion.

[cpk1994]

Before you start ripping a guy before you know how he sounds in the booth, I'd suggest you tune in to an Arena Football game on ESPN2. He is the play by play guy and he is really good, IMO.

[GoPackGo]

Has MNF gone to shit or what? Break a leg was brutal so Jaws is a welcome upgrade but what the hell happened on the way to the forum? I can't stand Tirico and Kornsheister is ok in print but stinks in the booth. These schmucks make me pine for the days of Howie, Frank and Don. If Tuna passes the studio test they need to get him on MNF ASAP!

Exactly, Theismann was the only one of the trio that was worth listening to

[Little Whiskey]

my vote is for Shannon Sharpe, sterling sharpe and micheal irving. and have mel kiper jr. be the sideline reporter.

[woodbuck27]

http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm

THEISMANN "SHOCKED" BY MOVE

Neil Best of Newsday reports that ESPN's Joe Theismann was caught flat-footed by the decision to bump him off of the Monday Night Football broadcast and replace him with Ron Jaworski.

"I was shocked," Theismann told Newsday on Monday.

"It was completely unexpected, especially when the meeting is started with, 'Boy, you had a great year. You did everything we asked you to do and more, and we appreciate it.'"

Previously, Theismann had said that he would not be commenting on the situation until he fully understood what had occurred. It now sounds like he fully understood it from the outset.

A guy who understood what had happened even before Theismann is Ron Jaworski, who reportedly was offered the job on Thursday night.

But the reason for the decision is still unclear. Per Newsday, ESPN exec Norby Williamson said that the network was not "unhappy" with Theismann and that "he is a phenomenal game analyst." Williamson claims that ESPN was merely hoping to improve the production. Presumably from "phenomenal" to "super-terrific."

Theismann's version? He says he was told that "in reviewing the tapes they noticed when the conversation from Mike [Tirico] and Tony [Kornhesier] got back to me, I talked about football." (As opposed to . . . wrestling?)

Kornheiser told Newsday that, in his view, there was

"talking in parallel lines without enough intersection," and Kornheiser accepted blame for that. But he welcomes the arrival of Jaworski.

"I think Jaws laughs a lot," Kornheiser said.

"God, I love the sound of laughter in a booth."

Which always sounds much better than laughter at a booth.

Theismann, per Newsday, is still under contract for four more years. ESPN will offer him another role, possibly (per Newsday) on ESPN/ABC Saturday night college football.

As we see it, why not reunite Theismann with Mike Patrick and Paul Maguire?

Though the trio drove many a viewer batty while working Sunday night NFL games, there seems to be a greater tolerance for huff, puff, and fluff in the coverage of the collegiate version of the sport, possibly because the sheer volume of NCAA contests aired on television has caused the collective audience to become numb to the crappy commentating to which we are regularly subjected.

The question, however, is whether Theismann will be willing to accept this demotion in order to continue to cash in.

"I've swallowed my pride on many occasions before," Theismann told Newsday.

"I imagine people think they know me and that I have an ego that can't do that. But I love football. Yes, this hurts. It's a shock. It's disappointing. But it doesn't change my appreciation and admiration for the people I work with at ESPN."

[Kiwon]

Does anybody think that they won't be seeing Theisman on TV this season? He's got enough cred after 19 years and will be hired by any number of outlets.

He's smart enough to even compliment ESPN while he licks his wounds. Smart guys in broadcasting don't burn their bridges. He'll be on TV until he croaks.