Theismann out, Jaws in on MNF

[SmootSmack]

I'm resisting the urge to respond here. I would just say that everyone needs to take a step back and not look at this property as a game on ESPN but rather a primetime show on a Disney network.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I'm resisting the urge to respond here. I would just say that everyone needs to take a step back and not look at this property as a game on ESPN but rather a primetime show on a Disney network.

OK, maybe you can shed some light on this, because I've heard all day long how ESPN has received complaint after complaint on the 3rd quarter celebrity interviews, but the only official change has been Theismann to Jaworski. So what's the deal? Will the viewers be forced to endure interviews on Jude Law or Kevin Kline this season?

Also, can they cut down on the opening scene when the city morphs into a football stadium? Or will they finally send Hank Williams Jr. to ride off into the sunset? Enough of the overblown music intros -- just give us the game already.

Make it happen SmootSmack!

[Beemnseven]

I don't know why Riggins doesn't get a shot -- or maybe he doesn't want it.

I was also impressed with Michael Wilbon during a 1999 preseason game.

[sportscurmudgeon]

Supposedly, Theismann was almost out at ESPN from their NFL coverage team before last year started but ESPN kept him there because of his contract. Evidently, Joe got a really nice chunk of change in his last ESPN renegotiation. So they kept him and moved him to MNF while "relegating" the other two members of his former Sunday Night crew.

After last year, something had to be done; that trio put the "fun" back in "dysfunctional". And while I don't know the percentages of positive versus negative feedback that Theismann generates, there has to be a lot of negativity based on the time and effort that people go to just to point out his gaffes and inconsistencies. If indeed the viewer feedback runs 80% negative on Theismann, that would lead the suits at ESPN to look for a change in that part of the line-up.

Was Tony K great last year? Absolutely not. Was he bad because he and Theismann never established any rapport? Maybe. We should be able to tell something about that by the second or third game of this season.

Supposedly, Theismann has been offered a college football analyst slot with Brent Mussberger at ESPN/ABC.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I'm resisting the urge to respond here. I would just say that everyone needs to take a step back and not look at this property as a game on ESPN but rather a primetime show on a Disney network.

Unfortunately that's the problem.

True football fans aren't tuning in to hear Jamie Fox blab on and on about his latest movie during a football game.

They're catering to the wrong crowd.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Unfortunately that's the problem.

True football fans aren't tuning in to hear Jamie Fox blab on and on about his latest movie during a football game.

They're catering to the wrong crowd.

I mean let me just preface by saying I don't necessarily agree with the philosophy as a football fan. But from a business standpoint, I understand what the intent is. Basically, what better stage to promote all your other properties than Monday Night Football? The idea being that if you're watching MNF and Jimmy Kimmel comes on and plugs his show that Wednesday night maybe some more people will watch Kimmel. Then while they're watching Kimmel they'll be some promo spots for Good Morning America the next morning and that will lead into The View and thats being filmed live in Walt Disney World. And then you go WDW and you see a big movie poster for the latest Pirates of the Caribbean movie and then you see the movie and you decide you want your own Disney eye patch, so you go to the Disney Store...and so on.

How successful MNF has been in helping the other properties, I really can't say.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I mean let me just preface by saying I don't necessarily agree with the philosophy as a football fan. But from a business standpoint, I understand what the intent is. Basically, what better stage to promote all your other properties than Monday Night Football? The idea being that if you're watching MNF and Jimmy Kimmel comes on and plugs his show that Wednesday night maybe some more people will watch Kimmel. Then while they're watching Kimmel they'll be some promo spots for Good Morning America the next morning and that will lead into The View and thats being filmed live in Walt Disney World. And then you go WDW and you see a big movie poster for the latest Pirates of the Caribbean movie and then you see the movie and you decide you want your own Disney eye patch, so you go to the Disney Store...and so on.

How successful MNF has been in helping the other properties, I really can't say.

I understand the business aspect, but coming from a football fan's perspective it's not what football fans want. They're turning the game into a spectacle and taking the focus away from the game.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

I understand the business aspect, but coming from a football fan's perspective it's not what football fans want. They're turning the game into a spectacle and taking the focus away from the game.

I understand. The challenge is how do we grow an audience beyond the core football fan without losing the core fan? But enough about my job...

[BDBohnzie]

Never could stand Joey T as a color guy. I loved it when Paul Maguire (not much better) would thump Joey T time and time again on Sunday nights...

Jaws is fine, and will analyze the game better than Joey T. Most of the time I ignore what is being said unless there's a big play.

TK wasn't an option to leave because he's there for comedic relief and for the amount of football he doesn't know.

Another good color analyst is Moose Johnston. I honestly think he and Aikman took lessons from the same guy...

[gabe1984]

DAMNIT! I was really hoping that Bill Maas would be one of the commentators on MNF this year. Maas is the best commentator in the NFL, hands down.
Seriously though, I'm kinda surprised that they booted Theisman instead of Kornheiser. I think Kornheiser is a great writer, as someone else said before, and I also think he's good on PTI, but he just does not fit in on MNF. I feel like when he's on PTI he's very comfortable around Wilbon and they really feed off of each other, but when Kornheiser's not around him, he's definitely not as good. To me, it looks like he feels out of place, and uncomfortable on MNF, and he isn't able to make the same funny and clever comments he makes on PTI. I dunno, it's like he's scared he's gonna say something dumb, or he's trying too hard to same something interesting, and the result is a disaster. It's probably because he felt intimidated with a guy like Theisman around, and that may change a little around Jaws, because Jaws seems like a nice enough guy, but I think Kornheiser needs to go. I'd much rather have Wilbon on MNF than Kornheiser.

[Oakland Red]

Joe Theismann has been a terrific and insightful announcer with an infectiously bright personality and I always like hearing him cover the games. No doubt he will have very little time before he gets hired to cover NFL games on a different network.

[zo4skins1]

They really need Madden back............HAIL TO THE REDSKINS

[dmek25]

its almost like saying commercials work. i cant think of one product i have purchased because of a commercial, or the celebrity hyping it

[rvd420]

who cares.i dont watch the games to listen to the commentaters.

[JWsleep]

I agree about ESPN using MNF to cross-promote other things. But I do not like it. I'm with Matty and the rest of ya about getting it back to football basics. We are the audience--football fans. Football itself is enough to keep people's attention, as is shown by the football ratings every year. We don't need additional comic relief or any other BS.

As for Joey T, I am one of the haters (maybe that's a bit strong, but...): something about his prima-donna style always rubbed me wrong. I liked him as a QB, but he really does love Joey T. TK is useless in the booth, IMO. We'll see about Jaws: at least he knows some football.

What's needed is a professional play-by-play guy like Buck or Michaels, and a good, impartial, insightful color guy. How hard can that be to find? The game will promote itself--just call it and get out of the way!