Kornheiser out/Gruden in on MNF

[SmootSmack]

Pretty interesting developments. Curious to see how Gruden fits in.

[GusFrerotte]

Good for MNF. Kornheiser just didn't seem like a good fit. Still wished Fouts was the 3rd man. He was a natural fit for the 3rd man in the booth in my opinion. Gruden will do a good job.

[budw38]

Originally Posted by jsarno

I think they keep trying to find these bold funny personalities, but they are failing. At least they went to a football guy.
I seriously doubt that people tune into MNF to listen to the commentators, I'd watch it on mute before I turned the game itself off. It's like cheerleaders think people come to the games to see them cheer. Nope, they come to see your ass in that outfit, but that's only after they watched the play of the game.
aka: commentators are nothing but non-eye-candy cheerleaders.

Nice post , looks like the cheerleaders might have some competition ...Video - CNBC.com

[SkinDogg]

Theismann.

[djnemo65]

I think it's an excellent choice. The only drawback is that Gruden, clearly, is not ready to turn in his clipboard to become the next Madden. Thus you are looking at renting a guy for a year or two, then having to make another change. Nevertheless, he should be outstanding in this role. Someone with his level of knowledge will be able to do what us sports fans really want from an announcer - tell us stuff we don't already know (which Tony never once did).

I love Kornheiser as a writer, radio host, and sports debate program pioneer, but clearly he was in way over his head in that booth. I'm sure he'll land on his feet though.

[FRPLG]

MNF is different than your average Sunday game. It is a national game that has to appeal to more than just the fans of the teams playing. That's why both ABC and ESPN have worked to create it is more of a regular entertainment option rather just a pure football sport game. I doubt ESPN will or even should abandon that strategy. It may turn off some more hardcore type fans (like us) but it also makes the product more accessible to the masses...and that's the point really.

[GMScud]

I think Kornheiser only had one comment I really loved in his time on MNF:

"Joe Gibbs is to Washington what Rocky Balboa is to Philadelphia, except he's real."

LOL!

[djnemo65]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

MNF is different than your average Sunday game. It is a national game that has to appeal to more than just the fans of the teams playing. That's why both ABC and ESPN have worked to create it is more of a regular entertainment option rather just a pure football sport game. I doubt ESPN will or even should abandon that strategy. It may turn off some more hardcore type fans (like us) but it also makes the product more accessible to the masses...and that's the point really.

I think you are underestimating the sophistication of your average NFL viewer FRPLG. This is not 20 years ago when Joe 6-Pack needed Madden to explain nickel coverage to him. Your average NFL fan today has grown up on simulation video games and NFL network, and resultantly, understands the game with a depth of knowledge that his father most likely did not.

I think both the backlash that Kornheiser and Dennis Miller before him engendered, as well as ESPN's decision to fill that third seat with a pure football guy this time around, say a lot about the changing demands of the NFL viewer.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by djnemo65

I think you are underestimating the sophistication of your average NFL viewer FRPLG. This is not 20 years ago when Joe 6-Pack needed Madden to explain nickel coverage to him. Your average NFL fan today has grown up on simulation video games and NFL network, and resultantly, understands the game with a depth of knowledge that his father most likely did not.

I think both the backlash that Kornheiser and Dennis Miller before him engendered, as well as ESPN's decision to fill that third seat with a pure football guy this time around, say a lot about the changing demands of the NFL viewer.

Salient points by you and by FRPLG

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

MNF is different than your average Sunday game. It is a national game that has to appeal to more than just the fans of the teams playing. That's why both ABC and ESPN have worked to create it is more of a regular entertainment option rather just a pure football sport game. I doubt ESPN will or even should abandon that strategy. It may turn off some more hardcore type fans (like us) but it also makes the product more accessible to the masses...and that's the point really.

You know, that's a really good point. I watch the Redskins every week as a Redskins fan of course but I watch the MNF game as a football fan. Since most of my friends aren't Redskins fans (maybe I need new friends!) then I don't really talk much Redskins football but we have conversations every Tuesday about the MNF game and the rest of the league.

Between MNF, Madden and fantasy football there's no need for each game to be a skull session on football but the ability to combine X & O commentary with a personality should be what Gruden adds to the booth.

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by djnemo65

I think you are underestimating the sophistication of your average NFL viewer FRPLG. This is not 20 years ago when Joe 6-Pack needed Madden to explain nickel coverage to him. Your average NFL fan today has grown up on simulation video games and NFL network, and resultantly, understands the game with a depth of knowledge that his father most likely did not.

I think both the backlash that Kornheiser and Dennis Miller before him engendered, as well as ESPN's decision to fill that third seat with a pure football guy this time around, say a lot about the changing demands of the NFL viewer.

This is why I like Jaworski so much. He's as good an X's and O's commentator as there is in the NFL. In all honesty, I don't think a 3rd body in the booth is necessary. Tirico is excellent, so is Jaws. I like Gruden the coach, but his pre-draft stuff on NFL Network wasn't all that great. It's also an odd move for a guy who is expected back on the sidelines in 2010.