Former Tampa Bay Bucs Head Coach Jon Gruden has replaced Tony Kornheiser as the third man on ESPN's Monday Night Football.
That nostalgic theme song that we all grew up listening to on ABC will now be followed by the games' play by play from Mike Tirico and colour commentary by Ron "Jaws" Jaworski, former Eagles quarterback, and "Chucky" - crazy Jon Gruden.
Kornheiser has resigned his position, citing a fear of flying and a very hectic schedule this season.
We think this is a mistake by ESPN, for two reasons. History shows that Monday Night Football, ever since the glory days of Michaels, Gifford and Dierdorf on ABC, has not done well with exclusive football personalities. Michaels and "Boomer" Esiason was an awkward combination. Dennis Miller added some spunk to the telecast. Kornheiser may not have been a football genius, but that was not his role. Tony was more light and funny. He left the technical analysis to "Jaws" and the stats and game-calling to Tirico. We think that recipe should have been kept by ESPN, and thus, the network ought to have searched for someone outside of pro football to fill the vacancy left by Tony. Second, this is not a good move for continuity because, let's face it, Gruden will be back coaching in the NFL within a year or so. We doubt that he signed a lengthy contract with ESPN, and we suspect that whatever contract he did sign has an escape clause if he is offered a head coaching position in the NFL.
In any event, we still love MNF. We relish the excitement, and we look forward to the Browns beating the Ravens this year on ESPN. Go Browns!
Devo's Cleveland Browns
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