Gruden in, Kornheiser out on MNF

Sexist ;D

 

Neil Best tweets that ESPN "poobah" John Skipper says that Kornheiser had requested a partial MNF schedule:
http://twitter.com/sportswatch

 

The plot thickens:
PK reports Gruden had a deal with NFL Network to start work this weekend, then ESPN swopped in. Gruden never bothered to tell NFL Net. brass he took the ESPN job.
Ouch.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/peter_king/05/19/mail/index.html?bcnn=yes

 

It's early, but Gruden has the knowledge and talent to be unbelievable in the booth.

I actually didn't mind TK, but this is a good move for ESPN. It could backfire though if Gruden is back coaching next season and they have to find another replacement a year from now.

 

Gruden is a hell of a lot sharper than Kornheiser. In all the important ways. You can guarantee there won't be mushmouthed comments about how the other team needs to step it up soon or lame jokes about Mexican laundromats.

 

Mike Lombardi makes an interesting point. If you are an NFL coach, how much access do you give Gruden knowing there is a good chance he could be on the other sideline in a few years?

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2009/05/diner-morning-news-around-the-nfl-2/

 

Peter King is reporting that Gruden had an all but done deal with the NFL Network before dumping them for ESPN.
I think the "info" angle is a little overrated. What teams do on the field is far more telling than any inside stuff (which is pretty much moot after a game is played). Otherwise teams would never cut or trade players, or fire coaches.

 

As an example, a coach probably doesn't worry too much about letting Jaws watch a practice or telling him, "This week's playbook features special plays for the second string running back" because Jaws probably isn't going to be a coach again. As a coach, you have to take some risks. You need to tell your o-line coach the gameplan because he has to execute it, even if there is a good chance he will be on an opposite sideline someday. And when you do face your old o-line coach five years from now, his coach is hearing everything second hand. Gruden would be watching practices and picking up first hand info that he can take notes on and store away for future use. So why tell Gruden anything special? There is no benefit to you.

 

I'll never figure out why you need two analysts in the booth.