That didn't take long.
via Broadcasting & Cable:
Cris Collinsworth will replace John Madden in NBC's Sunday Night Football broadcast booth, according to NBC Sports chairman Dick Ebersol. "[Cris] will step into the role with Al [Michaels] immediately," Ebersol said on a conference call with reporters.
Collinsworth has served as co-host and analyst on the network's Football Night in America pregame show since it launched in 2006. He also serves as an analyst on Showtime's Inside The NFL and on NFL Network.
That’ll be good. I really like them both.
I’m glad Madden is giving it up. His best days are way, way behind him. Now if there was a way to get rid of Al Michaels too, that would make Sunday Night Football that much more enjoyable.
I’d like to see Mike Patrick, of ESPN football fame, be given another chance at broadcasting professional football.
awful choice. collinsworth is horrible
I like Collinsworth.
I too like collinsworth, good choice.
Man, this is not good news. Anybody ever play Madden 09? His real commentary is worse than that, if you can imagine.
Collingsworth was hired mainly for this moment to happen. He can now spread is sportscaster wings instead of being a “traffic cop” for Costas, Olbermann, Patrick, etc on Football Night In America.
haha, I know what you mean william, although I always found that to be fairly amusing.
sheesh, I woulda rather seen Patrick get that spot
I’m not familar with NFL football but John Madden is probably the most well known name here in the UK so it sad to hear that he’s retiring but he has had along and interesting career.
@Kevin
Reviews and I agree, Collinsworth’s Madden NFL 09 commentary was some of the best commentary work in a video game. And he’s even better than that on TV. Losing Madden is never a good thing, but they have the best possible guy to replace him. Just be glad they aren’t throwing Tiki Barber into the booth.
This will be sad, Collinsworth is atrocious.
@Duncan
Would you rather have Tony Kornheiser? Kinda puts the Collinsworth thing in perspective, wouldn’t you say?
Collinsworth is better than any color analyst working the NFL right now, which admittedly isn’t saying much. Aikman is the only one that’s close, until Brian Billick gets up to full speed.
@Jesse
I’m not just talking about the automatic things they say for everybody (which are ridiculous, like how Eli Manning spends a lot of time in the weight room, or how Tyler Thigpen is “smart”) but a color commentator’s job is not to put himself over constantly, but to use your cred to get the players over. It seems like after every completion he’ll say, “You know I was a wide receiver in this league….blah blah”.
The people who trash Collinsworth have no understanding of how the game of football is played. He is easily one of the most brilliant analysts of the game EVER. There was a reason he was put on INSIDE THE NFL with such little experience. He can break down film better than anyone including Jaws on ESPN. He’s legit. Madden has said for years that someone in the NFL should hire him to coach.
I dunno Patrick Murphey, I can’t stand Troy Aikmen, or wait is it Joe Buck? they sound exactly the same.
Jared, let me set you straight:
Aikman: Awesome
Buck: rhymes with buck
I hate to see John go. I have always liked him and his name is synonymous with football. His video game is always the number 1 video each year.
You will truly be missed.
I do NOT like Collinsworth. NOT even a close match to Madden, how did they figure that one!!!! Blah!