Comments on: Jon Gruden replaces Tony Kornheiser in Monday Night Football booth

By: Jason Clinkscales

Jason Clinkscales — Tue, 19 May 2009 20:20:26 +0000

I think we should all keep an open mind on how Gruden will do. I do agree that Kornheiser was not the best fit for the booth, but I think he did what he was asked to do, which was act like the sports editor who’s looking for the headline while providing the ‘outsider’ prospective. Whether he did that well or not seems to be a moot point now.

With that said, I am curious to see how Gruden does in the booth in the sense that being media-friendly with a few dozen talkies and scribes is a different animal from trying to explain to millions of fans what’s going on for a few hours.

Also, I’m curious to what persona he develops: does he keep it simple and try not to tick anyone off as John Madden did for decades? Does he just go heavy on the lingo as Ron Jaworski or (dare I say) Matt Millen? Does he mix in his personal opinions with his analysis as Cris Collinsworth does? Or does he actually cultivate his own voice?

We won’t really know until September when the lights come on for the season.

By: Jonny

Jonny — Tue, 19 May 2009 08:28:45 +0000

Chucky is one of the most emotional personalities of NFL. He will get that emotion factor into the commentary box which TK can never do. In fact, very few in the NFL can be as eloquent and passionate at the same time as Gruden.

By: Conor

Conor — Mon, 18 May 2009 23:15:22 +0000

I agree with all you guys, I think TK is great, loved his radio show and PTI is great as well, but he did not fit in the long term with MNF, Jaws said it was an “outside looking in” approach and although that is true and it was okay for the first little while, it does not hold up as after awhile, he should have learned something, as well as how limited he was for what he would add. Also I can’t wait to see what Chucky brings to the MNF crew.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Mon, 18 May 2009 21:00:21 +0000

All I can say is thank you Lord. I can deal with Tony on PTI but he never ever fit in on MNF. Gruden should be a good choice. We shall see soon.

By: Jeff G

Jeff G — Mon, 18 May 2009 19:45:06 +0000

This will be an improvement, it can’t help but be.

By: Robert Seidman

Robert Seidman — Mon, 18 May 2009 18:31:09 +0000

unfortunately, he was just being honest. He really shouldn’t have been there.

By: Bill Gorman

Bill Gorman — Mon, 18 May 2009 18:23:42 +0000

I love Tony in PTI, but he was just a bad choice for MNF. Part of the schtick that really wore on me was his “I really shouldn’t be here”-ish banter.

By: Patrick Murphy

Patrick Murphy — Mon, 18 May 2009 18:18:48 +0000

Well, that Monday night crew has nowhere to go but up, and this was definitely a step in the right direction. Although I might have tried to steal Brian Billick from Fox if I could. He seems to have a good head for color commentary, and there would be no learning curve like Gruden will have. Still, good move on ESPN’s part.

By: ChuckyLover

ChuckyLover — Mon, 18 May 2009 17:11:17 +0000

Jon Gruden could end up beginning a decades long career from this. He is perfect!! He has the necessary ‘meat and potatoes’ knowledge base, and the oh so important intagible ‘it’ factor. Fiery and fun to watch! Guys love him… and he is quite popular with the ladies too!

By: Deadbeat

Deadbeat — Mon, 18 May 2009 16:02:24 +0000

This is actually good news for MNF. I am not a fan of Kornheiser, and am glad he’s no longer part of the MNF booth. I’m not sure as to how good Gruden will be, but he brings knowledge of the game/players that Kornheiser most certainly did not have.

Plus, I got sick of hearing how tired Kornheiser was the next day after a MNF broadcast.

Finally, get deadbeat Kornheiser to shave his head. That few hairs he has for a partial combover are just an embarassment.