Last night's game, as far as the booth went, really wasn't all that bad. Sure Tony had his moments, but I think the trio was just so shocked at the outcome that they didn't have time to say anything too annoying. Countdown however was pretty wild throughout, but they saved the best for the end. Here is Cris Carter doing his endzone celebration for you before the game started last night, and the rest of the quotes below that....

Your Monday Night In Quotes:

"Eli Manning he has a big brother you know, Archie. Peyton's injury?"- Chris Berman
"Cooper! You talking about Cooper?"- Chris Mortensen

"You were a hawk on that."- Jaws to Tirico
"He's being helped by that hunter's moon."- Tony Kornheiser

"A lot of the issues of the Dallas Cowboys yesterday having pressure on Tony Romo, came from the outside pressure."- Emmitt Smith

"We think Eli is taller and handsomer now that he's won the Super Bowl. Imagine what would've happened if [Jaws] won the Super Bowl." - Tony Kornheiser

"In 1492, Christopher Columbus....in the ultimate road game. Where was he going? I don't know, but winning in front of hostile crowd....not easy."- Chris Berman

"How did Eli get to be the first pick? If his name was Schwartz he would have went in the sixth round."- Tony Kornheiser

"Even if Cleveland sails the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria can the Browns win tonight."- Chris Berman

"Penalty on the Browns. That's a shock....they only have nine a game."- Mike Tirico

"Thanks for Coughlin and Crennel, or I would be the third oldest coach in the NFL."- Tony Kornheiser

"The dog pound got a bone they can chew on here tonight"- Mike Tirico

"Wasn't Jamal Lewis, Brandon Jacobs, before Brandon Jacobs was Brandon Jacobs?"- Tony Kornheiser

"We think Eli is taller and handsomer now that he's won the Super Bowl. Imagine what would've happened if [Jaws] won the Super Bowl." - Tony Kornheiser

Back on August 20th I passed along the information that ESPN was bringing back an incarnation of NFL Primetime. Well today the "Leader" released all of the details surrounding the new, er....old show, including the reunion of Berman and longtime co-host John Saunders!

In his 30th season covering the NFL for ESPN, lead studio host Chris Berman – joined by his longtime partner Tom Jackson – will team with veteran ESPN anchor John Saunders to co-host the Sunday 7 p.m. edition of SportsCenter throughout the NFL season, beginning September 7. The move reunites Berman and Jackson with Saunders, the trio that worked together during the first three years (1987-89) of NFL PrimeTime, cable television’s highest-rated sports studio show for 19 years (1987-2005). The pairing also reunites Berman with Saunders, who regularly co-anchored the 11 p.m. Sunday night SportsCenter together during the late 1980s and also teamed on ESPN’s Major League Baseball and ABC’s NHL Stanley Cup coverage.

While presenting all the day’s highlights, news and events from the world of sports, Sunday night editions of ESPN’s flagship program will bring an increased focus to all the day’s NFL action with highlights, discussion segments, analysis, coaches’ press conferences, interviews and post-game reports from ESPN correspondents covering games. The program will also preview the Sunday night primetime match-up.

Now I know all of that information isn't really THAT exciting, and that ESPN will more than likely mess it up, but it was really just an excuse to post this video they attached to the release. What's a Tuesday evening without a look back to the early 90s on the "Leader"? I give you Jimmy Johnson's first year with the Cowboys, Bobby Hebert, and a creamsicle orange jersey wearing Vinny Testaverde in action, all while a normal Berman, a joyful John Saunders and the ever-steady Tom Jackson comment on the highlights....enjoy!

ESPN To Bring Back "Primetime" To Counter NBC's Sunday Night Football (Kind Of) (Awful Announcing)

Given that there will be no guests in the MNF Football booth this year (so says ESPN), ABC has found another way to cross promote its hit show "Dancing With The Stars". Yep, they've decided to throw it into a Monday Night Countdown promo and here is the awesome result....

It's not the worst commercial ever made, but it doesn't hold a candle to Emmitt and Key leading that pottery class last year. Although the Tom Jackson reply of "worrrrd" made me chuckle.

Last week, Tony joked on Jaws' involvement in the AFL, but this week's MNF Video of the Night features new material from our good friend Emmitt! It's been a few Mondays since Smith was on Countdown, and it really only takes one night of Emmitt to realize just how much I miss him when he's not there. Today's video is a clip of Smith explaining why Shawne Merriman shouldn't let the Chargers "co-horse" him into getting season ending surgery....

Just plain lame! Everything he says at this point just cracks me up. Even words I've actually heard before, I have to go back and check to see if they actually exist. It's really fun as hell....I suggest you try it sometime. The guy could seriously recite passages from War and Peace flawlessly, and I would still just start giggling like a little kid. I honestly love the guy.

In other news, ESPN actually aired a Football game last night without pointless and inane interruptions. Someone was apparently missing, but I still can't quite figure out who that was. Anyone have any suggestions? Onto the quotes....
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F the quotes. Since you are all such a great reading audience, I'm going to forego your night in quotes for....wait for it....BONUS EMMITT TIME!!!!!!!

Nick who? Out of my mouth to your ears one thing I can promise you this....I love me some Emmitt. Oh and if you didn't know, "LT" stands for LaDanian Tomlinson and the "opening season" is....well I have no idea what that is.

One of the best shows ever on ESPN was Chris Berman and Tom Jackson's highlight show, "NFL Primetime". It was a simple, no frills, highlight show and a throwback to how Sports of television used to be. Sure Berman was obnoxious at times, but there was rarely enough time for him to veer off course, and TJ always seemed to bring him back when he did.

Well according to multiple sources, including USA Today, ESPN is planning on bringing back the show. Sort of. They won't have the extensive league highlight package that is reserved for NBC and they'll be ruining the show's legacy by adding in the likes of Mike Ditka, Merril Hoge and Trent Dilfer. Oh, and it will technically just be a Live Sports Center with Berman hosting at 7pm on Sundays.

Actually, nevermind.....that's nothing like Primetime. I take it back. The move is obviously being made to counter NBC's pregame show, which will now feature Dan Patrick alongside Keith Olbermann. While I'm sure I will like the format and the number of analysts yapping at the same time, it's definitely a smart move. It will certainly be a welcome change from the fastest three minutes segment that Berman could barely get through without gasping for air.

I'm also pretty certain that NBC isn't happy about the decision. Hopefully this move will start some sort of battle so Olbermann's snarkiness can go up against Berman's rage in the showdown to end all highlight shows! One can only hope.

So last night's telecast was rather interesting. Monday Night Countdown had more analysts than ever, Tony Kornheiser complained about the heat in Arizona and Emmitt....well, Emmitt actually wasn't that bad (not THAT bad at least). The broadcast definitely got stale at times, namely the second half, but you can expect that in a preseason game. Let's break this out and do a paragraph on each element, shall we?
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Countdown: Your players were (from left to right) Trey Wingo, Keyshawn Johnson, Cris Carter, Tom Jackson and Emmitt Smith. The problem wasn't the content, in fact they all had solid contributions at one point or another, but rather just too many cooks in the kitchen (per usual).

The best segment of the show came when their collection of former players at the ready explained how Favre would help each individual offensive position for the Jets next season. Carter discussed how the offensive line should buy in right away, Key broke down how the receivers should be excited for not having just 6-yard routes to run, and good ole' Emmitt actually made sense when explaining how all of this would lead to a huge year for Thomas Jones.

Emmitt still had his moments, and while this pregame show wasn't bad, it still wasn't great. In all honesty a host (not Berman), Tom Jackson and Cris Carter would be solid, but with 80 people on the payroll that's probably not possible.

1st Half: Okay, what the heck happened to the whole nixing the sideline reporters thing? Michele Tafoya was all over this broadcast and Suzy Kolber was milling around during Countdown. As recent as a month ago, Tony Kornheiser confirmed that the two would likely be seeing less time but he wasn't sure of the reasoning.

Other than that obvious addition, or rather non-deletion, the first half was pretty spot on. Lots of Leinart and Bush talk, but that was expected, and amazingly....and I mean AMAZINGLY....very little Favre talk. The trio talked about the potential of the Saints offense, delved into the dicey acquisition of Shockey and had a few good interviews. It was a good mix.

Halftime: By far the best part of the program. It was just Wingo and Carter on the set (which looked insanely small with just them at the desk) talking highlights. The two even delved into Baseball and Golf and had a pretty good rapport that obviously developed over the Summer during NFL Live.

2nd Half: This is where things usually derail for the trio. Tony goes off on inane tangents, Mort forces stats talk and Tirico is left picking up the pieces. If the game is a blowout or a preseason game, it's even worse. Never fails.

This game was no different with Tony's cheesy joke du jour being that it was ridiculously hot in Arizona. Who knew it was hot in the f'ing desert? I'm not sure how many actually enjoy his act at this point of the game, but it can't be many. He also added in a "Brett Favre has been traded to the Knicks" joke for good measure. Look for it around either the 3-minute mark of the third quarter or the 11-minute mark of the fourth of every game this year.

Tirico, on the other hand, was extremely good throughout the game and even made me laugh out loud at one point in the second half with this exchange....

“You have a incredible amount of facts at the ready. You knew that was the only first down of the half. I think no more than five people in the world knew that.”- Tony Kornheiser
“Enjoyable moments in play by play. Men dream of the fourth quarter in preseason games. These are the happy moments of the year.”- Mike Tirico

(I guess that's a good segue into the quotes)

Your Top Ten Quotes:

We're changing up this year. Going with both good and bad in the same spot....well, mostly bad.

10. “The question I have for Matt Leinart, does he love playing in the National Football League? Or does he love the benefits of being a player in the National Football league.”- Cris Carter (Great way to pose it)

9. “Jaws, this maybe as good a quarterback situation as any team in the NFL.”- Mike Tirico on the Cardinals (Ummm really?)

8. “Watch Terrell Smith here, this is one of those Chris Berman lines…..rumbling, bumbling, bullying to the endzone.”- Ron Jaworski (Huh?)

7. “This just in….Brett Favre has left Jets, he signed with the Knicks, I’m tired all the stuff the Jets said about me.”- Tony Kornheiser (Boooooooo!)

6. “440 Completions for Drew Brees.”- Ron Jaworski
“That was like five years for you right?- Tony Kornheiser (Now that's funny)

5. “This is the thing, Brett Favre is coming to New York and leaving Green Bay.”- Emmitt Smith (Thanks for the insight Emmitt!)

4. “He’s been the Most Valuable Internet Player for awhile with those beer pong photos. You want to say, hey dude....it’s not Entourage.”- Tony Kornheiser on Leinart

3. “I don’t know how they can truly be comfortable with Aaron Rodgers considering that the fact, that, he has only played in that number of games.”- Emmitt Smith

2. “I don’t know anything about Football, but I believe what Keyshawn says.”- Cris Carter (I'd rethink that)

1. “Where does Hochuli go to get his shirts made that tight?”- Tony Kornheiser (Come on, you knew an Eddie Gunz joke would make it in)
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In the end (I'm sure it doesn't read like it above) the broadcast wasn't bad. With the way the past two years have gone you have to know that this is a vast improvement. There were still some elements that were less than desirable, but that just comes with the territory. Again, it was the first preseason game of the year.

There is one final note I wanted to make though. For the first time ever, Jaws really got on my nerves in the second half. He was forcing things and his stance that the Packers were better off without Favre was laughable. Especially after Tony asked him why he'd pick Rodgers and he responded, "Because when you build a Football team you build it for the future. Right now they could probably win more games with Brett Favre." Huh? That makes zero sense. I understand he's the "nice" one, but he'd be better served by at least once talking bad about something or someone. Just a thought.

Overall Grade for the Night: C+/B- (I can't talk myself into giving out a solid B out this early in the season)

(Normally there'd be a video of the night in this spot but this post ran super long. Once I get the format down and/or figure out how to add a "jump" feature....it'll all go in the same spot. Stay tuned for your MNF Video of the Night coming in the next post. Oh and if you have suggestions on the "Review" format and/or a title for the brand new "Pam Ward Chronicles" of the NFL, let them be known in the comments.)

Well we now know where ESPN's allegiance is. The Baseball HOF Ceremony was relegated to ESPN Classic, but the NFL one on Sunday will be broadcast on ESPN Uno. We even get Chris Berman back as host!

ESPN will present live coverage of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2008 induction ceremony Saturday, August 2, at 6 p.m. ET from Canton, Ohio. NFL Live’s Trey Wingo will host the three-hour primetime telecast with analyst Tom Jackson. ESPN’s Chris Berman, entering his 23rd year as host of Sunday NFL Countdown, will emcee the ceremony that honors the six members of this year’s class – Fred Dean, Darrell Green, Art Monk, Emmitt Thomas, Andre Tippett and Gary Zimmerman. The telecast – which will re-air Saturday night at 11 p.m. on ESPN Classic – will review each inductee’s career with speeches from the inductees and their presenters.

Correspondent Bob Holtzman will also provide reports for SportsCenter and other ESPN programs throughout the Hall of Fame weekend, including coverage of Sunday’s Redskins-Colts game.

Obviously as a Skins fan, it's going to be a great day for me, but when you add in the game the next night it's just an awesome weekend of all things Football. I should be around most of the weekend with vids if you want to stop by. Football is here people....let us rejoice!

(Via ESPN PR)

It's 4 hours or so until gametime so I'm going to kill some time by breaking down the 2-hour edition of Countdown. Why you ask? Well I ask you why not??? First up....Ray Lewis talking about weather and saying "the bottom line" a lot. Video in a few...

Not bad, but he had a little bit of Emmittitis in a few spots. I'm going to need some help with this second video. Is Berman making a joke or did he really just call Norv Turner....Norv Turnover?



Did anybody else think the whole Brady Bunch thing was incredibly cheesy? (Via Nos)

Yes....yes I did, but I didn't think it was as bad as the Brett Favre running naked thing. I also laughed at the Brady one at least twice.

Emmittisms of the day and other quotes:

"9 straight road wins make them the best road team since Hannibal."- Chris Berman

"If the Giants win today they possibly go onto the SuperBowl."- Emmitt Smith

Man I was with you Emmitt. You were actually making a great point there for a second....

I'm done trying to understand what Emmitt Smith is talking about, but you know it's bad when Chris Berman has to try and explain what the hell you're talking about.....

I don't know if he was trying to make a joke like the rest of the crew, but that was terrible. I actually chuckled at the other three and new by the time it got to Emmitt he'd screw his up. Man he is the gift that keeps on giving.

Why the heck not right? We're watching anyway, and some of you have already emailed me this morning with quotes. Here's a spot for your Berman, Emmitt, and the rest of the gang's quotes and nonsense.

Emmitt Smith just said something about Thanksgiving needing to be a National Holiday and I think my head's going to explode. What a way to start your Sunday!

"I don't know how Jon Kinta will be able too continue his success with his Minus 18 yards rushing yards"- Keyshawn Johnson (Via Cory)

I'm so confused....looking at Kitna's stats he has 46 rushing yards on the season.

Emmitt has a hard hitting piece on the Ravens, which lasted 8 seconds. Do they really have to get out of their seats for this Tip Drill thing?

Sundizzle NFL Countizzle Contizzles.....

Confirmed: ESPN's "Scream" voiceover guy is definitely white (The Sports Hernia)

Wow...how cheesy was that?

"He's the first drafted Chiefs QB to start for the Chiefs since Todd Blackledge....Oops!"- Chris Berman on KC starting Brodie Croyle

What is oops about it? That they brought in Free Agents who were better than who they drafted, or that they're starting Croyle???

"Ifs and Buts were candy and nuts."- Mike Ditka

What are you even talking about?!?

"Detroit is playing the fastest defense they've shown in many years too."- Chris Berman

Are we talking about the Giants or the Lions Defense?

Berman: "What quarterback is doing the most for his team?"
Tom Jackson: "Mike Vick"
(Via Steve)

Wow. Emmitt Smith just had the worst explanation for a Football question I have ever heard. He's really just besting his own record now, but good lord. That video will be up shortly.

"The Jags have just come of a rousing win at San D.....Tennessee."- Chris Berman

Good catch since they're playing today and the graphic is right behind your head.

"This kinda inconsistancy play against a team like New England will get you blowed out". - Emmitt Smith (Via Steve)

Wow....that was fun. It's like a trainwreck....you just can't look away.

Mentioned this Sunday Countdown campaign ESPN was putting into place last week, and here's the first video.....

Umm I guess that's funny for 5 seconds of material?

New ESPN Campaign For Sunday NFL Countdown Portrays The Opposite Of What Everyone Feels (Awful Announcing)

This easy....(wait for it.....wait for it!)

That was Australian Football player Sav Rocca who hadn't played a down in the NFL, and HE GOT......Blah Blah! That hit was about as necessary as this post.

(HT FH)

God that title works on so many levels, but I'm referring to this quote specifically, "I'm not gonna do what everyone thinks I'm gonna do and... FLIP OUT... all I wanna know is one thing... who's coming with me?"

Why do I bring that up? Well ESPN will have it's entire "New" Studio Team at the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony this Saturday. And guess who's emceeing again....It's our good friend Chris Berman!

Trey Wingo will be your host and he will be joined Tom "Retard" Jackson, and newest analyst Emmitt Smith. Smith will no doubt kiss Irvin's butt, but I'm really hoping for Irvin to fly off the handle and start yelling "He Stole My Job!" (a la John Turturro in Secret Window..."You Stole My Stories!")

NFL Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony- Saturday, 6PM, ESPN

Other Inductees Include: Gene Hickerson, Bruce Matthews, Charlie Sanders, Thurman Thomas and Roger Wehrli.

P.S.- Cocaine is a helluva drug.

P.P.S.- I will be boycotting this ceremony until Art Monk is a member. I will then attend said ceremony and beat the crap out of Peter King. I don't care if he voted for him last year.

It was windy as all hell in the Sports Blogging Mecca last night, so of course Comcast was screwed up. I had to watch basketball games that paused every4 seconds, so any video was choppy. Rather than subject you Charles Barkley's response to Mike D'Antoni I found you this to discuss. From Fanhouse via Ben Maller.

Looks like Michael Irvin and Tom Jackson are actually pretty close......

"When I talked to Tom we cried like babies. We just cried like babies. We had such great times together. And it was so amazing to have 2 grown men on the phone crying like we were crying...about not working together again. But then it says so much to how we enjoyed working together."

Awww. You cried with your sweet little retard. That's soooooo cute! I'm okay with crying, but "2 grown men on the phone crying" is not "amazing".