Well at least that's what Peter King is trying to tell people. is reporting that newly signed ESPN analyst, Matt Millen, is the leader in the clubhouse to replace Cris Collinsworth, but the network is also considering Brian Billick, Marshall Faulk and the one and only....Joe Theismann!!!

Remember I told you a couple of weeks ago how NFL Network was furious with Jon Gruden for agreeing to a deal to do color on the Thursday night games in a two-man booth, then reneging to sign with ESPN? NFL Network wasn't exactly thrilled with the worldwide leader for ripping off Gruden. Well, ESPN and NFL Network may just have to play nice now to get another deal done -- if league TV decides to make Millen the color man to replace Gruden for its eight-game slate of late-season games.

In the wake of NFL Network losing Gruden, the channel has considered a few options of analysts to pair with Bob Papa. One is Brian Billick, the quick-on-his-feet former Ravens coach who had a successful debut on Fox last season. Another would be a three-man booth, with Papa, Marshall Faulk and Joe Theismann, who, presumably, would walk to each game if the network would give him the gig. But I hear Millen is the leader in the NFL Network clubhouse.

Bob Papa and Matt Millen would actually make a heck of a team, but to do so, Millen would have to work approximately 90 hours a week. He'd potentially be in studio for Monday Night Football, have NFL Live during the week, Thursday Night Football and finally College Football work for ESPN on the weekend. Even the most dedicated of broadcasters can't talk that much without losing their voice.

While I think Joe Theismann would be a bad choice, I almost miss him at this point. A three-man booth of Papa, Theismann and Marshall Faulk, would be dreadful....it would certainly provide tons of posts for the site. Hmmm....someone flip a coin for me.

The Matt Millen Job Fair (SI)

What in the world just happened? Tony Kornheiser has been replaced in the Monday Night Football booth by former NFL Coach John Gruden. Seriously. I'm not kidding. The cause appears to be the schedule, and the fact that Tony is afraid of flying, but either way the PTIer has decided to call it quits....

Former Super Bowl-winning head coach Jon Gruden is joining ESPN’s Monday Night Football. The dynamic, outspoken and often fiery Gruden will join commentators Mike Tirico and Ron Jaworski in the booth when sports television’s signature series kicks off its 40th season this fall. Gruden will also contribute analysis throughout the year on ESPN Radio and other platforms, in addition to being a part of ESPN’s 2010 Pro Bowl telecast and Super Bowl and NFL Draft coverage.

Gruden replaces Tony Kornheiser, who has decided to step down after three years in the Monday Night Football booth.

“I would like to thank Tony Kornheiser for his many contributions to Monday Night Football the past three years,” said John Skipper, ESPN executive vice president, content. “He has been a big reason for the show’s success on ESPN. Pardon the Interruption is one of ESPN’s most important franchises and fans will continue to see Tony on the show and involved in other future ESPN projects for many years to come.”

Kornheiser added: “I am totally grateful for the MNF opportunity that I truly enjoyed the last three seasons. I feel we got better each year. My fear of planes is legendary and sadly true. When I looked at the upcoming schedule it was the perfect storm that would've frequently moved me from the bus to the air. I kept looking at the schedule the past month and wanted to find a way to quietly extricate myself. If I could handpick a replacement of a football guy, I would cast a net and drag in Jon Gruden. He is the two things you most want -- smart and funny -- and has the two things I don't -- good hair and a tan. I love PTI and am looking forward to continuing to yammer and yodel with Wilbon until the end of time.”

Man, now that is a complete and utter shocker right there. I obviously think that Kornheiser wasn't the right person for the job, but like he said, each year he got better. Some moments were still unbearable last season, but the three were finally starting to get it right. As far as Gruden goes, I enjoyed him on the NFL Network, and it's definitely a good hire, but I question his dedication. It's no secret that he wants to go back to coaching, and this could quickly become a one or two year fill-in.

Why they wouldn't go with someone proven like Matt Millen is beyond me, but good luck to them. Maybe this is finally the combination they've been looking for.

(Via ESPN PR)

Deadspin broke the news on Saturday that Matt Millen would be joining up with ESPN, but today there's even more news on the move. According to USA Today, Matt Millen would not only be on NFL coverage, but he'll be working on some College games as well....

And rationally, you can say Millen is a promising broadcaster because, well, he's already been one: After retiring in 1991 after 12 seasons as a player, his years on CBS and Fox made him a potential successor to John Madden — although nobody really thought Madden would retire.

Instead, Millen will succeed Emmitt Smith, whose fame ultimately couldn't overcome his on-air miscues on Monday night pregame shows. And in also calling college games and making various studio show appearances, Millen won't be hidden away until he proves himself.

And if you buy the idea that the best way to overcome your problem is to shine a light on it rather than try to cover it up, Millen's ideal ESPN debut would come on its NFL Draft coverage Saturday. Wouldn't you love to know the draft prospects that Millen really loves?

ESPN has yet to make this rumored move a reality, but it's definitely a good one. There is the issue of credibility, but after a few months or so, people will probably forget about all of his terrible work with the Lions. Plus, who would you rather have, Millen or Emmitt Smith?

ESPN hires ex-Lions boss Millen as football analyst (USA Today)

If you remember, the network put up a scroll during the Super Bowl pregame show asking, among other things, that there was possibly a "credibility issue" with the former Lions GM. Well, for the past few days, I've been looking for a follow-up to the Matt Millen incident on Channel 4 in Detroit, and I haven't been able to find anything at all until this morning. Via the Miami Herald....

When Matt Millen appeared Sunday on NBC's Super Bowl pregame show, the NBC affiliate in Detroit superimposed this: ''Matt Millen was president of the Lions for the worst eight-year run in the history of the NFL. Knowing his history with the team, is there a credibility issue as he now serves as an analyst for NBC Sports?'' (Viewers were referred to the station's website.)

NBC wasn't happy.

''We had a conversation with them and made our feelings very clear,'' NBC spokesman Brian Walker said.

Oooooh a conversation!? Take that NBC Detroit! You have been warned, and if you do that again, we might actually make the trip to Detroit, and slap your hand in person!!! In all seriousness, this whole thing is still making me laugh, and the fact they got away with it, makes it even more hilarious.

I may never ever come to your lovely city Detroit, Michigan, but that doesn't mean I don't respect you!

Ranking local sportscasts (Miami Herald)
Detroit Station Has Fun With Matt Millen (Awful Announcing)

I thought Matt Millen did a fine job during NBC's broadcast, but that's not to say that some people are happy that he's employed anywhere. Take for example NBC affiliate, WDIV in Detroit, which decided that every time Millen appeared on the screen, a disclaimer was needed. From the Detroit Free-Press via Shutdown Corner....

Every time a certain familiar face showed up on camera Sunday during NBC's Super Bowl pregame show, Channel 4 ran a scroll at the bottom of the screen:

"Matt Millen was president of the Lions for the worst eight-year run in the history of the NFL. Knowing his history with the team, is there a credibility issue as he now serves as an analyst for NBC Sports? ..."

Hilarious. But good for Channel 4, not toeing the company line as it sought online comments from viewers on Millen's gig. Or maybe it was just trying to distance itself from NBC's brilliant move.

No surprise, the response was completely, utterly anti-Matt matter.

Personally, speaking to the credibility of the pregame personalities, I have Millen ranked, oh, a couple spots after Hayden Panettiere.

Hilarious! They don't seem to be holding a grudge much, do they? I'm sure NBC isn't going to be thrilled to hear about it, but you can't blame the city for not being big fans of the guy, and at least the disclaimer wasn't profane in any way. Here's your video evidence as well....



Matt Millen's NBC commentary comes with a warning label (Shutdown Corner)
Warning! Matt Millen's on (Detroit Free-Press)

Tony and Matt Millen have had a long relationship, and even as Millen was destroying the Lions, it was still tough for the PTIer to say anything bad about the guy. Kornheiser thinks so highly of Millen that he said yesterday that a booth that adds him as an analyst would be the best in the business. Even better than the MNF team. Via Fanhouse....

"It's fair to ask the question, 'If you're so smart, why didn't you ever win? But Matt Millen is great on TV. Not good, he's great. The booth that he walks into will become the best booth. Even if he walks over my body and sits in my seat, it's going to become the best. He's just great at it, and in six months or less people will forget."- Tony Kornheiser

I personally enjoy Jaws more, but during some of the later games this season, he started to get on my nerves. Tony is right about one thing though, replacing him with Matt Millen would make the MNF booth infinitely better. Hell you could replace him with Pam Ward, and it would be better. Well maybe not Pam....let's say FOX's Chris Rose.

Imagine the shock and horror on my face, when I turned on NBC's pregame coverage Saturday, and Matt Millen was on the TV staring back at me. It's not the fact that he was in an analyst chair (he has been there before), but rather that NBC already employees what seems like thirty people for their pre and postgame shows.

I then thought....okay....maybe it's a one time thing, and they wanted to bring in a new voice for Wildcard Weekend. Ummm no....he's actually going to be on-air for the network's coverage of the Super Bowl as well. Via Watchdog....

NBC plans to announce Monday that former Lions president Matt Millen will participate in the network's Super Bowl coverage Feb. 1 - not as a member of the game booth featuring Al Michaels and John Madden but in some other capacity.

Millen was much more competent in his earlier life as a TV analyst than he was running the Detroit club.

Asked by Dan Patrick on NBC Saturday whether he would have fired himself from the Lions if he were making the decision, Millen said, "I would have, actually. Probably not this year until after the season. I think when you start having changeover in an organization it filters down into the locker room. That's tough to do. I thought that was a tough position for Rod Marinelli to be in. Rod's a stud. Rod's an outstanding football coach."

Ummm, are you really going to expect us to listen to the thoughts from someone who just destroyed a franchise, NBC? I mean sure, Millen was one of the better analysts out there when he retired from Football. And he's been on both CBS and FOX, as well as the radio side of Monday Night Football. But using someone who gave us the first 0-16 season ever to provide intelligent analysis during the Playoffs?

Whatever you think will help, I guess. At least he took the blame for destroying the Lions, so you've got that going for you Detroit....

Matt Millen to join NBC's Super Bowl XLIII coverage (Watchdog)