Jaws Pulled From MNF Coverage

There’s something fishy about one of ESPN’s top headlines tonight: “Tirico, Gruden duo to call MNF games in 2012.”

And that fishiness revolves around an NFL analyst nicknamed “Jaws,” who’s name was mysteriously missing from the above headline — which should have read, “Jaws dropped from MNF team.”

That’s right NFL fans, former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski has been knocked out of the ESPN booth on Monday Night Football in 2012.

Instead, it’ll only be Mike Tirico and Jon Gruden in the booth, marking the first time in 15 years that ESPN has gone to a two-person booth to call NFL games.

While Jaworski has been demoted from the MNF team, ESPN announced he has agreed to a five-year extension in “an expanded analyst role with the company.”

“I am grateful for having the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of working on ‘Monday Night Football’ the past five seasons with Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and so many other talented people behind the scenes who make the show so great,” Jaworski said in a statement, “and I look forward to bringing my passion and knowledge of the game to more fans in more places than ever before on any and all football topics.”

Jaws was on MNF for five seasons, but he’s always excelled (in my eyes) in pre- and postgame coverage, where the former NFL quarterback breaks down plays and explains the Xs and Os of the game. Off-the-cuff color commentary and being critical of players and coaches, however, isn’t his strongest suit.

According to ESPN, Jaws will continue to be showcased on “Sunday NFL Countdown,” “NFL Matchup,” “NFL Live,” “NFL Kickoff,” “Mike & Mike in the Morning” and PTI’s “Five Good Minutes.”

“I thank Ron for the great contributions he has made to ‘Monday Night Football’ and look forward to the many ways he will enhance our studio presentation from our NFL-branded shows to ‘SportsCenter,’” ESPN president John Skipper said in the statement. “With two strong analysts in Ron and Jon, these moves will better utilize their strengths and benefit our entire NFL presentation.”

In Oct. 2011, ESPN announced another shakeup that caught headlines when Hank Williams Jr. and his iconic theme song “All My Rowdy Friends” were dropped from ESPN’s MNF broadcasts.

“We have decided to part ways with Hank Williams, Jr,” ESPN said in a statement. “We appreciate his contributions over the past years. The success of Monday Night Football has always been about the games and that will continue.”

Williams, however, said the decision was his own on his official website:

“After reading hundreds of e-mails, I have made MY decision,” he wrote. “By pulling my opening Oct 3rd, You (ESPN) stepped on the Toes of The First Amendment Freedom of Speech, so therefore Me, My Song, and All My Rowdy Friends are OUT OF HERE. It’s been a great run.”

So once again, MNF will have a different look this season when it kicks off Sept. 10.

Are you ready for some new-look Monday Night Football?