Collinsworth To Give Up NFL Network Role In Favor Of "SNF" Duties

Collinsworth Thought To Be Right Replacement For Madden

NBC's Cris Collinsworth will replace John Madden on "Sunday Night Football" after Madden's announcement Thursday that he is retiring from broadcasting. Collinsworth with pair with Al Michaels in the NBC booth. NBC Sports & Olympics Chair Dick Ebersol Thursday dismissed any thoughts about adding another analyst and making it a three-man booth. Ebersol: "We’ve been lucky enough to have these men at the height of their power. There is no need for that." Collinsworth will not return as analyst for NFL Network's late-season broadcast package, a role he has held the previous three seasons. NFL Network President & CEO Steve Bornstein in a statement said, "Cris is the best analyst currently working in sports and he has been a wonderful part of NFL Network's team for the past three years. ... We appreciate everything he did for our 'Thursday Night Football' broadcasts and wish him the best in his new role" (Erik Swanson, THE DAILY).

RIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB: SI.com's Don Banks wrote Collinsworth "makes all the sense in the world to succeed" Madden. Banks: "He was our first choice, too. And everybody knows Collinsworth has already been the NFL's best analyst for many years now, on all his various network platforms. He's hands-down the most qualified candidate to fill Madden's size 14EEE shoes" (FANNATION.com, 4/16). Syndicated radio host Jim Rome said, "Collinsworth is probably the best football analyst there is in terms of pedigree, track record, analysis, work ethic" ("The Jim Rome Show," 4/16). FANHOUSE.com's Will Brinson wrote Collinsworth's promotion is a "tremendous win for anyone that enjoys primetime football." Brinson: "Not only is Collinsworth -- in my opinion -- the best announcer in the game, period, but he and Michaels immediately become the best 1-2 combo in a football booth that we've seen in years" (FANHOUSE.com, 4/16). In DC, Leonard Shapiro wrote Collinsworth "has done brilliant work both in the studio and in handling game analysis, which he has done for the NFL Network" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 4/16). In Toronto, Chris Zelkovich wrote Collinsworth replacing Madden is a "good move." Zelkovich: "Though a bit chattier than he should be at times, Collinsworth is a sharp analyst with a sense of humour. Working with Al Michaels can only make him better" (THESTAR.com, 4/16). FanHouse.com's Jay Mariotti: "I want to hear immediate analysis on every play from Collinsworth, the big picture of the football game. It was time for John. I admire what he did, but I want to see the next wave of commentator in that booth" ("Around The Horn," ESPN, 4/16).

Costas Calls Collinsworth "Perfect Combination Of Passion And Professionalism"

PRAISE FROM PEERS: NBC's Bob Costas said of Collinsworth, "There is not one reason to believe he won't be tremendous. ... Cris has knowledge of the football issues, of the league, of the players ... he's the perfect combination of passion and professionalism." Michaels said, "John is fabulous, one of a kind, but most people who have heard Cris give him credit already as being the best of his generation in this genre." Fox announcer Joe Buck, who worked with Collinsworth when he was with Fox, said that of "all the announcers around, Collinsworth may be the most versatile." Buck: "Cris is very analytical, at times skeptical, but with a sense of humor. They will have different styles ... but I think Al and Cris are going to make a great team" (Diane Pucin, L.A. TIMES, 4/17).

STUDIO SHUFFLE: Ebersol said that the network "will announce a revamped lineup" for its "Football Night in America" studio show "some time in the next two weeks." The WASHINGTON POST's Shapiro wrote it will not be surprising if former Lions President & CEO Matt Millen "is signed to replace Collinsworth in the studio" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 4/16). In Miami, Barry Jackson notes Collinsworth's departure means NBC will change the "FNIA" cast "for the third consecutive year." Former Colts coach Tony Dungy, who appeared on NBC's coverage of Super Bowl XLIII, "has told people he expects to join NBC, though that is not official." Also, analyst Tiki Barber's role "must be defined," and NBC "likely will make another pitch to lure Brett Favre, who has spoken to ESPN." Meanwhile, analyst Jerome Bettis' future on the show is "in serious doubt," as one source said that Bettis is "not expected to return" this season, though Madden's retirement could change that (MIAMI HERALD, 4/17).