Network execs feel Manning has potential in the booth similar to that of Tony RomoGETTY IMAGES
Peyton Manning "will not become the lead game analyst" on Fox’ new NFL Thursday night package, according to sources cited by Andrew Marchand of the N.Y. POST. Both ESPN and Fox "went hard" after Manning, "feeling he is a bigger name with the potential to match" Tony Romo’s success on CBS. Fox "does not have a clear Plan B." NFL Network's Kurt Warner is "expected to be considered." Fox also has had Cowboys TE Jason Witten audition, in addition to recently-retired players Carson Palmer and Joe Thomas. Panthers TE Greg Olsen, who has already "tried out" for "MNF,” is a "possibility." He "impressed Fox with the game he called last year during a bye week" (N.Y. POST, 3/28). In Dallas, David Moore cites sources as saying that Fox "would like Witten to audition" for "TNF." But Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said that Witten has "given no indication that he won't return" to the team (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 3/28). In Charlotte, Joe Person writes, "Don't expect ... Olsen to be in the 'Monday Night Football' booth in the fall." Panthers coach Ron Rivera "characterized Olsen’s audition to be Jon Gruden’s replacement as 'practice,' and said the two had a laugh about the minor 'uproar' that ensued when reports surfaced that Olsen was at ESPN’s headquarters recently" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 3/28).
LIKE MIKE? The POST's Marchand reports Dan Patrick "will not be back as the lead host" on NBC’s “Football Night in America." Patrick said that he was the one who "made the decision." He said that NBC "offered him a new, five-year-deal in December, but, at 61, he said he did not want to make a commitment." Meanwhile, Patrick said that he "does want to continue his radio show and is on the verge of renewing with AT&T and DirecTV for the next three years." Patrick had been "doing NBC’s pregame for the last nine years." Mike Tirico is now the "leading candidate to be the main host," which would "further establish him as the network’s foremost presenter." Tirico already had taken over for Bob Costas on "SNF," but the role, "while out front at the site of each week’s game, was limited in terms of its scope." Patrick worked out of NBC’s studios, but it was "unclear where Tirico would be located if he is, in fact, the main host" (N.Y. POST, 3/28).
ACCORDING TO JIM: Former ESPN reporter Jim Trotter will join NFL Media starting April 1 and will contribute to NFL Net and NFL.com in a multitude of roles (NFL).
