In Indianapolis, Jordan Guskey notes Colts play-by-play announcer Bob Lamey is "retiring from his position" after 31 years. He has called the team's games on radio every year since it moved from Baltimore except for a three-year stretch from '92-94. Colts Owner Jim Irsay said, "He became part of the fabric of this entire community. No one has been more ‘Indianapolis’ than Bob Lamey." Matt Taylor, who has been the Colts' "gameday sideline reporter for radio and pre-game show host" since '13, will replace Lamey on an interim basis (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 8/20).
REVIEWS ARE STILL COMING IN: ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro said the new “MNF” team of Joe Tessitore, Jason Witten and Booger McFarland did a “good job” in their debut Thursday night for Jets-Redskins. Pitaro said he thought the team “settled in nicely in the second half” (Josh Carpenter, Assistant Editor). In N.Y., Bob Raissman wrote the "only voice worth coming back for" is McFarland. He is "instantly likeable, has an energetic (without being shticky) presence and knows his stuff." But audiences can "do without his Flying Machine sideline outpost, which is a stone gimmick." Witten is "going to need some work," and Tessitore might "want to concentrate more on setting up Witten, than making the broadcast about" himself (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/19). McFarland is calling "MNF" games from a crane, and USA TODAY's Nate Davis writes, "Down in front, Booger" (USA TODAY, 8/20).
HIT ME HARDER: NBCSPORTS.com’s Peter King writes one difference between most previous editions of HBO's "Hard Knocks" and this year's series with the Browns is that former iterations "might show footage with a somber voiceover" about Browns TE David Njoku’s problem with drops, while the '18 “Hard Knocks” "digs the knife into Njoku." It feels "so much more real." King: "Too often, I believe the show has been a faux reality show." He writes this is the "best 'Hard Knocks' I've seen, by far" (NBCSPORTS.com, 8/20).
JOINING THE TEAM: NFL reporter Kimberley Martin is joining Yahoo Sports after serving as the Washington Post's beat writer for the Redskins. In addition to writing for the Post, Martin previously worked at the Buffalo News and Newsday (THE DAILY).
