McFarland moves to the "MNF" booth after serving as a field-level analyst for most of last seasonESPN IMAGES
ESPN's "MNF" will "go with a two-person booth for the upcoming season, with Booger McFarland joining Joe Tessitore" after Jason Witten's return to the Cowboys ended his one-year stint with the franchise, according to Joe Reedy of the AP. McFarland moves to the booth after having been a "field-level analyst for most of last season." ESPN Exec VP/Event & Studio Production Stephanie Druley said that the net had "informal discussions" with Peyton Manning about filling Witten's position, but the future HOFer turned the net down. Lisa Salters will return "for her eighth season as the sideline reporter" on "MNF" after signing a new multiyear contract with ESPN (AP, 5/1). YAHOO SPORTS' Frank Schwab notes there had been "little talk about ESPN's thought process on replacing Witten." The net apparently is "fine shifting Booger McFarland's role and keeping everything else the same" (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 5/1).
NOT HIS PLACE: In N.Y., Andrew Marchand notes despite ESPN talking to Manning, the net "considered landing him a long shot from the start." No offer was "ever made to him, even though ESPN continues its strong relationship with Manning, through his ESPN+ connection on 'Detail' and his upcoming 'Peyton's Places' series" (NYPOST.com, 5/1). THEBIGLEAD.com's Brian Giuffra wrote ESPN "loves big personalities on prime time television," but this "MNF" booth will be "without a legendary player" (THEBIGLEAD.com, 5/1).
