Monday Night Football: Brian Billick should replace Jason Witten

Jason Witten is heading back to the Dallas Cowboys, which means we are spared from his less than smooth commentary in 2019. Brian Billick should get consideration to be part of the Monday Night Football team:

Monday Night Football will probably go after bigger names than Brian Billick. Former quarterbacks are always a safe bet, so a Peyton Manning or a Brett Favre wouldn’t be shocking at all as a Jason Witten replacement. Billick may be a dark horse candidate for the job, but he has experience as a commentator and a Super Bowl ring from his time with the Ravens. He’s more than qualified.

Billick used to be a commentator for Fox and he’s been part of the coverage of Ravens preseason games for WBAL. He’s even worked Alliance of American Football games on NFL Network. Billick is comfortable in the booth, and his work with NFL Network has kept his opinion relevant.

Witten was a fan favorite from the Dallas Cowboys. It was easy to see what ESPN was thinking. Witten’s return to the NFL is the best thing for everybody, because Witten failed to provide great analysis on MNF. He made mistakes and he stumbled on his words.

ESPN would be wise to look at people who have already been in the booth, guys who don’t need on the job training. Billick could come right in and speak from a place of authority. If this is a matter of replacing Witten, the former Ravens coach is what ESPN should be looking for.

ESPN should consider starting the entire thing over. Booger McFarland and Joe Tessitore are okay, but the chemistry of the MNF telecast just wasn’t there. This is my dream team: Gus Johnson as the play by play man, Brian Billick and Shannon Sharpe.

Before talking about the two Ravens in the room, let’s talk a little Gus Johnson. He does College Football games with Fox and he has the perfect voice for it. The energy the telecast would get from Johnson would be incredible for MNF.

This would be too perfect for Ravens fans and it would be a constant trip down memory lane of Super Bowl XXXV. The benefit of having Billick and Sharpe should appeal to everybody. They are two uniquely strong personalities, and they have a past player and coach rapport. Having a former player and a former coach is a good combination because it gives the audience two different vantage points.

This will probably not be the combination that we get, but it would work. Even if ESPN wanted to go down this path, prying Sharpe and Johnson away from Fox may present a challenge. If ESPN isn’t going to get the biggest name it can it is more likely to look within. Rex Ryan could get a shot at it, and don’t forget about either of the Hasslebeck brothers.

There are some other Ravens that come to mind for this type of a job. Steve Smith Sr. is one of the best analysts on television. Tony Siragusa may be awesome at it, and we know Ray Lewis is comfortable in front of a microphone. Monday Night Football probably won’t go with a former member of the Ravens, however Billick should be considered. If they are starting over Billick and Sharpe would be an incredible pairing.