Jon Gruden Replacement for Monday Night Football Predictions and Betting Odds
On Tuesday the soon-to-be Las Vegas Raiders introduced Jon Gruden as the new head coach, and that leaves a void in the booth for "Monday Night Football". For the first time in what seems like forever, the top lead NFL analyst role is up for grabs, and the names that have been rumored to replace Gruden in the booth are outrageous but some of them seem to fit like a glove.
Over the weekend some books put up a short list of Jon Gruden replacements, but I consulted with MyBookie on this NFL Special betting proposition and helped add some other key candidates. It's going to be interesting to see if ESPN sticks with a two-person booth or goes back to a one person play-by-play announcer and two game analysts. However, no matter what ESPN does, this job is one of the best jobs to have in football. Just think about the past Monday Night Football all-time greats to announce a game or just put on the iconic yellow jacket; Howard Cosell, Frank Gifford and Don Meredith.
So here you go! This is the betting list on possible Jon Gruden replacements, and you can wager on these odds at MyBookie.
Peyton Manning +225
Kurt Warner +400
Louis Riddick +450
Matt Hasselbeck +650
Bruce Arians +800
Tim Tebow +950
Jesse Palmer 10-1
Randy Moss 12-1
Ron Jaworski 14-1
Boomer Esiason 14-1
Trent Dilfer 14-1
Dan Fouts 15-1
Jim Harbaugh 18-1
Phil Simms 20-1
Rex Ryan 25-1
Mike Golic 26-1
Michael Strahan 30-1
Ronde Barber 38-1
Trent Green 45-1
Josina Anderson 45-1
Michael Greenberg 50-1
Scott Van Pelt 90-1
John Madden 90-1
Greg Cosell 100-1
Bill Belichick 150-1
Free Picks
Instead of giving you one free pick in this NFL Monday Night Football betting prop, I'm going to give three candidates that could land this job.
--Kurt Warner +400, former St. Louis Rams/Arizona Cardinals QB
Warner is already calling Monday Night Football games for Westwood One, and he is an analyst for the NFL Network. I like his work on calling games. The only bad thing about Warner is that he is not an ESPN employee right now, and the ESPN brand is letting go of more people than hiring people. Still, getting +400 on Warner is still good value!!
--Tim Tebow +950, former Denver Broncos/NY Jets/New England Patriots QB
Yes, he would have to give up his baseball career, but really, does he have a baseball career? Tebow has been great as a college football analyst for ESPN, and making the jump to the NFL booth should be no problem for him. Besides playing baseball, what Tebow can do anything, and getting him at +950 looks to be bit off. Tebow has football knowledge, is extremely likable, and his youth could be the plus side for landing this job. And he knows the Man Upstairs pretty well!!
--Jesse Palmer 10-1, former NY Giants QB
Palmer could be holding the Willie Wonka Golden Ticket because he has called both college football and NFL from the broadcast booth for ESPN, and I think he would be very good on MNF. Palmer has a contract for ESPN, and you figure he has to be well-liked and maybe he can bring the female watchers in because he was cast on 'The Bachelor'. Palmer has my wife's vote and her money at 10-1.
Long shots to watch:
Matt Hasselbeck +650 as he already works for ESPN and Sunday NFL Countdown. Ron Jaworski 14-1 as he has worked for ESPN and has plenty of NFL knowledge. Also heard some juicy rumors about Jaworski and why he could land this job, but can't state this publicly. Josina Anderson 45-1 would make the biggest splash, and I think she does incredible work for ESPN now. It would be fantastic if the job went to a woman.
Raphael Esparza is one of the best handicappers in all sports. This weekend Esparza will have plays in the NFL Divisional weekend, NBA Basketball, NHL Hockey, College Basketball, soccer, and Sunday night he will have a big play in UFC Fight Night 124. New clients can take advantage of Doc's no-hassle $60 free picks offer and get Esparza's weekday picks. Click here for $60 worth of free picks .
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