Theismann unsure about new job offer

Joe Theismann, dropped as an analyst on Monday Night Football, says he's been offered a job doing college football for the ESPN/ABC networks.

"I've been an NFL guy since 1974, so for 33 years now that's been my life," Theismann said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "Now you are faced with the prospect of that not being in your future. It would be like training to be a doctor or a lawyer and having them say, 'we would like you to change to another profession.' I need some time to think about it."

Theismann, who led the Washington Redskins to two Super Bowls and played at Notre Dame, is being replaced on Monday Night Football by Ron Jaworski, the former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback.

The network announced Monday that Jaworski will join play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico and analyst Tony Kornheiser in the booth.

Critics had panned the chemistry between Theismann and Kornheiser, a columnist for the Washington Post and the co-host of ESPN's "Pardon the Interruption" talk show.

But Theismann said he "thinks the world" of Kornheiser, and there was never any problem between the two.

Some people may have expected the relationship to be similar to the one Kornheiser has with PTI co-host Mike Wilbon, with a lot of back-and-forth banter, Theismann said. But, he said, that was never the job.

"During a football telecast, it's about the game," he said. "When you get two good teams you get a high rating no matter who is in the booth. When you get two lousy teams, you get bad ratings."

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Theismann said he was told Friday that he had done a great job, but that the network had decided to make a change.

Norby Williamson, ESPN's executive vice president for studio and remote production, said Monday that ESPN had great respect for Theismann as an analyst and would offer him another job.

"We would be making a mistake if we cannot get that done with him," he said.

Theismann said he will consider other opportunities, and is in no rush to make any decision.

"I haven't ruled out anything," he said. "I've never been in this situation. I've never had this kind of time before... I have to ask myself, 'would I have the same passion for anything else?' I believe it's all about loving what you do."