Two-Man Abc Crew Is Better

The constant bickering between Dan Dierdorf and Boomer Esiason is no more. It’s only preseason, but “Monday Night Football” already is more enjoyable.

ABC forced Dierdorf out, and now it’s just Esiason and the best play-by-play man on the planet, Al Michaels. For the first time in 13 years and the second time in its 30-year history, “MNF” will go with just two men in the booth.

The pressure is on Esiason. He’s not worried.

“It’s so much easier, not stepping on each other,” said the former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback. “Now I get the chance to cover the whole game. I’m not battling - or it doesn’t seem that I’m battling with anybody.”

When Howard Katz came on board as ABC Sports president five months ago, the decision regarding Dierdorf had already been made. The speculation began about the replacement for the sometimes too opinionated - and often too chatty - former offensive lineman who has since joined CBS.

One name kept resurfacing: John Elway.

“I didn’t think John was all that interested - he and I never spoke,” Katz said in explaining why ABC didn’t bring Elway aboard. “As great a name as he is, I wasn’t sure he would give us a different perspective. We already have one quarterback.”

And although Esiason was criticized during much of his rookie season in the booth, he wasn’t rattled. He’s been through it all before.

“`Monday Night Football’ is the closest thing to playing quarterback in the NFL,” Esiason said. “In the NFL, you’re also criticized every Monday. The only difference now is that I don’t get hit.”

Esiason will get ample opportunity to make his points without constantly defending himself. Esiason also said his first season was a learning process.

“I was guarded last year and didn’t realize how powerful this job is,” Esiason said. “I had to be careful with assumptions and opinions to make sure they are logical. Now I know what I can say and how I can say it.”

Going with two people isn’t the only change for “MNF” this season. The start has returned to its traditional 6 p.m. PDT start after a failed 5 p.m. experiment last year.

“We made a lot of changes last year and they are gone,” Michaels said. “I thought they were a detriment. The early start killed us on the West Coast. You don’t open up with a pregame show because people don’t want to sit there for 20 minutes until the kickoff.”

So no pregame show means no more Frank Gifford.

Gifford worked on “MNF” for 28 seasons before he was phased out last season in a decreased pregame role.

“I had opinions and things to say last year and I think that’s why I was criticized,” Esiason said. “Frank was never that opinionated, especially in the late stage of his career. He gave supporting commentary. I give strong commentary.”

Road show

It’s no surprise that ESPN’s “College GameDay” begins the football season on the road.

While the other studio shows usually stay grounded, Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit and Lee Corso are constantly on the move.

They travel to State College, Pa., for Saturday’s game between No. 4 Arizona at No. 3 Penn State.

“This year, we’re budgeted for even more games on the road,” Fowler said. “We’re not going to force it, but we’re going to go to as many big games as we can.

Viewers respond better when we’re on the road.”

More shows on the road isn’t the only change. Corso and Herbstreit will be broadcasting Thursday night games.

Tube bits

Former coach Marty Schottenheimer joined ESPN as an analyst and will appear on various programs, including “NFL Countdown” and “NFL 2Night.” … “College GameNight” an hour-long wrapup show, will debut Sept. 4 at 9 p.m. on ESPN2. … NBC’s Bob Costas will work two ESPN games, Aug. 25 and Sept. 21, with Joe Morgan in preparation for when the pair work the postseason together on NBC.