NFL Network Thursday Night Football: Brad Nessler, Mike Mayock Take Over The Booth

by David Fucillo on May 5, 2011 9:40 AM PDT in San Francisco 49ers News

The NFL Network sent out a press release this morning indicating that Thursday Night Football will now be called by Brad Nessler, with color commentary by Mike Mayock. Bob Papa and Joe Theismann will remain with the NFL Network in other capacities. I don't know what Matt Millen will be doing, and given my general disdain for the announcing abilities of Millen and Theismann, I don't really care.

Apparently Gus Johnson was under consideration for the play-by-play role, but the NFL Network decided Nessler would be a better fit with Mayock. Apparently the Network actually decided on Mayock as the color guy first, and then figured out the play-by-play guy based on who would work best with Mayock.

I have to say that I'm a fan of this move. Anything is an upgrade over Theismann, and while Bob Papa certainly wasn't as bad as some play-by-play guys, I think Nessler will be a significant upgrade. What do you think about the new Thursday Night crew? The 49ers will face the Ravens on Thanksgiving night, so if you don't normally watch Thursday Night Football, you'll at least have an opportunity to check out the new crew then.

I've posted the entire Thursday Night Football schedule after the jump.

NFL Network 2011 Thursday Night Football Schedule

Week 10: Thursday, November 10 at 8:00 PM ET

Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers

Week 11: Thursday, November 17 at 8:00 PM ET

New York Jets at Denver Broncos

Week 12: Thursday, November 24 at 8:00 PM ET

San Francisco 49ers at Baltimore Ravens (Thanksgiving)

Week 13: Thursday, December 1 at 8:00 PM ET

Philadelphia Eagles at Seattle Seahawks

Week 14: Thursday, December 8 at 8:00 PM ET

Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 15: Thursday, December 15 at 8:00 PM ET

Jacksonville Jaguars at Atlanta Falcons

Week 15: Saturday, December 17 at 8:00 PM ET

Dallas Cowboys at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 16: Thursday, December 22 at 8:00 PM ET

Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts

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Good riddance

Theismann is awful.

by UncleHulka on May 5, 2011 10:03 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

It won't matter much to me for that game...

because I plan on going to it!!

by sanfranfanmdk on May 5, 2011 10:12 AM PDT reply actions

I love Mayock. He has great knowledge about the game and does not fall in love with star players. He will call out poor performance. I hate it when others talk about a player dominating when it is a clear missed assignment on the block. his lisp though will be hard to ignore.

by mcwagner on May 5, 2011 10:16 AM PDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs

agreed

I hated Thiesmann and have enjoyed the couple of games I’ve watched with Mayock.

by Chefantone on May 5, 2011 10:51 AM PDT reply actions

GOT ONE RIGHT - FOR A CHANGE WITH NESSLER

To me, Brad Nessler is an Announcer’s Announcer – from his pleasant sounding delivery, to his knowledge of the game and obvious home work, this guy is one of only a very small handful that impresses me. As opposes those who give me a migraine. Mike Mayock put in his time to become a real student of the game, and has never, to me, come across as full of himself like some I won’t mention. Great coupling. Looking forward to their efforts.

by ninernutt on May 5, 2011 10:59 AM PDT reply actions

I agree about Mayock

He has great knowledge of all the players and the game. He does good work on Playbook and I think he’ll do a great job in games.

by agchee on May 5, 2011 11:32 AM PDT reply actions

Millen one of bottom ten

all-time announcers. Gift to my ears & brain cramps.

by oldfoggy on May 5, 2011 11:45 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Dennis Miller has a joke for you. It has nothing to do with football though.

by mcwagner on May 5, 2011 12:04 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

Millen was the only one I did not like. Theismann always brings good insight on what the QB and offense are trying to get accomplished, problem with Thursday games is teams can hardly ever execute.

Have to disagree about the Mayock pick, I’ve listen to him call games and it doesn’t work. He’s a draft/scout analyst not a game analyst. I’m not interested in hearing him recite scouting report after scouting report in Week 12 of the season.

sd377 wants to ban me for unleashing the Kaepernick Supernova Gamma Ray

by bignerd on May 5, 2011 1:50 PM PDT reply actions

Googled your name , then hit image's and this is what i came up with ...!!

I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's just my game ...Jimmy Raye your no daisy ...!!

by Edggy on May 5, 2011 2:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Google is wrong

sd377 wants to ban me for unleashing the Kaepernick Supernova Gamma Ray

by bignerd on May 5, 2011 3:17 PM PDT up reply actions

Big thumbs up for Mayock!

He’s one of my favorite color commentators as he actually has interesting things to say about the action going on instead of just the same hand full of cliches that most color guys use. I can only hope we get to see more and more of Mayock doing this.

by NinerFanDan on May 5, 2011 2:27 PM PDT reply actions

Can someone explain to me

How the hell does Matt Millen have a job as a football analyst or commentator for the NFL or ESPN?!!!!! Wasnt this the guy that put the Lions org in ruins? Unbelievable how the world works…

SF 49ers. SF Giants. SJ Sharks. CHI Bulls.

by Giants49war on May 5, 2011 3:34 PM PDT via mobile reply actions