Somewhat lost in the shuffle of the sea change in this year’s NFL programming (Monday Night Football moving to ESPN from ABC, and the Sunday Night Game moving from ESPN to NBC) is the loss of NFL Primetime. Primetime, the venerable recap show hosted by Chris Berman and Tom Jackson (with occasional help from a variety of others, including Robin Roberts and the immortal Pete “The Ax” Axthelm) was a staple in our household for years and years. When I was in school, it didn’t matter if I had a term paper or mid-term the next day, I would make time and watch NFL Primetime with my dad.

But with the new deal, NBC has procured the rights to show highlights of Sunday’s games, and launched their own recap show, Football Night in America. It sucks.

First of all, what kind of name is Football Night in America? It sounds like a show from the 1950’s.

Second, you have a panel of Bob Costas (who I don’t care for), Chris Collinsworth (hate him), Sterling Sharpe (OK, can get tiresome), and Jerome Bettis (OK). They have this real high tech studio they tout, but really, who cares? Aren’t the games the story?

Berman and Jackson would catch flack from fans, some of it deserved. But damn, these guys had recapping games down to a science. Not only would they hit highlights, they’d show things other shows gloss over. On a big play, maybe they’d focus on a key block a tight end made, or a route a receiver ran that tricked the free safety, freeing up another receiver for a big score.

I tried week 1 of Football Night in America and lasted 20 minutes. They started out with using local reporters to talk to players in various games. Total waste of time. Has anyone ever learned anything from one of these post-game interviews (“We’re glad we won. Our opponents are a tough team. We have more work to do. It’s nice to have a win.”)? Then they just run through your basic Sportscenter highlights and it’s very uninspiring.

I suppose it’s unfair to give a show so little chance, but these men are professionals who have done a lot of work together before. We expect and deserve more.

Berman and Jackson have a segment on the 11 PM Sportscenter, but it’s really not enough. Couldn’t the powers that be realize this is a backwards move for sports fans? Doesn’t anyone take these things into account?

All I could think while watching the Bills/Dolphins game was…NO ONE circles the wagons like the Buffalo Bills.