While NFL free agency didn’t start until today, one team made news by signing a big name early.

The Monday Night Football team has netted John Madden – no small catch.

ABC reportedly baited big John with a $5 million-per-season contract, luring the broadcaster away from Fox, his home for the last few seasons.

To make room for Madden in the booth, ABC is cutting both Dennis Miller and Dan Fouts, thus ending the Miller, Fouts and Al Michaels trio formed just three years ago.

Monday Night Football will also be without Eric Dickerson, who had a great football career but didn’t do much more than fill out a turtleneck as a sideline reporter.

Madden may be a big guy, but did ABC really have to shed broadcasters to clear enough space for him. Maybe they figure Miller’s overextended metaphors would clash with Madden’s overextended lower lip as he waxes poetic on Lambeau Field’s bratwurst.

Sauerkraut and spicy mustard aside, the details may be a bit more sketchy than we know. ESPN.com is reporting that Miller was offered an opportunity to stay on the show in a minor role but turned it down. Now, I don’t want to get off on a rant here, but Miller in a smaller role is like Madden in smaller pants – it’s simply not going to fit.

Maybe John just needs his personal space – after all, the guy has his own custom bus.

While Madden will undoubtedly bring his wheels with him to ABC, he leaves behind long-time partner Pat Summerall. The colorful Madden and Summerall had been together since 1981 until Summerall announced his retirement from the duo just before the Super Bowl.

During the past season the rumor was that Summerall was being forced out because he was getting a little over the hill, mixing up players’ names and such.

OK, so maybe Summerall was getting past his prime, but what will Madden be like in 2006?

The contract he just signed with ABC runs for four years.

Why couldn’t the move to Monday night have happened sooner? If only ABC snagged Madden and Summerall in the early 1980s after Howard Cosell left and before Al Michaels arrived. The duo could have owned Monday night for the remainder of the millennium.

People say Madden’s an oaf and Summerall’s an elder, but together they were a great team. Summerall was the quintessential straight man, balancing out Madden’s unabashed commentary.

Now we’ll have to see if Michaels, the lone Monday Night Football leftover, can do the same.