There was a time when Monday Night Football was a big deal. Now is not one of those times.

Nothing ever seems to be as good as it used to be, and MNF might be the best example of that. But what bothers me the most is how ESPN insists on acting like this is the late 1970s and Howard Cosell and Don Meredith are still in the booth.

The network will regale us with discussion of how of various teams perform “on Monday night” or how a player has set a “new Monday Night record.” As if that matters. Or that anyone cares.

Plus there are the breathless pre-game reporting that is totally unnecessary. It wasn’t that long ago that Super Bowls didn’t get this much pre-game buildup.

After all the football that’s being shoved down out throat — Thursday night football and then early Sunday afternoon football and then late Sunday afternoon and the Sunday night football — enough is enough.

The broadcast team has also sunk to the occasion. Joe Tessitore screams bloody murder on every 3-yard dive play. Jason Witten spends more time not talking than talking (perhaps he’s thinking he should still be playing for the Cowboys). Booger McFarland brings nothing to the table (Is he in the booth? Is he not in the booth?). Sideline reporter Lisa Saulters, leftover from the previous administration, is probably wondering how she got stuck this crew.

Every network wants a piece of the football pie. But there is nothing special about MNF anymore. It’s time to pass on the pie.