MNF’s “stack shortener” provides a primer to preparation for telecasts
The two-hour Monday Night Countdown pre-game show hosted by Suzy Kolber at Arrowhead Stadium kicks off at 6 p.m. ET. Among the highlights of the program include Lisa Salters’ interview with Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski. For a complete rundown on MNF programming tonight, visit ESPN Mediazone.
Jim Carr is one of ESPN’s trusted news editors by title, but to the Monday Night Football crew that works closely with him, he’s known as “Stack Shortener,” a term affectionately coined by analyst Jon Gruden.
Each week during the NFL season, Carr diligently reviews team notes, statistics, news stories and player/coach interviews focused on the two teams competing in the upcoming MNF matchup. After condensing the pertinent information and adding some of his own analysis into one very organized and comprehensive news packet, he disseminates this shortened stack – typically around 40 pages in length – to the MNF production crew to help them prepare for the week’s game telecast.
The New England Patriots at Kansas City Chiefs MNF game tonight (8:15 ET, ESPN) will be a homecoming for Carr. A nine-year veteran of ESPN’s NFL coverage, he joined the company after serving as assistant public relations director for the Chiefs from 1987-1999.
Carr still relishes any opportunity he has to return to Arrowhead Stadium: “It’s probably still my favorite stadium to go to. The atmosphere outside is always great – a college feel. I can’t wait to smell the barbeque.”
In addition to the considerable work he puts in before each game, Carr is a vital member of MNF’s road team. In the video above, he explains the role of the “Stack Shortener” on Monday nights.
Video produced by Allison Stoneberg and Josh Lander
