NEW YORK — Just like that, John Madden is in, and Dennis Miller is out.

        Madden is carrying his inimitable mix of enthusiasm, opinions and analysis to Monday Night Football, leaving Fox Sports and agreeing to a four-year, $20million deal with ABC Sports to pair with Al Michaels in a two-man booth.

        Dan Fouts and Eric Dickerson also were taken off ABC's prime-time NFL broadcasts, while Melissa Stark stays as a sideline reporter.

        Boomer Esiason, who was fired from Monday Night Football two years ago in a shakeup that led to the hiring of Miller, said ABC made a mistake by trying to use the comedian as a football commentator.

        “Any time you put somebody into a situation where they're trying to describe something where they have no idea what they're talking about, it's uncomfortable,” Esiason said.

        Madden had one year at $7.5 million left on his contract with Fox, but the network agreed to scrap that deal after Madden rejected a three-year, $15 million extension and asked permission to talk to ABC, an industry source told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

        Madden and ABC then hammered out a contract worth about $5million a season, another source said, also on condition of anonymity.

        PACKERS:

        Green Bay waived running back Dorsey Levens on Thursday, allowing him to test his value on the free agent market.

        BILLS:

        Rob Johnson, once considered Buffalo's long-term quarterback, was released Thursday, having proven too expensive and inconsistent.

        Along with saving more than $6 million in salary cap money, the Bills released a player who persistently failed to live up to his strong-armed, athletic potential during four seasons.

        Johnson had one year left on his contract, and was due a $2.5 million bonus Friday if he remained on the team's roster.

        The Bills also announced that they released veteran cornerback Ken Irvin, saving another $1.9 million in salary cap money.

        VIKINGS:

        Minnesota agreed to terms on contracts with wide receiver Chris Walsh and fullback Harold Morrow.

        DOLPHINS:

        Defensive tackle Tim Bowens was without a team for an hour Thursday before the Miami Dolphins re-signed him to a five-year, $15million contract. Miami also released safety Brock Marion and receiver O.J. McDuffie but hopes to re-sign both players, coach Dave Wannstedt said.

        JAGUARS:

        Jacksonville released cornerback Aaron Beasley on Thursday and voided the contracts of linebacker Kevin Hardy and defensive end Renaldo Wynn.

        COWBOYS:

        Dallas cut center Mark Stepnoski, safety George Teague and tight end Jackie Harris on Thursday.

        SAINTS:

        Albert Connell was released Friday by the New Orleans Saints, who suspended the wide receiver last Dec. 19 after he was suspended last December after being arrested on charges of stealing more than $4,000 from teammate Deuce McAllister.

        Prosecutors recently said a decision will be made soon on whether to file felony theft charges.

        COLTS:

        Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning sued a Staten Island sports memorabilia dealer for fraud and breach of contract.

        Manning, 25, said in court papers that Michael Bertolini and his Triumph Sports Memorabilia & Promotions Inc. owe him $105,000 for autographing 2,500 items, including footballs, helmets and jerseys.

        Bertolini, reached Thursday at Triumph, said he had no comment.

        CHIEFS:

        Cornerback Eric Warfield won't be testing the free agent market after reaching a long-term deal that will keep him with the Kansas City Chiefs.

        Warfield, who turns 26 on Sunday, became a starter for the Chiefs last season. He reached agreement on contract terms Wednesday night.

        The Kansas City Star said he agreed to a seven-year deal with a $5 million signing bonus and an average salary of about $4 million per season.

        BRONCOS:

        Denver released backup fullback Detron Smith and gave defensive end Kavika Pittman a hefty pay cut in an effort to make room under the salary cap.

        Smith and Pittman both were exposed during the expansion draft.

        The release of Smith on Wednesday saves the Broncos more than $400,000 against the salary cap. He had been scheduled to collect a $100,000 roster bonus March 31 and $600,000 in base salary.

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