It’s official.  Emmitt Smith will not be part of ESPN’s two-hour pregame show, NFL Countdown, in 2008. 

ESPN is expected to make the formal announcement soon.

Emmitt will be replaced by Cris Carter, whose enhanced visibility could help his chances of getting into the Hall of Fame on the second try.  (Then again, if Carter does a bad job or comes off as a blowhard, it could hurt him.)

Emmitt will remain on Monday Night Countdown, and he’ll have a role on the Sunday morning pre-Countdown version of SportsCenter.

The Sunday NFL Countdown lineup will consist of Chris Berman, Mike Ditka, Carter, Tom Jackson, Keyshawn Johnson, and Chris Mortensen.

Monday nights from Bristol also will feature Berman, Ditka, Carter, Jackson, Johnson, and Mortensen.  Stationed at the game sites will be Stuart Scott, Smith, and Steve Young.

Also, it appears that Suzy Kolber and Michele Tafoya, who reportedly have been nudged out of the MNF broadcast (or, at a minimum, given minimal roles) will be reporting extensively for ESPN during pre-game and post-game coverage.  This could mean reduced presence and/or involvement at the game locations of folks like Rachel Nichols, Sal Paolantonio, and Ed Werder. 

UPDATE:  Newcomer Trent Dilfer is expected to be a contributor to Monday Night Countdown, and to become a fixture on shows like NFL Live.