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NBC Sports Group Taps Arlo White To Call MLS Games

The NBC Sports Group which will air MLS starting next season will bring in another British ex-pat to call soccer games. Arlo White, the voice of the Seattle Sounders will be the main play-by-play man for NBC Sports Group’s MLS games as well as 7 US Men’s National Team games. For the last two seasons, White was the radio and TV play-by-play man for the Sounders, taking over for Kevin Calabro who called the team’s inaugural season.

White has worked for BBC Radio 5 Live and in addition to calling soccer, has called rugby and cricket plus the Olympics.

I’ve heard nothing but good things about him so I would expect him to call a good game for NBC next season.

Here’s the announcement.

ARLO WHITE TO BE THE VOICE OF NBC SPORTS GROUP’S MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER BROADCASTS

Former Seattle Sounders FC Play-By-Play Voice to Call MLS and Team USA Games on NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network Beginning in 2012
NBC & NBC Sports Network to Televise 50 Games per Season, Including Four by U.S. National Team, As Part of New Media Rights Agreement with Major League Soccer Beginning in March 11, 2012

NEW YORK – November 30, 2011 – Arlo White will serve as the play-by-play voice for NBC Sports Group’s coverage of Major League Soccer (MLS), starting with the first broadcast on NBC Sports Network on March 11, 2012, it was announced today.

“Arlo is one of the top voices calling soccer today in the U.S., and we are very excited to have him be the lead play-by-play announcer to launch our new agreement with Major League Soccer,” said Sam Flood, Executive Producer, NBC Sports and NBC Sports Network. “I also want to sincerely thank the Seattle Sounders FC ownership for making Arlo available, so he can be the MLS voice for the NBC Sports Group to a national audience.”

White, who spent the last two years as the play-by-play voice for the Seattle Sounders FC of MLS on television and radio, is a native of England. He previously spent nine years with BBC Radio Sport in England where he was part of the BBC Radio 5-Live announcing team for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. White also served as a host on BBC Radio 5 Live and hosted the station’s flagship Premier League Football show, Saturday 5 Live Sport, as well as the Monday Night Club alongside BBC football commentator John Motson.

“It is a tremendous honor for me to join the NBC Sports Group, an organization that I have revered from afar for many years,” said White. “I am extremely passionate about the future of Major League Soccer, and this partnership with NBC will provide a huge boost for the sport in the United States. I am very proud to have been called up to play a major role in it.

“I am indebted to the Seattle Sounders FC and the club’s wonderful fans,” White added. “Joe Roth and Adrian Hanauer provided me with an opportunity for which I will always be grateful. It was a privilege to serve as the voice of the Sounders, and I thank the supporters for giving me such a warm welcome.”

From 2002 to 2005, White was part of the 5 Live Breakfast program on the BBC, where he covered, among other events, the 2003 Cricket World Cup in South Africa, the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and various Champions League football matches.

The remainder of the NBC Sports Group’s MLS broadcasters will be announced at a later date.

That’s it.

ESPN Assigns Announcers For All of Its College Bowl Games

The ESPN family of networks will air a total of 33 college bowl games including those that comprise the Bowl Championship Series. Brent Musburger and Kirk Herbstreit will call the BCS National Championship Game which will be held January 9 from New Orleans. They’ll also call the Rose Bowl on January 2. Brad Nessler and Todd Blackledge will do the Chick-fil-A Bowl and the Sugar Bowl. Sean McDonough will call bowls on consecutive nights for both ESPN and ESPN Radio.

We have the entire schedule of games plus the announcing assignments. It’s all listed below for you and you can see who will call the game that will involve your team.

Football’s Top Commentators to Work ESPN’s Bowl Game Coverage

ESPN’s extensive college football coverage will continue with 33 bowl games, highlighted by all five of the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) matchups, including the BCS National Championship on Monday, Jan. 9, at 8:30 p.m. ET. It will mark the second straight year the entire BCS will be available on ESPN, ESPN3 and ESPN Radio.

ESPN 3D, the first 3D network to launch in the industry, will continue its extensive schedule of college football with exclusive 3D coverage of six bowl games, concluding with the BCS National Championship. The network televised the Fiesta Bowl and BCS National Championship last year.

Overall, ESPN will utilize a minimum of 64 on-air commentators to provide play-by-play, analysis and sideline reports for the network’s exclusive multiplatform coverage of the 33 bowl games. Highlights:

• The BCS National Championship (Jan. 9 at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, ESPN3, ESPN 3D and ESPN Radio): For the second consecutive year Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit, Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi will call ESPN’s telecast. ESPN’s Monday Night Football signal caller Mike Tirico will work ESPN Radio’s broadcast with ESPN college football analyst Todd Blackledge and reporter Holly Rowe.

It will mark Musburger’s and Herbstreit’s fifth consecutive BCS National Championship, the first two on ESPN Radio, followed by the BCS National Championship Game from the Rose Bowl on ABC two years ago and last season’s Championship from Glendale, Ariz. on ESPN.

• Sean McDonough, Matt Millen and Heather Cox will work BCS bowls on consecutive days, calling the Fiesta Bowl on ESPN on Monday, Jan. 2, at 8:30 p.m. and ESPN Radio’s broadcast of the Sugar Bowl Tuesday, Jan. 3, at 8:30 p.m. They will also work the Insight Bowl on Friday, Dec. 30, at 10 p.m. on ESPN.
• Musburger, Herbstreit and Andrews – the ESPN on ABC Saturday Night Football announcers – will also call the Rose Bowl on ESPN on Monday, Jan. 2, at 5 p.m.
• Tirico will be joined by Monday Night Football analysts Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski on ESPN’s telecast of the Orange Bowl with reporter Lisa Salters on Wednesday, Jan. 4, at 8:30 p.m. Tirico, Gruden and Salters will also work the Outback Bowl on ABC, Monday, Jan. 2, at 1 p.m. on ABC.
• In addition to the BCS National Championship, Blackledge and Rowe will work ESPN’s coverage of the Sugar Bowl with their regular-season play-by-play partner Brad Nessler on Tuesday, Jan. 3, at 8:30 p.m.
• Joe Tessitore and Rod Gilmore, ESPN’s regular Friday night game announcers, will call ESPN Radio’s broadcast of the Orange Bowl on Wednesday, Jan. 4, at 8:30 p.m.; ESPN’s telecast of the Capital One Bowl Monday, Jan. 2, at 1 p.m.; and ESPN’s coverage of the Champs Sports Bowl on Thursday, Dec. 29, at 5:30 p.m.

Bowl Championship Series

Mon, Jan 2	5 p.m.	Rose Bowl ESPN: Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit & Erin Andrews ESPN Radio: Dave Pasch, Chris Spielman & Tom Rinaldi	ESPN/ESPN3/ESPN Radio
	8:30 p.m.	Fiesta Bowl ESPN: Sean McDonough, Matt Millen & Heather Cox ESPN Radio: Bill Rosinski, David Norrie & Joe Schad	ESPN/ESPN3/ESPN Radio
Tue, Jan 3	8:30 p.m.	Sugar Bowl ESPN: Brad Nessler, Todd Blackledge & Holly Rowe ESPN Radio: Sean McDonough, Matt Millen & Heather Cox	ESPN/ESPN3/ESPN Radio
Wed, Jan 4	8:30 p.m.	Orange Bowl ESPN: Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden, Ron Jaworski & Lisa Salters ESPN Radio: Joe Tessitore, Rod Gilmore & Quint Kessenich	ESPN/ESPN3/ESPN Radio
Mon, Jan 9	8:30 p.m.	BCS National Championship ESPN: Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit, Erin Andrews & Tom RinaldiESPN Radio: Mike Tirico, Todd Blackledge & Holly Rowe	ESPN/ESPN3/ESPN 3D/ESPN Radio

Additional Postseason Bowl Games

Date	Time (ET)	Game	Network
Sat, Dec 17	2 p.m.	New Mexico Bowl ESPN: Clay Matvick, Brian Griese & Jessica Mendoza ESPN Radio: TBA, David Diaz-Infante & TBA	ESPN/ESPN3/ESPN Radio
	5:30 p.m.	Famous Idaho Potato Bowl ESPN: Dave Flemming, Mike Bellotti & Heather Cox ESPN Radio: Bill Rosinski, David Norrie & Joe Schad	ESPN/ESPN3/ESPN Radio
	9 p.m.	New Orleans Bowl ESPN: Carter Blackburn, Brock Huard & Shelley Smith ESPN Radio: Adam Amin, Jay Walker & Ian Fitzsimmons	ESPN/ESPN3/ESPN 3D/ESPN Radio
Tue, Dec 20	8 p.m.	St. Petersburg Bowl ESPN: Mike Patrick, Craig James & Jeannine Edwards ESPN Radio: Rob Stone, Danny Kanell & TBA	ESPN/ESPN3/ESPN 3D/ESPN Radio
Wed, Dec 21	8 p.m.	Poinsettia Bowl ESPN: Joe Tessitore, Lou Holtz, Mark May & TBA ESPN Radio: Bill Rosinski, David Norrie & Joe Schad	ESPN/ESPN3/ESPN Radio
Thu, Dec 22	8 p.m.	Las Vegas Bowl Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit & Tom Rinaldi	ESPN/ESPN3
Sat, Dec 24	8 p.m.	Hawaii Bowl ESPN: Mark Jones, Ed Cunningham & Jessica Mendoza ESPN Radio: Marc Kestecher & Trevor Matich	ESPN/ESPN3/ESPN Radio
Mon, Dec 26	5 p.m.	Independence Bowl Rob Stone, Danny Kanell & Allison Williams	ESPN2/ESPN3
Tue, Dec 27	4:30 p.m.	Little Caesars Bowl Beth Mowins, Mike Bellotti & Eamon McAnaney	ESPN/ESPN3
	8 p.m.	Belk Bowl Bob Wischusen, Brian Griese & Shannon Spake	ESPN/ESPN3
Wed, Dec 28	4:30 p.m.	Military Bowl Pam Ward, Dan Hawkins & Jeannine Edwards	ESPN/ESPN3
	8 p.m.	Holiday Bowl ESPN: Rece Davis, Craig James, Jesse Palmer & Jenn Brown ESPN Radio: Bill Rosinski, David Norrie & Joe Schad	ESPN/ESPN3/ESPN Radio
Thu, Dec 29	5:30 p.m.	Champs Sports Bowl ESPN: Joe Tessitore, Rod Gilmore & Holly Rowe ESPN Radio: Mike Gleason, John Congemi & TBA	ESPN/ESPN3/ESPN 3D/ESPN Radio
	9 p.m.	Alamo Bowl ESPN: Dave Pasch, Chris Spielman & Quint Kessenich ESPN Radio: Carter Blackburn, Brock Huard & Eamon McAnaney	ESPN/ESPN3/ESPN Radio
Fri, Dec 30	Noon	Armed Forces Bowl ESPN: Dave Neal, Andre Ware & Cara Capuano ESPN Radio: Adam Amin, Tim Brown & Ian Fitzsimmons	ESPN/ESPN3/ESPN Radio
	3:20 p.m.	Pinstripe Bowl ESPN: Chris Fowler, Jesse Palmer & Tom Rinaldi ESPN Radio: TBA	ESPN/ESPN3/ESPN Radio
	6:40 p.m.	Music City Bowl Mark Jones, Ed Cunningham & Jeannine Edwards	ESPN/ESPN3
	10 p.m.	Insight Bowl ESPN: Sean McDonough, Matt Millen & Heather Cox ESPN Radio: Bill Rosinski, David Norrie & Joe Schad	ESPN/ESPN3/ESPN Radio
Sat, Dec 31	Noon	Texas Bowl ESPN: Bob Wischusen, Brian Griese & Eamon McAnaney ESPN Radio: Beth Mowins, Mike Bellotti & TBA	ESPN/ESPN3/ESPN Radio
	3:30 p.m.	Liberty Bowl ABC: Dave Lamont, Ray Bentley & Quint Kessenich ESPN Radio: Pam Ward, Dan Hawkins & TBA	ABC/ESPN3/ESPN Radio
	3:30 p.m.	Fight Hunger Bowl Carter Blackburn, Brock Huard & Shelley Smith	ESPN/ESPN3
	7:30 p.m.	Chick-fil-A Bowl ESPN: Brad Nessler, Todd Blackledge & Holly Rowe ESPN Radio: Dave Neal, David Diaz-Infante & Cara Capuano	ESPN/ESPN3/ESPN 3D/ESPN Radio
Mon, Jan 2	Noon	TicketCity Bowl Clay Matvick, Danny Kanell & Allison Williams	ESPNU/ESPN3
	1 p.m.	Outback Bowl ABC: Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden & Lisa Salters ESPN Radio: Bob Wischusen, John Congemi & Joey Galloway	ABC/ESPN Radio
	1 p.m.	Capital One Bowl ESPN: Joe Tessitore, Rod Gilmore & Quint Kessenich ESPN Radio: Dave Lamont, Ray Bentley & TBA	ESPN/ESPN3/ESPN 3D/ESPN Radio
	1 p.m.	Gator Bowl Mike Patrick, Craig James & Jeannine Edwards	ESPN2/ESPN3
Sat, Jan 7	1 p.m.	BBVA Compass Bowl ESPN: Mike Gleason, John Congemi & Eamon McAananey ESPN Radio: Clay Matvick, Charles Arbuckle & Jessica Mendoza	ESPN/ESPN3/ESPN Radio
Sun, Jan 8	9 p.m.	GoDaddy.com Bowl Rob Stone, Danny Kanell & Cara Capuano	ESPN/ESPN3

As part of an extensive four-year agreement with the Bowl Championship Series that began last year, ESPN will provide exclusive worldwide television coverage, radio broadcasts, digital content and more for the five annual BCS games from January 2011 through January 2014. Last season was the first time ESPN televised BCS games while ESPN Radio has broadcast every BCS game since 2000.

ESPN’s coverage of last year’s BCS title game averaged 27,316,000 viewers and 17,718,000 households, making it the most watched program in the history of cable television.

That will do it.

ESPN3 & ESPN GamePlan To Air NCAA Division I Football Playoff Games

This Saturday, it’s the second round of the NCAA Division I Football Championship. The non-BCS schools comprise the Football Championship Subdivision and there will be eight second round games played on Saturday. ESPN has the rights to all of the games. They will be streamed online on the ESPN3.com platform. In addition, they’ll be made available on the ESPN GamePlan pay per view package.

The games include those involving Montana and Montana State. Both schools have games at home, but because ESPN had originally planned to stream both contests online, it made fans of both institutions scramble because ESPN3.com is not readily available in Big Sky Country. However, thanks to the intervention of the state’s two U.S. Senators, the games will be put on GamePlan and that is readily available in Montaana.

Here’s the press blurb from ESPN.

NCAA Football Championship Series Second-Round Games on ESPN3, ESPN GamePlan

Coverage of the NCAA Football Championship Series continues with second-round games Saturday, Dec. 3, on ESPN3 and ESPN GamePlan. The first game will begin at 1 p.m. with Old Dominion vs. No. 3 Georgia Southern live from Statesboro, Ga.

The schedule on ESPN3 marks the most number of FCS Championship games ever distributed live nationally. Fans will also have an opportunity to subscribe and watch the eight games on ESPN GamePlan — ESPN’s nationwide, subscription television outlet available to all multichannel video providers.

Date	Time (ET)	Match-Up
Sat, Dec 3	1 p.m.	Old Dominion vs. #3 Georgia Southern Allen E. Paulson Stadium, Statesboro, Ga.
	2 p.m.	Central Arkansas vs. #4 Montana Washington-Grizzly Stadium, Missoula, Mont.
		Maine vs. Appalachian State Kidd Brewer Stadium, Boone, N.C.
	3 p.m.	Stony Brook vs. #1 Sam Houston State Bowers Stadium, Huntsville, Texas
		New Hampshire vs. Montana State Bobcat Stadium, Bozeman, Mont.
	3:30 p.m.	Lehigh vs. Towson Johnny Unitas Stadium, Towson, Md.
	4 p.m.	James Madison vs. #2 North Dakota State Fargodome, Fargo, N.D.
	5 p.m.	Wofford vs. #5 Northern Iowa Uni-Dome, Cedar Falls, Iowa

There you have it.

Thursday Night Football Heads To The Great Northwest

To kick off Week 13 in the National Football League, Thursday Night Football heads to the upper Northwest corner of the United States and Seattle. There, NFL Network will air what could be the last gasp for the Philadelphia Eagles as they attempt to keep their extremely slim playoff hopes alive against the Seattle Seahawks.

The game starts at 8:20 p.m. ET after Thursday Night Kickoff hosted by Rich Eisen with accompaniment from several analysts. And of course, you have Brad Nessler, Mike Mayock and Alex Flanagan on the case throughout the game. The NFL Network provides its usual particulars for the game in the following press release.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2011 — 8:00 PM ET
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS ON NFL NETWORK

NFL Rushing and Touchdown Leader LeSean McCoy Leads the Eagles Against the Seahawks & RB Marshawn Lynch, who has Scored a Touchdown in Seven Consecutive Games

TEAMS:	EAGLES	SEAHAWKS
ANNOUNCERS	Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Mike Mayock (game analyst); Alex Flanagan (sideline)
PREGAME (6:00 PM ET)	Thursday Night Kickoff In Seattle: Rich Eisen, Marshall Faulk, Michael Irvin, Steve Mariucci, Deion Sanders, Stacey Dales, Alex Flanagan In Los Angeles: Kara Henderson, Kurt Warner, Sterling Sharpe, Jay Glazer
PRE-KICK (8:00 PM ET)	Pre-Kick Show Brad Nessler, Mike Mayock, Alex Flanagan, Rich Eisen, Steve Mariucci, Deion Sanders, Michael Irvin, Kurt Warner, Sterling Sharpe, Jay Glazer, Stacey Dales
HALFTIME	Halftime Show Rich Eisen, Marshall Faulk, Michael Irvin, Steve Mariucci, Deion Sanders, Stacey Dales, Alex Flanagan
POSTGAME	Postgame Show Rich Eisen, Marshall Faulk, Michael Irvin, Steve Mariucci, Deion Sanders, Stacey Dales, Alex Flanagan NFL Total Access Postgame Show In-studio: Andrew Siciliano, Kara Henderson, Kurt Warner Jamie Dukes, Willie McGinest Game Site: Stacey Dales, Steve Wyche
WHERE TO WATCH	DirecTV – Channel 212 (SD/HD), DISH Network – 154 (SD/HD)| Verizon FIOS – Channel 88 (SD) 588 (HD), AT&T U-Verse – Channel 630 (SD) 1630 (HD)Check your local cable listings NFL.com LIVE – live “look-ins” at select moments of game NFL Mobile Live on Verizon Wireless
LOCAL OTA SIMULCAST*	The CW Ch. 17 (WPHL)	FOX Ch. 22 (KZJO)

Thursday Night Football

Last Thursday’s San Francisco 49ers-Baltimore Ravens game on NFL Network was watched by an average of 10.7 million viewers (note including over-the-air stations in San Francisco and Baltimore) – ranking as the most watched program in the eight-year history of NFL Network and the most-watched cable program ever on Thanksgiving.

This week’s matchup features a pair of hot running backs as NFL rushing and touchdown leader LESEAN MCCOY leads the Philadelphia Eagles against the Seattle Seahawks and MARSHAWN LYNCH, who has scored in seven consecutive games.

That’s it for this post.

ESPN Sports Saturday Returns

The ESPN-produced block for Saturday will return on December 10 with a mix of ESPN Films documentaries, E:60 segments, sports news updates and debate from personalities from the various studio shows that are aired during the week on ESPN and ESPN2. ESPN Sports Saturday will air as it did during the summer from 4 — 6 p.m. Eastern. Jay Harris will be the host.

The shows that will provide fresh content for ESPN Sports Saturday will be Pardon The Interruption, SportsNation, First Take, Jim Rome is Burning, College GameDay and others. It’s a way to take some rehashed material and rerack it for ABC. Again, another instance where the ABC network which once carried a lot of sports is being thrown scraps.

Winners Bracket, co-hosted by Marcellus Wiley and SportsNation’s Michelle Beadle, which filled the 5-6 p.m. timeslot during the summer will not return.

We have the blurb from ESPN.

ESPN Sports Saturday to Debut December 10 on ABC
New Show Anchors Two-Hour ESPN Saturday Block on ABC

ESPN Sports Saturday, a new one-hour show filled with timely news and information on the biggest stories in sports, will debut Saturday, Dec. 10, at 5 p.m. ET on ABC.  The new show will anchor the “ESPN Sports Saturday” block of programming on ABC (weekly from 4-6 p.m.) with ESPN Films, among other ESPN programming, shown from 4-5 p.m.

ESPN Sports Saturday will combine live news updates with informative debate created exclusively for the show featuring commentators from ESPN programs such as Pardon the Interruption, SportsNation, First Take, Jim Rome is Burning, NFL Live, SportsCenter, College GameDay and Mike & Mike in the Morning. ESPN anchor Jay Harris will host ESPN Sports Saturday in December.

ESPN Sports Saturday is produced by the same production team which worked on Winner’s Bracket, which previously occupied the 5-6 p.m. broadcast window.

That’s it.

NFL Was On Top of Ratings During Thanksgiving Weekend

I don’t have to read this National Football League press release to know that it’s crowing about viewership and rating. I don’t have to tell you that the NFL continues to rake in the ratings. And I certainly don’t have to inform you that with people in front of the TV during the holiday weekend, three NFL games averaged over 25 million viewers.

The winner for the four day holiday weekend was the Miami-Dallas game on CBS Thanksgiving Day which had almost 31 million viewers. It marked the most watched Turkey Day game on the Tiffany Network since CBS re-obtained the rights to the National Football League in 1998. Right now, that’s the most watched program of the fall television season to date. That’s incredible.

And Patriots-Eagles on Sunday, also on CBS brought in 26.3 million viewers which is the most watched Sunday afternoon NFL broadcast of the fall. So CBS has to be crowing about that development in its Manhattan offices.

Here’s the press release from the National Football League.

NFL TOPS ON TV THANKSGIVING WEEKEND

Three Game Telecasts Top 25 Million Viewers
CBS’ Dolphins-Cowboys Thanksgiving Game Most-Watched TV Show this Fall
FOX’s Packers-Lions Draws Top Thanksgiving Overnight Rating Since 1996
Steelers-Chiefs on NBC’s Sunday Night Football Tops Primetime Viewership
49ers-Ravens on NFL Network Posts Best-Ever Thanksgiving Cable Viewership

The Thanksgiving tradition of family, food and football continued this past weekend as fans tuned into NFL games in large numbers.

The CBS Thanksgiving game (Dolphins-Cowboys) drew 30.9 million viewers – the most for a CBS Thanksgiving game since it acquired the AFC package in 1998 and ranking as the most-watched television show this fall (pending Friday release of FOX Thanksgiving game viewership). In addition, the CBS Sunday national telecast (mostly Patriots-Eagles) drew 26.3 million viewers – the network’s most-watched Sunday telecast of the season.

The FOX Thanksgiving game (Packers-Lions) drew a 15.8 overnight rating, tying with 1998 Vikings-Cowboys as the network’s highest-rated game on the holiday since 1996 (Redskins-Cowboys, 17.0). (Viewership figures for the FOX game will be available on Friday, according to The Nielsen Company. It will rank with the CBS Thanksgiving game as the two most-watched programs of the week and the fall TV season).

NBC’s Sunday Night Football (Steelers-Chiefs) drew 20.3 million viewers and was the most-watched primetime program of the week (November 21-27).

The Thanksgiving night 49ers-Ravens game on NFL Network was watched by 10.7 million viewers (not including over-the-air markets), ranking as cable’s top all-time Thanksgiving telecast (Nielsen records date to 1994) and the most-watched program in NFLN’s eight-year history.

NFL games also topped local ratings in 28 of 30 NFL markets last week. Following is the list of 28 NFL markets where football was the top-rated program for the week of Nov. 21-27:

Week of 11/21–27			HH	HH	RTG
Market	Game	Date	RTG	SHR	Rank
Pittsburgh	Steelers at Chiefs	11/27/11	50.7	67	1
Baltimore	49ers at Ravens**	11/24/11	41.0	71	1
Boston	Patriots at Eagles	11/27/11	38.7	60	1
Milwaukee	Packers at Lions	11/24/11	37.0	74	1
Buffalo	Bills at Jets	11/27/11	36.7	61	1
Chicago	Bears at Raiders	11/27/11	35.1	56	1
Denver	Broncos at Chargers	11/27/11	34.4	63	1
Kansas City	Steelers at Chiefs	11/27/11	33.8	48	1
San Diego	Broncos at Chargers	11/27/11	31.9	60	1
Cleveland	Browns at Bengals	11/27/11	30.7	55	1
Detroit	Packers at Lions	11/24/11	30.5	61	1
Philadelphia	Patriots at Eagles	11/27/11	30.5	49	1
Nashville	Buccaneers at Titans	11/27/11	29.1	44	1
Indianapolis	Panthers at Colts	11/27/11	28.3	49	1
Minneapolis	Vikings at Falcons	11/27/11	27.9	57	1
Seattle	Redskins at Seahawks	11/27/11	26.2	53	1
Dallas	Dolphins at Cowboys	11/24/11	26.1	63	1
Houston	Texans at Jaguars	11/27/11	25.3	47	1
Charlotte	Panthers at Colts	11/27/11	23.7	43	1
Atlanta	Vikings at Falcons	11/27/11	23.6	44	1
Washington, DC	Redskins at Seahawks	11/27/11	22.1	39	1
Jacksonville	Texans at Jaguars	11/27/11	21.9	38	1
San Fran-Oakland	49ers at Ravens**	11/24/11	21.2	57	1
Phoenix	Packers at Lions	11/24/11	20.9	41	1
St. Louis	Cardinals at Rams	11/27/11	20.0	37	1
Miami	Dolphins at Cowboys	11/24/11	18.6	44	1
Cincinnati	Broncos at Chargers	11/27/11	17.2	26	1
Tampa	Buccaneers at Titans	11/27/11	16.3	37	1

* Local affiliate & ESPN combined
** Local affiliate & NFLN combined
Source: NFL & The Nielsen Company

That’s going to do it.

Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks

Carling Cup
5th Round
Manchester United vs. Crystal Palace — Fox Soccer Plus, 2:40 p.m.

College Basketball
Men’s
Big Ten/ACC Challenge
Indiana at NC State — ESPN2, 7:15 p.m.
Penn State at Boston College — ESPNU, 7:15 p.m.
Florida State at Michigan State — ESPN, 7:30 p.m.
Virginia Tech at Minnesota — ESPN2, 9:15 p.m.
Wake Forest at Nebraska — ESPNU, 9:15 p.m.
Wisconsin at North Carolina — ESPN, 9:30 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Duquense — CBS Sports Network, 7 p.m.
Bucknell at George Mason — MASN/YES, 7 p.m.
URI at Brown — WNAC, 64.2, 7:30 p.m.
Missouri at Oral Roberts — Fox College Sports Central, 8 p.m.
Colorado at Colorado State — the mtn., 8 p.m.
BYU vs. Northern Arizona at Prescott, AZ — BYU TV, 9 p.m.
Creighton at San Diego State — the mtn., 10:30 p.m.
Notre Dame at Gonzaga — ESPN2, 11:15 p.m.

Women’s
North Carolina at Penn State — Big Ten Network, 6:30 p.m.
Florida State at Ohio State — Big Ten Network, 8:30 p.m.

Mixed Martial Arts
UFC Unleashed — Spike, 9 p.m.
The Ultimate Fighter — Spike, 10 p.m.

MLB
Clubhouse Confidential — MLB Network, 5:30 p.m.
Hot Stove Live — MLB Network, 6 p.m.

NFL
Inside the NFL — Showtime, 9 p.m.
NFL Turning Point — Versus, 10 p.m.

NHL
Boston at Toronto — TSN/NESN, 7 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Detroit — Versus/TSN2, 7:30 p.m.
Minnesota at Edmonton — TSN/Fox Sports North, 9:30 p.m.
New Jersey at Colorado — MSG Plus/Altitude, 9:30 p.m.
Montreal at Anaheim — RDS/Fox Sports Prime Ticket, 10 p.m.

NHL Live — NHL Network (US), 5 p.m.
NHL Live — Versus, 6:30 p.m.
NHL on the Fly — NHL Network (US), 10 p.m.
NHL Overtime — Versus, midnight

Soccer
U-17 Friendly: USA vs. France — Fox Soccer, 5 p.m.

Sports Talk
The Dan Patrick Show — Audience Network (DirecTV)/Fox Sports Net, 9 a.m.
Tim Brando Show — CBS Sports Network, 10 a.m.
ESPN First Take — ESPN2, 10 a.m.
The Box Score — Audience Network (DirecTV)/DanPatrick.com, noon
Numbers Never Lie — ESPN2, 3:30 p.m.
SportsNation — ESPN2, 5 p.m.
NBC SportsTalk — Versus, 6 p.m.

Entertainment
Survivor: South Pacific — CBS, 8 p.m.
Sportfolio — Bloomberg, 9 p.m.
Baseball Wives (series premiere) — VH1, 9 p.m.
The Grammy Nominations Concert Live!!: Countdown to Music’s Biggest Night — CBS, 10 p.m.
Whitechapel — BBC America, 10 p.m.
American Horror Story — FX, 10 p.m.
Conan — TBS, 11 p.m.

A Few Late Tuesday Night/Wednesday Morning Sports Media Thoughts

Since the posts were sparse on Tuesday, I’ll give you some sports media thoughts here. All in bullet form as usual.

• I haven’t said much about ESPN’s handling of the Bernie Fine Syracuse story. I wanted to get some facts before commenting. I’m really distressed that ESPN held onto the tape of what was reportedly Fine’s wife telling accuser Bobby Davis that she knew of her husband’s transgressions. The fact that it held the tape dating back to 2003 makes the network look bad. While Vice President for news content, Vince Doria, said in ESPN’s public relations blog that it had no obligation to present it to the authorities, ESPN may have played an inadvertent role in allowing Fine to allegedly molest more children and it also looks like it was protecting an interest. ESPN may not have been doing so, but the implication is there.
• I’m hearing more and more that NESN is leaning towards Erin Hawksworth as the replacement for Heidi Watney as Red Sox field reporter. I’m not familiar with her work. She has worked in Boston for the local Fox affiliate from 2008-2010. She’s currently working for the Fox Seattle affiliate. Friend of Fang’s Bites Jen Royle interviewed with NESN earlier this week. I still hold out hope that Jen will get the job. I also hope Courtney Fallon from WLNE in Providence gets an interview as well.
• Can you imagine five NBA games on Christmas Day? That appears to be the case. Richard Sandomir of the New York Times is reporting that TNT as under its contract with the league will get the season opener which will be Boston-New York at noon Eastern. Then ABC will have an afternoon doubleheader with ESPN getting a primetime double dip.
• On Thursday, the paperback edition of “Those Guys Have All The Fun: Inside the World of ESPN” will be released. There are 50 new pages of material. Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated recounts one new story from author James Andrew Miller involving SportsCenter anchor Hannah Storm. And Keith Thibault of Sports Media Journal and I will interview James in this week’s Sports Media Weekly Podcast about the additional material. I look forward to the new edition.

That’s going to complete the thoughts for tonight.

Fox Sports College Football Games For Week 14

Fox has two conference championship games on consecutive nights, the Pac-12 Championship and Big Ten Championship, Friday and Saturday. Fox Sports Net also has one game and that will end Fox’s college football coverage for the season.

Overall, it’s been great having Gus Johnson calling college football, although the quality of games weren’t great, quite a few were blowouts. Still, the Big Ten Championship has the potential to be quite good.

We have the schedule of games for you right here.

College Football on FOX Advance Programming
December 2 & 3
All times Eastern unless otherwise indicated

DATE	TIME	GAME	OUTLET	Announcers
Friday, Dec. 2	8:00 PM	UCLA at Oregon (Pac-12 Championship)	FOX	Gus Johnson/Charles Davis/Tim Brewster
Saturday, Dec. 3	12:30 PM	Iowa State at Kansas State	FSN	Craig Bolerjack/Joel Klatt/Petros Papadakis
Saturday, Dec. 3	8:00 PM	Wisconsin vs. Michigan State (B1G Championship, Indianapolis, IN)	FOX	Gus Johnson/Charles Davis/Tim Brewster

That concludes this post.

College Basketball Games on Fox Sports’ Various Networks

We have the games on the Fox Sports cable networks including Big Ten Network, Fox College Sports and Fox Sports Net. These include both men’s and women’s games from tonight all the way through December 11.

Lots of games.

College Basketball on FOX Advance Programming
November 29 – December 11
All times Eastern unless otherwise indicated

Some Quickie Tuesday Links

I’ve been away from the computer again today so it led to minimal blogging. Let’s provide some links now.

We begin with some breaking news from the New York Daily News’ Bob Raissman who reports that TNT will air the NBA season opening game on Christmas Day between the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks. ESPN/ABC usually airs the Christmas Day games, but TNT has the rights to the league’s first game and Turner Sports apparently won out here.

Jason Lisk at the Big Lead criticizes ESPN for sitting on the Bernie Fine Syracuse story for more than eight years.

Allen Barra of the Daily Beast talks about ESPN and the Syracuse Post-Standard sitting on the Bernie Fine story for way too long.

At ESPN Front Row, Vince Doria, network vice president for news content defends ESPN’s handling of the story.

NASCAR driver Tony Stewart announced on his annual Sirius XM show that the sport has extended its agreement with the satellite radio provider for another five years.

[blackbirdpie url="http://twitter.com/#!/SBJSBD/statuses/141626213369257984"]

Mike Reynolds from Multichannel News writes that YES Network will premiere a new series providing viewers access to Yankees center fielder Curtis Granderson.

Anthony Crupi of Adweek says CBS/Turner expect big bucks from ad sales in the multiple platforms showing the NCAA Tournament.

David Goetzl of MediaPost says Paramount Pictures will incorporate NHL footage into promos for the latest Mission: Impossible movie on both US and Canadian TV.

Dan Fogarty of SportsGrid notes that a Tampa-St. Petersburg TV station accidentally showed a man’s schlong during a report from the Buccaneers locker room.

Brandon Costa of Sports Video Group notes that Big Ten Network has launched a mobile app for the Apple iPhone, iPod and yes, the iPad.

Mike Anthony of the Hartford Courant says ESPN has signed a deal with the America East conference for 47 basketball games on the network’s various platforms.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times reports on the feud between Los Angeles Dodgers Frank McCourt and Fox Sports over media rights for the team.

Jim Williams from the Washington Examiner notes the longevity of “Inside the NFL”.

Emily Adamson of NBCMontana says the NCAA is now encouraging ESPN to find a way to air the Division I Football playoff games involving Montana and Montana State in Big Sky country. The games are only available on ESPN3.com which is not readily available in Montana.

Dan Bickley of the Arizona Republic talks with NFL Network analyst Kurt Warner about Tim Tebow.

I’ll try to get some more links later on.

Monday Night Football Really Scores For ESPN Especially in The Big Easy

I noticed a tweet from ESPN public relations maven Bill Hofheimer. He talks about the overnight ratings for Monday Night Football which ended up being a New Orleans Saints blowout of the New York Football Giants. The national rating was very good. The local rating in New Orleans was even better. Six times better as you’ll see.

[blackbirdpie url="http://twitter.com/#!/bhofheimer_espn/statuses/141516220825477120"]

That’s evidence that New Orleans is truly WhoDat Nation. And that’s one of the major reasons why ESPN pays over a billion dollars for the rights.

Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks

Carling Cup
5th Round
Arsenal vs. Manchester City — Fox Soccer Plus, 2:55 p.m.
Chelsea vs. Liverpool — Fox Soccer Plus, 5 p.m. (same day coverage)

College Basketball
Big Ten/ACC Challenge
Michigan at Virginia — ESPN2, 7 p.m.
Northwestern at Georgia Tech — ESPNU, 7:15 p.m.
Illinois at Maryland — ESPN, 7:30 p.m.
Miami at Purdue — ESPN2, 9 p.m.
Clemson at Iowa — ESPNU, 9:15 p.m.
Duke at Ohio State — ESPN, 9:30 p.m.

Miami (OH) at Cincinnati — Big East Network, 7 p.m.
Eastern Michigan at Syracuse — Big East Network, 7 p.m.
Howard at American — Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic Plus, 7:30 p.m.
LSU at Houston — CBS Sports Network, 8 p.m.
North Texas at Texas — Longhorn Network, 8 p.m.

MLB
Clubhouse Confidential — MLB Network, 5:30 p.m.
Hot Stove Live — MLB Network, 6 p.m.

NHL
Florida at Carolina — Fox Sports Florida/Fox Sports Carolinas, 7 p.m.
New York Islanders at Buffalo — MSG Plus/MSG Buffalo, 7 p.m.
St. Louis at Washington — Fox Sports Midwest/Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, 7 p.m.
Pittsburgh at New York Rangers — Versus/TSN2/Root Sports Pittsburgh/MSG Network, 7:30 p.m.
Ottawa at Winnipeg — TVA/Rogers Sportsnet East/TSN-Jets, 8:30 p.m.
Phoenix at Chicago — Fox Sports Arizona/Comcast SportsNet Chicago, 8:30 p.m.
Nashville at Calgary — TSN/Fox Sports Tennessee, 9:30 p.m.
Columbus at Vancouver — Fox Sports Ohio/Rogers Sportsnet Pacific, 10 p.m.

NHL Live — NHL Network (US), 5 p.m.
NHL Live — Versus, 7 p.m.
NHL on the Fly — NHL Network (US), 7 p.m.
NHL Overtime — Versus, 10:30 p.m.

Sports Talk
The Dan Patrick Show — Audience Network (DirecTV)/Fox Sports Net, 9 a.m.
Tim Brando Show — CBS Sports Network, 10 a.m.
ESPN First Take — ESPN2, 10 a.m.
The Box Score — Audience Network (DirecTV)/DanPatrick.com, noon
Numbers Never Lie — ESPN2, 3:30 p.m.
SportsNation — ESPN2, 5 p.m.
NBC SportsTalk — Versus, 6 p.m.

Entertainment
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer — CBS, 8 p.m.
New Girl — Fox, 9 p.m.
Ringer — The CW, 9 p.m.
24 Hours in the ER — BBC America, 9 p.m.
Knights of Mayhem: Threat to the Throne — National Geographic Channel, 9 p.m.
Body of Proof — ABC, 10 p.m.
The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show — CBS, 10 p.m.
Sons of Anarchy — FX, 10 p.m.
Bomb Patrol: Afghanistan: Suicide Vest — G4, 10 p.m.
Conan — TBS, 11 p.m.

ESPN Family of Networks College Basketball Games For Week 4

ESPN’s college basketball schedule is ramping up and this week, it’ll have two interconference challenges, the Big Ten/ACC Challenge in the early part of this week and then the Big East/SEC Challenge in the second half.

You want the skinny on the college basketball games for this week? Of course you do. Let’s take a look at the schedule for this week’s contests on the ESPN networks.

Three Matchups between Top Nine Teams, Plus No. 1 Kentucky

ESPN’s men’s college basketball schedule this week will be highlighted by three telecasts between teams in the top nine of the ESPN/USA Today poll.

Two of the games are from the 13th annual Big Ten/ACC Challenge – a 12-game two-day event featuring top college basketball programs playing for conference supremacy and the Commissioner’s Cup – and will be on ESPN and ESPN3: No 4 Duke at No. 2 Ohio State on Tuesday, Nov. 29, at 9:30 p.m. and No. 7 Wisconsin at No. 5 North Carolina on Wednesday, Nov. 30, at 9:30 p.m.

The third contest between two top nine teams is from the inaugural BIG EAST/SEC Challenge, a three-day event matching 12 teams from each of the premier conferences: No 9 Florida at No. 3 Syracuse on Friday, Dec. 2, at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN and ESPN3. In addition, ESPN2 will televise St. John’s at No. 1 Kentucky as part of the BIG EAST/SEC Challenge on Thursday, Dec. 1, at 7:30 p.m.

Date	Time (ET)	Game/Commentators	Network
Tue, Nov 29	7 p.m.	Big Ten/ACC Challenge: No. 15 Michigan at Virginia Mark Jones & Fran Fraschilla	ESPN2/ESPN3
	7:15 p.m.	Big Ten/ACC Challenge: Northwestern at Georgia Tech Rob Stone and Drew Barry	ESPNU
	7:30 p.m.	Big Ten/ACC Challenge: Illinois at Maryland Dave Pasch & Doris Burke	ESPN/ESPN3
	9 p.m.	Big Ten/ACC Challenge: Miami at Purdue Bob Wischusen & Stephen Bardo	ESPN2/ESPN3
	9:15 p.m.	Big Ten/ACC Challenge: Clemson at Iowa Adam Amin & LaPhonso Ellis	ESPNU
	9:30 p.m.	Big Ten/ACC Challenge: No. 4 Duke at No. 2 Ohio State Dan Shulman & Dick Vitale	ESPN/ESPN3
Wed, Nov 30	7:15 p.m.	Big Ten/ACC Challenge: Indiana at NC State Mike Patrick & Len Elmore	ESPN2/ESPN3
	7:15 p.m.	Big Ten/ACC Challenge: Penn State at Boston College Sean McDonough & Tim Welsh	ESPNU
	7:30 p.m.	Big Ten/ACC Challenge: Florida State at Michigan State Mike Tirico & Dan Dakich	ESPN/ESPN3
	9:15 p.m.	Big Ten/ACC Challenge: Virginia Tech at Minnesota Dave O’Brien & Bob Knight	ESPN2/ESPN3
	9:15 p.m.	Big Ten/ACC Challenge: Wake Forest at Nebraska Mitch Holtus & Miles Simon	ESPNU
	9:30 p.m.	Big Ten/ACC Challenge: No. 7 Wisconsin at No. 5 North Carolina Brent Musburger, Jay Bilas & Doris Burke	ESPN/ESPN3
	11:15 p.m.	Notre Dame at No. 18 Gonzaga Dave Fleming & Sean Farnham	ESPN2/ESPN3
Thu, Dec 1	7 p.m.	BIG EAST/SEC Challenge: Providence at South Carolina Dari Nowkhah & Dino Gaudio	ESPNU
	7:30 p.m.	BIG EAST/SEC Challenge: St. John’s at No. 1 Kentucky Dan Shulman, Dick Vitale & Shannon Spake	ESPN2/ESPN3
	9 p.m.	BIG EAST/SEC Challenge: Mississippi at DePaul Adam Amin & Dickey Simpkins	ESPNU
	9:30 p.m.	BIG EAST/SEC Challenge: Georgetown at No. 12 Alabama Mike Breen & Fran Fraschilla	ESPN2/ESPN3
Fri, Dec 2	6:30 p.m.	BIG EAST/SEC Challenge: No. 9 Florida at No. 3 Syracuse Mike Tirico & Jay Bilas	ESPN/ESPN3
	7 p.m.	BIG EAST/SEC Challenge: Cincinnati at Georgia Clay Matvick & Kara Lawson	ESPNU
	8:30 p.m.	BIG EAST/SEC Challenge: No. 19 Vanderbilt at No. 6 Louisville Dave O’Brien & Jimmy Dykes	ESPN/ESPN3
	9 p.m.	BIG EAST/SEC Challenge: Auburn at Seton Hall Mike Crispino & Tim Welsh	ESPNU

That will do it.

ESPN’s Family of Networks College Football Games For Week 14

This Saturday for all intents and purposes ends college football before we head to the inexorable bowl season leading to the BCS and the debates whether it’s a viable system.

But before we get to all that, there’s the Conference Championship Games. The ESPN Fam will air the MAC, Conference USA and ACC Championships. ABC also airs the annual Bedlam Game between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State that will decide the Big 12 Championship.

In addition, the ESPN3.com will stream the NCAA Division I Football Championship featuring schools in the Football Championship Subdivision. Yes, the NCAA holds a Division I Championship while the BCS schools are mired in the muck and malarkey that’s the bowl system which just provides debate and more questions.

Anyway, here’s the schedule.

Conference Championships, Four Matchups between Ranked Teams & Complete NCAA Division I Second Round Coverage

ESPN’s college football schedule this week includes four conference championships, four games between ranked teams and all eight of the second-round NCAA Division I Football Championship matchups.

ABC and ESPN will each televise a conference title game between ranked teams Saturday, December 3:

• Conference USA Championship at noon on ABC: No. 24 Southern Miss vs. undefeated No. 6 Houston
• ACC Championship Game at 8 p.m. on ESPN and ESPN3: No. 5 Virginia Tech vs. No. 20 Clemson

On Friday, Dec. 2, ESPN2 and ESPN3 will carry the MAC Championship pitting Ohio against Northern Illinois at 7 p.m.  In addition, ESPN Radio will broadcast the inaugural Pac-12 Championship featuring UCLA vs. No. 9 Oregon at 8 p.m.

ABC will broadcast two Big 12 games between ranked teams Saturday, December 3: No. 22 Texas at No. 17 Baylor at 3:30 p.m. followed by No. 10 Oklahoma at No. 3 Oklahoma State at 8 p.m., which will determine the Big 12 champion.

ESPN3 will offer exclusive coverage of the entire second round of the NCAA Division I Football Championship on Saturday, December 3 beginning at 1 p.m.

Date	Time (ET)	Game/Commentators	Network
Thu, Dec 1	8 p.m.	No. 23 West Virginia at South Florida Rece Davis, Craig James, Jesse Palmer & Jenn Brown	ESPN/ESPN3/ESPN 3D
Fri, Dec 2	7 p.m.	MAC Championship: Ohio vs. Northern Illinois Joe Tessitore, Rod Gilmore & Jeannine Edwards	ESPN2/ESPN3
	8 p.m.	Pac-12 Championship Game: UCLA at No. 9 Oregon Dave Flemming, David Norrie & Ian Fitzsimmons	ESPN Radio
Sat, Dec 3	Noon	Conference USA Championship: No. 24 Southern Miss at No. 6 Houston Mike Patrick, Craig James & Lisa Salters	ABC
		Connecticut at Cincinnati Dave Pasch, Chris Spielman & Quint Kessenich	ESPN/ESPN3
		Syracuse at Pittsburgh Dave Lamont & Mike Bellotti	ESPN2/ESPN3
	1 p.m.	NCAA Division I Football Championship: Old Dominion at No. 3 Georgia Southern Doug Bell & John Bunting	ESPN3*
	2 p.m.	NCAA Division I Football Championship: Maine at Appalachian State John Sadak & Rene Ingoglia	ESPN3*
		NCAA Division I Football Championship: Central Arkansas at No. 4 Montana Ryan Rose & Adam Archuletta	ESPN3*
	3 p.m.	Troy at Arkansas State	ESPN3
		NCAA Division I Football Championship: New Hampshire at Montana State Trey Bender & Jay Taylor	ESPN3*
		NCAA Division I Football Championship: Stony Brook at No. 1 Sam Houston State Dan Gutowsky & Warrick Dunn	ESPN3*
	3:30 p.m.	No. 22 Texas at No. 17 Baylor Sean McDonough, Matt Millen & Samantha Steele	ABC
		Utah State at New Mexico State	ESPN3
		NCAA Division I Football Championship: Lehigh at Towson Bob Picozzi & John Gregory	ESPN3*
	4 p.m.	Idaho at Nevada	ESPN3
		NCAA Division I Football Championship: James Madison at No. 2 North Dakota State Jim Barbar & Jay Walker	ESPN3*
	5 p.m.	NCAA Division I Football Championship: Wofford at No. 5 Northern Iowa Shawn Kenney & Rob Harley	ESPN3*
	7:30 p.m.	BYU at Hawaii Carter Blackburn & Brock Huard	ESPN2/ESPN3
	8 p.m.	No. 10 Oklahoma at No. 3 Oklahoma State Brad Nessler, Todd Blackledge & Holly Rowe	ABC
		ACC Championship Game: No. 5 Virginia Tech vs. No. 20 Clemson ESPN: Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit & Heather Cox ESPN Radio: Bill Rosinski, Danny Kanell & Joe Schad	ESPN/ESPN3/ESPN 3D/ESPN Radio

* ESPN3 exclusive.

And College GameDay will end its travel around the country just as it began, in Atlanta in SEC country this time for the SEC Championship.

College GameDay at SEC Championship in Atlanta

ESPN’s Emmy Award-winning College GameDay will originate from the SEC Championship in Atlanta, on Saturday, Dec. 3, in advance the title game between the Eastern Division champion No. 12 Georgia and the Western Division champ No. 1 LSU. The GameDay set will be in Centennial Olympic Park and will air from 9-10 a.m. on ESPNU and 10 a.m.-noon on ESPN.

GameDay will be visiting the SEC Championship for the fourth time, and the third time in the last four years. Alabama takes part for the third time this season, the second straight week and the 22^nd time overall, while Georgia will be appearing for the 12^th time.

That’s it.

NFL Does Some Minor Flexing In Week 14

As we approach the final weeks of the regular season (much too soon, I might add), we get this announcement from the National Football League about the Week 14 schedule. The only move for this week is the Oakland-Green Bay, originally a 1 p.m. East game which will be a 4:15 p.m. contest remaining on CBS. It goes from being a regional telecast to a late national window. The NFL had considered moving either New England-Washington or Oakland-Green Bay to the 4:15 p.m. timeslot and the league chose having the Packers in the late slot with the potential to go 13-0.

NBC’s primetime game, New York Football Giants at Dallas remains as the network’s Sunday Night Football selection.

Other than that, all games in Week 14 remain in their slots. Here’s the press release from the National Football League.

WEEK 14 FLEX SCHEDULING:

RAIDERS-PACKERS MOVES TO 4:15 PM ET ON CBS ON DEC. 11;
GIANTS-COWBOYS REMAINS ON NBC SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

The final Week 14 NFL schedule was announced today with the originally scheduled New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys game on NBC’s Sunday Night Football remaining in place. The Oakland Raiders-Green Bay Packers game will move from 1:00 PM ET to 4:15 PM ET on CBS.

Following is the final Week 14 NFL schedule (bold/italics/asterisk indicates time change):

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8 (WEEK 14)

CLEVELAND AT PITTSBURGH

8:00 PM (ET)

NFL

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11

INDIANAPOLIS AT BALTIMORE	1:00 PM (ET)	CBS
ATLANTA AT CAROLINA	1:00 PM (ET)	FOX
HOUSTON AT CINCINNATI	1:00 PM (ET)	CBS
MINNESOTA AT DETROIT	1:00 PM (ET)	FOX
TAMPA BAY AT JACKSONVILLE	1:00 PM (ET)	FOX
PHILADELPHIA AT MIAMI	1:00 PM (ET)	FOX
KANSAS CITY AT NEW YORK JETS	1:00 PM (ET)	CBS
NEW ORLEANS AT TENNESSEE	1:00 PM (ET)	FOX
NEW ENGLAND AT WASHINGTON	1:00 PM (ET)	CBS
SAN FRANCISCO AT ARIZONA	4:05 PM (ET)	FOX
CHICAGO AT DENVER	4:05 PM (ET)	FOX
OAKLAND AT GREEN BAY*	4:15 PM (ET)	CBS
BUFFALO AT SAN DIEGO	4:15 PM (ET)	CBS
NEW YORK GIANTS AT DALLAS	8:20 PM (ET)	NBC

MONDAY, DECEMBER 12

ST. LOUIS AT SEATTLE

8:30 PM (ET)

ESPN

This Sunday (Dec. 4) the Detroit Lions-New Orleans Saints game was moved to  8:20 PM ET on NBC’s Sunday Night Football, the Indianapolis Colts-New England Patriots game to 1:00 PM ET on CBS, the Denver Broncos-Minnesota Vikings game to 1:00 PM ET on FOX, and the Baltimore Ravens-Cleveland Browns game to 4:05 PM ET on CBS.

I’ll see what else I can post tonight.

Sunday Night Football Earns 12.5 Overnight Rtg. Down From 2010

I’m still away from my computer, but in this digital age we live in, as long as my iPhone is charged and has a decent signal, I can provide the latest news to you.

Last night’s Sunday Night Football game between Pittsburgh and Kansas City on NBC received a 12.5 rating and a 19 share. It’s down from last year’s Week 12 game that pitted the Indianapolis Colts against the San Diego Super Chargers. Details below.

STEELERS-CHIEFS EARNS 12.5 OVERNIGHT RATING ON “SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL”

SNF Is No. 1 Show of Night
Pittsburgh Leads Metered Markets With 50.7/67; Kansas City is Second With 33.8/48

NEW YORK – November 28, 2011 – Sunday Night Football was the No. 1 broadcast in primetime last night, according to overnight data released today by The Nielsen Company. Last night’s game on NBC, in which the Steelers defeated the Chiefs, 13-9, registered a 12.5 overnight rating and a 19 share. The rating is down from last year’s Week 12 game that featured the Colts hosting the Chargers (13.0/19).

39 FOR 40: When the viewership is available tomorrow from Nielsen, Sunday Night Football is expected to be the most-watched primetime show on Sunday night. This will mark the 39th time in 40 primetime NFL games – dating back to Week 7 in 2009 – that NBC has defeated its competition (36 Sundays, two Thursdays and one Tuesday).

TOP 10 METERED MARKETS FOR STEELERS-CHIEFS:

1. Pittsburgh, 50.7/67
2. Kansas City, 33.8/48
3. Las Vegas, 19.7/29
4. New Orleans, 18.7/24
5. Baltimore, 18.0/28
T6. Richmond, 15.4/22
T6. Dayton, 15.4/22
8. Cincinnati, 15.2/22
9. Norfolk, 15.0/21
T10. Sacramento, 14.8/23
T10. Albuquerque, 14.8/21

**Viewership numbers will be available when national ratings are released tomorrow**

I’ll see what else is in the Fang’s Bites inbox to see what I can provide for you.

Some Monday Morning Sports Media Thoughts

While I’m away from a computer this morning, I provide these thoughts to you so you have some fresh material here. I hope you had a good Thanksgiving weekend.

As usual, I’ll go in bullet form.

• We’re three games into NFL Network’s Thursday Night Football schedule and the duo of Brad Nessler and Mike Mayock have already made my list of favorite announcing teams. After five years of juggling announcers, NFL Network may have finally found some stability in the broadcast booth. And the problems that plagued its production: missed replays, coming out of replays late and graphics that made no sense seemed to have disappeared. If NFL Network gets an expanded schedule next season, I look forward to hearing Nessler and Mayock on more games.
• With the NBA Lockout seemingly settled, the big beneficiary would be ESPN/ABC as the league’s new Opening Day would be Christmas, December 25. The networks would divide three games on that day. Also, TNT which has desperately missed the NBA on Thursday nights will be happy to have doubleheaders again. While I’m not an NBA watcher, I could get behind a 66 game schedule and a Christmas Opening Day every year. This is something the NBA should seriously consider, but it won’t.
• With the college football conference championship games coming up this weekend, I’ll be interested to see how Fox handles the Pac-12 and Big Ten Championships on successive nights with the same announcing crew of Gus Johnson, Charles Davis and Tim Brewster. While Fox’s last foray into college football with the BCS was next to disastrous, at least this trio has worked an entire season on FX. I feel Fox should have assigned two crews, but I know the network wants to gain as much mileage from having Gus call both games. Still, flying from Eugene, OR to Indianapolis overnight is not going to be much fun.
• As NESN is considering candidates to replace Heidi Watney as its Red Sox field reporter, I can tell you that an early favorite, Molly Sullivan, sideline reporter for the mtn., is no longer in the running. I’ve heard NESN felt she wasn’t right for the job. Plus Molly said on Twitter that she’s comfortable with her current gig and staying in Las Vegas where she currently lives.
• I hear NESN is considering Jen Royle of 105.7 FM in Baltimore. Good article on her Sunday by Mark Farinella of the Attleboro Sun-Chronicle. Jen was back in New England to do another guest stint on WEEI. Once again, she killed co-hosting with Kirk Minehane. I don’t know if Jen is a top candidate on NESN, but as I’ve said in the past, she should be.

  Another person NESN should consider if it already hasn’t is Courtney Fallon of WLNE in Providence. Just on the job for three months, Courtney has already made an impression here. She would be good on NESN. And if it doesn’t want to hire her for the Red Sox reporter’s job, the network should at least consider her for its NESN Daily show.

• I’ve seen just a few episodes, but Brian Kenny seems to have found a signature show in Clubhouse Confidential on MLB Network. Now if only Brian could find that boxing gig to go with his baseball assignments.
• Speaking of MLB Network, I miss Trenni Kusnierek. I know she’s happy co-hosting a sports show on WTMJ-AM in Milwaukee.

And we’re done. Enjoy your Monday

Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks

College Basketball
men’s
Akron at West Virginia — Big East Network, 7 p.m.
IUPUI at Georgetown — Big East Network, 7 p.m.
Xavier at Vanderbilt — ESPN2, 7 p.m.
Long Beach Street at Louisville — ESPNU, 7 p.m.
Stetson vs. Florida at Orlando, FL — Sun Sports, 7 p.m.
Jacksonville at Marquette — Big East Network, 8 p.m.
Georgia at Colorado — Fox Sports Net, 8:30 p.m.
Tennessee at Oakland — ESPNU, 9 p.m.
Pepperdine at UCLA — Fox College Sports Pacific/Fox Sports Prime Ticket, 11 p.m.

MLB
Clubhouse Confidential — MLB Network, 5:30 p.m.
Hot Stove Live — MLB Network, 6 p.m.

NFL
New York Giants at New Orleans — ESPN, 8:30 p.m.

NHL
Tampa Bay at Minnesota — Versus/TSN2, 7:30 p.m.
Dallas at Colorado — Fox Sports Southwest/Altitude, 9 p.m.
Nashville at Edmonton — Fox Sports Tennessee/Rogers Sportsnet West, 9:30 p.m.
San Jose at Los Angeles — Comcast SportsNet California/Fox Sports West, 10:30 p.m.

NHL Live — NHL Network (US), 5 p.m.
NHL Live — Versus, 7 p.m.
NHL on the Fly — NHL Network (US), 7 p.m.
NHL Overtime — Versus, 10:30 p.m.

Sports Talk
The Dan Patrick Show — Audience Network (DirecTV)/Fox Sports Net, 9 a.m.
Tim Brando Show — CBS Sports Network, 10 a.m.
ESPN First Take — ESPN2, 10 a.m.
The Box Score — Audience Network (DirecTV)/DanPatrick.com, noon
Numbers Never Lie — ESPN2, 3:30 p.m.
SportsNation — ESPN2, 5 p.m.
College Football Talk — Versus, 5 p.m.
NBC SportsTalk — Versus, 6 p.m.

Entertainment
How the Grinch Stole Christmas — ABC, 8 p.m.
Terra Nova — Fox, 8 p.m.
Top Gear: Top 40 — BBC America, 8 p.m.
House — Fox, 9 p.m.
Hart of Dixie — The CW, 9 p.m.
Top Gear: Top 40 — BBC America, 9 p.m.
The Closer — TNT, 9 p.m.
Rock Center with Brian Williams — NBC, 10 p.m.
Top Gear: Best of ’05-’06 — BBC America, 10 p.m.
Rizzoli & Isles — TNT, 10 p.m.
Conan — TBS, 11 p.m.

Bob Costas’ Halftime Commentary on Touchdown Celebrations

If you’re a regular visitor to this blog, you’ll know that I will rail on Bob Costas most of the time for his halftime commentaries on Sunday Night Football. Some of you will agree with what he said tonight. Others will disagree. Count me as one who thought he sounded pompous this evening. While I agree with his premise on Buffalo Bills’ wide receiver Stevie Johnson’s ridiculous celebration today during the game with the New York Jets, to lump it with other TD celebrations went over the top for me. I felt Bob sounded like the New York Post’s Phil Mushnick complaining about the sky being blue every week.

You may disagree with my opinion. You’re entitled to yours. I’m not one who liked the commentary this week and if you do a search for “Bob Costas” on Twitter, it’s not kind.

BOB COSTAS’ HALFTIME ESSAY ON KNUCKLEHEADS

For those of you too busy keeping up with the Kardashians to notice, we live in a culture that in many ways grows more stupid and graceless by the moment. Sports both reflects and influences that sorry trend, so on playing fields everywhere, true style is in decline, while mindless exhibitionism abounds.

In the late ’60′s, the Giants had a receiver named Homer Jones. He invented the spike — and it was great; a simple, elegant punctuation that somehow has devolved into this…(video of excessive celebrations)

Given the tone of the times, it’s probably too much to expect that most players would appreciate that back in the day, this guy (Barry Sanders) was much cooler than this guy (Mark Gastineau), or that there is a difference between spontaneous and/or good-natured displays of enthusiasm and calculated displays of obnoxious self-indulgence. No, that train has already gone so far down the wrong track, there’s probably no turning back.

So our suggestion here is a more modest one: hey, knuckleheads, is it too much to ask that you confine your buffoonery to situations that don’t directly damage your team? Week after week, game after game, we see guys who think nothing of incurring penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct, costing their team’s valuable yardage, even late in close games.

Today’s most conspicuous culprit: Buffalo’s Stevie Johnson, who after a TD catch versus the Jets, thought it would be a good idea to go Marcel Marceau, pantomiming, among other things, Plaxico Burress shooting himself in the leg. But in this case, it was Johnson, who shot himself in the foot, as his display cost his team a 15-yard penalty on the ensuing kickoff. And given a short field, the Jets proceeded to score in a critical game that wound up, 28-24, New York.

Which raises this question: where are the coaches in all this? Guys are routinely benched or called out for blown assignments. When is a coach going to make an overdue statement and sit a guy down on the grounds of pure selfishness and unprofessionalism detrimental to his team?

By the way, late in the loss to the Jets, Johnson dropped a pass that could have led to a Buffalo win. Shockingly, he didn’t follow it with a rehearsed “my bad” dance of apology. Maybe he just forgot.

If I find the video, I’ll post it here. The written text loses some meaning in the translation without the video.

NBC’s Football Night in America Quotage For Week 12

I have the quotage from tonight’s Football Night in America program on NBC. Good stuff including a Brett Favre mention that luckily, didn’t go far.

“FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA” NOTES & QUOTES – WEEK 12

“As a coach, you have to talk to your players about this before it happens.” – Tony Dungy on Stevie Johnson’s celebration penalty
“I was a young player once and I was very prideful and arrogant, just like Ndamukong Suh, but I didn’t learn until the Commissioner handed me a suspension.” – Rodney Harrison
“This is a remarkable story. I really thought this team had a shot at the first overall pick in the draft.” – Cris Collinsworth on the Bengals

NEW YORK – November 27, 2011 – Following are highlights from Football Night in America. For the first time since NBC began broadcasting the NFL Sunday night game in 2006, Bob Costas hosted the show live from Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., and was joined on site for commentary by Sunday Night Football commentators Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth. Co-host Dan Patrick and commentators Tony Dungy, Rodney Harrison, Peter King and Mike Florio covered the news of the NFL’s 12th week live from Studio 8G at NBC’s 30 Rockefeller Plaza studios in New York. Alex Flanagan reported from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on the Patriots-Eagles game.

ON BUFFALO

Dungy on Stevie Johnson: “As a coach, you have to talk to your players about this before it happens. You just can’t make these kinds of mistakes in the game…You give your team the momentum and now you’re going to mock another player. Everyone knows the rules; you can’t go to the ground on a celebration, so now this is just giving away 15 yards.”
Harrison: “It is just dumb, it’s immature, and a distraction you do not need on your team.”

Patrick: “It seems like every week we’re talking about one of these receivers being a knucklehead.”
Dungy: “You have to talk to your guys, ‘We’re not going to have this, no matter what you feel like. We’re not going to have you give away free yards.’”

ON LIONS’ NDAMUKONG SUH

Harrison: “I think he should be suspended two games. I was a young player once and I was very prideful and arrogant, just like Ndamukong Suh, but I didn’t learn until the Commissioner handed me a suspension. Then I really understood the impact of what it did to my teammates in that locker room. Also, I don’t want it to diminish exactly what this kid stands for. He’s a good kid and he works very hard, and don’t want that to diminish what he stands for going forward.”

Dungy: “I played with Joe Greene and Joe told me his first year was very similar to Ndamukong Suh. He’s out of control, wanting to win, playing very aggressively, but the organization, in particular coach Chuck Noll, got Joe’s attention and said, ‘You know what, it has to be about winning. Channel that aggression towards winning.’”

Harrison: “When we think about Ndamukong Suh, we should be thinking about the most dominant defensive tackle, not a dirty player.”

ON SEAHAWKS’ KAM CHANCELLOR

Florio: “Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor has had helmet-to-helmet hits now in three straight games. One happened earlier today against the Redskins. Last week he was fined $40,000 for the second one. The next step could be a one game suspension.”

ON BRONCOS

Patrick: “Tebow shouldn’t get the credit for this win?”
Harrison: “It should be a total team credit.”
Dungy: “It is, but you have to give Tim Tebow credit because we saw Champ Bailey earlier say they believed.”
Harrison: “Yes, because each week that defense is keeping them in the games; each and every week.”

Dungy on his winner for the day: “My winner has to be Tim Tebow. This Denver Broncos team was left for dead. They’ve won five out of six since he started. They are back in the playoff hunt.”

ON BEARS

Dungy on Caleb Hanie: “This is the one thing that I’m sure they talked about all week; we can’t have takeaways. Hanie had three bad throws in the first half. The one throw right before halftime really killed the momentum.”

ON BENGALS

Collinsworth: “This is a remarkable story. I really thought this team had a shot at the first overall pick in the draft. They had a new offensive coordinator. They had a rookie quarterback in Andy Dalton. They had a rookie wide receiver in A.J. Green. It is all falling together in a remarkable way. It now looks like we may well see three teams out of the AFC North going into the playoffs.”

Dungy on Bengals young players: “These guys aren’t only going to be fun to watch, they’re going to be dangerous.”

ON TEXANS

Michaels: “Wade Phillips — an ignominious departure last year from Dallas as the head coach midway through the season — he goes to Houston under Gary Kubiak as defensive coordinator and in good measure (he) is why the Houston Texans are 8-3 right now.”

Collinsworth: “No matter who is playing the quarterback position, with the way that they can play defense and the way that they can run the football with Arian Foster, Ben Tate and those guys, eventually you are going to come down and have to play one-on-one coverage against Andre Johnson. Bob (Costas), I’ve seen your throw, and if they put you in there, occasionally, (if) you threw it up, Andre Johnson would make a play or two.”

Harrison on his winner for the day: “The Texans. They lose two quarterbacks. They’re 8-3 and in first place.”

King: “Everybody is going to be asking now; will the Houston Texans go after Brett Favre? They are down to their third-string quarterback. I talked to both Rick Smith, the General Manager of the Texans, after the game, and texted with Favre, and I don’t see it happening. Smith told me, ‘I don’t see it. I don’t want to bring the circus to town.’ Favre told me, ‘Hey, no one has called me, not that I would consider it, but I don’t think I am up to the media blitz.’ I don’t see this happening because Brett Favre has not thrown a football in nearly a month. This is not a guy who wants to come back.”

ON PACKERS

Dungy: “There are eight teams that are still alive, but the class of the NFC is the Green Bay Packers. I thought that Thanksgiving Day would be a test for them going on the road on a short week. I think they are going to go undefeated.”

ON JETS

Harrison: “Cincinnati, they are in that number six spot, but for some reason I still believe in the Jets. They have been in this situation before…Cincinnati has a more difficult schedule than the Jets. The Jets have to play Washington, Kansas City, and Philly; all teams that they can beat.”

ON STEELERS

Collinsworth on fines for illegal hits: “The Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t very happy about that at all. They really don’t have issue with the fact that the league is going to penalize the players for illegal hits. Where they draw the line is, when you have an intentional hit, it is one thing; fine the players, no problem with that. But when you have one of those bang-bang kind of plays, and his helmet is slightly here instead of here [points from chin to chest], and now these guys like (Ryan) Clark are getting fined $55,000 dollars over the last three weeks, they are upset as an organization, and I don’t think that is going to change any time soon.”

Costas: “It is a longer discussion for a different day. We know that some of that is going to happen inadvertently. It is the nature of the game. We also know that it is a smart thing for Roger Goodell to try to make the game, which is inherently very dangerous, at least as safe as possible.”
Collinsworth: “And I don’t think anybody can argue that the league has not fundamentally changed how people hit because of the way they are treating this rule right now.”

ON EAGLES

Flanagan on her postgame conversation with Desean Jackson, who was benched mid-game: “I spoke the Desean in the locker room for a few minutes. He said it was a coach’s decision; a decision he will have to live with, and he doesn’t know what that means for him going forward.”

ON TRADING DEADLINE

King: “One note on the trading deadline, which is traditionally in the NFL in Week 6. Talking to Commissioner Roger Goodell the other day, he told me that he is very interested in discussing the possibility of moving the trade deadline to later in the season so that players like Kyle Orton won’t just be released by the Denver Broncos. They could go on the trading block and several teams, like the Chicago Bears, like the Houston Texans, could go for (them).”

And another post from NBC, Bob Costas’ commentary which seemed to piss people off tonight.

NBC’s Football Night in America Previews Week 12′s Interviews

With NBC stuck on Pittsburgh-Kansas City tonight, the network does its best to hype the game. Bob Costas interviewed Chiefs coach Todd Haley and Pittsburgh wide receivers Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown.

To the quotes from the interviews.

“FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA” PREVIEW – WEEK 12

BOB COSTAS INTERVIEWS TODD HALEY, AND MIKE WALLACE & ANTONIO BROWN
“‘I’m not here for you to like me or for us to be best friends.” – Todd Haley to Bob Costas on what he tells his players
“It’s like having an extra coach on the sideline.” – Mike Wallace to Bob Costas on Hines Ward

NEW YORK – November 27, 2011 – Bob Costas interviewed Kansas City Chiefs head coach Todd Haley, and Steelers wide receivers Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown for tonight’s Week 12 edition of Football Night in America, which will also include highlights, analysis and reaction to earlier Week 12 games.

Football Night airs each Sunday at 7 p.m. ET with Costas hosting the program live from inside the stadium. In addition to his interviews, Costas is joined on site by Sunday Night Football commentators Al Michaels (play-by-play) and Cris Collinsworth (analyst) for reaction to the afternoon games.

Dan Patrick co-hosts Football Night from Studio 8G at NBC’s 30 Rockefeller Plaza studios and is joined by Super Bowl-winning head coach Tony Dungy, two-time Super Bowl winner Rodney Harrison, Peter King of Sports Illustrated and Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk on NBCSports.com. Alex Flanagan will report from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on the Patriots-Eagles game.

INTERVIEWS: Below are excerpts from Costas’ interviews with Haley, and Wallace and Brown.

TODD HALEY WITH BOB COSTAS

COSTAS on Haley growing up as the son of Steelers personnel executive Dick Haley: You’ve got a history with the Pittsburgh Steelers that goes back almost to your very first memories as a child, right?
HALEY: Absolutely…I truly bled black and gold in my daily life for many, many years all the way through college. How I felt that week depended upon the Steelers and how they played.

COSTAS: Being around that as a kid would have been great had it been any one of the 32 teams. But this was one of the greatest teams of all time.
HALEY: To be there at the start of what is still going to this day — how they built, how they are going to do things – (it) is still intact almost exactly the same way today, and obviously it works. But to be there as a young kid, I didn’t look any different at Jack Lambert and Terry Bradshaw than I did anybody else. I said that I wish now I had collected a few autographs.

HALEY: My father has always said this to me, which I do kind of tend to believe, ‘By growing up and being able to be around the teams you were able to be around and the players, you know what great is.’ And knowing what great is as a characteristic, or the ability to know what great is, is important to have. A lot of guys haven’t been around great to know what it is.

COSTAS on Haley as offensive coordinator for the Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII: Do you have any flashbacks?
HALEY: I have many flashbacks to that Super Bowl. I’m very close with Kurt (Warner) and Larry (Fitzgerald) and there’s not many weeks that go by that that doesn’t come up in some way. We were leading in the Super Bowl with just a few minutes left. So I have a lot of flashbacks, especially when we play the Steelers.

HALEY on not being afraid to get in the face of his players: I’m pretty passionate about what I do. I can’t worry about what people think, and I don’t. I always tell the players at the start of any situation that I’ve been in, ‘I’m not here for you to like me or for us to be best friends. That’s not why I’m here. I’m here to get you to play the best you can possibly play whether that’s to be the greatest ever or be great or good or a role player. I’m going to push you in any way that I can, and in the end I hope you respect that.’ I’m in it only to try to get players to be their best, and now, as a head coach, just try to get our team to be the best that it possibly can by any means necessary.

MIKE WALLACE & ANTONIO BROWN WITH BOB COSTAS

COSTAS on Hines Ward: What has it been like to, in a sense, supplant a guy you grew up watching?
WALLACE: (It’s) different not having him out there, but it’s for the better of the team. I think he knows that. He accepts it. It’s like having an extra coach on the sideline. He’s always telling us where to go. He’s like our big brother. I think he’s happy for us. I think he just wants to win.

COSTAS on Wallace’s speed: Have you ever come up against anybody who can run with you step for step?
WALLACE: No. Not even close.

COSTAS to Brown: You’re the son of Eddie Brown. Astute football fans might say, ‘You mean Eddie Brown, who played for the Cincinnati Bengals?’ No, I mean Eddie Brown, who played in the Arena League for the Albany and Indiana Firebirds.
BROWN: Yes, sir. I’m the proud son of my dad, who really set his standards high as far as what he did in his football career.

COSTAS: Did you follow him?
BROWN: Definitely. He put up some amazing records — nine touchdowns in a game. He did some great things in the Arena League.

COSTAS: He had a nine-touchdown game? That’s like playing in someone’s backyard.
BROWN: He was killing it.

That’s it.

CBS’ The NFL Today Quotage For Week 12

And The NFL Today also discussed Ndomukong Suh as the other Sunday NFL pregame shows did. Let’s bring you that quotage.

NEWS, NOTES & QUOTES FROM CBS SPORTS’ “THE NFL TODAY” WITH JAMES BROWN, DAN MARINO, SHANNON SHARPE, BILL COWHER AND BOOMER ESIASON FOR WEEK 12 ON NOVEMBER 27

QUICK HITS

(On Detroit’s Ndamukong Suh)
SHANNON SHARPE:  I would have felt a lot better by his comments had he said what he said on his Facebook page on Thursday. I’d also feel better about it if he apologized to the guy that he committed the offense against. Apologize to your teammates. Apologize to this organization. I don’t think he’s learned his lesson. I think what happened, somebody got in his ear and said, ‘Look, you sounded ridiculous saying what you said, you need to make an apology.’ But you do that publicly. Everybody doesn’t have a link to your Facebook page. Do it publicly.
BOOMER ESIASON:  I said on Thursday I thought he’d get a two?game suspension, but looking back at his history and watching some of these plays that he’s been through…I look at this as a habitual offender who has a serious intent to injure another football player. I think if you’re Roger Goodell, two games are not enough in my estimation. I would suspend him for at least four games. His actions are deplorable, and I think we all feel that way.

(On San Diego and Giants Head Coaches Norv Turner and Tom Coughlin)
BOOMER ESIASON: Norv Turner hasn’t won a game since Rex Ryan said he would have won two rings with that roster. And believe it or not, the ownership out there is starting to get a little unsettled about what’s going on. They need to win today against Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos. For Tom Coughlin, you can’t have a December swoon like you’ve had the last two years prior to this. You have to get into the playoffs. And they have a tough way to go Monday night in New Orleans.

(More on Norv Turner)
BOOMER: I think his job is in serious jeopardy. It all started when Philip Rivers started throwing these interceptions late in games. Now all of a sudden there is talk about maybe he’s hurt or something like that. Then you take a look at the West. Oakland is right there controlling their own destiny. But San Diego in order, I believe, to save Norv Turner‘s job, they’ve got to win today against Denver and keep it going all the way through and make it to the playoffs.

“INSIDE THE NFL” WITH CHARLEY CASSERLY

CASSERLY POTENTIAL SUSPENSION OF DETROIT’S NDAMUKONG SUH FOR DIRTY PLAY IN THANKSGIVING DAY GAME.

Click to view: http://bit.ly/uS2Fk3

CHALK TALK

(More on dirty play in NFL in wake of Ndamukong Suh’s ejection from Thanksgiving Day game against Green Bay)
BILL COWHER: Anything after the whistle to me is wrong. It crosses the line. And in between the whistles, if you’re hitting, you’re trying to intimidate and impose your will, as long as your intent is not to injure. Sometimes you want to hurt someone – you want them to feel it. But you don’t want to injure anybody. So to me it’s very clear.
BOOMER:  There are coaches who taught to go beyond the rules and to try and hurt people. I’ve seen those and been part of those hits many times. There are a few guys like Reggie White, and even Bruce Smith, who I took a late hit from, that play within the rules. They play hard and hit you hard. I get all of that. But there have been other players like Ndamukong Suh that go over the line. There is a clear intent to injure. That’s why he needs to be suspended.
DAN MARINO:  There is nothing wrong with being physical. But with the intent to injure that’s a whole different thing. And that is what Suh has been doing. It’s the intent to injure that drives you crazy.

Click to view: http://bit.ly/tcIDu6

SHANNON SHARPE SAT DOWN WITH DENVER QUARTERBACK TIM TEBOW

THE NFL TODAY’s Shannon Sharpe goes one-on-one with Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow, who talks about his transition to a starting NFL quarterback and the streaking Broncos in preparation of the big AFC West showdown with the San Diego Chargers. Jeff St. Arromand is the producer.

SHARPE: A lot of people seem to think that you (John Fox) and John Elway are not totally on board with Tim being the long?term solution at quarterback.
FOX: Long?term, who knows? In this case right now, Tim’s got us 4?1, got us back in the hunt for the AFC West. And he’s got great intangibles. I think he’s growing as a passer, and we’ll see how far that goes.

Click to view: http://bit.ly/tr2May

REACTION TO TIM TEBOW

SHARPE:  I believe that his head coaches along the way have enabled him to not develop to be a full quarterback. In a quarterback, not only must you be able to run and win football games, but a quarterback in- and-of-itself by nature, you’ve got to throw the football.
COWHER: I understand Denver. You don’t sacrifice a season to try to develop a player. They’re trying to win games. He’s been winning games with them. The only thing I have, Shannon, is he does not acknowledge himself, his weakness. He’s got great virtues. But I think that’s the thing we’d like him to do. He gets delusional with where he’s going to go distancewise. He’s not doing a long?term going to win a championship running this option and the things he’s doing here. It’s not going to happen. He has to get better. And he may acknowledge your weaknesses. We look at his virtues as being positives.

And we’ll have Football Night in America’s interviews for tonight in advance of NBC’s Sunday Night Football game between Pittsburgh and Kansas City.

Fox NFL Sunday Quotage For Week 12

Now we go to Fox NFL Sunday and its notes and quotes for today.

FOX NFL SUNDAY NOTES – 11/27/11

Strahan: Suh Definitely Needs To Get Himself Under Control
Long: Suh Believes He is Above the Rules That Are Applied to Everyone Else
Glazer Reports NFL Commissioner’s Office Expected to Suspend Suh For One or Two Games
Bradshaw: “Jets Run Their Mouths Better Than They Play”

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FOX NFL SUNDAY analysts Howie Long and Michael Strahan react to Ndamukong Suh’s ejection from Thursday’s game and Suh’s postgame comments after stomping on the arm of Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith.
Long:  “Suh’s comments after Thursday’s incident, which I believe were almost as damaging as his actions on the field, left all of us scratching our heads wondering who he is. To me, he’s a bit of an enigma. On the one hand he seems to be a really good guy. On the other hand, he appears to be either incapable of understanding the consequences of his actions or he believes he is above the rules that are applied to everyone else. At a very young point in his career, he’s at a crossroads. How he handles himself from this point forward will in many ways dictate what kind of player he is both on the field and off the field.”
Strahan:  “You couldn’t pick a worse time to do something like that.  It was on Thanksgiving, the only game on TV and you pull something like that. Off the field he seems to be a nice guy. On the field he has a switch but he needs to figure it out quickly. You always have a chance to get a guy back within the rules of the game. If I was his teammate, I’d tell him, ‘you think you had it bad before, you’re going to have it worse now’ because opposing players know they can provoke you. You really need to learn how to control yourself.”
Strahan on whether Suh is a dirty player:  “He’s had nine personal foul penalties in two years. I think he’s aggressive and sometimes that can be interpreted as being dirty but he definitely needs to get himself under control.”
Former NFL VP of officiating and current FOX Sports NFL rules analyst Mike Pereira feels Suh is a dirty player and commented on what kind of punishment the NFL Commissioner will hand down to Suh:  “When I was the head of NFL officiating we looked at trends and trends were repeat offenders. This guy has a rap sheet longer in a year and a half than most guys have in their whole career. He has more fines than Howie Long had in 13 years. I’m starting to think Howie was soft. This guy is beyond being a dirty player. He needs to be suspended for at least two games. You have to send a stronger message than for a typical helmet-to-helmet shot. This is a non-football act and a strong message needs to be sent to a young talented player.”
FOX NFL SUNDAY insider Jay Glazer reports on the action that the Commissioner’s office will take against Ndamukong Suh: “The Commissioner’s office is meeting this morning to decide what action to take against Ndamukong Suh. Right now, they’re looking at a one or two game suspension. As he accrues these fines, the Lions can be fined as well. Once a team gets a certain amount of fines, their team ownership gets fined as well.”
Glazer reports that Lions teammates reprimanded Suh:  “The Detroit Lions players met with Suh on Friday and they got after him.  Especially guys like Kyle Vanden Bosch. They told Suh, ‘we can’t have this, we can’t afford this.’”

————————————————————————————————

Co-host Terry Bradshaw on Indianapolis’ plans to draft a quarterback if the right player is available: “Peyton Manning came out of Tennessee and was the savior for the Colts franchise. Now at the end of his career, possibly, I think he’s in charge of his future. I think Andrew Luck comes in to be the starter. Peyton would have a decision to make whether he wants to stay there or be traded.”

————————————————————————————————

Co-host Terry Bradshaw on the Eagles playoff chances: “I don’t think the Philadelphia Eagles are done. They are doing everything in Philadelphia now they should have been doing at the start of the season. Don’t be surprised if the Eagles go ahead and win out the year and beat this New England Patriots team.”

————————————————————————————————

Analyst Howie Long on the Raiders: “The Raiders are relevant again and that’s good for football. One of the biggest tasks Hue Jackson had was changing the mindset of that football team and I think he’s done that. Another addition was Richard Seymour. A lot of people blinked and scratched their heads about what the Raiders gave up for him thinking if New England gave up on him, he must be done. Richard Seymour has had a huge impact on that football team.”
Long continued on what the Raiders need to do to beat the Bears: “To me, the whole game comes down to the front four. The front four has to dominate the line of scrimmage. With Cutler out, it will be Matt Forte. If they can stop Matt Forte and dominate the running game and also special teams that will be a huge factor in today’s game.”

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Hall of Famer Marcus Allen stops by the pregame set to discuss Bears RB Matt Forte: “He is the quintessential back when you talk about versatility. He has speed, he has power, and he has grace. I like the fact that he runs under balance. He always has balance to make that move.  He has a nose for the end zone which is really important. The Bears should rely on him more. He’s underutilized in my opinion. They should give him the ball.”
Analyst Michael Strahan added: “And also they should give him the money.”

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FOX NFL SUNDAY insider Jay Glazer reports the Chicago Bears believe QB Jay Cutler will return at the end of this season after suffering a broken thumb:  “The good news is that it was a clean break. I’m being told that the Bears actually believe Jay Cutler will be back for the end of the regular season. They are hoping that he can come back for Week 17. There are no plans right now to put him on injured reserve.” 

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FOX NFL SUNDAY analyst Jimmy Johnson believes the only team that can beat the Green Bay Packers are themselves: “They get lackadaisical on defense with no sense of urgency. As long as they’re gunned up and ready to go, there is no team that can beat them.”

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Analyst Jimmy Johnson & Co-host Terry Bradshaw on the San Diego Chargers’ next move, if any.
Johnson:  “Don’t get rid of anybody unless you know you can get somebody better.”
Bradshaw:  “I would not get rid of Norv Turner. He has done too much and won too many division titles in San Diego. I’d give him at least one more year.”

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Co-host Terry Bradshaw when asked if the Jets can run the table or if they only run their mouth: “I think they run their mouths better than they play.”
Analyst Jimmy Johnson added: “They have to run the table if they’re going to make the playoffs.

And we’ll move to the NFL Today next.

ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown Quotage For Week 12

Now we move to ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown and its quotage for Sunday.

ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown Notes and Quotes: Week 12

ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown host Chris Berman and analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson, and Keyshawn Johnson previewed the NFL’s week 12 games with Suzy Kolber, analysts Trent Dilfer and Merril Hoge and NFL Insiders Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen. Some excerpts:

On Ndamukong Suh being ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct Thursday…
Kolber: “We don’t know what burns inside of people, what makes them who they are, but we do know is on the field, you have to maintain some sort of control.”
Jackson: “He crossed the line… this league is very conscious of perception.”
Hoge: “The person that I know and that incident that we saw are different people.”
Dilfer: “Sometimes behind the curtain is very ugly in the National Football League.”

More on Ndamukong Suh – is he out of control?
Jackson: “The sign that it’s out of control for him is that he’s gettin’ ready to miss football games. He hurt his team in a crucial situation on Thanksgiving Day.”
Johnson: “A lot of times athletes, actors, actresses, when they get out of control, Boom, fellas, they start to play their character… You look at Lindsay Lohan and Mean Girls – I don’t know if you had a chance to see that movie – out of control as a teenage girl, out of control in real life.”
Carter: “I did things when I was playin’ that I wasn’t proud of. Wouldn’t be proud that my family saw me, or my mother saw me. But, at the end of that game, I knew what I was doin’. So this theory that guys go out there and this is such a tough game that they don’t know what they’re doin’ – that’s a myth. Matter fact, that’s a lie. He knows what he’s doin’.”
Berman: “It’s turning a lot of people against them and a wonderful story.”

On the Chicago Bears – can they weather the storm without Jay Cutler?
Ditka: “Yes – they are not the Colts… You gotta light bulb that burns out. You gotta put another light bulb in. You put a new light bulb in. Just a little smaller light bulb, that’s all. But it’ll work.” 

On the Denver Broncos – how much longer can they ride the Tim Tebow wave?
Jackson: “Offensively, I’m waiting to see what happens when somebody puts up 24 points, when you put up 30 points. Because the reason that Tim is able to do this at the end of games is because the Broncos are clearly in those games. It is a team game.”

On Ben Roethlisberger…
Dilfer: “Most of us growin’ up understand the difference between pain and injury. And then the great players play great with pain. Ben takes it one more step. Ben has now proven he can play great when he has pain, nuisance like his thumb is, but also through major injuries. Ben is truly one of the tough guys in this league.”

On Jets vs. Bills – can either save their season?
Jackson: “I don’t think so, Boom. I think you look at both teams – same problem: running game and consistency.” 

More on Jets vs. Bills – who wins and why?
Jackson: “I think the Jets. The Bills are one-dimensional without Fred Jackson.”
Johnson: “Big injuries and like Stevie Johnson said, the early success I think hurt this football team. And I gotta go with the Jets.”

On Houston quarterback Matt Leinart…
Dilfer: “He will be successful because all Matt Leinart will have to do is play within the Xs and Os.”

On New England tight end Rob Gronkowski…
Jackson: “Gronkowski gets a lot of credit for his size… he is athletic as well. So give him credit for what he does.”
Ditka: “Physically he is a specimen.”

We’ll move to the NFL on Fox next.

NFL GameDay Morning’s Quotage For Week 12

Let’s provide the Sunday NFL pregame quotage. All of the press releases from the NFL TV partners are in. We give you NFL GameDay Morning from NFL Network as the first post today.

News and Sound Bites From Week 12 Edition of NFL GAMEDAY MORNING

“He must adjust his game and adjust it right now.” – Warren Sapp on Lions DT Ndamukong Suh
“They should take the matter into their own hands and they should suspend him. The Lions should send a message to their team that Ndamukong Suh is not bigger than the team.” – Michael Lombardi on the Lions & Suh
“Jason Garrett has done a wonderful job in reestablishing a culture – a winning culture – back in Dallas.” – Michael Irvin
“Everybody wants to say Mark Sanchez can’t get it done, but for me there are a whole bunch of problems going on here from the concepts, to the receivers, to the quarterback. Because there are so many problems, I don’t think they can fix them.” – Kurt Warner on the New York Jets

NFL GameDay Morning is the FIRST pregame show on the air Sunday morning at 9:00 AM ET, taking viewers straight up to kickoff. Host Rich Eisen joins analysts Michael Irvin, Warren Sapp, Marshall Faulk, Steve Mariucci and new analyst Kurt Warner to bring fans the latest news, injury reports, pregame analysis and game previews.

Quotes from NFL GameDay Morning:
“When you’re a defensive lineman and you’re in the trenches where the big boys are, we have to take care of each other…He must adjust his game and adjust it right now.” – Warren Sapp on Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh

“The league has continued to say we can’t stand this behavior, but I haven’t heard that from the team up to this point. It seems like one side is saying it’s OK, just keep playing and we kind of appease him, and the other side is saying you can’t do that. I think this organization has to step up and say we will not condone this anymore and then go along with what the league has been saying all along.” – Kurt Warner on the Detroit Lions and Ndamukong Suh

“The Cowboys are going to be real formidable going down the stretch because they have weapons that you must deal with.” – Warren Sapp on the 7-4 Dallas Cowboys

“Everybody wants to say Mark Sanchez can’t get it done, but for me there are a whole bunch of problems going on here from the concepts, to the receivers, to the quarterback. Because there are so many problems, I don’t think they can fix them.” – Kurt Warner on the 5-5 New York Jets

“Jason Garrett has done a wonderful job in reestablishing a culture – a winning culture – back in Dallas.” – Michael Irvin on the Dallas Cowboys under head coach Jason Garrett

“As a great defender in this league, I’m disgusted to look at the tape. It’s no more than assignment football: if I have dive, I want the dive; if I have the quarterback, I’m going to hit the quarterback.” – Warren Sapp on defending the option offense the Broncos are running with quarterback Tim Tebow

“They were fancy, they were finessing – they were fooling everybody…That offense needs help, that’s the problem. They are not ready for big-time football.” – Michael Irvin on the difference between the beginning of the season and now for the Buffalo Bills

“We poke holes in the Patriots: they’re great on offense, not so good on defense. But it seems to me that this defense is getting better as we go. Two big wins lately and they’re taking the ball away.” – Steve Mariucci on the New England Patriots’ defense

“Detroit has the components and that’s their defensive front. They were able to attack the offensive line and expose the fact that when in the gun, Aaron Rodgers can be hit. And when you hit him, he’ll go down and he does lose the football at times…The Detroit Lions showed you can attack Aaron Rodgers and this offensive line and get them off of their game.” – Marshall Faulk on if the Detroit Lions exposed a way to beat the undefeated Green Bay Packers

“I don’t know if that exposes a weakness; I think that exposes a strength. That no matter what, even if you think you got us in the first half, wait 30 more minutes [and] this game will be over.” – Michael Irvin on the Green Bay Packers, who led 7-0 at halftime against the Detroit Lions

“I usually look at a team and say who do you have coming to help correct the issue when you’re not going so well? They don’t have anyone coming, but they do have a situation that they can correct and that’s turnovers…You can correct this issue, you can correct a lot of things.” – Michael Irvin on the New York Jets, who have allowed 76 points off turnovers this season

“I look at the strength of the New England Patriots against the weakness of the Philadelphia Eagles’ defense, and I’m not sure outside of a pass rush how they present any kind of a problem for this great Patriots’ offense.” – Kurt Warner on the Patriots offense facing the Eagles defense

“He has to understand that these last five weeks it hasn’t all been about Jay Cutler; Jay Cutler has played good football, but so has the defense, so has Matt Forte, they’ve run the ball extremely well and they’ve protected upfront.” – Kurt Warner on Bears quarterback Caleb Hanie

“The most versatile football player in the National Football League is named Julian Edelman. Watch what he does in any given game. This guy does it all.” – Steve Mariucci on New England’s Julian Edelman

“He was upset when he came into the league and he was out to prove something. Now he’s out to prove something again: that I’m only going to do what I want to do because you’re not paying me.” – Marshall Faulk on Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson

‘Front Office View’ with Michael Lombardi
On Denver Executive Vice President of Football Operations
John Elway:
He needs to continue going forward with the sense that he has to find himself a quarterback that can throw the football effectively. Everybody’s job, especially when you’re rebuilding, is not taken for granted. Tim Tebow has won some games, but John Elway must ask himself this question: can we win a Super Bowl with Tim Tebow and this offense the way we are going? He has to build a team that is not just beating the Oakland Raiders, not beating just the San Diego Chargers, but beating the better teams in the National Football League to get to the Super Bowl. That’s the ultimate goal; it’s not just to win the division, it’s to win the Super Bowl. He answered it correctly without the filter: he’s not sold yet. It’s going to take more time before you can say Tim Tebow is a franchise quarterback, especially in the passing game.

On if Matt Leinart can lead the Texans to the Super Bowl:
What’s going to take the Texans to the Super Bowl is Arian Foster and their defense. This team scores 80 points in the first quarter, 80 points in the second quarter – that’s 160 points to go into halftime. So they’ve played in front which takes the burden of responsibility off of the quarterback. Matt Leinart is not going to take them to the playoffs; the defense will, the running game will. Matt Leinart is the king of checkdown passes, and unfortunately until he can prove he can throw the ball down the field, teams are going to force him to be involved in the game. But the defense is really good in Houston and the running game is good, so I think Matt Leinart is going to be a game-manager all the way.

On if the Philadelphia Eagles overpaid Michael Vick:
Ultimately when they signed him, they knew he was not going to be able to endure the contact and physicality he puts himself in for 16 consecutive games. It’s a little too early to judge his contract yet; this year has been a disappointment for a lot of people. You could say the same thing about Nnamdi Asomugha’s contract, you could say the same thing about Cullen Jenkins’ contract this year based on the way this team has performed. You have to give it a little bit longer time and Michael Vick has to prove to people that he can lead his team, come from behind and not always give the lead up in the fourth quarter when he has a chance with the ball in his hand. That’s ultimately really the fundamental question you have to ask.

On what the Lions should do concerning Ndamukong Suh:
They should take the matter into their own hands and they should suspend him. The Lions should send a message to their team that Ndamukong Suh is not bigger than the team, that he’s serving something other than himself. His actions were really self-indulgent on his part on Thanksgiving, and the team must take action. Now, what happens is when you take action you’re always worried that if the league isn’t in concert with you, then the player can go ahead and he can file a grievance and your actions become watershed. But I really think in concert with the league office the Lions must really make sure that they send a message to the locker room to the other players that they’re going to handle this Ndamukong Suh situation because they can’t let it affect their team for the remainder of the season.

 

On how he would have taken Ndamukong Suh’s post-game comments if he were the team’s GM:

To me you have to understand what you did. Before you can fix the problem, you have to identify what is the problem. I don’t think Ndamukong Suh really understands what the problem is. Somebody better give their full attention to that matter.

For the latest from the ‘Front Office View’ of Michael Lombardi, including his article on Tony Romo, Alex Smith and the remainder of Week 12, visit:
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82474d86/article/romo-carrying-the-cowboys-unlike-49ers-smith-week-12-notes

‘Inside Slant’ with Jason La Canfora
On Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh:
A lot of people anticipate a suspension here and it seems like it’s called for. You talk to GM’s, you talk to coaches, they believe it’s called for. The interesting thing though is there are people in his own locker room who believe it’s called for and frankly, players I’ve talked to, believe the only way this behavior will stop is if the league does suspend him and if the message is sent [that] this can’t be condoned. They feel like the team itself has enabled him in some degree over these last few years in not coming to grips with this and curbing it prior. This is all coming to a head and people need to remember as well that as much as we want instant discipline, this is something that we heard after the Week 12 games are done. We’re talking about a Monday, Tuesday decision.

On Steelers linebacker LaMarr Woodley and Raiders running back Darren McFadden:
LaMarr Woodley tonight I’m not sure he’s going to go. I had a team official tell me it’s maybe a 40 percent chance he plays. They’re cautioning him we’re playing the Chiefs, let’s take the extra week, get you as healed as possible for that stretch run to try to catch the Ravens in that division. Oakland with Darren McFadden a similar situation, probably even a little more severe. He still can’t put weight on that foot the way he’d like to; he’s still rehabbing now, not really blasting it out in practice or testing himself. Not going to go this week, probably not next week either.

On changes to the franchise tag:
There are going to be some unhappy star players when you spin this forward to February because the way the franchise tag is being computed now has changed completely in this CBA. It’s going to cost players millions of dollars. If you want to go and get all of the details on how the formula changed, it’s on NFL.com, I have a column up there. But the reality is some of these tags are going to go down two to three million dollars from what they were last year to this year. That’s not going to make a lot of players happy, but again no one has paid much attention to this so I don’t think a lot of the grassroots know exactly what they’re in for. You spin it forward to Drew Brees: he’d be a bargain at $14.4 million when you have Michael Vick making $16.6 million on his new deal, and Peyton [Manning] and [Tom] Brady at $18 million. Matt Forte, we’ve been talking about his contract situation forever: $7.7 million, that’s not what he has in mind. That’s what the tag would be. He sees guys getting $20-$30 million guaranteed at his position; I don’t think he’d sign that tag for a long time – maybe not ever – until he gets a long-term deal. And Mario Williams coming off that injury, you have guys getting $30 million at his position of defensive end. That tag was $13 million a year ago; only $10.6 [million] given the injury, given where he is. I would expect the Texans maybe tag him and bring him along slowly.

On how the Bears will change their offense with Caleb Hanie at quarterback:
Not a whole heck of a lot. Now, is [Mike Martz] going to attempt as many passes as we’ve seen in the past? Probably not. But their base formations, the things they do, who they are, their verbiage – that’s all going to be the same. That’s why they like Caleb Hanie, and that’s why had they even gotten Kyle Orton on waivers he would have been behind Caleb Hanie in the pecking order. We may see a little more Marion Barber, though; they will run the ball, and they run the ball often maybe a little more with two tight end sets, putting a little more oomph behind the running game. People say Matt Forte, they’ll use him more: they can’t, he’s touching the ball 30 times a game in many cases. If you look the last couple of weeks, and they’re cognizant of this, he’s down around 2.5 [yards] a carry the last few weeks; you only have him doing so much. Marion Barber will be that hammerhead slamming it a little more, that will be a change we see.

For the latest from the ‘Inside Slant,’ including Jason La Canfora’s article on the 2012 franchise tag figures, visit:
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8247df3a/article/2012-franchise-tag-figures-will-be-down-across-the-board

Bold Predictions

Steve Mariucci: Texans quarterback Matt Leinart will throw for 300 yards against the Jacksonville Jaguars

Marshall Faulk: Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow will outrush the entire San Diego Chargers team

Kurt Warner: Five players will score touchdowns in multiple ways

Warren Sapp: Raiders will have seven sacks and two interceptions against the Chicago Bears

Michael Irvin: Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow will throw for 300 yards against the San Diego Chargers.

On NFL.com the following video clips from NFL GameDay Morning are available for viewing:

Week 12 Bold Predictions – The NFL GameDay Morning crew make some bold predictions for Week 12, including some conflicting thoughts on Tim Tebow.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d8247e518/Week-12-Bold-predictions

Sapp: ‘Suh must adjust his game’ – Warren Sapp, Steve Mariucci and Kurt Warner discuss Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh following his ejection from the game against the Green Bay Packers.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d8247dfea/Sapp-Suh-must-adjust-his-game

Confident in the Cowboys – The NFL GameDay Morning crew explains whether they believe the Cowboys are back to their winning ways.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d8247e46c/Confident-in-the-Cowboys

NFL Leftovers – NFL GameDay Morning explains which NFL players and coaches are getting heated up, put on ice or thrown in the trash.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d8247e2cc/NFL-leftovers

Next Man Up – Steve Mariucci examines how the Bears and Texans will adjust their gameplans with new quarterbacks.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d8247e147/Next-man-up

Runway Closing in New York – Can the 5-5 New York Jets fix their problems and make the playoffs?
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d8247e251/Runway-closing-in-New-York

The Marshall Plan: So Many Options – Marshall Faulk examines the option offense the Denver Broncos are running with quarterback Tim Tebow.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d8247e33c/The-Marshall-Plan-So-Many-Options

Stopping Tebow – Steve Mariucci and Warren Sapp discuss how to stop Denver’s option offense.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d8247eb11/Stopping-Tebow

Southpaw Disadvantage – Kurt Warner and Warren Sapp explain the problems starting a left-handed quarterback and why more teams don’t run a no-huddle offense.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/09000d5d8247e713/Southpaw-disadvantage

We’ll have ESPN’s quotage for Week 12 next.

NBC Attempts To Hype Pittsburgh-KC For Sunday Night Football

Since there was no game to flex for Week 12, NBC was stuck with Pittsburgh-Kansas City for Sunday Night Football. I’m sure the Chiefs fans will make for an electric atmosphere at Arrowhead Stadium, but with a 4-6 record, tough to get excited for Sunday Night’s game between with the Steelers.

Usually, NBC will provide some quotes from their analysts on the upcoming SNF game. Not this week.

Here’s NBC’s preview.

THE CHIEFS HOST THE STEELERS IN THE FIRST EVER “SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL” GAME AT ARROWHEAD STADIUM

COVERAGE BEGINS WITH FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA AT 7 PM ET

NEW YORK – November 22, 2011 – The Pittsburgh Steelers, tied for first place in the AFC North, travel to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs in the first ever Sunday Night Football game at Arrowhead Stadium.

Calling Steelers-Chiefs will be six-time Emmy Award-winner Al Michaels (play-by-play), in his 26^th season as the voice of the NFL’s premier primetime package; 12-time Emmy Award-winner Collinsworth, who won the Emmy for outstanding event analyst in both of his seasons in the Sunday Night Football booth; and sideline reporter Michele Tafoya, in her first season on SNF.

Coverage begins Sunday with Football Night in America at 7 p.m. ET with 22-time Emmy Award-winner Bob Costas hosting the program live from inside Arrowhead Stadium. Costas is joined on site by Michaels and Collinsworth for reaction to the afternoon games.

Dan Patrick co-hosts Football Night from Studio 8G at NBC’s 30 Rockefeller Plaza studios and is joined by Super Bowl-winning head coach Tony Dungy, two-time Super Bowl winner Rodney Harrison, Peter King of Sports Illustrated and Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk on NBCSports.com. Alex Flanagan will report from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on the Patriots-Eagles game.

We’re done.

The NFL on Fox Previews Week 12

We move to Fox Sports and what it has in store for us on Sunday.

FOX SPORTS NOTES, QUOTES & ANECDOTES

Week 12 NFL Action Kicks-Off with America’s No. 1 Pregame FOX NFL SUNDAY

TEAMS DEALING WITH INJURY CONCERNS HIGHLIGHT WEEK 12 SUNDAY SLATE – On Sunday, Nov. 27 FOX Sports continues Week 12 with singleheader coverage of six intense matchups – each presented in true HD. Action kicks-off at 1:00 PM ET as Christian Ponder and the Vikings travel to Atlanta to take on Matt Ryan and the Falcons. LaGarrette Blount looks to continue his strong running against a Titans defense that is ranked 22^nd in the NFL against the run. Cam Newton and the Panthers are in Indianapolis to battle the winless Colts. Also, the Rams host the Cardinals. The 4:00 PM ET window opens with the Bears who look to continue their winning ways without Jay Cutler as they take on Carson Palmer and the Raiders. Lastly, the Redskins are in Seattle to face the Seahawks.

Coverage begins at 12:00 PM ET with America’s most-watched Sunday afternoon pregame show, FOX NFL SUNDAY. Terry Bradshaw and Curt Menefee co-host the Emmy Award-winning program and are joined by analysts Howie Long, Michael Strahan and Jimmy Johnson. NFL Insider Jay Glazer presents the latest league news and scoops from the FOX NFL SUNDAY studio while comedic prognosticator Frank Caliendo contributes his weekly “Frank’s Picks” segment. FOX Sports rules analyst Mike Pereira is also on hand to go over any impactful officiating issues.

For instant updates during the week and games from the entire NFL on FOX crew, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/NFLONFOX. Follow the NFL on FOX on-air personalities @Jay_Glazer, @JimmyJohnson, @CurtMenefee, @MikePereira, @MichaelStrahan, @TroyAikman, @KennyAlbert, @CoachBillick, @TimBrewster, @CFD22 (Charles Davis), @DarylJohnston, @The_ChrisMyers, @LauraOkmin, @ChadPennington, @TimRyan99 & @TonySiragusa on Twitter as they provide insight and analysis all weekend. Fans can gain more access to exclusive FOX Sports content by logging on to www.facebook.com/foxsports.

Minnesota Vikings at Atlanta Falcons, Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick & Laura Okmin, going to 32% of USA, 1:00PM
Georgia Dome – Atlanta, GA
MARKETS INCLUDE: Atlanta, Birmingham, Boston, Dallas, Denver, Hartford, Kansas City, Miami, Minneapolis, New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Providence, Salt Lake City, San Diego, Tulsa, West Palm Beach

Tampa Bay Bucs at Tennessee Titans, Dick Stockton, John Lynch & Jennifer Hale, going to 6% of USA, 1:00PM
LP Field – Nashville, TN
MARKETS INCLUDE: Fort Myers, Knoxville, Memphis, Nashville, Orlando, Tampa

Carolina Panthers at Indianapolis Colts, Chris Myers & Tim Ryan, going to 5% of USA, 1:00PM
Lucas Oil Stadium– Indianapolis, IN
MARKETS INCLUDE: Charlotte, Greensboro, Greenville, Indianapolis, Raleigh

Arizona Cardinals at St. Louis Rams, Sam Rosen, Chad Pennington & Tina Cervasio, going to 4% of USA, 1:00PM
Edward Jones Dome – St. Louis, MO
MARKETS INCLUDE: Phoenix, St. Louis

Chicago Bears at Oakland Raiders, Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston & on-field analyst Tony Siragusa, going to 40%, 4:05PM
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum – Oakland, CA
MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Austin, Buffalo, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Detroit, Houston, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Milwaukee, New York, Pittsburgh, San Antonio

Washington Redskins at Seattle Seahawks, Ron Pitts, Jim Mora & Drea Avent, going to 12% of USA, 4:05PM
Qwest Field – Seattle, WA
MARKETS INCLUDE: Baltimore, Norfolk, Portland, Richmond, Sacramento, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington

And we’ll have NBC’s attempt to hype Pittsburgh-Kansas City for Sunday Night Football next.

The NFL Today on CBS Previews Week 12

Let’s see what CBS has in store for us on The NFL Today on Sunday. There’s the first appearance of the Wild and the Wacky, what’s known as “Albert Achievement Awards” on The NFL Today. It has appeared on CBS before as the creator, Marv Albert and his “crack” staff, have done it on the Late Show with David Letterman. Now that Marv is on CBS for the NFL and the NCAA Tournament, it’s only natural that the feature makes an appearance on the network’s sports division.

And we also see that Shannon Sharpe will have an interview with Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow. The less I say about this the better. And in the same show, Victoria’s Secret model Lily Aldridge shows up to “pick” games and to promote the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show which airs on Tuesday on CBS.

I’ve written too much about this. Here’s the CBS press release.

“THE NFL TODAY’s” SHANNON SHARPE SITS DOWN WITH DENVER BRONCOS QUARTERBACK TIM TEBOW; AND MARV ALBERT HANDS OUT HIS “ALBERT ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS” ON SUNDAY, NOV. 27 ON “THE NFL TODAY”

Victoria Secret Model Lily Aldridge Also Stops by THE NFL TODAY

THE NFL ON CBS, broadcasting its 52^nd year of the NFL, continues its 2011 NFL season on Sunday, Nov. 27 (1:00-7:00 PM, ET) beginning with THE NFL TODAY (3:30-4:00, ET) and (12:00 Noon-1:00 PM, ET), respectively, live from THE NFL TODAY studio in the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City.

THE NFL TODAY’s Shannon Sharpe goes one-on-one with Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow, who talks about his transition to a starting NFL quarterback and the streaking Broncos in preparation of the big AFC West showdown with the San Diego Chargers. Jeff St. Arromand is the producer.

In addition, THE NFL ON CBS’s Marv Albert highlights the wacky, wonderful world of the NFL by handing out his “NFL Albert Achievement Awards.” And, Victoria Secret model Lily Aldridge visits the set of THE NFL TODAY with her Week 12 picks against the guys.

James Brown hosts THE NFL TODAY, along with analysts Dan Marino, Boomer Esiason, Shannon Sharpe and Bill Cowher, NFL TODAY “General Manager” Charley Casserly, as well as Lesley Visser reporting.

Eric Mann is senior producer and Bob Matina is director of THE NFL TODAY.

Sean McManus is Chairman, CBS Sports, and serves as the Executive Producer for THE NFL ON CBS.  Harold Bryant is Executive Producer and Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

Fox’s NFL preview for Week 12 is next.

ESPN’s NFL Previews For Week 12

As we move to the home stretch of the NFL season, we move to ESPN’s previews for their programming on Sunday and Monday for Week 12.

ESPN NFL Content Highlights – Week 12

Sunday NFL Countdown: Winning the “Tebow” Way; Knowing Patriots “The Gronk;” Arian Foster; Mayne Event on “Reinventing the Raider Nation;” and Brad Meester’s Inspiration

Chris Berman and analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson, Keyshawn Johnson (on the main set) and Suzy Kolber, Trent Dilfer and Merril Hoge (on the second set), will preview week NFL’s 12 games on Sunday NFL Countdown on November 27, at 10 a.m.  NFL Insider Adam Schefter and senior analyst Chris Mortensen will provide the day’s headlines and league news. In addition, reporting from key games:  Rachel Nichols -– Bills at Jets; Josina Anderson –- Bears at Raiders; Sal Paolantonio –- Patriots at Eagles; and Bob Holtzman -– Broncos at Chargers. Highlights:

• Winning the “Tebow” Way:  Since becoming the quarterback of the Denver Broncos, Tim Tebow has rallied his team to win four of his five starts including two dramatic comeback wins. Tebow’s play has drawn both praise and criticism as the Broncos transformed their offense to suit his skill-set. Ed Werder reports what it means to win the “Tebow Way.”
• Getting to know “The Gronk”:  Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is a fan favorite and a favorite target for quarterback Tom Brady. He is arguably the best red zone target in the NFL – Nos. 1 and 2 in touchdowns and receptions, respectively. ESPN’s Tedy Bruschi, who won three Super Bowl rings with the Patriots, sits down for a one-on-one conversation with the Patriots touchdown machine, known amongst his teammates and fans as “The Gronk.”
• E:60 Presents Arian Foster: Arian Foster, now a fantasy football superstar who had his breakout game week 1 last season with a 231-yard, three-touchdown performance vs. the Colts, was undrafted in the 2009 NFL Draft. The Houston Texans took a chance on Foster and placed him on the practice squad. In a self-narrated feature for ESPN’s award-winning newsmagazine E:60, Foster tells the story of his journey to become one of the league’s top running backs.
• “Mayne Event” – Reinventing the Raider Nation:  For decades, the members of “Raider Nation” have been known as some of the NFL’s most visibly intimidating fans. Dressed in silver and black, these inhabitants of the “Black Hole” convey an aura of lawlessness that has become a major part of the Raiders’ identity over the years. So why has a group of fans so infamous for being hard and tough hired a PR firm to help soften their public image? Kenny Mayne heads to Oakland for answers in this week’s “Mayne Event.”
• Jaguars Center Brad Meester and Young Luke Akerstrom:  On New Year’s eve, five-year old Luke Akerstrom was driving with his parents when he had a silent seizure in the back seat of the car. Doctors told his parents he may never walk or talk again. When Jaguars center Brad Meester found out about the Akerstrom family’s story, unsolicited, he began to frequently visit Luke in the hospital. Meester invited Luke and his family to Jaguars camp this past summer. At the camp, Luke took his first steps again. ESPN’s Rick Reilly tells the inspirational story of the bond between Luke Akerstrom and Jaguars Brad Meester, culminating in Luke being named an honorary captain for the Jaguars’ Week 5 game against Cincinnati, where he took part in the coin flip.

NFL Matchup: Ron Jaworski on Quarterbacks – Ryan Fitzpatrick and Tom Brady

Host Sal Paolantonio and analysts Ron Jaworski and Merril Hoge will preview Sunday’s key games on NFL Matchup. Each NFL Sunday morning (ESPN – 3 a.m. and 7:30; ESPN2 – 8:30 a.m.), the trio brings viewers inside the film room for the Xs and Os of the matchups. Highlights:

• Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. the Jets defense: Looking at the last meeting between the Jets and the Bills, Jaworski shows how Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick needs to do a better job reading rush and coverage indicators if he is to avoid dangerous turnovers that will hurt his team.
• Tom Brady vs. the Eagles defense:  Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has the ability to read the coverage from a defense before the ball is snapped and a very strong arm, a lethal combination for most successful quarterbacks, contends Jaworski, as he explains what areas the Eagles defense must pay close attention to when Brady has the ball.

Monday Night Football: Battle in New Orleans – Manning & Giants vs. Brees & Saints

Eli Manning returns to his hometown of New Orleans to quarterback the New York Giants (6-4), who are tied for first in the NFC East, against Drew Brees and the Saints (7-3) – first in the NFC South – on Monday Night Football on Nov. 28 at 8:30 p.m. ET. Brees has won his last five starts on MNF and is on pace to surpass Hall of Famer Dan Marino’s single-season passing yards record. Saints legend Archie Manning will appear in the MNF open on the night that Eli faces his father’s former team.

From the Superdome in New Orleans, Mike Tirico will call the game along with analysts Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski and sideline reporter Ed Werder. Leading into the telecast at 7 p.m., Chris Berman will host Monday Night Countdown in studio with analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson, Keyshawn Johnson, and NFL insiders Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter. The 90-minute program will offer the latest in NFL news and preview the MNF matchup with on-site host Stuart Scott, analysts Trent Dilfer, Steve Young and contributor Rick Reilly.  ESPN Deportes will also televise MNF.

The Grey Cup: Winnipeg Blue Bombers vs. British Columbia Lions on ESPN3

ESPN3 will carry the 99^th Grey Cup – a matchup between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the British Columbia Lions in Vancouver, British Columbia – on Sunday, Nov. 27 at 6 p.m. ET. Ten-time winners, the Bombers’ most recent Grey Cup victory came in 1990, while the Lions captured their fifth title in 2006. The Lions hope to become just the third team in 34 years to win the Canadian Football League championship at home. Play-by-play announcer Chris Cuthbert and analyst and former Saskatchewan Roughriders Grey Cup champion Glen Suitor will call the TSN telecast which will be available on ESPN3.

And I’ll be back later with more NFL previews for Week 12.