Archive for September, 2012
Sep
30
NBC’s Football Night in America Quotage For Week 4 of the 2012 NFL Season
We will wrap up the Sunday NFL pregame show quotage with NBC’s Football Night in America. As usual, Bob Costas tries to be snarky and it fails. You’ll see what I mean below.
Take a look.
“FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA” NOTES & QUOTES – WEEK 4
“To me, they look like the most complete team in the National Football League.” – Rodney Harrison on the Texans
“It wasn’t quite a Ryder Cup collapse, but it was close” – Cris Collinsworth on the Bills
“Right now, New Orleans does not have confidence. That’s the difference between last year’s team and this year’s team.” – Tony Dungy on the SaintsNEW YORK – Sept. 30, 2012 – Following are highlights for Football Night in America. Bob Costas opened the show live from inside Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia where the Eagles are hosting the New York Giants. Costas was joined on-site by Sunday Night Football commentators Al Michaels (play-by-play) and Cris Collinsworth (analyst), and Hines Ward, the former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver, Super Bowl MVP and newest addition to NBC Sports’ NFL team.
Dan Patrick co-hosted the program from Studio 8G at NBC’s 30 Rockefeller Plaza studios and was joined by Football Night analysts Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison, and NFL insiders Peter King of Sports Illustrated and Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com.
Following are highlights from Football Night:
ON FALCONS
Harrison: “The Atlanta Falcons are finally showing the maturity and the belief that they can win close games in the fourth quarter. I don’t know if they would have been able to win games like this a year ago, or even two or three years ago.”
ON GIANTS-EAGLES
Ward: “Every time you play a divisional game, the opposing team dissects everything about you. Your releases, your tendencies, they know everything about your game. You have to adjust your game a bit. For Cruz, he has to add some new wrinkles into his game. Add some double moves, some speed releases. There is one guy in Philadelphia who knows his moves, Nnamdi Asomugha. If Nnamdi doesn’t adjust his play to Cruz, look for a long day today.”
ON TRASH TALK
Ward: “Any time you talk about someone’s mama, that usually upsets them and gets them out of their game. They take it personally. So you don’t want to use a mama joke.”
ON THE NFL POTENTIALLY RETURNING TO LOS ANGELES
King: The LA City Council unanimously approved, 9-0, a new 75,000 seat stadium for Los Angeles, and I am told the three leading candidates to begin play in 2016 are San Diego, Oakland, and the St. Louis Rams.
Florio: And don’t rule out the Bills and the Jaguars—folks in Jacksonville will love to hear that. I am told if they can get a deal in place by 2013, they can actually start moving dirt and building that stadium by next June.ON LIONS
Harrison: “It’s the same thing every week. Special teams last week. Special teams this week. It’s not about talent. They have plenty of talent. I played on kickoff teams for 15 years. I was 35 years-old, running down on a kick off. There is no excuse for the lack of passion and enthusiasm that they are showing.”
ON BILLS
Harrison: “They are not ready for the show.”
ON CHARGERS
Dungy: “They are still San Diego. They are going to have those performances that you can’t explain, but I think they are the best team in the AFC West.”
ON JETS
Dungy: “Everyone is going to want to take Mark Sanchez out, but I don’t think you can. As a coach, if it doesn’t work, then what do you do?”
Harrison: “Tim Tebow can come in and provide a spark and some type of optimism.”ON PEYTON MANNING
Harrison: “He’s a great quarterback. Obviously he’s a Hall of Fame quarterback, but he needed this game. He started doubting himself. He started saying ‘Do I have still the arm strength? Can I get it done?’ This was a confidence building game for him. He needed this one.”
Dungy: “Don’t worry about the arm strength. He’s going to get those balls where they need to be. The accuracy and the timing, that’s what has got to come for him.”ON THE TEXANS
Dungy: “We had three undefeated teams coming into today. We expected them to stay undefeated since they were all playing at home, but they won in different ways. The Houston Texans are dominating. They played really well.”
Harrison: “To me, they look like the most complete team in the National Football League. They are able to throw the ball down the field, and defensively, we know they can get to the quarterback. But that secondary—creating turnovers, getting to the end zone, just making plays, time after time.”ON THE FALCONS BEING THE BEST TEAM IN THE NFC
Dungy: “They are. They are playing complete games. Winning these games, that’s going to do a lot for their confidence”
Harrison: “I questioned Matt Ryan’s ability to throw the ball down the field. He proved to me today that he can get the ball down the field. They can run, they can do it all.”ON INADVERTENTLY WEARING GIANTS COLORS
Costas: “It has been pointed out to me that I seem to be wearing Giants colors of red and blue tonight. As an objective observer, this was entirely inadvertent Besides, I don’t own a green jacket, having narrowly missed winning the Masters back in 82.”
That will do it.
Sep
30
NBC’s Football Night in America Previews Week 4′s Interviews
Tonight in advance of the Sunday Night Football game between the New York Football Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles, NBC’s Bob Costas talks with the Giants’ Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora, then with Philadelphia’s Michael Vick.
Here’s a preview through transcripts.
BOB COSTAS INTERVIEWS EAGLES QB MICHAEL VICK; GIANTS DE OSI UMENYIORA AND DE JUSTIN TUCK
“I understand that turning the ball over is something that you just can’t do.” – Eagles QB Vick to Bob Costas on being upset by Coach Andy Reid’s comments
“I laughed when I heard that. I didn’t know he had that in him. We’re going to settle this on the football field.” – Giants DE Osi Umenyiora to Bob Costas on being called a ballerina by Eagles RB LeSean McCoyNEW YORK – September 30, 2012 –Bob Costas interviewed Philadelphia Eagles QB Michael Vick, and New York Giants DE Osi Umenyiora and DE Justin Tuck for tonight’s Week 4 edition of Football Night in America, which will preview Eagles-Giants, and also include highlights, analysis and reaction to earlier Week 4 games.
Football Night, the most-watched pre-game studio show in sports, airs each Sunday at 7 p.m. ET with Costas hosting the program live from inside the stadium. He will be joined on site by Sunday Night Football commentators Al Michaels (play-by-play) and Cris Collinsworth (analyst) as well as NBC NFL analyst Hines Ward for reaction to the afternoon games and to preview tonight’s match-up.
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. Carolyn Manno will report from Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on the Saints-Packers game.
INTERVIEWS: Below are excerpts from Costas’ interviews with Vick, Umenyiora and Tuck.
MICHAEL VICK WITH BOB COSTAS
On the nine turnovers at the beginning of the season: “I think it’s just a coincidence, but the thing I get out of it when I go back and look at it is that they all can be corrected. I have to be conscious of who I throw the ball to, when and where. Last week we had no interceptions but I had two fumbles and I just have to do a better job of protecting the ball.”
On whether Coach Andy Reid’s comments at the beginning of the week hurt him: “I understand that turning the ball over is something that you just can’t do. As a coach you don’t have to say the right things all the time. Sometimes he can express what he’s feeling.”
On whether he talked to Reid after the comments: “Yes, we talked about it. The one thing about Andy and I, we just keep it all the way at one-hundred with each other. Meaning, we talk to each other. We are realists about each and every situation. If he feels a certain type of way he can tell me, and I can tell him what I’m feeling without him getting sensitive about it.”
On if he feels there is a special bond between him and Reid that goes beyond coach and quarterback, and if the commonality of tragedy and adversity in their lives brought them closer together: “Yes it has. Coach and I don’t even have to say anything to each other for me to know what he’s thinking or for him to know what I’m thinking. He’s just a great man, and has been very inspirational in my life and has been a great individual that I have gotten to know. It means the world to me that God has placed him in my life and that we have that bond.”
OSI UMENYIORA AND JUSTIN TUCK WITH BOB COSTAS
Tuck on how Vick is different to rush than any other QB: “When you have a guy like Michael, who can put long plays at his feet, you have to be careful. Vick is not one of the taller quarterbacks, so if you keep him in the pocket it makes it tough for him to see downfield. You start seeing that quarterback rating go down a little bit more when he has to be subject to be in the pocket all night.”
Umenyiora: “I concur.”Umenyiora on the worst thing he’s heard from the Philadelphia crowd: “I can’t even repeat it, they are bad. They throw stuff at you and apparently they were throwing Gatorade bottles at the bus when we were leaving last year after the team won. So it’s Philly, I mean this is how they’ve always been, there’s nothing new and this is what we expect.”
Tuck: “As an opposing player you kind of respect that because they have so much passion for their team.”
Umenyiora: “But they’ll talk about their own team too. They’ll let everybody have it.”Umenyiora on his feud with Eagles RB LeSean McCoy: “It started on the field and it progressed to off the field, but you know everything is okay now. We’re cool, we’re alright.”
On being called a ballerina by Eagles RB LeSean McCoy: “I laughed when I heard that. I didn’t know he had that in him. We’re going to settle this on the football field. He’s said some things to me and I’ve said some things to him, and I took the low road.Usually I take the high road but I took the low road and responded and that was out of my character and I’m just going to try to stay out of all that.”
The quotage from Football Night in America will come later this evening.
Sep
30
ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown Quotage For Week 4 of the 2012 Season
Now to ESPN’s quotage and that will conclude the early Sunday NFL pregame stuff. Here we go.
ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown Notes and Quotes: Week 4
ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown host Chris Berman and analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson and Keyshawn Johnson previewed today’s NFL action with Suzy Kolber, analysts Merril Hoge and Ron Jaworski and NFL Insiders Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter. Some excerpts from today’s show:
On the return of NFL officials…
Johnson: “It’s like riding a bike for them. You fall, you get back on and you keep going. I mean, they had an opportunity to talk to each other. They were in shape, they were working out, they were doing the right things. So you just plug ‘em in and you go.”
Ditka: “Professionals need professionals. The best needs the best. And I tell you, it’s good to have these guys back.”
On Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton…
Johnson: “This is the first time that he’s had to face real adversity on the football field… his completion percentage is up from a year ago. His problem is touchdown interceptions. He has to cut that down and he needs to run the football a little bit better like he was doing a year ago. And if he can do that, then I think he’s fine. Okay, I think he’ll be great.”
|Ditka: “I love Cam Newton, but actions speak louder than words. And you know, this guy’s got to be the leader of this football team on and off the field. And there’s no sulking in football. I mean, your body language tells a lot.”
Carter: “Image is everything in this league, Boom. You know, how a guy looks, the confidence he’s exuding. You know, I mean, if you’re the leader, you got to always look like you’re in control.”
Can the New York Jets survive losing Darrelle Revis?
Carter: “I don’t think so. For one, (Antonio) Cromartie, he’s delusional if he thinks he’s the best corner in the NFL, which he said he is now that Revis is hurt.”
Ditka: “If one man – losing one man brings down your whole football team, then you weren’t a very good football team in the first place.”
Jackson: “They’re inconsistent in almost every area.”
Johnson: “When you break down that roster, you look at the 22 guys that are on that football field, there’s probably seven guys that can actually start for other teams… the bottom line is that, they don’t have a lot of talent, so don’t be fooled by the bravado.”
On the Denver Broncos and quarterback Peyton Manning…
Jackson: “I look at the big picture. Last 10 regular-season games, Peyton has 22 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. So, you know, I think, as he says, it’s a work in progress. But I want to see the rest of the team guys play better, with that sense of urgency that they played with when Tim Tebow was on the football team.”
Johnson: “This is a different football team than a year ago. The defense is playing different. They don’t feel like, Jaws, that they have to have a turnover, make a big play because Peyton Manning’s their quarterback.”
Jaworski: “A year ago it was different. You know, you had Tim Tebow at quarterback. You know, the games were tight. Offensive teams were not being aggressive against Denver. It’s a whole different ballgame now. The mentality is different when you play the Broncos with Peyton Manning.”
Game picks: Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots…
Ditka: “Adversity either brings out the best or worst in a team. And I really think the Patriots are going to respond positively. I think it’s too good a coached team, too good a football team.”
Berman: “It’s Armageddon in Buffalo, folks. It’ll be a scene if the Bills win. I like scenes. I’m goin’ with the Bills.”
On NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell…
Johnson: “The commissioner has done a great job since taking over six years ago. You can’t argue that. Okay. The bottom line is the bottom line. He answers to the owners. The owners are the ones making the decisions. He’s delivering the message from the meeting rooms from the owners.”
Jackson: “Best commissioner in any sport. And I think that as you look back on the things that get mismanaged, they are few and far between… no one has done for any sport more than what Roger Goodell has done for the NFL.”
On Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick…
Jaworski: “For 25 years, I played the quarterback position. I have a pretty good idea of what it takes to be successful and what is going through a quarterback’s mind. And when a quarterback is hot, you can just tell: they’re focused and they see the field with great clarity. They know what the defense is doing. Right now as I study Michael Vick, I know what he’s going through. He is not seeing the field with great clarity.”
That’s all for now.
Sep
30
The NFL Today on CBS Quotage For Week 4 of the 2012 Season
Now we move on the NFL Today on CBS as we continue the Sunday NFL pregame quotage. Some news made as CBS NFL insider Jason La Canfora reported that the NFL still wants to push an 18 game schedule knowing it needs to make some concessions to the Players Association.
Here’s the press release from CBS.
NEWS, NOTES & QUOTES FROM CBS SPORTS’ “THE NFL TODAY” WITH JAMES BROWN, DAN MARINO, SHANNON SHARPE, BILL COWHER AND BOOMER ESIASON FOR WEEK 4 ON SEPTEMBER 30
“INSIDE THE NFL” WITH JASON LA CANFORA
(On what is next on NFL’s agenda)
JASON LA CANFORA: Expect to hear more and more about the league’s desire for an 18?game season. It’s something we’ve heard in the past. When you talk to power brokers on either side of this issue, the players or the league, they point to a potential eventual tradeoff with Commissioner Goodell acquiescing some of his powers in exchange to get the 18 games. The players are focused on Commissioner powers right now coming out of this bounty scandal. It would take major concessions from the league to get those 18 games.Click to view report: http://cbsprt.co/NYOJfs
QUICK HITS
(On return of referees)
BILL COWHER: Everyone is smiling now. But I’m sure the honeymoon will be over with the first bad call. The one thing they do bring when they come back is a sense of control. All the skirmishes we’ve been seeing will not be tolerated. The other thing they bring is accountability. There are no more excuses for the players or coaches for losing games.
(On Cam Newton)
BOOMER ESIASON: There is no way that Cam Newton can stand there and look like that (after showing clip of Newton last week at press conference). He’s 0?11 in games which he’s thrown interceptions. I’m not worried about the interceptions. I’m worried about how you come off the interceptions. You are the face of your franchise. You have to ignite the positivity within your fan base, the ownership, your teammates. Because guys like Shannon look to John Elway. Guys like Cris Collinsworth, believe it or not, looked to me. And people looked to Dan Marino down in Miami as the face of the franchise. And that is not how you want him to look.
SHANNON SHARPE: You are right. When you’re the leader of the franchise you never want to give a defeated attitude. You always want to stay positive. Contrary to what they’re telling him, that outside noise, you might not listen to it, but the team hears you. They see you sitting on the sideline, when things are going bad, you’re pouting. But when things are going great, you’re leading the marching band.
(On Jets’ loss of Darrelle Revis)
DAN MARINO: Other than losing a franchise quarterback for a team, this guy, his loss is the most devastating for the Jets because of how they play him defensively, man?to?man.(On Atlanta and QB Matt Ryan)
SHARPE: A quarter-way through the season, the quarterback that is playing the best in the National Football League is Matt Ryan. I’m going on record saying, by Thanksgiving they will have the NFC South sewn up.(On Detroit’s Ndamukong Suh)
SHARPE: I’d like to file a missing person’s report. I’m looking for Ndamukong Suh. Anybody seen Ndamukong Suh?THE NFL TODAY’s Shannon Sharpe sat down with the Texans quarterback Matt Schaub to discuss how he felt not playing in last season’s playoffs, how his ear is after last week, and if the Texans have what it takes to make the Super Bowl. Deb Gelman is the producer. Click to view interview: Http://cbsprt.co/Pk8Dh6
More quotage will be posted as it comes in.
Sep
30
Fox NFL Sunday Quotage For Week 4 of the 2012 Season
Now to Fox NFL Sunday and I’ll provide a couple of videos from today’s show as well.
FOX NFL SUNDAY NOTES – 9/30/12
Johnson: Goodell Stuck a Fork in the Saints Before the Season Even Started
Pereira’s Advice to Returning Officials: Focus on the BasicsAnalyst Jimmy Johnson looks at the mess in New Orleans: “The Saints would have been better off hiring someone like Bill Parcells for the first six games. At least they would have a true head coach. In reality, the coaching situation won’t change. Everyone is weathering the storm until Sean Payton returns next season but for now, this year’s version of the Saints is sunk. I was close to sticking a fork in the Saints but that would be piling on. Of course, Roger Goodell stuck a fork in them before the season ever started.”
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Co-host Terry Bradshaw draws a comparison on what the officials return is like for players and fans: “Say the wife says I’m going to take four days off, you take care of the 8-month old twins and the 4-year old. You’re feeding and changing and taking them everywhere. All of a sudden you are worn out, then she walks in that door and you’re thrilled. You get her a new house, buy her a new ring, and promise her a vacation because you are so glad to see her. That’s how we feel about seeing these officials. We’re glad to have them back.”
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Analyst Howie Long on how the officials returning may help with the struggling Packers’ offense: “They are out of rhythm right now. How are they going to get back? One of the things they talked about this week is going more no huddle now that the old officials are back. The continuity of the game was lost with the replacement officials. Look for that today.”
Analyst Jimmy Johnson added: “Their defense can carry this offense until they get back their rhythm.”
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NFL rules analyst Mike Pereira’s advice to officials returning to the field today:
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FOX NFL SUNDAY Insider Jay Glazer reports on the reason behind Kellen Winslow’s release from the Patriots: “He called me yesterday and just wanted to clear something up – there’s nothing going on with Belichick, nothing with Brady. He said ‘I was trying to help them out. They had some guys banged up at the tight end position but you don’t get to play tight end in New England because of Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski. I just wanted to play somewhere.’
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Co-host Terry Bradshaw sarcastically sums up the Bears as they prepare to meet the Cowboys Monday night:
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Analyst Michael Strahan on what the Eagles game plan should be as they prepare to face the Giants tonight: “Michael Vick has taken a lot of hits and he is indecisive. Jason Pierre-Paul today is going against the third offensive tackle for the Eagles. Philadelphia needs to establish a running game to throw the Giants off rhythm. New York should be feeling confident after the backups Ramses Barden and Andre Brown filled in well. They just can’t get over confident.”
More quotage is on the way.
Sep
30
NFL GameDay Morning Quotage For Week 4 of the 2012 Season
The Sunday NFL pregame quotage press releases are starting to trickle in. We have this from NFL Network in regards to NFL GameDay Morning as hosted by Rich Eisen and joined by a cast of 20,000 analysts.
This is long. It’s almost 1,800 words long, but shorter than in the past.
Check it out.
News and Sound Bites From Week 4 Edition of NFL GAMEDAY MORNING
“It’s just a lot more confidence…Everything is set in order exactly how we thought it was going to be and now it’s time to go get it.” – Falcons WR Roddy White on this year’s team
“The Jets have to come out fast and convince themselves they can win without Darrelle Revis.” – Kurt Warner on the New York Jets without Darrelle Revis
“This is just what the doctor ordered. They’ll get back on track.” – Michael Irvin on the 1-2 New England Patriots facing the Buffalo BillsNFL GameDay Morning is the most comprehensive pregame show on Sunday morning, airing at 9:00 AM ET on NFL Network and taking viewers straight up to kickoff. Host Rich Eisen joins analysts Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp and Michael Irvin to bring fans the latest news, injury reports, pregame analysis and game previews.
‘Sunday Sitdown’ – Falcons Wide Receivers Roddy White & Julio Jones with Michael Irvin
NFL Network’s Michael Irvin sat down with Atlanta Falcons wide receivers Roddy White and Julio Jones to discuss the difference in the offense this season, the team’s 3-0 start and were the duo ranks among the league’s other top receivers.
On the difference in the team this year from the past few seasons:
Roddy White: “It’s just a lot more confidence. This year, new regime, new offensive coordinator, everything is set in order exactly how we thought it was going to be and now it’s time to go get it. So if we don’t win a playoff game, Roddy is going to be upset.”On the difference in the offense this season:
White: “Instead of us coming in with the game plan and the game plan is solid throughout, we have an ever-changing game plan. Our offensive coordinator is so open; he’s never close-minded about anything. If he likes something and you bring it to his attention, he [says], ‘We’ll put that in, no problem.’”
Julio Jones: “For me last year, it was all, ‘Julio, deep route, deep route, deep route.’ Now I do screens, I do a lot of short stuff, move me inside; I can play inside, outside. Basically it’s just been our matchups.”On Julio Jones:
White: “There is stuff out there on the field that he does that a lot of people in this league can’t do. Last week we were in San Diego, he ran a fade and a guy played outside technique. It’s impossible to throw a fade on outside technique. Matt [Ryan] throws it to the corner of the endzone, he jumps up 10 feet in the air, snatches the ball and gets both feet down right there in the corner of the endzone. There are only three or four people in the league that can do that. That’s it.”On Roddy White:
Jones: “Roddy does a great job. He tells me what he sees and I can move my alignment or what should I do for this defense. He’s just a great mentor for me to learn and keep getting better.”
White: “I just love the fact that we compete with each other and want to win so bad…Matt [Ryan] is just finding people and we’re having fun out there.”On if they would expect Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan to have the same kind of attitude during a loss that Panthers quarterback Cam Newton had last week against the Giants:
White: “Never. He would never do that. We’ve taken some beatings around here my past eight years of being here and I just never have seen that type of behavior. That’s not acceptable.”On who the better duo of wide receivers are: Roddy White and Julio Jones, or Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz:
White: “We’re a better group than them. I’m not taking shots at people. Victor Cruz is a lot more of a slot receiver; the big boys play on the outside.”On what he would tell opposing defensive coordinators:
White: “Pick your poison. We’re going to kill you regardless.”To view Irvin’s entire interview with White and Jones, visit:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000067506/Sunday-Sitdown-Double-troubleQuotes from NFL GameDay Morning
- “Roddy White is the perfect possession receiver. It doesn’t mean he can’t go deep; it means he brings to the table the mentality to understand how to get open. He’s a great complement to Julio Jones who you can throw it to him short [or] you send him deep because physically he’s talented. They complement one another so they don’t take balls from one another. That’s how you exist with two great receivers.” – Kurt Warner on how wide receivers Roddy White and Julio Jones can co-exist in the Atlanta Falcons offense
- “You have to convince yourselves you can win without that guy. I don’t think Indianapolis ever did that last year and that’s going to be the key. The Jets have to come out fast and convince themselves they can win without Darrelle Revis.” – Kurt Warner on how a team handles the loss of its best player
- “You can protect [Tom Brady] when it’s the Buffalo Bills. If they’re dropping Mario [Williams] and letting him eat cereal somewhere in the defensive backfield instead of going at the quarterback, you can protect. This is just what the doctor ordered. They’ll get back on track.” – Michael Irvin on the New England Patriots facing the Buffalo Bills
- “What I like the best is he’s showing up in big games; we saw it last year against the Pittsburgh Steelers, we saw it the other night against the New England Patriots. When the games are on the line, he’s showing up and making big plays.” – Kurt Warner on Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco
- “Sean Payton does an excellent job of creating matchups on the outside. That is what they’re missing in these games. You can see it over and over again: players not playing up to their potential, missing that creativity on the coaching staff.” – Kurt Warner on the 0-3 New Orleans Saints
- “They do a better job than anybody in the league at designing plays off of that play action. You add that to the players they have on both sides, the defensive coordinator [Wade Phillips], I say no, they don’t have any weaknesses.” – Kurt Warner on the Houston Texans
- “When I look at the last few Super Bowl champions, they have a dual threat at wide receiver…That’s where my concerns lie with the Houston Texans. You have Andre Johnson, but who else will become that dual threat?” – Michael Irvin on the concerns for the 3-0 Houston Texans
- “The decision that Kyle Shanahan and Mike Shanahan have to make going forward is how much of this option football they will continue with [Robert Griffin III}…I’m concerned about his long-term durability.” – Steve Mariucci on Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III
- “Not only is he going to help taking over some of the head coaching duties, but he gets back to being the linebackers’ coach which he is really good at. The linebackers right now are in disarray.” – Marshall Faulk on the New Orleans Saints when interim head coach Joe Vitt returns from suspension
Front Office View with Michael Lombardi
On Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder:
“The last two years, we’ve seen 10 quarterbacks picked in the first round and we all know not all 10 are going to start and become successful. Some of those teams are going to have to double-back and draft again. Christian Ponder, the Minnesota Vikings may have found their answer. Against a very good San Francisco defense, he led the way…Today he gets Jerome Simpson back, a huge component on the other side of Percy Harvin. He clearly has demonstrated he’s on the right track, which is a huge relief to Vikings fans.”On Seattle Seahawks Russell Wilson:
“We’ve gotten carried away with his leadership, we’ve gotten carried away with the character – tremendous in all areas. But at the end of the day, he’s still not doing very much for their offense. He’s managing the game exactly how they want him to do it, he’s not turning it over which clearly is better than what Tarvaris Jackson did, but I have to wonder what Matt Flynn is thinking…Russell Wilson has a chance to be a great quarterback down the line; I just think the superlatives about his play right now are getting ahead of his actual play. When you study him on tape, height still is a factor and he has to prove that he can make some of these throws before we put him in the Hall of Fame.”On NFL.com the following video clips from NFL GameDay Morning are available for viewing:
Week 4 bold predictions – Watch to see what the NFL GameDay Morning crew picks as their bold predictions for Week 4:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000067505/Week-4-bold-predictions
Are the Houston Texans the best team in the NFL? – Find out if Steve Mariucci and Michael Irvin think that the Houston Texans are truly the best team in the NFL right now:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap1000000067438/Are-the-Texans-the-best-team-in-the-NFL
Struggling franchise quarterbacks providing encouragement – The cast of NFL GameDay Morning take on roles of struggling franchise quarterbacks needing to provide reassurance to their fan bases:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap1000000067436/Struggling-franchise-quarterbacks-providing-encouragement
Why is the New Orleans Saints offense struggling? – NFL Network analyst and former NFL MVP Kurt Warner breaks down why the New Orleans Saints offense has struggled through three weeks:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000067503/Why-is-the-New-Orleans-Saints-offense-strugglingNot quite perfect: Biggest concerns for undefeated teams – NFL GameDay Morning examines the biggest problems facing the NFL’s three remaining undefeated teams:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000067504/Not-quite-perfect-Biggest-concerns-for-undefeated-teamsSteve Mariucci: New game plan for RG3? – Steve Mariucci helps make some big gameday coaching decisions, including a new game plan for Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap1000000067431/Mariucci-New-game-plan-for-RG3
Still doubting Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco? – NFL GameDay Morning discusses if there is any more room to doubt Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco after yet another impressive performance:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000067501/Still-doubting-Joe-Flacco
How much does Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis have left? – Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis has been the perfect example for the linebacker position for 16 years, but how much does he have left?
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000067502/How-much-does-Ray-Lewis-have-leftCan New York Jets soar without cornerback Darrelle Revis? – New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis is shut down for the year, but can the Jets push towards the playoffs without him?
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap1000000067435/Can-New-York-Jets-soar-without-RevisHow does a team handle the loss of its best player? – NFL GameDay Morning calls a Players Only meeting to discuss how a team handles the loss of its best player:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000067507/How-does-a-team-handle-the-loss-of-its-best-playerM&M – Hall of Famers Marshall Faulk and Michael Irvin debate if Eagles quarterback Michael Vick is playing for his job, and which second-year quarterback is playing better: Cam Newton or Andy Dalton:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000067508/NFL-GameDay-Morning-M-and-M
Fox NFL Sunday quotage is next.
Sep
30
Fox Sports Previews Week 4 of the 2012 NFL Season
Here’s what Fox Sports is saying about Week 4. Plus we have announcing assignments and regional splits. It’s all below.
FOX SPORTS NOTES, QUOTES & ANECDOTES
NFL on FOX Doubleheader Sunday
Undefeated Falcons Face Panthers at 1:00 PM ET
Packers Look for Redemption Against Saints at 4:00 PM ETNFL ON FOX WEEK 4 DOUBLEHEADER: NINERS STAY EAST TO FACE JETS & PACKERS LOOK TO RECOVER AGAINST SAINTS – The NFL on FOX presents doubleheader coverage of six games on Sunday, Sept. 30. The action kicks-off as Alex Smith and the 49ers are in New Jersey to take on Mark Sanchez and the Jets. Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and on-field analyst Tony Siragusa call all of the action from MetLife Stadium. In Atlanta, Matt Ryan and the Falcons put their perfect 3-0 record on the line when they face Cam Newton and the Panthers in an NFC South battle. With the NFC North looking to be up for grabs, this Sunday’s early-season Vikings-Lions matchup takes on added significance. Fresh off their dramatic Monday night victory, Russell Wilson and the Seahawks travel to St. Louis to take on the Rams. The second half of FOX’s doubleheader features Aaron Rodgers and the Packers looking to recover from Monday’s last-second loss as they host Drew Brees and the Saints. Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver call the action from Lambeau Field. Also, the Bucs host Robert Griffin III and the Redskins.
Coverage begins at 12:00 PM ET with America’s No. 1 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 breaks the latest league news and scoops from the FOX NFL SUNDAY studio while NFL rules analyst Mike Pereira is available to explain officiating decisions around the league. Comedic prognosticator Rob Riggle provides his weekly picks segment. This week, actress and star of FOX’s NEW GIRL, Zooey Deschanel opens the show while FOX Sports’ Erin Andrews goes to Youngstown, Ohio where the 49ers are spending the week and preparing for their game with the Jets. In the studio, Johnson explains how he would fix the Saints.
For instant updates during the week and games from the entire NFL on FOX crew, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/NFLONFOX. Fans can gain more access to exclusive FOX Sports content by logging on to www.facebook.com/foxsports.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
San Francisco 49ers at New York Jets — Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston & on-field analyst Tony Siragusa, going to 58% of USA, 1:00PM
MetLife Stadium – East Rutherford, NJ
MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Dayton, Denver, Fort Myers, Hartford, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Miami, New York, Norfolk, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Providence, Richmond, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Tulsa, Washington, West Palm Beach
Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons — Dick Stockton, John Lynch & Jennifer Hale, going to 16% of USA, 1:00PM
Georgia Dome – Atlanta, FL
MARKETS INCLUDE: Atlanta, Birmingham, Charlotte, Greensboro, Greenville, Jacksonville, Knoxville, Memphis, Nashville, New Orleans, Raleigh
Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions — Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick & Laura Okmin, going to 13% of USA, 1:00PM
Ford Field – Detroit, MI
MARKETS INCLUDE: Chicago, Detroit, Milwaukee, MinneapolisSeattle Seahawks at St. Louis Rams — Ron Pitts, Mike Martz & Kristina Pink, going to 7% of USA, 1:00PM
Edward Jones Domes – St. Louis, MO
MARKETS INCLUDE: Oklahoma City, Portland, Seattle, St. LouisNew Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers — Joe Buck, Troy Aikman & Pam Oliver, going to 87% of USA, 4:25PM
Lambeau Field – Green Bay, WI
MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Birmingham, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Dayton, Detroit, Greenville, Hartford, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Portland, Providence, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa, Tulsa, West Palm BeachWashington at Tampa Bay Bucs — Chris Myers, Tim Ryan & Krista Voda, going to 9% of USA, 4:25PM
Raymond James Stadium – Tampa, FL
MARKETS INCLUDE: Baltimore, Fort Myers, Greensboro, Norfolk, Raleigh, Richmond, WashingtonLYNCH: DECOUD AND MOORE SPEARHEAD POTENT FALCONS DEFENSE – In preparation of calling this weekend’s Panthers vs. Falcons game, NFL on FOX analyst John Lynch credited the resurgence of Atlanta’s defense to safety combo Thomas DeCoud and William Moore, leading them to a 3-0 record. “I’m seeing a player in DeCoud who looks to have taken the next step,” said Lynch. “He seems incredibly comfortable is this system that Mike Nolan is teaching. Mike’s given this defense a little more latitude to disguise and muddy things up for opposing quarterbacks. It’s a great testament to those safeties. Safeties are always at the heart of the disguise as quarterbacks are looking at them to get them to tell the picture.” Lynch noted strong defensive performances the last two weeks against the Broncos and Chargers. “In playing Peyton Manning and Philip Rivers, two guys who don’t get confused easily, I saw confusion with both of them. Confusion is one thing, but this league is about making plays and both William and Thomas have been making a ton of plays and being very instrumental in the way this defense has been playing.”
Enjoy your football Sunday.
Sep
30
NFL on CBS Announcing Assignments Through Week 7 of the 2012 Season
Here are the NFL on CBS announcing assignments from Week 5 through Week 7.
THE NFL ON CBS
WEEK 5 – Oct. 7 – CBS DOUBLEHEADER
1:00 PM, ET starts:
- Cleveland @ N.Y. Giants — Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf
- Miami @ Cincinnati — Marv Albert/Rich Gannon
- Baltimore @ Kansas City — Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts
4:25 PM, ET starts:
- Denver @ New England — Jim Nantz/Phil Simms
- Buffalo @ San Francisco — Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots
- Tennessee @ Minnesota — Bill Macatee/Steve Tasker
WEEK 6 – Oct. 14
1:00 PM, ET starts:
- Oakland @ Atlanta — Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf
- Kansas City @ Tampa Bay — Marv Albert/Rich Gannon
- Indianapolis @ N.Y. Jets — Jim Nantz/Phil Simms
- Cincinnati @ Cleveland — Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots
4:00 PM, ET starts:
- Buffalo @ Arizona — Bill Macatee/Steve Tasker
- New England @ Seattle — Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts
WEEK 7 – Oct. 21 – CBS DOUBLEHEADER
1:00 PM, ET starts:
- Baltimore @ Houston — Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf
- Cleveland @ Indianapolis — Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots
- Tennessee @ Buffalo — Marv Albert/Rich Gannon
4:25 PM, ET starts:
- New York Jets @ New England — Jim Nantz/Phil Simms
- Jacksonville @ Oakland — Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts
That’s it.
Sep
30
CBS Previews Week 4 of the 2012 NFL Season
Let’s provide you with the previews of the Sunday NFL pregame shows and of Week 4 of the NFL season. I’m too late for ESPN and NFL Network. I’ll provide you with CBS and Fox.
First, NFL on CBS analysts Phil Simms and Dan Dierdorf provide you with their thoughts on the games they’ll be calling today, Oakland at Denver and New England at Buffalo, respectively.
Check it out below.
AUDIBLES WITH “NFL ON CBS” LEAD ANALYST PHIL SIMMS AND DAN DIERDORF
The CBS Television Network, home of Super Bowl XLVII, continues its 53rd year broadcasting the NFL with coverage of THE NFL ON CBS on Sunday, Sept. 30 (1:00-7:00 PM, ET) beginning with THE NFL TODAY, the Network’s one-hour studio show (12:00 NOON-1:00 PM, ET), live from THE NFL TODAY studio in New York City.
THE NFL ON CBS lead announce team of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms call the action from the Oakland Raiders-Denver Broncos game live from Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colo. Lance Barrow is the coordinating producer and lead game producer and Mike Arnold is the lead game director.
Sean McManus is Chairman, CBS Sports, and serves as Executive Producer of CBS Sports’ coverage of THE NFL ON CBS. Harold Bryant is Executive Producer and Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.
* * * * *
PHIL SIMMS
(On Oakland @ Denver): Even though there are basically two new coaches involved, no doubt it’s a heated rivalry that will never die. Although Denver lost to maybe the two best teams in football, they are still losses. What is the Bronco’s state of mind? Now, the Raiders have to be feeling good like they’re turning the corner after coming through at the end of the game on both sides of the ball against the Steelers? It makes me think it’s going to be a good game.
(On the quarterbacks): The big thing with the Raiders was Carson Palmer. He was very good on basically every clutch throw in the game last week. And the other side is Peyton Manning. I’ve been beat up all week with questions about him. If you’re following it and a fan of Denver and of Peyton Manning, or if you’re just a football guy, you have to see what he did against Houston. You have to say there is no doubt it’s going forward. Now he’s got enough games, repetitions, getting hit and feeling the competition of the action. He is going to be able to make adjustments. He is actually getting better each week, even though he threw three interceptions. I don’t judge every game on whether you throw an interception or not. He was tested more in the Atlanta game than he was in the first game against the Steelers. He was tested a lot more against the Houston Texans. And I thought he had some long stretches of really good moments. My biggest question about the game is watching the Broncos offense and how they run it through Peyton Manning.
DAN DIERDORF
(On New England @ Buffalo): The New England Patriots have been sitting on the AFC East Division throne more often than not for the past 10 years. The first thing coaches in that division say to their teams each year is, ‘We can’t do anything if we can’t compete with the Patriots.’ That is what Buffalo and everybody in that division has to do. That is job No. 1. The way you make the playoffs is to win your division. Everybody knows that if you’re going to win the AFC East, you have to beat the New England Patriots.
(On New England): Is this a disappointing start for New England at 1-2? Absolutely. Is there a hint of panic, doubt or desperation in that team? No way. The interesting match-up in this game is going to be in protecting Tom Brady. He has been sacked seven times in their three games. And there have been times where their pass protection has not been as stout and strong upfront as they would like. The Patriots are playing against one of the game’s best front fours. With the addition of Mario Williams, their number one draft pick Marcell Dareus, Kyle Williams and the free agent signing of Mark Anderson – these guys are good.
(On playing in Buffalo): Buffalo is one of those places where it is harder to win than others. It is not necessarily because the best team calls it home. It has always been difficult to win in Buffalo. The Bills are one of those teams that traditionally, over the past 20 years, have played better at home. It’s a tough out in Buffalo. The weather won’t be an issue, but their crowd is excited. Bills fans have a chance to watch their team go to 3-1 and at the same time make the big, bad Patriots fly back to Boston at 1-3.
* * * * *
Following are THE NFL ON CBS assignments for Week 4 (subject to change).
WEEK 4 – Sept. 30
1:00 PM, ET starts:
- New England @ Buffalo — Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf
- Tennessee @ Houston — Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts
- San Diego @ Kansas City — Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots
4:00 PM, ET starts:
- Miami @ Arizona — Bill Macatee/Steve Tasker
- Oakland @ Denver — Jim Nantz/Phil Simms
- Cincinnati @ Jacksonville — Marv Albert/Rich Gannon
And this is what you’ll see on the NFL Today.
THE NFL ON CBS, home of Super Bowl XLVII and broadcasting its 53rd year of the NFL, continues its 2012 NFL season on Sunday, Sept. 30 (1:00-7:00 PM, ET) beginning with THE NFL TODAY (12:00 Noon-1:00 PM, ET).
Houston is 3-0 for the first time in franchise history and one of the main reasons is the play of quarterback Matt Schaub. THE NFL TODAY’s Shannon Sharpe previews the Tennessee Titans-Houston Texans game by sitting down with the Texans quarterback to discuss how he felt not playing in last season’s playoffs, how his ear is after last week, and if the Texans have what it takes to make the Super Bowl. Deb Gelman is the producer.
James Brown hosts THE NFL TODAY along with analysts Dan Marino, Boomer Esiason, Shannon Sharpe and Bill Cowher, NFL TODAY Insider Jason La Canfora, as well as Lesley Visser reporting.
Eric Mann is senior producer and Bob Matina is director of THE NFL TODAY.
Future NFL on CBS announcing assignments are next.
Sep
29
NFL’s A Football Life Focuses On The Final Days of Cleveland Browns 1.0
The next installment of NFL Network’s and NFL Films’ critically acclaimed documentary series will focus on the demise of the Cleveland Browns when owner Art Modell announced he was moving the team to Baltimore. It’s a painful memory for Browns fans like me. And when the season began, there was hope that the team could make the playoffs, but it all quickly collapsed as the roof caved in.
NFL Films talks with former coach Bill Belichick who assembled quite the staff to surround the team including current college coaches Nick Saban of Alabama and Nick Ferentz of Iowa. Also on the staff was current Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz, current NFL Network analyst Mike Lombardi, current Kansas City Chiefs GM Scott Pioli who went with Belichick to New England, former Jets and Browns coach Eric Mangini and so many others.
NFL Films will feature a lot of interviews featuring that Browns staff and former players.
We have the press release and a link to a video preview of the documentary.
STORY OF 1995 CLEVELAND BROWNS DETAILED ON NFL NETWORK’S CLEVELAND ’95: A FOOTBALL LIFE
Emmy-Nominated Series Continues Wednesday, October 3 at 8:00 PM ET
Former Browns Personnel Bill Belichick, Ozzie Newsome, Michael Lombardi, Nick Saban, Scott Pioli Interviewed
“Those years in Cleveland, those teams, those people impacted the NFL. It impacted a lot of football.” – Scott PioliOn December 17, 1995, the Cleveland Browns played their final game at Cleveland Municipal Stadium before relocating to Baltimore. The latest installment of NFL Network’s Emmy-nominated series A Football Life chronicles the Browns’ final season in Cleveland under head coach Bill Belichick, looks at the immediate impact the relocation had on both the city and the organization, and discovers the roots of a football lineage seeded during that time which has reverberated throughout the football world in the 21st century.
Airing Wednesday, October 3 at 8:00 PM ET on NFL Network, Cleveland ’95: A Football Life details the coaching staff and front office executives who took what they learned during their five years under Belichick and applied it throughout their football careers. From current NFL general managers Ozzie Newsome, Scott Pioli, Thomas Dimitroff and Mike Tannenbaum, to three-time national championship head coach Nick Saban, to former NFL head coach Eric Mangini and current Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz, the Cleveland Browns under Belichick consisted of football’s next generation of leaders who continue to impact the game today.
In all, Belichick’s staff in Cleveland included nine future NFL head coaches and general managers, and three head coaches at major college programs.
The one-hour episode includes never-before-seen footage including Belichick meeting with his former staff in team meeting rooms and of Belichick at home. Additionally, pre and postgame footage from the Browns’ final home game is showcased.
Emmy-nominated actor from CBS’ The Good Wife, Josh Charles, narrates.
The story of the 1995 Cleveland Browns is told through interviews with the following people:
Bill Belichick – New England Patriots head coach
Ozzie Newsome – Baltimore Ravens general manager
Nick Saban – University of Alabama head coach
Michael Lombardi – NFL Network analyst and former Cleveland Browns front office executive
Scott Pioli – Kansas City Chiefs general manager
Jim Schwartz – Detroit Lions head coach
Eric Mangini – ESPN analyst and former New York Jets/Cleveland Browns head coach
Thomas Dimitroff – Atlanta Falcons general manager
Phil Savage – Former Cleveland Browns general manager
Mike Tannenbaum – New York Jets general manager
Kirk Ferentz – University of Iowa head coach
Matt Stover – Cleveland Browns kicker, 1991-95
Steve Everitt – Cleveland Browns offensive lineman, 1993-95
Earnest Byner – Cleveland Browns running back, 1984-88; 1994-95For the first look at Cleveland ’95: A Football Life, visit:
http://nflfilms.nfl.com/2012/09/27/first-look-at-a-football-life-1995-cleveland-browns/Following are select quotes from Cleveland ’95: A Football Life:
- “We wanted a tough, hard-nosed, blue-collar football team. That’s what Cleveland is and that’s what we wanted our football team to be.” – Bill Belichick
- “We had a great group of people there and we were all committed to trying to bring that franchise back [to prominence].” – Nick Saban
- “There was that sense of we had turned the corner. All of that time, all of that work, all of that effort – we were poised to make that next jump.” – Eric Mangini
- “I felt bad for that team, the players and the coaches that were working so hard with less than no support. The owner was nowhere to be found; he was in Baltimore. It kind of felt like you were on a deserted island fending for yourself.” – Belichick
- “When I won in 2000 [with the Baltimore Ravens], I owe a lot of that to Bill Belichick.” – Ozzie Newsome
- “Those years in Cleveland, those teams, those people impacted the NFL. It impacted a lot of football.” – Scott Pioli
- “We got better every year, our program improved every year. I wish that it would have turned out a bit differently, but we tried to do what we could and the best that we could for ourselves, for the team and for the city of Cleveland. I have no regrets about that.” – Belichick
Below is the remaining broadcast schedule for A Football Life, airing on Wednesday nights at 8:00 PM ET:
- October 10 – Fearsome Foursome
- October 17 – Steve McNair
- October 24 – Eddie DeBartolo
- October 31 – Chris Spielman
- November 7 – Jimmy Johnson
- November 21 – John Riggins
- December 5 – Barry Sanders
- December 12 – Marcus Allen
- December 19 – The Immaculate Reception
I’ll have the Sunday NFL pregame show previews coming later.
Sep
29
Fox Saturday Baseball Concludes With Three American League Games
The final Saturday in Major League Baseball has Fox providing regional coverage of three games today, all in the American League. Joe Buck will not call a game today. Overall, he’s called 15 out of a possible 26 games, which is pretty good for him.
Today, Matt Vasgersian comes from MLB Network to call the Tampa Bay at Chicago White Sox game with Tim McCarver and Ken Rosenthal. Other games will have Detroit at Minnesota and the Anaheim Angels taking on Texas. And Fox will utilize Daron Sutton from Fox Sports Arizona and Victor Rojas of Fox Sports West to call the games.
Here’s the press release from Fox Sports.
Final Regular Season Weekend of MLB on FOX Showcases Playoff Pursuit
FOX SATURDAY BASEBALL GAME OF THE WEEK TAKES CENTER STAGE AS PLAYOFF RACES HEAT UP – The regular season is coming down the home stretch and FOX Sports presents three MLB matchups with playoff implications on Saturday, Sept. 29 (3:30 PM ET). Out west, Albert Pujols and rookie sensation Mike Trout lead the Angels’ pursuit of a Wild Card berth as they visit the AL West-leading Rangers and MVP-candidate Josh Hamilton. Maintaining their dual pursuits of the AL East and the Wild Card, the Rays travel to Chicago to battle the AL Central-leading White Sox. Matt Vasgersian, Tim McCarver and Ken Rosenthal call the action from U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago. Also leading the AL Central, the Tigers face the Twins in Minneapolis.
Coverage begins with the FOX SATURDAY BASEBALL PREGAME SHOW, originating live from MLB Network’s state-of-the-art Studio 3 in Secaucus, NJ. The show is hosted by MLB Network studio host Greg Amsinger, who is joined by analysts Harold Reynolds and Dan Plesac.
For instant updates throughout the week and during games from the entire MLB on FOX crew, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/MLBONFOX. Fans can gain more access to exclusive FOX Sports content by logging on to www.facebook.com/foxsports.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins — Daron Sutton & Tom Verducci, going to 48% of USA
Target Field– Minneapolis, MN
MARKETS INCLUDE: Atlanta, Baltimore, Birmingham, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Cleveland, Detroit, Greensboro, Greenville, Hartford, Knoxville, Memphis, Minneapolis, Nashville, New York, Norfolk, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Portland, Providence, Raleigh, Richmond, Seattle, Washington
Probable Pitchers: Justin Verlander, RHP (16-8, 2.72 ERA) vs. P.J. Walters, RHP (2-4, 5.88 ERA)Tampa Bay Rays at Chicago White Sox — Matt Vasgersian, Tim McCarver & Ken Rosenthal, going to 29% of USA
U.S. Cellular Field – Chicago, IL
MARKETS INCLUDE: Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Denver, Fort Myers, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Louisville, Miami, Milwaukee, New Orleans, Orlando, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, St. Louis, Tampa, West Palm Beach
Probable Pitchers: Matt Moore, LHP (10-11, 3.92 ERA) vs. Chris Sale, LHP (17-7, 2.86 ERA)
Anaheim Angels at Texas Rangers — Victor Rojas & Eric Karros, going to 22% of USA
Comerica Park– Detroit, MI
MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Austin, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Oklahoma City, Sacramento, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Tulsa
Probable Pitchers: Ervin Santana, RHP (9-12, 4.93 ERA) vs. Derek Holland, LHP (11-6, 4.50 ERA)
That’s all.
Sep
29
NBC Sports Network Has A College Football Doubleheader
Today, NBC Sports Network has a college football doubleheader for Week 5. It’ll begin at noon ET with an Ivy League matchup between Penn and Dartmouth.
Then at 3:30 p.m., NBCSN has the annual Atlanta Football Classic between Florida A&M and Southern.
The details are below.
NBC SPORTS NETWORK AIRS COLLEGE FOOTBALL DOUBLEHEADER THIS SATURDAY
Atlanta Football Classic Between Florida A&M & Southern at 3:30 P.M. ET
Penn vs. Dartmouth at Noon ET
Liam McHugh Hosts College Football Studio Show, Featuring Analysts Hines Ward and Doug FlutieNEW YORK – September 26, 2012 –NBC Sports Network continues its coverage of the 2012 college football season with a doubleheader featuring the Atlanta Football Classic between Florida A&M and Southern University at 3:30 p.m. ET in the Georgia Dome and Penn at Dartmouth at Noon ET.
In a rematch of last year’s 2011 Atlanta Football Classic, the Florida A&M Rattlers take on the Southern University Jaguars at 3:30 p.m. ET. Both teams come off of victories away from home as they look to win at the Georgia Dome.
James Verrett will manage the play-by-play duties for the game and will be joined in the booth by Anthony Herron. Rashan Ali will report from the sideline.
At Noon ET on Saturday, the Penn Quakers face the Dartmouth Big Green at Memorial Field in Hanover, N.H. Penn comes off of two consecutive losses while Dartmouth remains undefeated at 2-0. Randy Moss will handle the play-by-play for the game, alongside analyst Ross Tucker. Carolyn Manno will serve as the sideline reporter.
NBC Sports’ college football studio team of Liam McHugh, 1984 Heisman Trophy Winner Doug Flutie, and two-time Super Bowl champion Hines Ward will provide pre-game, halftime and post-game coverage across NBC and NBC Sports Network throughout the 2012 season.
That’s all.
Sep
29
CBS/CBS Sports Network College Football Games For Saturday
Let’s look at the games that will be aired on the CBS family of networks.
Another week of the SEC on CBS and it will be Uncle Verne Lundquist, Gary Danielson and Tracy “The Wolf” Wolfson at Athens, GA calling Tennessee at Georgia in between the hedges.
For CBS Sports Network, it’s a tripleheader including Louisville at Southern Missouri in primetime.
Here’s what CBS is saying about its weekly SEC game.
“THE SEC ON CBS” FEATURES NO. 5-RANKED GEORGIA TAKING ON TENNESSEE ON SATURDAY, SEPT. 29
Audibles with CBS Sports’ Lead College Football Analyst Gary Danielson
CBS Sports’ coverage of SEC College Football continues on Saturday, Sept. 29 (3:30 PM, ET) with national coverage of *No. 5-ranked Georgia taking on Tennessee.
The CBS Television Network’s lead college football announce team of Verne Lundquist and Gary Danielson call the action live from Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga. Tracy Wolfson serves as lead reporter. Craig Silver, the Network’s coordinating producer of college football, produces and Steve Milton directs.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL TODAY, the Network’s pre-game, halftime and post-game studio show, starts the day on CBS Sports (3:00 PM, ET) with host Tim Brando along with analyst Spencer Tillman. COLLEGE FOOTBALL TODAY keeps viewers updated on all the games throughout the afternoon with scores and highlights. Vin DeVito produces and Linda Malino directs.
After CBS Sports’ live SEC game coverage each Saturday throughout the season, CBS SPORTS NETWORK takes over with SEC TONIGHT (7:00-8:00 PM, ET), providing a recap of all the news, scores and highlights from around the SEC.
In addition, CBS Sports will stream the Tennessee-Georgia game, as well as the entire 2012 SEC ON CBS football schedule live on CBSSports.com. The games are available exclusively on CBSSports.com, CBS Sports Mobile and also can be accessed through a link on the websites of all CBS affiliates. New this season as part of CBSSports.com’s SEC coverage are live pre-game, half-time and post-game shows.
*AP Poll as of 9/24/12
AUDIBLES with CBS Sports’ Lead College Football Analyst Gary Danielson
(On Tennessee):
Tennessee stood toe-to-toe with Florida for the good part of three quarters, and then they got punched in the mouth one time with a big play. After that they seemed to go out of their comfort zone and panicked. They need to learn from that. I believe they are going to be more comfortable on the road than at Neyland Stadium. They feel the pressure at home trying to please their big crowd. Tyler Bray is good enough with those receivers that he can make Georgia play very honest on defense. This should be Tennessee’s best effort of the year. If this one goes down or gets embarrassing, they’ve got trouble ahead.(On Georgia’s Defense):
The way Todd Grantham has built his defense, they are very close to the two elite defenses in the league in Alabama and LSU. The Bulldogs are one of the top five defenses anywhere in college football. They are very gifted and have interchangeable parts at five or six different positions(Keys to the game):
There are enough skilled athletes on Georgia’s defense that it’s going to give Tennessee pause. I’m curious to see if Tennessee will have the discipline to run the ball when it’s not working. If they can’t run the ball, Georgia’s front seven rush will give them a lot of problems. Tennessee will devote a lot of time and effort to make sure they get first downs and not get into a shootout. Look for them to try and establish tight end Mychal Rivera to move the chains. If this does become a high-scoring game, look for it to be a lot of late scoring.
And this is what CBS Sports Network has to tell us about its tripleheader today.
NO. 19-RANKED LOUISVILLE VISITS SOUTHERN MISS IN PRIMETIME TO HIGHLIGHT COLLEGE FOOTBALL ACTION ON CBS SPORTS NETWORK
CBS Sports Network airs a college football tripleheader on Saturday, Sept. 29, highlighted by a primetime matchup between *No. 19-ranked Louisville and Southern Miss (8:00 PM, ET). James Bates, Aaron Taylor and reporter Lauren Gardner call the action from M.M. Roberts Stadium in Hattiesburg, Miss.
Saturday’s action kicks off with a service academy doubleheader, beginning at 12:00 NOON, ET as Stony Brook visits Army at Michie Stadium in West Point, N.Y. Ben Holden and Randy Cross announce, along with guest sideline reporter Cadet Linc Bradham.
San Jose State at Navy follows (3:30 PM, ET) from Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md. Grant Boone, Todd Christensen and reporter Sheehan Stanwick Burch handle the call.
Saturday’s studio programming features SEC TONIGHT (7:00 PM, ET) as host Brent Stover and analysts Brian Jones and Houston Nutt provide post-game coverage of CBS Sports’ “SEC Game of the Week” and discuss the rest of the day’s SEC action. INSIDE COLLEGE FOOTBALL, the Network’s pre-game, halftime and post-game studio show, returns at 11:30 PM, ET to wrap up the day with news and highlights from across the country.
Ross Molloy is Vice President, Remote Production, CBS Sports Network.
For more information, including a full programming schedule and how to get CBS Sports Network, go to www.cbssportsnetwork.com.
*AP Poll as of 9/23/12
NEWS AND NOTES FROM CBS SPORTS NETWORK’S INSIDE COLLEGE FOOTBALL
(AARON TAYLOR ON MICHIGAN STATE-OHIO STATE):
I’ve gone back and forth on this game looking for an advantage every different way. Both of these teams have issues on each side of the ball. In the end, I went with the best defense. Playing at home, Michigan State is 16-1 in their last 17 ball games. I think they get the turnovers corrected and I think the trend for Ohio State is down and their first true road test costs them.To watch the entire segment, click here: http://cbsprt.co/PINCik.
(RANDY CROSS ON STANFORD-WASHINGTON):
I love what David Shaw is doing at Stanford, but I think Steve Sarkisian and the Huskies, when you get them in this type of situation, this is when they’re at their best. And they do have, in my mind, one of the best pure talents in the country in Keith Price playing quarterback.
To watch the entire segment, click here: http://cbsprt.co/QFLHu0.
(BRIAN JONES ON BAYLOR-WEST VIRGINIA):
Phil Bennett’s defense down at Baylor has been woeful stopping the run. Last week the (Louisiana Monroe) Warhawks had 262 yards rushing. There’s no way you’re going to win with that type of statistic. Unless you’re playing West Virginia. Because at the beginning of the season I said their biggest question was their running game. 25 carries for 25 yards all of last week. I know their starter wasn’t in there, but that’s all you can muster is 25 yards? So Baylor has a good chance of going up there and knocking off No. 9.
And one more college football press release coming up.
Sep
29
Thursday Night Football With An Increased Audience Tops 8 Million Viewers
Thanks to having all of the major cable and satellite providers on board for the first time, NFL Network had access to all of the subscribers for Thursday night’s game between the Cleveland Browns and the Baltimore Ravens. It paid off with an average of over eight million viewers, the fifth highest audience for a Thursday Night Football game. Not counting the over the air stations, the game saw an average of 8.1 million viewers.
Thanks to the over eight million viewers, Thursday’s game was the most watched program on cable.
NFL Network says this season is on a pace to be the most watched in Thursday Night Football history.
Here’s the statement.
THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL’S BROWNS-RAVENS TOPS EIGHT MILLION VIEWERS; CONTINUES PACE TO BE MOST-WATCHED SEASON EVER ON NFL NETWORK
8.1 Million Viewers Watch Baltimore Defeat Cleveland 23-16
NFL Digital Media Platforms Deliver over 1 Million StreamsNFL Network’s Thursday Night Football continues to deliver strong viewership numbers in 2012. The Browns-Ravens game was watched by an average of 8.1 million viewers (not including over-the-air stations in Baltimore and Cleveland) – ranking as the fifth most-watched game in the seven seasons of Thursday Night Football and making it the No. 1 program on cable television for Thursday, September 27.
Through three games of its expanded 13-game schedule, Thursday Night Football is averaging a 5.0 US HH rating (+39% vs. 2011 average) and 7.9 million viewers (+28% vs. 2011 average) – on pace to be the highest-rated and most-watched Thursday Night Football season ever.
On the interactive front, coverage and features around the Browns/Ravens game across NFL Digital Media platforms – NFL.com/LIVE, NFL Mobile, and the NFL 12 tablet app – delivered 520k unique viewers (+17% vs. 2011 average) and one million video streams (+15% vs. 2011 average).
Thursday Night Football continues next week with the Arizona Cardinals visiting the St. Louis Rams on Oct. 4 at 8:00 PM ET. The Thursday Night Kickoff pregame show begins at 6:00 PM ET. All Thursday Night Football games are streamed live on NFL Mobile with complementary online coverage via NFL.com/LIVE Thursday Night Football.
That’s all.
Sep
28
Weekend Viewing Picks
Saturday, September 29
Boxing
Boxing After Dark: Edwin Rodriguez vs. Jason Escalara and two other bouts — HBO, 9:30 p.m.
CFL
Toronto at Winnipeg — TSN/ESPN3, 7 p.m.
BC at Saskatchewan — TSN/ESPN3, 10 p.m.
College Football Viewing Picks
English Premier League
Arsenal vs. Chelsea — ESPN2, 7:30 a.m.
Norwich City vs. Liverpool — Fox Soccer Plus, 9:53 a.m.
Fulham vs. Manchester City — Fox Soccer, 10 a.m.
Manchester United vs. Tottenham Hotspur — Fox Soccer, 12:30 p.m.
Everton vs. Southampton — Fox Soccer Plus, 2 p.m. (same day coverage)
Reading vs. Newcastle United — Fox Soccer, 3:30 p.m. (same day coverage)
Stoke City vs. Swansea City — Fox Soccer Plus, 4 p.m.
Sunderland vs. Wigan Athletic — Fox Soccer, 5:30 p.m.
Match Day — Fox Soccer, 9:30 a.m.
Match Day 2 — Fox Soccer, noon
Golf
2012 Ryder Cup, Day Two — NBC, 9 a.m.
Web.com Tour: Chiquita Classic, 3rd Round — Golf Channel, 3 p.m.
Live From the Ryder Cup — Golf Channel, 7 a.m.
Live From the Ryder Cup — Golf Channel, 7 p.m.
Mixed Martial Arts
UFC Fight Night: Struve vs. Miocic — Fuel, 4 p.m.
UFC Prefight Show — Fuel, 3 p.m.
UFC Post Fight Show — Fuel, 7 p.m.
MLB
American League
New York Yankees at Toronto — YES/Rogers Sportsnet, 1 p.m.
Anaheim Angels at Texas — Fox, 4 p.m.
Detroit at Minnesota — Fox, 4 p.m.
Seattle at Oakland — Comcast SportsNet California, 4 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Chicago White Sox — Fox, 4 p.m.
Boston at Baltimore — MLB Network/NESN/MASN, 7 p.m.
Kansas City at Cleveland — STO, 7 p.m.
National League
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh — MLB Network/Fox Sports Ohio/Root Sports Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.
Houston at Milwaukee — Fox Sports Wisconsin, 7 p.m.
New York Mets at Atlanta — SNY/Peachtree TV/Fox Sports South, 7 p.m.
Philadelphia at Miami — Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia/Fox Sports Florida, 7 p.m.
Washington at St. Louis — MASN2/Fox Sports Midwest, 7:15 p.m.
Chicago Cubs at Arizona — WGN America/Fox Sports Arizona, 8 p.m.
San Francisco at San Diego — KNTV/Fox Sports San Diego, 8:30 p.m.
Colorado at Los Angeles Dodgers — Fox Sports Prime Ticket, 9 p.m.
MLB 2012: Down the Stretch — CBS, 2 p.m.
MLB Player Poll — Fox, 3 p.m.
Fox Saturday Baseball Pregame — Fox, 3:30 p.m.
MLB Tonight — MLB Network, 10 p.m.
Quick Pitch — MLB Network, midnight
MLS
New York vs. Toronto — MSG Network/Gol TV Canada, 7 p.m.
Columbus vs. Philadelphia — Fox Sports Ohio/The Comcast Network, 7:30 p.m.
Houston vs. New England — KPRC/Comcast SportsNet New England, 8:30 p.m.
Vancouver vs. Seattle — NBC Sports Network/TSN2/RDS2, 9 p.m.
Chivas USA vs. Real Salt Lake — Fox Sports Prime Ticket/KTVX, 10:30 p.m.
Portland vs. DC United — KPTV/Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, 10:30 p.m.
San Jose vs. Dallas — Comcast SportsNet California/KTXA, 10:30 p.m.
NASCAR
Nationwide Series: Your Name Here 200 — ESPN, 3:30 p.m.
NFL
NFL Live — ESPN2, 4 p.m.
Around the League Live — NFL Network, 5 p.m.
Playbook NFC — NFL Network, 8 p.m.
Playbook AFC — NFL Network, 9 p.m.
Top 10 Trick Plays — NFL Network, 10 p.m.
Scottish Premier League
Aberdeen vs. Hibernian — Fox Soccer Plus, 6:55 a.m.
Motherwell vs. Celtic — Fox Soccer Plus, noon (same day coverage)
Sports Talk
SportsNation — ESPNU, 10 a.m.
Tennis
WTA Tour: Toray Pan Pacific Open, Final — Tennis Channel, midnight
ATP Tour: Malaysian Open, Semifinals — Tennis Channel, 4 p.m. & 6 p.m. (same day coverage)
ATP Tour: Thailand Open, Semifinals– Tennis Channel, 8 p.m. & 10 p.m. (same day coverage)
WNBA Playoffs
Eastern Conference Semifinals
Game 2: Connecticut Sun at New York Liberty — NBA TV, 7 p.m. (Connecticut leads series, 1-0)
Western Conference Semifinals
Game 2: Los Angeles Sparks at San Antonio Silver Stars — NBA TV, 5 p.m. (Los Angeles leads series, 1-0)
Entertainment
Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Revival (season premiere) — Cartoon Network, 9:30 a.m.
Green Lantern: The Animated Series: The New Guy — Cartoon Network, 10 a.m.
Giada at Home: L.A. Hot Spots: Breakfast — Food Network, 11:30 a.m.
Luke Nguyen’s Greater Mekong: Chiang Khong, Thailand — Cooking Channel, 12:30 p.m.
The Perfect 3: Cupcakes — Cooking Channel, 2:30 p.m.
Doctor Who in the U.S. — BBC America, 8 p.m.
Ultimate Factories: UPS – CNBC, 8 p.m.
True Lies — Encore, 8 p.m.
Napoleon Dynamite — IFC, 8 p.m.
Doctor Who: The Angels Take Manhattan – BBC America, 9 p.m.
Happily Never After: To Have and To Kill (season finale) — Investigation Discovery, 9 p.m.
Human Lampshade: A Holocaust Mystery — National Geographic Channel, 9 p.m.
Dateline: Real Life Mysteries: Deadly Triangle – TLC, 9 p.m.
How the States Got Their Shapes: Red State vs. Blue State – H2, 10 p.m.
48 Hours: My Dad’s Killer (season premiere) — CBS, 10 p.m.
Chef Race: UK vs U.S.: Vegas or Bust! – BBC America, 10 p.m.
I Was Impaled: Who Said Exercise Was Good for You? – Discovery Fitness & Health, 10 p.m.
Deadly Affairs: Lust for the Job – Investigation Discovery, 10 p.m.
Dateline: Real Life Mysteries: The Goldfinger Mystery — TLC, 10 p.m.
How the States Got Their Shapes: White Collar vs. Blue Collar – H2 10:30 p.m.
That Metal Show — VH1 Classic, 11 p.m.
Sunday, September 30
College Soccer
Men’s
Louisville at Rutgers — CBS Sports Network, 1 p.m.
Northwestern at Michigan State — Big Ten Network, 3;30 p.m.
Ohio State at Michigan — Big Ten Network, 6 p.m.
UCLA at Cal — Pac-12 Network, 7 p.m.
Oregon State at Washington — Pac-12 Network (Oregon/Washington), 7 p.m.
Women’s
Iowa at Michigan State — Big Ten Network, 1 p.m.
Duke at Virginia — ESPN2, 2 p.m.
LSU at Georgia — ESPN2, 4 p.m.
Oregon State at Cal — Pac-12 Network, 4:30 p.m.
USC vs. Arizona — Pac-12 Network (Los Angeles/Arizona), 4:30 p.m.
Washington State vs. Colorado — Pac-12 Network (Washington/Mountain), 4:30 p.m.
College Volleyball
Women’s
Cal at Arizona — Pac-12 Network, 2:30 p.m.
USC at Washington State — Pac-12 Network (Los Angeles/Washington), 2:30 p.m.
Utah at Oregon State — Pac-12 Network (Mountain/Oregon), 2:30 p.m.
English Premier League
Aston Villa vs. West Bromwich Albion — Fox Soccer, 10:30 a.m.
Goals on Sunday — Fox Soccer, 2 p.m.
Golf
2012 Ryder Cup, Final Day — NBC, noon
Web.com Tour: Chiquita Classic, Final Round — Golf Channel, 3 p.m.
Live From the Ryder Cup — Golf Channel, 10 a.m.
Live From the Ryder Cup — Golf Channel, 6 p.m.
MLB
American League
Kansas City at Cleveland — STO, 1 p.m.
New York Yankees at Toronto — YES/Sportsnet One, 1 p.m.
Boston at Baltimore — NESN/MASN, 1:30 p.m.
Detroit at Minnesota — Fox Sports Detroit/Fox Sports North, 2 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Chicago White Sox — TBS/Sun Sports/Comcast SportsNet Chicago, 2 p.m.
Anaheim Angels at Texas — Fox Sports West/Fox Sports Southwest, 3 p.m.
Seattle at Oakland — Root Sports Northwest/Comcast SportsNet California, 4 p.m.
National League
Philadelphia at Miami — WPHL/Fox Sports Florida, 1 p.m.
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh — Fox Sports Ohio/Root Sports Pittsburgh, 1:30 p.m.
New York Mets at Atlanta — WPIX/Fox Sports South, 1:30 p.m.
Houston at Milwaukee — Fox Sports Houston/Fox Sports Wisconsin, 2 p.m.
Washington at St. Louis — MASN2/Fox Sports Midwest, 2:15 p.m.
Chicago Cubs at Arizona — WGN America/Fox Sports Arizona, 4 p.m.
Colorado at Los Angeles Dodgers — Root Sports Rocky Mountain/Fox Sports Prime Ticket, 4 p.m.
San Francisco at San Diego — Comcast SportsNet Bay Area/Fox Sports San Diego, 4 p.m.
MLB Tonight — MLB Network, noon
Baseball Tonight — ESPN2, 7 p.m.
Quick Pitch — MLB Network, 8 p.m.
Baseball Tonight — ESPN, 8:30 p.m.
Plays of the Week — MLB Network, 9 p.m.
MLS
Colorado vs. LA Galaxy — Galavision/Altitude/KDOC, 7 p.m.
NASCAR
Sprint Cup Series: AAA 400 — ESPN, 2 p.m.
Sports Talk
Morning Drive — Golf Channel, 8 a.m.
Outside The Lines — ESPN2, 10 a.m.
The Sports Reporters — ESPN2, 10:30 a.m.
Tennis
ATP Tour: Malaysian Open, Final — Tennis Channel, 4 p.m. (same day coverage)
ATP Tour: Thailand Open, Final — Tennis Channel, 8 p.m. (same day coverage)
WNBA Playoffs
Eastern Conference Semifinals
Game 2: Indiana Fever at Atlanta Dream– ESPN2, 4 p.m.
Western Conference Semifinals
Game 2: Minnesota Lynx at Seattle Storm — ESPN, 9 p.m.
Entertainment
CBS News Sunday Morning — CBS, 9 a.m.
Jesus Conspiracies: Who Was Mary Magdalene? — Discovery, 9 a.m.
Sandwich King: Healthy: Fit For a King — Food Network, 11 a.m.
Freddie Mercury: The Great Pretender — Biography, 1 p.m.
Earth vs. Sun — Discovery, 3 p.m.
60 Minutes — CBS, 7 p.m.
Once Upon A Time (season premiere) — ABC, 8 p.m.
The Amazing Race 20: Double Your Money (season premiere) — CBS, 8 p.m.
Making Monsters: Horrors For Houston – Travel Channel, 8 p.m.
The Great Food Truck Race: Where In The World is Lubec? (season finale) — Food Network, 9 p.m.
Boardwalk Empire — HBO, 9 p.m.
Sins & Secrets: Catalina Island — Investigation Discovery, 9 p.m.
Snapped: Stephanie Lazarus – Oxygen, 9 p.m.
Dexter (season premiere) — Showtime, 9 p.m.
Bar Rescue: Bikini Bust (season finale) — Spike, 9 p.m.
Making Monsters: Zombie, Say Cheese! — Travel Channel, 9 p.m.
Behind the Music: Carrie Underwood — VH1, 9 p.m.
Copper — BBC America, 10 p.m.
Treme — HBO, 10 p.m.
Unusual Suspects: Blood Trail – Investigation Discovery, 10 p.m.
Homeland (season premiere) — Showtime, 10 p.m.
House Hunters Renovation — HGTV, 11 p.m.
Sep
28
NFL Viewing Picks For Week 4, 09/30/2012
All Times Eastern
NFL Viewing Maps (the 506.com)
Byes: Indianapolis, Pittsburgh
Pregame & Studio Shows
First on the Field — NFL Network, 7 a.m.
NFL Matchup — ESPN2, 8:30 a.m.
NFL GameDay Morning — NFL Network, 9 a.m.
Fantasy Football Today — CBS Sports Network, 11 a.m.
Fantasy Football Now — ESPN2, 11 a.m.
The NFL Today — CBS, noon
Fox NFL Sunday — Fox, noon
NFL Red Zone Channel — DirecTV Channel 703, 12:55 p.m.
NFL RedZone — Check your local listings, 12:55 p.m.
The NFL Today Postgame Show — CBS, 4 p.m.
NFL GameDay Scoreboard — NFL Network, 4 p.m.
Football Night in America — NBC, 7 p.m.
NFL GameDay Highlights — NFL Network, 7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Final — NFL Network, midnight
1 p.m.
CBS
New England at Buffalo — Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf
San Diego at Kansas City — Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots
Tennessee at Houston — Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts
FOX
Carolina at Atlanta — Dick Stockton/John Lynch/Jennifer Hale
Minnesota at Detroit — Thom Brennaman/Brian Billick/Laura Okmin
San Francisco at New York Jets — Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/Tony Siragusa
Seattle at St. Louis — Ron Pitts/Mike Martz/Kristina Pink
4:05 p.m.
CBS
Cincinnati at Jacksonville — Marv Albert/Rich Gannon
Miami at Arizona — Bill Macatee/Steve Tasker
Oakland at Denver — Jim Nantz/Phil Simms
4:25 p.m.
FOX
New Orleans at Green Bay — Joe Buck/Troy Aikman/Pam Oliver
Washington at Tampa Bay — Chris Myers/Tim Ryan/Krista Voda
8:30 p.m.
NBC
New York Giants at Philadelphia — Al Michaels/Cris Collinsworth/Michele Tafoya
DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket Channel Assignments
SiriusXM Satellite Radio Channel Assignments
Sep
28
College Football Viewing Picks For Week 5, 09/29/2012, All Times Eastern
Schedule Courtesy of Matt’s College Sports
Pregame & Studio Shows
College GameDay live from East Lansing, MI — ESPNU, 9 a.m./ESPN, 10 a.m.
BTN Football Pregame — Big Ten Network, 11 a.m.
ACC Blitz — ACC Network, noon
College Football Countdown — ABC, 3 p.m.
BTN Football Gamebreak 2012 — Big Ten Network, 3 p.m.
College Football Today — CBS, 3 p.m.
College Football Scoreboard — ESPN2, 3 p.m.
College Football Scoreboard — ESPN2, 6;30 p.m.
SEC Tonight — CBS Sports Network, 7 p.m.
Inside College Football — CBS Sports Network, 11:30 p.m.
The Final Drive — Big Ten Network, midnight
College Football Final — ESPN2, 1:30 a.m. (Saturday)
noon
Buffalo at UConn — Big East Network (Eamon McAnaney/David Diaz-Infante/Paul Carcaterra)
Indiana at Northwestern — Big Ten Network (Kevin Kugler/Chris Martin/Jon Janesen)
Stony Brook at Army — CBS Sports Network (Ben Holden/Randy Cross/Cadet Linc Bradham)
Penn State at Illinois — ESPN/ESPN3D (Dave Pasch/Brian Griese/Jenn Brown)
Minnesota at Iowa — ESPN2 (Beth Mowins/Joey Galloway/Lewis Johnson)
NC State at Miami (Florida) — ESPNU (Tom Hart/John Congemi)
Ball State at Kent State — ESPN Plus/CSS (Michael Reghi/Doug Graber)
Baylor at West Virginia — FX (Justin Kutcher/Eric Crouch/Darius Walker)
Missouri at Central Florida — Fox Sports Net (national)/Fox College Sports Central/WLVI/KICU (Ron Thulin/Shaun King/Desmond Purnell)
Middle Tennessee State at Georgia Tech — Fox Sports Net (regional) (Mike Hogewood/Riley Skinner/Elizabeth Moreau)
Central Connecticut Stat at Sacred Heart — Fox College Sports Atlantic (Paul Dottino/Steve Levy)
Eastern Kentucky at Tennessee-Martin — Fox College Sports Pacific (Kevin Ingram/Bob Belvin)
Penn at Dartmouth — NBC Sports Network (Randy Moss/Ross Tucker/Carolyn Manno)
Arkansas at Texas A&M — SEC Network, 12:21 p.m. kickoff (Dave Neal/Andre Ware/Cara Capuano)
12:30 p.m.
Duke at Wake Forest — ACC Network
2 p.m.
Nevada at Texas State — Longhorn Network (Dave Armstrong/Kelly Stouffer)
3:15 p.m.
Marshall at Purdue — Big Ten Network (Eric Collins/Derek Rackley/J Leman)
3:30 p.m.
Ohio State at Michigan State — ABC (Brent Musburger/Kirk Herbstreit/Heather Cox)
Tennessee at Georgia — CBS (Verne Lundquist/Gary Danielson/Tracy Wolfson)
San Jose State at Navy — CBS Sports Network (Grant Boone/Todd Christensen/Sheehan Stanwick Burch)
Clemson at Boston College — ESPN2 (Bob Wischusen/Danny Kanell/Maria Taylor)
Virginia Tech vs. Cincinnati at Landover, MD — ESPNU (Anish Shroff/Dan Hawkins)
URI at Bowling Green — ESPN3 (Greg Franke/Tom Cole)
Houston vs. Rice (at Reliant Stadium) — Fox Sports Net (national)/Fox College Sports Atlantic/WMCN/WDCA/KICU (Mike Morgan/JC Pearson/Laura McKeeman)
Idaho at North Carolina — Fox Sports Net (regional) (Paul Kennedy/Keith Jones/Jenn Hildreth)
West Chester at California (PA) — Fox College Sports Pacific (Stan Savern/John Sanders)
Atlanta Football Classic
Florida A&M vs. Southern — NBC Sports Network (James Verrett/Anthony Herron/Rashan Ali)
Montana State at Southern Utah — Root Sports (Northwest/Rocky Mountain)/Audience Network (DirecTV)
4 p.m.
Arizona State at Cal — FX (Craig Bolerjack/Joel Klatt/Petros Papadakis)
6 p.m.
Florida State at South Florida — ESPN (Sean McDonough/Chris Spielman/Quint Kessenich)
UCLA at Colorado — Pac-12 Network (Ted Robinson/Adam Archuleta/Yogi Roth)
7 p.m.
Georgia State at William & Mary — Comcast SportsNet (Bay Area/Chicago/Mid-Atlantic/Northwest)/CSS
South Carolina at Kentucky — ESPN2 (Mike Patrick/Ed Cunningham/Jeannine Edwards)
Towson at LSU — ESPNU (Clay Matvick/Matt Stinchcomb/Allison Williams)
TCU at SMU — Fox Sports Net (national)/Fox College Sports Atlantic (Joel Myers/Brian Baldinger/Jim Knox)
Texas Tech at Iowa State — Fox College Sports Central (Mike Gleason/Dave Lapham/Lesley McCaslin)
Montana at Eastern Washington — Root Sports (Northwest/Rocky Mountain)/Audience Network (DirecTV)
7:50 p.m.
Texas at Oklahoma State — Fox (Gus Johnson/Charles Davis/Julie Alexandria)
8 p.m.
Wisconsin at Nebraska — ABC (Brad Nessler/Todd Blackledge/Holly Rowe)
Louisville at Southern Mississippi — CBS Sports Network (James Bates/Aaron Taylor/Lauren Gardner)
9:15 p.m.
Mississippi at Alabama — ESPN (Joe Tessitore/Matt Millen/Jessica Mendoza)
10 p.m.
Oregon State at Arizona — Pac-12 Network (Kevin Calabro/Glenn Parker/Ryan Nece)
10:30 p.m.
Oregon vs. Washington State at Seattle, WA — ESPN2 (Mark Jones/Brock Huard/Shelley Smith)
Grambling State at Alabama A&M — ESPNU (Joe Davis/Jay Walker) (same night coverage)
Sep
27
Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks
Australian Rules Football
Grand Final
Hawthorn Hawks vs. Sydney Swans — Fox Soccer Plus, 11:30 p.m.
AFL Football Pregame — Fox Soccer Plus, 9 p.m.
CFL
Montreal at Hamilton — TSN/ESPN3, 7 p.m.
Edmonton at Calgary — TSN/ESPN3, 10 p.m.
College Football
Hawaii at BYU — ESPN, 8 p.m.
CFB Daily — ESPNU, 1 p.m.
College Football Live — ESPN2, 3:30 p.m.
This Week in SEC Football — CBS Sports Network, 7 p.m.
Lemming Report — CBS Sports Network, 8 p.m.
College Soccer
Men’s
George Mason at Old Dominion — Fox Soccer, 7 p.m.
UCLA at Stanford — Pac-12 Network, 7 p.m.
Women’s
Washington State at Utah — Pac-12 Network, 3 p.m.
Stanford at Cal — Pac-12 Network (Bay Area), 3 p.m.
Washington at Colorado — Pac-12 Network, 5 p.m.
USC at Arizona State — Pac-12 Network (Los Angeles/Arizona), 5 p.m.
College Volleyball
Women’s
Ohio State at Minnesota — Big Ten Network, 8 p.m.
USC at Washington — Pac-12 Network, 9 p.m.
Cal at Arizona State — Pac-12 Network (Bay Area/Arizona), 9 p.m.
Colorado at Oregon State — Pac-12 Network (Mountain/Oregon), 9 p.m.
Utah at Oregon — Pac-12 Network, 11 p.m.
Golf
2012 Ryder Cup, Day One — ESPN, 8 a.m.
Web.com Tour: Chiquita Classic, 2nd Round — Golf Channel, 3 p.m.
Live From the Ryder Cup — Golf Channel, 7 p.m.
Live From the Ryder Cup — Golf Channel, 7:30 p.m.
Mixed Martial Arts
Bellator Fighting Championships 74 — MTV2, 8 p.m.
The Ultimate Fighter: We Have Control — FX, 10 p.m.
MLB
American League
Boston at Baltimore — MLB Network/NESN/MASN, 7 p.m.
Kansas City at Cleveland — Fox Sports Kansas City/STO, 7 p.m.
New York Yankees at Toronto — MLB Network/YES/Rogers Sportsnet, 7 p.m.
Anaheim Angels at Texas — Fox Sports West/KTXA, 8 p.m.
Detroit at Minnesota — Fox Sports Detroit/Fox Sports North, 8 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Chicago White Sox — Sun Sports/WCIU, 8 p.m.
Seattle at Oakland — Root Sports Northwest/Comcast SportsNet California, 10 p.m.
National League
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh — Fox Sports Ohio/Root Sports Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.
Philadelphia at Miami — WPHL/Fox Sports Florida, 7 p.m.
New York Mets at Atlanta — SNY/Peachtree TV/Fox Sports South, 7:30 p.m.
Houston at Milwaukee — Fox Sports Houston/Fox Sports Wisconsin, 8 p.m.
Washington at St. Louis — MASN2/Fox Sports Midwest, 8:15 p.m.
Chicago Cubs at Arizona — Comcast SportsNet Chicago/Fox Sports Arizona, 9:30 p.m.
Colorado at Los Angeles Dodgers — Root Sports Rocky Mountain/Fox Sports Prime Ticket, 10 p.m.
San Francisco at San Diego — Comcast SportsNet Bay Area/Fox Sports San Diego, 10 p.m.
The Rundown — MLB Network, 2 p.m.
MLB Tonight — MLB Network, 6 p.m.
MLB Tonight — MLB Network, 10 p.m.
Baseball Tonight — ESPN2, midnight
Quick Pitch — MLB Network, 1 a.m. (Saturday)
MLS
Sporting Kansas City vs. Chicago — NBC Sports Network, 8:30 p.m.
NFL
NFL Live — ESPN2, 4 p.m.
Around the League Live — NFL Network, 5 p.m.
Playbook NFC — NFL Network, 8 p.m.
Playbook AFC — NFL Network, 9 p.m.
Top 10 Trick Plays — NFL Network, 10 p.m.
Sports Talk
NFL AM — NFL Network, 6 a.m.
The ‘Lights — NBC Sports Network, 7 a.m.
The Dan Patrick Show — Audience Network (DirecTV)/Fox Sports Net, 9 a.m.
Tim Brando Show — CBS Sports Network, 10 a.m.
The Box Score — Audience Network (DirecTV)/DanPatrick.com, noon
The Scott Van Pelt Show — ESPNews, 2 p.m.
Outside The Lines First Report — ESPN2, 3 p.m.
SportsNation — ESPN2, 5 p.m.
ROME — CBS Sports Network, 6 p.m.
Around the Horn — ESPNews, 6 p.m.
Pardon the Interruption — ESPNews, 6:30 p.m.
CNBC Sports Biz: Game On! — NBC Sports Network 7 p.m.
UNITE — ESPNU, midnight
Tennis
WTA Tour: Toray Pan Pacific Open, Semifinals — Tennis Channel, midnight & 2 a.m.
ATP Tour: Thailand Open, Quarterfinals — Tennis Channel, 2 p.m., 8 p.m. & 10 p.m. (same day coverage)
UFL
Omaha Nighthawks at Sacramento Mountain Lions — CBS Sports Network, 11 p.m.
WNBA Playoffs
Eastern Conference Semifinals
Game 1: Atlanta Dream at Indiana Fever — ESPN2, 7 p.m.
Western Conference Semifinals
Game 1: Seattle Storm at Minnesota Lynx — ESPN2, 9 p.m.
Entertainment
Shark Tank — ABC, 8 p.m.
CSI: NY (season premiere) — CBS, 8 p.m.
Bering Sea Gold: Under the Ice: Dive to the End — Discovery, 8 p.m.
Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team — CMT, 9 p.m.
Bering Sea Gold: Under the Ice: After the Dredge: Part 1 — Discovery, 9 p.m.
America’s Most Wanted — Lifetime (The Network That Hates Men), 9 p.m.
XIII: The Key — Reelz, 9 p.m.
Boss — Starz, 9 p.m.
20/20: Classroom Confidential — ABC, 10 p.m.
Dateline NBC — NBC, 10 p.m.
Strike Back — Cinemax, 10 p.m.
Eden Eats: Charlotte — Cooking Channel, 10 p.m.
Yukon Men: Man Up, Move Out — Discovery, 10 p.m.
Deadly Women: Love You to Pieces — Investigation Discovery, 10 p.m.
House Hunters International: London — HGTV, 10:30 p.m.
Skin to the Max: Kyoto; Berlin — Cinemax, 11 p.m.
Late Show with David Letterman — CBS, 11:35 p.m.
Sep
27
Jim Rome Officially Joins CBS Sports Radio
We knew this was coming, but today, we get the official announcement. Jim Rome will become part of CBS Sports Radio when it launches full-time on January 2, 2012. He’ll be in his traditional noon to 3 p.m. ET slot that he currently occupies at Premiere Radio Networks. Rome’s show will lead into the previously announced Doug Gottlieb Show that will air from 3-6 p.m. ET.
In addition to his show, Rome will offer commentaries in the CBS Sports Minute that is already being offered to CBS and Cumulus-owned radio stations.
As part his contract that he signed last year with CBS, Rome will appear on CBS Sports on its major events, Showtime, CBS Sports Network where he already has a nightly show and now CBS Sports Radio so you could say he’s all in on CBS platforms.
We have the official announcement from CBS Sports Radio.
JIM ROME JOINS CBS SPORTS RADIO
Newly Created Radio Network To Launch On Jan. 2, 2013
CBS Sports Radio today announced the newest member of its line-up for when the nation’s largest 24/7 major-market radio network launches next year. Jim Rome will serve as host of The Jim Rome Show, broadcast live weekdays from 12:00 Noon-3:00PM, ET beginning on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013.
Also at the start of the new year, Rome will provide his unique take on the day’s sports headlines via the CBS Sports Minute, 60-second commentaries that can be heard hourly on CBS Sports Radio affiliate stations. Rome recently signed a multi-year agreement with CBS contributing across a variety of platforms. In addition to his weekday ROME show on CBS Sports Network, he provides commentary for CBS Sports and CBSSports.com. Further, Rome will also be hosting a talk series for Showtime, which will air later this Fall on the premium network.
“Jim would be at the top of any list highlighting sports radio’s most authoritative and opinionated hosts which is exactly why we’re thrilled to welcome him to CBS Sports Radio,” said Dan Mason, President and CEO, CBS RADIO. “We are building a network that showcases the incredible assets of CBS RADIO and CBS Sports, and creating a strategic opportunity for growth in this untapped marketplace. Jim’s presence in this marquee timeperiod adds strength to our lineup and exceptional value to our advertisers.”
“I am excited for the continued opportunity to extend my personal contributions to the various platforms that this incredible company has to offer,” said Rome. “I am proud to be a part of the CBS family and look forward to the successful launch of CBS Sports Radio.”
Perhaps the most respected voice in the world of sports broadcasting, Rome is one of the leading opinion-makers of his generation. Best known for his aggressive, informed, rapid-fire dialogue, Rome has established himself as the top choice of athletes and fans when it’s time to know what is going on beyond the scoreboard.
For more than 15 years, Rome has hosted a nationally syndicated radio program, “The Jim Rome Show,” a.k.a. “The Jungle,” reaching millions of listeners nationwide. His show on ESPN, “Rome Is Burning,” signed off in January 2012 after airing for six years.
Rome previously served as host of the popular program “The Last Word with Jim Rome,” broadcast nightly on Fox Sports Net, for five years. Prior to that, he spent a two-year stint hosting ESPN2’s Talk2, a nightly one-hour interview show. Rome began his radio career at KTMS, Santa Barbara as the “$5-an-hour” traffic reporter and covered UC Santa Barbara’s sports. He left KTMS for San Diego’s all-sports station, XTRA Sports 690, where he created “The Jim Rome Show.” The show was first syndicated in 1996.
In addition to his extensive sports broadcasting career, Rome has made cameo appearances alongside Al Pacino and Matthew McConaughey in “Two For The Money,” with Adam Sandler in ”The Longest Yard” and opposite Michael Jordan in “Space Jam”; appeared in blink-182’s music video; appeared on HBO’s “Arliss;” and released a CD, Welcome to the Jungle, which features memorable sound bites from frequent callers and the hip music regularly used on his radio show.
CBS Sports Radio will offer around-the-clock national sports coverage and programming, harnessing the power and resources of CBS RADIO and the award-winning CBS Sports. High-profile figures from CBS Sports, CBS Sports Network and CBSSports.com will play a prominent role on CBS Sports Radio which will reach more than 10 million listeners at launch. Original programs across multiple weekday and weekend time periods will feature expert sports commentary and interviews with major sports figures along with listener calls and fan interaction. It was previously announced that Doug Gottlieb will serve as host of afternoons (weekdays, 3:00-6:00 PM, ET) on CBS Sports Radio.
Cumulus Media Networks serves as the exclusive syndicator and sales partner for CBS Sports Radio.
That will do it.
Sep
27
TBS Unveils The Announcing Crews for the 2012 MLB Postseason
With the rights to the two Wild Card Playoff games, along with rights to the entire League Division Series (albeit for two games that go to MLB Network) and the American League Championship Series, Turner Sports has made public the announcing assignments for the 2012 MLB Postseason.
One change from the studio crew. Cal Ripken, Jr. moves from the studio to joining Ernie Johnson, Jr. and John Smoltz for one Wild Card game and one LDS. Brian Anderson will be the part of the other main team joined by Joe Simpson and Ron Darling. Other teams for the LDS will Dick Stockton and Bob Brenly. NESN’s Don Orsillo heads back to the postseason to be joined by Buck Martinez. Nice to have EJ back after he was away last year tending to family business.
On-field reporters will be Jaime Maggio, David Aldridge, Tom Verducci and Craig Sager.
The studio crew will have Matt Winer, Dennis Eckersley and David Wells.
We’ll find out which announcing teams will be assigned to which series when we discover the matchups. Here’s the Turner Sports press release.
2012 MLB Postseason Begins Exclusively on TBS with First-EverWild Card Games on Friday, October 5
TBS’ Exclusive MLB Postseason Coverage Includes up to 18 Division Series Games and the ALCS
TBS will offer extensive coverage of the 2012 MLB Postseason beginning with the exclusive presentation of the first-ever Wild Card on Friday, October 5. The network, in its sixth consecutive year televising the Division Series and one League Championship Series, will also be the exclusive home of up to 18 Division Series games and the entire American League Championship Series coverage on TBS.
TBS’ coverage of the Wild Card, LDS and ALCS will be handled by a deep roster of veteran commentators:
- Ernie Johnson will handle play-by-play alongside analysts John Smoltz and Ron Darling for the network’s exclusive coverage of the ALCS.
- For the network’s coverage of the Wild Card and Division Series, TBS will feature a pair of three-man commentator teams: play-by-play announcer Brian Anderson, who called Roy Halladay’s historic no-hitter on TBS during the 2010 NLDS, will be joined by veteran analysts Darling and Joe Simpson; and Johnson will mark his return to the TBS postseason broadcast booth, handling play-by-play alongside Hall of Famer Cal Ripken and Smoltz.
- Division Series announce teams will also include veteran play-by-play announcer Dick Stockton, joined in the booth once again by former MLB manager and long-time TV analyst Bob Brenly; and Don Orsillo (play-by-play) and Buck Martinez (analyst) will return for their sixth and fifth postseasons, respectively, with TBS.
- Reporters for the LDS will include MLB insider and Sports Illustrated/SI.com senior baseball writer Tom Verducci, who will also provide reports from the National League Championship Series (NLCS). Craig Sager will return to the MLB Postseason on TBS for his sixth year as a reporter and will work the ALCS for the network. Turner Sports veteran David Aldridge, who covered the MLB Postseason on TBS from 2007-2010, will return as a reporter during the LDS. Jaime Maggio, who has served as a reporter for the 2011 MLB Postseason on TBS, NBA Playoffs on TNT and Turner Sports’ presentation of the NCAA Tournament, will contribute to the network’s LDS coverage.
The MLB On-Deck pre-game show and Inside MLB post-game show will have in-depth game reports and post-game interviews from every LDS game, as well as the ALCS and NLCS. Matt Winer will once again serve as studio host alongside returning veteran analysts: Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley and two-time World Champion David Wells during the LDS.
In the first year of the new postseason format, two Wild Card teams in each league will play a single-elimination game with each winner advancing to compete with the three division championship from its respective leagues in the Division Series.
The network’s production plans will utilize state-of-the-art technology to bring fans unique insights into each game:
- 3D Hologram Imagery: Innovative 3D imagery will illustrate detailed examples of pitch grips while demonstrating the pressure points, release points and rotation. Analysts will use the tool to explain how pitches work and how the hitter approaches each type of pitch.
- Super Slo-Mo: TBS will triple the amount of Super Slow-Motion cameras utilized throughout the network’s postseason coverage.
- Bloomberg Stats: TBS will once again utilize Bloomberg Sports’ vast resources as they integrate comprehensive statistical information into each telecast. The service allows game and studio analysts to examine every pitch of each game to find patterns and pick out tendencies.
- Pitch Trax: The in-game technology which illustrates pitch location throughout the game will return to TBS for the postseason.
Additionally, Turner Sports will encourage fans interaction across social media platforms:
- Twitter: @MLB_TBS, @PostseasonPete and @TurnerSportsPR will provide game alerts, programming information and key statistical information throughout the postseason. Also, TBS MLB broadcasters will periodically answer questions from fans via Twitter chats. Fans can use #Postseason to join the conversation throughout the Wild Card games, LDS, ALCS and NLCS.
Facebook: Fans can also check out the MLB on TBS Facebook page to find the latest schedule information, behind-the-scenes photos and other special features
There you have it.
Sep
27
Fox Sports Media Group’s College Football Games For Week 5 Including Announcing Assignments
Let’s take a look at the college football game with announcing assignments on the Fox Sports Media Group. Overall, 15 games aired either on Big Ten Network, Fox, FX, Fox College Sports and Fox Sports Net.
Take a look at what the networks will have in conferences ranging from the Big Ten, Big 12, C-USA, Pac-12 and others.
Check it out.
College Football on FOX Advance Programming Schedule
September 29
All times Eastern unless otherwise indicated<tdOUTLETPlay by PlayAnalystSideline
DATE TIME
GAME Saturday, Sept. 29 7:30 PM
Texas at Oklahoma St. FOX/FOX Deportes Gus Johnson Charles Davis Julie Alexandria Saturday, Sept. 29 12:00 PM
Indiana at Northwestern BTN Kevin Kugler Chris Martin Jon Jansen Saturday, Sept. 29 12:00 PM
CCSU at Sacred Heart FCS Atlantic Paul Dottino Steve Levy Saturday, Sept. 29 12:00 PM
Eastern Kentucky at UT-Martin FCS Pacific Kevin Ingram Bob Belvin Saturday, Sept. 29 12:00 PM
Middle Tennessee State at Georgia Tech FS South Mike Hogewood Riley Skinner Elizabeth Moreau Saturday, Sept. 29 12:00 PM
Missouri at UCF FSN (National) Ron Thulin Shaun King Desmond Purnell Saturday, Sept. 29 12:00 PM
Baylor at West Virginia FX Justin Kutcher Eric Crouch Darius Walker Saturday, Sept. 29 3:15 PM
Marshall at Purdue BTN Eric Collins Derek Rackley J Leman Saturday, Sept. 29 3:30 PM
West Chester at California University (PA) FCS Pacific Stan Savern John Sanders Saturday, Sept. 29 3:30 PM
Idaho at North Carolina FS South Paul Kennedy Keith Jones Jenn Hildreth Saturday, Sept. 29 3:30 PM
Houston vs. Rice (from Reliant Stadium) FSN (National) Mike Morgan JC Pearson Laura McKeeman Saturday, Sept. 29 4:00 PM
Arizona St. at Cal FX Craig Bolerjack Joel Klatt Petros Papadakis Saturday, Sept. 29 6:30 PM
Portland State at Northern Arizona FCS Pacific Mitch Strohman Kevin Stephens Reggie Eccleston Saturday, Sept. 29 7:00 PM
Texas Tech at Iowa St. FCS Central Mike Gleason Dave Lapham Lesley McCaslin Saturday, Sept. 29 7:00 PM
TCU at SMU FSN (National) Joel Meyers Brian Baldinger Jim Knox
That’s it.
Sep
27
ESPN’s College Football Games For Week 5 Including Announcing Assignments
Let’s look at the college football games ESPN will air this week. It all begins tonight with two games on the ESPN family, one on ESPNU and a Pac-12 game on ESPN.
Interesting week, ABC has just two games, one at 3:30 p.m. ET with Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit and Heather Cox in East Lansing, MI for the Ohio State-Michigan State. ABC’s primetime game will have Brad Nessler, Todd Blackledge and Holly Rowe calling Wisconsin at Nebraska.
The other ESPN networks have lots of action including Mississippi at Alabama called by Joe Tessitore, Matt Millen and Shelley Smith Jessica Mendoza.
Let’s take a look at the games that ESPN’s networks will air this weekend.
Seven of Top Eight Teams across ESPN Networks; Five of Top Six in Prime Time on Saturday
ESPN’s college football schedule this week will include seven of the top eight teams in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. The lineup is highlighted by five of the top six in prime time across ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPNU on Saturday, Sept. 29.
- An ESPN doubleheader kicks off with No. 4 Florida State at South Florida at 6 p.m. ET followed by No. 1 Alabama against SEC West rival Ole Miss at 9:15 p.m. ESPN Radio will also broadcast the Ole Miss at Alabama game.
- An ESPN2 doubleheader showcases SEC and Pac-12 conference contests beginning with No. 6 South Carolina at SEC East foe Kentucky at 7 p.m. followed by No. 2 Oregon versus Pac-12 North rival Washington State from Seattle at 10:30 p.m.
- ESPNU will televise No. 3 LSU against Towson at 7 p.m.
ESPN and ESPN Radio will combine to cover the other two of the top eight teams. The Thursday ESPN College Football Primetime matchup on September 27 will pit undefeated No. 8 Stanford at Washington at 9 p.m. ESPN Radio will broadcast No. 5 Georgia against Tennessee on Saturday, Sept. 29, at 3:30 p.m.
In addition, ABC will broadcast two Big Ten contests on Saturday, Sept. 29: unbeaten No. 14 Ohio State at one-loss No. 20 Michigan State at 3:30 p.m. and Wisconsin at No. 22 Nebraska in a showdown of 3-1 teams at 8 p.m.
ESPN, ABC, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN3, ESPN 3D, Longhorn Network and ESPN Radio Schedule
Date Time (ET) Game / Commentators Network Thu, Sep 27 7:30 p.m. Morgan State at North Carolina A&T
Joe Davis & Jay WalkerESPNU 9 p.m. No. 8 Stanford at Washington
ESPN: Rece Davis, Jesse Palmer, David Pollack & Samantha SteeleRadio: Bill Rosinski, David Norrie & Shelley SmithESPN & ESPN Radio Fri, Sep 28 8 p.m. Hawaii at BYU
Carter Blackburn, Rod Gilmore & Jemele HillESPN Sat, Sep 29 Noon Penn State at Illinois
Dave Pasch, Brian Griese & Jenn BrownESPN & ESPN 3D Noon Minnesota at Iowa
Beth Mowins, Joey Galloway & Lewis JohnsonESPN2 Noon NC State at Miami
Tom Hart & John CongemiESPNU Noon Arkansas at Texas A&M
Dave Neal, Andre Ware & Cara CapuanoESPN3 & SEC Network Noon Buffalo at Connecticut
Eamon McAnaney, David Diaz-Infante & Paul CarcaterraESPN3 * & BIG EAST Network Noon Ball State at Kent State
Michael Reghi & Doug GraberESPN3 * Noon Middle Tennessee at Georgia Tech ESPN3 * & RSN Noon Central Connecticut at Sacred Heart ESPN3 12:30 p.m. Duke at Wake Forest ESPN3 * & ACC Network 2 p.m. Nevada at Texas State
Dave Armstrong & Kelly StoufferLonghorn Network 2 p.m. Miami (Ohio) at Akron
Dave Weekley & Rocky BoimanESPN3 3:30 p.m. No. 14 Ohio State at No. 20 Michigan State
Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit & Heather CoxABC 3:30 p.m. No. 17 Clemson at Boston College
Bob Wischusen, Danny Kanell & Maria TaylorESPN2 3:30 p.m. Virginia Tech vs. Cincinnati (from Landover, Md.)
Anish Shroff & Dan HawkinsESPNU 3:30 p.m. Tennessee at No. 5 Georgia
Bill Rosinski, David Norrie & Joe SchadESPN Radio 3:30 p.m. Louisiana Tech at Virginia
John Sadak, John Gregory & Angela MallenESPN3 3:30 p.m. Ohio at Massachusetts
Bob Picozzi & Rene IngogliaESPN3 3:30 p.m. Central Michigan at Northern Illinois
Dan Gutowsky & Cory ChavousESPN3 3:30 p.m. Rhode Island at Bowling Green
Greg Franke & Tom ColeESPN3 3:30 p.m. Idaho at North Carolina ESPN3 * & RSN 3:30 p.m. Troy at South Alabama ESPN3 4 p.m. Southeastern Louisiana at Lamar ESPN3 5 p.m. North Texas at Florida Atlantic
Shawn Kenney & John BuntingESPN3 6 p.m. No. 4 Florida State at South Florida
Sean McDonough, Chris Spielman & Quint KessenichESPN 6 p.m. Samford at Georgia Southern ESPN3 7 p.m. No. 6 South Carolina at Kentucky
Mike Patrick, Ed Cunningham & Jeannine EdwardsESPN2 7 p.m. Towson at No. 3 LSU
Clay Matvick, Matt Stinchcomb & Allison WilliamsESPNU 7 p.m. Toledo at Western Michigan
Jim Barbar & Ben LeberESPN3 7 p.m. Western Kentucky at Arkansas State
Rich Hollenberg & Stan LewterESPN3 7 p.m. Florida International at Louisiana-Lafayette
Jonathan Yardley & Forrest ConolyESPN3 7 p.m. Indiana State at Southern Illinois ESPN3 7 p.m. Missouri State at South Dakota State ESPN3 8 p.m. Wisconsin at No. 22 Nebraska
Brad Nessler, Todd Blackledge & Holly RoweABC 8 p.m. UNLV at Utah State
Trey Bender & Jay TaylorESPN3 9:15 p.m. Ole Miss at No. 1 Alabama
ESPN: Joe Tessitore, Matt Millen & Jessica Mendoza
Radio: Dave Lamont, Tom Ramsey & Brett McMurphyESPN & ESPN Radio 10:30 p.m. No. 2 Oregon at Washington State (from Seattle)
Mark Jones, Brock Huard & Shelley SmithESPN2 10:30 p.m. Grambling State at Alabama A&M
Joe Davis & Jay WalkerESPNU *** * Local blackout may apply
*** Live on ESPN3 at 7 p.m. ET & same day delay on ESPNU
That will do it.
Sep
27
Hannah Storm & John Anderson Lead ESPN’s New York City Marathon Team
In November, ESPN will air live coverage of the annual New York City Marathon that goes through all five boroughs of the Big Apple. It marks the first time the marathon will be aired live across the country. NBC had the rights, but chose to shovel live coverage of the race to its local WNBC-TV affiliate along with Universal Sports and then show highlights hours later.
Now, the entire country will have access to ESPN2′s live coverage on November 4 on TV’s and through WatchESPN. New Yorkers will also see live coverage on WABC-TV.
ESPN2′s on-air team will be led by Hannah Storm and John Anderson. We have the full press release below.
SportsCenter’s Storm, Anderson to Lead ESPN Team for New York City Marathon on November 4
Five-borough Race Returns to National Live TV for First Time in Almost 20 Years
SportsCenter anchors Hannah Storm and John Anderson will lead the ESPN team of commentators as host and play-by-play for ESPN’s live telecast of the New York City Marathon on Sunday, Nov. 4. Nationally, the telecast will be available on ESPN2 and – for fans who receive their video subscriptions from an affiliated provider – on computers at WatchESPN.com and on smartphones and tablets via the WatchESPN app. ABC will also present a two-hour national broadcast at 4 p.m. Locally, New Yorkers can watch the race on WABC-TV and 7online.com. This is the first year of a five-year television package and marks the return of the Marathon to live national TV for the first time in almost 20 years.
ESPN’s Storm and Anderson will be joined by analysts Carrie Tollefson and Tim Hutchings and reporter Lewis Johnson. Tollefson is an Olympian and five-time NCAA champion in track and field and cross country. Hutchings, an Olympian and former international distance runner, and Johnson, an All-American in track, both covered the 2012 Olympic Games. Juli Benson, Ed Eyestone and David Wiley and WABC-TV’s sports anchors Rob Powers and Laura Behnke will also report from the course.
Anderson said, “Short of my first SportsCenter, I have never been more excited about any assignment I’ve had here at ESPN. The New York City Marathon is a 26.2-mile finish line. From gun to tape it’s non-stop exhilaration with support from the entire city. I’ve run the marathon and nothing ever hurt better in my life. It doesn’t matter if you’re in the lead or in 47,358th place, the crowd treats every runner the same – like a champion.”
Storm added, “There is perhaps, no sporting event in America more closely attached to its neighborhoods and city – while at the same time being an instantly recognizable international event – than the New York City Marathon. It’s a part of the fabric of this great city and I’m thrilled to be involved in the broadcast of such an iconic sporting event.”
More than 47,000 runners, including USA Olympians Abdi Abdirahman, Amy Hastings and Meb Keflezighi and Olympic Marathon gold medal champion Tiki Gelana of Ethiopia, are expected to participate.
NYC Marathon Schedule:
Date Time (ET) Show Network Sun, Nov 4 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Pre-Race & NYC Marathon WatchESPN 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Pre-Race & NYC Marathon WABC-TV, 7online 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. NYC Marathon ESPN2 4-6 p.m. NYC Marathon Show ABC *All times ET unless otherwise noted.
There you have it.
Sep
27
NFL Agreement with the NFL Referees Association
After marathon bargaining sessions that started Saturday and culminated late on Wednesday night, the National Football League and its Referee Association finally came together on a new eight year agreement. After the disaster on Monday night that gave Seattle a totally undeserved win over the Green Bay Packers, calls to get a new contract for the regular officials increased as it was apparent that the replacement referee experiment was not working three weeks into the new season.
Well, with this new agreement, it means that the real officials will be on the field for Thursday night’s game between the Cleveland Browns and the Baltimore Ravens on NFL Network. And while the contract has yet to be ratified, that is expected to be a formality when a vote is taken on Friday. Once that is settled, the referees will be back on the field en masse on Sunday.
We have the official announcement from the National Football League.
NFL, NFLRA REACH EIGHT-YEAR AGREEMENT
The NFL and the NFL Referees Association agreed tonight to the terms of a new eight-year collective bargaining agreement that will return the game officials to the field for this weekend’s games, beginning with Thursday night’s Cleveland at Baltimore game.
The agreement, the longest with the game officials in NFL history, was reached in New York between the negotiating teams for the NFL and the NFLRA with the assistance of Scot Beckenbaugh and Peter Donatello of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. The agreement must be ratified by the NFLRA membership. Under the commissioner’s authority, Commissioner Goodell can enter into this agreement without a vote of the NFL clubs.
Commissioner Goodell temporarily lifted the lockout so that the officials can work Thursday night’s Cleveland at Baltimore game prior to their ratification vote. The officials will meet Friday and Saturday to vote on the agreement. If it is approved, a clinic for the officials will be held following the vote.
“The long-term future of our game requires that we seek improvement in every area, including officiating,” Commissioner Goodell said. “This agreement supports long-term reforms that will make officiating better. The teams, players and fans want and deserve both consistency and quality in officiating.”
“We look forward to having the finest officials in sports back on the field, and I want to give a special thanks to NFL fans for their passion. Now it’s time to put the focus back on the teams and players where it belongs.”
The agreement includes the following key terms:
- Eight-year term covering the 2012-2019 seasons.
- The current defined benefit pension plan will remain in place for current officials through the 2016 season (or until the official earns 20 years of service). The defined benefit plan will then be frozen.
- Retirement benefits will be provided for new hires, and for all officials beginning in 2017, through a defined contribution arrangement, which will have two elements: an annual league contribution made on behalf of each game official that will begin with an average of more than $18,000 per official and increase to more than $23,000 per official in 2019, and a partial match on any additional contribution that an official makes to his 401(k) account.
- Apart from their benefit package, the game officials’ compensation will increase from an average of $149,000 a year in 2011 to $173,000 in 2013, rising to $205,000 by 2019.
- Beginning with the 2013 season, the NFL will have the option of hiring a number of officials on a full-time basis to work year-round, including on the field.
- The NFL will have the option to retain additional officials for training and development purposes, and may assign those additional officials to work NFL games. The number of additional officials will be determined by the NFL.
Nice to have this in place. Now let’s get the NHL Lockout solved.
Sep
27
Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks
College Football
Morgan State at North Carolina A&T — ESPNU, 7:30 p.m.
Wingate at Carson Newman — CBS Sports Network, 8 p.m.
Stanford at Washington — ESPN, 9 p.m.
CFB Daily — ESPNU, 1 p.m.
College Football Live — ESPN, 3:30 p.m.
Inside College Football — CBS Sports Network, 7 p.m.
College Football Live — ESPN, 8 p.m.
College Soccer
Women’s
Penn State at Ohio State — Big Ten Network, 8 p.m.
Oregon State at Stanford — Pac-12 Network, 9 p.m.
Golf
Web.com Tour: Chiquita Classic, 1st Round — Golf Channel, 3 p.m.
Ryder Cup Opening Ceremony — Golf Channel, 5 p.m.
Live From the Ryder Cup — Golf Channel, 6 p.m.
Mixed Martial Arts
MMA Uncensored — Spike, 10 p.m.
MLB
American League
Kansas City at Detroit — Fox Sports Detroit, 1 p.m.
Oakland at Texas — Comcast SportsNet California/Fox Sports Southwest, 2 p.m.
Seattle at Anaheim Angels — Root Sports Southwest/Fox Sports West, 3:30 p.m.
New York Yankees at Toronto — MLB Network/YES/Sportsnet One, 7 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Chicago White Sox — MLB Network/Sun Sports/Comcast SportsNet Chicago, 8 p.m.
National League
Milwaukee at Cincinnati — Fox Sports Wisconsin/Fox Sports Ohio, 12:30 p.m.
Pittsburgh at New York Mets — Root Sports Pittsburgh/SNY, 1 p.m.
Chicago Cubs at Colorado — WGN America/Root Sports Rocky Mountain, 3 p.m.
Arizona at San Francisco — Fox Sports Arizona/Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, 3:45 p.m.
Miami at Atlanta — Fox Sports Florida/SportSouth, 7 p.m.
Washington at Philadelphia — MASN/Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
Los Angeles Dodgers at San Diego — KCAL/Fox Sports San Diego, 10 p.m.
The Rundown — MLB Network, 1 p.m.
MLB Tonight — MLB Network, 6 p.m.
MLB Tonight — MLB Network, 11 p.m.
Quick Pitch — MLB Network, midnight
Baseball Tonight — ESPN2, 1 a.m. (Friday)
NFL
Cleveland at Baltimore — NFL Network/WKYC/WBAL, 8:20 p.m.
NFL Live — ESPN, 4 p.m.
Around the League Live — NFL Network, 4 p.m.
Thursday Night Kickoff — NFL Network, 6 p.m.
Thursday Night Football Postgame — NFL Network, 11:30 p.m.
NFL Total Access: Thursday Night Football Postgame — NFL Network, midnight
Sports Talk
NFL AM — NFL Network, 6 a.m.
The ‘Lights — NBC Sports Network, 6 a.m.
Morning Drive — Golf Channel, 7 a.m.
The Dan Patrick Show — Audience Network (DirecTV)/Fox Sports Net, 9 a.m.
Tim Brando Show — CBS Sports Network, 10 a.m.
The Box Score — Audience Network (DirecTV)/DanPatrick.com, noon
The Scott Van Pelt Show — ESPNews, noon
Outside the Lines First Report — ESPN, 3 p.m.
Numbers Never Lie — ESPN2, 4 p.m.
SportsNation — ESPN2, 5 p.m.
Pardon the Interruption — ESPN, 5:30 p.m.
ROME — CBS Sports Network, 6 p.m.
UNITE — ESPNU, midnight
Tennis
WTA Tour: Toray Pan Pacific Open, Quarterfinals — Tennis Channel, 1 a.m., 4 a.m. & 6 a.m.
ATP Tour: Thailand Open, Early Rounds — Tennis Channel, 8 p.m. & 10 p.m. (same day coverage)
WNBA Playoffs
Eastern Conference Semifinals
Game 1: New York Liberty at Connecticut Sun — ESPN2, 8 p.m.
Western Conference Semifinals
Game 1: San Antonio Silver Stars at Los Angeles Sparks — ESPN2, 10 p.m.
Entertainment
The Big Bang Theory (season premiere) — CBS, 8 p.m.
Saturday Night Live: Weekend Update Thursday — NBC, 8 p.m.
Last Resort (series premiere) — ABC, 8 p.m.
History Exposed: Tools of Deception — Military Channel, 8 p.m.
Fast N’ Loud: Recharged — Discovery, 9 p.m.
Blog Cabin — DIY Network, 9 p.m.
History Exposed: Nazi Gold — Military Channel, 9 p.m.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes — HBO, 9 p.m.
Person of Interest (season premiere) — CBS, 9:01 p.m.
Symon’s Suppers: Better With Bacon — Cooking Channel, 9:30 p.m.
Louie (season finale) — FX, 10 p.m.
Very Bad Men: The Toy Box Torturer — Investigation Discovery, 10 p.m.
Rock Center with Brian Williams (season premiere) — NBC, 10 p.m.
After the First 48: Devil Inside; Flight Risk — A&E, 10 p.m.
Elementary (series premiere) — CBS, 10:01 p.m.
House Hunters International: Panama — HGTV, 10:30 p.m.
Gigolos: Courtesan Session — Showtime, 11 p.m.
Conan — TBS, 11 p.m.
Late Show with David Letterman — CBS, 11:35 p.m.
Sep
26
Sports Media Weekly No. 120 — Joe Flint, Los Angeles Times
Another edition of Sports Media Weekly. Keith Thibault of Sports Media Journal and I are back talking about the news of the week and we focus on what else? The replacement refs and the impact on the NFL’s ratings which is none. However, Keith and I talk about how the story of the replacements have gone from just a sports story to one that has grown into discussion on the morning news shows, The View and other non-sports programs.
Keith and I were hopeful that an agreement with the real refs can be made in time so that the train wreck interest factor can be reduced.
And we talked about Time Warner Cable finally adding the NFL Network.
Joe Flint of the Los Angeles Times is our guest. Joe is a TV writer and is part of the Company Town blog at LATimes.com.
Keith and I asked him about the new Time Warner Cable sports regional network that will rely heavily on Los Angeles Lakers games and content. Joe told us that the Lakers have control over who will cover the team on the network and that has already led to the dismissal of former NESN Red Sox reporter Heidi Watney.
We then went to talking about the NFL replacement referee situation and how the league’s television partners are not showing any muscle in getting the real officials back on the field.
Joe told us how the NFL ratings muscle can just about beat any programming including The Emmy Awards.
Keith and I then went off the beaten sports media path by talking about the new fall TV season as CBS and Fox have some red flags to be concerned with.
I also asked Joe about the Honey Boo Boo phenomenon and what he thought about Sunday’s Emmys.
Find the podcast on iTunes by doing a search for “Sports Media Journal” or
to listen at your leisure.
Sep
26
NFL Ratings Are Once Again Top of the Heap
The NFL could have grown naked men as replacement refs and the league would still garner the ratings it generated this past week. Once again, CBS’ 4:25 p.m. ET national window and NBC’s Sunday Night Football were 1-2 respectively in the overall finish of all TV programs last week. Last week it was NBC then CBS.
Again, NFL games finished on top of the local ratings in all of the league’s local markets. Check out the numbers as they’re listed below.
Head-to-Head: Patriots-Ravens on NBC Sunday Night Football Tops Primetime Emmys by 8 Million Viewers
RECORD-SETTING: NFL Games Top Local Ratings in All 30 Markets For Each of First Three Weeks
NFL telecasts ranked 1-2 in viewership among all television programs last week (Sept. 17-23) with the CBS national telecast (mostly Texans-Broncos) topping the charts with 24.0 million average viewers followed by Patriots-Ravens on NBC’s Sunday Night Football drawing 21.3 million viewers.
In head-to-head competition, Sunday Night Football topped by eight million viewers the Emmy Awards on ABC (13.3 million viewers).
Locally, NFL games topped the ratings in all 30 NFL markets – marking the first time NFL telecasts have been the No. 1 rated show locally in all markets for each of the first three weeks of a season.
The Packers-Seahawks Week 3 ESPN Monday Night Football game averaged 16.2 million viewers to rank as the most-watched cable program since January’s BCS National Championship Game (Alabama-LSU).
Following is the list of the NFL markets where football was the top-rated program for the week of Sept. 17-23:
Week of 9/17–9/23
HH
HH
RTG
Market Game Date
RTG
SHR
Rank
Pittsburgh Steelers at Raiders 9/23/12
47.1
70
1
New Orleans Chiefs at Saints 9/23/12
44.0
66
1
Denver Broncos at Falcons 9/17/12
40.3
60
1
Baltimore Patriots at Ravens 9/23/12
37.4
56
1
Boston Patriots at Ravens 9/23/12
36.1
57
1
Buffalo Bills at Browns 9/23/12
35.4
59
1
Indianapolis Jaguars at Colts 9/23/12
34.8
59
1
Kansas City Chiefs at Saints 9/23/12
33.3
59
1
Minneapolis 49ers at Vikings 9/23/12
32.6
68
1
Cincinnati Bengals at Redskins 9/23/12
29.6
53
1
Atlanta Broncos at Falcons 9/17/12
28.8
44
1
Dallas Bucs at Cowboys 9/23/12
28.7
56
1
Houston Texans at Broncos 9/23/12
28.1
48
1
Cleveland Bills at Browns 9/23/12
27.3
52
1
Charlotte Giants at Panthers 9/23/12
26.6
42
1
Nashville Lions at Titans 9/23/12
26.4
45
1
Philadelphia Eagles at Cardinals 9/23/12
25.5
42
1
Chicago Rams at Bears 9/23/12
25.4
51
1
Washington, DC Bengals at Redskins 9/23/12
24.6
49
1
Detroit Lions at Titans 9/23/12
24.2
47
1
Phoenix Eagles at Cardinals 9/23/12
22.5
43
1
Jacksonville Jaguars at Colts 9/23/12
21.6
38
1
St. Louis Rams at Bears 9/23/12
20.8
40
1
Miami Jets at Dolphins 9/23/12
19.6
40
1
San Diego Broncos at Falcons 9/17/12
17.3
29
1
Milwaukee Texans at Broncos 9/23/12
16.8
29
1
San Fran-Oakland 49ers at Vikings 9/23/12
16.5
44
1
New York Jets at Dolphins 9/23/12
15.4
34
1
Tampa Bucs at Cowboys 9/23/12
15.2
31
1
Seattle Patriots at Ravens 9/23/12
13.2
25
1
Source: NFL & The Nielsen Company
That will do it.
Sep
26
Cari Champion Joins ESPN As Host of First Take
After First Take did a reboot from being the Today Show of sports television to All Debates, All the Time, the show has been in need of a host after anchors Dana Jacobsen and Jay Crawford either left or were reassigned.
There were reports that former NESN Red Sox on-field reporter Heidi Watney was a candidate to host the show, but instead, Cari Champion of Tennis Channel was tapped to be the new host and moderator to sit in between Skippy Bayless and Stephen A. “A is for Argumentative” Smith.
Cari has been the social media repoter and interviewer for Tennis Channel during the French and U.S. Opens. She also anchored various studio updates for the network. Now she’ll need lots of Tylenol sitting in between Skippy and Stephen and hearing them yell for two hours.
Here’s the press release.
Courtesy CariChampion.com
Cari Champion Joins ESPN as Host of First Take as Show Ratings Surge
Broadcast journalist and television personality Cari Champion will join ESPN2’s lively morning debate show, First Take, as host on October 1. Champion joins featured commentators Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith as a full-time member of the show where she will moderate the debate topics while offering her perspective and insight.
Champion joins First Take as the show’s ratings are on the rise with year-to-date ratings up 33% among all viewers. Despite Olympic competition during the third quarter of this year, First Take is up 21% year-over-year from 3Q 2011 and is up even more among the coveted male 18-34 demographic with a dramatic 54% quarter-over-quarter increase.
“Cari brings a wealth of broadcast experience spanning both sports and entertainment across various networks, and we’re excited to welcome her to the show,” said Jamie Horowitz, ESPN’s vice president of original programming and production. “It takes a strong personality to moderate this program and Cari knows how passionate Skip and Stephen A. get while defending their sports opinions. She’s prepared to grab the reins and attempt to keep the show on track each morning. We wish her the best.”
“I have been an avid watcher of the show. I love the barbershop debates that make First Take feel different than other programs,” said Champion. “I am excited to join the show and will try to speak when Skip takes a breath and Stephen sips his water.”
Champion has worked across the country covering network news, entertainment, and sports stories of national interest for ABC, CBS, NBC and other cable networks. A native of Southern California, Champion graduated from UCLA and moved to West Virginia for her first reporting job. She then moved to Florida where she covered the Williams sisters’ superstar status in tennis and quickly created a name for herself which allowed her to cover more nationally televised events. From Florida’s devastating hurricanes to high-profile human interest stories, Champion has covered all aspects of news.
Champion joins ESPN from the Tennis Channel where she was an anchor and a courtside reporter, most recently covering the 2012 U.S. Open. She has also served as an entertainment/lifestyle reporter doing features for The Insider, Hollywood 411 and Starz Entertainment.
There you have it.
Sep
26
Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks
College Football
CFB Daily — ESPNU, 1 p.m.
College Football Live — ESPN, 3:30 p.m.
Lemming Report — CBS Sports Network, 7:30 p.m.
Tackling the Trends — CBS Sports Network, 8 p.m.
College Volleyball
Clemson at North Carolina — ESPNU, 6 p.m.
Michigan State at Nebraska — Big Ten Network, 8 p.m.
Tennessee at Kentucky — ESPNU, 8 p.m.
UCLA at Washington — Pac 12 Network, 10 p.m.
CONCACAF Champions League
Marathon vs. Caledonia — Galavision, 10 p.m.
English League Cup
Manchester United vs. Newcastle United — beIN Sport, 2:40 p.m.
Golf
Live From the Ryder Cup — Golf Channel, 1 p.m.
Feherty Live — Golf Channel, 9 p.m.
Mixed Martial Arts
UFC Tonight: Struve vs. Miocic-Preview — Fuel, 7 p.m.
MLB
American League
New York Yankees at Minnesota — MLB Network/YES/Fox Sports North, 1 p.m.
Kansas City at Detroit — Fox Sports Kansas City/Fox Sports Detroit, 7 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Boston — Sun Sports/NESN, 7 p.m.
Toronto at Baltimore — Rogers Sportsnet/MASN2, 7 p.m.
Cleveland at Chicago White Sox — STO/WCIU, 8 p.m.
Oakland at Texas — ESPN/Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia/Fox Sports Southwest, 8 p.m.
Seattle at Anaheim — Root Sports Northwest/Fox Sports West, 10 p.m.
National League
Los Angeles Dodgers at San Diego — Fox Sports Prime Ticket/Fox Sports San Diego, 6:30 p.m.
Miami at Atlanta — Fox Sports Florida/SportSouth, 7 p.m.
Milwaukee at Cincinnati — Fox Sports Wisconsin/Fox Sports Ohio, 7 p.m.
Pittsburgh at New York Mets — Root Sports Pittsburgh/SNY, 7 p.m.
Washington at Philadelphia — ESPN2/MASN/Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
St. Louis at Houston — Fox Sports Midwest/Fox Sports Houston, 8 p.m.
Chicago Cubs at Colorado — Comcast SportsNet Chicago/Root Sports Rocky Mountain, 8:30 p.m.
Arizona at San Francisco — Fox Sports Arizona/Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, 10:15 p.m.
The Rundown — MLB Network, 4 p.m.
MLB Tonight — MLB Network, 6 p.m.
Baseball Tonight — ESPN2, 10 p.m.
Baseball Tonight — ESPN2, midnight
Quick Pitch — MLB Network, midnight
NASCAR
Inside NASCAR — Showtime, 10 p.m.
NFL
NFL Live — ESPN, 4 p.m.
Around the League Live — NFL Network, 5 p.m.
Tom Coughlin: A Football Life — NFL Network, 8 p.m.
Inside the NFL: Week 3 — Showtime, 9 p.m.
NFL Turning Point — NBC Sports Network, 10 p.m.
Sports Talk
NFL AM — NFL Network, 6 a.m.
The ‘Lights — NBC Sports Network, 6 a.m.
Morning Drive — Golf Channel, 7 a.m.
The Dan Patrick Show — Audience Network (DirecTV)/Fox Sports Net, 9 a.m.
Tim Brando Show — CBS Sports Network, 10 a.m.
The Box Score — Audience Network (DirecTV)/DanPatrick.com, noon
The Scott Van Pelt Show — ESPNews, 1 p.m.
Outside the Lines First Report — ESPN, 3 p.m.
Numbers Never Lie — ESPN2, 4 p.m.
SportsNation — ESPN2, 5 p.m.
Pardon the Interruption — ESPN, 5:30 p.m.
ROME — CBS Sports Network, 6 p.m.
Portfolio — Bloomberg, 9:30 p.m.
UNITE — ESPNU, midnight
Tennis
Thailand Open, Early Rounds — Tennis Channel, 8 p.m. & 10 p.m. (same day coverage)
UFL
Virginia Destroyers at Las Vegas Locomotives — CBS Sports Network, 9 p.m.
Entertainment
Lego Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out — Cartoon Network, 8 p.m.
The Middle (season premiere) — ABC, 8 p.m.
Survivor: Philippines — CBS, 8 p.m.
Oh Sit! — The CW, 8 p.m.
Pi — The Movie Channel, 8 p.m.
Not My Mama’s Meals: Comfort Foods — Cooking Channel, 9 p.m.
Who the (Bleep) Did I Marry?: You Get What You Pay For — Investigation Discovery, 9 p.m.
Abandoned: Hot Springs Hotel — National Geographic Channel, 9 p.m.
Sons of Guns: Red Jacket Snow Blaster — Discovery, 9 p.m.
Restaurant: Impossible: Maple Tree Cafe — Food Network, 9 p.m.
Ghost Hunters: Don’t Feed the Apparition — SyFy, 9 p.m.
Dirty Little Lies: Who’s Hustling Who — Investigation Discovery, 9:30 p.m.
Abandoned: Vermont Marble Factory — National Geographic Channel, 9:30 p.m.
South Park — Comedy Central, 10 p.m.
I Married a Mobster: Locked Up Love — Investigation Discovery, 10 p.m.
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (season premiere) — CBS, 10 p.m.
How Booze Built America: Westward, Ho! — Discovery, 10 p.m.
Restaurant Stakeout: Who Hires These People? — Food Network, 10 p.m.
House Hunters International: Krakow, Poland — HGTV, 10:30 p.m.
Conan — TBS, 11 p.m.
Late Show with David Letterman — CBS, 11:35 p.m.
Sep
25
Hey NFL Replacement Refs! Call It Maybe!
I thought I was tired of the “Call Me Maybe” parodies and covers, but this one from sports radio station KFAN in the Twin Cities in Minnesota may be the best to finally put a rest to all of them.
This song and subsequent video done by a producer for The Common Man show is so funny that I’m embedding it. In the wake of the controversy at the Green Bay-Seattle game, it’s just perfect. And the song will put an end to our coverage of the replacement referees until the next blow up which could occur as soon as Thursday night.
Anyway, enjoy the video. I’m going to be away for the rest of the night.
Back tomorrow morning unless something breaks.
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