It’s now time for some NFL-related press releases and previews for this weekend. Lots of stuff to go over and let’s get to them.
First, NFL Network will have an interview between Marshall, Marshall, Marshall Faulk and Ray Lewis. A link to a clip is below.
Excerpts and Video Clip from NFL Network’s Marshall Faulk’s 1-on-1 Interview with Ravens LB Ray Lewis
Marshall Faulk sat down with Ravens defensive leader Ray Lewis for candid discussion on what keeps the 14-year veteran motivated each season, addressing the questions regarding Baltimore’s defense losing its step and the legacy he hopes to leave behind.
Catch the entire conversation between Faulk and Lewis Sunday on NFL GameDay Morning, the first NFL pregame show on the air, at 9:00 AM ET on NFL Network.
“My motivation is that man over there, telling me he’s going to whoop me…that’s why it’s personal. It’s been personal from high school, it’s been personal from college. I’ve never been the biggest, never been the fastest, never been the strongest, whether it was in high school, little league, college or professional. So everything I got I’m willing to sacrifice to beat whoever is talking about they can whoop me. Bottom line.” – Lewis on what’s motivated him throughout his career
“I watched the Yankees [Wednesday night] and I’m sitting there saying to myself, ‘mmm, that feeling.’ I’m trying to express to [everyone], ‘If you knew what was going through their heads right now, realizing they are world champions, on top of the world – you know that feeling for life.’ I know that feeling…there’s nothing else I’m cashing outside of that. I don’t play this game for no other reason but to win another championship.” – Lewis on his motivation to win another Super Bowl
“You give up two big runs to somebody just because you didn’t keep your leverage…do you give credit to him? Hey, we’ll see this week. That’s where the credit is…because anybody can find something once, you know? You have to come do it again.” – Lewis on the Ravens defense that allowed Bengals RB Cedric Benson to become the first player to rush for 100 yards (120 yds) against the Ravens in 40 games, in Baltimore’s 17-14 Week 5 loss to Cincinnati
“When you’re going as hard as you do in this game, you know the risk that you go through…everybody gets hurt. I don’t believe there’s one man out there on the football field that’s looking to hurt somebody….My job as a linebacker is to buckle up my chin strap and if anybody comes in the middle of the field, to make them feel it while the play is going on. I didn’t hit him after the whistle; I hit him during a play. That’s football. And if I had to do it again, I’d do it a million times the same way.” – Lewis on his hit on Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco in the Ravens’ Week 5 meeting with Cincinnati
“Everything that I have is built in this city. [Playing] somewhere else would have been a very hard thing for me to do.” – Lewis on his ties to the Ravens and the City of Baltimore
To access a video clip of Faulk’s conversation with Lewis, please click on the following link:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-around-the-league/09000d5d813fa38b/Lewis-It-s-the-ultimate
Here’s what ESPN will air for its NFL studio shows.
ESPN’s Weekend and Monday NFL Studio Features
ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown will preview the day’s matchups Sunday at 11 a.m. ET with Chris Berman and analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson and Keyshawn Johnson. ESPN senior analyst Chris Mortensen and NFL insider Adam Schefter will provide headlines and league news.
The two-hour program will include reports from Rachel Nichols covering the Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals, Michael Smith at the Dolphins – Patriots game, and Bob Holtzman in Indianapolis for the Texans at Colts. Other highlights:
The Birth of the ‘Wildcat’: The last time the Miami Dolphins visited New England, they unveiled a new formation dubbed the “Wildcat” with great success – six plays, four touchdowns. Greg Garber looks back at the day the ‘Wildcat’ was born in the NFL.
Marie Tillman: Former Arizona Cardinals safety Pat Tillman left the NFL in the aftermath of September 11th and enlisted as a member of the Army Rangers. While deployed in Afghanistan in 2004, Tillman, 27, was killed in action. Marie Tillman, Pat’s widow, in her first television interview since the death of her husband, discusses what led Pat to enlist in the Army and the cover-up of his death from friendly fire. Chris Connelly reports.
Revisiting the Eli Manning-Phillip Rivers Trade: In the 2004 NFL Draft, Eli Manning was selected No. 1 by the San Diego Chargers, a team he said he didn’t want to play for. The Giants selected Phillip Rivers with the fourth pick and executed a trade where the quarterbacks switched teams. Leading into the Chargers at Giants game, Countdown will relive some of the key moments in the hour when Rivers and Manning’s lives and careers crossed paths.
Mayne Event – Ocho Cinco ‘Child Please’ Day Care: In this week’s Mayne Event, Kenny Mayne explores the next challenge for Bengals wide receiver Ocho Cinco – running the ‘Child Please Day Care Center.’
Virtual Playbook – Tony Romo’s Footwork: Tom Jackson breaks down the adjustments Tony Romo made on his footwork and shows how the tweaks to improve his velocity and accuracy are positively impacting his 2009 season.
Soundtracks – Joe Flacco/Carson Palmer: Quarterbacks Joe Flacco (Ravens) and Carson Palmer (Bengals) were wired for sound in their Week 5 matchup – a 17-14 thriller won late on a Palmer touchdown pass. Countdown relives the sights and sounds of that game in Soundtracks.
Salute to the Troops: In a tribute to the U.S. Armed Forces, Countdown will feature messages of gratitude and support from NFL stars (Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, et al) as part of the Veterans Day observance.
Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em with Matthew Berry and Merril Hoge: ESPN’s fantasy football guru Matthew Berry and NFL analyst Merril Hoge debate which players to start or sit this weekend.
Berman, Carter, Ditka, Jackson and Johnson will pick the biggest games of the day and tell fans which players will make the biggest impact in NFL’s Week 9 action. The list of game picks will be posted on www.espn.com/sundaycountdown after the show.
MONDAY NIGHT COUNTDOWN, 7 P.M. ON ESPNOn-set Veterans Day Guest – Marie Tillman
Monday Night Countdown with Berman, Carter, Ditka, Jackson, Johnson, Mortensen and Schefter (in Bristol) and Stuart Scott, Matt Millen and Steve Young (at the MNF game in Denver) will review Sunday’s games and preview Monday Night Football. The 90-minute, pre-game show will lead into the kickoff of the Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos (8:30 p.m.) game, featuring Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski.
Reporters Michele Tafoya (Steelers) and Suzy Kolber (Broncos) will cover the teams. As part of ESPN’s Salute to the U.S. Armed Forces, Monday Night Countdown will feature a live, on-site interview in Denver with Marie Tillman, the widow of former NFL player Pat Tillman who was killed in Afghanistan. She will be joined on-set by the Pat Tillman Foundation Scholar, U.S. Army corporal Richard Garcia. Other highlights:Rocky Bleier: The former Notre Dame captain was drafted twice – first by the Pittsburgh Steelers and then by the U.S. Army following his rookie season. While serving in Vietnam, Bleier’s platoon was ambushed and he sustained injuries to both legs. Though he was initially told by doctors he would never play football again, just one year later Bleier returned to the Steelers, where he won four Super Bowls. Jeremy Schaap reports.
Soundtracks – Ben Roethlisberger: Ben Roethlisberger, wired for sound during the Steelers’ Week 4 win over the
Chargers, will be featured in this week’s Soundtracks.WEEKLY MONDAY NIGHT COUNTDOWN SEGMENTS
TEAMS AT 20 – Every 20 minutes reporters Tafoya and Kolber will update news from the teams in their preparations for the game, beginning with NFL Live at 3:30 p.m.
FIELD PASS – Countdown offers an all-access look at pre-game preparations as the players get ready for kickoff. Analysts will also breakdown the important storylines and key players before the game.
C’MON MAN – Countdown personalities share their head-scratching plays from Week 9.
In addition, Monday Night Football’s Tirico, Jaworski and Gruden will preview the night’s match-up, with Mortensen and Schefter covering breaking news from around the league, and the Countdown analysts offering their “Lead Pipe Lock” predictions for the game.
NFL MATCHUP, SUNDAY 3 A.M. AND 7:30 A.M. ON ESPN
NFL Matchup with host Sal Paolantonio and analysts Merril Hoge and Ron Jaworski will preview the weekend’s games by bringing viewers inside the film room for the Xs and Os analysis of the matchups. The 30-minute program – taped each week at NFL Films in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey – highlights team strategy and game planning. This week’s features:
Cowboys @ Eagles: Eagles Defense – Hoge displays how the Eagles will blitz Dallas’ Tony Romo early and often to get him out of his game.
Cowboys @ Eagles: DeMarcus Ware – Jaworski goes ‘Beyond The Film Room’ and down to the field to show how Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware can be contained.
Chargers @ Giants – Hoge pulls out his ‘Clicker’ to spotlight how Philip Rivers’ use of the same snap count and body movement in most plays allows defenders to attack the line of scrimmage with perfect timing.
Steelers @ Broncos – Jaworski reveals how Pittsburgh can force the Broncos clearly delineate their defensive alignments to then attack those alignments successfully.
Dolphins @ Patriots – Jaworski breaks out his ‘Xs and Os Files’ and highlights how the Pats have been able to create favorable mismatches with player alignment and motion before the snap.
Panthers @ Saints – Jaworski unveils how wide receiver Steve Smith’s presence gives Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme the option to throw the ball on every single play – even on run plays.
Ravens @ Bengals – Hoge shows how Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer must know where Ravens safety Ed Reed is at all times to be successful.
Texans @ Colts – Hoge shows how the Houston Texans have been creative with their pass concepts and why this is important with tight end Owen Daniels’ season-ending injury.
CBS Sports’ NFL Today has a feature on special teams that Bill Cowher will narrate. Look for it if The NFL Today is your favorite pregame show.
“THE NFL TODAY’S” BILL COWHER HIGHLIGHTS SPECIAL TEAMS FOR WEEK 9 ON SUNDAY, NOV. 8
THE NFL ON CBS, home of Super Bowl XLIV and broadcasting its Golden Anniversary 50th year of the NFL, continues its 2009 NFL season on Sunday, Nov. 8 (1:00-7:00 PM, ET) beginning with THE NFL TODAY (12:00 Noon-1:00 PM, ET).
This week THE NFL TODAY’s Bill Cowher highlights what makes NFL Special Teams so special. This season there have been 10 kickoff returns through eight weeks. Last year at this time there were only three, which is the same amount of kickoff returns as last weekend. Coach Cowher focuses on this often overlooked part of the game and the new return specialists. Cowher began his coaching career in 1985 at age 28 as the special teams coach of the Cleveland Browns. Jeff St. Arromand produces.
James Brown hosts THE NFL TODAY along with analysts Dan Marino, Boomer Esiason, Shannon Sharpe and Bill Cowher, NFL TODAY “General Manager” Charley Casserly, as well as Lesley Visser and Sam Ryan reporting.
Eric Mann is senior producer and Bob Matina is director of THE NFL TODAY.
CBS’ Phil Simms talks about Giants QB Eli Manning’s foot and Dan Dierdorf discusses Miami-New England.
THE NFL ON CBS: WEEK 9 (SUNDAY, NOV. 8)
AUDIBLES WITH LEAD “NFL ON CBS” ANALYST PHIL SIMMS AND DAN DIERDORF
The CBS Television Network, home of Super Bowl XLIV, continues its Golden Anniversary 50th year broadcasting the NFL with THE NFL ON CBS on Sunday, Nov. 8 (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, who this year is marking his 25th with CBS Sports, and Phil Simms call the action from the San Diego Chargers-New York Giants game live from Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Lance Barrow is the coordinating producer and lead game producer and Mike Arnold is the lead game director.
Throughout the 2009 season, THE NFL ON CBS will broadcast all of its games each week in HDTV, the highest definition television format – 1080i lines of picture resolution – along with 5.1 digital audio.
Sean McManus is President, CBS News and Sports, and serves as executive producer of CBS Sports’ coverage of THE NFL ON CBS. Harold Bryant is Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.
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PHIL SIMMS
(On San Diego Chargers-N.Y. Giants): Even though the Giants lost three in a row, I look at them and think, ‘Wow they should be one of the most overpowering football teams in the NFL.’ As I look at this game, the Chargers’ defense is going to need a couple of individuals to play great. I’ll have to start out with their two corners, Antonio Cromartie and Quentin Jammer. They’ll have to have great games because they’ll need everybody else to be concentrating on the run defense. I think there’s a lot of pressure on the two corners to play very well. When I look at the Giants defense, the big thing is – just don’t miss assignments. I can’t point to one player, but the secondary has definitely missed assignments, and they’re not getting lucky, that’s for sure. When they miss them, the quarterback is finding the right guy. And they are getting big, big plays. I know it’s always about turnovers in the NFL, but when you look at the teams that are hot and winning football games, they are making big plays on the offensive side. The Giants have been gi
ving them up, and that’s the bad thing. The good thing is it’s mental mistakes, and sometimes those are easier just to correct than the physical mistakes. Sometimes you can’t correct a physical mistake because they’re just not physically good enough.(On Eli Manning’s six interceptions in past three games):
It’s everything: being under pressure, bad throws, and then just bad decisions. I think that three blitzing teams have hurt the Giants. Eli has never made one excuse, but anytime you hurt the knee, the ankle, the foot of an NFL quarterback, it’s a problem. So it’s going to affect his throwing and lots of things. It’s going to affect his accuracy. It’s going to affect the stress on his arm. It’s going to affect practice time. So you know no matter what anybody says – it’s a factor. I know. I played.
(On Chargers-Giants Injury Factor):
Both teams are struggling with injuries. They really are beat up. It’s changed how both teams play. It’s changed how I look at them. It’s affected the Chargers even more than the New York Giants. There are a lot of injuries but unless it’s the star running back or the quarterback, nobody seems to talk about it. It’s just part of the NFL. When you build your football team and it doesn’t have depth, then you’re going to be in trouble. Because no matter who you are, you’re going to lose a certain amount of players during the year.
DAN DIERDORF
(On Miami): After their 1-15 season, and the recovery last year, everyone in the AFC East takes the Dolphins a little bit more seriously than they used to, especially the Patriots who had problems with them last year. We only know what the ‘wildcat’ is because of how it broke out of the gates. And where did that happen – against New England last year. That 38-13 loss at home where Ronnie Brown went crazy is still an irritant to New England.
(On Miami’s Wildcat Offense): It is part of who Miami is. At times it has been a real asset. But then you take last week and Miami was basically inept on offense, and yet somehow managed to win a football game.
(On New England): The bad news for Miami is every week that goes by we have seen a more comfortable and efficient Tom Brady in the pocket for New England. Even Brady’s biggest fans would have to admit he looked rusty at the beginning of the year. Of course, what would you expect coming back from a total knee re-construction? What you look for are signs of progress and improvement and he has shown those signs every single week. This is also a Patriots team that has won its last two games by a combined score of 94-7.
(On match-ups where Miami may have three rookies in secondary): Miami won’t start three rookies back there because they’re trying to prove something. They’re doing it out of necessity. It’s their first, second and fifth round picks if Davis, Smith and Clemons all start. I have a hard time imagining three rookies shutting down this New England passing attack. It could be – not pretty. Randy Moss can take a lot of coverage with him by going deep and that will leave the underneath for Watson and Welker. And they also have been pleasantly surprised by Julian Edelman who has turned out to be a pretty solid receiver.
(On Miami-New England): This is a chance for New England to deal Miami a pretty good blow. If Miami loses this game, it will really put them behind the eight ball in trying to catch up. A young quarterback and a young secondary is not what you would call the ideal formula for success playing against a Bill Belichick football team.
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TRIP IN THE NFL ON CBS WAY BACK MACHINE…
In commemoration of THE NFL ON CBS celebrating its 50th year broadcasting the NFL, footage from historic highlights will be featured during each game. Included among the clips this week during the Tennessee-San Francisco game will be a highlight of what has simply become known as “The Catch,” when 49ers quarterback Joe Montana found Dwight Clark for a game-winning, finger-tip touchdown catch in the 1982 NFC Championship game over Dallas on January 10.
Fox NFL Sunday will air at one hour earlier at 11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT as it travels to Afghanistan.
FOX SPORTS NOTES, QUOTES & ANECDOTES
FOX NFL Sunday Heads to Afghanistan
Curt, Terry, Howie, Jimmy, Michael and Jay Kick-off Special Two-Hour Pregame at 11:00 AM ET from an Undisclosed Military Installation
Jimmy Johnson: Despite Loss, Denver Still in Control
On Sunday, Nov. 8 FOX Sports in conjunction with Armed Forces Entertainment, proudly present an unprecedented two-hour special FOX NFL SUNDAY from Afghanistan. The Emmy Award-winning team of Curt Menefee, Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, Michael Strahan, Jimmy Johnson and Jay Glazer make this exciting trans-global journey just three days before Veteran’s Day as a tribute to the dedication and sacrifice of our country’s servicemen and women.
Prior to their departure to the Middle East, Bradshaw, Long, Johnson and Strahan expressed their excitement over this momentous trip:
Bradshaw: “We did a show a few years ago aboard the USS Harry S. Truman and it was the most incredible experience. To be there with our men and women of the military, the Navy and Secretary of Defense William Cohen was absolutely incredible. The viewers loved it, we loved and we’re inspired just by being there.”
Long: “You wish every American could get the opportunity to be around these brave young men and women. They are extraordinary. It was a trip of a lifetime, as I’m sure this will be.”
Johnson: “It will be great for us just to say, ‘Hey, we appreciate what you do for our country.’ Just anything we can do to say thank you.”
Strahan: “My dad is a retired Major in the Army, so I grew up on the base. I remember when I was 13 years old, Herschel Walker came. That was the biggest, most inspiring thing. Hopefully by us going to Afghanistan, we can give a little hope but I think it’s going to be better for us. We’re going to get the most out of this trip. “
FOX Sports Chairman David Hill: “Our men and women in the military put themselves in harm’s way to protect everything we hold dear, and none more so than those who are stationed in the Middle East. It is our privilege and honor to take FOX NFL SUNDAY to them in November, right before Veteran’s Day. Amidst the fun and football, it’s our hope to showcase the dedication of these men and women who have to defend against a lot more than the Wild Cat.”
CARDINALS RETURNING TO ORIGINAL HOME IN CHICAGO AND 7-0 SAINTS HEADLINE WEEK 9 – The 2009 NFL on FOX campaign rolls into Week 9 on Sunday, Nov. 8 with singleheader coverage of five exciting matchups—each presented in crystal clear HD. At 1:00 PM ET, Kurt Warner leads the high-octane Cardinals to their ancestral home of Chicago to take on Jay Cutler and the Bears. In Atlanta, Michael Turner and the Falcons look to rebound off their Monday night loss against Clinton Portis and the Redskins. Following their emotional matchup with the Vikings, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers face their former NFC Central rival Buccaneers in central Florida. The 4:00 PM window features Drew Brees and the high-scoring Saints looking to remain undefeated as they welcome Steve Smith and the NFC South rival Panthers. Also, Matt Stafford and the Lions travel to the Pacific Northwest to take on Matthew Hasselbeck and the Seahawks. 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 and www.myspace.com/foxsports.
JOHNSON: COWBOYS ARE BETTER BUT MUST KEEP IMPROVING – “Don’t ask me how the Cowboys are after they beat Seattle. Ask me how they are after they beat Philadelphia,” says FOX NFL SUNDAY’s Jimmy Johnson. “Can they do that? I can’t be sold on a team that’s sloppy. The one thing the Cowboys have done is hire Joe DeCamillis as their special teams coach. He has really improved a huge problem area this team had in the past. Now, they start practices with special teams, as opposed to that part of the game being an afterthought at the end of practice. They have put a bigger emphasis on special teams, and it has started to pay dividends. But they always knew that was a problem. However, if they don’t cut back on those penalties and turnovers, two aspects of the game that are always scary to me, they are going to remain a hit-and-miss team.”
JOHNSON: DESPITE LOSS, DENVER STILL IN CONTROL — “I know Denver was knocked from the ranks of the unbeaten, but I still feel the Broncos are a very good team,” said FOX NFL SUNDAY’s Jimmy Johnson. “You knew Baltimore would be tough at home after losing three straight. I don’t think the Broncos losing to the Ravens in Baltimore should be any big shock. Denver still has control of the AFC West and will be there down the stretch.”
For more from Jimmy Johnson, log onto FOXSports.com or click
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/10308670/Now,-that’s-more-like-Eagles-we-expected
And NBC’s Sunday Night Football returns after taking a break for the World Series and wouldn’t you know, it has a tasty matchup between Dallas and Philadelphia for first place in the NFC Easet.
COWBOYS AND EAGLES BATTLE FOR NFC EAST SUPREMACY ON “SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL”
“They are playing great, both teams…setting up a big showdown game.” – “Football Night’s” Dungy
“This is the Dallas Cowboys biggest test yet.” – “Football Night’s” Harrison
NEW YORK – Nov. 5, 2009 – The Dallas Cowboys (5-2), winners of three straight, travel to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles (5-2), who have won two in a row, on "NBC Sunday Night Football" in a game that will determine sole possession of first place in the NFC East.
Coverage begins with "Football Night in America," Sunday at 7 p.m. ET with Bob Costas hosting live from inside the stadium. Al Michaels (play-by-play), Cris Collinsworth (analyst) and Andrea Kremer (sideline reporter) call the action from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
Dan Patrick and Keith Olbermann will co-host "Football Night" from NBC's 30 Rockefeller Plaza studios joined by Super Bowl-winning coach Tony Dungy, two-time Super Bowl winner Rodney Harrison and Sports Illustrated's Peter King. "Football Night's" Tiki Barber will report from Giants Stadium on the Chargers-Giants game.
HARRISON ON WHO WILL WIN: "I like the Eagles. This is the Dallas Cowboys biggest test yet, especially Tony Romo. He's going to see a host of blitzes. They're going to disguise coverage and come from all over the place. They're going to try and pressure and knock him in the mouth."
DUNGY ON THE BEST TEAM IN THE NFC EAST: "I like Philadelphia because I think Dallas still has some weaknesses in the secondary. You can see a ton of big plays from Philly's receivers this week."
COWBOYS VS. EAGLES: The Cowboys lead the all-time series 53-43, although Philadelphia has won four of the past six meetings. The teams have split the last two season series. The Eagles won last year's meeting in Philadelphia, 44-6.
Both teams have identical 5-2 records and are tied for first place in the NFC East. The Cowboys have won three straight, including a 38-17 win over Seattle at home last week. The Eagles have won two in a row, including a win over the then-first place New York Giants, 40-17, at home in Week 7.
COWBOYS-EAGLES IN PRIMETIME: Since NBC acquired the NFL's premiere primetime package in 2006, the Dallas Cowboys are 8-2 on "Sunday Night Football" while the Eagles are 0-6. Dallas' record includes a 33-31 loss to the New York Giants in Week 2 in a game that opened its new stadium.
That does it for the NFL preview. We have some more releases to post. This is what happens on Fridays when I have so many features to post, but that’s ok.
