Fang's Bites

Nominees for 6th Annual Fang’s Bites NFL TV Awards

Merry Christmas! Happy to provide you with the nominees for this year’s NFL TV Awards. Last year’s nominees ended up this way.

And later, this was the result for the 2011 season.

Let’s take a look at the nominees in each category.

Best Play-by-Play: Ian Eagle (CBS), Kevin Harlan (CBS), Al Michaels (NBC), Brad Nessler (NFL Network), Mike Tirico (ESPN)

Best Game Analyst: Troy Aikman (Fox), Cris Collinsworth (NBC), Dan Fouts (CBS), Rich Gannon (CBS), Mike Mayock (NFL Network)

Best Sunday NFL Pregame Show: First on the Field (NFL Network), Fox NFL Sunday (Fox), NFL Matchup (ESPN), NFL Today (CBS)

Best Studio Show, Daily or Weekly: Around the League Live (NFL Network), Inside the NFL (Showtime), NFL Live (ESPN), NFL PrimeTime (ESPN), NFL Turning Point (NBC Sports Network)

Best Highlights: Football Night in America (NBC), NFL GameDay Final (NFL Network), NFL PrimeTime (ESPN), The OT (Fox)

Best Studio Host: Rich Eisen (NFL Network), Curt Menefee (Fox), Dan Patrick (NBC/NBC Sports Network), Melissa Stark (NFL Network), Andrew Siciliano (DirecTV), Trey Wingo (ESPN)

Best Studio Analyst: Tony Dungy (NBC), Boomer Esiason (CBS), Marshall Faulk (NFL Network), Rodney Harrison (NBC), Kurt Warner (NFL Network), Steve Young (ESPN)

Most Valuable Network: Fox, ESPN, NBC, NFL Network

Best NFL Insider: John Clayton (ESPN), Jay Glazer (Fox), Peter King (NBC),  Jason La Canfora (CBS), Chris Mortensen (ESPN)

Best Sideline Reporter: Alex Flanagan (NFL Network), Jennifer Hale (Fox), Jaime Maggio (Fox), Lisa Salters (ESPN), Michele Tafoya (NBC)

Best Announcing Team: Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts (CBS), Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots (CBS), Al Michaels/Cris Collinsworth (NBC), Brad Nessler/Mike Mayock (NFL Network), Mike Tirico/Jon Gruden (ESPN)

Best Game Production: Monday Night Football (ESPN), NFL on CBS (CBS), NFL on Fox (Fox), Sunday Night Football (NBC), Thursday Night Football (NFL Network)

Best Debut: Carolyn Manno on Football Night in America (NBC), First on the Field (NFL Network), Amber Theoharis on NFL Total Access (NFL Network), Hines Ward on Football Night in America (NBC)

Worst Play-by-Play: Chris Berman (ESPN), Thom Brennaman (Fox), Chris Myers (Fox), Ron Pitts (Fox), Dick Stockton (Fox)

Worst Game Analyst: Dan Dierdorf (CBS), Daryl Johnston (Fox), John Lynch (Fox), Mike Martz (Fox)

Worst Studio Host: Chris Berman (ESPN), Chris Rose (NFL Network)

Worst Studio Analyst: Michael Irvin (NFL Network), Eric Mangini (ESPN)

Picking Out Some Sunday Links For You

Let’s do some Sunday linkage on this first NFL regular season Sunday of 2012.

We’ll begin with Pat Eaton-Robb of the Associated Press with an interesting story on how Connecticut is fast becoming home of major sports media companies.

Candace Jackson of the Wall Street talks about her visit to Rich Eisen and his wife, Suzy Shuster’s home in beautiful Beverly Hills.

Jon Gold from CBSSports.com has statements from Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott on getting the conference’s networks on Dish Network.

Also from CBSSports.com, Dennis Dodd says the SEC expects to have new TV deals in place including the super secret SEC Network, not the one run by ESPN.

Media Rantz solves the mystery of what happened to NFL Network’s Kara Henderson.

Liana Baker of Reuters reports that an NHL lockout could hurt ratings momentum for NBC Sports Network.

John Gaudiosi of Forbes.com tells us that Sony Playstation 3 gamers get a discounted price for  DirecTV’s NFL Sunday Ticket.

Mike Reynolds of Multichannel says Dish Network has beaten DirecTV to the punch and made a deal with Pac 12 Networks in time for yesterday’s college football games.

Georg Szalai of the Hollywood Reporter writes that movie director James Cameron will be assisting UK’s Sky Sports in producing a 3-D production of this month’s Ryder Cup.

Tim Nudd of Adweek looks at ESPN’s very funny SportsCenter promo featuring John Clayton that has already gone viral.

Anthony Crupi from Adweek notes that NBC broke even on the 2012 Olympics.

Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch has your NFL Broadcasting Guide for the 2012 season.

Eric Deggans of the Tampa Bay Times, writing for the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center has a theory as to why some NFL teams fail to sell out their games.

Ed Sherman of The Sherman Report has former ESPN’er Charley Steiner recalling two of the funniest “This is SportsCenter” ads ever.

Ed also has some videos from the early days of Monday Night Football. Make that very early days.

ESPN’s Darren Rovell wonders if CBS is selling Super Bowl ads on the cheap.

Evan Weiner of Examiner.com says the late Art Modell deserves better from Cleveland fans. I hate to tell you, Evan, but as a Browns fan, Modell made his bed and has to lie in it.

On the other hand, Newsday’s Bob Glauber says he can’t reconcile Modell’s pulling the Browns from Cleveland with the other parts of his legacy.

Rachel Margolis at ESPN’s Front Row PR blog says College GameDay heads to Tennessee for Week 3.

Drew Drawbaugh of Engadget reports that Google Fiber subscribers will get access to NFL Network and NFL RedZone starting tomorrow.

Chad Finn of the Boston Globe says former Celtic and Chicago Bull Brian Scalabrine will join Comcast SportsNet New England as an analyst.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times says two former American Basketball Association team owners who get to collect part of the NBA’s TV revenue in perpetuity, want even more and are suing to get it.

Tanzina Vega of the Times says ESPN Deportes Radio NY will be broadcasting Jets games in Spanish this season.

The Albany Times Union’s Pete Dougherty has NFL Commish Roger Goodell disappointed that the league doesn’t have a deal with Time Warner Cable to carry NFL Network.

David Zurawik from the Baltimore Sun says ratings for the Grand Prix of Baltimore fell by almost 60% from the year before. However, last year’s race was on ABC while this year’s edition was on NBC Sports Network.

David speaks with Amber Theoharis who has left MASN for NFL Network and will replace the aforementioned Kara Henderson.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner talks with Fox Sports college football analyst Charles Davis.

Coley Harvey at the Orlando Sentinel asks if ESPN’s College GameDay will pay a visit to Tallahassee later this month.

Jimmy Burch in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram writes that the new Big 12 deal with ESPN and Fox will allow for more national broadcasts.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle has the college football media guide for this season.

Mel Bracht in The Oklahoman says yesterday’s PPV production of the Florida A&M-Oklahoma game was network quality.

Tim Feran of the Columbus (OH) Dispatch says NFL Network and Time Warner Cable are no closer to an agreement than when the channel debuted.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News wonders how long DirecTV can hold out not carrying the Pac 12 Networks.

Tom says Fox tapped the right man to lead its World Cup coverage.

Sports Media Watch notes that last week’s PGA Deutsche Bank Championship hit a five year ratings high.

Dann Stupp and John Morgan of MMA Junkie write that NBC Sports Network will hire some familiar names for an upcoming World Series of Fighting telecast.

And that will do it. The NFL pregame show quotage is coming up next.

NFL Network’s New Fall Programming

With the NFL now in full swing, well, as close to full swing as we can get, NFL Network will go into football mode big time. You know about its full NFL GameDay shows with Morning, GameCenter, Scoreboard, Highlights and Final. It adds “First on the Field” at 7 a.m. to be hosted by Melissa Stark.

In addition, you have mainstays like The Coaches Show this year with Brian Billick and Dennis Green, NFL Replay, Sound FX and A Football Life.

NFL Network also has 13 Thursday Night Football games that will last from Weeks 2-11 and 13-15.

In this press release, NFL Network announces talent additions like former New York Giants offensive lineman Shaun O’Hara and former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Dononvan McNabb. Also former Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals coach Dennis Green is an addition.

Replacing NFL Network original Kara Henderson on NFL Total Access as co-anchor with Scott Hanson on Fridays and Saturdays is former MASN anchor and reporter Amber Theoharis.

Take a look at what NFL Network has in store for you this season.

NFL NETWORK GETS ‘BACK TO FOOTBALL’ WITH EXTENSIVE 2012 FALL PROGRAMMING LINEUP

From the Field to the Studio – LaDainian Tomlinson, Donovan McNabb, Shaun O’Hara & Darren Sharper Join as Analysts
Expanded 13-Game ‘Thursday Night Football’ Schedule – Starts September 13 at 8:00 PM ET
Sunday is ‘GameDay’ Beginning LIVE at 7:00 AM ET with the new ‘First on the Field’
‘NFL Fantasy Live’ Airs Monday-Friday at 2:00 PM ET
‘NFL Total Access,’ ‘NFL AM,’ ‘Around the League Live,’ ‘The Coaches Show,’ ‘NFL Replay,’ ‘Sound FX’ & Emmy Award-Nominated ‘A Football Life’ Round Out Fall Programming

The 2012 NFL preseason is officially in the books and it’s time to kick off the regular season. With comprehensive news shows such as NFL Total Access, NFL AM and Around the League Live, extensive “GameDay” coverage starting at 7:00 AM ET every Sunday, and the expanded 13-game Thursday Night Football schedule, NFL Network remains the ultimate destination for football fans across the country.

This season, NFL Network bolsters its on-air talent roster with the additions of four former NFL players who enjoyed established and prestigious careers: 2006 NFL MVP and five-time Pro Bowl running back LaDainian Tomlinson; six-time Pro Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb; three-time Pro Bowl center and Super Bowl champion with the New York Giants Shaun O’Hara; and 14-year veteran and Super Bowl champion safety with the New Orleans Saints Darren Sharper.

After a storied 11-year NFL career with the San Diego Chargers and New York Jets, Tomlinson joins NFL Network, appearing every Sunday during the NFL season at 7:00 AM ET on the new pregame show First on the Field. Tomlinson, who ranks second all-time in rushing touchdowns and fifth all-time in rushing yards, joins co-hosts Melissa Stark and five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Sterling Sharpe, and analyst Michael Lombardi from NFL Films in Mt. Laurel, NJ, to provide the first analysis of the day’s games.

McNabb, fresh off the field after a 13-year NFL career, joins NFL Network as an analyst on Playbook, which airs Friday at 8:00 PM ET (NFC edition) and 9:00 PM ET (AFC edition). The former signal-caller for the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins and Minnesota Vikings joins analysts Sharpe and Brian Baldinger on the ultimate X’s-and-O’s show, which utilizes the game film used by coaches and players to break down each week’s matchups.

Former Super Bowl-winners O’Hara and Sharper, with a combined 25 years of NFL experience, will provide insight Monday-Saturday on NFL Total Access at 7:00 PM ET. O’Hara and Sharper join fellow Super Bowl champions Willie McGinest and Heath Evans, and hosts Andrew Siciliano, Lindsay Rhodes, Scott Hanson and Amber Theoharis to make the NFL’s show of record the go-to destination for fans to get unmatched analysis and opinion about the National Football League.

NFL Network’s Thursday Night Football kicks off its expanded 13-game primetime schedule Week 2 on September 13 at 8:00 PM ET with the Green Bay Packers hosting the Chicago Bears in a matchup of the NFL’s most-played rivalry. Emmy-nominated analyst Mike Mayock and play-by-play announcer Brad Nessler return for their second season in the Thursday Night Football broadcast booth, while Alex Flanagan returns for her third season as sideline reporter. Coverage for all 13 games begins at 6:00 PM ET with the Thursday Night Kickoff pregame show live from the stadium. The Halftime Show and the Postgame Show provide additional analysis live from inside the stadium each week on Thursday Night Football.

Sunday is GameDay, and NFL Network has it covered from every angle. Following NFL Network’s new First on the Field show, NFL GameDay Morning continues to set the table for the day’s action four hours prior to kickoff at 9:00 AM ET. Host Rich Eisen and analysts Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp and Michael Irvin get you ready for kickoff with expert commentary, the latest news reports and insight on each matchup.

NFL GameDay Scoreboard with Paul Burmeister, Darren Sharper and Tom Waddle airs at 4:00 PM ET, followed by NFL GameDay Highlights at 7:30 PM ET with host Chris Rose, Deion Sanders and Mariucci. At 11:30 PM ET, Rose and analysts Faulk, Sanders and Irvin recap all of the day’s action on NFL GameDay Final with game highlights, player and coach press conferences, post-game interviews and analysis of every game.

Wake up every weekday morning with everything NFL during the four-hour morning show, NFL AM. Hosts Brian Webber and Nicole Zaloumis, and analysts Eric Davis, Mark Kriegel and Steve Wyche jump start the football conversation for the day beginning at 6:00 AM ET Monday-Friday with interviews featuring players and coaches, live reports from team facilities and debates about all of the stories making news across the league. NFL AM re-airs at 7:00 AM PT.

NFL Network is your home for all of Monday’s news and press conferences with a three-hour edition of Around the League Live on Mondays at 3:00 PM ET, hosted by Paul Burmeister. Fran Charles hosts a two-hour edition of Around the League Live Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday beginning at 5:00 PM ET, and Thursday at 4:00 PM ET. Featuring insight from NFL Network’s team of analysts, interviews with players and coaches via exclusive Team Cams, press conferences and news reports, Around the League Live gives fans inside access to all 32 teams.

Gain the upper hand in your fantasy football league each week with NFL Fantasy Live Monday-Friday at 2:00 PM ET. Former NFL defensive end Akbar Gbaja-Biamila and veteran sports broadcaster Jaime Maggio join analysts Michael Fabiano, Elliot Harrison, Adam Rank, Dave Dameshek, Jason Smith and Matt “Money” Smith to provide the analysis and advice you need to dominate your league. NFL Fantasy Live also airs every Sunday during the season at 11:30 AM ET on NFL.com and the NFL RedZone channel. NFL Fantasy Live airs on NFL.com Monday-Friday at 1:00 PM ET.

The Emmy Award-nominated series A Football Life produced by NFL Films returns with an expanded 13-episode season, airing Wednesday at 8:00 PM ET throughout the NFL season. Premiering September 12 with The Faces of Tim Tebow, the documentary series examines the people and subjects that have had a profound and lasting impact on the sport of professional football.

Additional programs returning this season include The Coaches Show featuring Brian Billick and Dennis Green on Mondays at 6:30 PM ET, NFL Replay on Tuesdays at 8:00 PM ET and Wednesdays at 9:00 PM ET, and Sound FX on Wednesdays at 10:30 PM ET.

Below is a complete listing of NFL Network’s 2012 Fall Programming lineup, complete with air times, talent and show descriptions.

NFL Network’s 2012 Fall Programming Lineup

First on the Field
When: Sunday, 7:00 AM ET
Talent: LaDainian Tomlinson, Melissa Stark, Sterling Sharpe, Michael Lombardi
What: Every Sunday during the NFL season, NFL Network is there when you wake up with First on the Field. Former NFL MVP and five-time Pro Bowl running back LaDainian Tomlinson joins Melissa Stark, Sterling Sharpe and Michael Lombardi on the two-hour show that will become the first live pregame show to originate from NFL Films in Mt. Laurel, NJ. Featuring live reports from game sites and previews of the week’s games, First on the Field establishes the storylines that will be covered and expanded upon on NFL GameDay Morning.

NFL GameDay Morning
When: Sunday, 9:00 AM ET
Talent: Rich Eisen, Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp, Michael Irvin
Game Reporters: Albert Breer, Stacey Dales, Jeff Darlington, Kimberly Jones, Ian Rapoport, Aditi Kinkhabwala, Michelle Beisner, Steve Cyphers
What: The most comprehensive pregame show on television, NFL GameDay Morning takes viewers right up to kickoff. Host Rich Eisen and analysts Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp and Michael Irvin discuss the upcoming games four hours prior to kickoff, while NFL Network reporters stationed around the league provide up-to-the-minute reports and interviews from the game sites. Fans can interact with the show and send in their questions on Twitter (@NFLN_GameDay).

NFL GameDay Scoreboard
When: Sunday, 4:00 PM ET
Talent: Paul Burmeister, Tom Waddle, Darren Sharper
What: NFL GameDay Scoreboard takes viewers around the league for post-game press conferences and game highlights, in addition to up-to-the-minute scores, statistics, and news during the late afternoon matchups.

NFL GameDay Highlights
When: Sunday, 7:30 PM ET
Talent: Chris Rose, Steve Mariucci, Deion Sanders
What: Analysts Steve Mariucci and Deion Sanders join host Chris Rose to recap all of the day’s action on NFL GameDay Highlights, with game highlights, post-game press conferences and commentary. 

NFL GameDay Final
When: Sunday, 11:30 PM ET
Talent: Chris Rose, Marshall Faulk, Deion Sanders, Michael Irvin
What: Join host Chris Rose and analysts Marshall Faulk, Deion Sanders and Michael Irvin to get the final word on Sunday’s games. With postgame press conferences, game highlights, player/coach interviews, expert analysis, a preview of Monday’s game and more, NFL GameDay Final provides everything viewers need to know about the week in the NFL.

NFL AM
When: Monday – Friday, 6:00 – 10:00 AM ET (Re-airs 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM ET)
Hosts: Brian Webber, Nicole Zaloumis
Analysts: Eric Davis, Mark Kriegel, Steve Wyche
What: Fans can now start their day with the NFL like never before with NFL AM, a four-hour weekday morning show on NFL Network. Hosts Brian Webber and Nicole Zaloumis are joined by analysts Eric Davis, Mark Kriegel and Steve Wyche to set the NFL news and discussion for the day. Featuring live reports from NFL Network reporters stationed throughout the league, interviews with players and coaches as they begin their workday, and discussion and debate on a number of NFL-related topics emphasizing the talent’s personalities, NFL AM is the perfect complement to every NFL fan’s breakfast and morning coffee.

Around the League Live
When: Monday, 3:00 – 6:00 PM ET; Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday, 5:00 – 7:00 PM ET; Thursday, 4:00 – 6:00 PM ET
Hosts: Paul Burmeister (Monday); Fran Charles (Tuesday – Friday)
Analysts: Heath Evans and Darren Sharper (Monday – Wednesday); Willie McGinest and Shaun O’Hara (Thursday & Friday); Michael Lombardi, Charley Casserly, Jamie Dukes, Brian Baldinger, Solomon Wilcots, Tom Waddle, Dennis Green (various)
What: Around the League Live gives fans inside access to their favorite teams with interviews with players and coaches, press conferences, live reports from team facilities, analysis of the previous week’s games and previews of the upcoming matchups.

NFL Total Access
When: Monday & Saturday, 7:00 – 8:30 PM ET; Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday, 7:00 – 8:00 PM ET; Thursday, 12 Midnight – 1:00 AM ET
Hosts: Andrew Siciliano and Lindsay Rhodes (Monday – Wednesday); Chris Rose (Thursday); Scott Hanson and Amber Theoharis (Friday – Saturday)
Analysts: Willie McGinest, Heath Evans, Shaun O’Hara, Darren Sharper
Reporters: Albert Breer, Aditi Kinkhabwala, Ian Rapoport, Jeff Darlington, Kim Jones, Stacey Dales, Michelle Beisner
What: The NFL’s show of record is the go-to destination for the most comprehensive Championship-analysis of the National Football League. Super Bowl champions Willie McGinest, Heath Evans, Shaun O’Hara and Darren Sharper provide authoritative and respected analysis gained from years of NFL playing experience at a Super Bowl level. Each show will include contributions from a number of NFL Network’s stable of analysts and reporters stationed at team facilities across the league. Additionally, NFL Total Access features interviews with a number of players and coaches each week as they prepare for their upcoming game. Hosted by Andrew Siciliano and Lindsay Rhodes Monday through Wednesday, Chris Rose on Thursday, and Scott Hanson and Amber Theoharis Friday and Saturday, NFL Total Access offers unprecedented football news and information.

The Coaches Show
When: Monday, 6:30 PM ET
Talent: Brian Billick and Dennis Green
What: With more than 30 years of combined NFL coaching experience, Brian Billick and Dennis Green provide the view of the game from the perspective of the sideline. The former Minnesota Vikings coaching pair are reunited to offer opinions on various coaching decisions made during the week’s games, put themselves into real-life situations, answer quick-fire questions and respond to fan comments via Twitter and Facebook in this 30-minute show.

NFL Fantasy Live
When: Monday – Friday, 2:00 – 3:00 PM ET; Sunday, 11:30 AM – 12:58 PM ET (on NFL RedZone)
Talent: Michael Fabiano, Elliot Harrison, Adam Rank, Dave Dameshek, Jason Smith, Matt “Money” Smith, Akbar Gbaja-Biamila, Jamie Maggio
What: Each week, NFL Fantasy Live airs Monday – Friday at 2:00 PM ET on NFL Network, providing fantasy football fans with all of the information and analysis they need to dominate their leagues. Former NFL defensive end Akbar Gbaja-Biamila and veteran sports broadcaster Jaime Maggio join NFL Fantasy Live’s talent roster of Michael Fabiano, Elliot Harrison, Adam Rank, Dave Dameshek, Jason Smith and Matt “Money” Smith. Additionally, NFL Fantasy Live airs on Sundays of the regular season on the NFL RedZone channel at 11:30 AM ET to provide last-minute fantasy advice and the latest injury reports. NFL Fantasy Live is the ultimate home for all of the latest fantasy news, rankings and advice.

NFL Replay
When: Tuesday, 8:00 PM ET & 9:30 PM ET; Wednesday, 9:00 PM ET
What: Re-live three games with NFL Films enhancements from the previous week on Tuesday and Wednesday nights throughout the NFL season. On Tuesday at 8:00 PM ET and 9:30 PM ET, and Wednesday at 9:00 PM ET, catch a 90-minute replay of one of the best games from the past weekend, complete with postgame interviews and exclusive on-field sights and sounds.

Sound FX
When: Wednesday, 10:30 PM ET
What: Every Wednesday at 10:30 PM ET, Sound FX provides viewers inside access into the previous week’s games with a compilation of the best on-field sights and sounds captured by NFL Films.

A Football Life
When: Wednesday, 8:00 PM ET
What: The Emmy-nominated series produced by NFL Films, A Football Life, returns for a second year with an expanded 13-episode season. Premiering on September 12 with a profile on the immensely popular backup quarterback for the New York Jets Tim Tebow, A Football Life airs every Wednesday night at 8:00 PM ET throughout the NFL season, examining the people and subjects that have had a profound and lasting impact on the sport of professional football. Subjects profiled this season also include Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis; Super Bowl-winning head coaches Tom Coughlin and Jimmy Johnson; the late Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair; former owner of the San Francisco 49ers Eddie DeBartolo, Jr.; and the 40th anniversary of “The Immaculate Reception.”

Thursday Night Kickoff
When: Thursday, 6:00 PM ET
Talent: Rich Eisen, Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Deion Sanders, Michael Irvin, Stacey Dales
What: Two hours prior to every Thursday Night Football game on NFL Network, host Rich Eisen and analysts Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Deion Sanders and Michael Irvin are live from the stadium on Thursday Night Kickoff. The two-hour pregame show covers all of the storylines surrounding each matchup, plus the latest news and information from around the league. NFL Network reporter Stacey Dales provides the latest up-to-the-minute reports from the locker room. The Halftime Show and the Postgame Show provide additional analysis live from inside the stadium each week on Thursday Night Football.

Thursday Night Football
When: Thursday, 8:00 PM ET (Weeks 2 – 15)
Talent: Brad Nessler (play-by-play); Mike Mayock (analyst); Alex Flanagan (sidelines)
What: NFL Network’s expanded 13-game Thursday Night Football schedule kicks off September 13 at 8:00 PM ET when the Green Bay Packers host the Chicago Bears in the NFL’s most-played rivalry. Emmy-nominated game analyst Mike Mayock is joined in the broadcast booth by play-by-play announcer Brad Nessler, while Alex Flanagan provides reports from the sidelines.

Playbook
When: Friday, 8:00 PM ET (NFC), 9:00 PM ET (AFC)
Talent: Donovan McNabb, Brian Baldinger, Sterling Sharpe
What: See the game the way the pros do each week on Playbook, the ultimate X’s and O’s football show on television. Former Pro Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb joins Brian Baldinger and Sterling Sharpe each week on Friday night to breakdown each week’s games and detail how each team will have success in the upcoming week with exclusive access to game film used by players and coaches. Fans can interact with the show through Twitter (@NFLN_Playbook) or email (playbook@nfl.com).

NFL Network Weekly Programming Schedule (all shows in HD; all times ET)

Sunday
7:00 AM – First on the Field
9:00 AM – NFL GameDay Morning
1:00 PM – NFL GameDay GameCenter
4:00 PM – NFL GameDay Scoreboard
7:30 PM – NFL GameDay Highlights
11:30 PM – NFL GameDay Final

Monday
6:00 AM – NFL AM – LIVE
10:00 AM – NFL AM – Re-Air
2:00 PM – NFL Fantasy Live
3:00 PM – Around the League Live
6:00 PM – Up to the Minute
6:30 PM – The Coaches Show
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access
8:30 PM – The Coaches Show – Re-Air
9:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10
10:00 PM – The Coaches Show – Re-Air
10:30 PM – NFL’s Top 10
11:30 PM – NFL Total Access: MNF Presser
12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Total Access: MNF Review 

Tuesday
6:00 AM – NFL AM – LIVE
10:00 AM – NFL AM – Re-Air
2:00 PM – NFL Fantasy Live
3:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10
4:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10
5:00 PM – Around the League Live
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access
8:00 PM – NFL Replay – Game #1 – PREMIERE
9:30 PM – NFL Replay – Game #2 – PREMIERE

Wednesday
6:00 AM – NFL AM – LIVE
10:00 AM – NFL AM – Re-Air
2:00 PM – NFL Fantasy Live
3:00 PM – NFL Replay – Game #1
4:30 PM – Sound FX: Best Of – PREMIERE
5:00 PM – Around the League Live
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access
8:00 PM – A Football Life – PREMIERE
9:00 PM – NFL Replay – Game #3 – PREMIERE
10:30 PM – Sound FX – PREMIERE

Thursday
6:00 AM – NFL AM – LIVE
10:00 AM – NFL AM – Re-Air
2:00 PM – NFL Fantasy Live
3:00 PM – A Football Life (Episode from Previous Night)
4:00 PM – Around the League Live
6:00 PM – Thursday Night Kickoff
8:00 PM – Thursday Night Football
11:30 PM – Postgame Show
12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Total Access

Friday
6:00 AM – NFL AM – LIVE
10:00 AM – NFL AM – Re-Air
2:00 PM – NFL Fantasy Live
3:00 PM – Sound FX: Best Of
3:30 PM – Sound FX: Best Of
4:00 PM – Sound FX
4:30 PM – NFL Films Presents – PREMIERE
5:00 PM – Around the League Live
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access
8:00 PM – Playbook – NFC
9:00 PM – Playbook – AFC
10:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10 – PREMIERE

Saturday
5:00 PM – Playbook – NFC
6:00 PM – Playbook – AFC
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access
8:30 PM – Sound FX
9:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10
10:00 PM – A Football Life

That’s all. Pretty extensive lineup.

Five Women Who Can Make Me Stop Flipping The Remote – 2009

It’s time for the 2009 edition of The Five Women Who Can Make Me Stop Flipping The Remote. It’s an annual tradition here at Fang’s Bites and one which I take time from providing the links to providing the list. No gratuitous photos, but I will provide a few pics where I can find them.

The 2007 List:
1. Giada De Laurentiis – Food Network
2. Erin Andrews – ESPN
3. Tina Cervasio – then at NESN, now at MSG Network
4. Nigella Lawson – Food Network
5. Stacey Dales – then at ESPN, now at NFL Network

The 2008 List:
1. Charissa Thompson – Big Ten Network/Fox Sports and now, Versus
2. Heidi Watney – NESN
3. Robin Meade – Headline News
4. Aida Mollenkamp – Food Network
5. Trenni Kusnierek – then Fox Sports Wisconsin, now MLB Network

If you notice, my lists are pretty good and some of the women have moved to better jobs. There’s no correlation to my list and their moves, but you notice I have a very good eye. Let’s move to this year’s list.

5. Lindsay Soto – Fox Sports West/Versus/NFL Network

Lindsay’s been getting some national attention thanks to her work during the 2008 Olympics for NBC, plus sideline reporting for the NHL on Versus. Lindsay got notice in Southern California for her work at Fox Sports West. She’s also getting work at NFL Network as both a fill-in host and reporter. It’s welcomed on this end. Here’s hoping Lindsay gets some more national exposure.

4. Olivia Munn – G4

The co-host of Attack of the Show on G4, she’s the subject of geeks’ and gamers’ fantasies since joining the Comcast-owned network in 2006. In addition, she’s done her share of modeling and acting. And lately, she’s been doing the talk show circuit promoting what I have no idea. Doesn’t matter. I love watching Olivia and she’s always Tweeting away.

3. Amber Theoharis – MASN

Whether she’s on the sidelines for Orioles games or does work for MASN’s Ravens postgame broadcasts, Amber is a very solid broadcaster. I saw her for the first time in 2007 and I was going to lobby my friends at the then-790 The Score to bring her to Providence to work, but alas, the Score fell by the wayside. She can talk sports with the best of them and here’s hoping she can get some national work over the next 12 months.

2. Trenni Kusnierek – MLB Network

The only holdover from last year, Trenni jokingly complained to me during the weekend that she was left out of the MLB TV Awards. Well, I do pledge that I’ll try to fit her in next year, but she does move up from 5th place to 2nd in this year’s list. Trenni did a tremendous job in hopscotching across the country for the new MLB Network. One day she would be in Anaheim, the next, Milwaukee, and then flying back to New York at a moment’s notice. She was all over the place and Trenni handled it extremely well. In addition, the Milwaukee Brewers fans constantly lament about her departure from Fox Sports Wisconsin. Milwaukee’s loss is the nation’s gain and I’m not talking Red Sox Nation here.

1. Bridget Regan – Legend of the Seeker

(courtesy ABC Studios)

Yeah, I became enamored with Bridget last year after watching a free preview of very first episode of the syndicated Legend of the Seeker series on iTunes. If you’re a regular visitor to Fang’s Bites, you’ll know that the show has been a regular recommendation in my Weekend Viewing Picks. And I’ll plug the fact that show returns this weekend for a 2 hour season premiere! Bridget did a great job in the show acting as Kahlan Amnell the Confessor in the series based on Terry Goodkind’s Sword of Truth books. Bridget just has this look that makes you want to watch her and I do every week.

And that is the list for 2009.

Wednesday Late Linkage

Time for a few links this afternoon.

Newsday’s Neil Best wonders who will have the last laugh, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen who says Giants QB Eli Manning will miss up to a month with an injured right shoulder or the Giants who say he may miss one or two games at the most. Manning had said he’ll play this Sunday, but that’s up in the air at this point. And Best tells us that he was on “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” as the “Phone a Friend”. Neil is on ESPN, Millionaire, what’s next? The Amazing Race?

In his Four DVRs, no waiting blog at the Houston Chronicle, David Barron says that the Texans’ victory over the Chiefs on Sunday registered quite well with viewers.

Andy Baggot of the Wisconsin State Journal writes that the Big Ten Network is still not an option for a majority of the Dairy State’s residents. He notes that Charter Communications is still in talks with BTN. The Lansing (MI) State Journal in an editorial says fans are being abused in the BTN/Cable standoff. From the Community Common (OH), Time Warner Cable says eight or more Ohio State football games will be carried on its systems either through ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC. No word on the games to be shown on BTN.

Mike Shields in Mediaweek writes that Yahoo! Sports beat ESPN.com in unique visitors for the first time last month. ESPN.com is usually the number sports website. This is considered an upset. I will say Yahoo’s NFL fantasy leagues are run very well so it could very well be people visiting to sign up.

Mike Mulhern of the Winston-Salem (NC) Journal writes that the folks at ESPN/ABC couldn’t be happier with the ratings for the NASCAR race from Saturday that aired on the alphabet network.

It seems Ray Frager of the Baltimore Sun shut down in August, but he’s back now with a column about the new Monday Night Football booth and Bob Costas showing up on Fox NFL Sunday. Also from the Sun, blogger Roch Kubatko wishes MASN’s Amber Theoharis (a Fang’s Bites fav) a happy 29th birthday. If you’re in the Baltimore area, send Amber a nice E-card. And to prove I can play the same game as Neil Best, I’ll post Amber’s picture here.

Ryan Sharrow of the Baltimore Business Journal says North Carolina officials are targeting Suddenlink Communications to get MASN carried on its cable systems. MASN is also battling Time Warner Cable in the Tar Heel State.

Tim Lemke of the Washington Times recaps an interview of SNY’s Mets analyst Ron Darling conducted by John Ourand of the Sports Business Journal. Darling goes over his first year of TV analysis for the Washington Nationals on MASN.

Chris Pursell of TV Week has a new entry in his Pressbox blog regarding the most obsessed NFL cities. The results may surprise you.

John Ryan in his Morning Buzz blog at the San Jose Mercury News says the 49er opener on Monday Night Football was the highest rated Niner game in the Bay Area in four years. And from the same Morning Buzz blog, Ryan posts a screengrab of Mike Ditka grabbing his nether regions on ESPN. I kid you not. Look at the picture.

CBS Sports’ Lesley Visser writes about her experiences on the NFL sidelines. Good article. You may not know that Lesley was once a writer for the Boston Globe sports department when it had the all-star lineup of Peter Gammons, Will McDonough, Bob Ryan, Bud Collins to name a few.

CBS also gives us some advance notes from Phil Simms for NFL Week 2 as well as the announcer assignments for the next two weeks. I notice Jim Nantz and Simms will be covering games involving the NFC North in Weeks 2 and 3 as AFC teams visit Green Bay and Chicago.

The Colorado Gazette picks up an Associated Press story on Tiki Barber’s new TV career.

Phil Swann at the TV Predictions website says the NFL Network won’t have HD capabilities for 24-72 hours because of a fire at a Stamford, CT broadcast facility that also affected the YES Network and A&E.

From the AfterEllen lesbian news website, Ace14 blogs that ESPN will have coverage of the US Women’s Open over the next five Sundays. Which US Women’s Open? Golf? No, that was back in July. Tennis? No, that was just completed last weekend. Which sport you ask? Why it’s bowling!

I think that will do it for now. Primetime and Late Night Viewing Picks coming up.

More Friday Stuff

A few more links for you today.

The Oakland A’s moved to an FM station this year to satisfy fans who were complaining about a weak AM signal at night. The problem was the talk lineup that was a bit extreme for some listeners. The Contra Costa Times reports that Free FM in San Francisco is flipping to music and that should be better for A’s fans.

Joe Davidson of the Sacramento Bee profiles Rick Barry who’s been co-hosting a show on Sirius Satellite Radio.

This weekend marks the beginning of the Women’s College World Series. ESPN will have Beth Mowins as the lead play-by-play announcer and Eric Collins being the other announcer. Mel Bracht of The Oklahoman writes that the Alleged Worldwide Leader had to scramble this year to find analysts after Lisa Fernandez and Stacey Nuveman left for various reasons.

The Boston Herald profiles the General Manager of ESPN Radio in Boston, Jessamy Tang, one of the few women leading a sports radio station in the country.

Paul Christian of the Rochester (MN) Post-Bulletin reports on a new play-by-play voice for the town’s Minor League Baseball team nicknamed …. the Honkers. Doncha love Minor League Baseball?

Laura Nachman of the Bucks County Courier Times has a story on ESPN’s Jayson Stark who has a new book just out. She also gives her overrated and underrated list of Philly sportscasters.

Jim Carlisle of the Ventura County Star has a look at HBO’s documentary on Barbaro. You may recall NBC aired one after the Kentucky Derby last month. HBO’s effort will air next Wednesday night.

Doug Nye of The State (SC) has a quick blurb on Yankees-Red Sox on Fox tommorrow. Nye has also has a story on how the NBC station in Columbia isn’t thrilled about having the Stanley Cup Finals in primetime.

Rob Brodie of Slam! Sports in Canada writes about how TV crews go conservative when it comes to broadcasting the Stanley Cup.

Tom Hoffarth of the LA Daily News says it was All-Kobe Bryant All The Time on Wednesday when he kept going on various radio talk shows in New York, LA and nationally to announce he wanted to be traded from the Lakers, then recanted, then said he wanted to be traded again, then to say he wanted to retire as a Laker.

A Fang’s Bites fav, Amber Theoharis of MASN, is the subject of another feature, this time in the Frederick News-Post.

We’ll have primetime and weekend viewing choices coming up.

Thursday’s Links

Still buzzing over the Lost finale from last night. And checking the blogs, there’s a lot of positive feedback, but let’s go to the main focus of this site.

Yesterday it broke that NFL receiver Keyshawn Johnson retired and signed with ESPN to become a studio analyst. Let’s check the fallout. The New York Post’s Pat Reichart has some quotes from Key stating that he’ll do more than just the NFL. Neil Best from Newsday has an article on Keyshawn as well. New York Daily News Jets beat reporter Rich Cimini has a story on Key.

Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News has some harsh words for Mike & the Mad Dog of WFAN for saying the report of Yankee Jason Giambi testing positive for amphetamines is no big deal. Are Francesca and Russo high?

As far as the Stanley Cup Finals are concerned, the matchup between Ottawa and Anaheim is not attractive for networks on either side of the US-Canada border. Chris Zelkovich of the Toronto Star says the CBC is facing low ratings. William Houston of the Toronto Globe and Mail reports that CBC is putting analyst Greg Millen into the booth with Hockey Night in Canada’s A-team, Bob Cole and Harry Neale. In the same story, Houston says there will be two Saturday night games which benefits the CBC.

Fox Sports has signed a multi-year deal with XM Satellite Radio to carry the Bowl Championship Series starting in January.

Do you care that FSN has signed a deal to carry the Triathlon World Cup? Me neither.
Bill Doyle of the Worcester Telegram-Gazette writes about ESPN analysts giving the Celtics a lot of grief.

Bob Smizik of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says the worst thing for the NHL was to dump ESPN for Versus. I gotta agree. The NHL has not been served well. And Smizik gives an update on the Mike Lange situation. Apparently he’s talking about staying on with the Penguins.

Are you a tennis fan? Maybe not, but I enjoy watching it. This blog has the schedule for the Tennis Channel’s coverage of the French Open which starts this Sunday.

If you live in the Maryland area or have MASN on your sports tier on DirecTV or the Dish Network, you may have seen Amber Theoharis. She works Orioles telecasts as a sideline reporter. She does a very good job and is a rising star. Here’s a profile of the Maryland native.

Speaking of DirecTV, several Regional Sports Networks will be part of its 100 HDTV channel lineup which launches this year.

More links later as they warrant.