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NFL Networks Airs The Super Bowl Selection Show

The National Football League will make another of its announcements into a big event. On Tuesday at the Spring Owners Meeting, the league will select the hosts for Super Bowls L and LI which will take place in 2017 and 2018 respectively.

It’s expected that Super Bowl L will go to the San Francisco 49ers new stadium in Santa Clara and the following Big Game will be played either in South Florida or Houston.

Rich Eisen hosts from the NFL Network studios in Los Angeles while reporters Albert Breer, Jeff Darlington and Desmond Purnell will be in Boston to cover the vote.

Let’s take a look at the quick NFL Network blurb.

Super Bowl Selection Show – Tuesday at 2:00 PM ET

On Tuesday, May 21 at 2:00 PM ET, Super Bowl Selection Show, a 90-minute special, will showcase the awarding of Super Bowl L and Super Bowl LI to their host cities live from the Spring Owners Meeting in Boston, Massachusetts.

Host Rich Eisen and NFL AM’s Steve Wyche anchor the coverage at the NFL Network studios while reporters Albert Breer, Jeff Darlington, and Desmond Purnell will be live from the Hyatt-Harborside in Boston covering the proceedings.

The San Francisco and South Florida Super Bowl Host Committees are eligible to host Super Bowl L, which will be awarded first. The committee which is not awarded Super Bowl L will then be eligible for Super Bowl LI along with the Houston Super Bowl Host Committee.

Breer will cover the San Francisco Super Bowl Host Committee, while Darlington covers South Florida Super Bowl Host Committee and Purnell the Houston Super Bowl Host Committee.

There you go.

NFL Network and NFL Films Combine for Six Sports Emmy Awards

NFL Media, comprising of NFL Network, NFL Films, NFL.com and other properties, took six Sports Emmy Awards home from ceremonies in New York on Tuesday. NFL Films working in conjunction with HBO, Showtime/CBS Sports and NFL Network took five statuettes for work on Hard Knocks, Inside the NFL and the Outstanding Sports Documentary, Namath.

Let’s take a look at what the NFL is saying about its six Emmy Awards.

NFL NETWORK & NFL FILMS COMBINE FOR SIX SPORTS EMMY AWARDS

NFL Films Wins Five Emmy Awards – Tied for Most in a Single Year
NFL Network Wins in Outstanding Short Feature & Sports Promotional Announcement – Episodic Categories

NFL Media – comprised of NFL Network, NFL Films, NFL RedZone, NFL.com and NFL Mobile – won six Sports Emmy Awards, it was announced last night in New York City.

NFL Network won in the Outstanding Short Feature category for NFL GameDay Morning: Immaculate Remembrance, as well as in the Outstanding Sports Promotional Announcement – Episodic category for A Football Life: Life Story, which it shared with NFL Films. With the two Emmy Awards, NFL Network increased its total to 12 in its nine-year history.

To view the Emmy Award-winning NFL GameDay Morning: Immaculate Remembrance, visit: http://on.nfl.com/142lGw3

NFL Films – the most-honored filmmaker in sports – won five Emmy Awards, which tied for the most awards NFL Films has received in a single year (2010-11) and increased its total to 112 Emmy Awards. Also, NFL Films was the only entity to win awards for multiple networks (HBO, NFL Network and Showtime).

The documentary Namath, produced along with HBO, earned two Emmys in the Outstanding Documentary and Outstanding Music Composition/Direction/Lyrics categories. Additionally, Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Miami Dolphins won in the category of Outstanding Post Produced Audio/Sound, and Inside the NFL won Outstanding Studio Show – Weekly.

This year, NFL Media received a record 24 Sports Emmy Award nominations, surpassing the previous high of 18 set in 2010.

Following is a complete list of the Sports Emmy Awards won by NFL Media this year:

OUTSTANDING SHORT FEATURE
NFL GameDay Morning: Immaculate Remembrance (NFL Network)

OUTSTANDING SPORTS PROMOTIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT – EPISODIC
A Football Life: Life Story (NFL Network/NFL Films)

OUTSTANDING STUDIO SHOW – WEEKLY
Inside the NFL (Showtime/CBS Sports/NFL Films)

OUTSTANDING DOCUMENTARY
Namath (HBO/NFL Films)

OUTSTANDING MUSIC COMPOSITION/DIRECTION/LYRICS
Namath (HBO/NFL Films)

OUTSTANDING POST PRODUCED AUDIO/SOUND
Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Miami Dolphins (HBO/NFL Films)

That is it for this post.

Complete List of Winners for the 34th Annual Sports Emmy Awards

Let’s go over the entire list of those who won hardware in the 34th Annual Sports Emmy Awards. The awards were handed out at Frederick P. Rose Hall at Lincoln Center in New York.

Overall, NBC Sports Group has reason to crow with 23 Emmys, the most of any sports media group. Turner Sports was next with 7 followed by HBO with 6. The ESPN Family of Networks received five awards and MLB Network had three. The CBS consortium, Fox Sports Media Group and NFL Network won two and YouTube got one Emmy.

The entire list is below. It’s a long list so I give a jump break on the main page. Get ready to scroll for a while.

(continue reading…)

34th Annual Sports Emmy Awards Winners

The 34th Annual Sports Emmy Awards were handed out tonight in New York at Frederick P. Rose Hall at the Time Warner Center.

Thanks to Josh Krulewitz, ESPN public relations maven, I can list the individual winners. I’ll have a full list from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences tomorrow and I’ll post it when it becomes available.

First, no surprises in the talent categories. The usual suspects won, Costas, Collinsworth, Barkley and Al Michaels is back for play-by-play, his sixth Emmy.

If you want to see the nominations in full, you can go here.

I’ll go in the order the awards were handed out.

The George Wensel Technical Achievement Award – Games of the XXX Olympiad: The Multi-Screen Olympics, NBC/Bravo/CNBC/MSNBC/NBC Sports Network/NBCOlympics.com/Telemundo

Outstanding Live Event Audio/Sound – NASCAR on Fox, Fox

Outstanding Production Design/Art Direction – NCAA March Madness: Brackets Everywhere, truTV

Outstanding Studio Show Weekly – Inside the NFL, Showtime/CBS Sports/NFL Films

Outstanding Long Feature – Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel: Steve Gleason: Tragic Hero, HBO

Outstanding Editing – 24/7: Pacquaio-Marquez 4, HBO

Outstanding Sports Promotional Announcement, Episodic – A Football Live: Life Story, NFL Network/NFL Films

Outstanding Sports Personality, Sports Reporter – (TIE) Pierre McGuire, NBC (why?) and Tom Verducci, MLB Network/TBS

Outstanding Graphic Design – MLB Network Division Series: The Scrapbook, MLB Network

Outstanding Sports Documentary – Namath, HBO

Outstanding Technical Team Studio – Games of the XXX Olympiad, NBC/Bravo/MSNBC/NBC Sports Network/Telemundo

Outstanding New Approaches Sports Programming Short Format – Sport Science, ESPN/Base Productions

Outstanding Playoff Coverage – (TIE) National League Championship Series: Cardinals vs. Giants, Fox and NBA Playoffs, TNT

Outstanding Camera Work – Outside the Lines: Breaking the Silence, ESPN

Outstanding Edited Sports Special – One Heartbeat, CBS Sports Network/CBS Sports

Outstanding Music Composition/Direction/Lyrics – Namath, HBO/NFL Films

Outstanding Sports Promotional Announcement, Institutional – (TIE) It’s Not Crazy, It’s Sports: Shake On It, The Name, Born Into It — ESPN/Wieden & Kennedy and NCAA March Madness: Brackets Everywhere, TBS/CBS/TNT/truTV

Outstanding Sports Personality, Play-by-Play – Al Michaels, NBC

Outstanding New Approaches Sports Event Coverage – Red Bull Stratos: Space Jump, YouTube/Red Bull Media House

Outstanding Open/Tease – NBA on TNT: All-Star Game Tease, TNT

Outstanding Post Produced Audio/Sound – Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Miami Dolphins, HBO/NFL Films

Outstanding Sports Personality, Sports Event Analyst – Cris Collinsworth, NBC

The Dick Schaap Writing Award – Games of the XXX Olympiad: Measure & Motion, NBC

Outstanding New Approaches Sports Programming – Games of the XXX Olympiad: Countdown to London, NBCOlympics.com

Outstanding Edited Sports Series/Anthology – Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, HBO

Outstanding Sports Personality, Studio Analyst – Charles Barkley, TNT

Outstanding Sports Journalism – E:60: Beitar Jerusalem, ESPN2

Outstanding Technical Team Remote – Winter X Games 2012, ESPN 3D

Outstanding Short Feature – NFL GameDay Morning: Immaculate Remembrance, NFL Network

Outstanding Live Sports Series – Sunday Night Football, NBC

Outstanding Studio Show, Daily – MLB Tonight, MLB Network

Outstanding Live Event Turnaround – Games of the XXX Olympiad, NBC

Outstanding Live Sports Special – Super Bowl XLVI, NBC

Outstanding Sports Personality, Studio Host – Bob Costas (who else?), NBC/NBC Sports Network

The network press releases crowing about their Sports Emmy wins are trickling in. I’ll post them in order of their arrival into the Fang’s Bites inbox.

Over 7 Million Watch NFL Network’s Coverage of the 2013 Draft

This in from NFL Network, the viewership for its coverage of the draft drew over 7 million total viewers for the three day event. That’s up 17% from the previous year when it saw an audience of 6.07 million.

The event averaged under a million viewers on NFL Network for each day including 1.2 million for the first round on Thursday night.

And the NFL tacks on an additional 13 million which visited NFL Digital properties.

Here’s the press release.

OVER 20 MILLION FANS WATCH & FOLLOW THE 2013 NFL DRAFT ON NFL NETWORK, NFL.COM, & NFL MOBILE PROPERTIES

Over seven million viewers watched 2013 NFL Draft coverage on NFL Network
Fueled by 126% increase to NFL Mobile properties, coverage on NFL Digital platforms drew over 13 million fans

NFL Network’s coverage of the 78^th annual NFL Draft resulted in record rating and viewership numbers for the network. NFL Network drew a record total of 7.1 million viewers over the three days (based on a 6-minute qualifier) of the 2013 NFL Draft, a 17% increase over 2012 (6.07 million) and the 5^th consecutive year that NFL Network has increased its total Draft audience.

Over the course of the three days of the draft, NFL Network averaged nearly a million viewers (930k), an increase of 23% over 2012. NFL Network’s viewership numbers were highlighted by Thursday’s coverage of Round 1 which averaged over 1.5 million viewers.

On the digital front, audience to NFL Digital Media’s draft coverage grew to over 13 million unique viewers, a 31% increase over 2012. The digital growth was driven in large part by traffic to NFL Mobile properties, which increased 126% versus last year.

With a record-high 47 hours of live coverage of the three-day event, an extensive talent roster of analysts, reporters and college coaches, and a record number of draft war room cameras providing behind-the-scenes access, NFL Network, NFL.com and NFL Mobile properties provided coverage of the 2013 NFL Draft live from Radio City Music Hall.

(Source: Nielsen Media Research)

That is all for this post.

Some Sunday Sports Media Thoughts

I need to be posting more. I’ve been busy during the day and find myself trying to catch up on Viewing Picks at night and it’s been a losing proposition. I’ll do my best to update more often here in the coming weeks.

Let’s do some thoughts while I can. As usual, they come in bullet form.

• CBC’s Don Cherry, the King of Media Firestorms, has another one on his hands after he said CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada that female reporters should not be allowed access to locker rooms. Cherry was defending Chicago’s Duncan Keith who snapped at a female reporter in Vancouver last week. Keith has since apologized and said he was not singling out the woman in particular. However, it did not stop Cherry from advocating for women to be excluded. Ron MacLean’s reaction to Cherry’s diatribe is perfect.
  

  Courtesy Steve Faguy, Montreal Gazette

  While some may agree with Cherry, we’re past the point of banning people from the locker room. Jeff Blair at the Toronto Globe and Mail correctly points out that many sports have specific rooms for postgame interviews and some teams have separate changing areas that are off limits to all reporters.

  I’ve liked Don since he was a Bruins coach in the 1970′s and have always enjoyed his Coach’s Corner segments, but he’s managed to survive many controversies whether it’s been for previous comments about women, European players, environmentalists, writers or the Iraq War. While Cherry has stayed at CBC while analysts at other media outlets in the United States and Europe have been fired for less controversial remarks, Canada’s public broadcaster may be seeing the moment that provides the excuse to let “Grapes” go at the end of the season. Coach’s Corner is one of the highest rated segments in Canada and Cherry has become one of the most popular Canadians to the point he was listed in the Top Ten of CBC’s series “The Greatest Canadian” last decade.

  I can’t see Cherry apologizing for his remarks because he truly believes what he says. We’ll see if the story grows legs over the next week.

• The 2013 NFL Draft is over. I concentrated my viewing solely on the first round on Thursday night and on NFL Network. While it was the network to watch in 2012, something was a bit off this year. Rich Eisen and Mike Mayock were solid. However, it appeared Michael Irvin who normally is animated was muted. Steve Mariucci whom I always like also seemed off. The ratings for NFL Network on the first day was up 23% from last year, but I really can’t put my finger on what was different for its coverage this year.

  One aspect that was definitely missing was the tweeting of draft picks by ESPN insider Adam Schefter. Under orders not to “spoil” draft picks prior to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s announcement, the Draft was actually quite dull. And you add that to the fact that neither ESPN nor NFL Network showed any draft picks on the phone prior to their selections, you have productions that were not compelling at all.

  Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports did tip off picks and while some of his followers got angry at him for doing so, I thought his tweets added to the experience. However, he was in the minority. I’m hoping the NFL changes this policy next year.

• Bob Socci replaces Gil Santos as the Voice of the New England Patriots. Socci just joined the Pawtucket Red Sox this season and he’s been one of the college basketball announcers on CBS Sports Network as well as being the long-time voice of Navy football. He’ll team with Scott Zolak on 98.5 The Sports Hub.
• Got to hear Friend of Fang’s Bites Jen Royle’s debut on WEEI. Her first Saturday afternoon show was yesterday on the station. While I missed it in real time, I had the chance to listen on its website. She’s the first woman to host a regular show on the station since Janet Prensky co-hosted a midday show with Glenn Ordway in the early 1990′s. Glad to hear her and I’m hoping it leads to bigger things for her in Boston.

That will do it for now.

NFL Network’s Coverage of the 2013 Draft

NFL Network will be on the case live from Radio City Music Hall in New York for the 2013 Draft. NFL Network’s desk will be filled with Rich Eisen manning the host chair with Mike Mayock as the main draft analyst. They’ll be joined by Charles Davis, Michael Irvin, Steve Mariucci, Deion Sanders and former Kansas City Chiefs General Manager Scott Pioli.

NFL Network’s coverage officially begins Thursday night at 8 p.m. ET. For some reason, there will be a red carpet show co-hosted by Melissa Stark and OMG Insider’s Kevin “Down Goes” Frazier at 7 p.m.

NFL Network’s coverage will also be seen at 6:30 p.m. ET on Friday and Saturday at noon.

We have NFL Network’s press release outlining its coverage plans for the Draft.

NFL Network Provides Record-Setting Coverage of the 2013 NFL Draft

47 Live Hours of Coverage Beginning Thursday, April 25 in Addition to Round-the-Clock Coverage on NFL.com & NFL Mobile
Behind-the-Scenes Access with 15 War Room Cams at Team Facilities – Including Kansas City & Jacksonville
College Coaches Brian Kelly, Les Miles, David Shaw & Kevin Sumlin Join Live Draft Coverage from Radio City Music Hall

NFL Network’s coverage of the 78th annual NFL Draft is officially on the clock. With a record-high 47 hours of live coverage of the three-day event, an extensive talent roster of analysts, reporters and college coaches, and a record number of draft war room cameras providing behind-the-scenes access, NFL Network – along with NFL.com and NFL Mobile – will descend upon Radio City Music Hall in New York City for its eighth year of NFL Draft coverage.

The 2013 NFL Draft kicks off with the first round Thursday, April 25 at 8:00 PM ET, followed by Rounds 2-3 Friday, April 26 at 6:30 PM ET and Rounds 4-7 Saturday, April 27 at 12 Noon ET.

NFL Network’s Emmy-nominated draft expert Mike Mayock and Emmy-nominated host Rich Eisen headline the roster of analysts, reporters, hosts and college coaches. Additionally, analyst Charles Davis, former players such Michael Irvin, Marshall Faulk and Deion Sanders, former NFL head coaches Steve Mariucci and Brian Billick, former general managers Charley Casserly and Scott Pioli, and former NFL scout Daniel Jeremiah cover the draft from every angle with expert analysis. Throughout the week, NFL Network and NFL.com Insider Ian Rapoport provides updates from New York City, while NFL Network and NFL.com reporters stationed at various team facilities around the league offer the latest news reports.

Four of the top head coaches in college football will join NFL Network’s live coverage from Radio City Music Hall. On Thursday, LSU’s Les Miles, Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly, Stanford’s David Shaw and Texas A&M’s Kevin Sumlin will provide analysis on each of their former players who may be selected in the first round. If former Texas A&M offensive tackle Luke Joeckel is selected number one overall, it will mark the second-consecutive year NFL Network has been joined simultaneously by the number one overall pick’s head coach (2012 – Shaw and former Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck).

Prior to the start of the first round on Thursday, NFL Network’s Melissa Stark and host of The Insider Kevin Frazier are live from the Red Carpet to provide interviews as each of the 23 prospects attending arrive at Radio City Music Hall during 2013 NFL Draft Kickoff. Additionally, Angela Simmons, the daughter of hip hop artist Joseph “Rev Run” Simmons, will provide fashion critiques on-air as well as on Twitter (@AngelaSimmons).

Highlighting NFL Network’s coverage of the 2013 NFL Draft is the return of the war room cameras in a record 15 team facilities, offering behind-the-scenes video access as team executives make their selections. Featured this season are the Kansas City Chiefs – marking the fourth consecutive year NFL Network has been inside the war room of the team with the first overall pick. Additional teams include the Jacksonville Jaguars (2), Arizona Cardinals (7), Tennessee Titans (10), San Diego Chargers (11), Miami Dolphins (12), Carolina Panthers (14), St. Louis Rams (16 & 22), Dallas Cowboys (18), Minnesota Vikings (23 & 25), Green Bay Packers (26), Houston Texans (27), Denver Broncos (28), Atlanta Falcons (30), and Seattle Seahawks (2nd round – 56).

NFL Network will be inside the homes of prospects Matt Barkley, Margus Hunt, Alec Ogletree and Tyler Wilson, as well as feature live coverage from 19 team draft parties – including 16 on Thursday night – providing the fan reaction to each selection made by their favorite teams.

NFL.com and NFL Mobile

Not near a television, or seek the perfect second-screen companion? NFL Digital Media has you covered with an array of options across multiple platforms and devices. NFL.com Live, NFL Mobile, and the debut of Draft Xtra on the NFL ’13 app for iOS and Android devices each provide video access inside Radio City Music Hall, complete with interactive features.

Starting at 8:00 PM ET on Thursday, April 25, NFL.com Live provides comprehensive online coverage of the first round of the NFL Draft. Matt “Money” Smith hosts alongside former NFL players LaDainian Tomlinson, Kurt Warner and Akbar Gbajabiamila, and former NFL general manager Charley Casserly. NFL.com Live will combine their analysis of each pick while joining NFL Network’s television broadcast throughout the night.

On Friday, April 26 at 6:30 PM ET, NFL.com Live returns with the same talent and format to provide extensive coverage of Rounds 2-3. On Saturday, April 27 at 12 Noon ET, NFL.com Live will simulcast the majority of NFL Network’s television coverage of Rounds 4-7.

Additional NFL.com features include NFL Fan Pass, Fan War Rooms, and Mock Draft Central.

NFL Mobile from Verizon streams NFL Network’s 2013 NFL Draft Coverage in its entirety throughout the three days of the NFL Draft. Also available through NFL Mobile is a live draft tracker and video on-demand featuring draft and team analysis.

New for this year, Draft Xtra – a feature on the NFL ’13 app – offers a comprehensive second-screen companion to NFL Network and NFL.com Live’s coverage of the 2013 NFL Draft. The free, downloadable Draft Xtra on NFL ‘13 app will have both on-demand and live video featuring Elliot Harrison, Bucky Brooks and Dave Dameshek conducting numerous interviews with NFL draftees, NFL greats, and fans in attendance at Radio City Music Hall. Additionally, Draft Xtra will provide player profiles and fan participation components.

The NFL ’13 app featuring Draft Xtra will be available to download on Tuesday, April 23 on both iOS and Android devices.

That will do it.

Some Quick Tuesday Linkage

I know. I haven’t done links in a very long time. Let me provide some for you. I won’t make promises about providing them regularly as every time I do, something happens to make me break that promise. But I hope to bring linkage to you more often.

I’ll begin with John Ourand of Sports Business Journal who talks with CBS’ Jim Nantz about the crazy moments that occurred in Super Bowl XLVII, the NCAA Tournament and The Masters.

Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch informs us on NFL Draft coverage plans for both ESPN and NFL Network.

Ed Sherman at The Sherman Report talks with ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter about the network not tipping off draft picks on Twitter. And Ed asks Adam about Twitter in general and other issues.

Mike McCarthy at Advertising Age says the National Football League plans to provide airline frequent flier-type perks to season ticket holders.

The ESPN Front Row PR blog announces that former New York Times writer Robert Lipsyte will become the network’s newest Ombudsman.

Louisa Ada Seltzer of Media Life Magazine previews tonight’s ESPN 30 for 30 documentary on the 1983 NFL Draft.

Ben Koo of Awful Announcing reviews the 30 for 30 doc.

Michael Bradley at the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center says newspapers showed their value during the coverage of the Boston Marathon bombing.

Pete Dougherty of the Albany Times Union says the NBA is lifting the blackout in the Capital Region for Thursday night’s Game 2 of the Chicago-Brooklyn series.

From the Raleigh (NC) News & Observer, Andrew Carter writes about the ACC’s new media policy that will prevent further defections.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner interviews Friend of Fang’s Bites Amy Van Dyken about her Fox Sports Radio show.

Joe Flint of the Los Angeles Times discusses the potential suitor for Tennis Channel.

Also from the Times, Sam Farmer relives the 1983 NFL Draft through tonight’s 30 for 30 documentary.

I hope to provide you with regular linkage down the line.

NFL Media Celebrates A Total of 24 Sports Emmy Nominations

NFL Media comprising of NFL Network, NFL Films and NFL.com received what it says was 24 Sports Emmy nominations. While the official National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences lists 17, NFL Media is also counting collaborations with other networks like HBO, CBS/Showtime and the like.

In the major categories, Rich Eisen, Inside the NFL, Mike Mayock, Kurt Warner, NFL Total Access, Namath and Hard Knocks all received nominations.

This is what the National Football has to say about the nominations.

NFL MEDIA SCORES A RECORD 24 SPORTS EMMY AWARD NOMINATIONS

Record Number of Nominations for NFL Network & NFL.com
Critically Acclaimed ‘A Football Life’ Series Receives Nominations for Second Consecutive Year
NFL Network Personalities Rich Eisen, Kurt Warner & Mike Mayock Secure Nominations
NFL Films-Produced ‘Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Miami Dolphins’ Receives Four Nominations

NFL Media – comprised of NFL Network, NFL Films, NFL RedZone, NFL.com and NFL Mobile – received 24 Sports Emmy Award nominations, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences announced today. This total surpasses the 18 nominations NFL Media received in 2010, setting a new record.

This year, NFL Network earned a record 16 Sports Emmy Award nominations. Also setting a record with its 16 nominations, NFL Films is the only company with nominated programs produced for four TV networks (HBO, NBC Sports Network, NFL Network and Showtime).

NFL Network’s Rich Eisen earned a nomination in the category of Outstanding Sports Personality – Studio Host for his work on NFL Network’s NFL GameDay Morning, Thursday Night Football pregame, halftime and postgame shows, and The Rich Eisen Podcast. This is Eisen’s third career Emmy nomination.

In his second year in the Thursday Night Football booth for NFL Network, Mike Mayock earned his second-consecutive nomination in the category of Outstanding Sports Personality – Sports Event Analyst.

NFL Network analyst Kurt Warner received his first Sports Emmy Award nomination in the category of Outstanding Sports Personality – Studio Analyst, based on his work throughout the season on such programs as NFL GameDay Morning, NFL Total Access and Around the League Live.

NFL Total Access, the NFL’s show of record, secured its first nomination in the category of Outstanding Studio Show – Daily.

For the second consecutive year, the critically-acclaimed NFL Network/NFL Films series A Football Life was recognized with two nominations – in both the Outstanding Sports Series/Anthology category as well as for the “Life Story” promotional announcement/episodic.

NFL Films, which has won 107 Sports Emmy Awards, earned four nominations for Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Miami Dolphins, which it produces with HBO. Hard Knocks earned a nomination in the categories of Outstanding Edited Sports Series/Anthology, Outstanding Editing, Outstanding Post Produced Audio/Sound, and Outstanding Music Composition/Direction/Lyrics. Also, NFL Films swept all three of the nominations in the category of Outstanding Music Composition/Direction/Lyrics.

Following its fourth season, NFL RedZone secured its second Emmy Award nomination in the category of Outstanding New Approaches Sports Event Coverage.

For the third time in the show’s three seasons, the NFL Network/NFL.com production The NFL Season: A Biography received a nomination in the Outstanding New Approaches Sports Programming category. NFL.com/NFL Films received a second nomination in the category for Everything to Prove.

The 34th Annual Sports Emmys Awards will be presented on Tuesday, May 7 in New York City at the Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Following is a complete list of NFL Media’s nominations:

OUTSTANDING EDITED SPORTS SPECIAL
Still Standing: The Earl Campbell Story (NBC Sports Network/NFL Films)
Tecmo Super Bowl (NFL Network/NFL Films)

OUTSTANDING DOCUMENTARY
Namath (HBO/NFL Films)

OUTSTANDING EDITED SPORTS SERIES/ANTHOLOGY
A Football Life (NFL Network/NFL Films)
Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Miami Dolphins (HBO/NFL Films)

OUTSTANDING STUDIO SHOW – WEEKLY
Inside the NFL (Showtime/CBS Sports/NFL Films)

OUTSTANDING STUDIO SHOW – DAILY
NFL Total Access (NFL Network)

OUTSTANDING SHORT FEATURE
NFL Films Presents: Slackliner (NFL Network/NFL Films)
NFL GameDay Morning: Immaculate Remembrance (NFL Network)

OUTSTANDING NEW APPROACHES SPORTS EVENT COVERAGE
NFL RedZone (NFL Network)

OUTSTANDING NEW APPROACHES SPORTS PROGRAMMING
Everything to Prove (NFL.com/NFL Films)
The NFL Season: A Biography (NFL Media)

OUTSTANDING NEW APPROACHES SPORTS PROGRAMMING – SHORT FORMAT
Speaking Out (NFL Media)

OUTSTANDING SPORTS PERSONALITY – STUDIO HOST
Rich Eisen (NFL Network)

OUTSTANDING SPORTS PERSONALITY – STUDIO ANALYST
Kurt Warner (NFL Network)

OUTSTANDING SPORTS PERSONALITY – SPORTS EVENT ANALYST
Mike Mayock (NFL Network/NBC)

OUTSTANDING CAMERA WORK
NFL Films Presents (NFL Network/NFL Films)

OUTSTANDING EDITING
Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Miami Dolphins (HBO/NFL Films)

THE DICK SCHAAP WRITING AWARD
NFL Films Presents: Like a Rose (NFL Network/NFL Films)

OUTSTANDING MUSIC COMPOSITION/DIRECTION/LYRICS
Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Miami Dolphins (HBO/NFL Films)
Namath (HBO/NFL Films)
Road to the Super Bowl (NBC/NFL Films)

OUTSTANDING POST PRODUCED AUDIO/SOUND
Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Miami Dolphins (HBO/NFL Films)

OUTSTANDING SPORTS PROMOTIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT – EPISODIC
A Football Life: Life Story (NFL Network/NFL Films)

That is all.

34th Annual Sports Emmy Awards Nominations Announced

Just received this from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the full press release of the nominations for the 34th Annual Sports Emmy Awards.

NBC Sports Group received the most nominations with 58 followed by ESPN with 43 and Turner in third with 27.

Bob Costas was nominated yet again for Outstanding Studio Host along with Dan Patrick, James Brown, Ernie Johnson and Rich Eisen.

There were only four nominees for Outstanding Play-by-play, Mike Breen, Mike Emrick, Al Michaels and Jim Nantz.

Cris Collinsworth received another nomination for Outstanding Event Analyst. He’s joined by Ato Boldon of NBC Olympics, Jon Gruden, Jim Kaat and Mike Mayock.

Studio Analyst was full with Charles Barkley of TNT, Tony Dungy of NBC’s Football Night in America, CBS’ Boomer Esiason, MLB Network’s Harold Reynolds, Bill Ripken also from MLB Network and Kurt Warner of NFL Network.

Let us take a look at the full list. We need a jump break in here as well. Let’s go. Lots of things to read through. Get ready to scroll.

THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES ANNOUNCES THE NOMINEES FOR THE 34th ANNUAL SPORTS EMMY® AWARDS

Winners to be Honored During the May 7th Ceremony At Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center

New York, NY – March 20, 2013 – The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) today announced the nominees for the 34th Annual Sports Emmy® Awards.

More than 170 nominees were announced in 34 categories including Outstanding Live Sports Special, Live Series, Sports Documentary, Studio Show, Promotional Announcements, Play-by-Play Personality and Studio Analyst. The Awards will be given out at the prestigious Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center located in the Time Warner Center on Tuesday, May 7th, 2013 in New York City.

“What a world we live in,” said Malachy Wienges, Chair, NATAS. “The Olympics, NASCAR, the Super Bowl, the Final Four, the World Series, The Stanley Cup, The NBA, the US Open, the Masters…it just goes on and on! This is another outstanding year for the sports community and for The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. The entries received in this year’s Sports Emmy Awards illustrate the high-water mark of quality each of us gets to enjoy every time we turn on our favorite program. With so much talent vying for the prestigious Emmy Award and with many of the today’s leading sports broadcasters, personalities, and television professionals in attendance, it promises to be an exciting evening.”

The networks of NBC Sports Group (NBC, NBC Sports Network, Golf Channel nbcolympics.com, Bravo, CNBC, MSNBC, nbcsports.com, & Telemundo) lead the nomination totals with 58, ESPN (ESPN, ESPN2, grantland.com, ABC, ESPN3D, ESPNU & ESPNews), garnered 43, and Turner Sports (TNT, TBS, NBA TV, NCAA.com & truTV) garnered 27. A complete list of all Networks and individual show nominations follows below.

A complete list of all nominees is attached and also available at www.emmyonline.tv/sports

34th Annual Sports Emmy Award Nominations by Network Group
Network or Network Group Nominations

NBC Sports Group (NBC, NBC Sports Network, Golf Channel, nbcolympics.com, Bravo, CNBC, MSNBC, nbcsports.com, Telemundo) — 58
ESPN (ESPN, ESPN 2, grantland.com, ABC, ESPN 3D, ESPNU, ESPNews) — 43
Turner Sports (TNT, TBS, NBA TV, truTV, NCAA.com) — 27
FOX Sports Media Group (FOX, SPEED, FOX Soccer Channel) — 17
HBO Sports — 17
NFL Network (NFL Network, NFL Media, NFL.com) — 16
CBS (CBS, Showtime, CBS Sports Network) — 15
MLB Network — 9
DIRECTV — 1
YouTube — 1

34th Annual Sports Emmy Award Nominations by Network

NETWORK — NOMINATIONS

NBC — 36
ESPN — 23
HBO Sports — 17
FOX — 13
NFL Network — 13
TNT — 13
CBS — 10
ESPN2 — 10
MLB Network — 9
NBC Sports Network — 9
TBS — 5
NBA TV — 4
Showtime — 4
truTV — 4
grantland.com — 3
NBCOlympics.com — 3
Speed — 3
ABC — 2
Bravo — 2
ESPN3D — 2
ESPNU — 2
Golf Channel — 2
MSNBC — 2
NFL Media — 2
Telemundo — 2
CBS Sports Network — 1
CNBC — 1
DIRECTV — 1
ESPNews — 1
FOX Soccer Channel — 1
nbcsports.com — 1
NCAA.com — 1
NFL.com — 1
YouTube — 1

BREAKDOWN OF MULTIPLE PROGRAM — SERIES NOMINATIONS

Program/Network/Nominations
Games of the XXX Olympiad (NBC/Bravo/CNBC/MSNBC/NBC SportsNetwork/NBCOlympics.com/Telemundo) — 14
NBA on TNT (TNT) — 6
Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel (TNT) — 6
E:60 (ESPN2) — 5
24/7 (HBO) — 4
Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Miami Dolphins (HBO) — 4
MLB on FOX (FOX) — 4
Outside the Lines (ESPN) — 4
Sunday Night Football (NBC) — 4
NASCAR on FOX (FOX) — 3
NFL Films Presents (NFL Network) — 3
30 for 30 (ESPN) — 2
A Football Life (NFL Network) — 2
College Gameday (ESPN) — 2
The Dream Team (NBA TV) — 2
Inside the NBA (NBA TV) — 2
Inside the NFL (Showtime) –2
MLB Network Division Series (MLB Network) — 2
MLB Tonight (MLB Network) — 2
Namath (HBO) — 2
NCAA March Madness (TBS) — 2
NFL on FOX (FOX) — 2
SportsCenter (ESPN) — 2
Sport Science (ESPN/ESPN2/ESPNews) — 2
UEFA Euro 2012 (ESPN) — 2

The nominations are coming after a jump break.
(continue reading…)

Another Viewership Record For The NFL Scouting Combine

Last year, the NFL Scouting Combine attracted 6.51 million viewers. Now with all of the major cable and satellite providers on board, NFL Network saw a total viewership of 7.25 million, up 11% from last year. Does having Cablevision and Time Warner Cable in the fold this year help the numbers in 2013? Absolutely, but seeing an 11% increase for any program is quite impressive.

The digital audience for the Combine on NFL.com and on NFL Mobile saw a hike as well. The NFL says unique users went up by 33% from 2012.

We take a look at the NFL Network press release in regards to the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine.

2013 NFL SCOUTING COMBINE POSTS RECORD NUMBERS ACROSS ALL NFL MEDIA PLATFORMS 

NFL Network Draws a Record-High Audience of 7.25 Million Viewers, Up +11% vs. 2012
NFL.com & NFL Mobile Attract Over 10 Million Unique Users

NFL coaches, scouts, and executives may have been the only ones allowed inside Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis to witness the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine, but NFL Media delivered the event to a record audience around the world.

A record high total of 7.25 million viewers watched coverage of the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine on NFL Network over the four days (Saturday, Feb. 23 –Tuesday, Feb. 26, live and re-air telecasts) – topping last year’s 6.51 million total viewers by +11%, according to The Nielsen Company.

Additionally, the average minute audience of 268,000 viewers for NFL Network’s live coverage of the Combine shattered the previous high of 244,000 from 2012 (+10%). Individually, NFL Network set viewership records for three of the four days of the Combine (Sat., Mon., & Tue.).

On the digital front, for the week of Feb. 20-26, unique users to NFL.com and NFL Mobile, including NFL Mobile from Verizon, grew 33% to over 10 million (10.1M vs. 7.6M). Video content was especially popular for fans following the combine online and on their smartphones. Video streams of Combine Live were up 89% (3.6M vs. 1.9M), with audience up 21% (1.4M vs. 1.2M) and Total Minutes up 35% (18.6M vs. 13.8M). (All % growth vs. 2012)

For the ninth year, NFL Network, NFL.com, and NFL Mobile provided exclusive coverage of the league’s next generation of talent with more than 60 hours of programming of the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine. Using 25 cameras and a 24-man roster of analysts, hosts, and reporters, NFL Network, NFL.com, and NFL Mobile provided an up-close look at the more than 330 NFL prospects looking to take the next step in their careers as the ‘Path to Primetime’ continued.

The NFL Scouting Combine is part of NFL Network’s “Path to Primetime” programming leading into the 2013 NFL Draft April 25-27. NFL Network’s “Path to the Draft” airs Monday-Friday at 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM ET.

That is all.

Another Rich Eisen Special on NFL Network Tonight

In what has become similar to when ABC aired the old Barbara Walters Specials, we have another hour-long Rich Eisen Special on NFL Network. And why not? In the offseason, why not tap into the face of your network to do specials around one of the more popular sports podcasts?

Tonight NFL Network will air some of the best interviews Eisen did at the Scouting Combine over the last few days in Indianapolis. Plus, you’ll see footage of Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed on the red carpet at the 2013 Academy Awards talking to various celebrities.

This fills an hour and starts tonight at 9:30 ET on the official network of the National Football League.

Here’s what’s in store on the special.

NFL Network Debuts “The Rich Eisen Combine Special”
Features NFL Legend John Elway, Super Bowl XLVII Champion Ed Reed at the Oscars

Rich Eisen is back with a look inside the NFL Scouting Combine

AIRING: Wednesday Night at 9:30 PM ET on NFL Network
PODCAST: available Wednesday 2/27 on iTunes

Ravens’ Super Bowl XLVII Champion ED REED took off his pads and put on a tux to hit the Oscars red carpet on Sunday as the correspondent for NFL Network’s, “The Rich Eisen Combine Special”, airing this Wednesday, Feb. 27th at 9:30 PM ET. A-list celebrities such as  GEORGE CLOONEY went out of their way to speak to the Super Bowl Champion right before Hollywood’s own Super Bowl. The one hour special will also include exclusive interviews from the NFL Scouting Combine with Denver Broncos executive Vice President JOHN ELWAY, St. Louis Rams head coach JEFF FISHER and Indianapolis Colts head coach CHUCK PAGANO.

“I couldn’t have been more thrilled to have my Oscar correspondent be one of my favorite people I’ve met in the ten years I’ve covered the NFL,” said Eisen. “I knew Ed would crush the carpet and he did. If I was Kevin Frazier I’d have my head on a swivel.”

The NFL Scouting Combine welcomes over 330 college prospects to Indianapolis to show off their mental and physical prowess in front the coaching staffs, scouts and executives from all 32 NFL clubs, a major stepping stone to the NFL Draft in late April.

This is the fourth one-hour special Rich Eisen has hosted on NFL Network in the past 12 months on the heels of his Season Kickoff, Thanksgiving Special, and Super Bowl Special with BEYONCE KNOWLES.

• AIRING: Wednesday Night at 9:30 PM ET on NFL Network
• PODCAST: also available at Wednesday on iTunes

There you have it.

A Late Friday Night/Early Saturday Morning Sports Media Notebook

Let’s do a notebook tonight, shall we? If I can’t do linkage and it always seems something gets in the way these days, I might as well do a notebook.

I’ll try to provide as many links and stories as possible here.

• Interesting story from The Big Lead. The daily 9 a.m.-3 p.m. ET SportsCenter block on ESPN is going to get a bit of a facelift. Jason McIntyre reports that instead of two shifts of three hours, ESPN will go to three two hour blocks. Kevin Negandhi and Hannah Storm will continue to be the combination to start off the block, but instead of going from 9 a.m.-noon, they’ll be reduced by one hour. Chris McKendry/Jay Crawford and Sage Steele/David Lloyd will be the other two weekday teams. ESPN has not confirmed the report, but The Big Lead’s confidence on this story is quite high.
• Here’s another story from The Big Lead. This upcoming season is the last year in Tim McCarver’s contract with MLB on Fox. Jason McIntyre gets comment from Fox on this.
• Add Cablevision to DirecTV and Verizon Fios to the providers tacking on a surcharge on subscribers who have packages with sports regional networks. In Cablevision’s case, it’s a $2.98 monthly fee that begins in April. Mike Farrell of Multichannel News says the surcharge is for subscribers who have the MSG Networks, SNY and YES RSN’s. This is the providers’ pushback on increasing subscriber fees from RSN’s which come as a result of high media rights for various professional teams. We’ll see if there’s any outcry from subscribers.
• ESPN Radio hack Colin Cowherd continues to say stupid things about the Midwest, this time about Indiana Pacers fans. This guy really needs to shut up.
• Joe Posnanski has been officially hired by NBC Sports to become its main columnist on its website and be featured on its multiple platforms. Ed Sherman of The Sherman Report wonders if this is the right move for Posnanski who left the fledgling Sports on Earth site after less than a year.
• Speaking of Ed, he speaks with Jim Romenesko about blogging for little to no money, something I’m quite familiar with.
• From David Goetzl of MediaPost comes this analysis of a lawsuit brought forth by Dish Network against ESPN. Very good background on a dispute that has been simmering for quite some time.
• To Sports Video Group where we have an interesting look at how ESPN3 produces a women’s college basketball that will be streamed on its platform.
• A few items from Paulsen at Sports Media Watch. First, NBA All-Star Saturday on TNT hit a three-year low, but still is among the best ratings ever for the event. Despite Danica Patrick, still not a good start for Fox for the Daytona 500 Speedweeks. And Paulsen has some various ratings news and notes.
• Ken McMillan at the Middletown (NY) Times Herald has the Arena Football League schedule on CBS Sports Network for the 2013 season. CBSSN takes over the rights after the AFL had been on NFL Network from 2010-2012. CBS will have the Arena Bowl in August.
• Robert Feder at TimeOut Chicago notes that Comcast SportsNet has ended its partnership with the Chicago Tribune and will rebrand its roundtable show as SportsTalk Live.
• Bruce Dowbiggin at the Toronto Globe and Mail reviews the first week of TSN’s new radio format and its new afternoon drive host.
• Could the NFL move the Draft to May into a ratings sweeps period? Tim Baysinger of Broadcasting & Cable says it’s entirely possible.
• By the way, this is not necessarily sports media, but it’s related. NBC definitely misses Sunday Night Football. Since the NFL season ended, the Peacock is having a hard time attracting viewers. The network will finish in 5th place in the 18-49 demographic for the February sweeps. Dominic Patten of Deadline notes that NBC will finish below CBS, Fox, ABC and wait for it…. Univision for the first time in its history. It’s not been a good 2013 for NBC thus far.
• This week, Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss passed away at the age of 80. He was first in the L.A. market to televise all of his team’s games creating the Prime Ticket regional sports network to air all of the Lakers’ home games and putting the road games on an over the air station. Before his passing, the Lakers went a step further in creating another RSN, Time Warner Cable SportsNet and doing two feeds, one in English and another in Spanish, another innovation. Jim Carlisle of the Ventura County Star looks at the impact Buss had on sports television.
• Media Life Magazine notes a new study which shows low recall of Super Bowl ads, something the NFL TV partners and its sponsors do not want to hear.
• Jonah Keri at Grantland says MLB has opened up the vault and released some of its old highlights.
• Formula 1′s ratings are down worldwide, a concern for the sport.

I think that’s where I’ll end things for now.

NFL Network Will Be All Over The Scouting Combine

This marks the 9th year that NFL Network will air wall-to-wall coverage of the NFL Scouting Combine from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. It has turned into ratings gold for NFL Network as over 6.5 million people watched the event last year.

NFL Network begins its coverage of the Scouting Combine on Thursday into Friday with the airing of live press conferences from the draft hopefuls. Then on Saturday, you’ll see the first live drills and they will last into the following week.

Rich Eisen will be your main host for the combine and he’ll attempt to improve on his 40 yard dash time. He’ll be joined by a whole host of analysts including Mike Mayock, Deion Sanders and others.

We have the NFL Network press release for you below.

NFL NETWORK & NFL.COM PROVIDE COMPLETE COVERAGE OF THE 2013 NFL SCOUTING COMBINE

NFL Network & NFL.com Cover 2013 NFL Scouting Combine with 24-Man Roster of Analysts, Hosts & Reporters
Former NFL General Managers Mike Tannenbaum & Scott Pioli Join Exclusive Coverage of the Combine
Live Coverage of Combine Drills Begins Saturday, February 23 at 9:00 AM ET

For the ninth year, NFL Network and NFL.com provide exclusive coverage of the league’s next generation of talent with more than 60 hours of programming of the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine. Beginning Thursday, February 21, NFL Network and NFL.com broadcast live from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, providing an up-close look at the more than 330 NFL prospects looking to take the next step in their careers as the ‘Path to Primetime’ continues.

NFL Network and NFL.com feature an unmatched 24-man roster of talent to cover the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine, including NFL Draft experts Mike Mayock and Charles Davis, and former NFL head coaches Steve Mariucci and Brian Billick. Additionally, former Super Bowl-winning general manager Charley Casserly, and former NFL scouts Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks, each lend their insight into the Combine process gained from several years of experience in the field.

Live coverage of on-field workouts begins Saturday, February 23 at 9:00 AM ET with the offensive linemen, tight ends and kickers, and continues with the running backs, quarterbacks and wide receivers on Sunday, February 24, linebackers and defensive linemen on Monday, February 25 and defensive backs on Tuesday, February 26. Coverage of workouts begins each day at 9:00 AM ET.

Rich Eisen anchors NFL Network’s coverage of the on-field workouts, joined by Mayock and NFL Network’s team of analysts. Expert commentary includes Shaun O’Hara on offensive linemen (Saturday), Michael Irvin on wide receivers (Sunday), Marshall Faulk on running backs (Sunday), Warren Sapp on defensive linemen (Monday), Willie McGinest on linebackers (Monday), and Deion Sanders on defensive backs (Tuesday).

Throughout the week, Davis and host Chris Rose are joined by a rotating list of analysts that include Sapp, Mariucci, Billick and Kurt Warner to provide further analysis. Additionally, NFL Network reporters Ian Rapoport and Kimberly Jones are on the scene in Indianapolis with the latest news reports from around the league.

Joining NFL Network and NFL.com’s coverage of the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine throughout the week are former NFL general managers Mike Tannenbaum and Scott Pioli, offering a fresh perspective into the Combine process from recent front office executives.

Coverage of the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine begins Thursday, February 21 and Friday, February 22 at 2:00 PM ET with the Path to the Draft: 2013 NFL Scouting Combine Press Conferences from Lucas Oil Stadium, hosted by Paul Burmeister. Additionally, Thursday – Monday at 7:00 PM ET, NFL Total Access: 2013 NFL Scouting Combine wraps up all of the day’s action, hosted by Scott Hanson and Lindsay Rhodes and featuring a rotating roster of NFL Network analysts.

NFL Network will follow the following four prospects throughout their “Draft Journey,” providing a behind-the-scenes look at how each is preparing to pursue their NFL career: USC quarterback Matt Barkley, West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith, South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore and LSU defensive end Barkevious Mingo. Features on each will air throughout NFL Network’s coverage of the NFL Scouting Combine, as well as leading up to the 2013 NFL Draft in April.

For the ninth year, the Combine will conclude with Rich Eisen’s annual 40-yard dash in his trademark suit and Under Armour shoes. This year, he will be looking to best his Personal Record of 6.03 seconds, which he set at last year’s Combine.

Located at NFL.com’s Combine home, NFL.com/combine, fans can also follow all of the action from the NFL Scouting Combine on NFL.com LIVE: 2013 NFL Scouting Combine, which features two feeds so fans won’t miss any coverage of their favorite players. Matt “Money” Smith and Bucky Brooks provide coverage on one set, while Steve Wyche and Daniel Jeremiah provide further analysis. Additionally, Akbar Gbaja-Biamila provides 1-on-1 interviews with the prospects, and NFL Films’ Greg Cosell offers his insight.

NFL.com’s coverage of the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine gives fans the opportunity to design their own experience with features such as:

• Cover it Live: New to NFL.com’s coverage of the NFL Scouting Combine this year, Cover it Live offers fans the opportunity to answer instant poll questions, interact with other fans, view video highlights and player interviews, and browse various Twitter pages.

• NFL.com’s Combine Tracker: NFL.com presents the Combine Tracker, which provides unofficial 40-yard dash times for each participant immediately. Additionally, statistics from every drill are available on the Combine Tracker, offering a central location for everything to do with the Combine.

• NFL Fan Pass: NFL Fan Pass gives fans the unique ability to interact with all of the news and action surrounding the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine. Using insider access that only the official digital properties of the National Football League can deliver, NFL Fan Pass provides daily interviews with the prospects, videos and photos on NFL.com/fanpass, NFL Mobile presented by Verizon, and NFL Network.

• Extensive Database of Prospects: Profiles of every participant, including scouting reports and statistics.

• Exclusive Video and Photo Gallery: Player interviews, news conferences, NFL Total Access segments and other event coverage.

NFL Network’s coverage of the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine features a total of 17 cameras dedicated to capturing the workouts, and the following technological enhancements:

• NFLN-Focus Camera Technology: A high-speed camera that allows moving targets to stay in the camera frame longer, highlighting the smallest details. It will have a tremendous presence in coverage of the 40-yard dash, both at the start and finish line, and will also be used in other events including the vertical and broad jumps, three-cone and position drills.

• Simulcam Camera Technology: For the fifth year at the NFL Scouting Combine, the Simulcam provides an unparalleled, in-depth comparison and analysis of the position, style, speed and trajectory of competitors through the use of background recognition and camera-matching technology. Simulcam will be a key contributor to NFL Network’s 40-yard dash coverage.

• Cablecam Technology: The Cablecam returns to offer a unique overhead view which gives viewers a new way of following each drill and a more intimate feeling that they are present in Indianapolis.

NFL Network & NFL.com 2013 NFL Scouting Combine Talent

Brian Billick                             Analyst
Bucky Brooks                         Analyst
Paul Burmeister                      Host
Charley Casserly                    Analyst
Charles Davis                         Analyst
Rich Eisen                               Host
Marshall Faulk                        Analyst
Akbar Gbaja-Biamila              Analyst
Scott Hanson                          Host
Michael Irvin                           Analyst
Daniel Jeremiah                      Analyst
Kimberly Jones                       Reporter
Steve Mariucci                        Analyst
Mike Mayock                          Analyst
Willie McGinest                       Analyst
Shaun O’Hara                         Analyst
Ian Rapoport                           Reporter
Chris Rose                              Host
Lindsay Rhodes                      Host
Deion Sanders                        Analyst
Warren Sapp                           Analyst
Matt “Money” Smith                Host
Kurt Warner                            Analyst
Steve Wyche                          Analyst

Following is the NFL Network and NFL.com day-by-day Combine coverage schedule (all times listed in ET):

Saturday, February 23
9:00 AM – 2013 NFL Scouting Combine: Kickers, Offensive Linemen & Tight Ends – LIVE COVERAGE
(Encores with cut down versions at 4:00 PM, 8:00 PM & 12 Midnight)
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access: 2013 NFL Scouting Combine
(Encores at 11:00 PM)

ALL DAY – NFL.com:  Exclusive daily video clips available

Sunday, February 24
9:00 AM – 2013 NFL Scouting Combine: Running Backs, Quarterbacks & Wide Receivers – LIVE COVERAGE
(Encores with cut down versions at 4:00 PM, 8:00 PM & 12 Midnight)
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access: 2013 NFL Scouting Combine
(Encores at 11:00 PM) 

ALL DAY – NFL.com:  Exclusive daily video clips available

Monday, February 25
6:00 AM – NFL AM
9:00 AM – 2013 NFL Scouting Combine: Linebackers & Defensive Linemen – LIVE COVERAGE
(Encores with cut down versions at 3:00 PM, 8:00 PM & 12 Midnight)
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access: 2013 NFL Scouting Combine
(Encores at 11:00 PM)

ALL DAY – NFL.com:  Exclusive daily video clips available

Tuesday, February 26
6:00 AM – NFL AM
9:00 AM – 2013 NFL Scouting Combine: Defensive Backs – LIVE COVERAGE
(Encores with cut down versions at 2:00 PM, 8:00 PM & 12 Midnight)
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access
(Encores at 11:00 PM)

ALL DAY – NFL.com:  Exclusive daily video clips available

Wednesday, February 27
6:00 AM – NFL AM
10:00 AM – NFL AM
2:00 PM – Hey Rookie, Welcome to the NFL – 2010: Part 1
3:00 PM – Hey Rookie, Welcome to the NFL – 2010: Part 2
4:00 PM – 2011: Year of the Rookie
5:00 PM – High School Rivalries 2008: Mater Dei vs. Servite, OC
6:00 PM – Path to the Draft
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access
8:00 PM – Al Davis: A Football Life
9:00 PM – 2013 NFL Scouting Combine Wrap-Up Show
10:00 PM – Path to the Draft
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access
12 MIDNIGHT – Al Davis: A Football Life
1:00 AM – 2013 NFL Scouting Combine Wrap-Up Show

There you have it.

NFL Network’s NFL GameDay Morning Quotage For Super Bowl Sunday 2013, Part 3

Now we have the final part of the quotage for the Super Bowl XLVII edition of NFL GameDay Morning. This is part 3.

NEWS & SOUND BITES FROM SUPER BOWL SUNDAY EDITION OF
NFL GAMEDAY MORNING –
PART 3 OF 3
3:00 PM – 5:30 PM ET

Quotes from NFL GameDay Morning

- “Ray Lewis will go down as one of the greatest leaders ever.” – Michael Irvin on Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis who is playing in his final game tonight.

- “When people talk about leadership, they are going to talk about how Ray Lewis did it.” – Marshall Faulk on Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis who is playing in his final game tonight.

- “I would rather not get to the Super Bowl, then to get to the Super Bowl and then lose.” – Darren Sharper

- “The better team is the San Francisco 49ers. When you put [the individual position advantages] all together, I don’t think it is that evenly matched.” – Kurt Warner on Super Bowl XLVII

- “The defense does not define the Baltimore Ravens. They are physical, but not intimidating [or] consistent.” – Deion Sanders on the Baltimore Ravens

- “There will be a game changing decision – like Sean Payton’s onside kick – one of the Harbaugh brothers will have to make which will separate them.” – Steve Mariucci on the battle of Jim and John Harbaugh in Super Bowl XLVII

- “He might not step on this field to play but he should understand he had a huge role and a huge responsibility in teaching this team that they could be a championship football team.” – Kurt Warner on San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Alex Smith

- “Absolutely there is a future for the pistol offense. You look at the production these [quarterbacks] are putting up week after week, and the stress that it puts on defenses.” – Brett Favre on if there is a future for the pistol offense in the NFL

NFL Network Super Bowl Picks

Marshall Faulk – Ravens
Warren Sapp – 49ers
Kurt Warner – 49ers
Michael Irvin – 49ers
Steve Mariucci – 49ers
Deion Sanders – Ravens
Brian Billick – Ravens
Willie McGinest – 49ers
Shaun O’Hara – 49ers
Darren Sharper – Ravens
Heath Evans – Raven
Melissa Stark – Ravens

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

One-on-one with John Harbaugh – Brian Billick sits down with the Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh to talk about is preparation for Super Bowl XLVII:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000134473/One-on-one-with-John-Harbaugh 

Niners to have new offensive plan? – Are the San Francisco 49ers going to tweak their pistol offense and surprise the Baltimore Ravens? Steve Wyche and Ian Rapoport have the latest news surround Super Bowl XLVII:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000134651/Niners-to-have-new-offensive-plan

Most overlooked Super Bowl XLVII storyline – With so many intriguing storylines surrounding the Super Bowl, which one is the most overlooked? Deion Sanders and Brian Billick give you some topics to be aware of:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000134662/Most-overlooked-Super-Bowl-XLVII-storyline

The Lewis Legacy – Win or lose, Ray Lewis will walk off the field as one of the greatest players in NFL History. The NFL GameDay Morning crew breaks down the star’s legacy and impact he had on the game of football
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000134696/The-Lewis-Legacy

Word on the Street: Super Bowl XLVII – Gerry Sandusky of the Ravens Radio Network and Ted Robinson of the 49ers Radio Network give you he word in the street surrounding Super Bowl XLVII:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000134707/Word-on-the-Street-Super-Bowl-XLVII

NFL GameDay Morning goes back to high school – NFL GameDay Morning flashes back and takes a look at the crew’s high school pictures
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000134718/NFL-GameDay-Morning-goes-back-to-high-school

Who has the advantage: Super Bowl XLVII– Who has the advantage in Super Bowl XLVII, the Baltimore Ravens or San Francisco 49ers? The NFL GameDay Morning analysts give you their picks:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000134727/Who-has-the-advantage-Super-Bowl-XLVII

Olivia Munn joins the crew – Actress Olivia Munn joins NFL GameDay Morning to share her thoughts on Super Bowl XLVII and reflect on Munn’s history as a sports journalist:

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000134740/Olivia-Munn-joins-the-crew

Best of Favre on set – Catch the very best moments of Brett Favre on the NFL GameDay Morning set from NFL Network’s pregame Super Bowl XLVII coverage:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000134743/Best-of-Favre-on-set

NFL GameDay Morning: Bold Predictions – Find out what bold predictions the NFL GameDay Morning crew has for Super Bowl XLVII:

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000134734/NFL-GameDay-Morning-Bold-Predictions

On Super Bowl Sunday, NFL Network’s NFL GameDay Morning started at 9:00 AM ET, with host Rich Eisen and analysts Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp, Michael Irvin and Steve Mariucci live from the Louisiana Superdome. Additionally, host Melissa Stark was joined by Deion Sanders, Brian Billick, and Jerome Bettis on NFL Network’s second set inside the Superdome. Ian Rapoport and Steve Wyche provided reports on the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens, while Kimberly Jones reported from the Ravens’ team hotel and Stacey Dales reported from the 49ers’ team hotel. Amber Theoharis was joined by Willie McGinest and Shaun O’Hara at the NFL Experience, and Chris Rose and Super Bowl champions with the New Orleans Saints Heath Evans and Darren Sharper provided the latest from the NFL Fan Plaza. Finally, Michelle Beisner reported from Bourbon Street, Ari Wolfe reported from San Francisco, and Rebecca Haarlow from Baltimore.

That concludes the pregame quotage.

NFL Network’s NFL GameDay Morning Quotage For Super Bowl Sunday 2013, Part 2

Let’s look at Part 2 of today’s quotage from NFL GameDay Morning.

NEWS & SOUND BITES FROM SUPER BOWL SUNDAY EDITION OF
NFL GAMEDAY MORNING –
PART 2 OF 3
12 Noon – 3:00 PM ET

Quotes from NFL GameDay Morning

- “Ray Lewis is the face, he’s the attitude – he’s everything – and they’re trying to send him out on top. I believe that they will.” – Deion Sanders on Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, who plans to retire after Super Bowl XLVII

- “When Ray Lewis announced his retirement, he raised the level of play of all of these guys. I give Ray all of the credit for getting this team right where they are.” – Michael Irvin on the Baltimore Ravens’ run to Super Bowl XLVII

- “I would have loved to play with him.” – Brett Favre on Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis 

- “You want to dictate to him and I don’t think they have the personnel to be able to attack and dictate to Colin Kaepernick for four quarters.” – Warren Sapp on the Baltimore Ravens facing San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick

- “He might not step on this field to play but he should understand he had a huge role and a huge responsibility in teaching this team that they could be a championship football team.” – Kurt Warner on San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Alex Smith 

- “Absolutely there is a future. You look at the production these [quarterbacks] are putting up week after week, and the stress that it puts on defenses.” – Brett Favre on if there is a future for the pistol offense in the NFL 

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

The Harbaugh DNA – Childhood friends of the Harbaugh brothers, John and Jeff Minick, share their childhood experiences that have molded John and Jim into winners:

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000134466/The-Harbaugh-DNA

Brett Favre returns to the Superdome – The NFL GameDay Morning crew catches up with Brett Favre as he returns to the Superdome, where he won his only Super Bowl title:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000134607/Brett-Farve-returns-to-the-Superdome

How does winning a Super Bowl change your life? – The NFL GameDay Morning crew talks about how winning a Super Bowl can effect a player’s career in the NFL along with when they are done playing:

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000134608/How-does-winning-a-Super-Bowl-change-your-life

What is the future of the pistol offense? – Can the pistol offense survive in the NFL? Brett Favre weighs in:

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000134612/What-is-the-future-of-the-pistol-offense

Niners to have new offensive plan? – Are the San Francisco 49ers going to tweak their pistol offense and surprise the Baltimore Ravens? Steve Wyche and Ian Rapoport have the latest news surrounding Super Bowl XLVII:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000134651/Niners-to-have-new-offensive-plan

Health & Safety of the Game: Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Laurent Robinson – Andrea Kremer reports on Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Laurent Robinson’s concussion and recovery process on NFL GameDay Morning:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000134606/Health-and-Safety-of-the-game-Laurent-Robinson

On Super Bowl Sunday, NFL Network’s NFL GameDay Morning started at 9:00 AM ET, with host Rich Eisen and analysts Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp, Michael Irvin and Steve Mariucci live from the Louisiana Superdome. Additionally, host Melissa Stark was joined by Deion Sanders, Brian Billick, and Jerome Bettis on NFL Network’s second set inside the Superdome. Ian Rapoport and Steve Wyche provided reports on the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens, while Kimberly Jones reported from the Ravens’ team hotel and Stacey Dales reported from the 49ers’ team hotel. Amber Theoharis was joined by Willie McGinest and Shaun O’Hara at the NFL Experience, and Chris Rose and Super Bowl champions with the New Orleans Saints Heath Evans and Darren Sharper provided the latest from the NFL Fan Plaza. Finally, Michelle Beisner reported from Bourbon Street

Part 3 will be posted when it arrives in the Fang’s Bites inbox.

NFL Network’s NFL GameDay Morning Quotage For Super Bowl Sunday 2013, Part 1

NFL Network is sending out quotage from its 8½ hour NFL GameDay Morning marathon in three parts. This is Part I.

NEWS & SOUND BITES FROM SUPER BOWL SUNDAY EDITION OF
NFL GAMEDAY MORNING –
PART 1 OF 3
9:00 AM – 12 Noon ET

Quotes from NFL GameDay Morning

- “The better team is the San Francisco 49ers. When you put [the individual position advantages] all together, I don’t think it is that evenly matched.” – Kurt Warner on Super Bowl XLVII

- “The defense does not define the Baltimore Ravens. They are physical, but not intimidating [or] consistent.” – Deion Sanders on the Baltimore Ravens

- “The Baltimore Ravens have to stop the run by not bringing Bernard Pollard up [near the line of scrimmage] so the San Francisco 49ers don’t go over the top.” – Brian Billick on the Baltimore Ravens’ defensive strategy

- “There will be a game changing decision – like Sean Payton’s onside kick – one of the Harbaugh brothers will have to make which will separate them.” – Steve Mariucci on the battle of Jim and John Harbaugh in Super Bowl XLVII

- “Joe Flacco’s mentality brought the Ravens to the next level. Maybe he realized it was ‘put up or shut up’ time regarding his contract situation.” – Deion Sanders on what has changed in the Baltimore Ravens offense since Jim Caldwell was named offensive coordinator

- “The 49ers have the best linebacker group [in the NFL].” – Steve Mariucci on the San Francisco 49ers linebackers

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

Super Bowl XLVII key matchups – Don’t miss the key matchups to look out for as the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers battle in out in Super Bowl XLVII:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000134600/Super-Bowl-XLVII-key-matchups

Joe Flacco’s contract status – Steve Wyche and Ian Rapoport have the latest on Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco’s contract status:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000134601/Joe-Flacco-s-contract-status

Flacco vs. Kaepernick – Would you rather have Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco or San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick on your team? The NFL GameDay Morning analysts debate:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000134602/Flacco-vs-Kaepernick

Does defense define the Baltimore Ravens – Former NFL running back Jerome Bettis and Brian Billick join NFL GameDay Morning to debate if defense defines the Baltimore Ravens:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000134603/Does-defense-define-the-Ravens

Biggest challenges for the Harbaugh brothers – What are the biggest challenges for the Harbaugh brothers? Rich Eisen and Steve Mariucci weigh in:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000134604/Biggest-challenges-for-the-Harbaugh-brothers

What does Alex Smith’s future hold? – What does the future hold for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith? Steve Wyche and Ian Rapoport chime in with their predictions as to where Smith will land next season:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000134605/What-does-Alex-Smith-s-future-hold

On Super Bowl Sunday, NFL Network’s NFL GameDay Morning started at 9:00 AM ET, with host Rich Eisen and analysts Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp, Michael Irvin and Steve Mariucci live from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.  Additionally, host Melissa Stark was joined by Deion Sanders, Brian Billick, and Jerome Bettis on NFL Network’s second set inside the Superdome. Ian Rapoport and Steve Wyche provided reports on the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens, while Kimberly Jones reported from the Ravens’ team hotel and Stacey Dales reported from the 49ers’ team hotel. Amber Theoharis was joined by Willie McGinest and Shaun O’Hara at the NFL Experience.

Part 2 is coming up.

NFL Network’s First on the Field Quotage For Super Bowl Sunday 2013

We already have our first piece of Sunday NFL pregame quotage and it comes from NFL Network. It’s from First on the Field where Sterling Sharpe talks way too much and this is a guy who never talked to the media when he played.

Anyway, here’s the quotage.

NEWS & SOUND BITES FROM SUPER BOWL SUNDAY EDITION OF FIRST ON THE FIELD

Quotes from First on the Field

On Super Bowl Sunday, NFL Network was First on the Field at 7:00 AM ET, with host Melissa Stark and analysts Sterling Sharpe, LaDainian Tomlinson and Heath Evans from inside the NFL Experience. Additionally, Darren Sharper provided analysis from Café Beignet on Bourbon Street, and NFL Network reporters Albert Breer and Aditi Kinkhabwala provided live reports from both team hotels. Steve Wyche provided the first reports from inside the Louisiana Superdome.

- “Joe Flacco has realized it’s OK for him to be the leader of this Baltimore Ravens football team with Ray Lewis retiring…Joe Flacco is making plays and he’s now the leader.” – Sterling Sharpe on Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco 

- “Colin Kaepernick is a passer by birth and he runs by choice.” – Sterling Sharpe on San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick

- “He’s going to be the key to stopping this San Francisco pass offense.” – LaDainian Tomlinson on Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed

- “If this game is close and it comes down to a kick, I don’t want David Akers kicking the football for me.” – LaDainian Tomlinson on San Francisco 49ers kicker David Akers

- “He not only wants the game to come down to a field goal – he’s hoping that the game comes down to a field goal.” – Sterling Sharpe on Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker

‘Sunday Sitdown’ – Jack & Jackie Harbaugh

Before their two sons face each other in Super Bowl XLVII, Jack and Jackie Harbaugh sat down with NFL Network’s Melissa Stark.

On if they wished their sons did not have to make the Super Bowl in the same season:
Jackie: “It doesn’t matter if we wished it or not because this is where they are. So now they have to handle that situation.”
Jack: “Twenty-six weeks, one half of a year. These guys have worked hard, and to see them both here is exciting.”

On having both sons facing each other in the Super Bowl:
Jack: “The scariest thing for me – and this is really scary – is if you’re in a situation where there are cameras on you and you’re watching the game, something happens and there is a reaction, a smile on your face, your hands or whatever you do emotionally, your eyebrows – that could be interpreted as maybe favoring one over the other. That just scares me because the last thing I would ever, ever want is to give any kind of feeling or impression that you favor one over the other.”

On if they will attend the Super Bowl parade of the team that wins:
Jackie: “I have no idea what we’ll do.”
Jack: “We need to be invisible. We need to be so proud of their teams and how they’ve gotten in this particular position right now…But this is their moment, this is their platform.”

On a conversation he had with John Elway’s father, Jack:
Jack: “That was one of the turning points in my life really as a parent, Jack Elway telling me they are going to have a lot of coaches; they are going to have a lot of coaches as they go through their career. But they only have one dad. Since that moment that he made that point to me, my life literally has changed. I think I’m a much better dad because of that now.”

First on the Field Super Bowl Picks

Melissa Stark: Baltimore Ravens; MVP – Joe Flacco
LaDainian Tomlinson: San Francisco 49ers; MVP – Colin Kaepernick
Sterling Sharpe: San Francisco 49ers; MVP – Aldon Smith
Heath Evans: Baltimore Ravens; MVP – Joe Flacco

That’s it.

NFL Network’s 10.5 Hour Super Bowl Pregame Extravaganza

Well, NFL Network keeps expanding its Super Bowl Sunday pregame fare. It’s gone from four hours to 6½ to 8½ to a whopping 10½ hours this year.

It all begins with the two hour First on the Field which hits the air at 7 a.m. ET/4 a.m. PT live from New Orleans with Melissa Stark and Sterling Sharpe. They’ll be joined by LaDanian Tomlinson, Heath Evans and Darren Sharper. They’ll be the first live pregame show on Super Bowl Sunday.

Then two hours later, it’s the extremely long, super-sized 8½ hours-long NFL GameDay Morning at 9 a.m. ET with Rich Eisen and a cast of 10,000 analysts.

We have the features you’ll see in the 10½ hours of coverage NFL Network will provide. Check it out, Winston.

NFL NETWORK LOOK AHEAD – SUPER BOWL SUNDAY 

‘First on the Field’ Kicks off NFL Network’s 10.5 Hours of Super Bowl Sunday Coverage at 7:00 AM ET
Super Bowl Champions Brett Favre & Jerome Bettis Joins Special 8.5-Hour Edition of ‘NFL GameDay Morning’ at 9:00 AM ET
Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh Sits Down with Former Baltimore Head Coach Brian Billick

On Super Bowl Sunday, NFL Network is First on the Field at 7:00 AM ET, with host Melissa Stark and analysts Sterling Sharpe, LaDainian Tomlinson, Heath Evans and Darren Sharper providing the day’s first analysis of Super Bowl XLVII. Additionally, Albert Breer and Aditi Kinkhabwala report from the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens’ team hotels, while Steve Wyche reports from inside the Louisiana Superdome.

At 9:00 AM ET, a special 8.5-hour edition of NFL GameDay Morning airs, with host Rich Eisen and analysts Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp and Michael Irvin from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. On the field, host Melissa Stark joins analysts Deion Sanders and Brian Billick to provide additional analysis.

Host Amber Theoharis and analysts Willie McGinest and Shaun O’Hara are live from inside the NFL Experience, while host Chris Rose and analysts Heath Evans and Darren Sharper join the show from the Fan Plaza.

Provided below is an hour-by-hour breakdown of the Super Bowl Sunday edition of NFL GameDay Morning:

9:00 AM ET

• Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp and Michael Irvin break down the key matchups to watch in Super Bowl XLVII

10:00 AM ET

• Which quarterback would you rather have: Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco 49ers or Joe Flacco of the Baltimore Ravens?

• Deion Sanders, Brian Billick, Melissa Stark and Super Bowl champion Jerome Bettis discuss if the Ravens are still defined by their defense

• NFL Network’s Andrea Kremer sits down with Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Laurent Robinson to discuss the impact of concussions

11:00 AM ET

• Faulk examines if stopping 49ers running back Frank Gore is the key to stopping Kaepernick

• Warner discusses how the playmaking ability of quarterbacks Flacco and Kaepernick is the key to deciding Super Bowl XLVII

• A look at the 25th anniversary of Washington Redskins quarterback Doug Williams’ performance in Super Bowl XXII and its lasting impact on the quarterback position

12 NOON ET

• Super Bowl champion quarterback Brett Favre joins the show

• Interview with former University of Nevada-Reno head coach Chris Ault to discuss the origin of the “Pistol” offense 

• Favre joins Faulk, Warner, Sapp, Irvin and Sanders to discuss their memories from playing in the Super Bowl

1:00 PM ET

• Stark sits down with the parents of the two head coaches in Super Bowl XLVII, Jack and Jackie Harbaugh

• Favre, Warner, Mariucci, Sanders and Faulk discuss the evolution of the quarterback position

• A look back at what drives Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis and what his presence and motivation has meant to the team in their playoff run

2:00 PM ET

• Sitdown interview with Kaepernick’s adoptive family, Rick (father), Teresa (mother), Devon (sister) and Kyle (brother)

• Irvin and Faulk debate which Harbaugh brother they would like to play for in a Super Bowl edition of M&M

• Sanders and Billick give us their most overlooked Super Bowl XLVII storyline

3:00 PM ET

• NFL GameDay Morning analyzes the lasting impact of Ray Lewis

• Former Ravens head coach Billick sits down with the current head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, John Harbaugh

4:00 PM ET

• The NFL GameDay Morning crew gives their Super Bowl XLVII predictions

• Super Bowl champions Willie McGinest and Shaun O’Hara discuss if offense or defense will dictate in Super Bowl XLVII from the NFL Experience

We’ll have more rundowns coming up.

NFL Viewing Picks For Super Bowl Sunday, 02/03/2013

All Times Eastern

Pregame Shows
NFL Matchup — ESPN, 6:30 a.m.
First on the Field — NFL Network, 7 a.m.
Super Bowl Live — CBS Sports Network, 9 a.m.
NFL GameDay Morning — NFL Network, 9 a.m.
Sunday NFL Countdown — ESPN, 10 a.m.
Face the Nation: Super Bowl Edition — CBS, 10:30 a.m.
Road to the Super Bowl — CBS, 11 a.m.
New Orleans: Let the Good Times Roll — CBS, noon
Phil Simms All-Iron Team: Super Bowl Edition, CBS, 1 p.m.
The Super Bowl Today — CBS, 2 p.m.
49ers Pregame Live — Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, 5 p.m.
Ravens Kickoff Live — Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, 5 p.m.
Super Bowl Kickoff Show — CBS, 6 p.m.
Super Bowl Game Center — NFL Network, 6:30 p.m.

6:25 p.m.

CBS/Dial Global Radio
Super Bowl XLVII, Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, LA
Baltimore Ravens vs. San Francisco 49ers — Jim Nantz/Phil Simms/Steve Tasker/Solomon Wilcots (CBS); Kevin Harlan/Boomer Esiason/James Lofton/Mark Malone (Dial Global)

Postgame Shows
Super Bowl Today Postgame Show — CBS Sports Network, 10:30 p.m.
NFL PrimeTime — ESPN, 10:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Final — NFL Network, 10:30 p.m.
49ers Postgame Live — Comcast SportsNet Bay Area/KNTV, 10:30 p.m.
Ravens Postgame Live — Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic, 10:30 p.m.

NFL Network’s Schedule For Thursday of Super Bowl Week

Let’s take a look at what’s in store for NFL Network as it covers Day 4 of Super Bowl Week from New Orleans. A big guest list and plenty of events on tap for Thursday.

Check out the schedule.

NFL NETWORK LOOK AHEAD – THURSDAY, JANUARY 31

Vikings RB Adrian Peterson, Texans DE J.J. Watt & More on NFL AM at 6:00 AM ET Beyoncé On-Set of Super Bowl LiveSuper Bowl Champions Deion Sanders, Michael Irvin, Warren Sapp & Brian Billick on No Huddle: Super Bowl Live XLVII at 10:00 PM ET

The following are scheduled to appear on NFL AM Thursday, January 31 starting at 6:00 AM ET:

• Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson
• Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt
• Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jameel McClain
• Former Super Bowl-winning head coach Dick Vermeil
• Brittney & Connie Payton

The following are scheduled to appear on Super Bowl Live from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM ET:

• Beyoncé with Rich Eisen and Deion Sanders
• Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Biscotti
• Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman
• Hall of Fame running back Marcus Allen
• Houston Texans running back Arian Foster
• New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees
• New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski 

The following are scheduled to appear on NFL.com Super Bowl Live, which airs on NFL.com from 1:00 – 4:00 PM ET:

• Houston Texans running back Arian Foster
• Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt
• New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees
• New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora
• Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant & former wide receiver Terrell Owens
• Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware
• New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski
• Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman
• Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs
• Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson
• Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Archie Manning
• Actor Tracy Morgan

At 6:30 PM ET, head coach of the Atlanta Falcons Mike Smith joins Brian Billick and Steve Mariucci on The Coaches Show.

At 7:00 PM ET, Super Bowl-champions Heath Evans and Darren Sharper join hosts Andrew Siciliano and Lindsay Rhodes on NFL Total Access.

At 10:00 PM ET, Super Bowl champions Deion Sanders, Michael Irvin, Warren Sapp and Brian Billick discuss and debate all of the hot topics leading up to the big game on No Huddle: Super Bowl XLVII.

Provided below is a complete programming schedule for Thursday, January 31:

6:00 AM – NFL AM – LIVE

• 9:00 AM: San Francisco 49ers media availability

10:00 AM – Super Bowl Live

• 11:15 AM: Baltimore Ravens media availability
• Super Bowl XLVII Halftime press conference with Beyoncé

6:00 PM – Playbook
6:30 PM – The Coaches Show – LIVE
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII – LIVE
8:00 PM – Super Bowl Commercials
9:00 PM – The NFL Season
10:00 PM – No Huddle: Super Bowl XLVII
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII
12 MIDNGHT – Super Bowl Commercials
1:00 AM – Harbaugh Family Roundtable
1:30 AM – NFL Films Presents: Ray Lewis Coaching Tree
2:00 AM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII

We’ll give you ESPN’s schedule next.

The Wishy-Washy Brett Favre Joins NFL GameDay Morning on Super Bowl Sunday

Brett Favre, a.k.a. “Mr. Indecision,” joins NFL Network this Sunday. It’ll be his first official TV gig since retiring from the game.

He’ll be part of the 8½ hour long show that will begin at 9 a.m. ET on Super Bowl Sunday. Rich Eisen will host and be joined by regular GameDay Morning analysts Marshall Faulk, Michael Irvin, Steve Mariucci, Warren Sapp and Kurt Warner. Fox Sports and NFL Network analyst Brian Billick will also be on hand for the program.

Here’s a look at what NFL Network is saying about the elongated pregame show.

THREE-TIME NFL MVP BRETT FAVRE TO JOIN NFL NETWORK’S NFL GAMEDAY MORNING PRIOR TO SUPER BOWL XLVII

From the field where he led the Green Bay Packers to a win in Super Bowl XXXI, Favre to give his thoughts on the 2012 season, the matchup between the 49ers and Ravens, and his life away from the field

Twenty-year NFL veteran and three-time league MVP, Brett Favre will join NFL Network’s 8.5-hour edition of NFL GameDay Morning (Sunday, 9:00 AM ET) live from the Louisiana Superdome prior to Super Bowl XLVII.

Favre will join host Rich Eisen along with his former coach Steve Mariucci, and Super Bowl champions Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp, Michael Irvin, Deion Sanders and Brian Billick to discuss his thoughts on the 2012 NFL season, the Super Bowl XLVII matchup, and his life away from the field.

In 1997, Favre led the Green Bay Packers to a 35-21 win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI in game played at the Louisiana Superdome, the same field where Favre will provide analysis prior Super Bowl XLVII between the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens.

Favre’s appearance on NFL GameDay Morning is part of NFL Network’s more than 140 total hours – 85 live – of programming from 11 sets across New Orleans featuring a roster of 35 on-air personalities with a combined 17 Super Bowl rings. Super Bowl XLVII is the 10^th Super Bowl NFL Network has covered since the network was started in 2003.

“There aren’t too many retired athletes who continue to attract the attention and draw that Brett Favre does, and NFL Network is thrilled to have him on NFL GameDay Morning leading up to Super Bowl XLVII,” said Eric Weinberger, Executive Producer of NFL Network. “Surrounded by a former mentor in Steve Mariucci and players he competed against over the years such as Deion Sanders and Warren Sapp, and from the field where he guided the Packers to a victory in Super Bowl XXXI, Brett should give our viewers some unique insight and analysis into the game and his life away from the field.”

Super Bowl Sunday Coverage on NFL Network 

On Super Bowl Sunday, February 3, NFL Network provides more than 16 hours of live pregame and postgame coverage:

• At 7:00 AM ET, First on the Field is live from the NFL Experience, with host Melissa Stark and analysts LaDainian Tomlinson, Sterling Sharpe and Steve Wyche providing the day’s first breakdown of the matchup.
• At 9:00 AM ET, an 8.5-hour edition of NFL GameDay Morning airs from the Louisiana Superdome, the NFL Experience and the Fan Plaza. Host Rich Eisen anchors the coverage from inside the stadium, joined by Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp and Michael Irvin, with Stark and analysts Deion Sanders and Brian Billick providing additional analysis. Host Amber Theoharis and analysts Shaun O’Hara and Willie McGinest are live from the NFL Experience, while host Chris Rose and analysts Darren Sharper and Heath Evans provide their insight from the Fan Plaza.

Following the game, NFL GameDay Final is live from the Superdome and the Fan Plaza with postgame interviews with players and coaches, in-depth analysis and highlights.

That is all.

Some Various Monday Sports Media Thoughts

I haven’t done a thoughts post in ages. It’s fine time you’ve been provided one. Lets do this. As usual, they come in bullet form.

• How much is too much? When will the sports rights fee bubble burst? When will there be major blowback from a major cable or satellite provider against one of the major or regional sports networks? I have feeling that the providers are reaching the end of their proverbial ropes on constantly rising subscriber fees from sports programmers. They are a major reason why your pay TV bills are increasing. While sports fans feel the battles have become par for the course, a majority of the country doesn’t follow sports and wonder why they have to subsidize something they don’t watch.With Fox Sports’ purchases involving YES and Sports Time Ohio and creating two all-new sports networks along with Time Warner’s Los Angeles Lakers channel and potentially a Dodgers network, the price for subscriber is only going to go up. And with rights fees growing exponentially, the sports fan who might be living paycheck to paycheck may find him or herself priced out of watching sports on television.With many consumers cutting the cord on cable or satellite and finding alternate ways to watch TV, one wonders if networks and leagues will cut deals directly with YouTube or other online distributors to reach viewers.
• Looking forward to seeing the debut of “The Crossover” with Michelle Beadle and Dave Briggs on NBC Sports Network. While we saw a sneak preview after the Pro Bowl on Sunday night, it certainly looked like an exact clone of her old show, SportsNation. It was only five minutes. We’ll see if it’s any different when it finally airs. Michelle is so funny, that the show will probably work.
• There was a time when network’s only Super Bowl pregame programming came on Super Bowl Sunday. Now with CBS, NBC and soon, Fox developing their cable sports networks, they all need inventory. So CBS Sports Network has 50 hours of programming this week, NBC Sports Network has its share, NFL Network has 140. Because there’s interest in the game, the networks provide the programming. It works because people will watch and it’s the NFL. If the Super Bowl didn’t get the ratings, the networks would not do much, but again, how much is too much? Is there a limit to this too?
• Speaking of Fox, it appears their cable sports strategy is taking shape. Not only will Speed be converted to Fox Sports 1, John Ourand at Sports Business Journal reports that Fuel will be rebranded to Fox Sports 2 with Fox Soccer becoming FX2 and no longer in the sports business. So Fox will have two all-cable sports channels to handle college basketball, college football, MLB, MMA, NASCAR, soccer and other inventory the division will develop. And I would not be surprised to see a lot of Super Bowl programming on both Fox Sports 1 and Fox Sports 2 in advance of Super Bowl XLIX in New York/New Jersey next year. And there won’t be any sports on FX once FS1 and 2 come to fruition.
• Quick movie recap: Les Miserables A, Django Unchained A+, Movie 43 C minus and Silver Linings Playbook with A+. SLP was much better than I thought it would be. Very impressed with Jennifer Lawrence’s performance and Bradley Cooper was very good.

That’s all.

NFL Network’s Coverage Plans For Super Bowl Week, Day 1

For Monday, NFL Network will be all over the Super Bowl beginning with NFL AM live from New Orleans at 6 a.m. ET.The continues with Super Bowl Live at 4 p.m. ET with Lindsay Rhodes and Andrew Siciliano co-hosting which will include the first media availability of the week.

And we have the full day’s schedule from NFL Network.

NFL NETWORK LOOK AHEAD –MONDAY, JANUARY 28

49ers QB Colin Kaepernick & LB Patrick Willis LIVE on NFL Total Access at 7:00 PM ET
Live Coverage of Baltimore Ravens Arrival & Media Availability in New Orleans

NFL Network’s more than 140 hours of Super Bowl programming kicks off from New Orleans Monday, January 28 at 6:00 AM ET with a live edition of NFL AM from the Media Center.

At 4:30 PM ET, NFL Network provides live coverage of the Baltimore Ravens’ arrival in New Orleans. Analysts Heath Evans and Darren Sharper join hosts Andrew Siciliano and Lindsay Rhodes on a three-hour edition of Super Bowl Live, with Aditi Kinkhabwala providing reports from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.

At 6:45 PM ET, NFL Network carries the Ravens’ first media availability in New Orleans.

At 7:00 PM ET, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and linebacker Patrick Willis join analyst Willie McGinest and host Amber Theoharis on-set on NFL Total Access from the Louisiana Superdome. Analyst Shaun O’Hara and host Scott Hanson provide additional coverage from Bourbon Street.

Provided below is a complete programming schedule for Monday, January 28:

6:00 AM – NFL AM – LIVE
10:00 AM – NFL AM
2:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Players to Never Play in the Super Bowl
3:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Super Bowls
4:00 PM – Super Bowl Live:

• 4:30 PM: San Francisco 49ers media availability
• 5:00 PM: Baltimore Ravens arrival
• 6:45 PM: Baltimore Ravens media availability

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII – LIVE
8:00 PM – Super Bowl Classic: New York Giants vs. New England Patriots – Super Bowl XLVI
10:30 PM – Sound FX: Ray Lewis
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII
MIDNGHT – America’s Game: 1981 San Francisco 49ers
1:00 AM – America’s Game: 1984 San Francisco 49ers
2:00 AM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII

That’s all.

NFL Network’s Schedule For Super Bowl Week

NFL Network’s coverage of Super Bowl Week actually began tonight with live coverage of the San Francisco 49ers’ plane landing in New Orleans. Let’s take a look at what NFL Network has in store for the entire week up until and after Super Bowl XLVII in the Louisiana Superdome.

NFL NETWORK IS ON-LOCATION AT THE SUPER BOWL FOR THE 10TH YEAR

More Than 140 Hours of Programming Using 11 Sets & Featuring 35 On-Air Personalities with a Combined 17 Super Bowl Rings

SUPER BOWL XLVII DAY-BY-DAY PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE
(times listed are Eastern Standard Time)

Monday, January 28
6:00 AM – NFL AM – LIVE
10:00 AM – NFL AM
2:00 PM – NFL Top 10: Players to Never Play in the Super Bowl 3:00 PM – NFL Top 10: Super Bowls
4:00 PM – Super Bowl Live:

o 4:30 PM: San Francisco 49ers media availability

o 5:00 PM: Baltimore Ravens arrival

o 6:45 PM: Baltimore Ravens media availability

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII – LIVE
8:00 PM – Super Bowl Classic: New York Giants vs. New England Patriots – Super Bowl XLVI
10:30 PM – Sound FX: Ray Lewis
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII
MIDNIGHT – America’s Game: 1981 San Francisco 49ers
1:00 AM – America’s Game: 1984 San Francisco 49ers
2:00 AM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII

Tuesday, January 29
6:00 AM – NFL AM – LIVE
10:00 AM – Super Bowl Live:

o 11:00 AM San Francisco 49ers Media Day – LIVE

o 1:15 PM Baltimore Ravens Media Day – LIVE

o 2:30 PM San Francisco 49ers Media Day

o 5:00 PM Baltimore Ravens Media Day

6:30 PM – The Coaches Show
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl – LIVE
8:00 PM – Eddie DeBartolo: A Football Life
9:00 PM – Sound FX TNF Special Edition: San Francisco 49ers vs. Baltimore Ravens from Thanksgiving 2011
10:00 PM – Harbaugh Family Roundtable
10:30 PM – NFL Films Presents: Ray Lewis Coaching Tree
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII
MIDNIGHT – Eddie DeBartolo: A Football Life
1:00 AM – Sound FX: Steve Young
1:30 AM – Sound FX: Vernon Davis
2:00 AM – NFL Total Access Super Bowl XLVII

Wednesday, January 30
6:00 AM – NFL AM – LIVE

o 9:00 AM San Francisco 49ers media availability

10:00 AM – Super Bowl Live:

o 11:15 AM Baltimore Ravens media availability

6:00 PM – Playbook
6:30 PM – The Coaches Show
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII – LIVE
8:00 PM – Ray Lewis: A Football Life
9:00 PM – Sound FX: Best of 2012 Season
10:00 PM – Sound FX: John Harbaugh
10:30 PM – Sound FX: Terrell Suggs
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII
MIDNIGHT – Ray Lewis: A Football Life
1:00 AM – Sound FX: Ray Lewis
1:30 AM – Sound FX: Joe Flacco
2:00 AM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII

Thursday, January 31
6:00 AM – NFL AM – LIVE

o 9:00 AM San Francisco 49ers media availability

10:00 AM – Super Bowl Live:

o 11:15 AM Baltimore Ravens media availability

o Super Bowl XLVII Halftime featuring Beyoncé press conference

o Player Health & Safety press conference

6:00 PM – Playbook
6:30 PM – The Coaches Show
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII – LIVE
8:00 PM – Super Bowl Commercials
9:00 PM – The NFL Season
10:00 PM – No Huddle: Super Bowl XLVII
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access Super Bowl XLVII
MIDNIGHT – Super Bowl Commercials
1:00 AM – Harbaugh Family Roundtable
1:30 AM – NFL Films Presents: Ray Lewis Coaching Tree
2:00 AM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII

Friday, February 1
6:00 AM – NFL AM – LIVE

o 9:30 AM Joint Press Conference: 49ers’ Jim Harbaugh and Ravens’ John Harbaugh

10:00 AM – Super Bowl Live:

o Commissioner Goodell press conference

6:00 PM – Playbook
6:30 PM – The Coaches Show
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII – LIVE
8:00 PM – NFL Top 10: Super Bowls
9:00 PM – NFL Top 10: Joe Montana Games
10:00 PM – The Rich Eisen Super Bowl Special
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII – LIVE
MIDNIGHT – NFL Top 10: Football Families
1:00 AM – The Rich Eisen Super Bowl Special
2:00 AM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII – LIVE

Saturday, February 2
8:00 AM – Super Bowl Classic: San Francisco 49ers vs. Cincinnati Bengals Super Bowl XXIII
11:00 AM – Playbook
NOON – Super Bowl Commercials
1:00 PM – Eddie DeBartolo: A Football Life
2:00 PM – America’s Game: 1989 San Francisco 49ers
3:00 PM – America’s Game: 2000 Baltimore Ravens
4:00 PM – Pro Football All-Time Hall of Fame Team
5:00 PM – Super Bowl Live
5:30 PM – Hall of Fame Announcement Show – LIVE
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII – LIVE
8:00 PM – Super Bowl Saturday Night – LIVE
9:00 PM – Playbook
10:00 PM – Sound FX: Super Bowls
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII – LIVE
MIDNIGHT – NFL Honors
2:00 AM – NFL Total Access Super Bowl XLVII

Super Bowl Sunday, February 3
7:00 AM – First on the Field – LIVE
9:00 AM – NFL GameDay Morning – LIVE
5:30 PM – Ray Lewis: A Football Life
6:30 PM – Super Bowl XLVII Game Center
10:00 PM – NFL GameDay Final – LIVE
MIDNIGHT – NFL GameDay Final

That’s all.

NFL Network All Over Super Bowl Week in New Orleans

In a 941-word press release, NFL Network has announced its extensive “Everything, but the Big Game” coverage of Super Bowl XLVII from New Orleans.

According to NFL Network, it will air more than 140 hours of both live and taped programming from The Big Easy. It will utilize something like 11 different sets spread across the Crescent City overall featuring 35 on-air people.

On Super Bowl Sunday, it will begin with “First on the Field” at 7 a.m. ET, then a very long, super-sized 8½ hour-long NFL GameDay Morning live from the Louisiana Superdome hosted by Rich Eisen and his usual merry gang of 300 analysts for the show.

Here’s what NFL Network is talking about regarding the extensive coverage next week from New Orleans.

NFL NETWORK IS ON-LOCATION AT THE SUPER BOWL FOR THE 10TH YEAR

More Than 140 Hours of Programming Using 11 Sets & Featuring 35 On-Air Personalities with a Combined 17 Super Bowl Rings
10.5 Hours of Pregame Coverage Super Bowl Sunday with Live Editions of ‘First on the Field’ & ‘NFL GameDay Morning’‘NFL AM,’ ‘Super Bowl Live’ & ‘NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII’ Shows Live from New Orleans Throughout the Week
Comprehensive Live Coverage of Super Bowl XLVII Media Day from the Louisiana Superdome Tuesday, January 29
Exclusive 2013 Pro Football Hall of Fame Announcement Saturday, February 2 at 5:30 PM ET

For the 10th year, NFL Network is on-location providing comprehensive, wall-to-wall coverage of Super Bowl week. With more than 140 total hours – 85 live – of programming from 11 sets across New Orleans featuring a roster of 35 on-air personalities with a combined 17 Super Bowl rings, NFL Network is the go-to destination for expert analysis, the latest news and reports, special guest appearances, matchup-related programming, and more leading up to Super Bowl XLVII. (click here to view mockups of NFL Network sets in New Orleans)

Beginning Monday, January 28, NFL Network kicks off its more than 140 total hours of programming from New Orleans. From live telecasts of original shows such as NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII, Super Bowl Live, NFL GameDay Morning and First on the Field, on-location editions of The Coaches Show and The Rich Eisen Super Bowl Special, Super Bowl features and expansive San Francisco 49ers-Baltimore Ravens programming and features, NFL Network provides all-encompassing inside access to everything inside and outside of Super Bowl XLVII.

Super Bowl Sunday Coverage

On Super Bowl Sunday, February 3, NFL Network provides more than 16 hours of live pregame and postgame coverage:

At 7:00 AM ET, First on the Field is live from the NFL Experience, with host Melissa Stark and analysts LaDainian Tomlinson, Sterling Sharpe and Steve Wyche providing the day’s first breakdown of the matchup.

At 9:00 AM ET, an 8.5-hour edition of NFL GameDay Morning airs from the Louisiana Superdome, the NFL Experience and the Fan Plaza. Host Rich Eisen anchors the coverage from inside the stadium, joined by Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp and Michael Irvin, with Stark and analysts Deion Sanders and Brian Billick providing additional analysis. Host Amber Theoharis and analysts Shaun O’Hara and Willie McGinest are live from the NFL Experience, while host Chris Rose and analysts Darren Sharper and Heath Evans provide their insight from the Fan Plaza.

Following the game, NFL GameDay Final is live from the Superdome and the Fan Plaza with postgame interviews with players and coaches, in-depth analysis and highlights.

Additional highlights of NFL Network’s Super Bowl XLVII programming include:

• NFL AM airs Monday, January 28 – Friday, February 1 at 6:00 AM ET, delivering four hours of live analysis and interviews. Hosts Brian Webber and Nicole Zaloumis join analysts Eric Davis, Mark Kriegel and Steve Wyche from the Super Bowl Media Center. 

• Live coverage from the Ravens and 49ers team hotels, including team arrivals on Monday, January 28.

• Super Bowl Live airs Monday, January 28 from 2:00 – 7:00 PM ET, and Wednesday, January 30 – Friday February 1 from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM ET from the NFL Experience and Super Bowl Media Center with up-to-the-minute reports, analysis and interviews with some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment.

• Monday, January 28 – Saturday, February 2 at 7:00 PM ET from the NFL Experience, NFL Total Access: Super Bowl XLVII recaps the day’s action, provides the latest news reports, features on-air appearances by special guests and breaks down the key matchups leading up to kickoff of Super Bowl XLVII.

• Four-and-a-half hours of exclusive live coverage from Super Bowl Media Day at the Louisiana Superdome Tuesday, January 29, beginning at 10:00 AM ET. Hosts Rich Eisen and Melissa Stark are joined by analysts Warren Sapp and Michael Irvin at the desk, while Deion Sanders roams the scene providing interviews with players and coaches. Between the two sessions, host Amber Theoharis and analysts Steve Wyche, Mark Kriegel and Jay Glazer offer further analysis.

• Super Bowl Saturday Night, a one-hour red-carpet show on Saturday, February 2 at 8:00 PM ET leading up to the 2nd annual NFL Honors awards show on CBS. Rich Eisen, Melissa Stark and Michelle Beisner report from the red carpet at the Mahalia Jackson Theater, providing interviews with the biggest names in the NFL, the world of sports and entertainment.

• Exclusive 2013 Pro Football Hall of Fame Announcement Show in primetime, Saturday, February 2 at 5:30 PM ET.

• NFL-related press conferences live, including team arrivals, player availability, AFC & NFC head coach press conferences (Friday, February 1), Beyonce’s Super Bowl halftime entertainment press conference Thursday, January 31 at 3:00 PM ET, Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year press conference Friday, Feb. 1 at 10:00 AM ET, Don Shula Coach of the Year press conference Friday, Feb. 1 at 10:15 AM ET and Commissioner Goodell’s Super Bowl press conference.

• Rich Eisen takes The Rich Eisen Podcast on road to New Orleans with The Rich Eisen Super Bowl Special Friday, February 1 at 10:00 PM ET. Guests include CBS’ Jim Nantz and Phil Simms, NBC’s Brian Williams, Joel McHale, David Spade and 50 Cent.

• Super Bowl champions Michael Irvin, Deion Sanders, Warren Sapp and Brian Billick discuss and debate all of the hot topics leading up to the big game in front of a live-audience on No Huddle: Super Bowl XLVII Thursday, January 31 at 10:00 PM ET.

• Four episodes of The Coaches Show Tuesday, January 29 – Friday, February 1 at 6:30 PM ET LIVE from New Orleans featuring Brian Billick and Steve Mariucci.

• Four episodes of Playbook on Wednesday, January 30 through Saturday, February 2 at 9:00 PM ET with Sterling Sharpe, Brian Baldinger, and Donovan McNabb providing X-O analysis on the game plan using all-22 game film and insight straight from the players.

That is all.

NFL Network’s Supersized Quotage for 2013 Conference Championship Sunday

We have the quotage from NFL Network’s two pregame shows today. We have notes and quotes from both First on the Field and NFL GameDay Morning. Today’s edition of GameDay Morning lasted a supersized six hours.

So we have more quotage from NFL Network that usual. It’s a few hundred words longer than normal. Here’s what we have for you.

News and Sound Bites From Championship Sunday Editions of FIRST ON THE FIELD & NFL GAMEDAY MORNING

Quick Quotes from First on the Field & NFL GameDay Morning

- “Bill Belichick is the greatest coach of all-time.” – Michael Irvin on New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick

- “A playoff win isn’t satisfactory for me. This team should have a higher expectation.” – Willie McGinest on the Atlanta Falcons

- “Baltimore is probably the only team in the AFC that can go into Foxborough and not fear playing Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.” – Brian Billick on the confidence of the Baltimore Ravens

- “The Atlanta Falcons’ receivers are the most confident group remaining in the playoffs – they’re the best group.” – LaDainian Tomlinson on the wide receivers for the Atlanta Falcons

- “He’s a one-trick pony that did that trick better than anyone else did anything else.” – Sterling Sharpe on San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Randy Moss’ success running deep routes

- “The great equalizer is the big play, and that’s where the Ravens have a huge advantage.” – Kurt Warner on the offenses of the Baltimore Ravens & New England Patriots 

***For complete quotes from ‘First on the Field’ & ‘NFL GameDay Morning,’ see below***

Quotes from First on the Field

On First on the Field, host Melissa Stark joined analysts Sterling Sharpe, LaDainian Tomlinson and Brian Billick to break down the AFC & NFC Championship Games.

- “Baltimore is probably the only team in the AFC that can go into Foxborough and not fear playing Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.” – Brian Billick on the confidence of the Baltimore Ravens

- “The Atlanta Falcons’ receivers are the most confident group remaining in the playoffs – they’re the best group.” – LaDainian Tomlinson on the wide receivers for the Atlanta Falcons

- “He’s a one-trick pony that did that trick better than anyone else did anything else.” – Sterling Sharpe on San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Randy Moss’ success running deep routes

- “They stack up very well, and the reason being is they both won when it mattered. They both won with the football in their hands.” – Sterling Sharpe on how New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady compares to Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana 

- “This year the 49ers have the threat of the throw down the field. Michael Crabtree has really stepped up and even though Randy Moss only has 28 receptions, it’s the threat of Randy Moss that really affects the game.” – Brian Billick on the difference between the San Francisco 49ers this NFC Championship Game from last year 

- “Looking at the college quarterbacks in the upcoming draft, there doesn’t appear to be a top-15 pick at that position. But there will be. Need is a terrible evaluator and it will pull those guys up.” – Brian Billick on the college quarterbacks in the upcoming NFL Draft

Quotes from NFL GameDay Morning  

On NFL GameDay Morning, host Rich Eisen joined analysts Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp and Michael Irvin on the most comprehensive pregame show. Additionally, Super Bowl champions Deion Sanders and Willie McGinest were joined by Denver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey and Seattle Seahawks rookie quarterback Russell Wilson to provide additional analysis of 49ers-Falcons and Ravens-Patriots.

- “Bill Belichick is the greatest coach of all-time, for what he is doing [in] the way the current landscape the NFL is [in] right now and to continue to put out winner after winner.” – Michael Irvin on New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick

- “The great equalizer is the big play, and that’s where the Ravens have a huge advantage. Not nearly as efficient [as the Patriots], but if they can get those big plays they can really close that gap.” – Kurt Warner on the Baltimore Ravens’ offense compared to the New England Patriots’

- “Tom Brady came in with a chip on his shoulder wanting to prove that he belonged with everybody, that he had the intangibles and the talent to compete with all of the other guys in this league. Once he got his opportunity, I have never seen a guy in his position work as hard to maintain the talent level, to maintain the preparation, the game-planning – everything – as I did with Tom Brady.” – Willie McGinest on New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady

- “Now because they won a playoff game, we lowered the expectations…A playoff win isn’t satisfactory for me. This team should have a higher expectation. It’s Super Bowl.” – Willie McGinest on if it is Super Bowl or bust for the Atlanta Falcons

- “I don’t have any doubts about the Falcons. For everything that they’ve done, it’s been about the process, and what’s incredible about the process that they’ve gone through [is] they identified we had a good team, we had a great team, but we need a super team. They made changes where everybody would have stood pat.” – Michael Irvin on the Atlanta Falcons

- “What the Patriots need to do is make [Joe] Flacco go down the field methodically and make decisions along the way. You can’t give him chunks; if you give him chunks, it’s going to be a long day for the Patriots.” – Champ Bailey on the New England Patriots defense against Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco

- “He puts his players in the right position but he also motivates them. He finds little things to get them going. When you talk about Tom Brady and you talk about Joe Flacco, everybody is saying that Joe Flacco outplayed Tom Brady [in the AFC Championship Game last year] – he’ll bring that up…Tom’s been hearing about that all week.” – Willie McGinest on New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick 

- “Their ability to control all three levels of the passing game now makes it even tougher for the New England Patriots and their defense to cover the field. Joe Flacco will have his way because they can run and throw the ball at will on New England.” – Marshall Faulk on quarterback Joe Flacco and the Baltimore Ravens

- “The one thing he is going to do is he’s going to demand and expect more of you than you do of yourself. That’s a great characteristic of leadership.” – Marshall Faulk on San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh 

- “Ray’s not only having that defense playing well, Ray’s affections and emotions leans all the way over to the offense. It has Joe Flacco looking elite.” – Michael Irvin on the impact of linebacker Ray Lewis on the Baltimore Ravens

 ‘Sunday Sitdown’ – Atlanta Falcons QB Matt Ryan with Michael Irvin 

NFL Network analyst Michael Irvin sat down with Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan to discuss his first playoff win last week, Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez and what it would mean to make it to the Super Bowl.

On how hearing his name associated with the word “choke” makes him feel:
“I don’t worry about it too much, I really don’t. I didn’t view any of [the playoff losses] as choking; it’s we didn’t play our best, and that happens to a lot of people. In a way it motivates you because you want to prove everybody who doubts you they’re wrong. But at that same time you can’t let it affect the way you feel about yourself and the confidence that you have to have within yourself.”

On getting Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez the first playoff win of his career:
“It was huge. It’s hard to imagine that he’s been playing as long as he has, as consistent as he has and as successful as he has, and has not had the postseason success that you would think he has had. But if it is his last go-around, there is no more fitting end to the way his career has shaken out. It’s guys like that that you really want to give them a chance to go out the way they want to go out.”

On what it would mean to make it to the Super Bowl:
“Since I’ve been here, the five years I’ve been here, this has been what we’ve been working towards. We haven’t taken any shortcuts. We’ve worked hard and we’ve put in the time, and we feel like it’s our time now.”

To view the entire interview with Ryan, visit:

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-player-interviews/0ap2000000128434/Sunday-Sitdown-Matt-Ryan

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport In-Studio

On his conversation with Dan Rooney about the lack of minority hires in the NFL:
“The NFL expressed disappointment when it all came out that every single coaching hire was white. When I talked to [Dan] Rooney yesterday morning, he did not express the same disappointment. First of all, he said in all eight cases we had excellent compliance. He said from that standpoint, we are very pleased. Rooney told me that as far as people saying these coaches didn’t get jobs, he said it’s up to the coach to distinguish themselves in this process; he said evidently they weren’t able to do that. Rooney also told me we can’t shackle coaches and tell them essentially who to hire. His focus was on increasing the quality of the candidate pool, likely with training. Now, Rooney did offer some perspective on this. He said two years ago when there were seven minority coaches at one time, he said people were saying maybe we don’t even need the Rooney Rule. Now, two years later a little bit of a step back but he does not sound worried in the process.”

On what can be done to effect change regarding this:
“Rooney did offer some suggestions on this. First of all, they talked about a couple years back when they had seminars to get owners meeting candidates, meeting perspective assistant coaches; he’d like to go back to that. Rooney also wondered why does the process of head coaches hiring a staff have to happen so fast. He said mainly he’d like people to take their time and have a more open-minded view of which candidates to hire, maybe in getting more position coaches of color up to becoming assistant coaches.”

To read Rapoport’s article on his conversation with Rooney, visit:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000128397/article/dan-rooney-the-rooney-rule-workable-can-be-tweaked?campaign=Twitter_atl

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

The Legacies of Lewis, Gonzalez and Moss – Melissa Stark breaks down the legacies of Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez and San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Randy Moss:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/0ap2000000128478/The-legacies-of-Lewis-Gonzales-and-Moss 

Runner and Receiver: San Francisco 49ers Offense – LaDainian Tomlinson and Sterling Sharpe show you what to expect from the San Francisco 49ers offense against the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship Game:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/0ap2000000128477/Runner-and-Receiver-49ers-offense

AFC Championship Game: Baltimore Ravens vs. New England Patriots – First on the Field breaks down the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots’ AFC Championship Game:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/0ap2000000128479/AFC-Championship-Game-Ravens-vs-Patriots

Bold Predictions: Championship Sunday – The NFL GameDay Morning crew gets bold with the Championship Sunday predictions:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/0ap2000000128487/Bold-Predictions-Championship-Sunday

Is New England Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady’s Success Taken for Granted? – New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady enters the AFC Championship Game as the winningest playoff quarterback. Is his and head coach Bill Belichick’s success taken for granted?:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/0ap2000000128485/Is-Brady-s-success-taken-for-granted

What Motivates Baltimore Ravens Linebacker Ray Lewis and New England Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady? – As the most influential players on their teams, what motivates Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady? Deion Sanders and Willie McGinest weigh in:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/0ap2000000128488/What-motivates-Ray-Lewis-and-Tom-Brady

Will San Francisco 49ers Wide Receiver Michael Crabtree be a Distraction? – Will San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree’s situation be a distraction to the team in the NFC Championship Game? NFL GameDay Morning discusses:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/0ap2000000128480/Will-Crabtree-be-a-distraction

The Gap Between the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots Offense – How big of a gap is there between the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots offense? NFL GameDay Morning breaks it down:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/0ap2000000128482/The-gap-between-the-Ravens-and-Patriots-offense

Concerns for San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Colin Kaepernick – Should there be concerns about San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick in the NFC Championship Game? The NFL GameDay Morning crew debates:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/0ap2000000128491/Concerns-for-Kaepernick

Championship Sunday: Keys to Victory – Deion Sanders and Willie McGinest are joined by Denver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson to talk about their playoff runs and the keys to victory on Championship Sunday:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/0ap2000000128483/Championship-Sunday-Keys-to-victory

NFC Championship Game: San Francisco 49ers Secondary vs. Atlanta Falcons Wide Receivers – Denver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey joins Michael Irvin to discuss the matchup between the San Francisco 49ers defense and the Atlanta Falcons wide receivers:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/0ap2000000128490/NFC-Championship-Game-49ers-secondary-vs-Falcons-receivers

Sunday Spotlight: 49ers Defense – Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson joins Kurt Warner to break down the San Francisco 49ers defense against the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship Game:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/0ap2000000128489/Sunday-Spotlight-49ers-defense

Coach’s GameDay Decisions: The Harbaughs – What are the biggest decisions for San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh and Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh? Brian Billick discusses:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/0ap2000000128484/Coach-s-GameDay-Decisions-The-Harbaughs

Warner’s Corner: Colin Kaepernick – Kurt Warner breaks down the big plays of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick to get you ready for his NFC Championship Game against the Atlanta Falcons:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000128604/Warner-s-Corner-Kaepernick

The Marshall Plan – Marshall Faulk breaks down the San Francisco 49ers’ read option and what makes the New England Patriots’ running game unique:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/0ap2000000128486/The-Marshall-Plan

‘M & M’: Championship Sunday – Who means more to his team, Ray Lewis or Tom Brady? Marshall Faulk and Michael Irvin debate:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000128497/M-M-Championship-Sunday

Can Defenses Win Championships? – Deion Sanders, Warren Sapp and Willie McGinest sit down with Denver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey to talk about whether defenses can win championships in today’s NFL:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000128603/Can-defenses-win-championships

Seattle Seahawks Quarterback Russell Wilson on Baltimore Ravens Quarterback Joe Flacco Beating the New England Patriots’ Secondary – Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson explains how Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco can best the Patriots’ secondary:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000128498/Wilson-on-Flacco-beating-the-Patriots-secondary

Can Baltimore Ravens Linebacker Ray Lewis Stop New England Patriots Tight End Aaron Hernandez? – Can Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis stop New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez? Denver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson weigh in:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000128494/Can-Ray-Lewis-stop-Aaron-Hernandez

San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s Playoff Run – Mark Kriegel gives an inside look at San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s background, his playoff run and head coach Jim Harbaugh’s decision to stick with him as the starter:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000128492/Colin-Kaepernick-s-playoff-run

Jim Harbaugh: The Player, the Coach – Take a look back at San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh in his days as an Indianapolis Colts quarterback and see how that shaped his career as a head coach:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000128499/Jim-Harbaugh-The-player-the-coach

How to Read the Zone-Read Option – Marshall Faulk breaks down how to defend the zone-read option:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000128496/How-to-read-the-zone-read-option

The Rooney Rule – Ian Rapoport has the latest on the lack of minority hires in the NFL:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/0ap2000000128481/The-Rooney-rule

Michael Vick’s Contract Status – Will quarterback Michael Vick fit into Philadelphia Eagles new head coach Chip Kelly’s offense? Ian Rapoport has the latest:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000128493/Vick-s-contract-status

There you have it.

NFL Network Previews 2013 Conference Championship Sunday

Let’s provide the Sunday NFL pregame previews for Conference Championship Sunday. As always, we’ll begin with NFL Network and its pair of pregame shows, First on the Field and NFL GameDay Morning.

Let’s start with what you’ll see on First on the Field which hits the air at 7 a.m. ET.

First on the Field — Sunday, January 20 at 7:00 AM ET

At 7:00 AM ET, NFL Network is First on the Field with Melissa Stark, LaDainian Tomlinson, Sterling Sharpe, Brian Billick and Michael Lombardi providing the first game day analysis of the AFC & NFC Championship Games

Melissa Stark examines the legacies of three future Hall of Famers nearing the end of their careers and participating in the AFC & NFC Championship Games: Baltimore Ravens’ Ray Lewis, Atlanta Falcons’ Tony Gonzalez, and San Francisco 49ers’ Randy Moss

Also featured on Sunday:

• Live reports from 49ers-Falcons and Ravens-Patriots
• R&R: Sterling Sharpe and LaDainian Tomlinson examine how the San Francisco 49ers offense will attack the Atlanta Falcons
• Front Office View: Michael Lombardi on all the latest NFL offseason news
• Predictions for both games

And when NFL GameDay Morning hits the air at 9 a.m. ET, the show will run for an extra two hours making this a 6 hour supersized edition. It will be the longest edition of the season until Super Bowl Sunday which will be eight hours. Yes, eight hours.

NFL GameDay Morning – Sunday, January 20 at 9:00 AM ET

Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Matt Ryan Sits Down with Michael Irvin on NFL GameDay Morning at 9:00 AM ET
Seattle Seahawks’ Russell Wilson and Denver Broncos’ Champ Bailey

In-Studio for Six-Hour Edition of NFL GameDay Morning At 9:00 AM ET, host Rich Eisen and analysts Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp, Michael Irvin, Willie McGinest, and Deion Sanders take viewers up to kickoff of the AFC & NFC Championship Games on NFL GameDay Morning.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson andDenver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey will be in-studio

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan sits down with Michael Irvin as Ryan prepares to play in his first NFC Championship Game.

Steve Cyphers looks back at San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh’s Super Bowl near-misses. In 1995, Harbaugh was a dropped Hail Mary pass away from leading the Indianapolis Colts to the Super Bowl as a quarterback. Then, last year as a rookie NFL head coach, his 49ers lost in overtime to the New York Giants in the NFC Championship Game. Cyphers catches up with former Colts’ teammates Aaron Bailey and Floyd Turner

Also featured on Sunday:

• A dissection of the key matchups in both the AFC & NFC Championship Games
• How can the Atlanta Falcons defend San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick?
• Do fans take New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick for granted?
• Ian Rapoport is in-studio on the latest offseason news
• Brian Billick and Michael Lombardi join the show from NFL Films
• Jeff Darlington reports on the 49ers in Atlanta
• Stacey Dales reports on the Falcons from Atlanta
• Kimberly Jones reports on the Ravens from New England
• Albert Breer reports on the Patriots from New England
• Michelle Beisner reports from Boston

ESPN’s preview is next.

NFL Viewing & Listening Picks For Conference Championship Sunday, 01/20/2013

All Times Eastern

Pregame & Studio Shows
First on the Field — NFL Network, 7 a.m.
SportsCenter Special: Parcells’ Conference Championship Preview — ESPN2, 8 a.m.
NFL Matchup — ESPN2, 8:30 a.m.
NFL GameDay Morning — NFL Network, 9 a.m.
Sunday NFL Countdown — ESPN, noon
NFL Championship Chase — Fox, 1 p.m.
Fox NFL Sunday — Fox, 2 p.m.
The NFL Today — CBS, 6 p.m.
Fox NFL Sunday Postgame — Fox, 6 p.m.
NFL GameDay Scoreboard — NFL Network, 6 p.m.
NFL GameDay Overtime — NFL Network, 10 p.m.
NFL GameDay Final — NFL Network, 10:30 p.m.
NFL PrimeTime — ESPN, 11 p.m.

3 p.m.

NFC Championship

FOX/Dial Global Radio
San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons — Joe Buck/Troy Aikman/Erin Andrews/Pam Oliver (Fox); Dave Sims/James Lofton/Tony Boselli (Dial Global Radio)

6:30 p.m.

AFC Championship

CBS/Dial Global Radio
Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots — Jim Nantz/Phil Simms/Steve Tasker/Solomon Wilcots (CBS); Kevin Harlan/Dan Fouts/Mark Malone (Dial Global Radio)

Sirius XM Satellite Radio Channel Assignments

NFL Network Quotage For 2013 NFL Divisional Sunday

We have our first set of quotage for NFL Divisional Sunday. This is from NFL Network’s pair of pregame shows, First on the Field which aired at 7 a.m. ET and then NFL GameDay Morning which hit the air at 9 a.m.

Take a look.

News and Sound Bites From Sunday Divisional Round Editions of FIRST ON THE FIELD & NFL GAMEDAY MORNING

Quick Quotes from First on the Field & NFL GameDay Morning

- “If I’m in that locker room, I’m looking at Matt Schaub and I’m worried.” – Marshall Faulk on Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub

- “He is ready to be the face of this organization.” – Steve Mariucci on Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco

- “It’s all on this offense to go out and win a championship for them because they don’t have the defense anymore.” – Warren Sapp on the New England Patriots

- “I’d be shocked if they don’t go to the Super Bowl and actually win the Super Bowl.” – Michael Lombardi on the San Francisco 49ers

- “These two are the best combination in the National Football League, simply put.” – Michael Irvin on Atlanta Falcons wide receivers Roddy White and Julio Jones

- “As the game wore on and it got colder, Peyton Manning really struggled. He never threw the ball down the field, never threw it outside the numbers and that became a problem.” – Michael Lombardi on Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning

***For complete quotes from ‘First on the Field’ & ‘NFL GameDay Morning,’ see below***

Quotes from First on the Field

On Sunday, NFL Network was First on the Field with Melissa Stark, LaDainian Tomlinson, Sterling Sharpe and Michael Lombardi providing the first analysis of Sunday’s Divisional Round games.

- “I’d be shocked if they don’t go to the Super Bowl and actually win the Super Bowl. They have a great kicking game, they play great defense and their offense is so multi-dimensional it’s difficult to handle. [Colin Kaepernick] right now in this offense is hard to deal with.” – Michael Lombardi on the San Francisco 49ers

- “With [Colin] Kaepernick’s ability to score points, they no longer fear a game in the 20’s. Jim Harbaugh has lost eight games in two seasons; seven of those eight losses are because the 49ers couldn’t score 20 points in a game. That is no longer an issue.” – Michael Lombardi on the impact of quarterback Colin Kaepernick on the San Francisco 49ers

- “Going forward, there is no one that I see that can matchup with this team. They play physical on both offense and defense. It’s going to be a tough avenue when you play this bunch.” – LaDainian Tomlinson on the San Francisco 49ers 

- “As the game wore on and it got colder, Peyton Manning really struggled. He never threw the ball down the field, never threw it outside the numbers and that became a problem.” – Michael Lombardi on Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning in Denver’s loss in the Divisional Round

- “The Denver Broncos lost that football game and their stars did not show up…Baltimore did what they needed to do: they hung around and made plays when they were supposed to. But Denver lost this game more so than Baltimore won it.” – Sterling Sharpe on the Denver Broncos’ loss to the Baltimore Ravens 

- “When you are looking at Ray Lewis, and as an offensive player you are going back on the field thinking, ‘My goodness, this may be his last game,’ you are going to give a little extra effort. There is something extra there.” – LaDainian Tomlinson on Ray Lewis’ impact on the Baltimore Ravens

- “Seattle will win the game at the line of scrimmage; they may not win it in the first quarter, the crowd noise is going to be loud and it will be hard to hear. But they’ll win it as the game goes on. This is a perfect matchup for Seattle if they can get pressure on Matt Ryan.” – Michael Lombardi on the Seattle Seahawks-Atlanta Falcons 

- “The jack of all trades is Aaron Hernandez. He is the guy that you have to figure out who he is…If you can find him and determine who is, you can set coverage to defend him. That’s the chess game in this matchup.” – Sterling Sharpe on New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez

Quotes from NFL GameDay Morning

NFL GameDay Morning is the most comprehensive pregame show on Sunday morning. Host Rich Eisen joins analysts Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp and Michael Irvin to bring fans the latest news, injury reports and pregame analysis.

- “He’s starting to learn how to carry this team on his shoulders…He is ready to be the face of this organization.” – Steve Mariucci on Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco

- “He answers the question if Mr. Bisciotti or Ozzie Newsome were wondering, is he a big game quarterback? I don’t think we have to wonder about that anymore.” – Marshall Faulk on Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, who threw for 331 yards and three touchdowns against the Denver Broncos

- “If I’m in that locker room, I’m looking at Matt Schaub and I’m worried.” – Marshall Faulk on the confidence in quarterback Matt Schaub within the Houston Texans locker room

- “The real question is can he continue to throw the ball down the field with that kind of accuracy, with that kind of big play ability? If he can do that, with everything else this team has – offensive and defensive line, the running game and his running ability – this team is scary.” – Kurt Warner on quarterback Colin Kaepernick and the San Francisco 49ers 

- “[Frank Gore] keeping the chains moving and keeping them in good down and distance is what sets the mindset and tone for this team.” – Marshall Faulk on San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore

- “This team, with the pressure and with the questions about whether they can win in the playoffs, needs to start fast. They have to come out, make some plays early, get that confidence that they’ve had in the regular season and carry it into the playoffs.” – Kurt Warner on the Atlanta Falcons, who are 0-3 in the playoffs under head coach Mike Smith

- “Julio Jones has been playing better on the road than he has at home. He has to turn it up at home if they’re going to stay at home for these playoffs.” – Michael Irvin on Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones

- “He’s not in the conversation for best quarterback ever because of what’s happened in the playoffs. What happened yesterday just added to that question.” – Kurt Warner on Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, who is 9-11 in the playoffs

- “His ability to break tackles and inflict his will on the opponent is something that they need.” – Marshall Faulk on the impact of running back Marshawn Lynch for the Seattle Seahawks

- “The pressure is on this [offense] and the pressure is on Tom Brady because there is no more [Mike] Vrabel, no more Willie McGinest, no more Rodney Harrison. It’s all on this offense to go out and win a championship for them because they don’t have the defense anymore.” – Warren Sapp on how much pressure is on the New England Patriots 

- “These two are the best combination in the National Football League, simply put.” – Michael Irvin on Atlanta Falcons wide receivers Roddy White and Julio Jones

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport In-Studio

On the Philadelphia Eagles head coaching search:
“I reached out to a high-ranking Eagles source last night who kind of laid out what the team had hoped for in their expectations. He said [the Eagles] wanted to speak to the top minds in and out of the NFL, whatever it would come to. But they knew that Bill O’Brien had a huge buyout at Penn State, they knew Chip Kelly hadn’t won a BCS title, and with Brian Kelly they weren’t quite sure because they hadn’t met with him long enough after the BCS title game. What this Eagles source did tell me, as of yesterday many of the assistants they wanted were still in the playoffs. He said we are where we thought we would be.”

On the Jacksonville Jaguars head coaching search:
“A lot of people in and around the league are wondering whether we saw the future Jaguars coach in 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman last night. It was a little bit of showcase for him and Colin Kaepernick [with] 181 rushing yards. Think of the quarterbacks that Roman has tutored. In college: Andrew Luck. Alex Smith – made him serviceable. And now Kaepernick. But the reason that he is linked to the Jaguars is his relationship with new general manager David Caldwell – roommates in college, roommates when they were lowly assistants with the Panthers. But I talked to a source close to them, he asked this question: for Caldwell’s first move, would you want him to hire his best friend?”

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

New England Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady & Head Coach Bill Belichick Look to Rediscover Playoff Magic – There was a time when New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick were unstoppable in the postseason. After losing four of their last six playoff games, can the Patriots’ duo rekindle the fire?:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000125759/Brady-Belichick-look-to-rediscover-playoff-magic

R&R: Seattle Seahawks Running Back Marshawn Lynch Expanding Versatility – Sterling Sharpe and LaDainian Tomlinson take a look at how Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch is using his versatility to cause mismatches every week:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000125760/R-R-Marshawn-Lynch-expanding-versatility

Has Baltimore Ravens Quarterback Joe Flacco Finally Proved his Worth? – Michael Lombardi discusses the contract situation of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco and the latest news on the coaching carousel:

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000125763/Has-Joe-Flacco-finally-proved-his-worth

Can Atlanta Falcons Learn from Playoff Losses? – The Atlanta Falcons have struggled in the postseason with quarterback Matt Ryan at the helm. But can Atlanta learn from those losses and translate it into success on the field?:

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000125758/Can-Falcons-learn-from-playoff-losses

Are the Houston Texans Confident with Quarterback Matt Schaub Leading the Way? – Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub won his first playoff game last week. But how confident are the Texans going into Foxboro with Schaub under center?:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000125761/Are-Texans-confident-with-Schaub-leading-the-way

What Team Without a Coach Will Make the Next Move? – Ian Rapoport joins NFL GameDay Morning to discuss the latest movement on the coaching front:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000125785/What-team-without-a-coach-will-make-the-next-move

How to Stop the New England Patriots High-Tempo Offense? – The NFL GameDay Morning crew discusses what the Houston Texans can do to slow down the New England Patriots high-tempo and explosive offense:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000125786/How-to-stop-the-New-England-Patriots-high-tempo-offense

Seattle Seahawks Rookies Overcome Skepticism – In April, the Seattle Seahawks were one of the most scrutinized teams on draft day. But with four rookie starters, the Seahawks’ rookie class is proving themselves to be in a class of their own:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/seattle-seahawks/0ap2000000125284/Seattle-rookies-overcome-skepticism

Are the San Francisco 49ers the Team to Beat? – After a breathtaking performance from quarterback Colin Kaepernick in the Divisional Round, are the 49ers the team to beat in the playoffs?:

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000125787/Are-the-San-Francisco-49ers-the-team-to-beat

Does Seattle Seahawks Quarterback Russell Wilson Have Anything Else to Prove? – Seattle Seahawks rookie quarterback Russell Wilson has defied the odds since day one. So does the rookie signal-caller have anything left to prove?:

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000125788/Does-Russell-Wilson-have-anything-else-to-prove

That’s it. More quotage will be posted when it arrives into the Fang’s Bites inbox.