Let’s do the NFL Network schedule before I forget. And I notice a blast from the past, former ESPN and ABC Monday Night Football sideline reporter Melissa Stark will be reporting for NFL Network. She was Erin Andrews in the 1990’s before Erin Andrews came along. Seriously. I have missed Melissa on TV.
NFL NETWORK & NFL.COM PROGRAMMING NOTES (10/5 – 10/10)
“It’s pretty amazing and humbling to think that I’m a part of a series such as this with individuals that really change the complexion of the NFL.” – Kurt Warner
KURT WARNER: A FOOTBALL LIFE DOCUMENTARY DEBUTS ON NFL NETWORK THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6 AT 10:00 PM ET‘Sunday Sitdown’ – Michael Irvin Interviews Packers QB Aaron Rodgers on NFL GameDay Morning October 9 at 9:00 AM ET
Packers WR Greg Jennings Interviewed on NFL Total Access TONIGHT at 7:00 PM ET
Marshall Faulk, Deion Sanders, Warren Sapp & Jamie Dukes on No Huddle TONIGHT at 10:00 PM ET
Wes Welker, Sugar Ray Leonard, Michael Lombardi & More on ‘The Rich Eisen Podcast’ Thursday, October 6 at 4:30 PM ETFrom Cedar Rapids to Des Moines to Amsterdam to Super Bowl MVP – Kurt Warner: A Football Life Debuts on Thursday, October 6 at 10:00 PM ET
NFL Network’s new documentary series, A Football Life, continues with a profile of the storybook career of Kurt Warner on Thursday, October 6 at 10:00 PM ET.Kurt Warner: A Football Life chronicles Warner’s roller coaster football journey. The one-hour NFL Films-produced documentary features Warner’s road to the NFL, two Super Bowl appearances with the Rams, going to the New York Giants and then moving on to the Arizona Cardinals, where he led the franchise to its first-ever Super Bowl appearance.
Kurt Warner on A Football Life:
“It’s pretty amazing and humbling to think that I’m a part of a series such as this with individuals that really change the complexion of the NFL.”
“I’ve always said that football was a part of my life, but at the end of the day I wanted my legacy to be bigger than the game of football. I wanted it to be more based on character than it was on play. And I think that’s really the essence of this story.”
To view the trailer for Kurt Warner: A Football Life, please click on the following link:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/a-football-life/09000d5d822ae8be/A-Football-Life-Kurt-Warner-sneak-peekTo read a blog post from NFL Films producer, James Weiner, explaining his interest in making the documentary on Warner for NFL Network, please click on the following link:
http://nflfilms.nfl.com/2011/10/04/kurt-warner-producers-notes/?module=HP11_content_streamFollowing are notable quotes from Kurt Warner: A Football Life:
“Definitely one of the most compelling stories in NFL history and he is one of the greatest people you’ll ever meet.” – Tiki Barber“The one thing I know about Kurt is he will always surprise you.” – Mike Martz
“We thought we were signing a fourth quarterback that could compete for the third quarterback job.” – Dick Vermeil
“To sit here and say that we could take a young man from Iowa [and] 18 months later he’s at the pinnacle, that’s kind of unbelievable.” – Al Luginbill
THIS WEEK ON NFL GAMEDAY MORNING: ‘Sunday Sitdown’ – Michael Irvin Interview with Packers QB Aaron Rodgers
Sunday is GameDay, beginning four hours prior to kickoff on NFL GameDay Morning at 9:00 AM ET. Join host Rich Eisen and analysts Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp and Michael Irvin on the first and most comprehensive pregame show on television, taking viewers straight up to kickoff with the latest news, injury reports, pregame analysis and game previews.This week, NFL Network analyst Michael Irvin sits down the quarterback of the Green Bay Packers Aaron Rodgers for a one-on-one interview to discuss the team’s 4-0 start and the challenge of repeating as Super Bowl champions.
Additionally, NFL Network reporter Steve Cyphers reports on the surprising seasons thus far for the 1-3 Philadelphia Eagles and the 3-1 Buffalo Bills heading into their Week 5 matchup in Buffalo.
Also featured on NFL GameDay Morning:
- Steve Cyphers reports from Buffalo for Eagles-Bills
- Stacey Dales reports from Pittsburgh for Titans-Steelers
- Steve Wyche reports from Houston for Raiders-Texans
- Michelle Beisner reports from Charlotte for Saints-Panthers
- Albert Breer reports from New England for Jets-Patriots
- How to fix the 1-3 Philadelphia Eagles
- Is the game against the New England Patriots make-or-break for the New York Jets?
- What would you say to Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo if you were his teammate?
- Can anyone slow down the 4-0 Green Bay Packers?
- What is the reason behind the high number of comebacks thus far?
- Quarterly grades are handed out
Patriots WR Wes Welker, Sugar Ray Leonard, Michael Lombardi & More on ‘The Rich Eisen Podcast’ Thursday, October 6 at 4:30 PM ET
The latest edition of ‘The Rich Eisen Podcast’ airs on NFL Network Thursday, October 6 at 4:30 PM ET.The NFL’s league-leading wide receiver in receiving yards, Wes Welker of the New England Patriots, joins the podcast to discuss the team’s 3-1 start to the season and facing the division-rival New York Jets for the first time since a loss in the Divisional Round of the playoffs last year.
One of the all-time best boxers, Sugar Ray Leonard, speaks with Eisen about the upcoming boxing-themed movie Real Steel. Leonard was an advisor for the movie.
NFL Network analyst Michael Lombardi gives his thoughts on all that is happening throughout the NFL heading into Week 5. The creator of The League, Jeff Schaffer, previews what’s to come in the third season of the television show on FX. An executive producer of Curb Your Enthusiasm, Schaffer also discusses the popular HBO series and provides some inside information regarding the future of the show.
Actor Hank Azaria reprises the role of a character he created, baseball announcer Jim Brockmire, for an entertaining conversation.
Part 1 of the podcast featuring interviews with Welker and Schaffer is now available for download on NFL.com and iTunes:
http://richeisen.nfl.com/2011/10/05/rich-eisen-podcast-wes-welker-and-jeff-schaffer/Part 2 of the podcast is available for download on Thursday, October 6.
THIS WEEK ON AROUND THE LEAGUE LIVE and NFL TOTAL ACCESS: Packers WR Greg Jennings on NFL Total Access TONIGHT at 7:00 PM ET
Wednesday, October 5
Around the League Live:
- Melissa Stark reports from New York with the Jets
- Steve Cyphers reports from Philadelphia
- Albert Breer reports from Pittsburgh
NFL Total Access:
- Packers WR Greg Jennings interview
Thursday, October 6
Around the League Live:
- Saints TE Jimmy Graham interview
- Melissa Stark reports from New York with the Jets
- Steve Cyphers reports from Philadelphia
- Stacey Dales reports from Nashville
Friday, October 7
Around the League Live:
- Albert Breer reports from New England
- Stacey Dales reports from Pittsburgh
Saturday, October 8
NFL Total Access:
- Albert Breer reports from New England
- Steve Wyche reports from Houston
- Stacey Dales reports from Pittsburgh
- Steve Cyphers reports from Buffalo
Green Bay Packers & New Orleans Saints Remain Atop NFL.com’s Power Poll in Week 5
The Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints retained their spots atop NFL.com’s Power Poll in Week 5 for the second consecutive week, with the Packers again receiving all nine first place votes.The Baltimore Ravens and Detroit Lions flip-flopped at No. 3 and No. 4 this week, while the Buffalo Bills dropped five spots to No. 10 following their loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
This week, the New York Giants (Number eight) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 9) made their debut in the top 10.
Below are the top 10 teams in the NFL.com Power Poll, with their previous week’s ranking listed in parentheses:
1. Green Bay Packers (1)
2. New Orleans Saints (2)
3. Baltimore Ravens (4)
4. Detroit Lions (3)
5. New England Patriots (T-5)
6. Houston Texans (9)
7. San Diego Chargers (8)
8. New York Giants (14)
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11)
10. Buffalo Bills (T-5)To view the entire poll, visit:
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d822d24e0/article/week-5-packers-saints-lead-the-way-bills-first-loss-costly?module=HP11_headline_stackMarshall Faulk, Deion Sanders, Warren Sapp & Jamie Dukes on No Huddle TONIGHT at 10:00 PM ET
New Hall of Famers Marshall Faulk and Deion Sanders are joined by Warren Sapp and Jamie Dukes in a roundtable discussion on No Huddle tonight at 10:00 PM ET. The four will discuss the following topics:
- Was it a great comeback by the Lions, or did the Cowboys give the game away?
- What is wrong with the 1-3 Philadelphia Eagles?
- Which 2-2 team that made the playoffs last season is in the most trouble?
- The Year of the Comeback: why can’t defenses hold fourth-quarter leads?
- Kurt Warner’s football life: is this football’s best rags to riches story?
- Through the first quarter of the season, who is: MVP? Rookie of the Year? Coach of the Year? Best team?
THIS WEEK ON PLAYBOOK
Thursday 8:00 PM ET – AFC Playbook with Sterling Sharpe, Brian Baldinger, Joe Theismann and Matt Millen:
- Sterling Sharpe on why Philip Rivers can light up the Broncos defense
- Joe Theismann on what’s wrong with the Steelers offense
- Brian Billick film study on why Wes Welker can have his way with the Jets secondary
- How the Texans can hold off the Raiders
- 2:00 Warning – A look at the fantasy impact running backs in the AFC West
Friday 8:00 PM ET – NFC Playbook with Sterling Sharpe, Brian Baldinger, Joe Theismann and Matt Millen:
- Sterling Sharpe on how the Buccaneers offense can lead them to a 4th consecutive win
- Joe Theismann on why Eli Manning could be unstoppable against the Seahawks
- Brian Billick film study on how Darren Sproles can set the tone for the Saints offense
- How the Packers and Lions can improve to 5-0
- 2:00 Warning – A look at the fantasy impact running backs in the NFC North
Episode #5 of The Season: A Biography Profiles Packers TE Jermichael Finley
The fifth episode of The Season: A Biography is now available on NFL.com. This week profiles the tight end for the Green Bay Packers, Jermichael Finley, who suffered a season-ending injury in Week 5 of the 2010 season and was forced to watch his teammates win the Super Bowl from the sidelines.In 2010, Finley entered his third season as one of the emerging tight ends in the league. Yet a torn meniscus in Week 5 forced Finley to the sideline, becoming one of 15 Packers players to be placed on Injured Reserve. Narrated by actor Wendell Pierce, The NFL Season: A Biography details Finley’s bittersweet thoughts throughout his team’s run to capture the Lombardi Trophy, and how he’s determined to bounce back stronger than ever this season.
To view this episode of The Season: A Biography, please visit:
http://www.nfl.com/features/the-season-2011/episode-5?module=HP11_cpLive CFL Coverage Continues with Calgary Stampeders at B.C. Lions Saturday, October 8 at 10:00 PM ET
NFL Network’s live coverage of the Canadian Football League continues this week on Saturday, October 8 at 10:00 PM ET when the first-place Calgary Stampeders (8-5) travel to face the second-place B.C. Lions (7-6) in a crucial West Division matchup.On Friday, October 7 at 3:00 AM ET, the game between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (8-5) and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (7-6) will be shown on tape delay.
DAY-BY-DAY PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE (all times listed are ET)
Wednesday, October 5
5:00 PM – Around the League Live
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access
8:00 PM – NFL Replay: Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys – Week 4, 2011
9:30 PM – Sound FX: Week 4, 2011
10:00 PM – No Huddle
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access
12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Fantasy Live
12:30 AM – NFL Replay: Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys – Week 4, 2011
2:00 AM – Sound FX: Week 4, 2011
2:30 AM – No Huddle
Thursday, October 6
12 NOON – Sound FX: Week 4, 2011
12:30 PM – NFL Replay: Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys – Week 4, 2011
2:00 PM – NFL Fantasy Live
2:30 PM – Sound FX: Week 4, 2011
3:00 PM – No Huddle
4:00 PM – NFL Films Presents: A Way with Words
4:30 PM – The Rich Eisen Podcast
5:00 PM – Around the League Live
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access
8:00 PM – Playbook: AFC
9:00 PM – Reggie White & Jerome Brown: A Football Life
10:00 PM – Kurt Warner: A Football Life – DEBUT
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access
12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Fantasy Live
12:30 AM – Playbook: AFC
1:30 AM – Reggie White & Jerome Brown: A Football Life
2:30 AM – Kurt Warner: A Football LifeFriday, October 7
12 NOON – NFL’s Top 10: Weather Games
1:00 PM – Playbook: AFC
2:00 PM – NFL Fantasy Live
2:30 PM – The Rich Eisen Podcast
3:00 PM – Reggie White & Jerome Brown: A Football Life
4:00 PM – Kurt Warner: A Football Life
5:00 PM – Around the League Live
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access
8:00 PM – Playbook: NFC
9:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: QB Controversies
10:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Team Nicknames
11:00 PM – NFL Total Access
12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Fantasy Live
12:30 AM – Playbook: NFC
1:30 AM – NFL’s Top 10: Team Nicknames
2:30 AM – The Rich Eisen Podcast
3:00 AM – Canadian Football League: Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Hamilton Tiger-Cats [Tape Delay]Saturday, October 8
9:00 AM – NFL Films Presents: A Way with Words
9:30 AM – Sound FX: Week 4, 2011
10:00 AM – No Huddle
11:00 AM – Playbook: AFC
12:00 NOON – Playbook: NFC
1:00 PM – Sound FX: Week 4, 2011
1:30 PM – The Rich Eisen Podcast
2:00 PM – No Huddle
3:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: QB Controversies
4:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Team Nicknames
5:00 PM – Playbook: AFC
6:00 PM – Playbook: NFC
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access
8:30 PM – Sound FX: Week 4, 2011
9:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Quarterbacks of the 90s
10:00 PM – Canadian Football League: Calgary Stampeders at B.C. Lions – LIVE
1:00 AM – NFL Total Access
Sunday, October 9
9:00 AM – NFL GameDay Morning
1:00 PM – NFL GameDay Statzone
4:00 PM – NFL GameDay Scoreboard
7:30 PM – NFL GameDay Highlights
11:30 PM – NFL GameDay FinalMonday, October 10
1:00 PM – Around the League Live
6:00 PM – Up to the Minute
6:30 PM – The Coaches Show
7:00 PM – NFL Total Access
8:30 PM – The Coaches Show
9:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Coaches Who Belonged in College
10:00 PM – The Coaches Show
10:30 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Coaches Who Never Won a Championship
11:30 PM – NFL Total Access Monday Night Football Presser
12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Total Access Monday Night Football Review
That’s it.
