Fang's Bites

Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks

College Football
Kent State at Buffalo — ESPNU, 7 p.m.

CFB Daily — ESPNU, 1 p.m.
College Football Live — ESPN, 3:30 p.m.
Lemming Report — CBS Sports Network, 7:30 p.m.

College Volleyball
Women’s
Nebraska at Penn State — Big Ten Network, 8 p.m.
UCLA at USC — ESPNU, 10 p.m.

CONCACAF Champions League
Group Play
Puerto Rico Islanders vs. LA Galaxy — Fox Soccer, 8 p.m.
Marathon vs. Seattle Sounders — Fox Soccer, 10 p.m.
Águila vs. Santos Laguna — Galavision, 10 p.m.

Cycling
Road World Championships, Limburg, Netherlands
Men’s Elite Time Trial — Universal Sports, 8 p.m. (same day coverage)

Golf
Big Break Greenbrier — Golf Channel, 9 p.m.

MLB
American League
Toronto at New York Yankees — Rogers Sportsnet/YES, 1 p.m.
Boston at Tampa Bay — NESN/Sun Sports, 7 p.m.
Minnesota at Cleveland — Fox Sports North/STO, 7 p.m.
Oakland at Detroit — ESPN/Comcast SportsNet California/Fox Sports Detroit, 7 p.m.
Toronto at New York Yankees — Rogers Sportsnet/WWOR, 7 p.m.
Chicago White Sox at Kansas City — WCIU/Fox Sports Kansas City, 8 p.m.
Baltimore at Seattle — MASN2/Root Sports Northwest, 10 p.m.
Texas at Anaheim — ESPN/Fox Sports Southwest/Fox Sports West, 10 p.m.

National League
Los Angeles Dodgers at Washington — KCAL/MASN, 4 p.m.
Atlanta at Miami — SportSouth/Fox Sports Florida, 7 p.m.
Milwaukee at Pittsburgh — Fox Sports Wisconsin/Root Sports Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.
Philadelphia at New York Mets — Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia/SNY, 7 p.m.
Los Angeles Dodgers at Washington — KCAL/MASN, approximately 7:30 p.m.
Cincinnati at Chicago Cubs — Fox Sports Ohio/Comcast SportsNet Chicago, 8 p.m.
Houston at St. Louis — Fox Sports Houston/Fox Sports Midwest, 8:15 p.m.
San Diego at Arizona — Fox Sports San Diego/Fox Sports Arizona, 9:30 p.m.
Colorado at San Francisco — Root Sports Rocky Mountain/Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, 10:15 p.m.

The Rundown — MLB Network, 2 p.m.
MLB Tonight — MLB Network, 6 p.m.
Baseball Tonight — ESPN2, 1 a.m. (Thursday)
Quick Pitch — MLB Network, 1 a.m. (Thursday)

MLS
New York vs. Sporting Kansas City — MSG Plus/KSMO, 7 p.m.
Columbus vs. Chivas USA — Fox Sports Ohio/Fox Sports Prime Ticket, 7:30 p.m.
San Jose vs. Portland — Comcast SportsNet California/KPDX, 10:30 p.m.

NASCAR
Inside NASCAR — Showtime, 10 p.m.

NFL
NFL Live — ESPN, 4 p.m.
Around the League Live — NFL Network, 5 p.m.
Ray Lewis: A Football Life — NFL Network, 8 p.m.
Inside the NFL — Showtime, 9 p.m.
NFL Turning Point — NBC Sports Network, 10 p.m.

Soccer
Women’s International Friendly
US vs. Australia — ESPN2, 10 p.m.

Sports Talk
NFL AM — NFL Network, 6 a.m.
The ‘Lights — NBC Sports Network, 6 a.m.
The Dan Patrick Show — Audience Network (DirecTV)/Fox Sports Net, 9 a.m.
Tim Brando Show — CBS Sports Network, 10 a.m.
The Box Score — Audience Network (DirecTV)/DanPatrick.com, noon
The Scott Van Pelt Show — ESPNews, 1 p.m.
Outside the Lines First Report — ESPN, 3 p.m.
Numbers Never Lie — ESPN2, 4 p.m.
SportsNation — ESPN2, 5 p.m.
Pardon the Interruption — ESPN, 5:30 p.m.
ROME — CBS Sports Network, 6 p.m.
Sportfolio — Bloomberg, 9 p.m.
UNITE — ESPNU, midnight

Tennis
ATP Tour: Moselle Open, Early Rounds — Tennis Channel, 7 p.m. & 9 p.m.

UEFA Champions League
Group Play
Chelsea vs. Juventus — Fox Soccer, 2:30 p.m.
Manchester United vs. Galatasary — Fox Soccer Plus, 2:30 p.m.
Barcelona vs. Spartak Moskva — Fox Sports Net/Fox Deportes, 2:30 p.m.

UEFA Champions League Pregame — Fox Soccer/Fox Soccer Plus/Fox Sports Net, 2 p.m.
La Previa UEFA Champions League — Fox Deportes, 2 p.m.
UEFA Champions League Highlights — Fox Soccer, 1 a.m. (Thursday)

Entertainment
Survivor: Philippines (season premiere) — CBS, 8 p.m.
Oh, Sit — The CW, 8 p.m.
How to Marry A Millionaire — Turner Classic Movies, 8 p.m.
Not My Mama’s Meals: Good Morning Sunshine! — Cooking Channel, 9 p.m.
Who the (Bleep) Did I Marry?: Predatory Patriarch — Investigation Discovery, 9 p.m.
Abandoned: New York Masonic Lodge — National Geographic Channel, 9 p.m.
Sons of Guns: Three Cannons and a Rock Star — Discovery, 9 p.m.
Restaurant: Impossible: Michele’s — Food Network, 9 p.m.
Ghost Hunters: French Quarter Massacre — SyFy, 9 p.m.
Big Brother 14 (season finale) — CBS, 9:30 p.m.
Dirty Little Lies: Kinky Secrets — Investigation Discovery, 9:30 p.m.
Abandoned: Connecticut Ghost Town — National Geographic Channel, 9:30 p.m.
Sweat Equity: Tuck Under Family Room — DIY Network, 10 p.m.
I Married a Mobster: Vegas Rag Doll — Investigation Discovery, 10 p.m.
How Booze Built America: America’s Revolution — Discovery, 10 p.m.
Restaurant Stakeout: Damsel in Distress — Food Network, 10 p.m.
Paranormal Witness: The Real Haunting in Connecticut — SyFy, 10 p.m.
Sweat Equity: Equity Upgrades — DIY Network, 10:30 p.m.
House Hunters International: Bocas Del Toro, Panama — HGTV, 10:30 p.m.
Conan — TBS, 11 p.m.
Late Show with David Letterman — CBS, 11:35 p.m.

Some Steve Sabol Links

As Tuesday turns into Wednesday on the East Coast, it’s time to bring you some appreciations and some obituaries from across the country on the late NFL Films President Steve Sabol. Whether it be from media writers or beat reporters, Sabol is being remembered for his influence on the NFL as he helped it to grow into the country’s most popular sport.

Sports Illustrated’s Peter King writes that Steve Sabol gained the trust of NFL owners and coaches after they realized how much he loved football.

SI’s Richard Rothschild writes that NFL Films won’t be the same without Steve Sabol.

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand says Sabol was a master storyteller.

Rachel Cohen at the Associated Press writes that Sabol was the creative force behind NFL Films.

NFL Network’s Rich Eisen has a special podcast with several guests including NBC’s Bob Costas remembering Steve Sabol.

NFL.com has the video when Rich Eisen broke the news on NFL Network of Sabol’s passing.

Mike Barnes of the Hollywood Reporter says Sabol made NFL Films an American institution.

Stephen Miller in the Wall Street Journal writes that Steve Sabol helped to make the NFL larger-than-life.

Doug Farrar of Yahoo’s Shutdown Corner has this appreciation of Sabol and his work.

At the Sherman Report, Ed Sherman notes that Steve Sabol was also a poet.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk has former NBC Sports Emperor Dick Ebersol opining on Sabol’s influence on the NFL.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times says Steve Sabol’s impact on the NFL will live on.

Also from the Times, Douglas Martin has Sabol’s obituary.

Frank Fitzpatrick of the Philadelphia Inquirer says Sabol always stayed close to his Philly roots.

Zach Berman of the Inquirer has Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie’s statement on Sabol’s passing.

Jim Williams of the Washington Examiner recalls his days working with Steve Sabol.

Mac Engel at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram writes that Steve Sabol leaves large shoes to fill at NFL Films.

The Houston Chronicle’s David Barron has reaction from Sabol’s friends and former co-workers.

Tom Reed at the Cleveland Plain Dealer says Sabol was a true visionary.

Vince Tuss of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune notes that NFL Films is not complete without plenty of Minnesota Vikings heartbreak.

Chris Erskine in the Los Angeles Times says Steve Sabol shaped the way sports would be covered.

Former Times writer Mike Kupper has the paper’s obit on Sabol.

And that will wrap up the links on Steve Sabol.

Bryant Gumbel’s Real Sports Closing Commentary, 09/18/2012

Apparently angry at the NFL replacement referees, Bryant Gumbel lashed out tonight and gave them his parting shot on HBO’s Real Sports. I mean, he really went all out to trash them.

Let’s check out what Bryant said.

BRYANT GUMBEL CLOSING COMMENTARY
REAL SPORTS WITH BRYANT GUMBEL
EPISODE #186
AIRS TONIGHT (9/18) @ 10:00 PM ET/PT

“Finally tonight, with a few words about The Replacements. That’s the title of a comedy Hollywood produced 12 years ago about some inept fill-ins for striking football players. The film was no masterpiece but it was kind of funny. Unfortunately, there’s nothing even mildly amusing about the NFL’s current version of the replacements starring real scabs as inept officials.

By now you know the league’s veteran crews are on the sidelines, forced there by a labor dispute over a relatively small amount of money. I know telling other people how to spend their money is rude but the reality of guys who are worth billions risking the health of players worth millions in order to save just thousands of dollars is downright silly. Especially for a league claiming to care about player safety.

On screen Keanu Reeves and the other replacements made a mockery of the game, something the NFL wants fans to think its replacements haven’t done just yet. But we’re only two weeks into a five-month season and as the growing number of complaints by coaches and players would suggest, there is every reason to fear the worst is yet to come from subs who are clearly in over their head.

For the record, the movie Replacements found a way to come together and prevail under the guidance of Gene Hackman. But that stuff only happens in Hollywood. Roger Goodell is no Gene Hackman, and real life is no movie. Trying to learn on the job while presiding over a game that’s inherently violent is serious stuff. The NFL’s replacement refs have already lost the respect of the players and lost control on the field. Thinking they might regain either? That’s really make believe.”

That’s all.

Fang’s Bites Top 10 NFL Films Clips

With Steve Sabol’s passing, I thought it would be appropriate to bring you my Top 10 favorite NFL Films moments. These video clips have become iconic just as the moments themselves.

10. Holy Roller, 1978. This was one of the craziest finishes to any game. Between blood rivals, the Oakland Raiders and the San Diego Chargers, the fumble to end the game in the Raiders’ favor has become one of the biggest moments in the history of the league.

9. Old Man Willie, 1977. In Super Bowl XI, the Oakland Raiders’ Willie Brown intercepted Minnesota Vikings quarterback Fran Tarkenton to seal the team’s first championship. The shot at 3:19 of Willie running towards the NFL Films’ camera in the end zone is one of the best shots ever. This clip is from NFL’s Top 100 Greatest Players.

8. Lynn Swann’s Catch, 1977. I hate the Pittsburgh Steelers, but there’s no doubting the diving catch by Lynn Swann in Super Bowl X against the Dallas Cowboys has become one of the most iconic shots by NFL Films in the 1970′s.

7. Marcus Allen’s 74 Yard Run. From Super Bowl XVIII, Marcus Allen sealed the Raiders’ third Super Bowl win. Holy Toledo! This is from America’s Game.

6. The Catch, 1982. From the NFC Championship Game between the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers, Joe Montana to Dwight Clark. Al Michaels narrates.

5. John Taylor, Super Bowl XXIII. Again from America’s Game, the footage of the game-winning drive by the 49ers over the Cincinnati Bengals is just classic and it ends with the Taylor catch from Joe Montana.

4. Scott Norwood’s miss, Super Bowl XXV. Kind of cruel to include this, but you can see how close this kick was to being good and making the Buffalo Bills champions. Oh, what could have been.

3. Miracle at the Meadowlands, 1978. At the time, the Giants were a rather hapless franchise finding all kinds of ways to lose. At their new home of Giants Stadium in New Jersey, seemingly on their way to beating the Philadelphia Eagles, Joe Pisarcik fumbled a handoff to Larry Csonka and Herman Edwards picked it up for the win. Eagles voice Merrill Reese had the call.

2. Alcoa Fantastic Finishes. Forgive the quality of the clip. Throughout the 1980′s both CBS and NBC would air what was called “Alcoa Fantastic Finishes” at the two minute warning of each game. As the networks went to break, the announcer would say, “As we reach the two minute warning, it’s time for another Fantastic Finish” and we would get an NFL Films feature showing yes, a fantastic finish to a previous game. I wish we still had the “Fantastic Finish” feature.

1. The Immaculate Reception, 1972. I hate the Pittsburgh Steelers, but you can’t deny this moment was one of the greatest in NFL history and also a great moment in storytelling by NFL Films.

You may have your own favorites, but these are mine. And a perfect way to say goodbye to Steve Sabol.

ESPN Radio Gets New Full-Time Boston Affiliate

ESPN Radio and Entercom Boston have signed an agreement to air its programming full-time on WEEI-AM. Last year, Entercom began a simulcast of WEEI and placed the programming on 93.7 FM. Today, Entercom announced that WEEI-AM will become a full-time ESPN Radio affiliate starting on Friday, October 5 at 6 a.m. with a special live broadcast of Mike and Mike in the Morning from Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA.

In addition to picking all of ESPN’s talk shows, WEEI-AM will air ESPN’s live sports programming including Major League Baseball and the entire MLB Postseason, College Football with the Bowl Championship Series and the NBA.

We have the joint press release from ESPN Radio and Entercom.

Entercom and ESPN Radio Join Forces to Launch “ESPN on WEEI” 850 AM

WEEI to provide the best in local and national sports talk and play-by-play

BOSTON, MA – Entercom Boston and ESPN Radio today announced that starting on Friday, October 5, WEEI will split its AM/FM simulcast and begin broadcasting ESPN Radio on 850 AM. “ESPN on WEEI” will air ESPN’s entire national lineup, including the entire upcoming Major League Baseball postseason schedule, the NBA, and college football and college basketball. ESPN Radio on 850 AM will debut with Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic, of “Mike and Mike in the Morning,” broadcasting live from Foxboro’s Gillette Stadium beginning at 6 a.m. ET on October 5.

WEEI’s legendary local lineup of “Dennis and Callahan,” “Mut and Merloni,” “The Big Show with Glenn Ordway and Michal Holley,” and “Planet Mikey with Mike Adams” will now be broadcast solely on the 93.7 FM frequency. In addition, 93.7 FM will be the exclusive home of Red Sox baseball, Celtics basketball, Patriots’ Monday and Friday, NFL football and the NFL playoffs.

As part of this expanded partnership, listeners will be able to access 93.7 WEEI’s live audio stream through the popular ESPNBoston.com website. At the same time, ESPNBoston.com’s video channel will now power WEEI.com’s video player with the most up-to-date ESPN video content.

“Since 1991, WEEI has been the gold standard in sports radio. This strategic alliance with ESPN allows WEEI to deliver to the most passionate sports fans in America the very best in local sports talk and play-by-play on WEEI FM and the very best in national sports talk and play-by-play with ESPN on WEEI AM,” said Jeff Brown, Entercom Vice President and Market Manager. “WEEI 850 AM is a proven sports brand. Joining forces with ESPN provides advertisers an additional touch point to connect with a highly valuable and sought after consumer.”

“We’re pleased to team with Boston’s preeminent sports radio outlet and one of the nation’s best radio broadcasting companies in Entercom to bring the number one national network into New England,” said Traug Keller, ESPN Senior Vice President, Production Business Divisions. “This move coupled with the existing presence of ESPNBoston.com provides Boston’s passionate fans the best of ESPN’s national and local coverage and analysis.”

“We are excited to be expanding our partnership with ESPN in such a meaningful way,” said Entercom President and CEO David Field. “Combining Boston’s leading sports station, WEEI-FM, and the new ESPN on WEEI 850 AM, together with our ability to cross promote content through our existing mobile and digital platforms, gives passionate Boston sports fans the very best in local and national sports content.”

Beginning Friday, October 5, the new ESPN on WEEI 850 AM ESPN lineup will be:

6 a.m. to 10 a.m.                      “Mike & Mike in the Morning”
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.                     “The Herd with Colin Cowherd”
1 p.m. to 4 p.m.                       “The Scott Van Pelt Show with Ryen Russillo”
4 p.m. to 7 p.m.                       “ESPN Today”
7 p.m. to 10 p.m.                     “Hill and Schlereth” / ESPN Play-by-Play
10 p.m. to 12 a.m.                   “SportsCenter Tonight”
12 a.m. to 6 a.m.                      “SportsCenter All Night”

That will do it.

History of NFL Films

The National Football has sent this chronology of NFL Films from its humble beginning in 1962 all the way through today. Amazing how the company has grown to one of the most recognized brands in sports media.

Take a look.

50 YEARS OF PIONEER FILMMAKING

1962

• Ed Sabol, founder of Blair Motion Pictures (6 employees), bids $3,000 for the film rights to the 1962 NFL Championship Game

1963

• Pro Football’s Longest Day: The 1962 NFL Championship Game premieres at New York’s Toots Shor’s to critical acclaim

1964

• NFL buys Blair Motion Pictures after Ed Sabol convinces Commissioner Pete Rozelle that NFL needs its own film company to “not only to promote the NFL, but to preserve its history.”

1965

• NFL FILMS begins first season of filming every NFL game

1966

• NFL FILMS employs graphics in How to Watch Pro Football to explain strategy and tactics
• NFL FILMS wires Philadelphia’s Joe Kuharich for sound during an NFL game

1967

• They Call It Pro Football unveils NFL FILMS’ revolutionary filmmaking style with its use of ground-level, slow-motion NFL action and sideline sound
• NFL FILMS produces football’s 1st magazine show – hosted by Pat Summerall and Tom Brookshier
• NFL FILMS premieres its 1^st network pre-game feature on CBS Countdown to Kickoff

1968

• NFL FILMS produces sports’ 1^st blooper film, Football Follies
• NFL FILMS 1^st to film pre-game locker room action (Coach Saban & the Denver Broncos)

1969

• NFL FILMS 1^st to use 600mm telephoto lens to capture what Steve Sabol describes as “the raw intensity of the NFL – the bloody hands, the eyes bulging, the snot spraying and the sweat flying.”

1970

• Premiere of ABC’s Monday Night Football Halftime Highlights produced by NFL FILMS

1971

• NFL FILMS introduces reverse-angle replay

1973

• NFL FILMS introduces popular music – “The Way We Were” – scored to NFL footage featuring Bart Starr

1978

• NFL FILMS produces 1^st Road To The Super Bowl special

1979

• NFL FILMS moves from a 19,000-sq. ft. production studio in Philadelphia, PA, to a 40,000-sq. ft. multi-million dollar production lot in Mt. Laurel, NJ
• NFL FILMS wins first Emmys for Road To The Super Bowl at inaugural Sports Emmys

1980

• NFL FILMS introduces 1^st sports home videos – 28 team highlights & special releases Big Game America and Football Follies

1986

• NFL FILMS expands production studio to include state-of-the-art post production wing, fiber-optic services and a high security film archive

1987

• NFL FILMS designs software for digital-footage logging system

1989

• NFL FILMS produces NFL DREAM SEASON for ESPN: a computer effects project that alters game footage to realistically pit the NFL’s 20 greatest teams against one another – the 1986 New York Giants vs. the 1951 Los Angeles Rams – in a mythical eight-week series

1990

• NFL FILMS celebrates Silver Anniversary
• NFL FILMS annexes building to expand its production studio to 100,000 sq. ft.

1994

• NFL FILMS celebrates 30^th Anniversary

1995

• NFL FILMS produces filmmaking’s 1st live-action sports short ever shot in Cinemascope, the critically acclaimed, 100 Yard Universe

1997

• NFL commissions NFL FILMS’ Tom Hedden to compose Super Bowl XXXI theme
• NFL FILMS highlights appears in Cyberspace in the NFL Theater on NFL.COM

1998

• NFL FILMS PRESENTS leaves syndication after 30 years and moves to ESPN
• NFL FILMS produces the 1st interactive sports program on Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) – The Official Super Bowl XXXII Championship DVD
• NFL FILMS PRESENTS wins third consecutive Emmy award for Outstanding Sports Series
• NFL FILMS shoots its 7,000^th NFL game

1999

• NFL FILMS breaks ground on 200,000sq. ft. motion-picture studio schedule to open in Spring 2001

2000

• NFL FILMS increases Emmy award total to 78 after receiving awards for Outstanding Music Composition/Direction and Outstanding Features – its third consecutive award in that category

2001

• NFL FILMS increases Emmy award total to 80 after receiving awards for Outstanding Feature and Outstanding Editing HARD KNOCKS: Training Camp with the Baltimore Ravens, a reality sports documentary television series produced by NFL FILMS and HBO premiered in July

2002

• NFL FILMS opens a new 200,000 square-foot television and motion picture studio fully equipped for Hi-Def production
• NFL FILMS adds two more Emmys to its collection taking home the trophies for Outstanding Music Composition and Outstanding Audio

2003

• NFL FILMS plays pivotal role in launch of NFL NETWORK – the first television network fully dedicated to the NFL and the sport of football
• NFL FILMS founder Ed Sabol and President Steve Sabol are presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2003 Sports Emmy Awards
• NFL NETWORK wins its first Emmy Award for NFL FILMS Presents: Big Charlie’s Place becoming the youngest network in history to garner the prestigious award

2004

• NFL FILMS earns four more Emmy Awards increasing its total to 91

2005

• NFL FILMS increases Emmy award total to 92 after receiving awards for Outstanding Studio Show Weekly – Inside the NFL
• NFL FILMS releases Autumn Thunder; a ten disc box set of current and classic music from NFL FILMS’ award winning composers.

2006

• NFL FILMS launches what Steve Sabol calls “the biggest series in company history” in America’s Game: The Super Bowl Champions. The series features one-hour documentaries profiling each Super Bowl-winning team.

2007

• NFL FILMS wins 3 Emmy Awards for America’s Game: The Super Bowl Champions, NFL FILMS Presents: Finding Your Butkus, and Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Kansas City Chiefs, bringing the grand total to 95 Emmys since 1979.

2008

• NFL FILMS wins 2 Emmy Awards for Studio Show Weekly -Inside the NFL and Post-produced Audio-Sound for Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Dallas Cowboys, bringing the grand total to 97 Emmys since 1979.

2009

• NFL FILMS produced the five-part miniseries Full Color Football: The History of the American Football League for Showtime which aired in fall 2009 as part of the American Football League 50th anniversary celebration.
• NFL FILMS was honored by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission with the dedication of a Pennsylvania State Historical Marker at 230 North 13th Street in Philadelphia recognizing the location as the “Birthplace of NFL FILMS.”

2010

• NFL FILMS wins 3 Emmy Awards for Edited Sports Series/Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals, Post Produced Audio Sound/Hard Knocks Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals and Inside the NFL: Sounds of the Year bringing the grand total to 100 Emmys since 1979

2011

• NFL FILMS wins 5 Emmy Awards for Edited Sports Series/Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals, Documentary/Lombardi, Camera Work/Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals, Post Produced Audio-Sound/Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals and Live Event Turnaround/Sound FX: Cincinnati Bengals @ New York Jets, bringing the grand total to 105 Emmys since 1979
• Ed Sabol was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 6, 2011
• Steve and Ed Sabol were inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame in November of 2011 which was followed by Steve’s induction into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame in December
• The premiere season of both A Football Life (NFL Network) and NFL Turning Point (NBC Sports Network), produced by NFL FILMS, earned Emmy Award nominations in the category of Outstanding Edited Sports Series/Anthology.

2012

• NFL FILMS wins 2 Emmy Awards for Outstanding Music Composition/Direction/Lyrics for Ed Sabol’s Last Football Movie: Men of Mettle, and Outstanding Post Produced Audio/Sound for Sound FX: All Access bringing the grand total to 107 Emmys since 1979
• Hard Knocks: Training Camp at the Miami Dolphins went completely digital, becoming the first series in NFL Films history where no footage was shot on film or tape

More coming up.

NFL Network Obiturary on Steve Sabol

NFL Network and the National Football League has sent this obituary on Steve Sabol, the President of Steve Sabol, the man who helped shape the popularity of the game since 1962.

NFL Network Obituary on Steve Sabol

NFL Films is more than a production company, it’s an institution. The life’s work of Steve Sabol, a football player turned artist who transformed American television for half a century.

In 1962, Ed Sabol won the rights to film the league’s championship game and NFL Films was born. In a sense, so was Steve, who was there that freezing day at Yankee Stadium working as a cameraman. For the next 50 years, he never stopped working for the NFL.

Few men in the League have ever had a longer run. None has ever had a better one. He was the game’s first quintuple threat. An Emmy-winning auteur who won statuettes for cinematography, editing, writing, directing and producing. The only man ever to be so honored.

But it wasn’t hardware that Steve loved, it was the game. And he saw it as no one ever had. Through the eyes of an artist. With an unerring eye for detail, and a pitch perfect ear, Steve quickly transformed NFL Films from simple chroniclers of the game, to epic myth makers. And he did it, as all great artists do, by taking chances.

Super slow motion, wireless mics on players, reverse angle replays, follies films, and custom composed musical scores. All that’s standard stuff today, but before NFL Films it was unheard of. But then, Steve never thought like a sports filmmaker, he thought like a Hollywood storyteller. Big, bold, honest, and, funny. Those were the hallmarks of Steve’s work. And Steve himself.

Across fifty years, and tens of thousands of programs, there was one constant at NFL Films: Steve Sabol. He was one of that now rare breed of executive who not only had done every job in the company at one time or another, but could still do any of them better than most. More than the company’s head, he was its heartbeat.

Last summer, Steve presented his father for induction into Pro Football’s Hall of Fame. Big Ed, reminded the crowd that his motto was: “Tell me a story and it’ll live forever.” Like any good son, Steve always listened to his father. Then worked until he became the greatest storyteller the NFL has ever known. But he also listened to his heart. And by turning to the game he loved, he also embraced a piece of wisdom he learned while studying art at Colorado college. Art is love’s accomplice, take love away and there is no art. Steve Sabol knew that better than anyone.

More on Steve Sabol coming up.

NFL Statement on Steve Sabol

We have the NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s statement on the passing of NFL Films President Steve Sabol.

STEVE SABOL (1942-2012)

NFL Films President Steve Sabol, for five decades the creative force behind the unique brand of storytelling and cinematography that brought America closer to the game of football, died today at the age of 69 after an 18-month battle with brain cancer.

“Steve Sabol was the creative genius behind the remarkable work of NFL Films,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “Steve’s passion for football was matched by his incredible talent and energy. Steve’s legacy will be part of the NFL forever. He was a major contributor to the success of the NFL, a man who changed the way we look at football and sports, and a great friend.”

More coming up later.

Steve Sabol (1942-2012)

When you look at the history of the National Football League on television and the sports media, there are just a few men who come to mind who have had a huge impact on how the sport became America’s Game. Baseball is America’s Pastime, but there’s no doubt that football is America’s Game.

Ed and Steve Sabol who ran NFL Films has passed away today at the age of 69. To properly describe his impact on the game, it would take more than just one post.

The Sabols helped to bring Hollywood production values into NFL Films such as slow motion photography, beautiful cinematography, wireless microphones, musical scores, storytelling and so much more. Steve began with NFL Films when his father bought the rights to film the NFL Championship Game in 1962 and remained with the company to his dying day.

Throughout today, Fang’s Bites will pay tribute to Steve Sabol and his influence on the sports media.

SiriusXM Picks Up talkSPORT’s English Premier League and FA Cup Programming & Live Games

Let’s go to a press release from across the Atlantic in regards to programming that can be accessed in the United States. Received this last week. The UK and Global radio rightsholder for all English Premier League and FA Cup games (except in Europe), talkSPORT, can now be heard in the US and Canada thanks to a new agreement with SiriusXM.

SiriusXM will have offer talkSPORT’s games and talk programming dedicated to the English Premier League and the FA Cup.

We have details of the agreement between talkSPORT and SiriusXM. It’s all in the press release that is featured below. Check it out.

talkSPORT’s Barclays Premier League and FA Cup Commentaries to be Broadcast on SiriusXM Across USA and Canada

talkSPORT, the world’s biggest sports radio station and Global Audio Partner of the Barclays Premier League, has signed a new agreement with Sirius XM Radio in the USA and Canada to broadcast talkSPORT talk shows plus talkSPORT Live Barclays Premier League and FA Cup play-by-play coverage throughout the 2012/2013 season, bringing the best of English domestic soccer to listeners across North America.

The agreement gives SiriusXM’s subscribers access to multiple live matches every week throughout the Premier League and FA Cup seasons in addition to an expanded range of award-winning talkSPORT programming including the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, Drive with Darren Gough and Adrian Durham, Kick Off, Extra Time, and Weekend Sports Breakfast with Micky Quinn and Mark Saggers, on Sirius channel 92 and XM channel 207. The programming will also be available to subscribers through the SiriusXM Internet Radio App for smartphones and other mobile devices and online at SiriusXM.com.

This is the first time that talkSPORT live play-by-play commentary has been available on SiriusXM.

The agreement expands the availability of talkSPORT Live, talkSPORT’s new live service for global fans of the English soccer. talkSPORT Live is separately available via talkSPORT.com, with live play-by-play commentary on all 380 Barclays Premier League games as well as FA Cup matches in multiple languages, including English, Spanish and Mandarin outside the European Economic Area . talkSPORT has exclusive packages of international audio broadcasting rights with both the Premier League spanning the next four football seasons (2012/13 – 2015/16) and with the FA for the next six seasons.

Scott Taunton, CEO, talkSPORT, said: “English soccer coverage is increasingly popular across USA and Canada, so it’s perfect timing to be expanding the range talkSPORT programming available via SiriusXM. We already know from listener feedback how much SiriusXM subscribers enjoy listening to talkSPORT’s programming and we’re excited to expand the offerings to include both live Barclays Premier League and FA Cup play-by-play coverage. This agreement with SiriusXM is an important means of extending talkSPORT Live in North America.”

”We’re very pleased to work with talkSPORT to expand our play-by-play offerings to SiriusXM listeners,” said Steve Cohen, SiriusXM’s SVP of Sports Programming. “Our subscribers have enjoyed talkSPORT’s excellent lineup of talk programs and now, with the availability of their EPL and FA Cup play-by-play broadcasts, we are able to provide a superior listening experience for soccer fans.”

That is it.

Baseball Tonight To Air Live From MLB Fan Cave

ESPN’s venerable Baseball Tonight program will be produced live from the MLB Fan Cave in New York. The show will air at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN. Karl Ravech and John Kruk will be at the Fan Cave and Krukie will answer questions from those in attendance in New York.

Here’s the blurb from ESPN.

ESPN to Present Baseball Tonight Live from MLB Fan Cave Tonight

ESPN will present a special edition of Baseball Tonight live from the MLB Fan Cave in New York tonight, Sept. 18, at 10 p.m. ET. Karl Ravech will be joined by analyst John Kruk to provide in-depth highlights and commentary on the day in baseball. In addition, Kruk will host a special “Ask Kruk” segment where fans in attendance have the opportunity to ask a question live during the telecast. Baseball Tonight at the MLB Fan Cave will also be available on WatchESPN.

The MLB Fan Cave is home to baseball fans watching every game of the season while hosting current and retired players, celebrities and recording artists; creating baseball-themed content; and connecting with fans through social media. For more coverage of Baseball Tonight from the MLB Fan Cave, follow the team on Twitter: @KarlRavechESPN, @JohnKruk_ESPN, @ESPN_BBTN, @MLBFanCave.

That’s all.

Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks

College Football
CFB Daily — ESPNU, 1 p.m.
College Football Live — ESPN, 3:30 p.m.
Inside College Football — CBS Sports Network, 7 p.m.
The Tony Barnhart Show — CBS Sports Network, 9 p.m.

CONCACAF Champions League
Group Stage
Tauro vs. Real Salt Lake — Fox Soccer, 8 p.m.
Real Esteli vs. Tigres UNAL — Galavision, 10 p.m.

Golf
Road to the Ryder Cup — Golf Channel, 8 p.m.
1991 Ryder Cup Final Day — Golf Channel, 8:30 p.m.

Minor League Baseball
Triple A National Championship, Durham, NC
Reno Aces vs. Pawtucket Red Sox — NBC Sports Network, 7 p.m.

MLB
American League
Boston at Tampa Bay — NESN/Sun Sports, 7 p.m.
Minnesota at Cleveland — Fox Sports North/STO, 7 p.m.
Oakland at Detroit — MLB Network/Comcast SportsNet California/Fox Sports Detroit, 7 p.m.
Toronto at New York Yankees — Rogers Sportsnet/WWOR, 7 p.m.
Chicago White Sox at Kansas City — Comcast SportsNet Chicago Plus/Fox Sports Kansas City, 8 p.m.
Baltimore at Seattle — MASN2/Root Sports Northwest, 10 p.m.
Texas at Anaheim Angels — MLB Network/Fox Sports Southwest/Fox Sports West, 10 p.m.

National League
Atlanta at Miami — SportSouth/Fox Sports Florida, 7 p.m.
Los Angeles Dodgers at Washington — MLB Network/KCAL/MASN, 7 p.m.
Milwaukee at Pittsburgh — Fox Sports Wisconsin/Root Sports Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.
Philadelphia at New York Mets — WPHL/SNY, 7 p.m.
Cincinnati at Chicago Cubs — Fox Sports Ohio/Comcast SportsNet Chicago, 8 p.m.
Houston at St. Louis — Fox Sports Houston/Fox Sports Midwest, 8:15 p.m.
San Diego at Arizona — Fox Sports San Diego/Fox Sports Arizona, 9:30 p.m.
Colorado at San Francisco — MLB Network/Root Sports Rocky Mountain/Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, 10:15 p.m.

The Rundown — MLB Network, 2 p.m.
MLB Tonight — MLB Network, 6 p.m.
Baseball Tonight — ESPN, 10 p.m.
Baseball Tonight — ESPN2, midnight
Quick Pitch — MLB Tonight, 1 a.m. (Wednesday)

NFL
NFL Live — ESPN, 4 p.m.
Around the League Live — NFL Network, 5 p.m.

Sports Talk
NFL AM — NFL Network, 6 a.m.
The ‘Lights — NBC Sports Network, 6 a.m.
The Dan Patrick Show — Audience Network (DirecTV)/Fox Sports Net, 9 a.m.
Tim Brando Show — CBS Sports Network, 10 a.m.
The Box Score — Audience Network (DirecTV)/DanPatrick.com, noon
The Scott Van Pelt Show — ESPNews, 1 p.m.
Outside the Lines First Report — ESPN2, 3 p.m.
Numbers Never Lie — ESPN2, 4 p.m.
SportsNation — ESPN2, 5 p.m.
Pardon the Interruption — ESPN, 5:30 p.m.
ROME — CBS Sports Network, 6 p.m.
Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel — HBO, 10 p.m.
UNITE — ESPNU, midnight

Tennis
ATP Tour: Moselle Open, Early Rounds — Tennis Channel, 7 p.m. & 9 p.m. (same day coverage)

UEFA Champions League
Group Stage
Real Madrid vs. Manchester City — Fox Soccer/Fox Deportes, 2:30 p.m.
Montpelier vs. Arsenal — Fox Soccer Plus, 2:30 p.m.
Milan vs. Anderlecht — Fox Sports Net, 2:30 p.m.

UEFA Champions League Pregame — Fox Soccer/Fox Soccer Plus/Fox Sports Net, 2 p.m.
La Previa UEFA Champions League — Fox Deportes, 2 p.m.
UEFA Champions League Highlights — Fox Soccer, 1 a.m. (Wednesday)

WNBA
New York Liberty at San Antonio Silver Stars — ESPN2, 8 p.m.
Phoenix Mercury at Los Angeles Sparks — NBA TV, 10:30 p.m.

Entertainment
Eat St.: Gator Time — Cooking Channel, 8 p.m.
Death and the Civil War: American Experience — PBS, 8 p.m.
Cocaine: History Between The Lines — H2, 8 p.m.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes — HBO, 8 p.m.
Kitchen Crashers: Dated & Dark Kitchen Overhaul — DIY Network, 9 p.m.
20/20: Best in TV: The Greatest TV Shows of Our Time With Barbara Walters — ABC, 9 p.m.
Top Gear: The Tractor Challenge — History Channel, 9 p.m.
Hard Time: Love Behind Bars — National Geographic Channel, 9 p.m.
Mysteries at the Museum: Conspiracies — Travel Channel, 9 p.m.
Bath Crashers: Girly Girl Bathroom — DIY Network, 9:30 p.m.
Man, Fire, Food: Feast Over Flame (series premiere) — Cooking Channel, 10 p.m.
I Hate My Bath: Mom’s Surprise! — DIY Network, 10 p.m.
Frontline: The Battle for Syria — PBS, 10 p.m.
Gangsters: America’s Most Evil: The Queenpin: Jemeker Thompson — Biography, 10 p.m.
Addicted: Lindsay — Discovery Fitness & Health, 10 p.m.
Sons of Anarchy — FX, 10 p.m.
Twisted: Most Likely To Succeed — Investigation Discovery, 10 p.m.
Top Secret Weapons Revealed: Weapons of the Superspies — Military Channel, 10 p.m.
I Hate My Bath: Modern Victorian Style — DIY Network, 10:30 p.m.
House Hunters International: Tarija, Bolivia — HGTV, 10:30 p.m.
Conan — TBS, 11 p.m.
Late Show with David Letterman — CBS, 11:35 p.m.
Big Brother After Dark — Sho2, midnight

Sunday Night Football Cleans Up in Week 2. Again

We don’t have a press release, but various tweets from NBC Sports’ Public Relations department regarding the ratings for the Sunday Night Football game between the Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers, dubbed as “Handshake II.”

According to the Fast National ratings, NBC garnered a 12.9 and over 21 million viewers for the game.

“Sunday Night Football” featuring #Lions at #49ers did 12.9 fast natnl rating & 21.3 mil viewers, 4th-best Wk 2 primetime gm since ’99 #SNF

— NBCSportsPR (@NBCSportsPR) September 17, 2012

Locally, Detroit led all metered markets followed by two in California.

#Detroit led all markets for last night’s SNF game w 32.1 rating & 46 share. Sacramento-Stockton was No. 2 w 27.3/44, SF was No. 3 w 24.0/47

— NBCSportsPR (@NBCSportsPR) September 17, 2012

In addition, NBC says this is the 4th consecutive year where the Week 2 game generated more than 21 million viewers. That’s quite impressive.

This is 4th-straight year “Sunday Night Football” has delivered more than 21.0 million viewers for a Week 2 game. #SNF wins Sunday night.

— NBCSportsPR (@NBCSportsPR) September 17, 2012

And we have one more tidbit from NBC.

Through 3gms, NBC’s #NFL coverage avg 14.8 rating & 24.4 mil viewers, both 3rd-best in NBC SNF history & only 3% off last year’s record pace

— NBCSportsPR (@NBCSportsPR) September 17, 2012

We should get the final numbers from NBC tomorrow.

Thursday Night Football Heads to Charlotte

This week, NFL Network’s increasingly popular Thursday Night Football will head to Charlotte as the defending Super Bowl Champion New York Giants take on the Carolina Panthers. Both teams are coming off wins on Sunday so this Thursday’s game is a pivotal contest.

Brad Nessler, Mike Mayock and Alex Flanagan will be your game announcers. Rich Eisen along with the yelling cast of thousands will be on the pregame show live from Bank of America Stadium.

We have the particulars of the Thursday Night Football broadcast from NFL Network. The game will be broadcast locally on WPIX in NYC and WSOC in Charlotte. Everything you need to know is below.

NEW YORK GIANTS AT CAROLINA PANTHERS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 AT 8:00 PM ET ON NFL NETWORK

Coverage Begins at 6:00 PM ET with Thursday Night Kickoff
“Eli is truly unflappable…Yes, he is [one of the five best quarterbacks].” – Deion Sanders on Giants QB Eli Manning

NFL Network’s Thursday Night Football continues this week when Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning and the New York Giants travel to face the 2011 Offensive Rookie of the Year Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers Thursday, September 20 at 8:00 PM ET. Play-by-play announcer Brad Nessler and Emmy-nominated analyst Mike Mayock have the call, while Alex Flanagan provides reports from the sidelines of Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Two hours before kickoff, NFL Network’s Thursday Night Kickoff pregame show is live from the stadium starting at 6:00 PM ET, taking viewers right up to kickoff with analysis and the latest reports. Host Rich Eisen is joined by Hall of Famers Marshall Faulk, Deion Sanders and Michael Irvin, and former head coach Steve Mariucci. Reporter Stacey Dales provides pregame news reports from the locker rooms, as well as interviews with players and coaches.

Bollywood superstar and 2101 Records/Desi Hits!/ Interscope Records recording artist Priyanka Chopra will be the featured artist for NFL Network’s Thursday Night Kickoff pregame show. Priyanka’s debut single “In My City,’ featuring will.i.am and produced by RedOne (Lady Gaga) and Brian Kennedy, will be the music bed for the intro to Thursday Night Kickoff. The release of the full song and accompanying video for “In My City” are expected later this fall. For more information on Priyanka Chopra, please visit iampriyankachopra.com.

Leading in to every Thursday Night Football game, Grammy Award-winning artist CeeLo Green will sing the anthem entitled “I Love Football,” set to The Ramones’ “Blitzkrieg Bop.” The 90-second show open for each Thursday Night Football game will feature fan-sourced videos uploaded by fans. To submit videos, please visit www.nfl.com/fanchise.

Eisen, Faulk, Sanders, Irvin and Mariucci provide additional analysis on the Halftime Show and the Pregame Show.

Following the game, hosts Chris Rose and Lindsay Rhodes as well as analysts Willie McGinest and Shaun O’Hara will deliver a postgame edition of NFL Total Access live from NFL Network’s studios in Los Angeles.

QUOTABLE:

- “Eli is truly unflappable; he rarely shows emotion on the field. I don’t care how many interceptions he has thrown. Yes, he is [one of the five best quarterbacks].” – Deion Sanders on New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning

TEAMS:	GIANTS (1-1)	PANTHERS (1-1)
ANNOUNCERS	Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Mike Mayock (game analyst); Alex Flanagan (sideline)
PREGAME (6:00 PM ET)	Thursday Night Kickoff In Charlotte: Rich Eisen, Marshall Faulk, Michael Irvin, Steve Mariucci, Deion Sanders, Stacey Dales, Alex Flanagan
PRE-KICK (8:00 PM ET)	Brad Nessler, Mike Mayock, Alex Flanagan, Rich Eisen, Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Deion Sanders, Michael Irvin, Stacey Dales
HALFTIME	Rich Eisen, Marshall Faulk, Michael Irvin, Steve Mariucci, Deion Sanders, Stacey Dales, Alex Flanagan
POSTGAME	Rich Eisen, Marshall Faulk, Michael Irvin, Steve Mariucci, Deion Sanders, Stacey Dales, Alex Flanagan  NFL Total Access Postgame Show In-studio: Chris Rose, Lindsay Rhodes, Willie McGinest, Shaun O’Hara
WHERE TO WATCH	DirecTV – Channel 212 (SD/HD), DISH Network – 154 (SD/HD) Verizon FIOS – Channel 88 (SD) 588 (HD), AT&T U-Verse – Channel 630 (SD) 1630 (HD), Cablevision – Channel 150 (SD/HD)Check your local cable listings NFL.com LIVE – live “look-ins” at select moments of game NFL Mobile Live on Verizon Wireless
LOCAL OTA SIMULCAST*	CW Ch. 11 (WPIX)	ABC Ch. 9 (WSOC)

That is it.

Fox Sports Goes Big 12 in Primetime

Fox Sports has announced its college football plans for the next couple of weeks. Its primetime games for this Saturday and next Saturday will be in the Big 12. And next Saturday, September 29 will mark its first visit to Stillwater, Oklahoma for the Texas-Oklahoma State game.

That follows this week’s Kansas State at Oklahoma game so Fox is embracing the Big 12 in a big way.

Here’s Fox’s schedule for the next couple of weekends on its various networks.

TEXAS/OKLAHOMA STATE BATTLE GOES PRIMETIME ON FOX

Longhorns & Cowboys Play Their Big 12 Conference Opener Sept. 29
Doubleheader on FX Action Includes No. 8 West Virginia Hosting Baylor

New York, NY – FOX Sports Media Group today unveiled the matchups slated for FOX, FX, FSN & FCS on Saturday, Sept. 29.

FOX Sports presents the Texas/Oklahoma State game in primetime from Stillwater, OK. The FOX COLLEGE SATURDAY pregame show, hosted by Erin Andrews with analysts Eddie George and Joey Harrington, begins coverage at 7:00 PM ET with kickoff slated for 7:50 PM ET. Texas is currently No. 12 in the latest AP poll and makes their first trip to Boone Pickens Stadium since 2009.

On FX, doubleheader coverage includes Baylor traveling to West Virginia at 12:00 PM ET. At 4:00 PM ET, Arizona State meets California in a Pac-12 matchup.

Below is the schedule for the next two weekends on the FSMG networks. The remainder of the schedule will be announced as the season progresses.

FSMG COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE – UPDATED 9/17/12
ALL TIMES EASTERN

Saturday, September 22

12:00 PM — Maryland at West Virginia, Big 12, FX
12:00 PM — Ole Miss at Tulane, C-USA, FSN
4:00 PM — Colorado at Washington State, Pac-12, FX
7:30 PM — Kansas State at Oklahoma, Big 12, FOX/FOX Deportes

Saturday, September 29

12:00 PM — Missouri at UCF, C-USA, FSN
12:00 PM — Baylor at West Virginia, Big 12, FX
3:30 PM — Houston vs. Rice (from Reliant Stadium), C-USA, FSN
4:00 PM — Arizona State at California, Pac-12, FX
7:00 PM — TCU at SMU, C-USA, FSN
7:00 PM — Texas Tech at Iowa State, Big 12, FCS
7:30 PM — Texas at Oklahoma State, Big 12, FOX/FOX Deportes

That’s all.

Going For Some Monday Linkage

Doing some linkage for you on this return to the work week.

USA Today’s Michael Hiestand notes the NHL Lockout will hurt any ratings momentum NBC Sports Network had from the summer.

Ed Sherman of The Sherman Report talks with The Professor, new-found Slayer fan, John Clayton of ESPN.

The Tampa Bay Times’ Eric Deggans, writing for the Indiana University National Sports Journalism Center, is concerned about the increasing amount of partnerships between the sports TV networks and colleges.

Etan Vlessing of the Hollywood Reporter says hockey fans are wondering if they’ll be watching the NHL when the season supposedly starts next month.

Allison Keene of the Reporter reviews Fox’s new documentary series, “Being: Liverpool.”

In Examiner.com, Evan Weiner explores how politicians play a role in sports labor disputes.

The SEC has announced its TV schedule for September 29.

Richard Sandomir of the New York Times looks at “Being: Liverpool.”

Ken Schott from the Schenectady Gazette explains why the Pittsburgh-New York Jets game was not joined at the beginning of the contest in the Capital Region.

Ken notes that the ESPN Family of Networks will air five Siena men’s basketball games.

Ken McMillan at the Middletown (NY) Times Herald-Record says Marist gets multiple appearances on ESPN’s networks.

The Buffalo News reports that the Bills are about to play more games in Toronto over the next five seasons.

David Zurawik of the Baltimore Sun continues to hate CBS’ Greg Gumbel and Dan Dierdorf.

In Press Box, Dave Hughes of DCRTV.com talks about a new Baltimore Ravens beat writer.

Jim Williams from the Washington Examiner notes SportsCenter’s influence.

Tom Jones of the Tampa Bay Times talks with Fox Sports’ Joe Buck.

Coley Harvey of the Orlando Sentinel says ESPN’s College GameDay is heading to the Sunshine State this week.

David Barron of the Houston Chronicle says a Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic mainstay will be uprooting and heading to Houston.

Mel Bracht in The Oklahoman catches up with Screamin’ Gus Johnson.

Bob Wolfley at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has Fox’s Terry Bradshaw giving some advice to quarterbacks Jay Cutler and Aaron Rodgers.

Duane Dudek of the Journal Sentinel notes the launch of new show hosted by four wives of Green Bay Packers players.

Dusty Saunders of the Denver Post says the Broncos are veterans of Monday Night Football.

Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News has your SoCal sports calendar for the week.

Tom has five things he learned from the weekend.

Sports Media Watch says the overnight numbers for CBS’ NFL doubleheader were down from a year ago.

SMW says Fox’s numbers were down for its NFL regional coverage as well.

Those are the links for today.

“Ray Lewis: A Football Life” Premieres on NFL Network on Wednesday

NFL Network’s critically acclaimed series, “A Football Life” returns this week with a concept that gained attention last year. The next installment focuses on Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis by following him over a year’s time. The premiere episode of “A Football Life” did the same with New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick so this should be quite interesting.

This episode follows Lewis throughout the 2011 season and ends with the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots.

NFL Films says Lewis is the first active player to wear a microphone in every game of the regular season. We have the preview plus a link to a video clip.

Here’s the press release from NFL Network.

NFL NETWORK’S A FOOTBALL LIFE CONTINUES WITH FULL-SEASON WIRING OF RAY LEWIS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 AT 8:00 PM ET

Ravens Linebacker First Player to Wear Wireless Microphone for Entire Season
“The game will fade one day. I realize that success is one thing; impact is another. I live to impact people.” – Lewis

As a Super Bowl-winning linebacker and 17-year NFL veteran, Ray Lewis has had an indelible impact on the football field. Yet, the legacy Lewis continues to leave stretches far beyond what happens on Sundays, extending to his teammates, his family, the community of Baltimore and thousands of football fans across the country.

Lewis’ impactful life is detailed and explored in the NFL Films produced Ray Lewis: A Football Life, which premieres Wednesday, September 19 at 8:00 PM ET on NFL Network. Following in the footsteps of last year’s critically-acclaimed Bill Belichick: A Football Life, Lewis became the first player in NFL history to wear a wireless microphone in every game for an entire season.

NFL Films’ cameras followed Lewis on and off the field throughout the 2011 season, which ended in a loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game, capturing the middle linebacker in a variety of situations and roles. Featuring footage from inside the team meeting room prior to their Week 9 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, his speech to the Harvard Black Law Students Association at their Spring Conference, lighter moments spent with his family, and more, an all-encompassing profile of the 13-time Pro Bowl linebacker is provided.

The one-hour episode also chronicles his relationship with his father and the bond he formed with Ravens fan Bill Warble, who passed away earlier this year.

Emmy-nominated actor from CBS’ The Good Wife, Josh Charles, narrates.

To view the trailer of Ray Lewis: A Football Life, visit:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/a-football-life/0ap1000000061655/A-Football-Life-Ray-Lewis

Below are select quotes from Ray Lewis: A Football Life:

• “The game will fade one day. I realize that success is one thing; impact is another. I live to impact people.” – Lewis
• “That type of interaction with people who really look up to you can change a life instantly.” – Lewis on his relationship with Bill Warble
• “Our fans can’t stand Pittsburgh. And Pittsburgh can’t stand us. It’s just the way it is.” – Lewis
• “I have been there many a time and you realize this is the same game that has haunted us the last three years. That one game, whether it was sooner [in the season] that you didn’t get homefield advantage, or whether it was later because you had to go play in their backyard.” – Lewis on facing the Pittsburgh Steelers
• “I don’t do this for me. I watch enough film so I could put myself in position to make my defense the best defense in damn football. That’s why I come back every year.” – Lewis to the Ravens in team meeting before Week 9 game against the Steelers
• “There is no middle linebacker in the game that can outplay me in their position. And until I’m done, there won’t be.” – Lewis
  
• “You don’t have to respect me by me. You’re going to respect me by what people who I’ve come in contact with know about me.” – Lewis
• “I promised my teammates and my coaches something: that we will finish this. We will see another Lombardi trophy in Baltimore. I owe them that.” – Lewis

Below is the September and October broadcast schedule for A Football Life, airing on Wednesday nights at 8:00 PM ET:

• September 26 – Tom Coughlin
• October 3 – Cleveland ‘95
• October 10 – Fearsome Foursome
• October 17 – Steve McNair
• October 24 – Eddie DeBartolo
• October 31 – Chris Spielman

Airing throughout the NFL season, A Football Life examines the iconic individuals and subjects that have had an undeniable and profound impact on the history of the National Football League, offering an inside look into their untold stories.

Every episode of A Football Life and all NFL Network programming is streamed live on NFL Mobile, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

That will conclude this post.

Primetime & Late Night Viewing Picks

College Football
CFB Daily — ESPNU, 1 p.m.
College Football Live — ESPNU, 3:30 p.m.
ESPN BCS Countdown — ESPNU, 6 p.m.
Lemming Report — CBS Sports Network, 7:30 p.m.

English Premier League
Everton vs. Newcastle — ESPN2, 2:55 p.m.

MLB
American League
Detroit at Chicago White Sox — Fox Sports Detroit/Comcast SportsNet Chicago, 2 p.m.
Boston at Tampa Bay — MLB Network/NESN/Sun Sports, 7 p.m.
Baltimore at Seattle — MASN/Root Sports Northwest, 10 p.m.

National League
Atlanta at Miami — SportSouth/Fox Sports Florida, 7 p.m.
Philadelphia at New York Mets — Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia/SNY, 7 p.m.
Pittsburgh at Chicago Cubs — MLB Network/Root Sports Pittsburgh/Comcast SportsNet Chicago, 8 p.m.
Colorado at San Francisco — Root Sports Rocky Mountain/Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, 10 p.m.

The Rundown — MLB Network, 2 p.m.
MLB Tonight — MLB Network, 6 p.m.
Baseball Tonight — ESPN2, 9:30 p.m.
MLB Tonight — MLB Network, 10 p.m.
Baseball Tonight — ESPN2, midnight
Quick Pitch — MLB Network, 1 a.m. (Tuesday)

NFL
Denver at Atlanta — ESPN, 8:30 p.m.

NFL PrimeTime — ESPN, 3 p.m.
Around the League Live — NFL Network, 3 p.m.
Up to the Minute — NFL Network, 6 p.m.
NFL Monday Quarterback — CBS Sports Network, 6:30 p.m.
NFL Total Access: Monday Night Football Preview — NFL Network, 7 p.m.

Sports Talk
NFL AM — NFL Network, 6 a.m.
The ‘Lights — NBC Sports Network, 7 a.m.
The Dan Patrick Show — Audience Network (DirecTV)/Fox Sports Net, 9 a.m.
Tim Brando Show — CBS Sports Network, 10 a.m.
The Box Score — Audience Network (DirecTV)/DanPatrick.com, noon
The Scott Van Pelt Show — ESPNews, 1 p.m.
Outside the Lines First Report — ESPN2, 2:30 p.m.
SportsNation — ESPN2, 5 p.m.
Pardon the Interruption — ESPN, 5;30 p.m.
ROME — CBS Sports Network, 6 p.m.
UNITE — ESPNU, midnight

Tennis
WTA Tour: Bell Challenge, semifinal — Tennis Channel, 11 a.m. (delayed from Saturday)
WTA Tour: Bell Challenge, semifinal — Tennis Channel, 1 p.m. (delayed from Saturday)
WTA Tour: Bell Challenge, final — Tennis Channel, 3 p.m. (delayed from Sunday)

WNBA
Indiana Fever at Minnesota Lynx — NBA TV, 8 p.m.

Entertainment
Bones (season premiere) — Fox, 8 p.m.
Napoleon Dynamite — IFC, 8 p.m.
Alien Deep With Bob Ballard: Inner vs. Outer Space — National Geographic Channel, 8 p.m.
House Crashers — DIY Network, 9 p.m.
The Mob Doctor (series premiere) — Fox, 9 p.m.
Blood, Lies & Alibis: The Wilderness Murders — Investigation Discovery, 9 p.m.
Border Wars: Cocaine Dump Truck — National Geographic Channel, 9 p.m.
Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations: Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll — Travel Channel, 9 p.m.
25 Biggest Live TV Blunders — TV Guide, 9 p.m.
Blog Cabin: Desperate Landscapes Meets Blog Cabin — DIY Network, 9:30 p.m.
Revolution (series premiere) — NBC, 10 p.m.
Intervention: Britney & Terry K. — A&E, 10 p.m.
Fast N’ Loud: 48 Chevy Fleetmaster — Discovery, 10 p.m.
House Hunters International: San Carlos, Mexico — HGTV, 10:30 p.m.
Conan — TBS, 11 p.m.
Late Show with David Letterman — CBS, 11:35 p.m.
Big Brother After Dark — Sho2, midnight

NBC’s Football Night in America Quotage For Week 2 of the 2012 Season

We conclude our Sunday NFL pregame show quotage with NBC’s Football Night in America which I had the opportunity to see for the first time this season.

Check out what was said by Bob Costas, Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Dan Patrick, Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison. It’s all below.

“FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA” NOTES & QUOTES – WEEK 2

“That’s why you pay Tom Brady $18, $20 million a year, because of these situations.” – Rodney Harrison on the Patriots being conservative at the end of the game
“In pee-wee football, you don’t throw a football at a guy in this situation.” – Tony Dungy on Redskins WR Josh Morgan’s penalty
“I don’t think it’s a fluke. This is a defense that can play.” – Cris Collinsworth on the Cardinals
“There’s no illegal contact penalty in college so they’re not looking for it. A lot of wrestling.” – Dungy on replacement officials
“That front seven is unbelievable.” – Harrison on the Texans

NEW YORK – Sept. 16, 2012 – Following are highlights for Football Night in America. Bob Costas opened the show live from inside Candlestick Park in San Francisco where the 49ers are hosting the Detroit Lions. Costas was joined on-site by Sunday Night Football commentators Al Michaels (play-by-play) and Cris Collinsworth (analyst).

Dan Patrick co-hosted the program from Studio 8G at NBC’s 30 Rockefeller Plaza studios and was joined by Football Night analysts Tony Dungy and Rodney Harrison, and NFL insiders Peter King of Sports Illustrated and Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com. Carolyn Manno reported on Jets-Steelers from Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.

Following are highlights from Football Night:

ON TEXANS

Harrison: “It’s a credit to this Houston defense. After losing Mario Williams, you never thought that this team would be this good. That front seven is unbelievable.”
Dungy: “They did lose Mario Williams but they kept their defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, and that’s been huge. He’s turned this defense around in two years.”

ON GIANTS

Michaels: “I thought we saw the best of Eli today and the worst of him.”

Patrick on RB Andre Brown: “What can Brown do for you? Win the game!”

ON BUCCANEERS

King on Buccaneers not respecting the victory formation: “As one Giant told me about victory formations, if the Buccaneers keep doing this, their risking getting some cheap shots on their own players and maybe risking further injury.”

Harrison on Greg Schiano trying to establish a play-hard culture even against the victory formation: “You don’t do it on the last play of the game. You do it for quarter one through quarter four.”

ON EAGLES

Collinsworth: “This team is 2-0. They probably should be 0-2 and yet they have the impressive wins now, and they look ahead.”

Dungy: “You mentioned nine turnovers. They’re still undefeated. Wait until they learn how to take care of the ball.”

ON RAVENS

Dungy on Joe Flacco’s comments about replacement officials: “I think he will regret saying this tomorrow. He’s frustrated because he lost what was the game-winning touchdown pass.”
Harrison on Flacco’s frustration with the offensive pass interference call against the Ravens in the 4^th quarter: “I understand his frustration, but this is not the only play in question. He had four quarters and opportunities to make plays. I think he will look back at the film and say, you know what, we didn’t quite play that well.”
Dungy on the call: “I think this was the right call because there was a lot of jostling out there.”
Harrison: “(Nnamdi) Asomugha should have turned around, but he clearly didn’t touch him.”

ON CARDINALS

Collinsworth on Ray Horton and the defense: “Here is a guy who spent all those years under Dick LeBeau and the Pittsburgh Steelers. To go into New England and to shut down that offense, which is basically what they did there today, is very impressive. I don’t think it’s a fluke. This is a defense that can play.”

ON PATRIOTS

Harrison: “I felt like they should have stayed aggressive. They had a first down and 15, 46 seconds left, and they settle for a 42-yard field goal…That’s why you pay Tom Brady $18, $20 million a year, because of these situations. I felt like they got very conservative and it’s going to cost them in the end.”
Dungy: “Let Tom win the games.”

ON REDSKINS

Dungy on WR Josh Morgan throwing the football at Rams CB Cortland Finnegan: “That is selfish football. Throwing a ball at a guy with the game on the line.”
Harrison: “That’s the problem that you have with young players. You love them because they’re fast, they’re athletic. But at critical moments like this, they lose their composure.”
Dungy: “In pee-wee football, you don’t throw a football at a guy in this situation. You’re trying to win the game. You can’t let ego get in the way.”
Harrison: “You need to know the situation.”

ON COWBOYS

Harrison: “I’m very disappointed in Dallas…Why is it so hard for them to go on the west coast and win one game?”

ON SAINTS

Dungy on offseason distractions affecting play: “It has…I think we’re seeing how valuable coaching is in the NFL.”
Harrison on Saints defense: “Where are the defenders at? Missing tackles in the open field. Just plain old soft.”

ON COLTS

Dungy, after commenting on Andrew Luck’s poise: “One thing he’s going to learn, if he sets up Adam (Vinatieri) for game-winning field goals, he’s going to win a lot of games.”

ON 0-2 CHIEFS & 0-2 RAIDERS

Dungy: “Now I know why Peyton Manning picked Denver. That might not be a bad division to play in.”

ON THE REPLACEMENT OFFICIALS

Dungy: “One area where they are struggling is downfield contact. There’s no illegal contact penalty in college so they’re not looking for it. A lot of wrestling.”
Harrison on contact between receivers and defenders: “The problem the players are having is consistency.”

Harrison on downfield contact between receivers and defensive backs: “This is why Flacco and other quarterbacks around the league are frustrated…If I’m a defensive back and they’re not calling it, I’m going to do it the entire day.”

King: “(On) that official yanked off the Saints–Panthers game today for being a Saints fan. Ray Anderson, vice president of the NFL, who has been in charge of the replacement officials, has told me not only is the guy not getting fired, he’s going to work a game next week… Just not a Saints game.”

Click here for a video of King and Florio on the victory formation, injuries and officials:
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/22825103/vp/49056027#49056027

We should have halftime quotage and Bob Costas’ commentary later in the evening.

NBC’s Football Night in America Previews Its Week 2 Interviews

Let’s now preview the interviews you’ll see on Football Night in America in advance of tonight’s Detroit-San Francisco game. Bob Costas will speak with players from both the Lions and the 49ers.

In addition, Carolyn Manno from Comcast SportsNet New England will make her Football Night in America debut reporting from the New York Jets-Pittsburgh Steelers game.

Here’s partial transcripts of the interviews.

“FOOTBALL NIGHT IN AMERICA” PREVIEW – WEEK 2
BOB COSTAS INTERVIEWS 49ERS QB ALEX SMITH, TE VERNON DAVIS; LIONS QB MATTHEW STAFFORD, DE KYLE VANDEN BOSCH

“We can’t get caught up in the hype of Harbaugh and Schwartz. We can’t do that because this game is about us as a team.” – 49ers TE Vernon Davis to Bob Costas
“I think we grew up a lot last year. We’re a team that’s ready to go.” – Lions QB Matthew Stafford to Bob Costas

NEW YORK – September 16, 2012 –Bob Costas interviewed San Francisco 49ers QB Alex Smith and TE Vernon Davis and Detroit Lions QB Matthew Stafford and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch for tonight’s Week 2 edition of Football Night in America, which will preview 49ers-Lions and also include highlights, analysis and reaction to earlier Week 2 games.

Football Night, the most-watched pre-game studio show in sports, airs each Sunday at 7 p.m. ET with Costas hosting the program live from inside the stadium. He will be joined on site by Sunday Night Football commentators Al Michaels (play-by-play) and Cris Collinsworth (analyst) for reaction to the afternoon games and to preview tonight’s match-up.

Dan Patrick co-hosts Football Night from Studio 8G at NBC’s 30 Rockefeller Plaza studios and is joined by Super Bowl-winning head coach Tony Dungy, two-time Super Bowl winner Rodney Harrison, Peter King of Sports Illustrated and Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk on NBCSports.com. Carolyn Manno will report from Heinz Field in Pittsburgh on the Steelers-Jets game.

INTERVIEWS: Below are excerpts from Costas’ interviews with Smith, Davis, Stafford and Vanden Bosch.

ALEX SMITH AND VERNON DAVIS WITH BOB COSTAS

Smith on getting so close to the Super Bowl last year: “It’s tough. It’s a tough pill to swallow to get that close, to work that hard. I think it’s a lesson and you try to learn from it for sure, but it’s tough, tough to accept.”

Smith on if he watched the Super Bowl: “I didn’t watch it.”
Davis: “I didn’t watch it either.”

Davis on if the Mike Singletary incident in 2008 benefited him: “I think it did because what I learned from that is how to put the team first. This game is not about me or any individual. What we do together, everyone will see it and everyone will be lifted.”

Davis on what he was doing then that he no longer does: “I was selfish. It was all about me, so I had to change some things. That’s why I say that having a guy like Singletary around was a blessing because I learned from it and I learned how to be a team guy. Everything I do, I always put my team first.”

Smith on maintaining a belief in himself: “I just looked around at the league and especially the quarterback position and you start to realize that nobody has it easy. I played a lot of years and really tried to prove to everybody on every single play that I was worth the No. 1 pick, to show everybody on every single play what I was worth. I hated playing like that, looking back. It’s a miserable way to play. It’s tough, tough to succeed like that.”

Smith on the handshake: “Really, we haven’t talked about it.”
Davis: “We can’t get caught up in the hype of Harbaugh and Schwartz. We can’t do that because this game is about us as a team.”

MATTHEW STAFFORD AND KYLE VANDEN BOSCHWITH BOB COSTAS

Stafford on being a “paper lion” in 2011 (Lions were 9-1 against teams with non-winning records): “Obviously, we grew a lot last year as a team. We were a young team in some spots and hadn’t really played a ton together. I think we grew up a lot last year. We’re a team that’s ready to go. We’re experienced now and excited about the challenges ahead of us.”

Stafford on the handshake between Schwartz and Harbaugh creating additional meaning for the game: “I don’t think it does…for us, it has to do with the fact that they (49ers) are a really good football team. They were a football team, last year, that we wanted to be. You’ve got to go out there and play those teams, and beat those teams…they came to our place and beat us. We’re hoping to do the same to them.”

Vanden Bosch on the handshake being discussed in the team meeting: “There was nothing addressed in the team meetings. I think coach Schwartz does a good job making it about us and our preparation, regardless of who we play. If anything, it’s two really competitive coaches, and their players feed off of their energy. There is going to be a lot of excitement.”

That’s going to do it for the quotage until tonight.

Fox NFL Sunday Quotage For Week 2 of the 2012 Season

Now to Fox NFL Sunday. I’ll throw in a few videos as well.

FOX NFL SUNDAY NOTES – 9/16/12

Bradshaw to Cutler & Rodgers: Do Not Embarrass Your Teammates
Glazer Reports Jets Are Trying To Make Teams Prepare For Tim Tebow
Johnson on Cowboys: This Team Can Be Special

Co-host Terry Bradshaw believes that Packers QB Aaron Rodgers and Bears QB Jay Cutler shouldn’t have been as demonstrative in yelling at their teammates throughout Thursday night’s game: 

————————————————————————————————

Analyst Jimmy Johnson is impressed by how Peyton Manning thorough preparation has affected the entire Bronco offense: “One quarterback that didn’t criticize his teammates was Peyton Manning. Everybody was impressed with the way he played. It goes to show you that when your leader works hard, it’s contagious to all of the other players.”

————————————————————————————————

FOX COLLEGE SATURDAY analyst Eddie George joined the FOX NFL SUNDAY cast to discuss his amazement at the recovery of Vikings RB Adrian Peterson from major knee surgery: 

————————————————————————————————

Analyst Michael Strahan on whether Jets QB Mark Sanchez silenced his critics with his strong performance in Week1: “New York is not week-to-week, it’s not hour-to-hour, it’s not minute-to-minute, it’s second-to-second. He has not silenced his critics.”

————————————————————————————————

FOX NFL SUNDAY insider Jay Glazer reports that the Jets are looking to make teams prepare for Tim Tebow: 

————————————————————————————————

Analyst Michael Strahan on whether the Giants should be in panic-mode after their lackluster performance last week against the Cowboys: “When I’m in New York I’m always asked ‘Is it time to panic?’ No. In the 2007 Super Bowl year started 0-2, gave up 80 points in the first two weeks. The Giants always seem to bounce back from injuries which they’ve had a lot of so far this year. Once those guys get healthy you’ll see a better team.”

————————————————————————————————

Co-host Terry Bradshaw on the various distractions the Saints have had to deal with this year: “Let’s not forget that they have lost their leader in Sean Payton. Drew Brees thinks he can be the head coach and the offensive coordinator. He really can’t. Gregg Williams, their great defensive coordinator, whether you like him or not, his style of play suits these Saints. It’s different now. When you lose your leaders it’s a trickle-down effect.”

Analyst Howie Long added: “Suspensions, overruled suspensions as it turns out those players being brought back to the football team was a distraction for them. Hurricane Isaac disrupted their first week of practice. He was focused too much on being a leader, being an assistant coach and not enough on being a quarterback. That will change.”

————————————————————————————————

Analyst Howie Long on the QB Tony Romo and the Cowboys managing expectations: “In Dallas, it’s as much about managing the expectations both from a good standpoint and a bad standpoint. Dallas as a city and as a football team is extreme. You’re either really bad or really good. This football team should have great expectations. You do have a window of opportunity with a franchise quarterback. Now the question is whether they manage the success and the expectations.”

Analyst Jimmy Johnson added: “With a healthy DeMarco Murray and the addition of the cornerbacks Brandon Carr and Mo Claiborne, this defense can be special. This team can be special. I think it’s going to make a lot of Cowboys fans happy.”

And we’ll preview the Football Night in America interviews next.

The NFL Today’s Quotage For Week 2 of the 2012 Season

Now onto The NFL Today’s notes and quotes for its Week 2 show.

NEWS, NOTES & QUOTES FROM CBS SPORTS’ “THE NFL TODAY” WITH JAMES BROWN, DAN MARINO, SHANNON SHARPE, BILL COWHER AND BOOMER ESIASON FOR WEEK 2 ON SEPTEMBER 16

THE NFL TODAY’s host James Brown sat down with Eagles quarterback Michael Vick.  Click to view interview: http://cbsprt.co/Pp82MU

Michael Vick on talking about his team becoming a “dynasty”: When I mentioned the word dynasty, it’s something that we all want to create. It’s not something that I just talked about. We all talked about it as a team. I don’t think anything is wrong with being optimistic and believing.

(Reaction to Michael Vick)
BILL COWHER: I believe that Michael Vick is putting more pressure on himself. That interview to me just reaffirms to me that he’s trying to do this himself and that he wants to hand this to Andy Reid. But it’s not going to work that way. They have some offensive line issues…If he tries to do it all himself the interceptions are going to come and the losses are going to come with it.

SHANNON SHARPE: Just go play football.  Its time to stop talking about playing too cautious; trying to save Andy Reid’s job. Just go play football

BOOMER ESIASON: That young man has come a long way from where he was, everything that he’s been through, and everything that he’s putting on his own shoulders to try to make this team his team and to create that dynasty.

QUICK HITS

(On Michael Vick)
BOOMER ESIASON: It’s the week of Michael Vick in my estimation…He is overwhelmed by the pressure in Philadelphia. 

(On pressure of going 0-2)
BILL COWHER: If you talk about pressure. I know it’s only Week 2…The Green Bay Packers Thursday night won that game. They avoid going 0?2. They are 1?1. Since 1990, going 0?2 means only 12% of the time you make the playoffs, so trust me there is pressure. You look at New Orleans, Pittsburgh, and the New York Giants all penciled in to be in the playoffs. If they lose today, they are not going to be in the playoffs. They can’t afford a pressure weekend.

(On N.Y. Jets-Pittsburgh game)
COWHER:  I think this Pittsburgh team is not the same team we’ve seen. They are in some transition. Number one on offense, you have a whole new offensive coordinator. They have weapons, but on defense, there are new faces. There is no Aaron Smith, no James Farrior. You didn’t have James Harrison last week. Now Troy Polamalu and Harrison may be out. I think they’ll be a better team in November and December, but they’re vulnerable now. They’re still good, but very vulnerable.

BOOMER ESIASON:  If I’m the New York Jets, I look at this as a great opportunity from an offensive perspective…This is opportunity knocking for the New York Jets right now.

INSIDE THE HUDDLE

(On no-huddle offenses)
COWHER:  To me there are two reasons for it. Number one, it negates the pass?rush. It slows them down and makes them tired. It takes the crowd noise out. You look at it being used on the road with the quarterbacks, and the crowd cannot get into the game when you’re in the no?huddle. 

(On Robert Griffin III)
SHANNON SHARPE: He’s the real deal. He’s better than advertised. My only concerns are they only let him throw the ball 25 times in the preseason. Did they allow him to do enough? They showed me they had allowed him to do what they needed him to do in order to show what he showed. Now don’t expect this kind of performance every single week. 

“INSIDE THE NFL” WITH JASON LA CANFORA

(On HGH testing in the NFL)
Click on to view: http://cbsprt.co/PHKogE

We’ll move to Fox NFL Sunday’s quotes next.

ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown Quotage For Week 2 of the 2012 Season

Now let’s post the quotage from Sunday NFL Countdown. Check it out.

ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown Notes and Quotes: Week 2

ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown host Chris Berman and analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson and Keyshawn Johnson previewed today’s NFL action with Suzy Kolber, analysts Merril Hoge and Ron Jaworski and NFL Insiders Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter. Some excerpts from today’s show:

At the start of Countdown, Mortensen broke the story of replacement official Brian Stropolo (a side judge) and the pictures on his Facebook page identifying himself as a New Orleans Saints fan. When made aware of the situation, the NFL pulled Stropolo from today’s Saints-Panthers game in place of an alternate official.

On Stropolo being pulled from today’s game and the NFL’s replacement officials …
Jackson: “I’m going to look at worst-case scenario, and it’s not an isolated incident. … I think all of this puts in question the integrity of the league. Let’s get the regular referees back doing the job they should be doing.”
Carter: “It’s pretty clear in this situation, this man never ever wanted to be an NFL referee or he never would have had those pictures taken. He never expected that his career would take him – that he would be an NFL referee.”
Johnson: “Even the regular referees, I’m sure, are fans of some teams in the National Football League or whatever other sport, but they didn’t display it out publicly in social media to have everybody scrutinize the situation.”
Ditka: “Commissioner Goodell has his first headache, and this is a big headache. It’s time to get the real guys back to work.”

On Washington Redskins rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III …
Ditka: “I am buying the hype completely. He’s a breath of fresh air. He’s a leader, and every young football player in the National Football League ought to watch his example on the field and off the field.”
Johnson: “He’s been a leader at everything – college, high school, track, whatever it is. … Now he has the opportunity to get the Redskins back in contention.”
Carter: “He is the real deal.”
Jackson (discussing an RGIII throw last week, comparing him to John Elway): “I’m not comparing their careers … but the last time I saw it, the No. 7 in Denver was wearing it.”
Berman: “The first NFL quarterback starter to be born in the 90s. I have socks older than that.”

On Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles …
Jackson: “The key difference that has to happen here is game plan. Anytime you ask him to go back throw the ball 56 times … you’re setting the tone for trouble for the quarterback.”
Ditka: “Since the start of 2011, he has 22 turnovers, which is sixth-most in the NFL. That’s too many.”
Berman: “It’s almost like a sports car which you know can run great 100 miles per hour on the highway. Every now and then it drives a little fast. Every now and then they’ve got to pull back.”

On whether the Baltimore Ravens’ Joe Flacco is ready to be an elite quarterback …
Jackson: “(The) guy’s gone to the playoffs and won games every year he’s been in this league. There are very few QBs who can ever, ever say that. Yes, he’s ready to be elite.”
Carter: “There’s always a transition from being a good player to a great player, and Flacco is making that right now. … The Raven may be developing into one of the best teams in the league.”
Ditka: “I think he’s made that transition already. His defensive football team knows they’ve got a chance to win every football game with him on the field, and that takes the pressure off of them.”
Berman: “The offense is arriving together. … They might be as good as the defense – maybe even better – by the end of the year. If that’s the case, we’ll see in New Orleans.”

On Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler calling out his offensive line during Thursday’s game …
Jackson: “Bumping that guy, yelling at guys on national TV like that – your teammates. It will come back to bite you in the end. And I think it might come back to bite Jay in the end.”
Ditka: “It sets a bad precedent. It’s an immature act by the quarterback.”

NFL GameDay Morning Quotage For Week 2 of the 2012 Season

Time to do some quotage. Getting a late start today as the early portion of Sunday was planned for me behind my back. Then I got home in time to see the Season 3 premiere of Downton Abbey on ITV through my friend’s Slingbox in the UK. I’ve been depending on him way too much over the last few months.

Anyway, here’s quotage from NFL Network’s GameDay Morning of which I didn’t see a minute. I can’t stand when I see these and have no idea what happened.

Check out the NFL GameDay press release.

News and Sound Bites From Week 2 Edition of NFL GAMEDAY MORNING

“I’m not trying to come back and be [the] Adrian Peterson that they remember; I’m trying to be better than I was before.” – Vikings RB Adrian Peterson on his recovery
“It’s magic time. This is why you got Tim Tebow…You put him out there and you let him play football.” – Marshall Faulk on the New York Jets playing the Pittsburgh Steelers
“He may not have the numbers like he had, but expectations might be a little bit too high right now. Let the rookie be a rookie and grow into his uniform.” – Steve Mariucci on Washington Redskins QB Robert Griffin III

NFL GameDay Morning is the most comprehensive pregame show on Sunday morning, airing at 9:00 AM ET on NFL Network and taking viewers straight up to kickoff. Host Rich Eisen joins analysts Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp and Michael Irvin to bring fans the latest news, injury reports, pregame analysis and game previews.

Steve Cyphers on Vikings RB Adrian Peterson’s road to recovery

Nine months after surgery to repair a torn ACL and MCL, Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson started Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars and scored two touchdowns. NFL Network’s Steve Cyphers sat down with Peterson, Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier and linebacker Chad Greenway to discuss the running back’s road to recovery:

“When he was saying that early on, you just take it with a grain of salt because speaking from personal experience, I know how difficult it is to come back from that injury.” – Leslie Frazier on Peterson saying he would be ready to play Week 1

“The first two months were painful and they really tested my manhood because there were times I didn’t want to get up because I was in pain. That willpower has to kick in.” – Adrian Peterson on his recovery

“Friday or Saturday before the game. It was the devil working. I had doubt throughout the recovery because I’m human. But I would say it really hit me a couple of days before the game because he really tried to discourage me from doing what I told myself I could do. He was at work but I defeated him.” – Peterson on when he had doubts that he might not be ready to play Week 1

“He wasn’t just out there; he was playing the way he wants to play, he was making cuts and being who Adrian is.” – Chad Greenway on Peterson’s performance against the Jaguars

“About 95 percent, but that five percent is so huge in my eyes. It’s going to make a world of difference once I get the strength back like I want it. I’m not trying to come back and be [the] Adrian Peterson that they remember; I’m trying to be better than I was before.” – Peterson on how healthy his knee is

To view the entire piece, visit:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap1000000062399/Adrian-Peterson-s-road-to-recovery

Quotes from NFL GameDay Morning:

“It’s magic time. This is why you got Tim Tebow. The last time we saw Tim Tebow and Dick LeBeau, Dick LeBeau was running defenses we had never seen him run before. Why? Because he had no answer for what Tebow can do, which is ‘We don’t know, what can he do?’ You put him out there and you let him play football.” – Marshall Faulk on how the New York Jets can sustain their offensive success from Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers

“He may not have the numbers like he had, but expectations might be a little bit too high right now. Let the rookie be a rookie and grow into his uniform.” – Steve Mariucci on Washington Redskins rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III

“The pressure that is on you, I’m glad that he embraced it. I’m happy to see that he went out and had success, but moving forward the one thing that he has to do is continue to play with that chip he has on his shoulder, understanding that people are waiting for you to do bad. They’re going to pat you on the back, they’re going to tell you great job, but they’re waiting for that game.” – Marshall Faulk on the expectations for Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III

“It’s not defenses, it’s Michael Vick. Once Michael Vick figures out that it’s his self-inflicted wounds that are preventing him from being the quarterback that we all know and love and we saw on Monday night against the Washington Redskins [in 2010], then he’ll take a step forward and defenses will have to catch back up.” – Warren Sapp on if defenses have solved Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick

“The Packers defense isn’t something I would put stock in to where they’re going to come out and dominate people. They’re not that style [of defense]. But if you play the style that allows them to rush you, get after your quarterback and pick balls off, they’re right at home.” – Warren Sapp on the Green Bay Packers defense

“I start worrying about what kind of leader is he going to be to help pull this team out of this little slump right here. Not just the things that are on the field because they have talent and at any moment you can get all of that talent together clicking and make it go. But how do you lead that talent?” – Michael Irvin on Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler

“You don’t want to face Bill Belichick; I did this, I’ve been down this road. Bill Belichick with Jake Locker at quarterback was going to force Jake Locker to beat him. Chris Johnson didn’t have a chance. He was going to take away Chris Johnson as the first option, take him away as the second option, and then maybe as the third option.” – Marshall Faulk on Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson rushing for four yards against the New England Patriots

“Ray Lewis has been waiting on this thing since Trent Dilfer. They promised him a quarterback since Trent Dilfer to relieve some of the pressure.” – Michael Irvin on the play of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco

“I’m not going to call it a phase out; they’re trying to see if they can live without Wes Welker…They’re trying to find out if they can live without him so next year if he doesn’t want to sign for the lesser number and the lesser value like Tom Brady did and other people in New England, they’re going to live without him.” – Marshall Faulk on if the New England Patriots are phasing out wide receiver Wes Welker

Front Office View with Michael Lombardi

On Eagles quarterback Michael Vick’s long-term future in Philadelphia:
“Here’s the reality of the situation: Michael Vick’s contract when he signed his extension with Philadelphia was front-loaded and there was no signing bonus, there were roster bonuses. So the Eagles have a $3 million guarantee in his contract next season that they have three days to get away from the $3 million guarantee. What I was saying very clearly is every week Michael Vick is playing for next season. He’s playing to prove to earn that money because if he doesn’t, they are very high on Nick Foles. Now, can he stay durable? Can he stay productive? Can he not throw the interceptions? Those are questions. When I pick up the telephone, a lot of people are saying to me that Michael Vick, he’s going to have to prove he can be a starting quarterback because that contract next year is not guaranteed.”

On Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick:
“There is a lot of buyer’s remorse. When you throw 19 interceptions over the last 10 games and your team is 1-9 after you get the big contract, Ryan Fitzpatrick has to prove that the Buffalo Bills were right in their judgment in terms of hoping that he’s the quarterback not only for the present but for the future. They were counting on him to be the man. So far in those 10 games he hasn’t been the man. When you talk to people in the league as I have on a repeated basis, they’ll tell you they are having a lot of buyer’s remorse on Ryan Fitzpatrick.”

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

Week 2 Bold Predictions – The NFL GameDay Morning crew give their bold predictions for Week 2:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap1000000062386/Week-2-bold-predictions

How will RGIII deal with growing expectations? – Analysts Marshall Faulk, Michael Irvin and Warren Sapp discuss how Washington Redskins rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III will deal with higher expectations after an impressive Week 1 debut:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap1000000062378/How-will-RG3-deal-with-growing-expectations

Is there relief in the Baltimore Ravens’ locker room? – Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp and Michael Irvin debate if Ray Lewis and the Ravens defense have help with the performance of quarterback Joe Flacco and the offense:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000061594/Is-there-relief-in-Ravens-locker-room

Can the New York Jets sustain offense? – Following their 48-point performance against the Buffalo Bills, can the New York Jets sustain their offense against the Pittsburgh Steelers? NFL GameDay Morning discusses:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000061589/Can-the-New-York-Jets-sustain-offense

Will Tony Romo ever escape botched hold in 2006 NFC Wild Card game? – Michael Irvin, Marshall Faulk and Steve Mariucci go back to the 2006 NFC Wild Card game where Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo dropped the football near the goal line:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap1000000062385/Will-Tony-Romo-ever-escape-botched-hold-in-2006-NFC-Wild-Card

Is the Detroit Lions’ offense built to challenge the San Francisco 49ers’ defense? – The NFL GameDay Morning crew works out whether Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford can truly take on linebacker Patrick Willis and the 49ers defense:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000061593/Is-Lions-offense-built-to-challenge-49ers-defense

M&M – Marshall Faulk and Michael Irvin debate if the New England Patriots are phasing out wide receiver Wes Welker, if the Carolina Panthers or New Orleans Saints need this win, and more:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap1000000062400/NFL-GameDay-Morning-M-and-M

Major defensive improvements from 2011 – Warren Sapp and Steve Mariucci examine how the Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New England Patriots have improved on defense:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap1000000062380/Major-defensive-improvements-from-2011

Reality checks for Week 2 – Which teams and players will go back to reality after a surprising Week 1 performance?
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap1000000062374/Reality-checks-for-Week-2

Picking up the pace – NFL GameDay Morning breaks down the advantages of the no-huddle offense:

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000061591/Picking-up-the-pace

More quotage coming up.

Your Week 2 NFL Viewing Picks

Let’s go over what’s coming up on the next NFL Sunday.

Our NFL Week actually began on Thursday? – Yup. First of 13 Thursday Night Football games on NFL Network this season.

So I won’t hear a disclaimer for “60 Minutes” on CBS at 7 p.m.? – Not when the Tiffany Network has the NFL doubleheader. With the late games now starting at 4:25 p.m. ET, both CBS and Fox have to make adjustments. When CBS has the doubleheader, primetime will start at 7:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. CT. In the Mountain and Pacific time zones, the Sunday primetime lineup won’t change. The entire CBS lineup will be pushed back a half-hour and there won’t be any shows that will be preempted.

What’s with Fox showing this soccer documentary? – On five Sundays, Fox will run programming either before or after its single NFL game depending on when your contest will air in your region. This week, Fox airs the premiere of its Fox Soccer documentary series called “Being: Liverpool”. On three other Sundays, Fox will air tape delayed coverage of English Premier League action. And on the other Sunday being programmed by Fox, it will have a UFC special previewing that weekend’s MMA card on the network.

Blackouts? Tell me about the blackouts? – None this week. The San Diego Chargers narrowly avoided embarrassment by having its home opener and tribute to the late Junior Seau blacked out. An extension to sell the last remaining tickets worked. The Dolphins did not sell out their home opener, but the team bought all of the remaining tickets and the game against the Raiders on Sunday will be seen in South Florida. Finally, the Cincinnati Bengals sold out their home opener after problems selling out last season.

What are your Games of the Week, compadre? – On CBS, I’ll choose Baltimore at Philadelphia (Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf). Ravens look really good. Philadelphia has to show something after barely defeating my Browns last week. The other for CBS is Tennessee at San Diego (Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts). It should be a rather emotional scene as the Chargers pay tribute to the late Junior Seau before the game.

For Fox, I choose New Orleans at Carolina (Ron Pitts/Mike Martz/Kristina Pink) as both teams have to show something after lackluster performances last week. And Dallas at Seattle (Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/Tony Siragusa) as we need to know if both teams were really what we saw in Week 1. Was Dallas really as good as it showed in the NFL Kickoff Game against the New York Giants? And what about Seattle? Questions abound after its loss to Arizona.

Anything else? – Sunday Night Football with a decent game as the Detroit Lions take on the San Francisco 49ers (Al Michaels/Cris Collinsworth/Michele Tafoya). I wonder what “Get Off My Lawn” commentary Bob Costas will make on Sunday.

That concludes the Viewing Guide for Week 2 in the League Where They Play for Pay.

Big Ten Network Pulled Off Dish

Received a statement from Big Ten Network overnight that the temporary agreement between BTN and Dish Network has expired and the channel is no longer on the satellite provider’s lineup.

Twice over the last few weeks, the two companies had come to terms on temporary agreements that would keep Big Ten Network on Dish while they would continue to negotiate a long-term arrangement. However, the last temporary agreement expired at midnight and Dish chose to pull Big Ten Network from it lineup.

No word if Dish will continue talks or if the two sides will wage a public relations battle in the interim.

Here’s BTN’s statement on the matter.

BTN Agreement with DISH Expired

As of September 14th, BTN’s distribution agreement with Dish expired despite our best efforts to finalize an agreement. We are disappointed that Dish does not see the value in the network in the same way that so many of their customers do, including Big Ten students, alumni, fans and viewers across the country who continue to pay Dish for a channel they no longer receive.

Let’s see how long this lasts. These disputes are so silly and only hurt the customer.

ESPN Previews Week 2 of the 2012 Season

And let’s bring you ESPN’s features on Sunday NFL Countdown and on NFL Matchup. It’s all good stuff.

First, Sunday NFL Countdown.

Sunday NFL Countdown: RG3 – The Leader Within; Jaworski on Flacco and Vick; Giants Finish Line; and More

On Sunday, Sept. 16, beginning at 10 a.m., Chris Berman and analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson and Keyshawn Johnson (on main set), as well as Suzy Kolber, Merril Hoge and Ron Jaworski (on an adjoining set) will preview NFL week two games on Sunday NFL Countdown.  ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter and senior analyst Chris Mortensen will provide the day’s headlines and league news.

Correspondents Bob Holtzman (Tampa Bay at New York Giants), Ed Werder (New Orleans at Carolina), Sal Paolantonio (Baltimore at Philadelphia), Josina Anderson (New York Jets at Pittsburgh) and Colleen Dominguez (Detroit at San Francisco) will report from five games.  Highlights:

• RG3:  Rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III had a spectacular debut, completing 19 of 26 passes for 320 yards with a passer rating of 139.9 and led the Redskins to a 40-32 victory over the New Orleans Saints. Though a rookie, RG3 has increasingly become a team leader – posting quotes in the locker room. His veteran teammates talk about the rookie and the impact his quotes have had on the team in such a short time. Greg Garber reports.
• Jaws with Flacco and Vick:  In the offseason, Ron Jaworski shared separate game film review sessions with quarterbacks Joe Flacco (Ravens) and Michael Vick (Eagles). On Countdown, the former NFL quarterback and one of the best minds in the sport dissects the game film.
• Giants Finish Line: Reporter Rachel Nichols recounts how head coach Tom Coughlin’s inspirational speech and the video he shared with the New York Giants the night before Super Bowl XLVII propelled the team to its second Super Bowl victory in five years.
• Pittsburgh’s Kirby Wilson:  Two days before the Steelers-Broncos 2011 playoff game, Steelers running backs coach Kirby Wilson’s house caught fire. Wilson suffered second- and third-degree burns. Though his road to recovery has been long and arduous, Wilson has returned to the Steelers sidelines, an inspiration to his family, team and community, reports Josina Anderson.
• Where You At?:  Cris Carter and Tom Jackson identify and spotlight underperforming players in this new Sunday NFL Countdown segment.

And lastly, NFL Matchup.

NFL Matchup – Peyton Manning in “Jaws Playbook;” Matt Ryan’s No-Huddle Offense; Joe Flacco – Learning Manning’s Play Book; and More

NFL Matchup with host Sal Paolantonio and analysts Ron Jaworski and Merril Hoge will preview week two action on Sunday, Sept. 16, on ESPN at 3:30 a.m. (ESPN2 at 8:30 a.m.), taking viewers inside the film room with X’s and O’s analysis of the weekend’s key matchups.  Highlights:

• Jaws Playbook – Peyton Manning: Jaworski dissects Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning’s first game back in pro football (vs. Steelers) last Sunday, after a neck injury which reportedly required four surgeries forcing the former Indianapolis Colt to sit out the season.
• Hoge Breakdown: Hoge explains how quarterback Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons will build on their dominant performance in Kansas City last Sunday by using the no-huddle offense to gain an edge at home vs. Manning and the Broncos.
• Between the Lines:  In this new segment, Jaworski and Hoge combine to point out key plays in a blitz by the San Francisco 49ers Carlos Rogers that set the tempo early last Sunday in Green Bay and made quarterback Aaron Rodgers uncomfortable in the pocket.
• The Film Room:  With new quarterback coach Jim Caldwell, the Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is taking a page out of Peyton Manning’s book, contends Hoge as he goes inside the film room to show how the no-huddle offense has made the Ravens signal caller more proficient.
• Beyond the Film Room:  Jaworski explains how Robert Griffin III’s understanding of a coverage by the Saints defense led to an 88-yard touchdown to Pierre Garcon in the Redskins second possession of the game.
• Money Down – Mark Sanchez:  After quieting his critics in week one vs. the Buffalo Bills, Hoge puts his “Money Down” on New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez and evaluates a long third down throw in the game that highlights Sanchez’s development as a quarterback.
• Factor Back:  In this week’s “Factor Back” segment, Jaworski shows an uncanny toss sweep by the New England Patriots to running back Stevan Ridley.

 And we’re done.

NFL Network Previews Week 2 of the 2012 Season

We have what NFL Network will air on Sunday with its two pregame shows that begin at 7 a.m. That’s right, 7 a.m.

NFL NETWORK PROGRAMMING NOTES

LaDainian Tomlinson, Sterling Sharpe, Michael Lombardi & Melissa Stark are First on the Field Sunday at 7:00 AM ET
NFL Network’s new Sunday morning pregame show First on the Field provides all of the analysis of the day’s matchups and live reports from the stadiums at 7:00 AM ET. Host Melissa Stark and analysts LaDainian Tomlinson, Sterling Sharpe and Michael Lombardi cover all of the storylines surrounding the Week 2 matchups.

Featured this week on First on the Field:

• LaDainian Tomlinson discusses which running backs can repeat their performance from Week 1
• Michael Lombardi examines wide receiver Wes Welker’s role in the Patriots offense and the Steelers’ offensive line
• The crew analyzes the evolution of the no-huddle offense
• Live reports from Buccaneers-Giants, Saints-Panthers, Ravens-Eagles, Cardinals-Patriots & Texans-Jaguars

NFL GameDay Morning Takes Viewers up to Kickoff Sunday at 9:00 AM ET
NFL Network’s NFL GameDay Morning, the most comprehensive pregame show on television, takes viewers up to kickoff each Sunday morning at 9:00 AM ET. Host Rich Eisen and analysts Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp and Michael Irvin preview all of the matchups with expert commentary and the latest news reports.

Featured this week on NFL GameDay Morning:

• Kimberly Jones reports from New York for Buccaneers-Giants
• Stacey Dales reports from Charlotte for Saints-Panthers
• Ian Rapoport reports from Philadelphia for Ravens-Eagles
• Albert Breer reports from New England for Cardinals-Patriots
• Michelle Beisner reports from Jacksonville for Texans-Jaguars

That’s it.

NFL on Fox Previews Week 2 of the 2012 Season

We move to Fox Sports and what it will cover on Sunday in Week 2 of the NFL season. NFL on Fox analyst John Lynch is tapped to preview this Sunday’s games.

As usual, we have the announcing assignments.

FOX SPORTS NOTES, QUOTES & ANECDOTES

NFL ON FOX Week 2 Singleheader Features Super Bowl Champion New York Giants
Johnson Heads to Dallas for Sit-Down with Romo, Lee & Ryan on FOX NFL SUNDAY

NFL ON FOX WEEK 2: GIANTS LOOK TO AVOID DROPPING FIRST TWO AT HOME – The NFL on FOX’s journey to the NFC Championship game continues Sunday, Sept. 16 with singleheader coverage of six games. The 1:00 PM ET window opens when Eli Manning and the Super Bowl Champion Giants aim to rebound from their opening-night home loss when they face Josh Freeman and the Bucs. Lead broadcast team of Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver call the action from MetLife Stadium. In Indianapolis, No. 1 pick Andrew Luck tries to rebound from a rough NFL debut when the Colts play in their home-opener against Adrian Peterson and the Vikings. Looking to notch each their first victories of 2012, NFC South rivals meet as Cam Newton and the Panthers host Drew Brees and the Saints. Last week, Vince Wilfork and the AFC Champion Patriots showed off a strong defense. This week, that group looks to shut down the Cardinals in Foxboro. The 4:00 PM ET window features Tony Romo and the Cowboys traveling to the Pacific Northwest to face Russell Wilson and the Seahawks. Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and on-field analyst Tony Siragusa call the action from Seattle. Fresh off his NFC Offensive Player of the Week showing in New Orleans, Robert Griffin III leads the Redskins into another road encounter, this time, against Sam Bradford and the Rams.

Coverage begins at 12:00 PM ET with America’s No. 1 pregame show, FOX NFL SUNDAY. Terry Bradshaw and Curt Menefee co-host the Emmy Award-winning program and are joined by analysts Howie Long, Michael Strahan and Jimmy Johnson. NFL Insider Jay Glazer breaks the latest league news and scoops from the FOX NFL SUNDAY studio while NFL rules analyst Mike Pereira discusses the previous week’s controversial calls. Comedic prognosticator Rob Riggle provides his weekly picks segment. This week, actor Samuel L. Jackson opens the show while FOX COLLEGE SATURDAY pregame analyst Eddie George stops by to discuss the incredible recovery of Adrian Peterson. Also, Jimmy Johnson sits down with Cowboys’ QB Tony Romo, LB Sean Lee and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan to discuss last week’s big victory over the Giants and whether this is the year the Cowboys put it all together.

For instant updates during the week and games from the entire NFL on FOX crew, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/NFLONFOX. Fans can gain more access to exclusive FOX Sports content by logging on to www.facebook.com/foxsports.

LYNCH: PATRIOTS YOUNG DEFENSE LOOKS LIKE OLD, GRITTY NEW YORK GIANTS DEFENSE 
In preparation of calling this weekend’s Cardinals vs. Patriots game, NFL on FOX analyst John Lynch noticed exceptional defensive plays made by New England defenders in the team’s victory last week in which their offense performed just as well. “The overall film was very impressive by that group of Patriot defenders,” said Lynch. “It looks like an old New York Giants defense with big physical guys. They have massive linebackers in Jarod Mayo and Dont’a Hightower. Hightower looks like a defensive lineman playing linebacker. Brandon Spikes in the middle of that defense plays like an old Pepper Johnson. They’ve gone back to these big, physical, dominating guys. They looked very good in Week 1 with their young defensive guys contributing as well and Bill Belichick has a defensive group that he really likes.”

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Giants — Joe Buck, Troy Aikman & Pam Oliver, going to 22% of USA, 1:00PM
MetLife Stadium – East Rutherford, NJ
MARKETS INCLUDE: Fort Myers, Hartford, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Memphis, Nashville, New York, Orlando, San Diego, Tampa, West Palm Beach

Minnesota Vikings at Indianapolis Colts — Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick & Laura Okmin, going to 17% of USA, 1:00PM
Lucas Oil Stadium – Indianapolis, IN
MARKETS INCLUDE: Chicago, Cincinnati, Dayton, Detroit, Indianapolis, Louisville, Milwaukee, Minneapolis

New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers — Ron Pitts, Mike Martz & Kristina Pink, going to 13% of USA, 1:00PM
Bank of America Stadium – Charlotte, NC
MARKETS INCLUDE: Atlanta, Birmingham, Charlotte, Greensboro, Greenville, Knoxville, New Orleans, Raleigh

Arizona Cardinals at New England Patriots — Dick Stockton, John Lynch & Jennifer Hale, going to 10% of USA, 1:00PM
Gillette Stadium – Foxboro, MA
MARKETS INCLUDE: Boston, Denver, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Providence, Salt Lake City

Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks — Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston & on-field analyst Tony Siragusa, going to 26% of USA, 4:05PM
CenturyLink Field – Seattle, WA
MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Austin, Buffalo, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Houston, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Miami, Oklahoma City, Portland, Sacramento, San Antonio, San Francisco, Seattle, Tulsa

Washington Redskins at St. Louis Rams — Chris Myers, Tim Ryan & Jaime Maggio, going to 11% of the USA, 4:05PM
Edward Jones Dome – St. Louis, MO
MARKETS INCLUDE: Baltimore, Norfolk, Philadelphia, Richmond, St. Louis, Washington

And that’s going to be it for this post.

CBS Sports Previews NFL Week 2 of the 2012 Season

Let’s move to the NFL previews for this week. We’ll get into what’s on the Sunday NFL pregame shows and what the network analysts are saying about the upcoming Sunday of games.

In CBS’ preview, we have NFL on CBS analyst Dan Dierdorf and NFL Today panelist Bill Cowher discussing the issues that they’ll be focusing on this Sunday.

Check it out below.

THE NFL ON CBS: WEEK 2 (SUNDAY, SEPT. 16)

AUDIBLES WITH “NFL ON CBS’s” DAN DIERDORF AND “THE NFL TODAY’s” BILL COWHER

The CBS Television Network, home of Super Bowl XLVII, continues its 53^rd year broadcasting the NFL with coverage of THE NFL ON CBS on Sunday, Sept. 16 (1:00-7:00 PM, ET) beginning with THE NFL TODAY, the Network’s one-hour studio show (12:00 NOON-1:00 PM, ET), live from THE NFL TODAY studio in New York City.

THE NFL ON CBS lead announce team of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms call the action from the New York Jets-Pittsburgh Steelers game live from Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pa. Lance Barrow is the coordinating producer and lead game producer and Mike Arnold is the lead game director.

Sean McManus is Chairman, CBS Sports, and serves as Executive Producer of CBS Sports’ coverage of THE NFL ON CBS. Harold Bryant is Executive Producer and Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

* * * * *

DAN DIERDORF

(On Philadelphia QB Michael Vick): Last week Cleveland had a very good game-plan of blitzing him. It was a very natural thing to do to somebody that had very few snaps in the preseason, nursing the ribs. He’s going to be rusty. I don’t care that he is an 11-year veteran. I know there was an emphasis on getting off to a fast start, and what a disappointment for him to throw four interceptions in the opener. But if there was any good news, somehow the Eagles won the game. From a confidence-standpoint, Michael Vick is probably not in a great place. When you start a season like that, I don’t care how grizzled a veteran you are, how mentally tough, that kind of game leaves a mark. Michael Vick is going to have to play some good football for a while before that game is completely out of his mind.

And Baltimore has never been known as a “rebound defense.” This is not the team you are looking for coming off a bad game to “right the ship.” If Jeremy Maclin and DeSean Jackson, Vick’s two most explosive outside threats, can’t play or are less than full speed on Sunday, Michael Vick will be going into a gun fight with only a knife.

(On Baltimore): Baltimore looked so good on Monday night. Cincinnati is not a bottom-tier team in the NFL that gets pushed around every week. And they were just destroyed by Baltimore. Joe Flacco looked fantastic. He’s running the no-huddle offense. He’s in his fifth year so he’s seen everything to make the right decisions at the line of scrimmage. He’s in a perfect place and looks so comfortable running that offense. And it’s still just fun to cover a football game where Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are still playing. They are a good solid, defensive football team.

BILL COWHER

(On Pittsburgh): Without a question, Pittsburgh coming off a loss and being at home, they have something to prove. Nobody wants to go down 0-2. But, this is going to be another tough defense that Pittsburgh is going to face. That will be a big challenge for the offense. And the defense, Peyton Manning pretty much went through them at will the other night. So it’s a chance for Pittsburgh to re-establish itself as one of the top defenses and rebound from last week.

(On N.Y. Jets): The big challenge for the N.Y. Jets will be to see if their offense was an aberration last week, or will they be able to continue to be productive week-in and week-out. This is a big challenge on the road. For the N.Y. Jets defense, the challenge comes with the speed at receiver, and will they be able to put pressure on Ben Roethlisberger. Those are the big factors for the Jets.

(On N.Y. Jets quarterback situation): The thing we all have to look for, are the Jets going to elaborate on their package with Tebow? Last week we didn’t see any passes. This week the defense may have to anticipate a little bit more elaboration with that package.

* * * * *

Following are THE NFL ON CBS assignments for Week 2, Week 3 Week 4 (subject to change).

WEEK 2 – Sept. 16 – CBS DOUBLEHEADER

1:00 PM, ET starts:

• Baltimore @ Philadelphia — Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf
• Kansas City @ Buffalo — Spero Dedes/Steve Beuerlein
• Cleveland @ Cincinnati — Bill Macatee/Steve Tasker
• Houston @ Jacksonville — Marv Albert/Rich Gannon
• Oakland @ Miami — Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots

4:25 PM, ET starts:

• N.Y. Jets @ Pittsburgh — Jim Nantz/Phil Simms
• Tennessee @ San Diego — Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts

And we’ll move to what the NFL Today will air on Sunday as host James Brown will sit down with Philadelphia quarterback Michael Vick.

“THE NFL TODAY’s” JAMES BROWN VISITS WITH PHILADELPHIA EAGLES QUARTERBACK MICHAEL VICK FOR WEEK 2 OF “THE NFL TODAY” ON SUNDAY, SEPT. 16

THE NFL ON CBS, broadcasting its 53^rd year of the NFL, kicks off its 2012 NFL season on Sunday, Sept. 16 (1:00-7:00 PM, ET) beginning with THE NFL TODAY (12:00 Noon-1:00 PM, ET).

THE NFL TODAY’s host James Brown previews Week 2’s Baltimore Ravens-Philadelphia Eagles game when he sits down with Eagles quarterback Michael Vick.

Last season, Philadelphia finished a disappointing 8-8. This year, Vick suffered an injury-filled preseason and made headlines saying his team was good enough to become an NFL “dynasty.” That “dynasty” almost became a Week 1 disaster as Vick threw four interceptions against the Cleveland Browns before leading his team on a 91-yard scoring drive to win the game with just over a minute to play.

JB sits down with the former first overall draft pick as Philadelphia prepares for a tough Week 2 match-up to discuss how far Vick thinks his Eagles can soar; his special relationship with Head Coach Andy Reid, whom he considers a “father figure;” and if the injuries he has suffered are finally taking their toll. Deb Gelman is the producer.

Brown hosts THE NFL TODAY along with analysts Dan Marino, Boomer Esiason, Shannon Sharpe and Bill Cowher, NFL TODAY Insider Jason La Canfora, as well as Lesley Visser reporting.

Eric Mann is senior producer and Bob Matina is director of THE NFL TODAY.

And that does it for the NFL on CBS preview.