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The NFL on CBS Previews The 2013 AFC Championship

CBS will end Conference Championship Sunday with the AFC Championship between the Baltimore Ravens and the New England Patriots live from Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

The game broadcast begins at 6:30 p.m. ET. Jim Nantz and Phil Simms will call all of the action. They’ll be joined on the broadcast by Steve Tasker and Solomon Wilcots on the sidelines.

The NFL Today will air at 6 p.m., but unlike Fox, CBS will keep the studio crew of James Brown, Bill Cowher, Boomer Esiason, Dan Marino and Shannon Sharpe in New York City.

Let’s see what CBS is saying about the AFC Championship including some words from Nantz and Simms.

“THE NFL ON CBS” TRAVELS TO FOXBOROUGH FOR 2013 AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP REMATCH ON SUNDAY, JAN. 20

THE NFL ON CBS, home of Super Bowl XLVII and celebrating its 53^rd year broadcasting the NFL, travels to Foxborough, Mass. for the 2013 American Football Conference Championship Game on Sunday, Jan. 20 (6:30 PM, ET) as the AFC North Champions and No. 4-seeded BALTIMORE RAVENS take on the AFC East Champions and No. 2-seeded NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS in a rematch of last year’s championship game live on the CBS Television Network.  CBS Sports’ lead announce team of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms call the action, along with Steve Tasker and Solomon Wilcots reporting, from Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. Lance Barrow is coordinating producer of THE NFL ON CBS and lead game producer and Mike Arnold is the lead game director.

CBS Sports’ coverage of the AFC Championship Game begins with THE NFL TODAY, the Network’s pre-game studio show, on Sunday (6:00 PM, ET) with host James Brown and analysts Dan Marino, Boomer Esiason, Shannon Sharpe and Bill Cowher, as well as NFL Insider Jason LaCanfora, and Lesley Visser reporting, live from THE NFL TODAY studio at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City.

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

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

(On Baltimore QB Joe Flacco)
PHIL SIMMS: Joe Flacco plays in a system that’s what I call, and I don’t’ mean this to demean the staff at the Ravens, it’s not quarterback-friendly. It’s not about hitting a tremendously high percentage of your passes because look where he throws it. I mean, watch the game the other day. What team throws the football down the field like that? He doesn’t get a lot of screens. There’s not a lot of quick throws, there’s not a lot of gadgets. I take that into account when I do judge quarterbacks. I don’t know their numbers. I don’t care. I let my eye tell me what I know about them. 

(More on whether Flacco needs to win Super Bowl before he gets deserved accolades)
SIMMS: Yes, to answer your question, there’s no doubt. He’s going to have to go to the Super Bowl.  Not only that, if he didn’t play well and they win the Super Bowl, then it’ll be, ‘Oh, well they overcame Joe Flacco.’  I don’t think I’m overstating it.  It’s just the way it is.  Players get labeled. That’s the story…When he plays well, no mention. When they lose? Oh, well they let Joe Flacco throw too much…But when Joe Flacco or any other quarterback makes an outstanding throw, to most fans and most people, it’s just another throw. They don’t realize that that throw was made by somebody maybe only five guys in the league can make. So maybe that’s a little unfair, but your premise is right. He’s got to win this week, win in the Super Bowl before he probably ever gets the accolades and the dues that maybe he deserves.

(On Baltimore’s Ray Lewis and Joe Flacco)
JIM NANTZ: His emotion is definitely a big part of what Baltimore’s doing right now. And not only that, but he’s fresh. I mean, he’s made 30 tackles in the last two games. I think in some ways, he’s looked better than he’s looked in a couple of years. He’s going out, whether it’s this week or down in New Orleans, playing some great football…Joe Flacco is starting to take over now as the leader of this team. Right before our very eyes, this is becoming Flacco’s team right now. And he’s stepping up and accepting that role. It’s a big reason why they’re able to pull off that comeback in Denver, and why they’re back in the AFC Championship game.

(On New England’s QB Tom Brady being greatest of all-time)
NANTZ: Last weekend we were on-hand to see him pass (Joe) Montana for most wins in post-season play. So here he is trying to go to the Super Bowl in his sixth year out of 13 in the league. If he’s not the greatest quarterback of all time, I have a hard time finding you one who was greater. I think there were a lot of guys that are on an equal plane, but I think Brady, just numbers alone, wins alone, the most important category of all. He certainly presents a pretty strong argument.

And here’s what you’ll see on The NFL Today, provided the NFC Championship on Fox ends on time. CBS tells us that Jim Rome will make another appearance on The NFL Today.

“THE NFL TODAY” PREVIEWS AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME WITH DAN MARINO TALKING WITH NEW ENGLAND’S TOM BRADY ON SUNDAY, JAN. 20 ON “THE NFL TODAY”

Jim Rome Provides His Unique Take on AFC Championship; Gloriana To Perform National Anthem

THE NFL ON CBS, home of Super Bowl XLVII and celebrating its 53^rd year broadcasting the NFL, travels to Foxborough, Mass. for the 2013 American Football Conference Championship Game on Sunday, Jan. 20 (6:30 PM, ET) as the AFC North Champions and No. 4-seeded BALTIMORE RAVENS take on the AFC East Champions and No. 2-seeded NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS live on the CBS Television Network.

CBS Sports’ coverage of the AFC Championship Game begins with THE NFL TODAY, the Network’s pre-game studio show, on Sunday (6:00 PM, ET) with host James Brown and analysts Dan Marino, Boomer Esiason, Shannon Sharpe and Bill Cowher, as well as NFL TODAY Insider Jason LaCanfora, and Lesley Visser reporting, live from THE NFL TODAY studio at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City.

THE NFL TODAY’s Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino has a quarterback–to–quarterback chat with future Canton quarterback colleague New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady as he strives to make it to a record-tying sixth Super Bowl. For the seventh time in 12 years, Brady and his New England Patriots are within one victory of the Super Bowl. Last Sunday, in winning a record 17^th post-season game against the Texans, the Patriots’ passer surpassed his boyhood idol, Joe Montana. Now Brady is preparing to face Ray Lewis and the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game. How is Brady approaching his quest for a fourth Super Bowl ring (and first in eight years) after a pair of losses to the New York Giants? Deb Gelman is the producer.

In addition, Jim Rome offers his unique perspective on this year’s AFC Championship Game.

THE NFL ON CBS’s lead announce team of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms report live from Foxborough. Visser reports live from Atlanta with post-game interviews upon the conclusion of the Falcons-San Francisco 49ers NFC Championship Game.

Country music recording artists Gloriana performs the National Anthem, while halftime will include the announcement of the three finalists for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award. he presentation of the Lamar Hunt Trophy to the AFC Champions will be conducted live following the AFC Championship.

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

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

And we’ll end our Conference Championship Game previews with Dial Global Radio.

2013 NFL Conference Championship Broadcast Schedules

NFC Championship

San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons — Fox (Joe Buck/Troy Aikman/Erin Andrews/Pam Oliver)/Dial Global Radio (Dave Sims/James Lofton/Tony Boselli), 3 p.m. ET

Fox NFL Sunday — Fox, 2 p.m. ET

AFC Championship

Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots — CBS (Jim Nantz/Phil Simms/Steve Tasker/Solomon Wilcots)/Dial Global Radio (Kevin Harlan/Dan Fouts/Mark Malone), 6:30 p.m. ET

The NFL Today — CBS, 6 p.m. ET

The NFL Today on CBS Quotage For 2013 NFL Divisional Saturday

Let’s move to the quotage from CBS’ The NFL Today from Saturday afternoon which aired before the Baltimore-Denver double overtime classic game.

NEWS, NOTES & QUOTES FROM CBS SPORTS’ “THE NFL TODAY” WITH JAMES BROWN, DAN MARINO, SHANNON SHARPE, BILL COWHER AND BOOMER ESIASON FOR DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF WEEK ON JANUARY 12 

BILL COWHER ADDRESSES HIS FUTURE ON “THE NFL TODAY” ON SATURDAY

Contrary to reports, I have no plans on coaching. I plan on being with one team, and that is this team here at CBS. I know we are going to the Super Bowl. And now it is time to talk about the journey that each of these teams are taking to get there as well.

DR. NEAL ELATTRACHE’S PROGNOSIS ON ROBERT GRIFFIN III’s KNEE INJURY

Click to view: http://www.cbssports.com/video/player/nfl-on-cbs/slTxeXBwnaM_

ELATTRACHE: It’s (RGIII’s lateral ligament repair surgery) going to delay that aggressiveness of physical therapy that would normally occur with an ACL reconstruction. And so on the backend, it remains to be seen how quickly he’ll be able to come back if he’s ready for the beginning of the season.

REACTION ON REPORT OF RGIII’S INJURY

BOOMER ESIASON: I have a problem with all of this because it was obvious to all of us who watched that game at the end of the first quarter RGIII hurt his knee worse. He also had a conversation with one of his teammates on the sideline about how he hurt it. And to me, Dr. James Andrews, one of the renown orthopedists in the country is standing right there on the sideline. He’s the doctor. He sees his patient out there. And Mike Shanahan can obviously see that RGIII can no longer play effectively like he was playing prior to this injury. I think both of those men deserve, do you want to say blame, do you want to say it’s negligent for allowing this young man to be on this field to play? Remember this, I understand that players want to play. He’s 22-years-old. He was made captain after their bye week. Remember the pressure that comes along with that. We always talk about coaches and doctors and trainers on the sideline protecting the players from themselves. Neither three of those entities worked in this case.

I still say the decision to allow that young man to play after the first quarter was a significant, significant mistake.

BILL COWHER: There is a certain protocol. Certainly as coach, as you’re sitting there amidst everything that is going on you have one thing, I had one thing, the trainer. The trainer then went to the player and then pulled in an orthopedic doctor if needed. We saw RGIII leave that game, go back behind that door and not know what was done. The only thing Mike Shanahan says to his trainer, is he able to go back and play? And that is based on number one, is there risk for further injury? As he goes back in there, Mike Shanahan just wants to know, can he play? And is there a risk for further injury? I have to know. Then you go to the player. Do you want to play? If he goes back in, then the third part of this is, is he able to play at a level that allows us, that is my best option.

…Boomer to your point, the culture is changing.  We clearly have to err on the side of safety. The League should look at making more players available on game day. Because it will then take the pressure off of having to put guys back in the game, beforehand. You should always have a third quarterback. Have three more players. Because those decisions are made, when you take a player out, he feels like he’s letting down his teammates. With more players, there’s less pressure on the player, the doctors and the coach.

DR. ELATTRACHE ON RECENT BRAIN TRAUMA STUDY

Click to view: http://www.cbssports.com/video/player/nfl-on-cbs/YCUGsBYB1MMB

INSIDE INFORMATION WITH JASON LA CANFORA

(On criticism of field conditions in Washington last week and whether NFL will institute new rules regarding such)
There will be a movement afoot. Obviously we saw Chris Clemons go down with an ACL injury, non-contact ACL injury, and RGIII, the same thing, a non-contact injury for him as well. I talked to people with the League who say they will review the entire field policy moving forward and quote, ‘are likely to expand the monitoring and enforcement standard. Now as it stands, 72 hours before the game the League certifies whether or not this field can be used. The NFLPA has asked to see the certificate from this particular game. They want to see if all these parameters were met. I’m told as of this morning they had not received that from the League yet. They’re going to continue to push this as a health and safety issue. The competition committee will talk about this at the ownership meeting in March. So there probably will be positive change.

Click to view:

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/video/nfl-on-cbs/0XqjEcpxt2A6

We move to the NHL next.

NFL Viewing Picks For 2013 Divisional Weekend, 01/12 & 01/13/2013

All Times Eastern

Saturday, January 12

Pregame & Studio Shows
NFL Matchup — ESPN, 6:30 a.m.
Sunday NFL Countdown — ESPN, 10 a.m.
First on the Field — NFL Network, 10 a.m.
NFL GameDay Morning — NFL Network, noon
The NFL Today — CBS, 3:30 p.m.
The NFL Today Postgame — CBS, 7:30 p.m.
Fox NFL Sunday — Fox, 7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Scoreboard — NFL Network, 7:30 p.m.
Fox NFL Sunday Postgame — Fox, 11 p.m.
NFL GameDay Overtime — NFL Network, 11 p.m.
NFL GameDay Final — NFL Network, 11:30 p.m.
NFL PrimeTime — ESPN, midnight

4:30 p.m.

CBS
Baltimore Ravens at Denver Broncos — Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf/Solomon Wilcots

8 p.m.

FOX
Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers — Joe Buck/Troy Aikman/Pam Oliver/Erin Andrews

Sunday, January 13

Pregame & Studio Shows
First on the Field — NFL Network, 7 a.m.
NFL Matchup — ESPN2, 8:30 a.m.
NFL GameDay Morning — NFL Network, 9 a.m.
Sunday NFL Countdown — ESPN, 10 a.m.
Fox NFL Sunday — Fox, noon
The NFL Today — CBS, 4 p.m.
Fox NFL Sunday Postgame — Fox, 4 p.m.
NFL GameDay Scoreboard — NFL Network, 4 p.m.
NFL GameDay Overtime — NFL Network, 7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Final — NFL Network, 8 p.m.
NFL PrimeTime — ESPN, 9 p.m.

1 p.m.

FOX
Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons — Thom Brennaman/Brian Billick/Laura Okmin

4:30 p.m.

CBS
Houston Texans at New England Patriots — Jim Nantz/Phil Simms/Steve Tasker

The NFL Today on CBS Quotage for 2013 Wild Card Sunday

I think this will be the last quotage for the Sunday pregame shows. This is from CBS and The NFL Today.

NEWS, NOTES & QUOTES FROM CBS SPORTS’ “THE NFL TODAY” WITH JAMES BROWN, DAN MARINO, SHANNON SHARPE, BILL COWHER AND BOOMER ESIASON FOR WILD CARD WEEK ON JANUARY 6

QUICK HITS

(On Ray Lewis)
SHANNON SHARPE: The only thing he struggled with over the last couple of months was when, where, and how he was going to do it. He chose the Ravens training facility on Wednesday in front of his teammates and the guys that he loves so much. He will be ready to play. How much of this emotion plays and how far they go into the playoffs remains to be seen. But there is no question you probably are talking about the greatest defensive player of his generation.
BILL COWHER:  I came into this league in 1980 and have played and coached for 27 years. I’ll never forget having to play against him twice a year. And I always looked down on that side of the field, and he used to have this gathering of players and this hype and they’re jumping up and down. And I would look at them, and look at our team, and think are we flat? Are we not as ready as they are? And now everybody has one. He started that ritual. I also had a chance to coach him in the Pro Bowl. And before the game the coach gives a talk. I had a chance to sit back and say, Ray, you talk. And he gave one of those talks and those guys went flying out. He made it easy for a coach. The guy will be remembered. He’s legendary. He’s great for the game.
BOOMER ESIASON:  In 1997, it was my last game against him, and I knew it was time to get out, because I had never seen a player so fast, so violent and so quick and relentless. But I can’t help but think the year 2000 was a tough year for Ray Lewis. He was charged with a double murder. He then subsequently plea bargained down to obstruction of justice, so therefore he was cleared of those murders. He was fined $250,000 by Paul Tagliabue which at that time was the largest fine for any player ever. He goes on and he not only wins the defensive MVP of the season that season, but they win the Super Bowl. He wins the Super Bowl MVP. So you talk about the range of emotions from one Ray Lewis early on. I will say this – greatest player that I ever played against. And I will say right now in Baltimore, they will tell you he’s one of the greatest human beings that they could have ever ask for as a football player down there.
DAN MARINO:  I played against Ray Lewis as a young player. There is no doubt, in 17 years it’s amazing what he’s been able to do. He’ll be a first ballot Hall of Famer.

(On Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones making things uncomfortable in Dallas)
BOOMER:  He’s going to make it very uncomfortable. [He] Already got into it with Jason Garrett about the offensive play-calling. He should really look into the defensive play-calling as well. Guys should be really worried about their jobs down there.

(On why the Bears fired Lovie Smith)
SHARPE: Well, from what I’m hearing the GM says the offense. You have Jay Cutler.  You have running backs that get 1,000 yards. You have wide receivers. But it comes down to, it’s as simple as this, Jay Cutler, I do not believe he’s a leader of men. He’s a quarterback, not a leader.
MARINO:  You’re saying he’s a Coach Killer?
SHARPE:  Yes. 

TWO-WAY INTERVIEW WITH HOUSTON’S ARIAN FOSTER

(On concerns about his irregular heartbeat)
FOSTER: I went to the yellow brick road. I saw Oz and he gave me a new heart. So I’m okay. I was assured by my doctors that it is a minor issue. Though anytime you’re dealing with the heart it’s not minor. But as far as heart conditions, this is the one you want to have. It’s not life threatening. It’s not fatal. So nothing is going to happen where I’m putting my life in jeopardy. If it was like that, I wouldn’t risk it. So I’m okay. I’ll be okay. And we’ll see what our options are during the off-season, but it’s a very minor issue.

Click to view: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/video/nfl-on-cbs/EaDZdGQUbHc_

INSIDE INFORMATION WITH JASON LA CANFORA

(On GM and coaching carousel)
Click to view: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/video/nfl-on-cbs/lIVMZ6Ftt2Hr

That’s all.

The NFL on CBS Previews 2013 Wild Card Sunday

CBS has the early game on Wild Card Sunday, the Indianapolis Colts at the Baltimore Ravens. The game will air at 1 p.m. ET. The NFL Today will start it all at noon ET.

Jim Nantz and Phil Simms will call the game from Indianapolis.

The NFL Today crew of James Brown, Bill Cowher, Boomer Esiason, Dan Marino and Shannon Sharpe will be at the CBS Broadcast Center in New York to break down the game.

Let’s take a look at what CBS is saying about the game.

“THE NFL ON CBS” BEGINS AFC PLAYOFF COVERAGE WITH INDIANAPOLIS COLTS-BALTIMORE RAVENS WILD CARD GAME #2 ON SUNDAY, JAN. 6

THE NFL ON CBS, home of Super Bowl XLVII, continues its 53^rd year broadcasting the NFL with coverage of the 2013 American Football Conference Playoffs with the national broadcast of Wild Card Playoff Game #2 on Sunday, Jan. 6 (1:00 PM, ET) live on the CBS Television Network. The No. 5-seeded INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (11-5) visit the AFC North Champions and No. 4-seeded BALTIMORE RAVENS (10-6). THE NFL ON CBS’s coverage begins with THE NFL TODAY, the Network’s studio show (12:00 Noon-1:00 PM, ET), live from the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City.

THE NFL ON CBSlead announce team of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms call the action live from the M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md.  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.

And let’s see what the NFL Today will have for us at noon ET on CBS.

THE NFL TODAY’s” SHANNON SHARPE VISITS BALTIMORE RAVENS JOE FLACCO, RAY RICE, TERRELL SUGGS AND HALOTI NGATA; AND SEATTLE SEAHAWKS’ ROOKIE QUARTERBACK RUSSELL WILSON FEATURED FOR WILD CARD WEEK OF “THE NFL TODAY” ON SUNDAY, JAN. 6

THE NFL ON CBS, continues its 53^rd year broadcasting the NFL with coverage of the 2013 American Football Conference Playoffs with the national broadcast of Wild Card Playoff Game #2 on Sunday, Jan. 6 (1:00 PM, ET) live on the CBS Television Network. The No. 5-seeded INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (11-5) visit the AFC North Champions and No. 4-seeded BALTIMORE RAVENS (10-6).  THE NFL ON CBS’s coverage begins with THE NFL TODAY (12:00 Noon-1:00 PM, ET), live from the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City.

THE NFL TODAY’s Shannon Sharpe visits his old team in previewing the Ravens’ game against one of the NFL’s hottest teams, the feel-good Colts, by visiting with Joe Flacco, Ray Rice, Terrell Suggs and Haloti Ngata as they play knowing that their heart and soul for the past 17 years, Ray Lewis, announced his retirement following the season. The AFC North champions have lost four-of-their-last five, while the Colts are riding high on the return of their coach Chuck Pagano and the play of their quarterback Rookie of the Year candidate Andrew Luck. Will this be the final game for Lewis in his Hall of Fame career? Deb Gelman is the producer.

Also featured on THE NFL TODAY is another Rookie of the Year candidate quarterback in the playoffs, Seattle’s Russell Wilson. While Indianapolis’s Luck and Washington’s Robert Griffin III were the first two picks in the 2012 NFL Draft, Seattle waited until the third round before striking gold with Wilson. The rookie sensation threw 26 touchdown passes, tying Peyton Manning‘s rookie record, en route to leading the Seahawks to an 11-5 record and a playoff berth. Wilson goes head-to-head with RG III as his team tries to win its first road playoff game since 1983. Can he lead the Seahawks to the Super Bowl?  Jeff St. Arromand is the producer.

Jim Nantz and Phil Simms report live from Baltimore on the Colts-Ravens game. And Lesley Visser reports live from Landover, Md. on the Seattle Seahawks-Washington NFC Wild Card game.

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

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

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

That will do it.

The NFL Today on CBS Quotage For Week 17 of the 2012 NFL Season

Now, it’s time for CBS’ quotage from The NFL Today. Last one of the regular season.

NEWS, NOTES & QUOTES FROM CBS SPORTS’ “THE NFL TODAY” WITH JAMES BROWN, DAN MARINO, SHANNON SHARPE, BILL COWHER AND BOOMER ESIASON FOR WEEK 17 ON DECEMBER 30

GREG GUMBEL INTERVIEWS COLTS HEAD COACH CHUCK PAGANO

THE NFL ON CBS’s Greg Gumbel previewed the Houston Texans-Indianapolis Colts game with one of the most inspirational stories of the 2012 NFL season, an interview with Colts Head Coach Chuck Pagano as he returns to the sidelines for the first time since Week 3 after fighting leukemia.

Click to view: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/video/nfl-on-cbs/OuCARmIqG7Pg

PAGANO: …Mickey shaves her head like the cheerleaders did and the circumstances that she was dealt and what she had been through…to see the smile. Then you look at a guy, like a young man like Corey Lane, and he grabs you. He’s like, ‘You can beat this.’ These are 15 year olds. Just being with young people like that and see what they’re going through. It’s easy to come back and say, ‘Look, if you ever complain about one thing in your life ever again, there is something wrong with you.’

QUICK HITS

(On Jets “Soap Opera”)
SHANNON SHARPE: I love the soaps, “Young and the Restless,” “Bold and the Beautiful” are two of my favorites.  But “As The Jets Turn” has me befuddled. Everybody on the outside knew bringing Tim Tebow in was a bad idea. Everybody inside the Jets organization making this move thought it would be a great idea. And by not going to Tim Tebow, this tells me Rex Ryan did not sign on for Tim Tebow to be there. This was over his head. He said you can force me to take Tim Tebow on my football team, but you can’t force me to play him.
BOOMER ESIASON: I can also tell you that Rex Ryan did not sign up for Tony Sparano to be the offensive coordinator as well.
SHARPE: So moving forward, I think Rex is going to have to adjust how he handles the media and how he handles his own
football team because this was a mistake from the word go. BOOMER: Tony Sparano and Tim Tebow will be outta here before too long.

(On Pittsburgh not making the playoffs)
BILL COWHER: When Ben (Roethisberger) was hurt they were 6-3 and they never really recovered. He was never the same. He played poorly down the stretch… Defensively, while they ranked good statistically, they just didn’t create enough big plays or sacks or turnovers on that side of the ball.
DAN MARINO: I have to look at the continuity of the offensive line. There were a lot of different starting combinations. I think that hurt. But ultimately the last two games that they played in – Ben Roethlisberger, if he has the football in his hand at the end of the game, he is responsible for that football. He threw two interceptions. They were bad interceptions. And, they’re getting a little old, the team, in general.
COWHER: Old on defense, no question about it. Young on the offensive side with Ben and the young receivers and the young offensive line, but they’re definitely getting old and slower on defense. I think there is some concern moving forward, yes.

INSIDE INFORMATION WITH JASON LA CANFORA

(On possible coaching carousel in off-season)
Click to view: http://www.cbssports.com/video/player/nfl-on-cbs/5q_DojPURIlG

(On possible front office shake ups)
Click to view: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/video/nfl-on-cbs/6oSYkXWxMGU6

(On chance of Michael Vick being back with Eagles next season)
JASON LA CANFORA: I would say nil right about now. It’s two-fold, first of all the Eagles aren’t going to pay him $15.5 million to stay, which is what he’s supposed to make. Sources tell me that Vick is not inclined to take a penny less to renegotiate and stay in Philadelphia. So this will come to a head shortly after the Super Bowl. He will be released and there will be a market for Mike Vick as a starting quarterback. And I wouldn’t be shocked if he ends up getting something close to $10 million, maybe a little more, on that open market. Buffalo, Oakland [are] among the potential suitors.

Fox’s quotage is next.

The NFL Today on CBS Previews Week 17 of the 2012 Season

Let’s move to the NFL Today on CBS. For the Week 17 edition, former host Greg Gumbel talks with Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano about his return to the sidelines after being diagnosed with leukemia in Week 3. As you’re well aware, Pagano had to step aside while offensive coordinator Bruce Arians become interim head coach.

Now that Pagano is back, he gives his first network TV interview to CBS. Here’s the preview.

“THE NFL ON CBS’” GREG GUMBEL SITS DOWN WITH INDIANAPOLIS COLTS HEAD COACH CHUCK PAGANO IN PREVIEW OF HIS RETURN TO SIDELINES AGAINST HOUSTON AFTER FIGHTHING LEUKEMIA FOR WEEK 17 OF “THE NFL TODAY” ON SUNDAY, DEC. 30

THE NFL ON CBS, home of Super Bowl XLVII and broadcasting its 53^rd year of the NFL, continues its 2012 NFL season on Sunday, Dec. 30 (1:00-7:00 PM, ET) beginning with THE NFL TODAY (12:00 Noon-1:00 PM, ET).

THE NFL ON CBS’s Greg Gumbel previews the Houston Texans-Indianapolis Colts game with one of the most inspirational stories of the 2012 NFL season, an interview with Colts Head Coach Chuck Pagano as he returns to the sidelines for the first time since Week 3 after fighting leukemia.

When Pagano took the head coaching job of the Colts in January of this year, little did he know what would lie ahead for him and his team.  Indianapolis started 1-2 with the rookie head coach and a rookie quarterback. During the Colts’ bye week in September, Pagano visited his doctor to check out some symptoms of fatigue and discoloration of his arms. The next thing Pagano knew, he was in the hospital receiving chemotherapy for leukemia.

Meanwhile, Offensive Coordinator Bruce Arians was appointed Interim Head Coach on October 1.  Arians and his players promised Pagano that they would keep things going until his return.  With Pagano’s inspiration, Arians’ coaching, Andrew Luck‘s growth at quarterback and the veteran leadership of All-Pro wide receiver Reggie Wayne, among others, the Colts won nine-of-their-next-12 games led by the chant, “1-2-3 Chuck!” Now with Pagano returning this week, he takes back the reigns of a playoff team. Along the way, Pagano’s heroic fight against cancer promoted countless “Chuckstrong” stories.  Charlie Bloom is the producer.

James 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.

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

That’s going to be it for this post. Fox is next.

NFL Viewing Picks For Week 17, 12/30/2012

All Times Eastern

NFL Viewing Maps (the506.com)

Pregame & Studio Shows
First on the Field — NFL Network, 7 a.m.
NFL Matchup — ESPN2, 8:30 a.m.
NFL GameDay Morning — NFL Network, 9 a.m.
Sunday NFL Countdown — ESPN, 10 a.m.
Fantasy Football Today — CBS Sports Network, 11 a.m.
Fantasy Football Now — ESPN2, 11 a.m.
The NFL Today — CBS, noon
Fox NFL Sunday — Fox, noon
NFL Red Zone Channel — DirecTV Channel 703, 12:55 p.m.
NFL RedZone — Check your local listings, 1 p.m.
NFL GameDay Scoreboard — NFL Network, 4 p.m.
Football Night in America — NBC, 7 p.m.
The OT — Fox, 7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Highlights — NFL Network, 7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Overtime — NFL Network, 11:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Final — NFL Network, midnight

1 p.m.

CBS
Baltimore at Cincinnati — Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots
Cleveland at Pittsburgh — Spero Dedes/Steve Beuerlein
Houston at Indianapolis — Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf
Jacksonville at Tennessee — Don Criqui/Randy Cross
New York Jets at Buffalo — Marv Albert/Rich Gannon

FOX
Carolina at New Orleans — Ron Pitts/Mike Martz/Krista Voda
Chicago at Detroit — Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/Tony Siragusa
Philadelphia at New York Giants — Thom Brennaman/Brian Billick/Laura Okmin
Tampa Bay at Atlanta — Dick Stockton/John Lynch/Jennifer Hale

4:25 p.m.

CBS
Kansas City at Denver — Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts
Miami at New England — Jim Nantz/Phil Simms
Oakland at San Diego — Bill Macatee/Steve Tasker

FOX
Arizona at San Francisco — Gus Johnson/Charles Davis/Kristina Pink
Green Bay at Minnesota — Joe Buck/Troy Aikman/Pam Oliver
St. Louis at Seattle — Chris Myers/Tim Ryan/Jaime Maggio!!!

8:30 p.m.

NBC
Dallas at Washington — Al Michaels/Cris Collinsworth/Michele Tafoya

DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket Channel Assignments
SiriusXM Satellite Radio Channel Assignments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The NFL Today on CBS Quotage For Week 16 of the 2012 Season

Now to The NFL Today which discussed plenty of things including former Detroit Lions offensive lineman Lomas Brown admitting he got his former teammate, Scott Mitchell hurt to get him out of a game.

And there’s link to a video in which analyst Bill Cowher talks with his former QB Ben Roethlisburger. Lots of stuff happening in the hour-long pregame show.

Here’s the quotage.

NEWS, NOTES & QUOTES FROM CBS SPORTS’ “THE NFL TODAY” WITH JAMES BROWN, DAN MARINO, SHANNON SHARPE, BILL COWHER AND BOOMER ESIASON FOR WEEK 16 ON DECEMBER 23

 QUICK HITS 

(On N.Y. Jets)
BILL COWHER: They have no real plan. We’ve never seen a plan from the very beginning with Tim Tebow. We keep waiting for it. There is no foresight to see what happens if Mark Sanchez doesn’t work out. Right now what you have is a situation [where] you bench Mark Sanchez, then you leap frog to Greg McElroy. What happens to the back?up quarterback? We have not seen Tim Tebow all year. What is taking place in New York defines dysfunctional. 

INSIDE INFORMATION WITH JASON LA CANFORA

(On New York Jets quarterback situation)
Click to view: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/video/nfl-on-cbs/5NcKf9Jw5AVO

JASON LA CANFORA:  As we reported weeks ago, the language in the contract makes Sanchez virtually untradeable or un-cuttable. He’s going to be there in 2013. He knows it. They know it. Even if they have a new General Manager, they know it; 8.25 (million dollars) fully guaranteed, no offsets.  [If] they move him, it’s  a $17 million cap hit…What no one is talking about is they don’t have money there to go get Alex Smith or a free agent because they have so much invested in Sanchez and because of their cap situation. So, he’s not going anywhere. The idea of a trade is farcical. And as for Tim Tebow, it’s Jacksonville or bust.  Shahid Khan, the Owner there, obviously wants the hometown boy, wants to bring him home. Jacksonville was the only team, other than New York, that was interested in him last year when his market value was certainly higher than it is now. So, whether Woody Johnson decides to cut him or trade him or not remains to be seen. But, it’s Jacksonville or bust.

(On latest coaching news)
Click to view: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/video/nfl-on-cbs/CWMITpDOyhAM

JASON LA CANFORA:  Let’s start with Nick Saban. There is a buzz about him maybe ending up in Cleveland. I’m told that Tom Heckert and Pat Shurmur, Cleveland’s GM and head coach, are virtually certain to be fired when the regular-season ends. And, [I] talked to someone close to Saban who says he estimates it’s 80?20 that he stays at Alabama, but Cleveland does have a certain appeal to him. He’s coached there before. That could be an option. If they don’t get Saban, look for Cleveland to target Josh McDaniels from the pro ranks. They’re trying to re-energize their offense. McDaniels has been an offensive guru. He’s from the Ohio area, and they’re not sold on Brandon Weeden as their quarterback of the future. And finally Chip Kelly, it’s no secret that he is going to pursue leaving Oregon for the NFL. Look for Philadelphia to emerge quickly as a favorite there. Several executives who are about to begin their own coaching searches told me they believe you are going to have to beat out the Eagles to get Kelly. If he ends up in Philadelphia with that spread offense, does Mike Vick on a cheaper contract make sense for them.

(On possible front office shake ups)
Click to view: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/video/nfl-on-cbs/UDfueANQriGa

JASON LA CANFORA:  Bill Polian, I’m told, is intent on coming back to the NFL in 2013.  There are a lot of people in the League that believe Kansas City could be where he lands.  The Owner there, Clark Hunt, not so hands-on, not into running all the day-to-day minutiae.  Bill Polian could do that.  He’d bring his son, Chris with him to be the GM wherever he ends up.  That could make the most sense for them. Staying in the AFC West, Mark Davis, the Owner of the Raiders, has mulled changing the coach or GM. He’s decided not to do that for another year. But he could make an addition to the front office. I’m told he’s very high on Ray Anderson, from the League Office. Ray has been seven years. [He] graduated from Stanford, has ties to the Bay Area. We know the Raiders are trying to beef things up in football operations and also get a stadium built. They are desperate to do that. Ray Anderson could be someone who is uniquely qualified to help them in their quest.

(On former Lions Offensive Lineman Lomas Brown revealing that he deliberately missed a block in 1994 with goal of letting his quarterback, Scott Mitchell, get hurt)
BOOMER ESIASON:  The other thing about Lomas Brown, he was a tackle with me in Arizona. When I heard this this week I could not believe that he would say something like this. His job on the field of play is to protect your quarterback. Now supposedly he let Sean Jones of the Green Bay Packers hit Scott Mitchell and he broke a finger. To me, it’s an intent to injure play by Lomas Brown. I cannot believe that he would do something like this, and it’s bordering on criminal. I had a lot of respect for Lomas Brown until I heard this this week. That is above and beyond what he should be doing on the field.
BILL COWHER:  He’s retired. It’s an isolated situation. I was in the league for 26 years playing and coaching straight, and every player played for his teammate. And if he did this, and intentionally, to me it’s gutless and classless for him as a player to do something like that. He let down his team.

THE NFL TODAY’s Bill Cowher sat down with Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger in preview of their key game against Cincinnati today.
Click to view: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/video/nfl-on-cbs/2CbyxkWMGves

That is all.

NFL on CBS Previews Week 16 of the 2012 Season

Now to CBS. In this preview, we have analyst Phil Simms discussing the game he’ll call with Jim Nantz on Sunday which is the Cincinnati-Pittsburgh game at Heinz Field in Steel City.

Check it out below.

THE NFL ON CBS: WEEK 16 (SUNDAY, DEC. 23)

AUDIBLES WITH “NFL ON CBS” LEAD ANALYST PHIL SIMMS

            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, Dec. 23 (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 live from the Cincinnati Bengals-Pittsburgh Steelers game 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.

* * * * *

PHIL SIMMS

(On Cincinnati beating Pittsburgh): There are always more than one key in these games. The big thing when you watch the Cincinnati Bengals play is their defense is what really jumps out. In a game like this where I don’t think there will be a lot of scoring, it’s about which defense can make the big plays; get turnovers, sack the quarterback; intercept a pass, cause a fumble.  Pittsburgh is ranked No. 1, but the Bengals can rush the passer very well and have speed on the defensive side. So it’s going to be a great contest.

(Keys for Pittsburgh): It’s going to come down to the offensive side of the ball for Pittsburgh. Can they make the big plays with their wide receivers? We go over all these numbers in the NFL about quarterbacks who complete a certain percentage of their passes, but you need big pass plays in the NFL to win games. Last week they had a chance to beat the Dallas Cowboys because Ben Roethlisberger made some big plays in the passing game. Well, can they get that done against the Bengals? Again, there are a lot of determining factors in this game, but that will be one segment of this game that I’ll be watching closely.

On the NFL Today, Jim Rome makes an appearance to talk about the surprises and disappointments of 2012. In addition, former Steelers coach Bill Cowher talks with current Steelers QB Ben Roethlisburger.

“THE NFL TODAY’s” BILL COWHER SITS DOWN WITH STEELERS QUARTERBACK BEN ROETHLISBERGER IN PREVIEW OF CINCINNATI-PITTSBURGH GAME FOR WEEK 16 ON SUNDAY, DEC. 23

Jim Rome Talks Surprises and Disappointments of 2012 NFL Season

THE NFL ON CBS, home of Super Bowl XLVII and broadcasting its 53^rd year of the NFL, continues its 2012 NFL season on Sunday, Dec. 23 (1:00-7:00 PM, ET) beginning with THE NFL TODAY (12:00 Noon-1:00 PM, ET).

THE NFL TODAY’s Bill Cowher, who coached Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh for three years and won a Super Bowl with him, sits down with the star quarterback before his must-win game this Sunday against division-rival Cincinnati.

It’s been a roller coaster season for the Steelers’ quarterback and his team. After starting 2-3, Pittsburgh won four straight, but in the win over Kansas City in Week 10 Roethlisberger suffered a sprained right shoulder and a dislocated rib which threatened his aorta. Without Roethlisberger, the Steelers lost two in a row before beating division rival Baltimore with back-up quarterback Charlie Batch. Since Roethlisberger came back, Pittsburgh has dropped two straight games and is now in danger of missing the playoffs for the second time in six seasons. Did Roethlisberger come back too soon from his injury? Is the offense running the way he wants it to? Will the Steelers make the playoffs?  Jeff St. Arromand is the producer.

In addition, Jim Rome gives his unique perspective on the surprises and disappointments of the 2012 NFL season.

James Brown hosts THE NFL TODAY along with analysts Dan Marino, Boomer Esiason, Shannon Sharpe and 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.

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

That is all. NFL on Fox’s preview is next.

NFL Viewing Picks For Week 16, 12/22 & 12/23/2012

All Times Eastern

NFL Viewing Maps (the506.com)

Saturday, December 22

Studio & Pregame Shows
Monday Night Countdown — ESPN, 7 p.m.
NFL Total Access — NFL Network, 7 p.m.
NFL Total Access: Postgame — NFL Network, 11:30 p.m.

8:30 p.m.

ESPN
Atlanta at Detroit — Mike Tirico/Jon Gruden/Lisa Salters

Sunday, December 23

Studio & Pregame Shows
First on the Field — NFL Network, 7 a.m.
NFL Matchup — ESPN, 8:30 a.m.
NFL GameDay Morning — NFL Network, 9 a.m.
Sunday NFL Countdown — ESPN, 10 a.m.
Fantasy Football Today — CBS Sports Network, 11 a.m.
Fantasy Football Now — ESPN2, 11 a.m.
The NFL Today — CBS, noon
Fox NFL Sunday — Fox, noon
NFL Red Zone Channel — DirecTV Channel 703, 12:55 p.m.
NFL RedZone — Check Your Local Listings, 1 p.m.
NFL Today Postgame Show — CBS, 4 p.m.
NFL GameDay Scoreboard — NFL Network, 4 p.m.
Football Night in America — NBC, 7 p.m.
The OT — Fox, 7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Highlights — NFL Network, 7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Overtime — NFL Network, 11:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Final — NFL Network, midnight

1 p.m.

CBS
Buffalo at Miami — Don Criqui/Randy Cross
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh — Jim Nantz/Phil Simms
Indianapolis at Kansas City — Bill Macatee/Steve Tasker
New England at Jacksonville — Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots
Oakland at Carolina — Spero Dedes/Steve Beuerlein
San Diego at New York Jets — Marv Albert/Rich Gannon
Tennessee at Green Bay — Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf

FOX
Minnesota at Houston — Chris Myers/Tim Ryan/Jaime Maggio!!!
New Orleans at Dallas — Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/Tony Siragusa
St. Louis at Tampa Bay — Ron Pitts/Mike Martz/Kristina Pink
Washington at Philadelphia — Thom Brennaman/Brian Billick/Laura Okmin

4:05 p.m.

CBS
Cleveland at Denver — Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts

4:25 p.m.

FOX
Chicago at Arizona — Dick Stockton/John Lynch/Jennifer Hale
New York Giants at Baltimore — Joe Buck/Troy Aikman/Pam Oliver

8:30 p.m.

NBC
San Francisco at Seattle — Al Michaels/Cris Collinsworth/Michele Tafoya

DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket Channel Assignments
Sirius XM Satellite Radio Channel Assignments

The NFL Today on CBS Quotage For Week 15 of the 2012 Season

Onto The NFL Today on CBS which brings us its quotage for Week 15. The show spent its entire four minute “A” block on the Newtown, CT tragedy and a good part of its “B” block on the Josh Brent story.

Here’s the quotage.

NEWS, NOTES & QUOTES FROM CBS SPORTS’ “THE NFL TODAY” WITH JAMES BROWN, DAN MARINO, SHANNON SHARPE, BILL COWHER AND BOOMER ESIASON FOR WEEK 15 ON DECEMBER 16

QUICK HITS

(On former Commissioner Paul Tagliabue’s findings on the ruling of New Orleans’s Bountygate)
BILL COWHER: The bottom line is the Commissioner, they got it right. The players are off.  The coaches are accountable. And with Drew Brees’ frustration I will say, the Commissioner is in a position right now where he’s trying to transition this league into a safer place. In doing that, it takes time. Coaches have to learn how to teach and how to interpret rules.  It takes tough decisions and fines.  They aren’t always popular. But the coaches in New Orleans created an environment, to me, that allowed these bounty allegations to exist. The bottom line, coaching negligence and arrogance has caused this disappointment in New Orleans, not any ruling.

DAN MARINO: Talk about the arrogance. They were told in 2009 to stop it. As a coach, that’s what they have to do. They didn’t do that. There would have been no penalties. We wouldn’t be talking about all of this if they just did what they were supposed to do at the time. So it comes down to the organization, the head coach, all the coaches. Drew Brees is frustrated. Basically, it’s a season that’s been thrown away.

BOOMER ESIASON: I get where he’s (Brees) coming from but I disagree with him.  I’m a big fan of Roger Goodell and what he’s done here. In 2006 he took over and had a mandate from the owners to clean this league up. He’s dealing with vicious hits and bounties, domestic violence issues, gun issues, DUI’s. He’s also dealing with a performance enhancing drug issue. So there are so many things that are on his plate. He has a zero tolerance policy, and I hope he continues to do it.

SHANNON SHARPE: To make a long story short, when you get more than one person involved in something, everybody always tries to minimize their responsibility and maximize everybody else’s responsibility. You see Gregg Williams. I tried to stop it. But Joe Vitt wouldn’t allow me to stop it. Joe Vitt keeps passing the buck. At the end of the day, I agree with Commissioner Tagliabue. The head coach could have put a stop to this, and it would have gone no further…Sean Payton, you are responsible, not Roger Goodell. You are responsible for what happened in New Orleans. Drew Brees, you made your point. Now can we move on? Your season is done. You’re not going to make the playoffs. Move on. Sean Payton, it’s your fault, you got dealt with.

In the wake of the tragic death of Jerry Brown, Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett talks with Jim Nantz about his team’s ability to persevere and focus on getting the job done on the field to honor their fallen teammate.

Click to view: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/video/nfl-on-cbs/c8wKhd8YOoGA

(On Dallas playing first home game since tragedy involving Jerry Brown and Josh Brent and reaction of Brown’s mother Stacey Jackson)
BOOMER ESIASON: She’s the most amazing throughout all of this. The compassion and courage she has for Josh Brent. I don’t necessarily know that I could be the same way, especially if Josh Brent would have killed somebody else in this unfortunate situation. The problem in the NFL is there are 18 DUI cases going on right now according to reports. And these guys have to be made an example of. I would immediately suspend anybody that got a D.U.I. until further notice. I don’t think the union would go for that. You have to take away from these players what’s most important to them. And playing on the field on Sunday is that. We have a major epidemic in this country when it comes to drunk driving. I don’t want to make this a social platform. But the fact of the matter is football players are examples. In this case, Josh Brent is the worst of those examples.

INSIDE INFORMATION WITH JASON LA CANFORA

(On Baltimore firing Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron)
Click to view: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/video/nfl-on-cbs/n4qYS2lbFC

(On the possible coaching job vacancies)
Click to view: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/video/nfl-on-cbs/wxRONvFHwbOX

Still more quotage is next.

CBS Previews Week 15 of the 2012 NFL Season

Let’s bring you CBS’ preview for Week 15. Phil Simms talks about the Pittsburgh-Dallas game which he and Jim Nantz will call in the 4:25 p.m. ET window today.

THE NFL ON CBS: WEEK 15 (SUNDAY, DEC. 16)

AUDIBLES WITH “NFL ON CBS” LEAD ANALYST PHIL SIMMS

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, Dec. 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 live from the Pittsburgh Steelers-Dallas Cowboys game from Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.  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.

* * * * *

PHIL SIMMS

(On Pittsburgh-Dallas): This game is intriguing.  It is two interesting teams that are both 7-6 for a reason.  I look at the Dallas Cowboy and I think about how Tony Romo takes a lot of criticism. When they lose, it’s always his fault.  But he’s not getting enough credit this year for the games he’s pulled out for that football team. He has made plays under really adverse situations. The rally he had against the Cincinnati Bengals was truly one of the best I’ve ever seen him have. Under tough circumstances, he somehow got it done.

The Steelers’ defense has been playing great. They have playmakers now. There are a few injuries with the defensive backs, so we’ll see how that affects them. On the offense, Ben Roethlisberger’s second week back after a three-week layoff should really help him. I disagree with everybody when they were talking about him last week after the San Diego game by saying maybe he wasn’t ready to come back.  San Diego had a really good defense. So overall, I thought Ben Roethlisberger played very well.

And we have the preview of what will be seen on The NFL Today at noon ET.

“THE NFL TODAY’s” SHANNON SHARPE VISITS BALTIMORE TO PREVIEW  DENVER-RAVENS GAME FOR WEEK 15 ON SUNDAY, DEC. 16

THE NFL ON CBS, home of Super Bowl XLVII and broadcasting its 53^rd year of the NFL, continues its 2012 NFL season on Sunday, Dec. 16 (1:00-7:00 PM, ET) beginning with THE NFL TODAY (12:00 Noon-1:00 PM, ET).

THE NFL TODAY’s Shannon Sharpe previews the Denver Broncos-Baltimore Ravens game as the former Ravens tight end sits down with quarterback Joe Flacco and running back Ray Rice, as they get ready for their huge home game against red-hot Peyton Manning and the Broncos, winners of eight straight.

Is everything “right” in the Baltimore Ravens’ world?  On one hand, the team is 9-4, leading the AFC North, and on its way to a fifth straight playoff appearance.  On the other hand, the team has lost two straight, and has sputtered offensively in recent times. Two weeks ago, in the loss to division rival Pittsburgh, Rice had no touches in the fourth quarter. The team also has been beset by serious injuries to its defense, including the loss of Ray Lewis and Terrell Suggs.  And, in a move Flacco said “stunned” him, this week the team fired its Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron and replaced him with Jim Caldwell. Is Baltimore moving forward or backwards as the playoffs approach?  Deb Gelman is the producer.

James Brown hosts THE NFL TODAY along with analysts Dan Marino, Boomer Esiason, Shannon Sharpe and 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.

That will do it. Fox is next.

NFL Viewing Picks For Week 15, 12/16/2012

All Times Eastern

NFL Viewing Maps (the 506.com)

Pregame & Studio Shows
First on the Field — NFL Network, 7 a.m.
NFL Matchup — ESPN2, 8:30 a.m.
NFL GameDay Morning — NFL Network, 9 a.m.
Sunday NFL Countdown — ESPN, 10 a.m.
Fantasy Football Today — CBS Sports Network, 11 a.m.
Fantasy Football Now — ESPN2, 11 a.m.
The NFL Today — CBS, noon
Fox NFL Sunday — Fox, noon
NFL Red Zone Channel — DirecTV Channel 703, 12:55 p.m.
NFL RedZone — Check your local listings, 1 p.m.
Fox NFL Sunday Postgame — Fox, 4 p.m.
NFL GameDay Scoreboard — NFL Network, 4 p.m.
Football Night in America — NBC, 7 p.m.
NFL GameDay Highlights — NFL Network, 7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Overtime — NFL Network, 11:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Final — NFL Network, midnight

1 p.m.

CBS
Denver at Baltimore — Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf
Indianapolis at Houston — Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts
Jacksonville at Miami — Marv Albert/Rich Gannon

FOX
Green Bay at Chicago — Joe Buck/Troy Aikman/Pam Oliver
Minnesota at St. Louis — Gus Johnston/Charles Davis/Kristina Pink
New York Giants at Atlanta — Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/Tony Siragusa
Tampa Bay at New Orleans — Thom Brennaman/Brian Billick/Laura Okmin
Washington at Cleveland — Ron Pitts/Mike Martz/Krista Voda

4:05 p.m.

FOX
Carolina at San Diego — Sam Rosen/Heath Evans/Jill Savage
Detroit at Arizona — Chris Myers/Tim Ryan/Jamie Maggio!!!
Seattle vs. Buffalo at Toronto, Ontario, Canada — Dick Stockton/John Lynch/Jennifer Hale

4:25 p.m.

CBS
Kansas City at Oakland — Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots
Pittsburgh at Dallas — Jim Nantz/Phil Simms

8:30 p.m.

NBC
San Francisco at New England — Al Michaels/Cris Collinsworth/Michele Tafoya

DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket Channel Assignments
Sirius XM Satellite Radio Channel Assignments

The NFL Today on CBS Quotage For Week 14 of the 2012 Season

Today, The NFL Today had a show that it could be proud of, spending 12 minutes of its “A” block on both the Javon Belcher-Kasandra Perkins murder suicide and the Josh Brent tragedy in Dallas. James Brown, Shannon Sharpe and Bill Cowher all had strong comments. We have the comments below as well as other topics broached by the one-hour program today.

NEWS, NOTES & QUOTES FROM CBS SPORTS’ “THE NFL TODAY” WITH JAMES BROWN, DAN MARINO, SHANNON SHARPE, BILL COWHER AND BOOMER ESIASON FOR WEEK 14 ON DECEMBER 9

ON DALLAS COWBOYS JOSH BRENT’s ARREST FOR INTOXICATION MANSLAUGHTER

JAMES BROWN ON PAST EIGHT DAYS IN NFL

JAMES BROWN:  This has been a harrowing eight days in the national football league. We’ve witnessed a series of events that have cast the harsh spotlight on a pair of major societal issues. Alcohol abuse, which yesterday as we’ve talked about, needlessly claimed the life of a young Dallas Cowboy player, and domestic violence. Women typically take the lead in cause-related efforts, so this is a call to us men for more of us to get off the sidelines and become meaningfully engaged in helping to change this ugly, painful situation. Right now, three women-per-day on average are being killed by their husbands or boyfriends. This means that since Kasandra Perkins’ death last Saturday, at least 21 more women have met the same fate. Respecting and valuing women would seem to be a no-brainer. But profane language in music, the locker room or anywhere else that degrades and devalues women can contribute to attitudes and beliefs that are destructive and potentially violent.  A 2006 study demonstrated that with proper coaching and leadership, teenagers can successfully change their attitudes and behaviors towards women. So why can’t more of us
grown men do that as well? Three more women will pay with their lives today, and they don’t have to. I certainly pray that we men are fed up enough or are hurt enough to want to do and say more about these critical issues. Because right now, the silence is deadly.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS ANTHONY HARGROVE LIVE, EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH JAMES BROWN ON SET OF THE NFL TODAY TO DISCUSS “BOUNTY-GATE”

Excerpts from Anthony Hargrove’s live, exclusive interview with James Brown on the set of THE NFL TODAY

Click to view: http://www.cbssports.com/video/player/nfl-on-cbs/SEcroUOdoK2b

JAMES BROWN:  There was never any payments at all offered for injuring an opponent?
ANTHONY HARGROVE: Never payments, nor discussions ever talking about injuring our opponents or anybody.
JB:  Or players knowingly adding to a pool for the purpose of hurting the opposition?
AH: Never.
JB:  So what kind of program was in place?
AH: We had a production chart.
JB:  A production chart. Who’s production chart.
AH: Gregg Williams.
JB:  Which effectively said what?
AH: It kept the stats. It kept practice production; how many plays you made in practice; if you had any missed assignments; tackles you made, interceptions, fumble recoveries, things along those nature.
JB:  Okay, look, there is the allegation as well that you told your friend Jimmy Kennedy, with the Minnesota Vikings [at the] NFC Championship, that there was 10,000 dollars on the head of quarterback Brett Favre. Is that true?
AH: That’s a lie.
JB:  What do you mean that’s a lie.
AH: That is a lie. Jimmy Kennedy and I talked at the beginning of the NFC Championship Game about our family, our friends and our times in St. Louis together.

INSIDE INFORMATION WITH JASON LA CANFORA

(On possible shake up in San Diego with Head Coach and GM at end of season)
JASON LACANFORA: (Owner Dean) Spanos won’t actually formalize this until the end of the year.  But it’s virtually certain that both the coach and GM will move on.  Spanos believes in separation of church and state between GM and coach.  You hire a GM, that GM runs the roster, and he hires the coach.  I don’t think you’ll see one person come in there with all the power.  Within their current front office, Ed McGuire, longtime right-hand man to Dean Spanos, he isn’t going anywhere.  And Jimmy Raye, someone in their front office could be given consideration for the GM job, but it’s not a slam dunk that they would stay inside the organization.

Fox NFL Sunday’s quotage is next.

Another Surreal Sunday For the NFL Pregame Shows; CBS Makes Comeback of the Year

Last week, CBS was vilified for its failure to properly report on the Javon Belcher-Kasandra Perkins murder-suicide. In the wake of Josh Brent’s incident that led to the death of Dallas Cowboys teammate Jerry Brown, Jr., The NFL Today stepped up and went all in on the story.

For the other pregame shows, ESPN once again canceled Frank Caliendo’s comedic segment that was supposed air last week, but was pulled in the wake of the Belcher-Perkins tragedy. As the segment was about to air this week, ESPN pulled it again as the segment included Cowboys General Manager and owner Jerry Jones.

Fox NFL Sunday spent five minutes on the story at the top of its show. Reporter Laura Okmin was able to get an interview with Jones where he said the mood of the team was very somber. And Michael Strahan gave strong opinions about making the right choices and said NFL players don’t want to call a car to drive them as they don’t want to seen leaving a club late at night. But Strahan properly stated that Brent made the wrong choice and it cost Jerry Brown, Jr. his life.

As for The NFL Today, it not only opened without product placement as it did last week, it went above and beyond its call reporting on the Brent story. It used its “A” block to liberally report on the Brent story and also updated the Javon Belcher story showing Kansas City police video of officers talking with Belcher in his car just hours before he shot and killed his girlfriend last Saturday. It also included a segment with Bill Macatee in Cleveland before the Chiefs-Browns game discussing how the team is coping since the incident.

But back to the Brent story, CBS had Cowboys radio analyst Babe Laufenberg who also works for the network’s Dallas TV affiliate talking about the flight to Cincinnati where the team is playing today. And when the interview was over, CBS went to its panel where Shannon Sharpe and Bill Cowher gave some of their strongest opinions to date. Sharpe said that the blame for the incident lies squarely on Brent saying Brown’s death was preventable. Sharpe said Brown’s decision to drive while intoxicated, “careless and wreckless behavior.”

Cowher said, “Playing in the NFL is a privilege, not an entitlement.”

James Brown gave a commentary on domestic violence that Bob Costas would be proud of. JB went for two minutes talking into the camera stating that since Kasandra Perkins lost her life, at least another 21 women have died at the hand of domestic violence.

The “A” block went for 12 minutes and as Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch tweeted, treated viewers like adults. This is the segment that CBS should have started with last week, but the network appears to have learned a lesson and made a very good comeback with the Brent incident.

Kudos for all of the early Sunday NFL pregame shows for their handling of the Dallas Cowboys story this week.

NFL Viewing Picks For Week 14, 12/09/12

All Times Eastern

NFL Viewing Maps (the506.com)

Pregame & Studio Shows
First on the Field — NFL Network, 7 a.m.
NFL Matchup — ESPN2, 8:30 a.m.
NFL GameDay Morning — NFL Network, 9 a.m.
Sunday NFL Countdown — ESPN, 10 a.m.
Fantasy Football Today — CBS Sports Network, 11 a.m.
Fantasy Football Now — ESPN2, 11 a.m.
The NFL Today — CBS, noon
Fox NFL Sunday — Fox, noon
NFL Red Zone Channel — DirecTV Channel 703, 12:55 p.m.
NFL RedZone — Check Your Local Listings, 1 p.m.
NFL Today Postgame Show — CBS, 4 p.m.
NFL GameDay Scoreboard — NFL Network, 4 p.m.
Football Night in America — NBC, 7 p.m.
The OT — Fox, 7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Highlights — NFL Network, 7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Overtime — NFL Network, 11:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Final — NFL Network, midnight

1 p.m.

CBS
Baltimore at Washington — Marv Albert/Rich Gannon
Kansas City at Cleveland — Bill Macatee/Steve Tasker
New York Jets at Jacksonville — Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots
San Diego at Pittsburgh — Jim Nantz/Phil Simms
Tennessee at Indianapolis — Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts

FOX
Atlanta at Carolina — Gus Johnson/Charles Davis/Kristina Pink
Chicago at Minnesota — Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/Tony Siragusa
Dallas at Cincinnati — Thom Brennaman/Brian Billick/Laura Okmin
Philadelphia at Tampa Bay — Dick Stockton/John Lynch/Jennifer Hale
St. Louis at Buffalo — Ron Pitts/Mike Martz/Krista Voda

4:05 p.m.

CBS
Miami at San Francisco — Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf

4:25 p.m.

FOX
Arizona at Seattle — Chris Myers/Tim Ryan/Jaime Maggio!!!
New Orleans at New York Giants — Joe Buck/Troy Aikman/Pam Oliver

8:30 p.m.

NBC
Detroit at Green Bay — Al Michaels/Cris Collinsworth/Michele Tafoya

DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket Channel Assignments
SiriusXM Satellite Radio Channel Assignments

Some Really Quick Monday Links

As I’m helping to watch my nephew today, I have a very short window to get links in before he wakes up so let’s get this done before I get delayed.

The big story is the Jevon Belcher-Kasandra Perkins tragedy over the weekend. Many of the links deal with how CBS’ The NFL Today dealt with the story. I have my own take in case you missed it.

I’ll do as many links as I can.

Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch takes CBS to task for its decision not to lead its show with the Belcher-Perkins story.

Michael Hiestand from USA Today says the Belcher story forced the Sunday NFL pregame shows to change course.

At The Sherman Report, Ed Sherman says CBS made the wrong decision not to lead with the story.

Matt Yoder at Awful Announcing has Twitter reaction as The NFL Today hit the airwaves yesterday.

SportsRantz says CBS chose to start its show with product placement for a GPS company and that itself sent the wrong message.

Back to Ed Sherman, he looks at Bob Costas’ commentary on guns during last night’s Sunday Night Football game.

Sean Newell of Deadspin goes off on Costas for his commentary.

Greg Hall says the Belcher murder-suicide put the Kansas City media in the national spotlight.

Laura Bauer and Glen E. Rice of the Kansas City Star profile Kasandra Perkins, the young mother shot nine times by Belcher.

John Ourand of Sports Business Journal reports that Fox Sports is close to purchasing the rights for the Cleveland MLB team and thus forcing the shutdown of current rightsholder SportsTime Ohio (STO).

Fox’s Charles Davis clarifies some comments he and Gus Johnson made during Saturday’s Big Ten Championship Game.

Joe Flint and Meg James of the Los Angeles Times says rising sports rights fees will come back to hit cable and satellite customers in the wallet.

Michael Shamburger of The Big Lead has video of the Best of Uncle Verne Lundquist from Saturday’s SEC Championship on CBS.

Classic Sports TV and Media looks back at Dick Vitale’s first broadcast on ESPN in 1979.

That’s all for now. If I can squeeze in some more links, I will. And I’ll do my best to post any breaking news as long as my nephew is still napping,

CBS’ The NFL Today Quotage For Week 13 of the 2012 Season

To CBS which didn’t have the best of shows, but it provides quotage of its coverage of the Jovan Belcher murder-suicide in Kansas City.

Here’s what was said on The NFL Today on Sunday.

NEWS, NOTES & QUOTES FROM CBS SPORTS’ “THE NFL TODAY” WITH JAMES BROWN, DAN MARINO, SHANNON SHARPE, BILL COWHER AND BOOMER ESIASON FOR WEEK 13 ON DECEMBER 2

REACTION TO KANSAS CITY JOVAN BELCHER TRAGEDY

JAMES BROWN: We want to take a moment to recap the story out of Kansas City. The game between the Panthers and Chiefs will go on as scheduled with a moment of silence for victims of domestic violence. Yesterday, Chiefs linebacker Javon Belcher reportedly shot and killed his girlfriend, Kasandra Perkins. Belcher then went to the Chiefs facility at Arrowhead Stadium where he took his own life. We all know that never is domestic violence, never is that acceptable.

BOOMER ESIASON: You mentioned at the top of the show that I knew Javon back in 2005. He’s a local kid from West Babylon (Long Island) High School. Just yesterday I was having lunch when I saw it on television. I was blown away by this thing. I can’t even imagine how his teammates, his friends can go on that football field today and play against the Carolina Panthers. Their hearts have to be heavy for Kasandra because they knew her, and to try to understand something like this.

SHANNON SHARPE: To see something so tragic, so sudden, so unexpected. How do you deal with that? There is no playbook. There is no itinerary to tell you how to cope with this and move forward. I believe the Kansas City Chiefs will play very emotional today. I believe they’ll play this game with this young man in their mind and in their hearts. I believe they will do something they haven’t done in quite a while. I believe they win this ballgame.

BILL COWHER: I’ll say this as a way of putting everything in perspective, and I think something like this, if I’m the head coach, I’m saying we have a lot to be thankful for. And right now look beside you at the people that you are with, and just make sure that something like this, as tragic as it is, maybe there is a lesson in life that we all need to sit back, and make sure that we value the things that are really important in life. I think they go out there and play this game, they will play loose.  They will play with a sense of purpose. And it’s not just for Javon. It’s for the city of Kansas City.

DAN MARINO: It’s mind boggling to me that this actually happened. As far as having a baby now that’s not going to have a mother or father. Just the whole circumstances, and as a player, I guess you have to look at it and say, you know what, I’m a football player. It’s what I do. I’m going to go out, give my best effort regardless of what the circumstances were. I’m going to be a professional, play hard and try to win the game for the Kansas City Chiefs and their organization.

JAMES BROWN: Violence is never the answer. Let’s not lose sight of the fact that a young lady lost her life and that men have a role to play in this. And hopefully we can help change that radically.

INSIDE INFORMATION WITH JASON LA CANFORA

(On Detroit’s Titus Young)
JASON LACANFORA:  He’s not playing today. He’s inactive, a coaching’s decision. There was some talk about him putting himself intentionally in wrong positions and running wrong routes. [I] talked to a team source who says they’re not intending to cut him in the near future. He could be inactive for a few games moving forward. But they just want to gauge him on and off the field. They’re not worried about how he’s interacting with teammates right now. They just want to see can they trust him down the stretch?

REACTION

BILL COWHER:  Wouldn’t even be in the building.  If everything they said is true, he wouldn’t be on the team…Accountability.
SHANNON SHARPE:  You’ve seen this occur before. They went through instances with him last year. At what point in time do they move on? And at what point in time does he get it that he needs to be a professional at all times?

THE NFL TODAY’S BILL COWHER VISITS PITTSBURGH TO PREVIEW BALTIMORE GAME

Former Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach and THE NFL TODAY’s Bill Cowher previews the key AFC North rivalry game between the Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens by visiting the city where he once coached.  Jeff St. Arromand is the producer.

Click to view: http://www.cbssports.com/video/player/nfl-on-cbs/LCqDuxdgCRBt

JIM ROME GIVES HIS TAKE ON PRETENDERS AND CONTENDERS

There are no super teams in the NFL this year, just a handful of very good teams. There are pretenders, contenders and one team to beat. You can’t call the Chicago Bears a contender when they’re not even the best team in their own division. They don’t beat Green Bay with Jay Cutler, and they won’t beat anyone without him – pretender.

So much to like about the Texans, a game-breaking running back in Arian Foster, a game changing pass rusher in J.J. Watt, but a defense that’s hemorrhaging that just made Chad Henne look like John Elway –pretender.

The Broncos are a force because Von Miller is a freak. And if they can get to the second round with Tim Tebow playing quarterback, think how far they’ll get with a quarterback playing quarterback – contender.

As usual, with the Patriots, it’s time Tom Brady, and his tight ends and a bunch of ghosts on defense. Their window has already slammed shut. They just don’t know it – pretender.

I asked Aaron Rodgers if his team is Super Bowl good. He said not yet. He’s right. He’s the best player in the game, but even he can’t win a Super Bowl lying on his back. Not yet, not this year – pretender.

As for the quarterback issue in San Francisco, Jim Harbaugh can start himself, for all I care. As long as he starts Willis, Bowman, Smith and Smith on defense, nobody wants any part of the dudes in gold helmets – contender.

The Atlanta Falcons haven’t shown up for a playoff game in the last two years. This year they finally ball- up because they finally D-up, ask Drew Brees – contender.

I love Ray Rice converting a fourth-and-29 for the Ravens. I hate that he needed it to beat the Chargers.  Joe Flacco‘s mojo doesn’t travel – pretender.

If I have to call my shot, I’m calling it on the 7?4 snake in the grass, New York Giants. Nobody in sports flips the switch like the G-men. Get to January and ride or die with Eli, his freaky wide-outs and the QB killers on the D?line. If I’m rolling with one team, I’m getting behind Big Blue.

That’s all. We move to NBC’s preview of the Football Night in America interviews next.

NFL on CBS Previews Week 13 of the 2012 Season

Now we move to the NFL on CBS and what you’ll see on the Tiffany Network. CBS has the doubleheader this week and will spread seven games across the country with four early games and three in the 4:25 p.m. window.

In this preview, analysts Phil Simms and Dan Dierdorf talk about the games they’ll be covering on Sunday. For Dierdorf, it will be the New England Patriots at the Miami Dolphins and Simms will be in Baltimore for the Pittsburgh Steelers-Ravens game.

Here’s what both are saying about their games on Sunday.

THE NFL ON CBS: WEEK 13 (SUNDAY, DEC. 2)

AUDIBLES WITH “NFL ON CBS” LEAD ANALYST PHIL SIMMS AND DAN DIERDORF

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, Dec. 2 (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 live from the Pittsburgh Steelers-Baltimore Ravens game from M&T Bank Stadium. 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.

* * * * *

PHIL SIMMS

(On Pittsburgh’s quarterback situation): I thought Pittsburgh’s back-up quarterback situation was in great hands. Not only did they have one, they had two because they’ve proven it in the past with other teams. But just as important, they’ve proven it with the Steelers. I’m sure even the Steelers are surprised that their offense hasn’t played better, even with the back-ups. People tend to over-react when the back-up doesn’t do well. But let’s remember, he’s the back-up for a reason and not the starter. And he’s definitely not getting near the work that the starter gets. So you can’t expect the same precision on the offensive side. What you have to see is more ingenuity from the offensive coordinator when the back-up is in there.

(On possibility of Ben Roethlisberger playing): If I had to give a yes or no answer at this point as to whether he will play, I’d say yes. Knowing his history, and knowing that the Steelers really need him, if they lose this game their margin of error goes down to almost nothing. Considering that situation, I would expect Ben Roethlisberger to play if there is any chance.

(On Baltimore): The thing about Baltimore that was jumping out at me when I watched their team is I kept thinking that this will be the end of their great defensive era. But now as I watch them more the last three or four weeks, I’m starting to think that I may have listened to others too much and took their word for it, which is wrong. I’m definitely seeing things on the defensive side that would give me great hope if I was a Baltimore fan. They can still get it done. They have some names that people don’t talk about: Corey Graham, Dannell Ellerbe, No. 59. These guys jump off the screen when I watch them on TV.

DAN DIERDORF

(On New England): The Patriots are just playing lights out football. Coaching staffs always go back and watch the four previous games really closely. I’m sure that wasn’t a fun experience for the Miami coaching staff, especially the defensive coaching staff. You can’t play offensive football any better than the Patriots have been playing it on this five-game winning streak.

(On New England QB Tom Brady): There has been so much attention lavished on Peyton Manning, and justifiably so for the year he’s having, that you just don’t hear Tom Brady’s name kicked around when the MVP discussion is taking place. You just hear people wonder if Manning going to win the MVP and the Comeback Player of the Year in the same year. But Tom Brady has had 24 touchdowns and only three interceptions. He’s 35-years-old and he’s never looked better. He’s looking just like he looked back in 2007 when he threw 50 touchdowns.  It’s quite a sight to see.

(On Miami): Miami has a new system, a new coach and is a team trying to establish an identity. There’s a lot to like about this Miami team, but any way you look at it, it’s a rookie quarterback going up against Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. I have no idea what Belichick’s career record is against rookie quarterbacks, but I would imagine that it’s staggeringly high in his favor.

(Key for Miami): Miami is going to have to re-create the running performance they had against Seattle last week. Sometimes the old strategies that worked 50 years ago still work today. Miami has to shorten the game and possess the football. They have to keep Tom Brady on the sideline, and you do that by effectively running the football. If Miami cannot run the football, if they are forced to have Ryan Tannehill try to win the game by throwing, that will play right into the Patriots’ hands. And that will be trouble. Reggie Bush and Daniel Thomas are going to have to get loose. They’re going to have to get away from Vince Wilfork somehow and have a big day.

Next, CBS previews what you’ll see on The NFL Today at noon ET on Sunday. Among the features, CBS hypes Tuesday’s Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show with model Lily Aldridge making an appearance to provide her picks along with The NFL Today crew. In addition, Jim Rome will be back to make a comment about super teams in the NFL.

Here’s the preview from CBS Sports.

“THE NFL TODAY’s” BILL COWHER VISITS PITTSBURGH TO PREVIEW  STEELERS-BALTIMORE GAME FOR WEEK 13 ON SUNDAY, DEC. 2

ALSO JIM ROME TALKS “SUPER TEAMS”; AND VICTORIA’S SECRET MODEL LILY ALDRIDGE DISCLOSES HER PICKS FOR WEEK 13

THE NFL ON CBS, home of Super Bowl XLVII and broadcasting its 53^rd year of the NFL, continues its 2012 NFL season on Sunday, Dec. 2 (1:00-7:00 PM, ET) beginning with THE NFL TODAY (12:00 Noon-1:00 PM, ET).

Former Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach and THE NFL TODAY’s Bill Cowher previews the key AFC North rivalry game between the Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens by visiting the city where he once coached. With Ben Roethlisberger questionable to start due to injury, and back-up Byron Leftwich also hurt, will Charlie Batch once again be the Steelers’ starting quarterback this week? Which running back will step up? Can Pittsburgh’s top-ranked defense prevent Baltimore from clinching a playoff spot or possibly even the division on Sunday? Jeff St. Arromand is the producer.

In addition, Jim Rome gives his unique perspective on if there are any “super teams” in the NFL. And, Victoria’s Secret model Lily Aldridge is live on the set as she picks against the guys and previews the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show on CBS.

James Brown hosts THE NFL TODAY along with analysts Dan Marino, Boomer Esiason, Shannon Sharpe and 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.

We’ll go to Fox next.

NFL Viewing Picks For Week 13, 12/02/2012

All Times Eastern

NFL Viewing Maps (the506.com)

Pregame & Studio Shows
First on the Field — NFL Network, 7 a.m.
NFL Matchup — ESPN2, 8:30 a.m.
NFL GameDay Morning — NFL Network, 9 a.m.
Fantasy Football Today — CBS Sports Network, 11 a.m.
Fantasy Football Now — ESPN2, 11 a.m.
The NFL Today — CBS, noon
Fox NFL Sunday — Fox, noon
NFL Red Zone Channel — DirecTV Channel 703, 12:55 p.m.
NFL RedZone — Check your local listings, 1 p.m.
Fox NFL Sunday Postgame — Fox, 4 p.m.
NFL GameDay Scoreboard — NFL Network, 4 p.m.
Football Night in America — NBC, 7 p.m.
NFL GameDay Highlights — NFL Network, 7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Overtime — NFL Network, 11:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Final — NFL Network, noon

1 p.m.

CBS
Houston at Tennessee — Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots
Indianapolis at Detroit — Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts
Jacksonville at Buffalo — Spero Dedes/Steve Beuerlein
New England at Miami — Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf

FOX
Arizona at New York Jets — Thom Brennaman/Brian Billick/Laura Okmin
Carolina at Kansas City — Ron Pitts/Mike Martz/Kristina Pink
Minnesota at Green Bay — Joe Buck/Troy Aikman/Pam Oliver
San Francisco at St. Louis — Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/Tony Siragusa
Seattle at Chicago — Chris Myers/Tim Ryan/Jaime Maggio!!!

4:05 p.m.

FOX
Tampa Bay at Denver — Dick Stockton/John Lynch/Jennifer Hale

4:25 p.m.

CBS
Cincinnati at San Diego — Marv Albert/Rich Gannon
Cleveland at Oakland — Bill Macatee/Steve Tasker
Pittsburgh at Baltimore — Jim Nantz/Phil Simms

8:30 p.m.

NBC
Philadelphia at Dallas — Al Michaels/Cris Collinsworth/Michele Tafoya

DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket Channel Assignments
SiriusXM Satellite Radio Channel Assignments

The NFL Today on CBS Quotage For Week 12 of the 2012 Season

CBS provides us with the notes and quotes from The NFL Today. Lots of stuff to digest.

NEWS, NOTES & QUOTES FROM CBS SPORTS’ “THE NFL TODAY” WITH JAMES BROWN, DAN MARINO, SHANNON SHARPE, BILL COWHER AND BOOMER ESIASON FOR WEEK 12 ON NOVEMBER 25 

ON POSSIBLE FINE AND SUSPENSION OF NDAMUKONG SUH REGARDING PLAY ON MATT SCHAUB ON THANKSGIVING DAY

JASON LA CANFORA:  This official review will begin in the League office on Monday. But there are people within the League office that have already looked at this repeatedly. They don’t think it looks normal to them. They think that looks like an illegal play. If that is the consensus, then the conversation begins to add a suspension. That’s been the track record for Suh. The real question may not be is he going to be suspended or not, but for how long?

Click to view report: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/video/nfl-on-cbs/E3D13li_oDkz

REACTION TO SUH

(On whether Ndamukong Suh should be suspended for Thanksgiving Day)
SHANNON SHARPE: I will go to my grave believing this guy did this intentional. Because you can see the extra extension that he gave. Now if he had just rolled over and let the motion take him and the side or back of his foot accidentally kicked the guy in the groin, no problem with it. But his history, I cannot give him the benefit of the doubt.

BILL COWHER: I know you guys are all offensive players. The one thing I like about this guy, as a defensive player, he plays with a chip. And in my opinion, I know he has to clean it up. He’s constantly trying to say just get off me. He wants to get back to the next play. I know he’s got to clean it up…I would fine him, but I would not suspend him.

MORE INSIDE INFORMATION WITH JASSON LA CANFORA

(On NFL possibly changing replay rule for postseason after Houston-Detroit Thanksgiving Day game)
LA CANFORA:  As we reported on the postgame show Thursday, there was already talk within the competition committee that we need to get this right for 2013. But since then I’ve learned there has been internal communication that maybe we can address this sooner, there is a league meeting coming up December 12 in Dallas. At that point they could recommend to owners, let’s nip this in the bud and change that part of the rule. If they did that, they wouldn’t change the rule for the regular season, because there would be a competitive imbalance there. It’s already affected games. It could come into play for the playoffs and moving forward.

Click to view report: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/video/nfl-on-cbs/__oUIST3gMg4 

(On New York Jets turmoil and attractiveness of GM and head coaching jobs)
LA CANFORA:  I’ve talked to some execs that have studied that situation and they said, frankly, it could be something of a tough sell. As Coach Cowher pointed out, there has been a lack of discipline there.  Talk to players that have been in that lockerroom in recent years, and they say the coaching staff is not willing or able to drop the hammer when they have to. And there is also a sense of entitlement in that locker room because there are so many bloated contracts handed out with huge guaranteed money that keep guys on that roster.

Click to view: http://www.cbssports.com/video/player/nfl-on-cbs/PSMjhOqhgdt0

(On NFL tracking player data such as distance traveled, speed and acceleration and how they plan to use the data)
Click to view: http://www.cbssports.com/video/player/nfl-on-cbs/PkJncKcbGm05

QUICK HITS

(On possibility of these being final days for Andy Reid in Philadelphia)
BOOMER ESIASON: Sorry to say, yes. I think all good things must come to an end. He’s been a great coach there. He’s been a great winner there as a head coach. But things get tired. When things get tired, change is needed. I certainly think it’s coming there in Philadelphia. 

THE NFL TODAY TALKS DEFENSE WITH DENVER BRONCOS

THE NFL TODAY sat down with Denver’s defensive corps of Von Miller, All-Pros CB Champ Bailey and DE Elvis Dumervil, plus LB Wesley Woodyard as they look to extend their five-game winning streak and inch closer to an AFC West title.  Deb Gelman is the producer.

Click to view: http://www.cbssports.com/video/player/nfl-on-cbs/O8HQm_Itvume

A quick NFL on CBS ratings blurb next.

The NFL Today on CBS Features The Denver Broncos Defense For Week 12 of the 2012 Season

As we continue the Sunday NFL pregame previews, we’ll continue with the NFL Today on CBS. On Sunday, the pregame show will have a feature the Denver Broncos defense which has been out of the spotlight due to quarterback Peyton Manning.

We have the preview below.

“THE NFL TODAY” FEATURES DENVER BRONCOS DEFENSE FOR WEEK 12 ON SUNDAY, NOV. 25

 THE NFL ON CBS, broadcasting its 53^rd year of the NFL, continues its 2012 NFL season on Sunday, Nov. 25 (1:00-7:00 PM, ET) beginning with THE NFL TODAY (12:00 Noon-1:00 PM, ET) live from THE NFL TODAY studio in the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City.

One of the hottest teams in the NFL has been the Denver Broncos. While quarterback Peyton Manning gets most of the attention, Denver’s defense should not be overlooked. Led by 2011 Rookie Defensive Player of the Year LB Von Miller and his AFC-best 13 sacks, the Broncos lead the NFL with 35 sacks and are third in the AFC in total defense.

THE NFL TODAY sits down with Miller, All-Pros CB Champ Bailey and DE Elvis Dumervil, plus LB Wesley Woodyard as they look to extend their five-game winning streak and inch closer to an AFC West title.  Deb Gelman is the producer.

James 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.

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

The NFL on Fox preview plus announcing assignments with regional splits is next.

NFL Viewing Picks For Week 12, 11/25/2012

All Times Eastern

Viewing Maps (the506.com)

Pregame & Studio Shows
First on the Field — NFL Network, 7 a.m.
NFL Matchup — ESPN2, 7:30 a.m.
NFL GameDay Morning — NFL Network, 9 a.m.
Fantasy Football Today — CBS Sports Network, 11 a.m.
Fantasy Football Now — ESPN2, 11 a.m.
The NFL Today — CBS, noon
Fox NFL Sunday — Fox, noon
NFL Red Zone Channel — DirecTV Channel, 703, 12:55 p.m.
NFL RedZone — Check your local listings, 1 p.m.
NFL Today Postgame — CBS, 4 p.m.
NFL GameDay Scoreboard — NFL Network, 4 p.m.
Football Night in America — NBC, 7 p.m.
The OT — Fox, 7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Highlights — NFL Network, 7:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Overtime — NFL Network, 11:30 p.m.
NFL GameDay Final — NFL Network, midnight

1 p.m.

CBS
Buffalo at Indianapolis — Marv Albert/Rich Gannon
Denver at Kansas City — Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf
Oakland at Cincinnati — Bill Macatee/Steve Tasker
Pittsburgh at Cleveland — Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots
Tennessee at Jacksonville — Spero Dedes/Steve Beuerlein

FOX
Atlanta at Tampa Bay — Thom Brennaman/Brian Billick Charles Davis/Laura Okmin
Minnesota at Chicago — Kenny Albert/Daryl Johnston/Tony Siragusa
Seattle at Miami — Chris Myers/Tim Ryan/Jaime Maggio!!!

4:05 p.m.

CBS
Baltimore at San Diego — Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts

4:25 p.m.

FOX
San Francisco at New Orleans — Joe Buck/Troy Aikman/Pam Oliver
St. Louis at Arizona — Dick Stockton/John Lynch/Jennifer Hale

8:30 p.m.

NBC
Green Bay at New York Giants — Al Michaels/Cris Collinsworth/Michele Tafoya

DirecTV Sunday NFL Ticket Channel Assignments
SiriusXM Satellite Radio Channel Assignments

The NFL Today on CBS Brief Quotage For Thanksgiving 2012

We have just one piece of quotage from Thanksgiving Day’s NFL Today on CBS. Just one paragraph from Thursday’s show plus a link.

Check it all out below.

NEWS, NOTES & QUOTES FROM CBS SPORTS’ “THE NFL TODAY” WITH JAMES BROWN, DAN MARINO, SHANNON SHARPE, BILL COWHER AND BOOMER ESIASON FOR WEEK 12 ON THANKSGIVING DAY, NOVEMBER 24

(On recent overturned one-game suspension of Baltimore’s Ed Reed)

SHANNON SHARPE: This is something that had me upset the entire week. When I look at this, Ed Reed was fined, before he won his appeal, $423,000. For their alleged role in SpyGate, the New England Patriots were fined $500,000. This is a team that is valued at $1.4 billion. The New Orleans Saints, for their alleged role in BountyGate, were fined $500,000. This is a team that is worth $965 million. Ed Reed, I’m going to go out on a limb and say he is worth $12 million-$15 million. But you’re going to fine this guy $423,000 for a hit that I didn’t even think was that egregious. When you look at it, everybody that is in the NFL office on this side of the ball has a college degree. When it comes to determining who you are going to fine, and how much you’re going to fine them, I don’t want you to use your college degree, I want you to use common sense, that’s all.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ON “THE NFL TODAY”

In 2011 during a physical it was discovered that Detroit Lions RB Jerome Harrison had a brain tumor. Harrison immediately returned to Detroit for surgery. Jerome and Michelle Harrison spoke for the first time and shared their remarkable journey with THE NFL TODAY on Thanksgiving Day.

Click to view: http://www.cbssports.com/video/player/nfl-on-cbs/BdBYg8d_uton

That’s it. Short and sweet.

NFL Viewing Picks For Thanksgiving Day, 11/22/2012

All Times Eastern

Pregame and Studio Shows
NFL GameDay Morning — NFL Network, 10 a.m.
The NFL Today — CBS, noon
Fox NFL Sunday — Fox, 4 p.m.
NFL GameDay Scoreboard — NFL Network, 4 p.m.
NFL Total Access — NFL Network, 7 p.m.
Fox NFL Sunday Postgame — Fox, 7:30 p.m.
Football Night in America — NBC, 8 p.m.
NFL Total Access — NFL Network, 11:30 p.m.

12:30 p.m.

CBS/Dial Global Radio
Houston at Detroit — Jim Nantz/Phil Simms (CBS); Kevin Kugler/Mark Malone/Hub Arkush (Dial Global)

4:30 p.m.

Fox/Dial Global Radio
Washington at Dallas — Joe Buck/Troy Aikman/Pam Oliver/Erin Andrews (Fox); Tom McCarthy/Tony Boselli/Scott Kaplan (Dial Global)

8:28 p.m.

NBC/Dial Global Radio
New England at New York Jets — Al Michaels/Cris Collinsworth/Michele Tafoya (NBC); Ian Eagle/Boomer Esiason/Laura Okmin (Dial Global)

SiriusXM Satellite Radio Channel Assignments

NFL on CBS Previews Its Thanksgiving Game in Detroit

This Thursday, CBS will have the first of three Thanksgiving Day NFL games across the country. Jim Nantz and Phil Simms will call the Houston Texans-Detroit Lions game at 12:35 p.m.

It begins with a Thanksgiving Day edition of The NFL Today at noon ET hosted by James Brown with the usual cast of characters, Bill Cowher, Boomer Esiason, Dan Marino and Shannon Sharpe plus insider Jason La Canfora.

In this preview, Jim Nantz talks about turkey and football in Detroit. Check it out.

THE NFL ON CBS: WEEK 12 (THANKSGIVING DAY, NOVEMBER 22)

AUDIBLES WITH “NFL ON CBS” LEAD PLAY-BY-PLAY ANNOUNCER JIM NANTZ

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 Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22 (12:30 PM, ET) beginning with THE NFL TODAY, the Network’s studio show, (12:00 Noon-12:30 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 live from the Houston Texans-Detroit Lions game from Ford Field in Detroit, Mich. 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.

* * * * *

JIM NANTZ

Thanksgiving Day has turned into the perfect alignment of a sport and a holiday. In professional sports, I can’t think of anything that resonates like the NFL and Thanksgiving Day. It’s part of the fabric of America.

It’s been awhile since we’ve been to Detroit with as meaningful of a game as we have on Thursday. Detroit has to win. There are no more mulligans, no more second chances for a team that everyone thought was ready to take that next step this season and be a playoff team. Now they are coming off another wrenching loss on Sunday to Green Bay. They have to win here or it’s just too late to work their way back into the wild card equation. The division is too strong. They’ve got to start a winning streak now.

Beyond the pageantry of the pigskin, there is some pressure. The Lions have a must-win scenario. And Houston is trying to maintain its position as the leader of the pack in the AFC. It is going to be a wild home stretch for the AFC to see which teams get the top two seeds and a first-round bye. Right now Houston as the No. 1-seed has the pole position. But there are three other teams that are worthy and good enough to be a No. 1-seed at the end of the season. Denver, New England and Baltimore, the same divisional winners of the AFC a year ago, look as though they are going to win their divisions again. So it’s all about positioning.

Even though there’s a buzz around the league about how good the Texans are, there is still not a real familiarity with them in the spotlight. Now they have the coveted Thanksgiving Day game and a great chance for them to showcase why they have Super Bowl potential.

* * * * *

Following are THE NFL ON CBS assignments for Week 12.

WEEK 12 – November 22 (Thanksgiving Day)* & November 25
12:30 PM, ET start:

• Houston @ Detroit* — Jim Nantz/Phil Simms

WEEK 12 – November 25
1:00 PM, ET starts:

• Oakland @ Cincinnati — Bill Macatee/Steve Tasker
• Pittsburgh @ Cleveland — Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots
• Buffalo @ Indianapolis — Marv Albert/Rich Gannon
• Tennessee @ Jacksonville — Spero Dedes/Steve Beuerlein
• Denver @ Kansas City — Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf

4:00 PM, ET start:

• Baltimore @ San Diego — Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts

And we have what you’ll see on The NFL Today on CBS this Thanksgiving Day.

“THE NFL TODAY” FEATURES THANKSGIVING STORY ON DETROIT LIONS’ JEROME HARRISON AND “THE NFL TRADE THAT SAVED A LIFE” FOR WEEK 12 OF “THE NFL TODAY” ON THURSDAY, NOV. 24

Detroit’s Own to Perform National Anthem and at Halftime as Kid Rock to Perform at Halftime of Houston-Detroit Thanksgiving Day Game; and Long-Time “Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band” Saxophonist Alto Reed to Perform National Anthem

THE NFL ON CBS, broadcasting its 53^rd year of the NFL, continues its 2012 NFL season on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 22 (12:30 PM, ET) and Sunday, Nov. 25 (1:00-7:00 PM, ET) beginning with THE NFL TODAY (12:00 Noon-12:30 PM, ET) and (12:00 Noon-1:00 PM, ET), respectively, live from THE NFL TODAY studio in the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City.

THE NFL TODAY features a special Thanksgiving Day story on Detroit Lions running back Jerome Harrison.  Charlie Bloom produces.

Every trade in sports is contingent upon the player passing a physical exam, but the results of running back Jerome Harrison’s physical were anything but normal.  The Lions’ running back was in the process of being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in October of 2011 when doctors in Philadelphia discovered that he had a brain tumor.

Harrison immediately returned to Detroit for surgery.  Four hours into the what was expected to be a three-hour operation, the surgeon came to the waiting area and told Harrison’s pregnant wife Michelle, his parents and friends that there were some “complications” and that the surgery would continue for several more hours.

Twelve hours later, the surgeon returned to deliver the news that he could not promise the outcome.  The following day, Harrison suffered a series of strokes, which only complicated matters further.  It seemed to the family that Jerome might never awaken or if he did, he would surely be unable to walk, talk or care for himself.

Last Thanksgiving, the family’s emotions were stressed beyond overload. Despite her pregnancy, Michelle never left her husband’s side. She followed him from the hospital to a rehab facility in Ann Arbor, where he was registered under an alias to safeguard the family’s privacy. Those outside of the Harrison’s immediate circle remained unaware of his condition, prognosis, or even where he was situated while battling for his life.

On this Thanksgiving Day, Michelle Harrison narrates their story as she and Jerome speak for the first time and share their remarkable journey with THE NFL TODAY on CBS.

In addition, Detroit natives will perform the National Anthem and at halftime as Grammy Award-winning recording artist Kid Rock will perform live during the halftime of the Houston-Detroit game, and long-time member of “Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band” saxophonist Alto Reed will perform the National Anthem.

James 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.

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

I’ll post NBC’s preview of Pats-Jets on Thanksgiving Night when it arrives in the Fang’s Bites inbox.

The NFL Today on CBS Quotage for Week 11 of the 2012 Season

Let’s finish up the early Sunday NFL pregame quotage with The NFL Today from CBS Sports.

NEWS, NOTES & QUOTES FROM CBS SPORTS’ “THE NFL TODAY” WITH JAMES BROWN, DAN MARINO, SHANNON SHARPE, BILL COWHER AND BOOMER ESIASON FOR WEEK 11 ON NOVEMBER 18

PHIL SIMMS DOESN’T FLIP-FLOP IN DEFINING ELITE

Phil Simms on THE NFL TODAY talking about his comments this past week on Eli Manning.

Let me go back to these comments. I don’t have time to address them all, because I’d like to. But let’s go with this Eli comment. Let’s think about it this way. Let me clarify it for everybody out there so they can understand it. Let’s say they’re all elite in the NFL. My premise in the whole thought was, if you listen to the whole thing, I was trying to distinguish Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers from the rest of the group. Period. That was it. Can we understand that these three guys, what they’ve done on the field, what they’ve shown this year and consistently through their whole careers, that they can get it done. They do not have down periods. Now everybody out there is going to go, ‘Oh, Phil is back-tracking.’ That is far from the truth. I am not back-tracking one bit. I’m just trying to clarify it because this word elite, man, it just drives everybody crazy because that’s the new word how we define players in the NFL. Now for Eli Manning, it was no disrespect to him at all. I didn’t mean any. I respect what he’s done as a player. My gosh, to stay on the field for every game and not get hurt, that alone puts you in the Hall of Fame. He’s on his way to a Hall of Fame career. I know he has two Super Bowl MVPs, so it’s no disrespect to him at all. I was defining the word elite to try to signify those three guys that they stand out in my eyes.

BILL COWHER: It’s like comparing apples and oranges. They’re both great quarterbacks. But Eli Manning right now in my opinion is five years younger.  He’s played in a tougher atmosphere right now than Peyton did, who had a system catered around him and played in a Dome all those years. In the NFC East, you’re playing in the elements. When you look at the playoffs, when you distinguish between the two players, Eli is 8-3, two Super Bowls, two MVPs. Peyton is 9-10 in the playoffs. All I’m saying is I would take Eli Manning over Peyton.

“INSIDE INFORMATION”

(On Oregon Head Coach Chip Kelly moving to NFL job)
JASON LA CANFORA: A lot of NFL executives believe those chances are very good at least in-part because of an on-going probe into possible recruiting violations there. College sources I’ve talked to believe the NCAA will be prepared to move forward with their findings some point shortly after Oregon’s Bowl game. There could be sanctions coming. I can also tell you, recently there have been long interview sessions, six hours-or-more, with some recruiting services and scouting services that Oregon has used in the past. NFL people are saying look when Pete Carroll made the jump to the pros is when the NCAA started sniffing around.

Click to view report: http://www.cbssports.com/video/player/nfl-on-cbs/XwILe0azLRwo

(On possibility of Jon Gruden returning to coaching)
JASON LA CANFORA:  At the very least he’s preparing for that possibility. According to my sources, he’s been putting together a list of possible candidates to join him on his staff. He’s been asking a lot of questions to people, particularly about the college game and things related specifically to the college game. He’s also been studying that Oregon offense up there to see if that Ducks offense would work for him. He’s someone that’s going to be sought after at the college ranks and pro ranks. Arkansas and Tennessee are prepared to get into bidding war over him. Arkansas has been told, their Athletic Department, money is not an object. Tennessee, Jimmy Haslam, the owner of the Browns, is a very big booster of that school. His brother is the Governor of that State. And he’s told people he loves Jon Gruden.

Click to view report: http://www.cbssports.com/video/player/nfl-on-cbs/m8B58HknytY4

DOCTOR, DOCTOR GIVE ME THE NEWS…

THE NFL TODAY’s medical consultant, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, shared his medical expertise regarding the injury to Ben Roethlisberger, the concussions sustained to Jay Cutler, Alex Smith and Michael Vick, as well as the latest medical news.

JAMES BROWN: Jay Cutler and Alex Smith both continue to play in their respective games following the hits that caused their concussions. The players association is called for the presence of independent doctors on the sidelines. Do you agree with that?
DR. ELATTRACHE: You know, I don’t. I think the on-field diagnosis and management of this problem is still the best done between the player and doctor that knows him best, and that is the team physician. Doing that says one of two things. If you put these guys on the sidelines, it either says that the experienced team physicians are not competent to make diagnosis and to manage it on the field or they’re conflicted and wouldn’t do it properly. I can tell you neither one of these things is the case. There is so much attention being paid to this topic right now. All the incentives are aligned, and I think this is still a diagnosis best made between the player on the field and the doctor that knows him best.

QUICK HITS

(On Peyton Manning and the Broncos)
BOOMER ESIASON:  I’m so struck by the brilliance of Peyton Manning and how great he’s been in the first nine weeks of the season. Take a look at this; 2700 yards, almost 70% completion. Look at their schedule, they go from one of the most difficult schedules the first eight games to the easiest schedule the last eight games. I see them at 13?3. They are on a collision course with the Houston Texans to play in the AFC Championship game. But more importantly, Peyton Manning is on pace to have his second-best season ever. That’s eight years later from 2004, in which he threw 49 touchdown passes. That’s four neck surgeries in eight years since that time. Amazing what he’s done.

(On New York Jets’ problems)
BOOMER ESIASON: I’m not going to blame Tim Tebow. It’s not his fault. I put it at the feet of Mike Tannenbaum, the General Manager. The reason I do that is because he brought in Tony Sparano as an offensive coordinator. I thought it was going to be better than it was, and it has not been good. He has a very limited skill group of players around him. Rex Ryan basically is a defensive head coach. The offense is a mess, and really, Mark Sanchez has not played well, probably because of all of those reasons, and adding Tim Tebow to the mix. So to me it’s at the feet of the general manager, Mike Tannenbaum

(On Dallas making the Playoffs)
SHANNON SHARPE: And here’s the thing. I don’t know if Jerry Jones can fire 53 guys and an entire coaching staff. They have eight games remaining. Six of those are at home. If they do not make the playoffs with this kind of cookie schedule, somebody’s got to go.

DAN MARINO VISITS WITH INDIANAPOLIS COLTS ROOKIE QB ANDREW LUCK

THE NFL TODAY’s Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino visited with Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Andrew Luck to talk about the “growing pains” of a rookie quarterback in the NFL, the pressure of replacing future Hall-of-Famer Peyton Manning and also dealing with the absence of his Head Coach Chuck Pagano, who is battling leukemia, while trying to lead his team to a surprising run at the playoffs. Jeff St. Arromand is the producer.

Click to view: http://www.cbssports.com/video/player/nfl-on-cbs/IgLDV1Za6dPU

A couple of more things before we take an evening break.