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Archives for September 2009

CBS’s Boomer on Vick: “I don’t believe he will be a Philadelphia Eagle next year…”

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September 27, 2009

NEWS, NOTES & QUOTES FROM CBS SPORTS’ “THE NFL TODAY” WITH JAMES BROWN, DAN MARINO, SHANNON SHARPE,

BILL COWHER AND BOOMER ESIASON FOR WEEK 3 ON SEPTEMBER 27

► NFL TODAY HOST JAMES BROWN SAT DOWN WITH PHILADELPHIA’S MICHAEL VICK

(On being prepared to take over Eagles’ quarterback spot for whole game should Kolb get injured)

VICK: I can do it.  I can do it and everybody will see that.

(On media saying Vick will only be a “package quarterback”)

VICK: Not at all, that’s not what my future holds.  I know I can play this game.  I know I can play for a long time.  I still have the speed, the quickness and I still have the mind to run an NFL offense.  My future is bright, you know.  I’m excited about it.  I know what I can do, you know.  And I let the critics talk and say what they want to say.  But I will be a starter in this league in the future.

(On what Vick imagined being scenario of his return versus how it’s playing out)

VICK: This isn’t the exact scenario that I thought was going to play out.

JB: What did you think?

VICK: I actually thought I would be playing for a team and actually starting.  But as it turned out, and I think the Lord makes things happen certain ways for certain reasons, and it wasn’t meant for me to be a starter.  It was meant for me to be in the role that I’m in now.  I’ve got time to work to get myself back into playing shape and learn from one of the best quarterbacks in the game.

(On reports of possible rift with Donovan McNabb and their relationship)

VICK: That’s all talk.  That’s just, you know, the critics and the public saying what they want to say and they feel like Donovan and myself can’t co-exist.  And like, how can we not?  We’ve known each other for years.  I grew up patterning my game after Donovan.  I’m delighted to be here and he accepted me with open arms.  He practically helped make the decision for me to come here. 

REACTION TO VICK

BOOMER ESIASON: I think there are four or five teams he could be starting for today, Sunday.  I will say this, I do like the fact that he said he wants to be an instrument of change.  And I do believe that he is legitimate when he says that, and I love watching him talk to the kids as well.  I don’t believe he will be a Philadelphia Eagle next year because of his contract status.  They’ll have to pay him over $5 million if they want to keep him.  I do believe he will be a starting quarterback in this league, and it will be on another team. 

► QUICK HITS

(On transition of NFL becoming a passing vs. running game)

BILL COWHER: The game has changed.  The rules have changed.  I think right now, I hate to say this, but the running game is a complement.  It’s not the foundation that it once was.  You look at the last three AFC teams that were in the Super Bowl, that’s Pittsburgh, New England and Indianapolis.  They’re all passing games.  The running game is a complement. 

DAN MARINO: Coach, do you have a fever? Listen, I can’t believe it.  You’re the purist, run guy always.  The Giants a couple years ago were a running football team, they won the Super Bowl.  And I think if you look around the league, I have to disagree with you.  If you asked any of the head coaches, they would rather have a balanced offense going into any game than throwing 300 times like New England did.  They threw it 50 times and they didn’t win the football game.

(On whether Patriots are same team than before)

BOOMER: Right now I’m going to say no but this is still going to be a great Patriots team.  Tom Brady isn’t even a year removed from his surgery on his left knee for the ACL and MCL tears.  He’s rounding back into shape.  The defense has a lot of different names.  They’ve played reasonably well but you can’t expect Tom Brady to average 50 pass attempts a game and this team to win.  I say today they’ll go back to run the ball, take pressure off Tom Brady and I am not going to panic yet on my Super Bowl pick.  I still tell you he’s the best quarterback in football and that will bear itself out.

COWHER: I say no and I say this for a lot of reasons.  They’ve got a lot of missing components on the defensive side: Seymour, Vrabel, Bruschi, Rodney Harrison and Asante Samuel.  I agree with you, Tom Brady is going to work into it, but this is a football team that has a lot more questions than they have answers.

►“INSIDE THE NFL” WITH CHARLEY CASSERLY

(On Adrian Peterson’s durability)

CASSERLY: The way he runs, his running style, I think he’s putting himself in a position to have a serious injury.  (Clip being shown) Watch here as he lowers his head and uses it as a battering ram to take on the defenders.  Appears to me what he ought to do, when he takes on a defender put a move on him.  If that doesn’t work, get out of bounds or take the blow with his shoulder.  Here are the three things I think he’s putting himself at risk for: Number one, by lowering that head, you have a concussion; Number two he’s got an elongated neck and I think he has a greater potential than the average player for a stinger; and finally if he lowers that head any more he’s got a potential for a cervical spine injury.

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Bradshaw: Vick Should Never Reference ‘Superman’ Again, It’s About Team

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FOX NFL SUNDAY NOTES – 9/27/09

Bradshaw: Vick Should Never Reference ‘Superman’ Again, It’s About Team

Glazer’s Conversation with Vick on Life In Prison

Strahan: Jim Zorn is in Over His Head

Johnson: It’s a Head Coach’s Job to Instill Confidence and Rex Ryan Has Done That

Long: Favre Must Hit Big Plays to Take Pressure Off Peterson

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Co-host Terry Bradshaw on Michael Vick’s outlook: “I heard an interview with Mike this week when he said, ‘Superman isn’t quite ready yet.’ If I had the chance to talk to him I’d say, don’t ever say Superman again. Don’t ever reference me or I again because it’s all about team. Be thankful for Andy Reid and the job he’s doing with you and the fact that the Eagles really do want you there. Be a good team guy. Say how great it is to be a part of the Wildcat and that you’ll do anything you can to help them win.”

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NFL Insider Jay Glazer’s conversation with Mike Vick on life in prison: “In a very revealing and open conversation I had with Mike yesterday, he said, ‘I’m about 80-85% of what I used to be. There’s a big misconception that all you do in jail is workout. I couldn’t really workout. They had a grass field but you couldn’t run on it. You have a couple of days where you can lift weights but it’s too crowded.’ Vick took a night job as a janitor and that’s when he was able to work out. He was able to go downstairs into the basement, use a treadmill and jump some rope. Other than that, Vick said, ‘I started from scratch.’”

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Glazer on Vick trying to stay anonymous and diffusing one altercation while in prison: “Vick told me, ‘the problem is, other than missing your family; you’re in there with 500 other guys. You don’t know if anyone wants to take their frustrations out on you. You don’t know what anyone’s intentions are.’ “He used to be a big star and all the attention was on him and he said, ‘I tried to be as anonymous as possible.’ He did have one altercation while he was there on the basketball court. One guy threatened physical harm to him. He said, ‘the problem is, if you stand up for yourself you risk more jail time. If you don’t, then everybody goes after you. Luckily one of my friends jumped in and said, ‘Mike, this guy has nothing to lose and you have everything to lose and diffused it.’”

Co-host Curt Menefee: “That’s something that Plaxico Burress is facing right now and I know that the two talked and Mike gave him a little advice.”

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Analysts Michael Strahan and Howie Long on Redskins Head Coach Jim Zorn:

Strahan: “You start to wonder if Zorn is in over his head. That’s what I’m starting to wonder.”

Howie: “There are a lot of really high profile coaches sitting at home or on TV sets right now and owner Daniel Snyder tends to have attention-deficit. I think Zorn could be in trouble.”

Co-Host Terry Bradshaw on Jim Zorn: “This was a team that was 6-2 last year before they fell apart. I don’t think he’s going to get canned. I think they’re going to turn this thing around and get better.”

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Analyst Howie Long on Brett Favre having to make some plays to ease the pressure on Adrian Peterson: “Brett Favre so far has been flawless, 77% completion. But 43 of his 48 passes have been for 10 yards or less. He’s going to have to get the ball down the field to Rice and Berrian some point in this game. Does he press a lot in the home opener? He’s got to hit a big play to take some pressure off Peterson.”

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Analyst Jimmy Johnson on playing with confidence:

On Rex Ryan and the Jets: “You heard me say last week that Rex Ryan has a little swagger and it could be a self fulfilling prophecy in effect. Well, the Jets beat the Patriots 16-9. It’s a head coach’s job to instill confidence in his players. Ryan has done that with the underdog Jets. His bravado has them believing they can win. Trust me; it all comes from the leader in his approach. You may not remember, but one year I said, ‘Go ahead and put it in seven inch headlines. Are we going to beat the 49ers? Yes, and win the NFC Championship Game.’ It wasn’t about having guts or bragging. All I wanted to do is let my players know that I had total confidence in them. I had a very good team and I wanted them performing at their highest level. They did and we won the Super Bowl that season.”

On the New England Patriots: “The Patriots are the NFL standard this decade. They play with confidence because they believe they are the best prepared team in the league. I’ve always said, ‘Treat a person as he is, he will remain as he is. Treat a person as if he were what he could be or should be and he’ll become what he could be and should be.”

Cowboys Tony Romo playing with confidence: “The big knock on Tony Romo is that he plays great against teams he should beat but plays tight in big games. This is not about talent, this is about confidence. How do you create confidence? You have to have him so well prepared in those big games that he knows that he will make the play. Also, simplify the game plan to where you don’t put it on his back. The bigger the game, the simpler the plan.”

NHL.com To Stream Victoria Cup & NHL Exhibition Games From Europe

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NHL.COM TO STREAM VICTORIA CUP & NHL EXHIBITION GAMES FROM EUROPE
— NHL Network Telecasting Encore Presentations Of Blackhawks’ Games In Zurich —

NEW YORK (September 28, 2009) – NHL.com this week will stream live three games involving NHL teams facing off against European competition.

The Chicago Blackhawks’ games in Zurich, Switzerland, on both Monday, September 28, against HC Davos (2:15 p.m., ET) and Tuesday, September 29, against ZSC Zurich as part of Victoria Cup 2009 (2:15 p.m., ET) will be streamed live on NHL.com.  Each game can also be seen in its entirety same-day on tape-delay on the NHL Network at 8 p.m., ET, both Monday and Tuesday night.

NHL.com will present a live stream of the Detroit Red Wings as they begin their visit to Sweden with an exhibition game on Wednesday, September 30 (1 p.m., ET) in Karlstad, Sweden, as part of the Compuware / NHL Premiere™ Challenge.  Detroit will face the European club Färjestad BK.

Fans accessing the Internet in Switzerland, Finland and Austria will not be able stream the games featuring the Blackhawks and fans accessing the Internet in Sweden will not be able to stream the game featuring the Red Wings due to restrictions.

Chicago opens the regular-season with a home-and-home set against the Florida Panthers in Helsinki, Finland, as part of Compuware / NHL Premiere™ 2009 on Friday, October 2 and Saturday, October 3.  Detroit will open its 2009-10 NHL regular-season against the St. Louis Blues in Stockholm, Sweden, on Friday, October 2 and Saturday, October 3.

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Filed Under: NHL

ESPN and NBA Digital Team Up for ESPN NBA.com Fantasy Basketball

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ESPN and NBA Digital Team Up for ESPN NBA.com Fantasy Basketball

Distinctive Collaboration includes Official Game on both ESPN.com and NBA.com,
Multi-Platform Content and Co-Promotion

NBA Digital and ESPN announced today a unique multi-year agreement that will make ESPN NBA.com Fantasy Basketball, the official commissioner-style fantasy basketball game for both ESPN.com and NBA.com.  The collaboration between NBA Digital and ESPN means that fantasy sports players on two of the leading NBA destinations online will now have a single, integrated game and access to the very best fantasy basketball content online and on mobile devices.  The companies will also develop cross-platform promotions through a multitude of ESPN and NBA Digital platforms.

“This collaboration takes NBA Digital’s multi-platform philosophy to unprecedented levels,” said Bryan Perez, senior vice president and general manager, NBA Digital.  “By marrying the TV, internet and wireless assets of ESPN and NBA Digital, fantasy sports fans will be able to engage in the game and related content in more ways than have ever been offered in the fantasy arena.”

“Working together with NBA Digital on ESPN NBA.com Fantasy Basketball builds upon the great, multi-faceted relationship we have with the NBA and will provide fans with the very best fantasy basketball game and content available,” said John Kosner, senior vice president and general manager, ESPN Digital Media.  “Fans will benefit this season and in seasons ahead from new innovations and an enhanced interactive experience, while advertisers will get more value than ever before from their connection to a best-of-breed multi-platform game and content experience.”

The game is available now on NBA.com and ESPN.com and on ESPN and NBA mobile Web sites.  Fans will be able to manage their teams with the latest information on their players, check scores and set their lineups.  Following a record-setting season for the free league manager-style fantasy game on ESPN.com (including nearly 40 times the growth in participation from the previous season) ESPN NBA.com Fantasy Basketball will allow players to create leagues and teams, schedule drafts, conduct mock drafts and more. Other features include:

  • Integrated access to all the leading NBA Digital and ESPN Fantasy news, analysis and information including video, podcasts, columns, features and more;
  • NBA TV and ESPN studio personalities competing in the game throughout the season;
  • Mobile companions allowing team management through the ESPN and NBA mobile Web sites, as well as a downloadable Draft Kit mobile application developed by ESPN;
  • A co-branded and cohesive marketing campaign featuring 2008 Olympic Gold Medalists Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic) and Deron Williams (Utah Jazz), three-time NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas (Washington Wizards), and reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls).

As part of the agreement, ESPN and NBA Digital will cross promote the game and the Fantasy Draft Kit across their multiple media platforms.  ESPN and NBA Digital will work together to develop new features throughout the 2009-10 NBA regular season (begins Tuesday, October 27) and in seasons ahead, including the integration of video from the NBA Digital and ESPN libraries.  In addition, ESPN and NBA Digital will jointly develop sponsorship packages and co-marketing initiatives around ESPN NBA.com Fantasy Basketball.

About ESPN and The NBA
ESPN’s comprehensive, multi-year agreement with the NBA includes wide-reaching multi-media coverage and content across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, ESPN Classic, ESPN Deportes, ESPNU, ESPN International, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN360.com, ESPN Mobile, ESPN podcasts and additional media platforms still to be developed.  ESPN and ABC combine to televise 90 regular-season games, plus each round of the postseason – including The Finals exclusively on ABC.  ESPN Radio also offers season-long broadcasts including the regular season, postseason (including The Finals) and All-Star events.

About NBA Digital
NBA Digital is a landmark partnership between the NBA and Turner Sports to jointly manage the NBA’s digital assets, which include NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA League Pass, NBADLeague.com and WNBA.com.

NBA.com is the official online destination for the National Basketball Association (NBA). Launched in 1995, the site is home to such unique online features as NBA LEAGUE PASS Broadband, a robust library of on-demand video, fantasy games, NBAStore.com and links to the official Web sites of all 30 NBA teams.

Turner Sports, a division of Turner Broadcasting, Inc., presents some of the best and most popular sporting events worldwide and is a leader in televised and online sports programming. With events airing on TBS and TNT, Turner Sports’ lineup includes NASCAR and NASCAR.COM, the NBA, Major League Baseball, professional golf, PGATour.com and PGA.com.

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MLB Network to Feature Minnesota Twins at Detroit Tigers Today and Tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. ET

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MLB NETWORK ANNOUNCES LIVE GAMES FOR TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29

Pennant Race Matchup Features a Battle for the A.L. Central Title between Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers

Secaucus, N.J., September 28, 2009 – MLB Network today announced its “Pennant Race” game for Tuesday, September 29, featuring an American League Central showdown between the Minnesota Twins at Detroit Tigers at 7:00 p.m. ET featuring Twins pitcher Brian Duensing against Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander. Only two games separate the Twins from the A.L. Central first-place Tigers as a four-game series begins on MLB Network today at 7:00 p.m. ET featuring Twins pitcher Nick Blackburn against Tigers pitcher Rick Porcello.

The two games, which will be blacked out in the Twins’ and Tigers’ home television territories, will be simulcasts of the Fox Sports Minnesota local broadcast, including local announcers. MLB Network viewers in the Twins’ and Tigers’ home television territories will see the Toronto Blue Jays at Boston Red Sox at 7:00 p.m. ET today and the Florida Marlins at Atlanta Braves at 7:00 p.m. ET tomorrow. Additional live games for the week will be announced coinciding with MLB Network’s selection windows.

MLB Network launched on January 1, 2009 as the largest debut in cable television history and is currently available in approximately 53 million cable and satellite homes. With live games, original programming, highlights, classic games, and coverage of baseball events, MLB Network is the ultimate television destination for baseball fans. For more information and to find MLB Network in your area, go to mlbnetwork.com.

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FOXSports.com: Vikings DE Jared Allen Guest Hosts THE AFTER PARTY Today at 1:00 PM ET

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THE AFTER PARTY WITH GUEST HOST JARED ALLEN

Fresh off a miraculous Week 3 win, Vikings defensive end Jared Allen takes over for Jay Glazer as host of The After Party. See the NFL’s most infamous mullet aficionado discuss the Vikings big win over the 49ers, Favre’s big TD throw to win the game and the Vikings upcoming game against the Packers.

Also on menu: Lions get their first win; Browns players file a grievance against Eric Mangini and what three things Jay Glazer is actually doing on his day off.

http://msn.foxsports.com/lunchwithbenefits

FOXSports.com on MSN is a leading sports Website that delivers exclusive commentary and sports video, breaking news, real-time stats and fantasy games to more than 14 million unique visitors every month. FOXSports.com is the online extension of FOX Sports television coverage and is the exclusive provider of sports content for MSN.com in the US, located at http://msn.foxsports.com. FOXSports.com is an industry leader in the delivery of sports content to mobile devices.  Sports fans can access the latest scores, stats and news while on the go from FOXSports.com on MSN Mobile, simply by entering FOXSports.com on their Web-enabled mobile phones, or texting SPORTS to either 36977 or FOXSP.

Gamecocks Boost ‘Upset Thursday’ Tradition on ESPN

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Gamecocks Boost ‘Upset Thursday’ Tradition on ESPN

With South Carolina’s 16-10 defeat of No. 4 Ole Miss, eight times in the last year an unranked team has pulled off an impressive defeat of a team ranked among the Top 25 under the lights of Thursday night’s ESPN College Football Primetime presented by Applebee’s.

Ironically, South Carolina was the victim in the first of the eight upsets, a 24-17 loss to Vanderbilt in September 2008 while the Gamecocks were ranked No. 24. On Sept. 25, 2008, the unranked Beavers of Oregon State topped then-No. 1 USC in Corvallis in perhaps the most stunning Thursday upset. In all but one of the eight – Pitt’s win over No. 10 USF – the ranked team was the away team.

2008    Game
Sep 4 Vanderbilt 24, No. 24 South Carolina 17
Sep 18 Colorado 17, No. 21 W. Virginia 14 (OT)
Sep 25 Oregon State 27, No. 1 USC 21
Oct 2 Pittsburgh 26, No. 10 South Florida 21
Oct 30 Cincinnati 24, No. 23 South Florida 10
Nov 6 Virginia Tech 23, No. 23 Maryland 13
Nov 20 Georgia Tech 41, No. 23 Miami (Fla.) 23
2009    Game
Sep 24 South Carolina 16, No. 4 Ole Miss 10

ESPN college football analyst Jesse Palmer, who, along with play-by-play announcer Chris Fowler and fellow analyst Craig James, was in the booth for each of the Thursday night upsets, said at the time that the Oregon State victory was one of the most exciting games he has witnessed.

“We always say at ESPN every week that every game can change the season,” Palmer said. “A lot of our Thursday games have helped define seasons. It’s ‘Upset Thursday.’ It’s exciting to be part of that, knowing Thursday’s matchups are games that shape the college football landscape.”

The Gamecocks’ upset victory Thursday was also a special thrill for the former University of Florida quarterback to watch. Palmer played at UF for coach Steve Spurrier, now the head coach at South Carolina.

“Watching a team that has for the last four years tried to be taken very seriously in the SEC – I think the history … that’s the first time South Carolina has beaten a top-five team at home in the history of the school,” Palmer said. “That’s what stood out. To win these types of games, Spurrier and that program took a very big step last night.”

Upcoming 2009 ESPN College Football Primetime presented by Applebee’s Schedule
(All games on ESPN, all times Eastern)

Date    Matchup
Oct 1   Colorado at West Virginia (7:30 p.m.)
Oct 8   Nebraska at Missouri (9 p.m.)
Oct 15  Cincinnati at USF (7:30 p.m.)
Oct 22  FSU at North Carolina (8 p.m.)
Oct 29  UNC at Va Tech (7:30 p.m.)
Nov 5   Va Tech at ECU (7:30 p.m.)
Nov 12  USF at Rutgers (7:30 p.m.)
Nov 19  Colorado at Okla State (7:30 p.m.)
Nov 26  Texas at Texas A&M (8 p.m.)
Dec 3   Oregon St at Oregon (9 p.m.)

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World Championship Boxing Nov. 7: Dawson vs. Johnson I

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HBO SPORTS® PRESENTS A LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT REMATCH WHEN

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING®:  CHAD DAWSON VS. GLEN JOHNSON II

AND ALFREDO ANGULO VS. HARRY JOE YORGEY

IS SEEN LIVE SATURDAY, NOV. 7 ON HBO®

HBO Sports presents a highly anticipated rematch between two accomplished ring warriors when WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING:  CHAD DAWSON VS. GLEN JOHNSON II AND ALFREDO ANGULO VS. HARRY JOE YORGEY is seen live SATURDAY, NOV. 7 (9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT) from the XL Center in Hartford, Conn.  The WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING team will be ringside for the event, to be presented in HDTV and in Spanish on HBO Latino.

Other HBO playdates:  Nov. 8 (9:00 a.m.) and 9 (11:00 p.m.)

HBO2 playdates:  Nov. 8 (2:30 p.m.) and 10 (midnight)

Hailing from New Haven, Conn., undefeated Chad Dawson (28-0, 17 KOs) first won a world title in 2007, dominating undefeated Tomasz Adamek and subsequently compiling an impressive list of victories that includes two unanimous decisions over former world champ Antonio Tarver and a controversial victory over Glen Johnson by unanimous decision in April 2008.  Putting his perfect record on the line once again, the 27-year-old Dawson looks to silence any doubters and reaffirm his place at the top of the sport.

A former light heavyweight champion and Boxing Writers Association of America “Fighter of the Year” selection, 40-year-old Glen Johnson (49-12-2, 33 KOs) is one of the top competitors in this deep division.  The Jamaican-born resident of Miami, Fla. captured a world light heavyweight title in 2004 and has lately experienced a career renaissance, winning seven of his last nine bouts, his only losses being close decisions to Clinton Woods and Dawson.

The opening bout is a potentially explosive battle, as rising star Alfredo Angulo (16-1, 13 KOs) of Coachella, Cal. meets Harry Joe Yorgey (22-0-1, 10 KOs) of Bridgeport, Pa. in a ten-round junior middleweight encounter.  Angulo has been climbing the 154-pound ladder quickly; Yorgey is a crafty, all-action fighter seeking to slow down the power-hitting knockout artist.

The live doubleheader will be accompanied by the debut of the third episode of “24/7 Pacquiao/Cotto” at 9:00 p.m. (ET)/8:45 p.m. (PT).

All WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING events are broadcast in HDTV.  HBO viewers must have access to the HBO HDTV channel to watch HBO programming in high definition.

The executive producer of WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is Rick Bernstein; producer, Thomas Odelfelt; director, Marc Payton.

HBO and related channels and service marks are the property of Home Box Office, Inc.

Big Ten Football and Basketball To Air Nationwide On SIRIUS XM Radio

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BigTen_Color

BIG TEN FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL TO AIR NATIONWIDE ON SIRIUS XM RADIO

NEW YORK – September 25, 2009 – SIRIUS XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) and Learfield Sports announced today an agreement to broadcast Big Ten Conference football and men’s basketball games to listeners nationwide.

Starting tomorrow, September 26, SIRIUS XM will begin airing live play-by-play of every Big Ten football game through the end of the regular season.  A schedule of Big Ten men’s basketball games on SIRIUS XM will be announced at a later date.

“Year after year the Big Ten boasts some of the country’s best teams and we’re thrilled to have these games as part of our college sports lineup,” said Steve Cohen, SIRIUS XM’s SVP of Sports Programming.  “With SIRIUS XM, Big Ten fans and alumni will be able to follow their teams from anywhere in the continental U.S., and college sports fans around the country will have access to some of the season’s best matchups.”

“We’re thrilled to have completed this agreement in time for tomorrow’s games,” said Learfield Sports’ Senior Vice President Mike Behymer.  “Big Ten Conference fans will be happy to catch their favorite University game action on satellite radio every week throughout the season.”

This weekend’s Big Ten Football on SIRIUS XM:  (All times ET)

SIRIUS                XM

Channels:        Channels:
Away    Home   Away    Home

Date/Kickoff Time                                                      Feed     Feed     Feed     Feed

Sat    9/26   12:00 PM   Minnesota @ Northwestern                  158                   197

Sat    9/26   12:00 PM   Michigan St. @ Wisconsin                   123                   144

Sat    9/26   12:00 PM   Indiana @ Michigan                             121       198       103**

Sat    9/26   3:30 PM     Illinois @ Ohio State                           123                   144

Sat    9/26   8:00 PM     Iowa @ Penn State                             152                   196

Sat    9/26   8:00 PM     Notre Dame @ Purdue             159       130       117       197

** Denotes “Best of SIRIUS” channel on XM

Schedule subject to change.

Learfield Sports manages multimedia rights including the radio networks to more than 50 collegiate institutions and associations including the Big Ten Conference and six of its members – Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Penn State, Purdue and Wisconsin.  SIRIUS XM has existing agreements to broadcast football and basketball games from Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan State.

SIRIUS XM also broadcasts live games from SEC, ACC, Big 12, Big East, Pac-10, Conference USA, Mountain West Conference and Ivy League.  For more information on SIRIUS XM’s college sports programming and a schedule of upcoming games, visit www.sirius.com/collegesports or www.xmradio.com/collegesports.

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About SIRIUS XM Radio

SIRIUS XM Radio is America’s satellite radio company delivering to subscribers commercial-free music channels, premier sports, news, talk, entertainment, and traffic and weather.

SIRIUS XM Radio has content relationships with an array of personalities and artists, including Howard Stern, Martha Stewart, Oprah Winfrey, Jimmy Buffett, Jamie Foxx, Barbara Walters, Opie & Anthony, Bubba the Love Sponge®, The Grateful Dead, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, and Bob Edwards. SIRIUS XM Radio is the leader in sports programming as the Official Satellite Radio Partner of the NFL, Major League Baseball®, NASCAR®, NBA, NHL®, and PGA TOUR®, and broadcasts major college sports.

SIRIUS XM Radio has arrangements with every major automaker. SIRIUS XM Radio products are available at shop.sirius.com and shop.xmradio.com, and at retail locations nationwide, including Best Buy, RadioShack, Wal-Mart and independent retailers.

SIRIUS XM Radio also offers SIRIUS Backseat TV, the first ever live in-vehicle rear seat entertainment featuring Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and Cartoon Network; XM NavTraffic® service for GPS navigation systems delivers real-time traffic information, including accidents and road construction, for more than 80 North American markets.

About Learfield Sports

Learfield Sports also oversees marketing partnerships for the Black Coaches & Administrators (BCA) and provides exclusive sports programming to more than 1,000 radio stations nationwide.  The company, which is title partner of the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup, is an operating unit of Jefferson City, Mo.-based Learfield Communications, Inc., which made its initial foray into the world of sports marketing in 1975 as the radio rights holder for the University of Missouri.  Additionally, Team Services, LLC, a Learfield Sports company, specializes in venue naming rights, marketing research and sales consultation. For more about the company and its complete portfolio, visit learfieldsports.com.

ESPN’s Weekend and Monday NFL Studio Features

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ESPN’s Weekend and Monday NFL Studio Features

ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown Presented by IBM will preview the day’s matchups Sunday at 11 a.m. ET with Chris Berman and analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson and Keyshawn Johnson. ESPN senior analyst Chris Mortensen and NFL insider Adam Schefter will provide headlines and league news.

The program will include reports from Rachel Nichols covering the Tennessee Titans at New York Jets, Sal Paolantonio at the Chiefs – Eagles game, and Michael Smith in Foxboro, Mass., for the Falcons at Patriots. Other highlights:

Rex and Buddy Ryan: Under new head coach Rex Ryan, son of former NFL coach and architect of the 1985 Bears’ “46” defense Buddy Ryan, the Jets defense has yet to allow a touchdown in two games. Rachel Nichols profiles the relationship between Rex and his father.

The Hill: The 2-0 start by the 49ers can be traced back to the off-season when new head coach Mike Singletary ordered 2,500 tons of dirt and had a 45-foot hill built as part of the team’s new conditioning program. Trent Dilfer visits with Singletary and his players as they discuss the benefit of what they call “Mount Pain” and “Hamstring Hill.”

Panic or Patience – 0-2 Teams: Countdown debates which 0-2 teams’ (Chiefs, Dolphins, Browns, Bucs, Jaguars, Lions, Panthers, Rams and Titans) fans should panic or be patient.

Tom Brady – Film Room: Dilfer goes in the film room to show what’s different this season about Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and how he it can be fixed.

Mayne Event: The Catch: Some 49ers’ greats of the past still feel they have yet to get the credit they deserve for their roles in “The Catch” – the historic throw and catch from quarterback Joe Montana to Dwight Clark late in the fourth quarter of the 1982 NFC Championship (Cowboys at 49ers). In this week’s “Mayne Event,” Kenny Mayne tells the story of the catch through the eyes and memories of these 49ers’ greats.

EA Sports Virtual Playbook: Steelers Run Game: Through two games, the Super Bowl champion Steelers rank 28th in the league in rushing. Tom Jackson breaks down what happened to Pittsburgh’s running game.

Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em with Matthew Berry and Merril Hoge: ESPN’s fantasy football guru Matthew Berry and NFL analyst Merril Hoge debate which players to start or sit this weekend.

Berman, Carter, Ditka, Jackson and Johnson will pick the biggest games of the day and tell fans which players will make the biggest impact in NFL’s Week 3 action. The list of game picks will be posted on www.espn.com/sundaycountdown after the show.

MONDAY NIGHT COUNTDOWN, 7 P.M. ON ESPN

Monday Night Countdown Served by Applebee’s with Berman, Carter, Ditka, Jackson, Johnson, Mortensen and Schefter (in Bristol) and Stuart Scott, Matt Millen and Steve Young (at the MNF game in Dallas) will review Sunday’s games and preview Monday Night Football. The 90-minute, pre-game show will lead into the kickoff of the Carolina Panthers at Dallas Cowboys (8:30 p.m.) game, featuring Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and Ron Jaworski – the first for Monday Night Football at the new Cowboys Stadium.

Reporters Suzy Kolber (Panthers) and Michele Tafoya (Cowboys) will cover the teams. Other highlights:

Tony Romo Soundtracks: In-game audio and highlights from Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, who was wired for sound in Dallas’ season-opening victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

ESPN The Magazine’s “For Love or the Game” – DeMarcus Ware: Cowboys linebacker DeMarcus Ware’s wife, Taniqua, is paired with teammate Bradie James to find out which of them knows more about Ware in this week’s “For love or the Game.”

EA Sports Virtual Playbook – Delhomme’s Problems: Jackson takes viewers on the field to show why Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme and wide receiver Steve Smith are having problems getting on the same page.

WEEKLY MONDAY NIGHT COUNTDOWN SEGMENTS

TEAMS AT 20 – Every 20 minutes reporters Tafoya and Kolber will update news from the teams in their preparations for the game, beginning with NFL Live at 3:30 p.m.

FIELD PASS – Countdown offers an all-access look at pre-game preparations as the players get ready for kickoff. Analysts will also breakdown the important storylines and key players before the game.

C’MON MAN – Countdown personalities share their head-scratching plays from Week 3.

In addition, Monday Night Football’s Tirico, Jaworski and Gruden will preview the night’s match-up, with Mortensen and Schefter covering breaking news from around the league, and the Countdown analysts offering their “Lead Pipe Lock” predictions for the game.

NFL MATCHUP, SUNDAY 3 A.M. AND 7:30 A.M. ON ESPN

NFL Matchup with host Sal Paolantonio and analysts Merril Hoge and Ron Jaworski will preview the weekend’s games by bringing viewers inside the film room for the Xs and Os analysis of the matchups. The 30-minute program – taped each week at NFL Films in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey – highlights team strategy and game planning. This week’s features:

Titans @ Jets – Identifying how the Texans successfully attacked Tennessee’s defense last week, Hoge projects how the Jets offense, with tight end Dustin Keller, can do the same Sunday.

Giants @ Buccaneers – Jaworski displays how Giants wide receiver Mario Manningham was able to draw coverage and open up the rest of the field for other receivers against Dallas.

Steelers @ Bengals – Hoge unveils how running back Cedric Benson and the Bengals offense should attack Pittsburgh on the ground.

Falcons @ Patriots – Hoge goes to the ‘Film Room’ and breaks down how Atlanta would create mismatches with tight end Tony Gonzalez against New England’s linebackers.

Panthers @ Cowboys – Jaworski illustrates how the Cowboys continue to transition to a run-based offense and how running back Felix Jones, a dynamic playmaker, needs more touches.

Colts @ Cardinals – Jaworski shows how Colts quarterback Peyton Manning has the uncanny ability to find and exploit mismatches in the passing game.

49ers @ Vikings – Hoge pulls out his ‘Coaches Clicker’ to show how the 49ers can attack the Vikings between the tackles.

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