“THE NFL ON CBS” TRAVELS TO FOXBOROUGH FOR

2012 AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME AS

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS HOST BALTIMORE RAVENS LIVE ON CBS ON SUNDAY, JAN. 22

EXCERPTS FROM AFC CHAMPIONSHIP CONFERENCE CALL ON JAN. 17

THE NFL ON CBS, celebrating its 52nd year broadcasting the NFL, travels to Foxborough, Mass. for the 2012 American Football Conference Championship Game on Sunday, Jan. 22 (3:00 PM, ET) as the AFC North Champions and No. 2-seeded BALTIMORE RAVENS (13-4) take on the AFC East Champions and No. 1-seeded NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (14-3) live on the CBS Television Network.

CBS Sports’ lead announce team of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms call the action, along with Steve Tasker 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 (2:00 PM, ET) with host James Brown and analysts Dan Marino, Boomer Esiason, Shannon Sharpe and Bill Cowher, as well as NFL TODAY “General Manager” Charley Casserly, 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.

* * * * *

EXCERPTS FROM AFC CHAMPIONSHIP CONFERENCE CALL

SEAN McMANUS, Chairman, CBS Sports and Executive Producer, THE NFL ON CBS

(On anticipation of AFC Championship Game): It seems that almost every weekend one of the networks is making a statement about how great their NFL ratings are, and the fact that all three broadcast partners have had such a good year in the NFL, I think is just good news for the NFL in general, and certainly good news for the NFL on television. It is a sport that seems to get bigger and better and stronger every single year.

There is great anticipation based on what has happened in the playoffs so far to see what is going to happen this Sunday. We are excited about Sunday, and in a more generic way, we are excited about the NFL and for what the future holds for the NFL and CBS.

PHIL SIMMS

(On Tom Brady): I think his play speaks for itself. I think what is interesting is that he’s had a tremendous career with three distinct, different-style offenses. I think that says a lot about him. It says a lot about the coaching up in New England. When I watch them now, and see their offense, the tight ends and how they use them, I mean, really, it’s like going back 25 years in the NFL. That’s the way it used to be. The tight ends were such a big part and then they got phased out by wide receivers…I think the week off, he let his body heal and it showed in his play. It really showed in his ability just to throw it and pinpoint everything.

(On Joe Flacco): I thought he played very well (against Houston), not good, not well, very well. It’s just the way it is. They are a team not built and designed for the quarterback to be the superstar. And I think he does a very good job of handling everything that is given to him and the opportunities that are presented to him.

(On Baltimore’s defense stopping New England’s offense): The only way I think to completely stop the New England offense, to do what people want to get done, it’s all about the pass rush. That’s hard to do when you have an offense that can get rid of the football. They can hurry-up. They have a library of plays that is second-to-none. There are a lot of good plans and good thought processes. The reality is, they (New England) are good and they are going to make their plays.

(On memories of Giants-49ers rivalry during his career): The games were awesome. It was a great setting out there. Of course that hasn’t changed. That stadium is still the same. Those locker rooms are still as bad, probably. But there was something very good about it, all those great stars. I remember our playoff victories in our stadium. And of course, I remember the playoff losses out there, too, which were pretty rough. When we lost out there, we took beatings and we knew when the game was over, they were the better team. I always told people, and I mean this in a light-hearted way, when my career was over I’ll never get over the Dallas Cowboys and I’ll never get over the San Francisco 49ers because it just seemed like there were so many big, high-profile games against both.

* * * * *

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 8

►QUICK HITS

(On Tim Tebow and Denver)

SHANNON SHARPE: He’s finding out now you can’t win the football game all the time with one way, and that’s running the football. If he can’t throw the football, he needs to have about 15 completions for about 150 (yards), provided they get another 150-plus running the football. They can win the ballgame.

DAN MARINO: It’s been a great story for Denver. All the fourth quarter comebacks, they’ve won their division but I think losing three games in a row, going into the playoffs has to affect them. It has to be in the back of their mind. And I’ll tell you this, today they better be able to run the football and run it well early and take pressure off of Tim Tebow or it will be a long day.

(On Ben Roethlisberger and Pittsburgh)

BOOMER ESIASON: I love his big‑game ability. I love the fact that he comes up with a big play at the most opportune moment in the game. Today I don’t know if he can do that. I think that the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to win today.

(On Pittsburgh-Denver)

DAN MARINO: I agree it’s going to be a low-scoring game. But I’m not so sure Denver is going to score a touchdown. I’m looking at this. John Elway said Tim Tebow has to pull the trigger and that’s without a doubt against the Pittsburgh Steelers he’ll have to be successful throwing the football.

BOOMER:This game is going to be a lot closer than people think specifically because of the inability of the Pittsburgh offense to make big plays, because they used to come off of his (Roethliberger) ability to move around in the pocket.

► DAN MARINO TALKS WITH BRONCOS FOX, TEBOW, BAILEY AND DUMERVIL

The Denver Broncos boast the top rushing attack in the NFL, but will the Tebow magic return in time to overcome the defending AFC champion Steelers? Dan Marino sits down with Head Coach John Fox, Tim Tebow, Champ Bailey and Elvis Dumervil.

 

Click to view: http://bit.ly/wIfvdY

 

 

►“INSIDE THE NFL” WITH CHARLEY CASSERLY

 

(On Coaching job updates)

Click to view: http://bit.ly/wc8zYo

 

(On future of Peyton Manning)

Click to view: http://bit.ly/xSOWGN

 

(On Sam Bradford’s future with Rams)

Click to view: http://bit.ly/wX8wJV

 

* * * * *

“THE NFL ON CBS” BEGINS AFC PLAYOFF COVERAGE WITH

PITTSBURGH STEELERS-DENVER BRONCOS WILD CARD GAME #2 ON SUNDAY, JAN. 8

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

“THE NFL TODAY” ANALYST BILL COWHER

THE NFL ON CBS, continues its 52nd year broadcasting the NFL with coverage of the 2012 American Football Conference Playoffs with the national broadcast of Wild Card Playoff Game #2 on Sunday, Jan. 8 (4:30 PM, ET) live on the CBS Television Network. The No. 5-seeded PITTSBURGH STEELERS (12-4) visit the AFC West Champions and No. 4-seeded DENVER BRONCOS (8-8). THE NFL ON CBS’s coverage begins with THE NFL TODAY, the Network’s studio show (4:00-4:30 PM, ET), live from the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City.

THE NFL ON CBS lead announce team of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms call the action live from Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colo. 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-Denver): A lot of people have these preconceived notions about this game. But I’ll be surprised if it’s not close because the Broncos have a style and the talent to keep it close, no matter what, especially playing at home. There are exceptions, Detroit, but that took some unusual circumstances. Denver is built to make this game close. That is what they want. And then they hope either Tim Tebow or the defense makes a play at a crucial moment to win.

BILL COWHER

(On Pittsburgh-Denver): From Denver’s standpoint, the biggest key to this game is, obviously, they cannot turn the ball over. Defensively, it’s going to be trying to put pressure on Ben Roethlisberger. Another key is for Von Miller andElvis Dumervil being able to break down the pocket against Ben. For Pittsburgh, it’s going to be dealing with the unconventional offense that Denver runs. You’re going to see a lot of Troy Polamalu close to the line of scrimmage. It’s eliminating the big plays in the Broncos running game. That’s the one thing you’ll see. Willis McGahee has been their big-play person. They can’t fall asleep on the pass, and certainly they’re going to have to defend the option game that they present.

(Have teams figured out Tim Tebow?): The key for Denver is to get away from what they’ve been doing because they’ve been very predictable. Teams definitely know what to take away from Tebow – and defending the right side of the field with a left-handed quarterback. In order to be successful against Pittsburgh, they’re going to have to do something unconventional and unpredictable.

* * * * *

 

Following are THE NFL ON CBS assignments for the AFC Playoffs (subject to change).

 

AFC WILD CARD GAME #2 – Jan. 8, 2012 

GAME                                    PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST         PRODUCER/DIRECTOR

4:30 PM, ET starts:

Pittsburgh @ Denver                Jim Nantz/Phil Simms                        Lance Barrow/Mike Arnold 

 

AFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF GAME #1 – Saturday, Jan. 14 

GAME                                    PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST         PRODUCER/DIRECTOR

8:00 PM, ET starts:

TBD @ New England                          TBD

 

AFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF GAME #2 – Sunday, Jan. 15 

GAME                                    PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST         PRODUCER/DIRECTOR

1:00 PM, ET start:

TBD @ Baltimore                                TBD

 

 

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – Sunday, Jan. 22 

GAME                                    PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST         PRODUCER/DIRECTOR

3:00 PM, ET start:

TBD                                         Jim Nantz/Phil Simms                        Lance Barrow/Mike Arnold 

 

* * * * *

“THE NFL TODAY’s” DAN MARINO SITS DOWN WITH DENVER BRONCOS
HEAD COACH JOHN FOX, TIM TEBOW, CHAMP BAILEY AND ELVIS DUMERVIL FOR WILD CARD WEEK OF
“THE NFL TODAY” ON SUNDAY, JAN. 8

THE NFL ON CBS, continues its 52nd year broadcasting the NFL with coverage of the 2012 American Football Conference Playoffs with the national broadcast of Wild Card Playoff Game #2 on Sunday, Jan. 8 (4:30 PM, ET) live on the CBS Television Network. The No. 5-seeded PITTSBURGH STEELERS (12-4) visit the AFC West Champions and No. 4-seeded DENVER BRONCOS (8-8). THE NFL ON CBS’s coverage begins with THE NFL TODAY, the Network’s studio show (4:00-4:30 PM, ET), live from the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City.

THE NFL TODAY’s Dan Marino previews the Pittsburgh-Denver game by sitting down with Broncos head coach John Fox, quarterback Tim Tebow, and all-pro defensive stars CB Champ Bailey and DE Elvis Dumervil to talk about their game plan to beat the Steelers and whether they can regain their winning ways.

The AFC West Champion Broncos are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2005. After winning six in a row to improve to 8-5, the Broncos have lost three straight as they host the Pittsburgh Steelers. Denver, led by Tebow and the rejuvenated RB Willis McGahee, boasts the top rushing attack in the NFL. But will the Tebow magic return in time to overcome the defending AFC champion Steelers, who feature the league’s overall No. 1 defense? Deb Gelman is the producer.

Jim Nantz and Phil Simms report live from Denver on the Steelers-Broncos game. And Lesley Visser reports live from East Rutherford, N.J. on the New York Giants-Atlanta NFC Wild Card game.

James Brown hosts THE NFL TODAY, along with analysts Marino, Boomer Esiason, Shannon Sharpe and Bill Cowher, NFL TODAY “General Manager” Charley Casserly, 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.

* * * * *

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 JANUARY 1

►QUICK HITS

(On Pittsburgh playing Ben Roethlisberger)

BILL COWHER: I would not play him because it’s about risk and reward. Bottom line, I think I can beat Cleveland with Charlie Batch. And I know I cannot win a championship without Ben Roethlisberger. So if he’s healthy enough to start. Why not back him up? Keep an eye on that game in Cincinnati, and how Charlie is playing. He played well last week. If they have to play next week, why risk him going out there and re-injuring that ankle. I would not take that risk.

(On Cincinnati against Baltimore)

BOOMER ESIASON: I love the Bengals to come of age today.

(On Denver)

COWHER: The most pressure on any quarterback today is on Tim Tebow. And I think he goes down to the Kansas City Chiefs.

(On Playoff scenario)

DAN MARINO: I think Baltimore’s going to be the fifth seed. Baltimore has not been a good road team all year. And A.J. Green is coming back for Cincinnati, that means Pittsburgh’s got to beat Cleveland, which I think will happen. They will be the No. 2 seed, and Cincinnati gets in the playoffs today.

► CHALK TALK

(On New England’s Tom Brady)

BOOMER: After last year’s Jets playoff loss, he said, ‘I’ll never get over that.’ I believe that’s fueling him this year. The most competitive player in the NFL, Tom Brady, will take his team to the Super Bowl.

(On Indianapolis’s Peyton Manning)

COWHER: If he’s not willing to restructure a $28 million bonus that is due on March 8th, he will not be in Indianapolis next year.

(On Cowboys-Giants)

SHANNON SHARPE: I like the Giants because these guys (Boomer and Marino) tell me all the time, it’s all about the quarterback. I played with a pretty good one in Denver. Winner takes all – I’m going with the better quarterback. I want Eli Manning.

(On Denver’s Tim Tebow)

SHARPE: This is the biggest game of Tim Tebow’s career. Everybody talks about the fourth quarter comebacks – all of that will be forgotten. You lose this game today, in your building, it doesn’t matter if you had five, seven, eight, 10 fourth-quarter comebacks, it’s all for naught. But I do believe that the Broncos will win a close ballgame, say 13‑10.

BOOMER: Well, all I know is I like John Elway. I always say great things about John. But this was a major screw‑up of mammoth proportions if Kyle Orton comes in here and beats them. You never release a player during the season. You heard Charley say it in segment two with J.B., that can come back and haunt you somewhere along the line. You have to control that. I don’t care what the owner says, you just can’t release the player.

►“INSIDE THE NFL” WITH CHARLEY CASSERLY

ON COACHES ON HOT SEAT

Click to view: http://bit.ly/rBCMHb

CASSERLY: Let’s start with Philadelphia and Andy Reid. I expect Andy Reid to be back as head coach of the Eagles next year. As far as defensive coordinator Juan Castillo, as of yesterday, no decision had been made. However it is Andy Reid’s total decision. Now to the New York Giants and Tom Coughlin. He will be back next year as head coach, entering the last year of his contract. A decision has not been made on an extension. Here’s Jim Caldwell, Indianapolis Colts. There is strong sentiment in the building to bring him back because of how hard the Colts have played this year. Next up in San Diego, Norv Turner. I do not expect him to be back as head coach. However, I look for him to get many opportunities as an offensive coordinator in the league. Finally,

in St. Louis, expect changes to be made there and Steve Spagnuolo to be out as head coach. However, he’ll be a highly sought after defensive coordinator next year in the NFL.

ON ADRIAN PETERSON’S RECOVERY

Click to view: http://bit.ly/sQswMh

* * * * *

THE NFL ON CBS: WEEK 17 (SUNDAY, JAN. 1, 2012)

AUDIBLES WITH “THE NFL ON CBS’s” DAN FOUTS

The CBS Television Network continues its 52nd year broadcasting the NFL with coverage of THE NFL ON CBS on Sunday, Jan. 1 (1:00-7:00 PM, ET) beginning with THE NFL TODAY, the Network’s one-hour studio show (12:00 NOON-1:00 PM, ET), live from THE NFL TODAY studio in New York City.

THE NFL ON CBS lead announce team of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms call the action from the Kansas City Chiefs-Denver Broncos game, live from Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colo. Lance Barrow is the coordinating producer and lead game producer and Mike Arnold is the lead game director.

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

* * * * *

DAN FOUTS

(On Baltimore-Cincinnati and playoff implications): Baltimore is undefeated at home, so obviously they’d like to win to get to play at home and get the bye. But for motivation, getting to the playoffs, the Bengals have that. And, playing at home is a bonus for them because Baltimore is just 3-4 on the road. Cincinnati is a team that a lot of people haven’t given enough credit for being as good as they really are.

(Keys to Game): Baltimore has to find a way to run the ball against Cincinnati, and that is no easy chore. On the road, if you’re throwing a lot and having incompletions, that just jacks the crowd up. Cincinnati’s pass-rush is very good. So in order to slow that down, Ray Rice is going to have to have a real good day. Cincinnati has a chance with their wide receivers to do some damage here. A.J. Green did not play in the first game against Baltimore. Jerome Simpson got a lot of attention for his leap into the endzone last week and he had a huge game against these guys the first time. But the guy to keep your eye on may be Jermaine Gresham more than anybody else.

* * * * *

Following are THE NFL ON CBS assignments for Week 17 (subject to change).

WEEK 17 – January 1, 2012 – CBS DOUBLEHEADER

GAME PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST PRODUCER/DIRECTOR

1:00 PM, ET starts:

·N.Y. Jets @ Miami Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf Mark Wolff/Bob Fishman

·Buffalo @ New England Don Criqui/Randy Cross Ken Mack/Chris Svendsen

·Tennessee @ Houston Bill Macatee/Steve Tasker Victor Frank/Andy Goldberg

·Indianapolis @ Jacksonville Spero Dedes/Steve Beuerlein Steve Scheer/Jim Cornell

4:15 PM, ET starts:

·Baltimore @ Cincinnati Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts Bob Mansbach/Suzanne Smith

·San Diego @ Oakland Marv Albert/Rich Gannon Ross Schneiderman/Mark Grant

·Kansas City @ Denver Jim Nantz/Phil Simms Lance Barrow/Mike Arnold

·Pittsburgh @ Cleveland Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots Jim Rikhoff/Bryan Lilley

* * * * *

Follow CBS Sports on Twitter: @CBSSportsGang

“THE NFL TODAY’s” BOOMER ESIASON LOOKS BACK AT 2011 SEASON’S HIGHS AND LOWS FOR WEEK 17 OF “THE NFL TODAY” ON

NEW YEAR’S DAY, SUNDAY, JAN. 1

THE NFL ON CBS, broadcasting its 52nd year of the NFL, continues its 2011 season on New Year’s Day, Sunday, Jan. 1 (1:00-7:00 PM, ET) with THE NFL TODAY (12:00 Noon-1:00 PM, ET).

From costly coaching decisions, to blown catches, to confused referees, to Ndamukong Suh’s not-so spectacular Thanksgiving Day stomp, THE NFL TODAY’s Boomer Esiason takes a look back at some highs and lows of the 2011 season including moments that coaches, players and fans might want to forget. Shawn Robbins is the producer.

James Brown hosts THE NFL TODAY along with analysts Dan Marino, Esiason, Shannon Sharpe and Bill Cowher, NFL TODAY “General Manager” Charley Casserly, 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.

* * * * *

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 24

►QUICK HITS

(On Green Bay and Aaron Rodgers)

BOOMER ESIASON: If Aaron Rodgers stays up right, they’re going to be in the Super Bowl. I’m not worried about that…As long as he stays healthy, they will be in Indianapolis. That I can guarantee you.

(On possible playoff teams)

BILL COWHER: Everyone talks about the top seeds. I was fortunate to win a championship from a six seed. Last year the Green Bay Packers did it from a six seed. So look at the teams that are not at the top that are hot going in. I look at the AFC right now. To me, obviously, San Diego. They’re hot. But I don’t think it’s too little too late. I think the New York Jets, if they get in the playoffs, they’ve won four playoff games, are a team to be scared of. And then in the NFC – the Atlanta Falcons. They were on top a year ago, now they’ve got a little edge, and they’re getting hot at the right time. Philadelphia Eagles – too little, too late.

SHANNON SHARPE: I believe the 7‑7 New York Giants will win out and win the NFC East. So you’ll have a 9‑7 team winning out, and you’ll have the Atlanta Falcons and the Detroit Lions will be wildcards.

► CHALK TALK

(On Giants-Jets)

BOOMER: I think the Giants are actually playing for Tom Coughlin’s job here. If Rex Ryan were my coach, I’d probably love playing for him. But if I were playing against him, I’d hate them and it would give me added incentive to beat them.

(On what NFC Coach is most likely to be fired?)

BOOMER: Andy Reid and Mike Shanahan aren’t going anywhere. I do believe, however, if either one of the Cowboys or Giants don’t make it to the playoffs, the loser of that game will be fired.

SHARPE: I’m saying zero for the simple fact that I pick the Giants to win out and win the division. And Jerry Jones has always supported Jason Garrett. He paid him as a head coach when he was a coordinator. And he hand‑picked him for the job.

BOOMER: As much respect as I have for Tom Coughlin. This will be three years in a row he has not made the playoffs. Three late season collapses, and PSL’s for $20 thousand in Met Life Stadium. The Giants fans are going to want blood come Monday morning.

(On possible MVPs)

MARINO: Aaron Rodgers

COWHER: Drew Brees

SHARPE: Aaron Rodgers

►“INSIDE THE NFL” WITH CHARLEY CASSERLY

ON DREW BREES’ CONTRACT

Click to view: http://bit.ly/tPYnc5

CASSERLY: He’s a free agent at the end of this year. Both sides would like to get a long‑term deal done. If it’s not done, the Saints will franchise him. I estimate the number will be between $14-15 million dollars. The target for Brees, the Peyton Manning contract – $18 million a year, but, more importantly, $23.4 million over the first three years. Now if a long‑term deal is not done, I would not be surprised if Brees does not show up for off‑season activities and even training Camp.

ON NEW NFL CONCUSSION POLICY

Click to view: http://bit.ly/sAr6MA

CASSERLY: The policy went into effect last Thursday night in Indianapolis. I talked to the NFL on Friday, and they told me only one call was made from the press box down to the sideline and was not any issue. This week, there was a conference call; 17 club physicians on the conference call. I was told none of them objected to this new policy. Now, furthermore in looking at this thing going forward, one of the things that the NFL wanted, or the NFL doctors wanted to do, is put a monitor on the sidelines so they can actually view the hit during the course of the game. I talked to teams about the general policy. Most teams were not in favor of it, didn’t think it was necessary. And one club was adamant. They said this undermines the credibility of our medical team to our players. They did not like it at all.

ON NFLPA’S PROPOSAL FOR HGH TESTING

Click to view: http://bit.ly/s29ism

CASSERLY: On November 29th, the NFLPA, led by DeMaurice Smith, met with members of Congress to outline their proposal. Now here’s what I’ve learned is in their proposal. First of all, no in‑season testing. Number two, only 10% of players tested in the off‑season. Three, players can decline to be tested; four a 24‑hour notification before testing, and five, you would have to fail three tests before there would be any discipline. Congress, my sources there told me, they were not impressed with this. Didn’t find it acceptable, and frankly, didn’t think the NFLPA was serious about implementing HGH testing.

* * * * *

THE NFL ON CBS: WEEK 16 (SATURDAY, DEC. 24)

AUDIBLES WITH “THE NFL ON CBS’s” DAN DIERDORF AND SOLOMON WILCOTS

The CBS Television Network continues its 52nd year broadcasting the NFL with coverage of THE NFL ON CBS on Saturday, Dec. 24 (1:00-7:00 PM, ET) beginning with THE NFL TODAY, the Network’s one-hour studio show (12:00 NOON-1:00 PM, ET), live from THE NFL TODAY studio in New York City.

THE NFL ON CBS lead announce team of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms call the action from the Denver Broncos-Buffalo Bills game, live from Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y. Lance Barrow is the coordinating producer and lead game producer and Mike Arnold is the lead game director.

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

* * * * *

DAN DIERDORF

(On Detroit): The Lions are so close to clinching a playoff spot that the excitement in the city of Detroit is at a fever pitch. As one of the players told me, it’s a great time to be in Detroit. They’re a good football team. They had a rough stretch, but they’ve come back with some great wins the last couple of weeks. They’re really close to casting off the giant monkey off their backs. Detroit is a great football town and they’ve been starving for this for a long time.

(On San Diego): San Diego can take care of some of their business, but they’ll need help. There are so many what-ifs at this point, but San Diego is approaching their final two games as must-wins to get in. They can’t look at it any other way. Right now, the Chargers are playing as good a brand of football as any team in the league. Detroit is well aware that they have a tiger by the tail playing San Diego this week.

SOLOMON WILCOTS

(On Oakland-Kansas City): Everyone knows how tough it is to play at Arrowhead Stadium. So the key is how well will Carson Palmer play against this Chiefs defense on the road? Remember his first action after his long holdout when he was thrown into the game against Kansas City? He was intercepted three times in that game. They have to do a much better job protecting the ball against Romeo Crennel’s defense. Oakland’s defense has been horrible on the road their last two trips in Miami and Green Bay. So Kyle Orton has the potential to really have a big game against this Raiders defense.

(On Romeo Crennel)

These guys all love playing for him. He is an easy going guy. He has the respect of everyone. They are going to play hard for him. His defense has already been playing well. They have to do better than averaging 13.7 points-a-game. What they really struggle to do is score. But with this defense they are capable of beating anyone

* * * * *

Following are THE NFL ON CBS assignments for Week 16 and Week 17 (subject to change).

WEEK 16 – December 24

GAME PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST PRODUCER/DIRECTOR

1:00 PM, ET starts:

·Denver @ Buffalo Jim Nantz/Phil Simms Lance Barrow/Mike Arnold

·Miami @ N. England Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts Bob Mansbach/Suzanne Smith

·Cleveland @ Baltimore Spero Dedes/Rich Gannon Ross Schneiderman/Mark Grant

·Jacksonville @ Tennessee Bill Macatee/Steve Tasker Victor Frank/Andy Goldberg

·Oakland @ Kansas City Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots Jim Rikhoff/Bryan Lilley

4:15 PM, ET starts:

·San Diego @ Detroit Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf Mark Wolff/Bob Fishman

WEEK 17 – January 1, 2012 – CBS DOUBLEHEADER

GAME PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST PRODUCER/DIRECTOR

1:00 PM, ET starts:

·N.Y. Jets @ Miami TBD TBD

·Buffalo @ New England

·Baltimore @ Cincinnati

·Pittsburgh @ Cleveland

·Tennessee @ Houston

·Indianapolis @ Jacksonville

4:15 PM, ET starts:

·Kansas City @ Denver TBD TBD

·San Diego @ Oakland

* * * * *

Follow CBS Sports on Twitter: @CBSSportsGang

“THE NFL TODAY’s” SHANNON SHARPE PREVIEWS SAN DIEDO AT DETROIT BY SITTING DOWN WITH

CHARGERS PHILIP RIVERS FOR WEEK 16 OF

“THE NFL TODAY” ON SATURDAY, DEC. 24

 

THE NFL ON CBS, broadcasting its 52^nd year of the NFL, continues its 2011 season on Saturday, Dec. 24 (1:00-7:00 PM, ET) with THE NFL TODAY (12:00 Noon-1:00 PM, ET).

THE NFL TODAY’s Shannon Sharpe sits down with San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers as he gets set to visit the Detroit Lions, who are trying to make the playoffs for the first time since 1999. When San Diego lost six straight games, it looked as if its season was over. But Rivers rallied his team to three straight victories and propelled the 7-7 Chargers right back into the thick of the AFC West title race. With seven touchdowns and no interceptions during this winning streak, Rivers continues to burnish his reputation as “Mr. December.” In fact, the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback has compiled an incredible 23-2 record as a starter in the final month of the year. Could San Diego be mounting another late charge?  Deb Gelman is the producer. 

James Brown hosts THE NFL TODAY along with analysts Dan Marino, Boomer Esiason, Sharpe and Bill Cowher, NFL TODAY “General Manager” Charley Casserly, 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.

* * * * *