FORMER MVP AND THREE-TIME SUPER BOWL QB KURT WARNER JOINS NFL NETWORK’S ROSTER OF ANALYSTS

Former Super Bowl MVP Kurt Warner, one of the most remarkable stories in NFL history, joins NFL Network’s roster of analysts, it was announced today. Warner makes his first appearance in-studio on tonight’s special two-hour NFL Total Access: 2010 Season Preview at 7:00 PM ET.

“Kurt’s accomplishments on the field speak for themselves,” said Eric Weinberger, executive producer NFL Network.  “We welcome him as he transitions from a Hall of Fame-caliber playing career to broadcasting, where he joins our roster of all-pro analysts.”

Warner serves as an in-studio analyst on NFL Total Access and will contribute to other NFL Network shows and specials.  He was an analyst on NFL Network’s Arena Football Friday games and called the Arena Bowl in August.

“I enjoyed working on Arena football games on NFL Network and appreciate the opportunity to join NFL Network’s strong team of analysts,” said Warner.  “This season I look forward to talking about the hits and not taking them for the first time.”

Warner is the latest member of NFL Network’s roster that includes the recently added Cowboys Super Bowl winner Daryl “Moose” Johnston and Jay Glazer this summer. NFL Network’s roster already includes Warner’s running back on the Rams Super Bowl XXXIV winning team Marshall Faulk in addition to Steve Mariucci, Deion Sanders, Michael Irvin, Rod Woodson, Warren Sapp, Brian Billick, Jamie Dukes, Matt Millen, Charles Davis, Trent Green, Mike Mayock and others.

Warner was a two-time NFL MVP as well as the MVP in Super Bowl XXXIV when he led the St. Louis Rams to a win over the Tennessee Titans.  Warner appeared in two Super Bowls with the Rams and led the Cardinals to the Super Bowl for the first time in the franchise’s history in Super Bowl XLIII.  Prior to the NFL, Warner was a star in the AFL making two Arena Bowl appearances.

Warner is keeping busy following his retirement from the NFL. He will call games  on FOX this season while also appearing on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.” He is following in the footsteps of fellow NFL Network analysts Sapp and Irvin who were successful in previous seasons on the popular show.

NFL Network airs seven days a week, 24 hours a day on a year-round basis and is the only television network fully dedicated to the NFL and the sport of football. For more information, log onto www.nfl.com/nflnetwork. NFL.com is the exclusive internet home of NFL Network.

- NFL Network -

Kurt Warner Joins NFL Network — Starts tonight at 7:00 PM ET on NFL Total Access: 2010 Season Preview special is a post from: Sports Media News

TODAY, Nightly News, Tonight Show & Others Report From New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS, LA. – Sept. 8, 2010 – NBC Universal is getting “Back to Football” with NFL-themed programming all week and unprecedented coverage from New Orleans on Thursday highlighted by the 2010 NFL season kicking off with the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints hosting the Minnesota Vikings in a rematch of last year’s NFC Championship Game. Coverage begins at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

Rivaling NBC Universal’s presence at the Olympics and Super Bowl, NBC Universal will be on site in New Orleans covering the annual NFL Kickoff celebration in the city of the Super Bowl Champion. Pre-game coverage will features a Mardi Gras-style “Back to Football” parade and performances by the Dave Matthews Band and Taylor Swift live from New Orleans’ Jackson Square. The parade route through the French Quarter is expected to be packed with Saints fans from the region celebrating the team’s first Super Bowl in the 43-year history of the organization.

“For so many fans, the start of football season is always special. We are working closely with the NFL to build upon the momentum when our country gets “Back to Football,” said Mike McCarley, Senior Vice President, Strategic Marketing, NBC Sports and Olympics.  “The celebration in New Orleans is expected to have unique resonance this year as the Saints’ Super Bowl victory, was very special for Saints fans across the country and especially for those here in the Gulf region.”

Highlights of NBC Universal’s “Back to Football” Week:

Tuesday & Wednesday

Minute To Win It: NFL players compete

Late Night with Jimmy Fallon: NFL-themed content (all week)

Thursday (all reporting from New Orleans)

TODAY: Matt Lauer and Al Roker Live from various sites in New Orleans

Nightly News: Brian Williams from the Lower Ninth Ward

Access Hollywood: Tony Potts on-site

The Weather Channel: Wake Up with Al

CNBC: Reports all day

MSNBC: Reports all day

Telemundo: Titulares y Mas

Friday

TODAY: Sugarland to perform a Football-themed concert in Rockefeller Plaza

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: Correspondent Jim Norton reports from New Orleans

Saturday

Saturday Night Live: Peyton Manning Hosts (reair)

Additional NBCU programs not on-site in New Orleans will get “Back to Football” with their own unique content. In primetime, “Minute To Win It” NFL-themed episodes featuring Vikings and Saints players and cheerleaders air Tuesday and Wednesday. “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” is incorporating NFL content all week, Tuesday featured Fallon’s popular ‘Pros and Cons’ segment with Justin Tuck of the New York Giants Even Universal Orlando is also going “Back to Football” by hosting NFL Kickoff parties at CityWalk.

Once Thursday’s game is complete, NBC’s coverage of the start of the 2010 NFL season continues with a football-themed Sugarland concert on TODAY on Friday morning in Rockefeller Plaza in New York. Additional NFL-themed programming continues throughout the weekend leading up to the first “Sunday Night Football” game of the season, the NFC East rivalry between the Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins. Coverage begins with “Football Night in America” at 7 p.m. ET.

Follow NBC Sports PR on Twitter at Twitter.com/NBCSportsPR

Follow “Sunday Night Football” on Twitter at Twitter.com/SNFonNBC

Become a fan of “Sunday Night Football” on Facebook at: Facebook.com/SNFonNBC

NBC Universal Gets “Back To Football” With Unprecedented Kickoff Coverage is a post from: Sports Media News

INSIDE THE NFL RETURNS TONIGHT

FOR A THIRD SEASON ON SHOWTIME®

James Brown, Cris Collinsworth, Phil Simms and Warren Sapp Preview All 32 Teams

Plus an interview with Arizona head coach Ken Whisenhunt and Indianapolis’ Pierre Garcon takes us on special journey back to his homeland in Haiti

NEW YORK (September 8, 2010) – The Emmy-award winning INSIDE THE NFL returns for its third year on SHOWTIME beginning with the season premiere tonight at 9 p.m. ET/PT.  The show features a preview of all 32-teams and the latest news on the Arizona quarterback situation with an interview with the Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt.

Plus, the Indianapolis Colts’ Pierre Garcon takes us on a special journey back to his homeland of Haiti for the first time after the devastating earthquake there earlier this year. Below is the link to the feature.

Host James Brown anchors INSIDE THE NFL on SHOWTIME along with All-Pro NFL greats Cris Collinsworth, Phil Simms and Warren Sapp serving as expert analysts with new episodes airing on SHOWTIME every Wednesday during the NFL season through February 9, 2011.

INSIDE THE NFL is produced by CBS Sports and NFL Films.  Pete Radovich serves as coordinating producer. The executive producers are Sean McManus, President, CBS News and Sports, and NFL Films President Steve Sabol.

*  *  *

The premiere episode features a trip to Haiti following the humanitarian efforts of Indianapolis Colt wide receiver Pierre Garcon.

Inside the NFL on SHO Returns Tonight – 32 Team Preview, Whisenhunt and Garcon is a post from: Sports Media News

“One of the most fabled rivalries in college football history.” – NBC Sports’ Mike Mayock

NEW YORK – September 8, 2010 – Notre Dame (1-0) and Michigan (1-0) renew their historic rivalry at Notre Dame Stadium this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBC more than 120 years after their first meeting.

Tom Hammond (play-by-play), Mike Mayock (analyst) and Alex Flanagan (sideline reporter) anchor NBC Sports’ coverage. Mayock, one of television’s premier college football and NFL Draft experts, made his NBC Sports debut last week during the Notre Dame-Purdue game and was called “impressive” by Sports Illustrated. Mayock was hired in August to fill the game analyst role vacated by Pat Haden, who left to become the new athletic director at USC, his alma mater. For additional information on Mayock, click here: http://tinyurl.com/2wdq2bo

Michigan has won three of the last four meetings between the two teams and leads Notre Dame 21-15-1 in the all-time series, which dates back to 1887. The Wolverines won the first-ever game that year, 8-0, and won last year’s game, 38-34, at Michigan Stadium in dramatic fashion. Michigan’s Tate Forcier threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Greg Mathews with 11 seconds remaining. However, the Fighting Irish have won four of the last five games played between the two schools at Notre Dame Stadium. Both teams won their openers last week.

MAYOCK: “Michigan had a big win with UCONN (and with) Rich Rodriguez on the hot seat. (It’s) one of the most fabled rivalries in college football history…Somebody is going to step up and get a W, and somebody else’s season is going to go in a different direction.”

Click here to watch a Notre Dame-Purdue recap and Mayock’s Michigan comments: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/22825103/vp/38979334#39010408
ActionCam, an overhead cable-camera system, returns for Michigan. It debuted at Notre Dame Stadium last week during the Purdue game and provided viewers with never-before-seen angles.

DIGITAL & INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION

The 2010 Notre Dame football season includes more NBC Sports distribution platforms than ever before, including robust digital and mobile features, iPhone and iPad apps, and an international agreement with Eurosport to broadcast games in Europe and Asia.

NOTRE DAME EXTRA: For the first time, the entire Notre Dame-NBC Sports schedule will be streamed live on NBCSports.com. “Notre Dame Extra” will feature a simulcast of the broadcast feed plus one additional online-only bonus camera throughout the game.

“Notre Dame Extra” will employ a full HD-quality player using Microsoft Silverlight and Smooth Streaming that will help set new benchmarks for live streaming video cross-platform. The video player will include full DVR functionality allowing the user to pause and scroll back-and-forth – even review plays in “slo-mo” — all while watching live video.

Extra will also feature live coverage of the Notre Dame and visiting teams’ bands at halftime, in-game highlights, as well as a live, online-only postgame that will include head coach Brian Kelly’s press conference.

Click on Notre Dame Central at NBCSports.com to access Notre Dame Extra http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/25889627/

NOTRE DAME CENTRAL APP: iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad users can get complete NBC Sports coverage of the Notre Dame 2010 college football season with the Notre Dame Central app. Users can access live scores, stats, video highlights & archives, and much more. Fans can also purchase an upgrade to get LIVE access to every NBC Sports broadcast of Notre Dame football games. The iPhone update for the 2010 season will be available prior to the September 4 season opener against Purdue, with an iPad-specific version to come later in the season.

LIVE MOBILE BROADCASTS: NBC Sports’ live coverage of every Notre Dame home football game is available on both NBC 2Go and NBC Sports Mobile.

NOTRE DAME ON NBC SPORTS MOBILE: Fans can receive news and scores right on their cell phones with the NBC Sports Mobile Web site or the NBC Sports iPhone app. Fans can also sign-up for exclusive text alerts with scoring updates and daily news. To find out how, users can just text the word ND to 51515 or visit http://m.NBCSports.com.

EUROSPORT: NBC Sports and the Eurosport group have signed an international television rights agreement that provides Eurosport 2 with exclusive broadcast rights to 2010 Notre Dame home football games across Europe and Asia. Games will be broadcast throughout Europe live exclusively on Eurosport 2, and to the 14 countries where Eurosport Asia Pacific is distributed.

THE NOTRE DAME-NBC SPORTS RELATIONSHIP:

The University of Notre Dame and NBC Sports continue their television relationship for the 20th consecutive season in 2010. On June 19, 2009, a five-year renewal to televise all Notre Dame home football games was announced, giving NBC Sports the rights to Fighting Irish home games through the year 2015. NBC Sports began its original contract with Notre Dame in 1991.

The most recent extension provides NBC Sports with rights to Notre Dame home games from 2011 through 2015, extending the partnership between the University and network to 25 years. Notre Dame will provide seven home games per season to NBC Sports and an additional eighth off-site game airing in primetime as part of the agreement. This year’s eighth game takes place on November 20 from Yankee Stadium when the Irish face Army.

NBC SPORTS’ REMAINING 2010 NOTRE DAME SCHEDULE

Sep 11             Michigan                      3:30 p.m. ET

Sep 25             Stanford                      3:30 p.m. ET

Oct 9               Pittsburgh                     3:30 p.m. ET

Oct 16             Western Michigan        2:30 p.m. ET

Oct 30             Tulsa                            2:30 p.m. ET

Nov 13             Utah                            2:30 p.m. ET

Nov 20             Army                           7 p.m. ET (at Yankee Stadium)

Notre Dame & Michigan Renew Historic Rivalry This Saturday On NBC is a post from: Sports Media News

2010 NFL SEASON KICKS OFF ON SIRIUS XM SEPT. 9

SIRIUS subscribers and XM subscribers with the “Best of SIRIUS” get live play-by-play of every NFL game

Comprehensive talk and analysis airs on SIRIUS NFL Radio, channel 124

John Madden hosts new show, “Madden Football,” Wednesdays on SIRIUS NFL Radio

Listeners can hear weekly interviews with NFL head coaches

NEW YORK – September 8, 2010 – SIRIUS XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI), the Official Satellite Radio Partner of the NFL, will offer comprehensive coverage of the 2010 NFL season, providing SIRIUS subscribers and XM subscribers with the “Best of SIRIUS” live play-by-play of every game plus 24-hour coverage of the sport on SIRIUS NFL Radio, channel 124.

SIRIUS XM broadcasts every NFL game live nationwide – from the preseason through the Super Bowl.  For more information and a schedule of NFL games on SIRIUS XM, visit www.sirius.com/nfl or www.xmradio.com.

The 2010 NFL season kicks off this Thursday, Sept. 9 (8:30 pm ET), when the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints host the Minnesota Vikings in a rematch of last year’s NFC Championship Game.  SIRIUS XM will offer listeners multiple broadcasts of the game, allowing fans to hear the Saints radio broadcast (SIRIUS channel 126, XM channel 103), the Vikings radio broadcast (SIRIUS channel 125, XM channel 102) and the national radio broadcast (SIRIUS channel 124, XM channel 124).  NFL play-by-play is available to all SIRIUS subscribers and to XM subscribers who purchase the “Best of SIRIUS” programming package.

SIRIUS NFL Radio (SIRIUS channel 124 and XM channel 124 with the “Best of SIRIUS”), the only radio channel dedicated entirely to pro football talk, offers in-depth coverage of the league 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  SIRIUS NFL Radio features exclusive daily talk shows hosted by NFL experts, one-on-one interviews with players, coaches and executives from around the league, plus in-depth coverage of the NFL Draft, training camps, and more.

SIRIUS NFL Radio showcases an unparalleled roster of hosts that includes both current and former players, coaches and front office executives including: Carl Banks, Gil Brandt, Randy Cross, Dean Dalton, Rich Gannon, Pat Kirwan, John Madden, Jim Miller, Tim Ryan, Marty Schottenheimer, Ross Tucker, Solomon Wilcots, and Jets offensive lineman Damien Woody.

Longtime NFL broadcaster and Super Bowl winning head coach John Madden will return for his seventh season as a commentator on SIRIUS NFL Radio, expanding his role to host a new program, Madden Football, every Wednesday (2:00 – 3:00 pm ET) alongside Adam Schein and Rich Gannon.  Madden will discuss the latest news from around the NFL and look ahead to the coming weekend’s matchups.  Madden’s game previews will also replay every Sunday morning on The SIRIUS NFL Tailgate Show, SIRIUS NFL Radio’s pre-game program (Sundays from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm ET).

In addition, Madden will join Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo for a weekly NFL discussion every Friday at 5:00 pm ET on SIRIUS XM’s Mad Dog Radio channel (SIRIUS channel 123 and XM channel 144).

SIRIUS NFL Radio debuts a new morning show this season which will begin the live programming day at 6:00 am ET.  The Morning Kickoff, hosted by Ross Tucker, will air every weekday (6:00 – 7:00 am ET) and extend the number of live daily programming hours to 16.

SIRIUS NFL Radio listeners will also hear weekly interviews with head coaches from around the league including: Sean Payton (Saints), Brad Childress (Vikings), Jack Del Rio (Jaguars), Jim Schwartz (Lions), John Fox (Panthers), Josh McDaniels (Broncos), Ken Whisenhunt (Cardinals), Marvin Lewis (Bengals), Mike Tomlin (Steelers), Steve Spagnuolo (Rams), Tom Cable (Raiders), Mike McCarthy (Packers), John Harbaugh (Ravens), Jim Caldwell (Colts), Jeff Fisher (Titans) and Mike Smith (Falcons).

For info on upcoming guests, visit www.sirius.com/nfl or follow the channel’s Twitter feed (www.twitter.com/siriusnflradio).

NFL on SIRIUS XM – Opening Weekend: (All times ET)   SIRIUS Chns:      XM Chns:

Away    Home   Away    Home

Feed     Feed     Feed     Feed

Thu 9/9  8:30 PM     Minnesota @ New Orleans              125       126       102*     103*

Sun 9/12  1:00 PM   Cleveland @ Tampa Bay                122       158                   106*

Sun 9/12  1:00 PM   Miami @ Buffalo                          91         130                   108*

Sun 9/12  1:00 PM   Cincinnati @ New England            123       127                   104*

Sun 9/12  1:00 PM   Carolina @ NY Giants                    144       121                   107*

Sun 9/12  1:00 PM   Detroit @ Chicago                        155       125                   102*

Sun 9/12  1:00 PM   Atlanta @ Pittsburgh                      153       126                   103*

Sun 9/12  1:00 PM   Oakland @ Tennessee                   90                     110*

Sun 9/12  1:00 PM   Denver @ Jacksonville                  113       108       109*

Sun 9/12  1:00 PM   Indianapolis @ Houston                129       147       105*

Sun 9/12  4:15 PM   Arizona @ St. Louis                      122       126                   103*

Sun 9/12  4:15 PM   Green Bay @ Philadelphia             123       127                   104*

Sun 9/12  4:15 PM   San Francisco @ Seattle                91         125                   102*

Sun 9/12  8:20 PM   Dallas @ Washington                   125       126       102*      103*

Mon 9/13  7:00 PM   Baltimore @ NY Jets                    125       126       102*      103*

Mon 9/13  10:15 PM San Diego @ Kansas City            127       91         104*      105*

* denotes “Best of SIRIUS” channel on XM.

SIRIUS NFL Radio channel 124 Daily Schedule: (All times ET)

Weekdays

o  6 -7 am: The Morning Kickoff with Ross Tucker

o  7 – 11 am: The Opening Drive with Bob Papa, Marty Schottenheimer, Peter King, Ross Tucker and Carl Banks

o  11 am – 3 pm: The SIRIUS Blitz with Adam Schein, Rich Gannon and Jim Miller

o  3 – 7 pm: Movin’ The Chains with Tim Ryan and Pat Kirwan

o  7 – 8 pm: NFL Network’s Total Access

o  8 – 11 pm: Late Hits with Bryan McGovern, Gil Brandt, Damien Woody and Jim Miller

Wednesdays

o  2 – 3 pm: Madden Football with John Madden, Adam Schein and Rich Gannon

Fridays

o  11 pm: SIRIUS XM Fantasy Football Replay with John Hansen and Adam Caplan

Saturdays

o  8 – 11 am: The Weekend Kickoff with Howard David and Dean Dalton

o  11 am – 2 pm:  Press Coverage with Vic Carucci and Dan Leberfeld

o  2 – 4 pm: Chalk Talk with Andrew Bogusch

o  4 – 7 pm:  The End Zone with Bryan McGovern and Pat Kirwan

o  7 – 11 pm: Late Hits with Zig Fracassi and Jim Miller

Sundays

o  9 am – Noon: SIRIUS NFL Tailgate Show with Adam Schein, John Madden, Gil Brandt

o  Noon – 8 pm: The Sunday Drive with Steve Torre and Bill Lekas. Live cut-ins to NFL games, up-to-the-minute news and highlights from around the league and post-game interviews from the day’s star performers.

o  8 pm – Midnight: NFL Rewind with Jack Arute and Jim Miller

SIRIUS XM will once again feature the “SIRIUS|XM Pigskin Pick ‘Em Game” on SIRIUS.com.  Each week throughout the NFL regular season, visitors can log on to the website to enter their game picks and compare their scores to the experts on SIRIUS NFL Radio and other hosts from across the SIRIUS XM platform. Prizes will be awarded weekly.  For details and Official Rules, visit www.sirius.com/pigskin.  No purchase is necessary.  The game is open only to legal residents of the contiguous United States and D.C., age 18 and over.

###

2010 NFL Season Kicks Off on SIRIUS XM September 9 is a post from: Sports Media News

HARD KNOCKS:  TRAINING CAMP WITH THE NEW YORK JETS

SERIES FINALE DEBUTS SEPT. 8

HBO Sports, in association with NFL Films and the New York Jets, provides an all-access look at what it takes to make it in the National Football League in HARD KNOCKS:  TRAINING CAMP WITH THE NEW YORK JETS.  The first sports-based reality series – and one of the fastest-turnaround reality series – concludes its five-episode sixth season, presented in HD, WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 8 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO, with an encore play immediately following at 11:00 p.m.

Episode #5 (series finale)

Debut:  WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 8 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT)

Other HBO playdates:  Sept. 8 (11:00 p.m.), 9 (2:30 p.m., midnight), 10 (11:30 a.m., 7:00 p.m., midnight), 11 (10:00 a.m., midnight), 12 (8:00 a.m.) and 13 (9:00 a.m., 1:00 a.m.)

HBO2 playdates:  Sept. 12 (midnight) and 14 (7:00 p.m.)

As the preseason comes to a close, the coaches and general manager evaluate player performances in order to make their final roster decisions; All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis agrees to a new contract and reports to the team a week before the regular season opener versus Baltimore.

A 24-person NFL Films crew is living at Jets training camp, shooting up to 1,000 hours of video over the course of the series.  Camera and sound crews are given unencumbered access to the players’ and coaches’ meeting rooms, training facilities  and practice fields.

Hard Knocks: Training Camp With The New York Jets Series Finale Debuts Sept. 8 (TONIGHT) is a post from: Sports Media News

GET ‘BACK TO FOOTBALL’ WITH NFL NETWORK FOR KICKOFF WEEK!

4.5-Hour ‘NFL Total Access: 2010 Kickoff from New Orleans

Presented by EA Sports Madden 11’ Thursday at 4:00 PM ET

Premiere of ‘America’s Game: 2009 New Orleans Saints’ Narrated by

Brad Pitt Wednesday, September 8 at 9:00 PM ET

‘Kickoff Fan Forum at the New Orleans Saints’ with Commissioner Goodell Wednesday, September 8 at 10:00 PM ET

NFL Network is the only place to get fans ‘Back to Football’ during Kickoff Week. The only network dedicated to football features several show debuts and specials to mark the start of another exciting NFL season while also paying tribute to the 2009 Super Bowl-champion New Orleans Saints.

NFL Total Access goes on location to the ‘Big Easy’ Thursday for full coverage of the 2010 season opener between the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints. Rich Eisen, Deion Sanders and New Orleans native Marshall Faulk anchor NFL Network’s coverage from Jackson Square, while Fran Charles and Jason La Canfora report from the Superdome. Steve Mariucci, Warren Sapp, Trent Green and Jamie Dukes are live from NFL Network’s Los Angeles studios with hosts Spero Dedes (pregame) and Paul Burmeister (postgame).

The special 4.5 hour split edition of NFL Total Access: 2010 Kickoff Presented by EA Sports Madden NFL 11 begins Thursday at 4:00 PM ET and includes:

• Live remote interview with Jets head coach Rex Ryan
• Marshall Faulk sits down with Saints head coach Sean Payton
• Sean Payton wired from the Super Bowl
• Additional live interviews and surprises

At 7:30 PM ET, NFL Network will simulcast the NFL Kickoff 2010 Presented by EA Sports celebration with NBC featuring performances by the Dave Matthews Band and Taylor Swift.

Tonight at 10:00 PM ET, Sinner to Saint: Anthony Hargrove’s Super Bowl Journey chronicles the life of Saints DE Anthony Hargrove, who after being kicked out of the NFL following multiple failed drug tests, confronts his dark past and substance abuse issues to receive a second chance with the New Orleans Saints that materialized into a Super Bowl championship. Told in Hargrove’s own words, the compelling one-hour NFL Network-produced documentary also features interviews with Saints head coach Sean Payton, general manager Mickey Loomis, Rams RB Steven Jackson and numerous members of Hargrove’s support team including therapists, counselors and family members.

For a sneak peek of tonight’s documentary, please visit: http://ftp2.nflfilmstv.com/filmsint/ftp-inet/flashplayer.html?s_video=Preview/sbj_hargrove_trailer_83110_600ws.flv

A two-hour NFL Total Access 2010 Season Preview Wednesday at 7:00 PM ET takes an in-depth look at the 2010 NFL season with host Spero Dedes alongside analysts Steve Mariucci, Trent Green, Kurt Warner and Warren Sapp.

Wednesday also features more Saints-related programming with the premiere of America’s Game: 2009 New Orleans Saints at 9:00 PM ET. Narrated by Academy Award-nominated actor Brad Pitt, the latest episode in the America’s Game series chronicles the story of the Saints’ historic Super Bowl win through the words of head coach Sean Payton, quarterback Drew Brees and linebacker Jonathan Vilma.

Then at 10:00 PM ET, NFL Network presents the Kickoff Fan Forum at the New Orleans Saints with Commissioner Roger Goodell. Goodell participates in a discussion session with fans to answer their NFL questions.

NFL Network’s array of special programming during Kickoff week marks the start of an exciting fall season of the most comprehensive and informative NFL football content on television:

NFL Network’s 2010 Fall Programming Lineup

• On Mondays, NFL Replay Real-Time (3:00-4:00 PM ET), Up to the Minute (6:00-6:30 PM ET) and The Coaches Show (6:30-7:00 PM ET) are back, providing a complete wrap-up of Sunday’s action, leading into a 90-minute NFL Total Access at 7:00 PM ET prior to Monday Night Football.
• Tuesdays and Wednesday nights feature the ‘Field Pass’ block, taking fans inside the game like never before with exclusive NFL Films footage and sound. Starting at 8:00 PM ET both nights, back-to-back episodes of NFL Replay relive four of the week’s games in a condensed, fast-paced format, followed by Sound FX, with a ‘best of’ theme highlighting an NFL great on Tuesday nights and a compilation of the previous week’s top sound on Wednesdays.
• Tuesday through Friday at 6:00 PM ET, the ultimate Xs-and-Os show returns with Playbook, giving viewers the keys to victory for their favorite NFL team. Sterling Sharpe, Brian Baldinger, Solomon Wilcots, Mike Mayock, Joe Theismann and Brian Billick cover the ins and outs of every play, examining the outcome of previous week’s matchups as well as the upcoming week’s games.
• NFL Total Access, the NFL’s show of record, has all 32 teams covered Monday through Saturday at 7:00 PM ET. With hosts Rich Eisen, Fran Charles and Kara Henderson alongside an all-star analyst lineup including Jamie Dukes, Rod Woodson, Trent Green, Jay Glazer and Daryl Johnston, fans get a unique look inside team training facilities, with exclusive footage and interviews that cannot be found anywhere else on television.
• Monday through Friday at 4:00 PM ET, Around the League gives fans inside access to their favorite team’s facility each day with Team Cams at all 32 team sites. Randy Moss, Lindsay Soto and Paul Burmeister deliver analysis and commentary on the biggest stories in the NFL, straight from beat writers and bloggers who have a pulse on the teams.
• Thursday, September 16, The Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players falls into its regular Thursday time slot at 9:00 PM ET, unveiling numbers 80-71 of the 100 greatest pro football players of all time, as determined by a blue-ribbon panel of experts.
• NFL’s Top 10 returns for its fourth season with new episodes debuting each week Saturday at 8:30 PM ET. The fast-paced countdown series provides a look at some of the most intriguing subjects in the NFL with commentary from network analysts, sports journalists, sports radio personalities, players, and coaches. This season’s topics include NFL’s Top 10 Oakland Raiders, Left-handed Quarterbacks, Jersey Numbers and Shortest Players.
• Sunday is NFL GameDay on NFL Network, starting at 9:00 AM ET with NFL GameDay Morning. New host Rich Eisen joins Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Michael Irvin and Warren Sapp for the first and most comprehensive pregame show on Sunday. At 1:00 PM ET, NFL GameDay StatZone delivers the latest stats from the early afternoon games, followed by NFL GameDay Scoreboard at 4:00 PM ET, with Paul Burmeister, Tom Waddle and Jamie Dukes taking viewers around the league with postgame press conferences, game highlights and up-to-the-minute scores from the afternoon matchups. Eisen and Mariucci return for NFL GameDay Highlights at 7:30 PM ET and joined by Deion Sanders, recap all of the day’s action prior to Sunday Night Football. Following Sunday Night Football, NFL GameDay Final provides with final word on the all Sunday’s action. New host Fran Charles joins Mariucci, Sanders and Irvin for complete highlights, insider commentary and interviews.

NFL Network’s Kickoff Week Programming Lineup

Tuesday, September 7

8:00 PM ET – Around the Table: 2010 Season Preview (HD)

• Roundtable featuring Michael Irvin, Deion Sanders, Marshall Faulk and Steve Mariucci, who debate and discuss the biggest storylines leading into the 2010 NFL season.

9:00 PM ET – The Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players: Episode #2 (90-81 revealed) (HD)

• Second episode of the newest NFL Films-produced series, revealing numbers 90 through 81 of Pro Football’s greatest players, as determined by a blue-ribbon panel of knowledgeable football minds. Each player is revealed by a presenter who possesses particular interest in that player and insight into his greatness.

10:00 PM ET – Sinner to Saint: Anthony Hargrove’s Super Bowl Journey (HD)

• After being kicked out of the NFL following multiple failed drug tests, Saints DE Anthony Hargrove confronts his dark past and substance abuse issues to receive a second chance with the New Orleans Saints that materialized into a Super Bowl championship.

Wednesday, September 8

10:00 AM ET – NFL Film Session: 2009 New Orleans Saints (HD)

• The season highlight of the 2009 New Orleans Saints that claimed their first Super Bowl title behind head coach Sean Payton’s vision and MVP quarterback Drew Brees’ leadership.

10:30 AM ET – NFL Film Session: Super Bowl XLIV – New Orleans Saints vs. Indianapolis Colts (HD)

• Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints capped off a magical season by beating Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts for its first Super Bowl win.

7:00 PM ET – NFL Total Access: 2010 Season Preview (HD)

• A extended two-hour NFL Total Access …

9:00 PM ET – America’s Game: 2009 New Orleans Saints, narrated by Brad Pitt (HD)

10:00 PM ET – Kickoff Fan Forum at the New Orleans Saints (HD)

Thursday, September 9

4:00 PM ET – NFL Total Access: 2010 Kickoff Presented by EA Sports Madden NFL 11 (HD)

7:30 PM ET – NFL Opening Kickoff 2010 Presented by EA Sports Simulcast (HD)

11:30 PM ET – NFL Total Access: Updated postgame (HD)

Friday, September 10

8:00 PM ET – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Things We Loved About the 2000s (HD)

9:00 PM ET – CFL Game: Calgary vs. Edmonton (HD)

NFL Network Weekly Programming Schedule (all shows in HD; all times ET)

Monday

3:00 PM – NFL Replay Real-Time

4:00 PM – Around the League

6:00 PM – Up to the Minute

6:30 PM – The Coaches Show

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access

11:00 PM – NFL Total Access: MNF Postgame

Tuesday

4:00 PM – Around the League

6:00 PM – Playbook

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access

Field Pass Block (8:00-11:00 PM)

8:00 PM – NFL Replay

9:15 PM – NFL Replay

10:30 PM – Sound FX: Best Of

Wednesday

4:00 PM – Around the League

6:00 PM – Playbook

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access

Field Pass Block (8:00-11:00 PM)

8:00 PM – NFL Replay

9:15 PM – NFL Replay

10:30 PM – Sound FX

Thursday

4:00 PM – Around the League

6:00 PM – Playbook: AFC

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access

8:00 PM – The Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players (previous week encore)

9:00 PM – The Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players

Friday

4:00 PM – Around the League

6:00 PM – Playbook: NFC

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access

TBA – Canadian Football League LIVE

Saturday

12 NOON – NFL Films Presents

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access

8:30 PM – NFL’s Top 10

Sunday

9:00 AM – NFL GameDay Morning

1:00 PM – NFL GameDay StatZone

4:00 PM – NFL GameDay Scoreboard

7:30 PM – NFL GameDay Highlights

11:30 PM – NFL GameDay Final

NFL Network airs seven days a week, 24 hours a day on a year-round basis and is the first television network fully dedicated to the NFL and the sport of football. For more information, log onto www.nfl.com/nflnetwork. NFL.com is the exclusive internet home of NFL Network.

- NFL Network -

Get ‘Back To Football’ With NFL Network For Kickoff Week! is a post from: Sports Media News

NBC News And National Science Foundation Unveil The “Science Of NFL Football” is a post from: Sports Media News

NFL NETWORK HOST RICH EISEN JOINS NFL GAMEDAY MORNING PREGAME SHOW AND DEBUTS NEW WEEKLY PODCAST ON NFL.COM

The Face of NFL Network Signs a New Long-Term Deal

Rich Eisen, who seven years ago welcomed viewers to NFL Network, has renewed his deal to continue as the host of NFL Total Access, NFL specials and add a new role as host of NFL GameDay Morning.

Eisen is also adding to his responsibilities as he debuts a new weekly podcast on NFL.com. The Rich Eisen Podcast is the first podcast for the official website of the NFL.

“Rich has been an important contributor to the success of NFL Network since its launch,” said Steve Bornstein, NFL Network President and CEO.  “Fans will now wake up to Rich on Sunday mornings on our pregame show and for the first time, listen to him in a new role when he hosts a weekly podcast on NFL.com.”

“Talking about football 365-days-a-year for 7 years has been a dream come true, but even with all the great platforms NFL Network has afforded me I never imagined I would one day get to talk football 24/7 too,” said Eisen. “At what time does NFL GameDay Morning start again?”

NFL Network built its name with Rich Eisen and since then, Rich has been a familiar and trusted voice in the homes of NFL fans, whether hosting from the sidelines of the Super Bowl for NFL Total Access or from Radio City Music Hall at the NFL Draft.

Rich will now also be featured on NFL.com with his own weekly podcast show where he will interview guests from all fields to talk football and a wide range of topics.

“I’m excited about launching the first-ever podcast for the NFL and NFL.com,” Eisen added. “The free-form chats on football and pop culture with some of the best personalities in the NFL and celebrities who love the game is something fans will enjoy. Plus, I think The Rich Eisen Podcast has been modestly titled.”

Known for his wit and intelligence, Eisen hosts NFL Total Access, NFL GameDay Morning, NFL GameDay Highlights, NFL Scouting Combine, NFL Draft, NFL Kickoff as well Thursday Night Football’s pregame, halftime and postgame shows.

In August 2009, Eisen served as emcee of the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Canton, OH where the 2009 class included fellow NFL Network analyst Rod Woodson.

Eisen was twice nominated for a Sports Emmy as Outstanding Studio Host for his work on NFL Total Access. In 2007, Eisen penned Total Access: A Journey to the Center of the NFL Universe about his experiences as host for NFL Network.

NFL Network airs seven days a week, 24 hours a day on a year-round basis and is the only television network fully dedicated to the NFL and the sport of football.  For more information, log on to www.nfl.com/nflnetwork.  NFL.com is the exclusive internet home of NFL Network.

– NFL MEDIA –

NFL Network Host Rich Eisen Joins NFL Gameday Morning Pregame Show And Debuts New Weekly Podcast On NFL.Com is a post from: Sports Media News

JOE THEISMANN JOINS NFL NETWORK’S

THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL BOOTH

Former Super Bowl Winning Quarterback Joins Bob Papa and Matt Millen for Primetime NFL Games

Former Washington Redskins and Super Bowl winning quarterback Joe Theismann joins NFL Network’s Thursday Night Football announcing team, it was announced today.  Theismann, who is also an analyst on NFL Network’s weekly Playbook shows, teams with Bob Papa and Matt Millen to call NFL Network’s eight-game Thursday Night Football package beginning on November 11 with the Baltimore Ravens vs. Atlanta Falcons.

“Joe is one of the premier analysts in the business,” said Eric Weinberger, executive producer NFL Network.  “With Joe joining Matt, we have two former Super Bowl-winning players who had long and distinguished playing careers before making successful transitions into broadcasting.  Joe will add his strong opinions and analysis to a booth that already features two men who live and breathe NFL football.  We are sure there will be great debates and entertaining analysis on our games this season.”

“It’s great to be back in the booth and joining Matt and Bob on NFL Network’s primetime games,” said Theismann.  “We have a great schedule of games and I can’t wait for them to begin.”

As a veteran NFL broadcaster, Theismann brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise on what goes on inside the huddle. His first experience in the broadcast booth came in 1985, calling Super Bowl XIX alongside Frank Gifford and Don Meredith. In 1988, Theismann became a staple in the broadcast booth for ESPN’s Sunday Night Football for the next 16 years, followed by a stint on the network’s Monday Night Football telecast.

Following a standout college career at Notre Dame that included finishing second to Jim Plunkett in 1970 Heisman voting, Theismann began his professional playing career with the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts in 1971, where he played three seasons before making the move to the NFL with the Washington Redskins. Theismann led Washington to its first championship in Super Bowl XVII and an appearance in Super Bowl XVIII one year later. He earned league MVP honors in 1983 and still holds the Redskins franchise record for most career passing attempts (3,602), career passing completions (2,044) and career yards (25,206).

NFL Network’s primetime Thursday Night Football schedule features eight games and includes teams that combined for eight playoff berths and five division titles in 2009. This is the fifth season of NFL games on NFL Network.  In 2009, NFL Network games featured four of the five most viewed games in the network’s history. Game times for the contests — seven on Thursdays and one on Saturday – are 8:00 PM ET, with a special 7:30 PM ET start on Christmas.

NFL Network 2010 Thursday Night Football Schedule

Week 10: Thursday, November 11 at 8:00 PM ET

Baltimore Ravens at Atlanta Falcons

Week 11: Thursday, November 18 at 8:00 PM ET

Chicago Bears at Miami Dolphins

Week 12: Thursday, November 25 at 8:00 PM ET

Cincinnati Bengals at New York Jets (Thanksgiving)

Week 13: Thursday, December 2 at 8:00 PM ET

Houston Texans at Philadelphia Eagles

Week 14: Thursday, December 9 at 8:00 PM ET

Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans

Week 15: Thursday, December 16 at 8:00 PM ET

San Francisco 49ers at San Diego Chargers

Week 16: Thursday, December 23 at 8:00 PM ET

Carolina Panthers at Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 16: Saturday, December 25 at 7:30 PM ET

Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals (Christmas)

Theismann can also be seen with Brian Baldinger and Sterling Sharpe on NFL Network’s Thursday’s NFC and Friday’s AFC editions of Playbook, dissecting the same “all-22” game film to prepare fans for the week’s upcoming matchups. Starting on November 11, he will not be on Playbook as he will be preparing for the Thursday Night Football telecasts.

NFL Network airs seven days a week, 24 hours a day on a year-round basis and is the only television network fully dedicated to the NFL and the sport of football.  For more information, log on to www.nfl.com/nflnetwork.  NFL.com is the exclusive internet home of NFL Network.

– NFL NETWORK –

Joe Theismann Joins NFL Network’s Thursday Night Football Booth is a post from: Sports Media News