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Archives for December 2008

“THE NFL ON CBS” BEATS NBC, FOX & ESPN

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MORE PEOPLE WATCH “THE NFL ON CBS” THAN ANY OTHER NETWORK THROUGH 15 WEEKS OF 2008 NFL SEASON GAMES

“THE NFL ON CBS” +16% HIGHER THAN NBC; +4% OVER FOX; +53% OVER ESPN

Through 15 weeks of the 2008 NFL regular-season, more people watch NFL games on CBS than any other network, based on a cumulative analysis of Nielsen data.

Through 15 weeks of the 2008 season (September 4-December 15, 2008), THE NFL ON CBS regular-season games were seen by an estimated 145.9 million viewers, +16% higher than NBC’s 126.1 million viewers, +4% higher than FOX’s 140.8 million viewers and +53% higher than ESPN’s 95.4 million.

The cumulative audience is based on Total Viewers (Persons 2+) who have watched at least six minutes of NFL game coverage since the start of the 2008 regular-season.

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“They’ve got to get rid of that revolving door…” — Steve Mariucci on the Detroit Lions — NFL GameDay Morning News and Sound Bites

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News and Sound Bites From Week 17 on

NFL GAMEDAY MORNING

“THEY’VE GOT TO GET RID OF THAT REVOLVING DOOR. THEY’VE GOT TO HAVE SOME CONTINUITY WITH STAFF, FRONT OFFICE AND PLAYER PERSONNEL IN ORDER FOR THAT TEAM TO GROW AND GET BETTER FROM YEAR TO YEAR.”– Mariucci on the Detroit Lions

“YOUR PAST IS WHAT MAKES YOU. IT BUILDS CHARACTER…EVERYONE HAS SOMETHING THAT THEY WISH THEY COULD TAKE BACK, BUT IT MADE ME THE MAN I AM TODAY.”– Jared Allen

“HE HAS NO FRANCHISE QUARTERBACK, HE HAS NO PRO BOWL WIDE RECIEVER, IT’S JUST HIM.”– Marshall Faulk on his MVP choice, Vikings RB Adrian Peterson

NFL GameDay Morning, the first information packed show on the air Sunday mornings, checks in at 9:00 AM ET on the only network dedicated entirely to football. Warren Sapp, Marshall Faulk and Steve Mariucci alongside hosts Spero Dedes and co-host Alex Flanagan with news reports by Adam Schefter, bring fans the latest news, injury reports, pregame analysis and game previews on NFL Network.

Schefter’s News Reports:

  • Patriots VP of Player Personnel Scott Pioli’s name keeps coming up in connection to job openings, but very few people have tried to hire him. There was talk that Detroit would hire Pioli, but they never did. The only two jobs he’s ever been offered were with Seattle in 2005 and with the Giants in 2007. He’s been tough to get out of New England, but the fact is that he hasn’t had too many opportunities. For the right price and the right situation, Pioli could be pried out of New England. Cleveland would be a logical landing spot. It is expected that the Browns will part ways with GM Phil Savage, who has not represented the organization well in the eyes of some people in Cleveland. If that’s the case, Pioli has worked in Cleveland before and he would be a logical target for the Browns now.

  • Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was adamant this week that Wade Phillips will be his coach next season. So either Jones is telling the truth and is going to prove everyone wrong or he’s this year’s version of Nick Saban. The scenario to watch in Dallas now that Phillips is presumably safe for this season is Mike Holmgren coaching the Cowboys in 2010. Holmgren is the big fish that’s out there that now that Phillips is safe, other teams will focus on after next season.

  • In Philadelphia, QB Donovan McNabb’s request for a new contract is all about commitment and security. McNabb plans to sit down with Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie and head coach Andy Reid after the season to get some answers to some questions that have been asked since he was benched during the game vs. Baltimore. If the Eagles can commit to McNabb that he will be their starting quarterback without any questions being asked and they give him the contract extension that he wants, which is an issue of security, McNabb most likely stays. If not, the possibility of a trade for McNabb opens wide and he could become this year’s offseason version of Brett Favre.

  • Raiders-Buccaneers was going to be the ‘Kiffin Bowl,’ but former Raiders coach Lane Kiffin took the head coaching job at the University of Tennessee and will be taking his father Monte with him. The two will not square off today, but it will be Monte Kiffin’s last game in Tampa. Raiders owner Al Davis did not make the trip to Tampa for today’s game and it’s one of the rare road games that he’s ever missed. Davis’ knee and ankle have been bothering him from a fall he took in San Diego earlier this month. Doctors told him it’s not a good idea to get on a cross-county flight. Davis wanted to be in Tampa, but he did not make the trip.

  • There are real questions in New York on whether this will be the final game for Brett Favre and head coach Eric Mangini as well. There were discussions within the organization this week about how to handle Mangini’s future. There was even some consideration given on whether to give him a one-year extension. The fact that the extension did not go to Mangini this week is an ominous sign for the Jets head coach. There is a growing feeling within the organization that Mangini did not connect with the players. If you look at the loss last week vs. Seattle to a backup quarterback with the Jets high-priced defensive line going up against a backup Seahawks offensive line and could not produce any sacks, this could be the final game for Mangini in New York if the Jets do not make the playoffs.

  • I’ve been told that Bill Cowher is not mentally ready to return to football in 2009, despite the fact that there are repeated calls for him to be hired in Cleveland and other cities. Cowher just is not ready to come back to football yet. 2010 is the soonest that we would see Cowher coaching on the sidelines.

  • There’s no real feeling on whether Tom Cable will or will not be back. Cable definitely has some support within the organization and ultimately Raiders owner Al Davis will decide whether or not he wants to bring back Cable, but there will be changes in Oakland. 19 of the 20 assistant coaches all have contracts that are expiring after today’s game. James Lofton is the only Raiders assistant coach under contract with the team for next season.

  • All the talk about 49ers interim head coach Mike Singletary staying on as head coach in San Francisco is expected to become official this week. The two sides are discussing a four or five-year contract extension.

  • The future of Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards all depends on who they hire as General Manager. That search is ongoing right now. Some of the names you’ll hear come up with that job are Jimmy Raye from San Diego, Mark Dominik from Tampa Bay. There are any number of candidates that could come in as the GM in Kansas City. That man will decide whether Edwards stays or goes, but Edwards has already told his staff to start looking for jobs in 2009.

  • In Detroit, now that they’re bringing back Martin Mayhew and chief operating officer Tom Lewand, it would be very difficult to bring back the coaching staff. The guess there is that all the coaches will be gone after this disastrous season. In Buffalo, head coach Dick Jauron signed a three-year extension and it will very difficult for the Bills to eat that money now. They are not in a financial position where they can do that.

Quotes from NFL GameDay Morning:

“They’ve got to get rid of that revolving door. They’ve got to have some continuity with staff, front office and player personnel in order for that team to grow and get better from year to year.” – Mariucci on the Detroit Lions.

“When Matt Millen took over the team eight years ago, he took over a 9-7 team. He dismantled that team and he dismantled the front office. He wanted to take that team to the next level, but in starting over, those pieces weren’t put in place yet.” – Mariucci on the Lions under former GM Matt Millen.

“Talking about the draft, you have to have a certain batting average in the draft. You don’t hit on everybody. Of the five top-ten draft picks they’ve had in the past, a quarterback and four wide receivers, only one is still with the organization – Calvin Johnson. That’s a lot of salary cap dollars wasted…it’s just culminated into not having enough weapons, not having enough good players, not enough depth compared to other teams and here we are at 0-16. They need to rebuild at every level.” – Mariucci

“This is what they do best. Run the football and stop the run. Their play-action football lives off this.” – Steve Mariucci on the Giants’ running game.

“Brian Westbrook is the most complete back in football right now.” – Mariucci

“Arthur Blank is a great owner and he deserves this.” – Faulk on Falcons owner Arthur Blank, whose team has clinched a playoff berth and has a chance to win the NFC South division title

“It shows you what a difference a year can make. Last year, Tom Coughlin and the Giants had to play because no one expected them to win. Now they’re the favorite and are resting guys.” –Faulk on the Giants choosing the rest players vs. the Vikings.

“Bad weather is the great equalizer.” – Mariucci on the weather in Buffalo.

“The Buffalo Bills have one of the biggest offensive lines in the league. It doesn’t matter who the running back is when you have a big offensive line.” – Faulk on the Bills running game having the advantage in inclement weather vs. New England, despite the loss of Marshawn Lynch.

“I believe Donovan McNabb (is out) in Philadelphia, but not in a bad way. He gets it in a good way because he gets to leave. The Philly fans are the ones that are going to be suffering because they don’t know what Kevin Kolb has and he’s the quarterback of the future.” – Faulk on whether QB Donovan McNabb or head coach Andy Reid is the odd man out in Philadelphia following the season.

“He’s just trying to carry too much of the load. With Gus Frerotte out, he feels as if he has to carry the load and when he runs as hard as he does, the ball will come out at some point in time. He just needs to play his role and allow Tarvaris [Jackson] to do what he needs to do.” – Faulk on Vikings RB Adrian Peterson’s recent struggles.

“This team is dangerous. Matt Cassel is a legitimate starting quarterback in the National Football League. They have weapons galore on both sides of the ball. If this team gets in they should do some damage in the playoffs.” – Mariucci on the New England Patriots.

“I’ve said this about three or four years in a row – it could be (Favre’s last year). Watching him play this year, I don’t know if it’s been as much fun in his new surroundings.” – Mariucci on Favre.

“That’s why Green Bay is okay with being 5-9 right now. They don’t have to answer that question anymore.” – Faulk on the Packers not being asked about former QB Brett Favre.

“When you talk about the strength of their ball club, you have to start at the top with Peyton Manning.” – Warren Sapp on the Indianapolis Colts.

“There’s two things that Jet fans want to know – how and when? How does our season end and when does it end?” – Sapp on the New York Jets.

“They did make progress. Enough progress? We’ll see.” – Mariucci on Jets head coach Eric Mangini’s future after doubling the number of wins this year.

“This is the reason why a young rookie quarterback can play in this league because the running game is a rookie quarterback’s best friend. Michael Turner for MVP.” – Mariucci on his MVP pick of the season, Falcons RB Michael Turner.

“He has no franchise quarterback, he has no Pro Bowl wide receiver, it’s just him.” – Faulk on his MVP pick of the season, Vikings RB Adrian Peterson.

“I hope his plays today because he needs to get back in the saddle.” – Mariucci on Titans QB Vince Young.

“The one bright spot is Calvin Johnson. He’s the best receiver in the game, but the bad part is that it’s easy to be the best receiver in the game when you’re on the worst team.” – Faulk on the Detroit Lions and WR Calvin Johnson.

“They have been mentally healthier.” – Mariucci on the Chargers success late in the season.

NFL GameDay Morning Analyst Picks for MVP, Coach of the Year and All-Disaster Team:

Analyst MVP Coach of the Year All-Disaster Team
Steve Mariucci RB Michael Turner, ATL Tony Sparano, MIA QB Vince Young, TEN
RB Edgerrin James, ARI
WR Roy Williams, DAL
Marshall Faulk RB Adrian Peterson, MIN Mike Smith, ATL Jon Kitna, DET
RB Tatum Bell, DEN
WR Jerry Porter, JAX
Warren Sapp QB Peyton Manning, IND Mike Smith, ATL QB Carson Palmer, CIN
RB Larry Johnson, KC
WR Plaxico Burress, NYG

**To access video link of NFL GameDay analysts picks for MVP, Coach of the Year and All-Disaster team, please visit:

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80dac6d7 – MVP and Coach of the Year picks

Notes from TNT’s Coverage of the NBA – Thursday, December 25, 2008

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Notes from TNT’s Coverage of the NBA – Thursday, December 25, 2008

TNT’s NBA Coverage continues Thursday, Jan. 15 at 8 p.m. ET with the Cleveland Cavaliers @ Chicago Bulls followed by the Phoenix Suns @ Denver Nuggets

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Game #1:  Washington Wizards (89) @ Cleveland Cavaliers (93)

Announcers: Marv Albert and Mike Fratello; Craig Sager reporting

Fratello on teams being mentally prepared to play on Christmas Day: “A lot of it has to do with the maturity of the players.  It’s difficult because sometimes guys start to sulk and drop their heads because it’s a holiday they feel they should have off and celebrating with their relatives.  You hope that you have a mature team and that they come ready to play.  (If the game is) on the schedule, you have to play anyway, you might as well win it.”

Fratello on how the Cavaliers have gotten off to a better start to the season than last year: “(The Cavaliers) have guys like (Sasha) Pavlovich and (Anderson) Varejao who came to training camp and didn’t hold out like they did a year ago.  Then they got hurt once they finally did come back (last season) and settled on a contract.  Then the players acquired in the big trade (with Seattle and Chicago) last year had the chance to come to training camp instead of joining the team mid-season.  They are so far ahead of where they were last year and their play shows it.”

In the spirit of the holiday season, TNT’s Mike Fratello compiled a list of who has been “nice” in the past year:

Boston Celtics: “(The Celtics) got off to a great start and they aren’t satisfied with winning one (NBA) Championship.  Forget about just playing well, they are on a record-setting pace right now.”

Cleveland Cavaliers GM Danny Ferry: “(Danny Ferry) went out and acquired Mo Williams (in a trade) that puts them right up there with the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers.”

Legendary basketball coach Pete Newell who passed away earlier this year: “For what (Pete Newell) has done for the game of basketball.  For front office people, player development, coaching development, Pete Newell is a basketball great.”

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Halftime

Johnson, Barkley and Smith

Smith on the 4-22 (entering Thursday night) Washington Wizards: “(The Wizards) are a scrub team.  When your (record is) 4-22, you’re a scrub team.”

Johnson: “Well (“scrub team) is your term.”

Barkley: “What would you call them? A juggernaut?”

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TNT’s Craig Sager interviewed injured Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas during the third quarter

Arenas on what might have held up his recovering from previous injuries in recent years: “I still go (to the arena).  I think that’s been the problem with me being out so long, I’m taking the full (amount of) time to recover.  I’m working out and trying to stay above the curve.  It has hurt me in the past.”

Arenas on when he plans on returning to the Wizards lineup: “If was up to me, I’d have been playing on December 1st.  The trainers are holding me out longer than I wanted to.  I want to come back now but it’s up to the trainers.  When they feel I’m ready and 100%, they’ll let me go.”

In the spirit of the holiday season, TNT’s Mike Fratello compiled a list of who has been “naughty” in the past year:

New York Knicks: “For the on-going saga with Stephon Marbury.  I’m not sure if anyone is to blame but it should have ended (by now).  Things have turned in a positive direction for the Knicks, that Marbury thing needs to be put behind them.”

Golden State Warriors guard Monta Ellis: “Bad judgement for Monta (Ellis).  He just signed a $67 million/six year contract and it says you cannot ride motorcycles.  He was suspended for 33 games following the surgery on his leg.  Bad idea.”

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Game #2:  Dallas Mavericks (102) @ Portland Trail Blazers (94)

Announcers: Kevin Harlan and Reggie Miller; Cheryl Miller reporting

Miller on Trail Blazers young center Greg Oden: “(Greg Oden) was the number one overall pick (in the 2007 NBA Draft) and he missed all of last season with microfracture surgery.  Everyone is riding the hopes and pinning a NBA Championship to his shoulders and it’s not fair.  Offensively, he’s a little bit challenged.  The crowd wants him to be more offensive-minded and (Trail Blazers head coach) Nate McMillan wants him to be more defensive-minded.”

Miller on Blazers backup center Joel Przybilla: “(Joel Przybilla) is probably the best backup center in the league.  He could easily be starting for (a lot of teams).”

Miller on Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle adjusting his player rotation based on their performance: “What Coach (Rick) Carlisle does well is he monitors practice and a lot of the bench players’ practice habits.  He recognized that James Singleton and (Antoine) Wright have been practicing hard and guys who are struggling right now are out of the rotation like Brandon Bass.  You have to be able to make those adjustments.”

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Halftime

Johnson, Barkley and Smith

Barkley on who he thinks are the best teams in the NBA: “The two best teams in the West (Conference) are the Lakers and the Spurs.  That’s going to be a dogfight until the end.  In the East (Conference), clearly (the best teams are) Boston (Celtics) and Cleveland (Cavaliers).  Those are going to be the final four.”

Barkley on what would have happened if Mavericks point guard Jason Kidd would have joined the team five years ago: “If Jason Kidd would have gone to Dallas five years earlier, that combination (with Dirk Nowitzki) would have been deadly.  Obviously, Jason is on the downside of his career but if they would have played together from the beginning, that would have been one of the best combinations in NBA history.”

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Miller on the importance of young teams understanding that they have to play hard every game: “When you are a young team, (playing hard every night is) the hardest part to learn because you just want to show up and play and jack up shots.  (Trail Blazers head coach) Nate McMillan is trying to get his team to play (hard) each and every night.  It doesn’t matter if you’re playing the San Antonio Spurs, one of most seasoned teams, or a young team like the New Orleans Hornets.  Each team presents different challenges and you’ve got to rise to those challenges.”

TNT’s Cheryl Miller interviewed Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki following the game

Nowitzki on the Mavericks playing better in recent weeks: “We’ve got a lot of work to do.  We have to keep working.  In this Western Conference, you can’t afford to lose games.  While you’re improving you still have to find ways to win games and stay in games.  Over the last three weeks, we’ve been more comfortable with the sets that (Mavericks head coach) Rick (Carlisle) is running, we are executing a lot better and that definitely helps us.”

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Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai

Johnson, Barkley and Smith

Smith on what Trail Blazers center Greg Oden needs in his first NBA season: “(Greg Oden) needs experience.  When you start learning the league, you start learning guys’ tendencies.  I think Greg doesn’t know the tendencies of the guys he is playing against.”

Smith on Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo: “(Rajan Rondo) has a tricky, little, funny game and it works.”

Barkley: “He’s played very well and he’s close to becoming an All-Star.  It’s going to come down to him and (Nets point guard) Devin Harris.”

Barkley on Lakers head coach Phil Jackson becoming the quickest to 1000 wins in NBA history: “Is that a big deal?  He had Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen (with the Bulls) and Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal (with the Lakers).  If we let (Ernie Johnson) coach those guys, he’d be the quickest to 1000 (wins) too.”

Smith: “(He would) be at least in the 800’s.”

Barkley: “If (Jackson is) that good of a coach, have him trade places with (Timberwolves head coach) Kevin McHale.  That would be impressive to me.”

Barkley on the importance of defense on great teams: “The three most important stats to me are turnovers, rebounding and defense.  If you look at those three stats, you can tell who is going to be the best team.  The “Showtime” Lakers were great defensively.  Michael Jordan’s Bulls were great defensively.  The “Bad Boy” Pistons were great defensively and the Celtics are a great defensive team.”

Barkley on what he thinks Cavaliers guard LeBron James will do in 2010 when his current contract expires: “(I think) LeBron James is going to do the right thing.  He’s going to sign a lifetime contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers.  He’s going to sign a long-term extension, that’d be the right thing to do.”

Log on to TNT OverTime for a full replay of Inside the NBA and special features from TNT’s NBA announcers.

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NFL Network Posts Highest Cable Rating in its History

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NFL NETWORK TOPS ALL CABLE NETWORKS IN PRIME TIME IN RECORD RATINGS WEEK

NFL Network Posts Highest Cable Rating in its History

NFL Network earned the highest average primetime cable rating among all cable networks last week (Dec. 15-21) led by a pair of exciting Week 16 Thursday and Saturday Night Football games – Indianapolis-Jacksonville and Baltimore-Dallas.

NFL Network averaged a 2.31 primetime cable rating, ahead of USA’s 2.23 and ESPN’s 2.21. In addition, the 2.31 was the highest weekly average in NFL Network’s history, topping the previous best 2.22 for the week of Nov. 26-Dec. 2, 2007.

Last Saturday’s Ravens-Cowboys game on NFL Network posted a 9.22 cable rating – tied for the fourth-highest cable rating of any sporting event in 2008. NFL Network’s Thursday night Colts-Jaguars contest earned a 6.58 cable rating and is the network’s third-highest rated game this year.

Following are the five highest-rated cable networks in primetime last week:

Highest-Rated Cable Networks in Primetime, Week of Dec. 15-21, 2008

Cable Network

Cable Rating

NFL Network

2.31

USA

2.23

ESPN

2.21

Lifetime

1.76

Nickelodeon

1.72

Source: Nielsen Media Research, NFL Network (8PM-11PM coverage area ratings; 12/15/08-12/21/08)

ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown Features

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ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown Features

Grammy-winning artist John Legend appears as guest host of “Mayne Event Awards”

ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown Presented by IBM will preview Sunday’s games beginning at 11 a.m. ET with Chris Berman and analysts Cris Carter, Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson and Keyshawn Johnson. Chris Mortensen will also provide headlines and league news, and Steve Young will contribute his weekly Sunday segment, “Young is Restless.”

The two-hour program will include reports from Bob Holtzman covering the New York Giants at the Minnesota Vikings, David Amber at the New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills, Colleen Dominguez in Green Bay, Wisc., for Lions-Packers, Sal Paolantonio at the Jacksonville Jaguars at Baltimore Ravens, Rachel Nichols covering the Miami Dolphins at New York Jets, and Ed Werder at the Cowboys-Eagles. Other highlights:

Brett Favre and Chad Pennington

When Brett Favre was traded from the Packers to the Jets, quarterback Chad Pennington was released after eight seasons in New York. Favre has helped in transforming the Jets from 4-12 in 2007 to 9-6 this season with a chance at the playoffs. Pennington signed with the Dolphins and has led them to a miraculous turnaround season, from 1-15 in 2007 to 10-5, within one game of winning the AFC East division. The one team standing in Pennington’s way is his former team – the New York Jets, led by Favre. Reporter Rachel Nichols reports on the ties that bind the two quarterbacks.

Images of the 2008 season

Leading into the season’s last Sunday of NFL games, Countdown will look back at the memorable moments of the 2008 season.

The “Mayne Event” Awards featuring Grammy winning singer John Legend

At the 2008 regular season’s end, the off-beat segment looks back at some of the best and brightest “Mayne Event” performances of the year with five-time Grammy winning recording artist John Legend hosting The 2008 Mayne Event Awards that include best actor, best cameo and best ensemble categories. Legend also performs an original song for the Awards. Sunday’s will be the first of a two-part “Mayne Event Awards” series featuring Legend. The second part of the awards will air Sunday, Jan. 3.

· Kenny Mayne on Legend: “It was a huge thrill to work with John Legend. He bought into the concept of the fake awards show right away. We were worried he wouldn’t want to sing for us on the spot, particularly in that the songs we wrote for him were terrible. But he is so good, he was able to make terrible songs sound like ballads, which they now are. He has an album for sale.”

EA Sports Virtual Playbook: Drew Brees

In EA Sports Virtual Playbook, Tom Jackson analyzes New Orleans Saints Drew Brees and explains how the quarterback, currently 402 passing yards shy of Dan Marino’s NFL record for passing yards in a season, will manipulate the Panthers defense for big plays in their NFC South matchup.

Broncos/Chargers Rivalry

There was last season’s Monday Night jawing match between quarterbacks Philip Rivers and Jay Cutler. There was a wild Week 2 game – where referee Ed Hochuli blew a fumble call and Denver converted a late two-point conversion to leave the Chargers with a head-shaking loss. On Sunday, it’s a winner-take-all showdown for the AFC West division. Countdown looks inside the Broncos and Chargers’ budding rivalry.

Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em with Matthew Berry and Merril Hoge

ESPN’s fantasy football guru Matthew Berry and Merril Hoge preview which players to start or sit Sunday in “Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em” including, weekly trends and sleepers in the NFL.

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 17 action. The list of game picks will be posted on www.espn.com/sundaycountdown after the show.

Additional segment includes “Sunday Stretch,” a preview of some of the day’s key matchups and players as they warm up for their games.

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NFC Playoff Picture Decided Sunday on FOX: Giants/Vikings * Bears/Texans * Rams/Falcons * Panthers/Saints * Cowboys/Eagles

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FOX SPORTS NOTES, QUOTES & ANECDOTES

Final Playoff Push: NFL on FOX Week 17 Doubleheader Action

Giants/Vikings * Bears/Texans * Rams/Falcons * Panthers/Saints * Cowboys/Eagles

Define NFC Postseason Picture Sunday on FOX

Billick: Falcons Look Ready for Super Bowl Run

NFL ON FOX WEEK 17: LOTS OF PLAYOFF SCENARIOS – With two playoffs spots in the NFC still up for grabs, the NFL on FOX wraps up its 15th regular season with an eight-game doubleheader on Sunday, Dec. 28. Beginning with the 1:00 PM ET games, the Minnesota Vikings will lock up one of those playoff spots as champion of the NFC North with a victory over the No. 1-seeded Giants in Minneapolis. The Panthers can clinch the No. 2 seed and a bye in the first round with a victory in New Orleans or see themselves playing on the road Wild Card weekend with a loss and a Falcons win. After a tumultuous 2007, the Falcons can finish 2008 as NFC South champions with a win at the Rams and a Carolina loss. In Houston, the Bears look to keep their playoff hopes alive when they take on the Texans. Also, the Packers host the Lions. At 4:15 PM ET, the Cowboys can punch their ticket to the postseason with a win over the Eagles. Philadelphia’s slim playoff hopes hinge on a win and help. Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver call all the action live from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. The second half of FOX’s doubleheader concludes with the Redskins at 49ers and the Seahawks at Cardinals.

Coverage begins at 12:00 PM ET with America’s most-watched pregame show, FOX NFL SUNDAY.  Co-hosts Terry Bradshaw and Curt Menefee join analysts Howie Long, Jimmy Johnson and Michael Strahan to provide insightful opinions on the NFL. The NFL’s best insider, Jay Glazer, breaks the latest information from the FOXSports.com newsroom. Jillian Reynolds provides the latest, most complete and accurate game day forecasts while critically acclaimed comedic impressionist Frank Caliendo makes his entertaining weekly picks.  This week, Bradshaw presents his own humorous look at the players and coaches who have made their mark on the 2008 NFL season, as he hands out his annual “Terry Awards.” Categories include but are not limited to the “Coach Who Never Panics,” “Tough Guy of the Year” and awards for “Great Player” and “Great Hair.”

BILLICK: THE FALCONS ARE BUILT TO MAKE A RUN AT THE SUPER BOWL – The Falcons have already made 2008 a season to remember with their postseason ticket punched and a No. 2 seed and first-round bye within sight if they beat the Rams and the Panthers lose. NFL on FOX analyst Brian Billick looks the reasons that Atlanta could continue their run all the way to Super Bowl XLIII. “The Falcons are built for success in the playoffs. It was big for them to go on the road last week in a very tough environment in Minnesota and win that game. It looks to me like they could make a legitimate run to the Super Bowl. You look at the NFC playoff picture and the Giants are a dramatically different team with or without Brandon Jacobs, so an injury will affect them tremendously. Carolina is an outstanding football team and Atlanta has beaten Carolina. I think the fact that they have a chance to jump from a No. 5 to a No. 2 seed and get a bye in the first round this weekend shows you that they are a force.”

GAME BROADCASTERS COV. TIME

New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings Announcer Dick Stockton                 66%                      1:00PM

Analyst Brian Baldinger

Sideline Reporter Laura Okmin

MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Dayton, Denver, Fort Myers, Hartford, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Memphis, Miami, Minneapolis, Nashville, New York, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, Providence, Richmond, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Tulsa, Washington, West Palm Beach

Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints Announcer Kenny Albert                       8%                       1:00PM

Analyst Daryl Johnston

On-Field Analyst Tony Siragusa

MARKETS INCLUDE: Charlotte, Greensboro, Greenville, Knoxville, New Orleans, Raleigh

St. Louis Rams at Atlanta Flacons Announcer Sam Rosen                         7%                       1:00PM

Analyst Tim Ryan

Sideline Reporter Chris Myers

MARKETS INCLUDE: Atlanta, Birmingham, Jacksonville, St. Louis

Chicago Bears at Houston Texans Announcer Matt Vasgersian               7%                       1:00PM

Analyst JC Pearson

Sideline Reporter Nischelle Turner

MARKETS INCLUDE: Chicago, Houston

Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers Announcer Chris Rose                         6%                        1:00PM

Analyst John Lynch

MARKETS INCLUDE: Detroit, Milwaukee

Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles Announcer Joe Buck                            88%                     4:15PM

Analyst Troy Aikman

Sideline Reporter Pam Oliver

MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Birmingham, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Dayton, Denver, Detroit, Fort Myers, Greensboro, Greenville, Hartford, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Portland, Providence, Raleigh, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, St. Louis, Tampa, Tulsa, West Palm Beach

Washington Redskins at San Francisco 49ers Announcer Ron Pitts                             6%                       4:15PM

Analyst Tony Boselli

Sideline Reporter Charissa Thompson

MARKETS INCLUDE: Richmond, Sacramento, San Francisco, Washington

Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals Announcer Thom Brennaman            4%                        4:15PM

Analyst Brian Billick

MARKETS INCLUDE: Phoenix, Seattle

“Female LeBron” Quits Basketball

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“Female LeBron” Tells OTL “I was trying to force happiness” Sunday

Multi-Platform Report of Elena Delle Donne’s Leaving UConn & Quitting Basketball

December 24, 2008

ESPN’s award-winning Outside the Lines (Sundays 9 a.m. ET ESPN, noon ESPNEWS) will offer a multimedia enterprise journalism presentation telling the story of Elena Delle Donne, including her first television interview since the 2008 Naismith National High School Player-of-the-Year told University of Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma in August that she would not be playing basketball for the perennially powerful Huskies, or for anyone else.

Delle Donne, a 6-foot-4 guard whose skills had earned her the nickname the “Female LeBron,” tells reporter Mark Schwarz that she “couldn’t stand” basketball since she was 13. The Delaware native left UConn, where she had committed, and returned home to the University of Delaware where she began playing volleyball, and made the conference All-Rookie team.

Elena Delle Donne

Video, Photo, Companion Piece

►For downloadable photo of Delle Donne from Sunday’s Outside the Lines, click this link

►To view a preview clip, click: http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=3776195

►ESPN.com will post Schwarz’s online story Friday.

►Following Sunday’s 9 a.m. show, ESPN.com will post an additional 11-minutes of web-exclusive content from the Schwarz-Delle Donne interview.

►For more features and stories from the cross-platform Outside The Lines team, visit: http://beta.espn.go.com/espn/otl/index

From Sunday’s Outside the Lines:

“About age 13 I thought, ‘I don’t know if I want to do this anymore. It’s not fun.’ My teammates used to seem like they were having a lot of fun, and I’d look around like, ‘I should be having fun, too.” — Elena Delle Donne

“I was trying to force happiness upon myself, which I couldn’t find. I faked it really well because I didn’t want other people to know.” — Elena Delle Donne

“At camps, we’d have guest speakers who would say, ‘You got to have that passion for the game — that’s what will get you through to the next level.’ And I was thinking in my head, ‘I don’t have that at all.” — Elena Delle Donne

*Coming home and telling my parents — I mean, not many kids show up at their doorstep when they’re supposed to be at college – so I mean my stomach was spinning. They were just like, ‘Couldn’t you have tried it for a little longer? Maybe you’re just homesick.’ And I was like, ‘That’s not it at all. I don’t have the passion. I can’t keep doing this.’” — Elena Delle Donne, on the difficulty of returning home after leaving UConn workouts and summer school last June

“She’s like a totally different person than what I saw when she played basketball. I think she looked miserable. I think she looks a lot better now. She looks really happy.” — Meghan Bonk, Delle Donne’s Delaware volleyball teammate and high school friend

From Mark Schawarz’ ESPN.com piece

“I don’t know how you can play that much basketball and be that good at it and say, ‘I hate it since the time I was 13.’ To me those two things don’t go together — that you would be that good at something and not enjoy any of it. It’s hard for me to come to grips with.” — Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma

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HOLIDAY “CLASSICS” ON NFL NETWORK — Encores of Early Season Eagles-Cowboys, Jets-Dolphins & Chargers-Broncos Matchups Preview Week 17 Games

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HOLIDAY “CLASSICS” ON NFL NETWORK — Encores of Early Season Eagles-Cowboys, Jets-Dolphins & Chargers-Broncos Matchups Preview Week 17 Games

20 HOURS HIGHLIGHTING THREE DIVISIONAL MATCHUPS INCLUDES:

· COMPLETE RE-AIR OF WEEK 2 COWBOYS-EAGLES – MOST WATCHED SHOW IN CABLE TV HISTORY

· COMPLETE RE-AIR OF WEEK 2 CHARGERS-BRONCOS

· NFL CLASSIC GAMES – 2000 DOLPHINS-JETS “MONDAY NIGHT MIRACLE”

· NFL REPLAYS OF SEASON’S FIRST MEETINGS

With playoff implications for both teams riding on three Week 17 divisional games – Miami-New York Jets, Dallas-Philadelphia and Denver-San Diego  — NFL Network will treat fans to 20 hours of recent and classic game programming for each rivalry beginning Christmas night at 9:00 PM ET.

On Thursday, Dec. 25 at 9:00 PM ET the special programming lineup kicks off with a complete re-air of the Cowboys’ thrilling Week 2 Monday night victory over the Eagles which featured seven lead changes, 54 first-half points and a key defensive stop at midfield with one minute remaining. The ESPN telecast of Eagles-Cowboys – the most watched cable show in history with 18.6 million viewers – will be shown with original graphics and commentary from Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski and Tony Kornheiser. This NFL Classic Game will encore on Saturday, Dec. 27 at 2:00 PM ET.

One night later on Friday, Dec. 26 at 9:00 PM ET, NFL Classic Games features a complete re-air of the “Monday Night Miracle” Jets victory over the Dolphins from Week 8 of the 2000 season. In that game – voted the “Greatest Game in Monday Night Football History,” by NFL fans in 2002 – the Jets and Vinny Testaverde (four touchdown passes) erased a 23-point deficit to win 40-37 in overtime, with the final score coming after 1:00 AM ET. NFL Classic Games features the complete telecast including original ABC graphics and announcers (Al Michaels, Dan Fouts and Dennis Miller).

On Saturday, Dec. 27 at 8:00 PM ET and 12 Midnight ET, Denver’s 39-38 Week 2 victory over San Diego is featured on NFL Classic Games. The Broncos scored the winning points in this game on a two-point conversion with 24 seconds remaining. Quarterbacks Jay Cutler and Philip Rivers combined to pass for 727 yard and seven touchdowns. In addition to the complete telecast with CBS graphics and announcers (Dick Enberg and Randy Cross), this NFL Classic Games features postgame reaction from players and coaches who commented on a fourth–quarter, incomplete-pass ruling which allowed the Broncos to maintain possession on their game-winning drive.

Each of the three early season meetings between the clubs will be featured Saturday on NFL Replay, which re-broadcasts the most compelling games in a fast-paced 90-minute format. NFL Replay games are enhanced with exclusive material including distinctive shots and camera angles from NFL Films and its own sideline and on-field sound while eliminating halftime and other elements not critical to the outcome.  Postgame press conference sound bites allow fans complete behind-the-scenes access.

NFL Network Schedule – Thursday, Dec. 25

9:00 PM ET – NFL Classic Games: Eagles-Cowboys (2008 Week 2) (HD)

NFL Network Schedule – Friday, Dec. 26

9:00 PM ET – NFL Classic Games: Dolphins-Jets (2000 Week 8 “Monday Night Miracle”)

NFL Network Schedule – Saturday, Dec. 27

9:00 AM ET – NFL Replay: Eagles-Cowboys (2008 Week 2) (HD)

10:30 AM ET – NFL Replay: Chargers-Broncos (2008 Week 2) (HD)

2:00 PM ET – NFL Classic Games: Eagles-Cowboys (2008 Week 2) (HD)

5:30 PM ET – NFL Replay: Jets-Dolphins (2008 Week 1) (HD)

8:00 PM ET – NFL Classic Games: Chargers-Broncos (2008 Week 2) (HD)

12 Midnight ET – NFL Classic Games: Chargers-Broncos (2008 Week 2) (HD)

NFL Network airs seven days a week, 24 hours a day on a year-round basis and is the only 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.

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Monday Night Football: Most-Watched Series on Cable

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Monday Night Football: Most-Watched Series on Cable
Three Biggest Cable Household Audiences of 2008, 13 of Top 15;
ESPN.com Averages 68.1 Million Page Views on Mon./Tues., Up 51% From 2007
ESPN’s third season of Monday Night Football was the most-watched series on cable television in 2008, set an all-time cable viewership record for the third straight year and drew the year’s three biggest cable household audiences and 13 of the top 15. In three seasons on ESPN, Monday Night Football has registered seven of the top 10 all-time biggest household audiences in cable history, led by the Eagles-Cowboys telecast on September 15, which attracted cable’s largest household audience ever (an average of 12,953,000 million homes).
ESPN’s 17 Monday Night Football telecasts in 2008 averaged a 8.9 rating, representing an average of 8,679,000 households (11,962,000 viewers – P2+), increases of 3%, 5% and 7%, respectively, vs. 2007 (8.6; 8,277,000 and 11,230,000).  MNF ended on a particularly strong note with last night’s Chicago Bears’ 20-17 overtime victory over the Green Bay Packers delivering a 9.8 rating, representing an average of 9,582,000 households (13,803,000 viewers – P2+).  The game ranks as the third-largest household audience on cable this year.
For the season, the accompanying “Monday Night Surround” content on ESPN.com sparked an increase of Monday (through Tuesday at noon ET) traffic to the site of 51% with an average 68.1 million page views per week.
“ESPN’s Monday Night Football was a resounding success this season with ratings and viewership increases from a year ago and an overwhelmingly positive response from fans to our new approach highlighting technology and X’s and O’s analysis,” said John Wildhack, ESPN executive vice president, program acquisitions & strategy. “By offering quality football content across many platforms, we are proud to continue the tradition of this great franchise which is so revered by fans, players and coaches, and we are already looking forward to MNF’s 40th season in 2009.”
MNF on TV
MNF occupies seven of the top 10 spots on the list of cable’s biggest household audiences ever (excludes breaking news), including the new #1, the September 15 Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys game with an average of 12,953,000 homes (18,608,000 total viewers, based on a 13.3 rating).
ESPN’s NFL games account for 13 of the top 15 biggest household audiences (and eight of the top 10) for any basic cable television program in 2008.  They rank first, second, third, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th.
Other highlights for the 2008 NFL season:
  • ESPN led all networks – cable or broadcast – in delivery of all key male demos (men 18-34, men 18-49 and men 25-54) and adults 18-34 every Monday in primetime this season.
  • ESPN led all networks – cable or broadcast – in delivery of adults 18-49 on 15 of 16 Mondays in primetime.
  • Four times, ESPN was the most-watched network – cable or broadcast – in primetime on Monday.
  • Since the start of the NFL season, ESPN has led all cable networks in overall household delivery in primetime (an average of 2,335,000 households throughout the week).
  • For the past 9 consecutive weeks, ESPN has led all cable networks in delivery of adult men on a total-day basis, as well as men 18-54.  ESPN has been #1 among M18+ and M18-54 for 13 of the past 15 weeks.
“Monday Night Surround” on ESPN.com
NFL content on ESPN.com, including “Monday Night Surround,” accessed via computers and mobile devices generated an average 68.1 million page views and 9.5 million visits from Monday through Tuesday at noon, up 51% and 19%, respectively, over 2007, according to Web measurement tool Omniture/Hitbox.  Specifically, NFL content on mobile averaged 11.1 million page views and 1.5 million visits for Monday through Tuesday at noon for the season.  In addition, pro football-related video on ESPN.com averaged more than 2.5 million views per week and SportsCenter Right Now averaged 1.5 million views. ESPN football-related podcasts were downloaded an average of more than 641,000 per week since the season kicked off.
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20th Annual Insight Bowl Matches Kansas Against Minnesota Wednesday, December 31 at 6:00 PM ET on NFL Network

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20th Annual Insight Bowl Matches Kansas Against Minnesota Wednesday, December 31 at 6:00 PM ET on NFL Network

Telecast FEATURES PAUL BURMEISTER, Mike Mayock and LINDSAY SOTO

The 20th Annual Insight Bowl matches the Big Ten’s Minnesota Golden Gophers (7-5) against the Big 12’s Kansas Jayhawks (7-5) in a live high definition telecast Wednesday, December 31, at 6:00 PM ET on NFL Network. Coverage begins at 5:00 PM ET with College Football Now.

Paul Burmeister and Mike Mayock call the action from Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, while Lindsay Soto provides sideline reports.

Head coach Tim Brewster’s Minnesota Golden Gophers had a turnaround season, earning the Insight Bowl bid after finishing 1-11 in 2007. Quarterback Adam Weber passed for 2,585 yards and 14 touchdowns. Receiver Eric Decker and tight end Jack Simmons combined for 108 receptions while DeLeon Eskridge led the Gophers with 652 rushing yards.

With the Insight Bowl berth, Kansas head coach Mark Mangino has led his Jayhawks to back-to-back bowl games for the first time in school history. Last year, Kansas capped an 11-1 season with a victory in the Orange Bowl. This year, the Jayhawks’ offense is ranked 23rd led by junior quarterback Todd Reesing, who passed for 3,575 yards and 28 touchdowns. Linebacker James Holt, leads the team with 97 tackles and 15.5 tackles for loss and was tied for the team lead with seven sacks.

NFL Network offered a free preview to Comcast to show the Insight Bowl on the network to all of its subscribers in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Comcast will distribute the game to subscribers who get the “Digital Starter” tier, which currently reaches 65 percent of its expanded basic households. Comcast viewers in Minneapolis-St. Paul can tune to channel 180 for the 24-hour free preview of NFL Network on Dec. 31 beginning at 5:00 PM ET. In Kansas City, the game will be televised on WDAF-TV – FOX 4.

This is the third year NFL Network has had the exclusive rights to the Insight Bowl. The 2008 Insight Bowl is part of NFL Network’s college football and Path to the Draft programming which includes College Football Now, the Texas Bowl Tuesday, December 30 at 8:00 PM ET, the Under Armour Senior Bowl and the 2009 Scouting Combine. Live pick-by-pick coverage of the 2009 NFL Draft airs April 25-26 on NFL Network. Earlier this season, NFL Network aired the Circle City Classic between Tuskegee vs. Alabama A&M.