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Keeping Up With All The Industry Press Releases

Archives for November 2010

Bengals-Jets Play on Thanksgiving Special Edition of ‘Thursday Night Football’ on NFL Network

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THANKSGIVING SPECIAL THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL – NOVEMBER 25, 8:00 PM ET

CINCINNATI BENGALS AT NEW YORK JETS ON NFL NETWORK

Deion Sanders Sit Down Interview with New York Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan

&

Profile on Cincinnati Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer on Thursday Night Kickoff Presented by Sears Pregame Show at 7:00 PM ET

“Your Weekend Starts Here”

NOTABLE & QUOTABLE…

  • “The overtime wins and last second victories by the Jets are impressive. They show a maturity with this team that you didn’t see last year. In the last few games, when it’s come down to the wire, they’ve had to throw the ball to win and have been successful.” – Thursday Night Kickoff analyst STEVE MARIUCCI on the New York Jets

  • “You hope that being on a nationally televised stage on Thanksgiving can provide a spark for the Bengals, but finding chemistry among the offense has really proven to be their biggest challenge.” – MARIUCCI on the 2-8 Cincinnati Bengals

  • “The Jets are one of the most balanced teams, both offensively and defensively, in the game today. Mark Sanchez is progressing into one of the NFL’s most prolific passers and all the pieces that they brought in the offseason are beginning to pay dividends in big ways.” – Thursday Night Kickoff analyst DEION SANDERS on the New York Jets, who are tied for the best record in the NFL

  • “Offensively, they are just not where they need to be and it starts with the quarterback position. Their defense can only hold for so long.” – SANDERS on the Cincinnati Bengals

  • NFL Network analyst DEION SANDERS sits down for an interview with New York Jets head coach REX RYAN, who coached Sanders as defensive coordinator with the Baltimore Ravens, during the Thursday Night Kickoff Presented by Sears pregame show at 7:00 PM ET on NFL Network.
  • Profile on Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who lost his wife to cancer last year, on the pregame show.
BENGALS (2-8) JETS (8-2)
ANNOUNCERS Bob Papa (play-by-play), Matt Millen and Joe Theismann (game analysts); Alex Flanagan (sideline)
PREGAME (6:00 PM ET) Thursday Night Kickoff Presented by Sears

In East Rutherford: Rich Eisen, Deion Sanders, Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Kara Henderson (on-site reporter); In Los Angeles: Fran Charles, Kurt Warner, Sterling Sharpe, Jason La Canfora
PRE-KICK (8:00 PM ET) Lexus Pre-Kick Show

Bob Papa, Matt Millen, Joe Theismann, Alex Flanagan, Rich Eisen, Marshall Faulk, Steve Mariucci, Deion Sanders, Kara Henderson
HALFTIME The Sprint Halftime Show

Rich Eisen, Deion Sanders, Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Kara Henderson, Alex Flanagan
POSTGAME Kay Jewelers Postgame Show

Rich Eisen, Deion Sanders, Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Kara Henderson, Alex Flanagan

NFL Total Access Postgame Show

Fran Charles, Jamie Dukes, Rod Woodson
WHERE TO WATCH DirecTV – Channel 212 (SD/HD), DISH Network – 154 (SD/HD)

Verizon – Channel 88 (SD) 588 (HD), AT&T U-Verse – 630 (SD) 1630 (HD)

Check your local cable listings

NFL.com LIVE – live “look-ins” at select moments of game

NFL Mobile Live on Verizon Wireless
LOCAL OTA SIMULCAST* CBS Ch. 12 (WKRC) Independent Ch. 11 (WPIX)

Thursday Night Football

Following a record-setting opening night of Thursday Night Football on NFL Network two weeks ago, last week’s game between the Chicago Bears and the Miami Dolphins was the most watched show on cable, drawing an average of 5.4 million viewers (not including over-the-air stations in Chicago and Miami). The game topped all entertainment and sports competition including UCLA-Washington college football on ESPN (2.1 million viewers), and Suns-Magic (1.2 million viewers) and Nuggets-Trail Blazers (1.1 million viewers) on TNT. Bears-Dolphins cable viewership posted an 80 percent increase over last year’s comparable Thursday Night Football game (Dolphins-Panthers, 11/19/09).

This week, the Cincinnati Bengals (2-8) travel to take on the New York Jets (8-2) in a Thanksgiving special edition of Thursday Night Football on NFL Network. Former USC quarterbacks CARSON PALMER and MARK SANCHEZ will meet again in a re-match of last year’s AFC Wild Card playoff game, which resulted in a 24-14 Jets win. This is the third time overall that the two quarterbacks have faced each other, with Sanchez holding a perfect 2-0 record against Palmer.

This season marks the debut of new game analyst JOE THEISMANN, who returns to the broadcast booth after a successful stint with ESPN from 1988 – 2006. Alongside Theismann in the booth will be BOB PAPA, who returns for his third year as the play-by-play announcer for NFL Network, and second-year game analyst MATT MILLEN. ALEX FLANAGAN enters her first season as a sideline reporter on Thursday Night Football, and her fifth season with NFL Network. Additional newcomers include producer ED FEIBISCHOFF and director ARTIE KEMPER.

RICH EISEN hosts NFL Network’s Thursday Night Kickoff Presented by Sears from the stadium.  Eisen, a two-time Sports Emmy nominee in the Studio Host category, is joined by fellow Sports Emmy nominee STEVE MARIUCCI, a former NFL head coach with the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions who also served as Brett Favre’s quarterback coach in Green Bay; MARSHALL FAULK, who won a Super Bowl XXXIV ring with the Rams, earned 2000 NFL MVP honors and three Offensive Player of the Year awards (1999-2001) and has been selected to seven Pro Bowls; and DEION SANDERS, a two-time Super Bowl winner who was 1994 Defensive Player of the Year and an eight-time Pro Bowler who holds the NFL record with 19 career return touchdowns. Coverage also includes on-site reports from Flanagan and KARA HENDERSON, who begins her eighth season with NFL Network.

Additional coverage will be provided from NFL Network studios in Los Angeles with host FRAN CHARLES and analysts KURT WARNER, a two-time NFL MVP and a Super Bowl MVP quarterback; and STERLING SHARPE, a five-time Pro Bowl selection and a 16-year veteran NFL broadcaster. NFL Network insider JASON LA CANFORA will also provide the latest updates.

NFL.com LIVE at 8:00 PM ET features live programming including live “look-ins” of Thursday Night Football, game highlights and instant analysis from NFL Network talent. From the NFL Network studios in Los Angeles, PAUL BURMEISTER, JAMIE DUKES, BUCKY BROOKS and MIKE MAYOCK provide expert analysis, commentary and fantasy information with contributions from Faulk, Mariucci and Sanders. Henderson and STEVE WYCHE will provide live reports from the stadium, while Mayock will return for a second season with ‘Instant Playbook’ from the NFL Films studios exclusively for NFL.com/LIVE: Thursday Night Football, which provides instant X & O analysis of key plays right after they happen.

Following the game at 12:00 AM ET, NFL Network analyst ROD WOODSON will join Charles and Dukes for a postgame edition of NFL Total Access Live.

Listings For NBC’S ‘Poker After Dark’

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Mondays – Fridays, 2:05 a.m. – 3:05 a.m ET/PT Saturdays, 1:05 – 2:05 a.m. ET/PT (Check local listings)

*Note: Each night in a given week will feature the players listed for that week. Themes for specific weeks are listed in parentheses after the dates.

Week of November 22 [HD] (Cash Game 100k Pt 2) Tom Dwan, Phil Laak, Doyle Brunson, Gus Hansen, Eli Elezra, Phil Hellumth [OAD – Week of June 14, 2010]

Week of November 29 [HD] (Lonesome Shark) Erick Lindgren, James Akenhead, Antonio Esfandiari, Mike Matusow, David Williams, Brad Booth [OAD – Week of August 9, 2010]

Week of December 6 [HD] (Mixed Martial Arts) Bruce Buffer, Patrik Antonius, Dan Henderson, Randy Couture, Howard Lederer, Erick Lindgren [OAD – Week of Aug 16, 2010]

Week of December 13 [HD] (Charity In Mind) Phil Gordon, Chris Ferguson, Jennifer Harman, Howard Lederer, Andy Bloch, Annie Duke

Redskins-Titans & Colts-Patriots Featured ‘NFL Replay’ Games on Wednesday “Field Pass” Schedule

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NFL Network’s Wednesday Night “Field Pass” Schedule

Wednesday, November 24

  • 8:00 PM ET NFL Replay: Washington Redskins at Tennessee Titans

Washington kicker Graham Gano kicked a 48-yard field goal in overtime to give the Redskins a 19-16 win over the Tennessee Titans. NFL Replay will include special wired sound from Tennessee head coach Jeff Fisher during the game.

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2010112108/2010/REG11/redskins@titans

  • 9:15 PM ET NFL Replay: Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots

New England safety James Sanders intercepted Peyton Manning’s pass late in the fourth quarter to seal a 31-28 Patriots victory over the Indianapolis Colts and thwart a 17-point comeback attempt. NFL Replay will include special wired sound from New England head coach Bill Belichick during the game.

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2010112112/2010/REG11/colts@patriots

  • 10:30 PM ET Sound FX: Week 11

A compilation of the best sights and sounds from around the league from Week 11 of the NFL season.

NFL Replay offers an exclusive look at the previous week’s games in a condensed, 75-minute, high-octane format. With the use of bonus NFL Films and NFL Network footage, including never-before-seen camera angles and coaches’ commentary, combined with exclusive wired sound from the field, locker rooms and sidelines, viewers will experience the game like never before.

Both 75-minute NFL Replay programs are a part of the new ‘Field Pass’ block airing every Tuesday and Wednesday from 8:00-11:00 PM ET. ‘Field Pass’ takes fans inside the game like never before with exclusive NFL Films footage and sound. Following NFL Replay at 10:30 PM ET is Sound FX featuring a ‘best of’ theme highlighting an NFL great on Tuesday nights and a compilation of the sound from the previous Sunday’s games on Wednesday.

***NFL Network Thanksgiving Specials This Week:

Thursday Night Football — Cincinnati Bengals vs. New York Jets – Nov. 25 at 8:00 PM ET

(Announcers–Bob Papa, Joe Theismann, Matt Millen & Alex Flanagan)

Thursday Night Kickoff Presented by Sears pregame show at 7:00 PM ET features:

  • Deion Sanders one-on-one interview with New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan
  • Profile on Cincinnati defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer about how he and his family handled the passing of his wife during last season’s playoff run
  • A look at NFL Network’s Keep Gym in School program that teamed with Comcast and the Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders and Pittsburgh Steelers this year to help rebuild and enhance a middle school’s physical education program in their city.

Sound FX: Cincinnati Bengals vs. New York Jets – Saturday, November 27 at 8:30 PM ET

  • Exclusive one-hour “all-sound” show, enhanced re-air of the Thanksgiving Thursday Night Football game
  • “We are planning to have 15 players and coaches miked during the game, including both coaches and the coordinators. We’ll have 60 people at the game, which is more than we use for a Super Bowl, and then we’ll turn it around in 48 hours and show it to you through the eyes of the players. It’s something you won’t see anywhere else.” – Steve Sabol, NFL Films president

TNT NBA Thursday Celebrates Thanksgiving with an Exclusive Doubleheader

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TNT NBA Thursday Celebrates Thanksgiving with an Exclusive Doubleheader

NBA TV and TNT’s Chris Webber to serve as game analyst for Wizards @ Hawks (8 p.m. ET); Kings @ Clippers to follow (10:30 p.m. ET)

TNT NBA Thursday continues on November 25 with an exclusive Thanksgiving Day doubleheader beginning at 8 p.m. (ET).  The first game will feature Joe Johnson and the Atlanta Hawks hosting John Wall and the Washington Wizards.  NBA TV and TNT studio analyst Chris Webber will join play-by-play announcer Dick Stockton and analyst Mike Fratello to call the game with Craig Sager reporting.  In the second game of the night, Tyreke Evans and the Sacramento Kings will visit Blake Griffin and the Los Angeles Clippers at 10:30 p.m. (ET).  Marv Albert (play-by-play) and Steve Kerr (analyst) will be courtside with Cheryl Miller reporting.  Following the second game, Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai with Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst) will recap the night’s action.

Exclusive content, analysis from TNT announcers and replays of Inside the NBA are available on TNT OverTime on NBA.com. The broadband channel gives fans the inside scoop on players, coaches and storylines taking place around the league seven days a week.   Check out the NBA on TNT pages on Twitter (http://twitter.com/NBAonTNT) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/nbaontnt) to see the latest NBA on TNT schedule, news updates and special features from TNT announcers.

NBA ON TNT NBA SCHEDULE:

DAY/DATE

TIME (ET)             EVENT

Thu., November 25

8 p.m.                      TNT NBA Tip-Off presented by AutoTrader.com

Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)

8:15 p.m.                 Washington Wizards @ Atlanta Hawks

Announcers: Dick Stockton (play-by-play), Mike Fratello (analyst), Chris Webber (analyst) and Craig Sager (reporter)

10:30 p.m.               Sacramento Kings @ Los Angeles Clippers

Announcers: Marv Albert (play-by-play), Steve Kerr (analyst) and Cheryl Miller (reporter)

Post-game             Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai

Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)

TNT NBA THURSDAY UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

Thu., December 2

8 p.m.                      TNT NBA Tip-Off presented by AutoTrader.com live at Quicken Loans Arena (Cleveland, OH)

Ernie Johnson (host), Charles Barkley (analyst) and Kenny Smith (analyst)

8:15 p.m.                 Miami Heat @ Cleveland Cavaliers

Announcers: Marv Albert (play-by-play), Steve Kerr (analyst), Reggie Miller (analyst) and Craig Sager (reporter)

10:30 p.m.               Phoenix Suns @ Golden State Warriors

Announcers: Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Mike Fratello (analyst) and Cheryl Miller (reporter)

Post-game             Inside the NBA presented by Hyundai

Matt Winer (host), Kevin McHale (analyst) and Chris Webber (analyst)

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CBS’s NFL Today Serves Up Thanksgiving Features on Bengals late-Chris Henry and Steelers’ Heroes of Flight 93

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“THE NFL TODAY” FEATURES THANKSGIVING DAY STORY ON FORMER CINCINNATI BENGAL CHRIS HENRY

FOR WEEK 12 OF “THE NFL TODAY” ON THURSDAY, NOV. 25

Kid Rock To Perform at Halftime of New England-Detroit Thanksgiving Day Game

“THE NFL TODAY” ALSO FEATURES STORY ON PITTSBURGH STEELERS’

COMMITMENT TO HEROES OF UNITED FLIGHT 93 ON SUNDAY, NOV. 28

THE NFL ON CBS, broadcasting its 51st year of the NFL, continues its 2010 NFL season on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 25 (12:30 PM, ET) and Sunday, Nov. 28 (1:00-7:00 PM, ET)  beginning with THE NFL TODAY (12:00 Noon-12:30 PM, ET) and (12:00 Noon-1:00 PM, ET), live from THE NFL TODAY studio in the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City.

THE NFL TODAY features a special Thanksgiving Day story on the late-Cincinnati Bengals wide receive Chris Henry narrated by his mother Carolyn Glaspy.

On December 16, 2009 Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry fell from a moving vehicle in Charlotte, N.C. and died a day later as a result of the injuries he suffered during the accident.  In the wake of the tragedy, Henry’s mother, Carolyn Glaspy, made the decision to donate his organs.  Among the recipients were Donna Arnold, James Benton, Thomas Elliott and Brian Polk.  The four, along with their immediate families, share their struggles and jubilation over the last year while waiting for donor organs and then receiving the news.  Through the assistance of LifeShare of the Carolinas and the Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, the four individuals that received Henry’s organs met for the first time on November 5, 2010.  A day later, for the first time, the recipients all met Mrs. Glaspy for an emotional meeting a year in the making.  Charlie Bloom is the producer.

Excerpts from the feature:

Kidney recipient Brian Polk: “I couldn’t make plans for the future because I was too busy fighting for today.”

Kidney and pancreas recipient Donna Arnold: “Death. If I didn’t get transplant that was the alternative.”

Liver recipient James Benton: “At one point they gave me six months to live.”

Carolyn Henry Glaspy on her son’s last hours after the auto-related accident on December 16, 2009: “I thought I was just going in to see maybe, injuries and I never imagined in a million years I was going in to see my son for the last time.”

In addition, Grammy Award-nominated recording artist Kid Rock will perform live during halftime of the New England-Detroit game, and country recording artist Josh Gracin will sing the National Anthem.

On Sunday, Nov. 28 (12:00 Noon, ET) THE NFL TODAY features a special Thanksgiving weekend story on the Pittsburgh Steelers and their commitment to the memory of the people on board United Flight 93 who heroically made the ultimate sacrifice in fighting back against hijackers of their plane on September 11, 2001.  On that September day, 40 ordinary people became heroes when they prevented their plane from reaching Washington, D.C. as United Flight 93 crashed in a grassy field in Shanksville, Pa. less than 100 miles from Pittsburgh.  In the days following the crash, the Pittsburgh Steelers went to pay their respects and provide whatever comfort they could to the families of the passengers and crew, and the people of the community.  Now, nine years later, 40 former Steelers led by four-time Super Bowl Champion and former Vietnam War veteran Rocky Bleier stand in unison with the families of the 40 heroes to honor the memory of those on board and to create a “Flight 93 National Memorial” in Shanksville.  Deb Gelman is the producer.

James Brown hosts THE NFL TODAY, along with analysts Dan Marino, Boomer Esiason, Shannon Sharpe and Bill Cowher, NFL TODAY “General Manager” Charley Casserly, as well as Lesley Visser and Sam Ryan reporting.

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

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

* * * * *

Saints/Cowboys Serves Up Special Thanksgiving Clash 4:00 PM ET on FOX

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FOX SPORTS NOTES, QUOTES & ANECDOTES

Week 12 NFL Action Kicks-Off Thursday with Special Holiday Serving of Saints/Cowboys

Thanksgiving Day Coverage Begins with America’s No. 1 Pregame

FOX NFL SUNDAY at 4:00 PM ET

Thursday’s Pregame Includes Segment Live from Air Force Base in Southwest Asia

7-3 Bears Host High-Flying Eagles on America’s Game of the Week Sunday at 4:15 PM ET

Strahan Not Getting on Cowboys Bandwagon Yet

FOXSports.com Sets Third Consecutive Traffic Mark

THANKSGIVING DAY SPECIAL AIRS ON FOX – Everything is bigger in Texas and FOX Sports’ helping of Thanksgiving football is no different as Drew Brees and the Super Bowl Champion Saints take on the Cowboys from Arlington, TX, the home of Super Bowl XLV on FOX. Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver call the action and once again have the honor of presenting the game’s most valuable player with the NFL ON FOX’s Galloping Gobbler Award.  Considered one of the most prestigious trophies in sports, the Galloping Gobbler was first introduced on Thanksgiving Day in 2002 and won by Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith when he rushed for 144 yards en route to a 27-20 victory over the Washington Redskins.

Coverage begins at 4:00 PM ET with a special edition of FOX NFL SUNDAY co-hosted by Terry Bradshaw and Curt Menefee along with analysts Howie Long, Jimmy Johnson and Michael Strahan. NFL Insider Jay Glazer presents the latest league news and scoops and comedic prognosticator Frank Caliendo makes his annual Thanksgiving Day picks. On Thursday’s holiday edition, FOX Sports travels to the site of an undisclosed air force base in Southwest Asia for a glimpse of how our troops stationed overseas spend this very special American holiday. FOX Sports’ Chris Myers and Jeff Hammond broadcast from the FOX Sports Sky Box lounge, a state-of-the-art facility the Department of Defense collaborated with FOX Sports to help build. The lounge opened in June and is where many Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, DoD employees will gather this Thursday for some great food and of course, great football. Myers and Hammond attend several events on the base including the traditional military ‘Turkey Trot’, a race run by most military personnel Thanksgiving morning.

NFL ON FOX GALLOPING GOBBLER AWARD

In 2002, the NFL on FOX introduced the sports world to an annual Thanksgiving tradition like no other — the coveted GALLOPING GOBBLER AWARD presented to the Thanksgiving player of the game.

RECIPIENTS OF THE GALLOPING GOBBLER

2002 – Emmitt Smith, Cowboys RB

2003 – Dré Bly, Lions CB

2004 – Julius Jones, Cowboys RB

2005 – Michael Vick, Falcons QB

2006 – Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys QB

2007 – Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers QB

2008 – DeMarcus Ware, Dallas Cowboys DE

2009 – Donald Driver, Green Bay Packers WR

FOXSPORTS.COM SETS THIRD CONSECUTIVE TRAFFIC MARK — FOXSports.com on MSN continues to gain reach, reaching more than 29 million unique visitors in October and besting its previous record set the prior month according to comScore monthly analysis.  This marks a 91% increase over Oct. 2009, and marks the third straight month the site has drawn a record audience.  Growth was seen across all sites within the FOXSports.com on MSN network compared to the same month a year ago, with the FOXSports.com branded site up 55% to 21.4 million unique visitors.  Yardbarker.com, recently acquired by FOX Sports Interactive, set a record for the fifth consecutive month with a +171% increase over Oct. ’09, while Scout.com saw growth of 142%.  Unique visits to FOX Sports regional sports network sites also displayed significant growth, jumping 30% over September figures.  FOXSports.com saw 12.7 million video streams in October, +38% over 10/09, with soccer highlights being the most-streamed video content.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 28

DIVISION LEADERS FACE OFF DURING BOTH ENDS OF FOX DOUBLEHEADER – On Sunday, Nov. 28 FOX Sports continues Week 12 with doubleheader coverage of six intense matchups – each presented in true HD. Action kicks off in Atlanta at 1:00 PM ET, as Matt Ryan and the NFC South-leading Falcons host Aaron Rodgers and the NFC North-leading Packers. Interim head coach Leslie Frazier leads the Vikings in Washington to take on the Redskins. FOX’s early window concludes with the Browns hosting the Panthers. Fresh off another impressive performance last night, Michael Vick and the first-place Eagles travel to Chicago to take on Jay Cutler and the first-place Bears at 4:00 PM ET. Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa call all the action of America’s Game of the Week from Soldier Field. Josh Freeman and the Bucs look to continue to impress against Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and the Ravens in Baltimore. In Denver, the Broncos host Steven Jackson and the Rams.

Coverage begins at 12:00 PM ET with America’s most-watched pregame show, FOX NFL SUNDAY. Terry Bradshaw and Curt Menefee co-host the Emmy Award-winning program and are joined by analysts Howie Long, Michael Strahan and Jimmy Johnson. NFL Insider Jay Glazer presents the latest league news and scoops and comedic prognosticator Frank Caliendo contributes his weekly “Frank’s Picks” segment. NFL rules analyst Mike Pereira is also on hand to go over any impactful officiating issues from the last week. This week, Bradshaw unveils his picks for the 10 best quarterbacks under the age of 30. Some of his picks (and omissions) might surprise fans.

GAME PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST/SIDELINE COV. TIME

Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons                        Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick                     72%                       1:00PM

& Laura Okmin

Georgia Dome – Atlanta, GA

MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Birmingham, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Fort Myers, Hartford, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Nashville, New Orleans, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, Providence, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa, Tulsa, West Palm Beach

Minnesota Vikings at Washington Redskins              Dick Stockton, Charles Davis                           9%                       1:00PM

& Charissa Thompson

FedEx Field – Landover, MD

MARKETS INCLUDE: Baltimore, Minneapolis, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Richmond, Washington

Carolina Panthers at Cleveland Browns Chris Rose & Torry Holt 9%                       1:00PM

Cleveland Browns Stadium – Cleveland, OH

MARKETS INCLUDE: Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Greensboro, Greenville, Raleigh

Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears                         Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston                         73%                       4:15PM

& Tony Siragusa

Soldier Field – Chicago, IL

MARKETS INCLUDE: Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dallas, Dayton, Detroit, Greensboro, Greenville, Hartford, Houston, Indianapolis, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, New York, Norfolk, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, Providence, Raleigh, Richmond, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, West Palm Beach

Tampa Bay Bucs at Baltimore Ravens                        Sam Rosen, Tim Ryan                                     16%                        4:15PM

& Jaime Maggio

M&T Bank Stadium – Baltimore, MD

MARKETS INCLUDE: Baltimore, Birmingham, Cleveland, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, New Orleans, Orlando, Pittsburgh, Tampa, Washington

St. Louis Rams at Denver Broncos                              Ron Pitts, John Lynch                                         7%                        4:15PM

& Nischelle Turner

INVESCO Field at Mile High – Denver, CO

MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Denver, Kansas City, Oklahoma City, St. Louis, Tulsa

STRAHAN NOT READY TO JUMP ON COWBOYS’ BANDWAGON JUST YET – This Sunday, co-host Terry Bradshaw proclaimed on FOX NFL SUNDAY that the Cowboys would begin their playoff push with a win again Lions, followed by a win against the Saints on Thanksgiving. Dallas won decisively on Sunday so does analyst Michael Strahan now agree with Bradshaw’s prediction? “It’s not going to happen,” said Strahan. “They started out so slow now they win a game or two and everybody jumps on the bandwagon. Would it be a great story?  Absolutely yes but the probability is slim.”

AIKMAN: PACKERS FINALLY PLAYING LIKE WE ALL THOUGHT THEY WOULD — NFL on FOX lead game analyst Troy Aikman was in the booth for Green Bay’s 31-3 win over NFC North division rival Minnesota Vikings Sunday and was impressed with what he saw. “There are just a lot of things to like about the Green Bay Packers.  First and foremost, they’re well coached.  Head Coach Mike McCarthy and defensive coordinator Dom Capers have been outstanding.  During our broadcast, we talked about all of the injuries that they’ve had to overcome but yet they’ve done it and not used it as an excuse. They’ve played some of their best football over these last three games.  I can see them continue to get better. This is a dangerous football team.”

FOXSPORTS.COM’S ORIGINAL PROGRAM “CUBED” GETS FUELED – This week FOXSports.com’s “Cubed” airs on sister network FUELTV on Friday, Nov. 26 (12:00 AM ET) featuring soccer superstar Landon Donovan who takes part in a bizarre skills challenge and rapper Snoop Dogg who freestyles.  Cubed is a unique sketch comedy series on FUEL TV, which originally debuted on FOXSports.com’s groundbreaking digital programming block known as “Lunch with Benefits.”

ON BEHALF OF EVERYONE IN THE FOX SPORTS COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT,

WE WISH YOU AND YOURS A VERY HAPPY & HEALTHY THANKSGIVING

— FOX SPORTS —

“NBC Sports Talk” iPad App Debuts

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Mike Florio’s Pro Football Talk is Centerpiece of New App

NEW YORK – November 22, 2010 – The NBC Sports Talk App for iPad has launched and is available now for free at the App Store, it was announced today by Rick Cordella, Vice President/General Manager, NBC Sports Digital.  The new App features Mike Florio’s Pro Football Talk as its centerpiece and includes all of the NBC Sports Talk platforms: Hardball Talk, Pro Basketball Talk, Pro Hockey Talk, College Football Talk, Inside the Irish and, coming soon, Pro Golf Talk.

On Sunday night, the NBC Sports Talk app was the No. 1 free sports app at the iTunes store.

“We are committed to delivering NBC Sports Talk to fans regardless of where they consume content,” said Cordella.  “NBC Sports Talk is unique and represents a majority of the visits to NBCSports.com, so we felt it was vital to offer it to the powerful, ever-growing platform of the iPad.”

Said Pro Football Talk’s Florio: “Using the NBC Sports Talk iPad App makes me want to read PFT content more than write it.”

For October 2010, the NBC Sports Talk sections represented 45% of all page views on NBCSports.com, an increased of 57 percent over October 2009.

The NBC Sports Talk franchise was developed in July 2008 when NBC Sports Digital reached an agreement with Mike Florio to move his highly-trafficked and well-respected ProFootballTalk.com to NBCSports.com.  Recognizing that fans value quick, frequently updated news and information with a unique perspective, NBC Sports Digital followed up on the wildly successful launch of PFT on NBCSports.com by forming the NBC Sports Talk franchise to include the aforementioned sports.  Since that time, NBCSports.com has jumped No. 19 to a consistent place in the top 10 among sports websites (according to ComScore).

The NBC Sports Talk App is available for free from the App Store on iPad or at http://www.itunes.com/appstore.


Filed Under: NBC

Texans-Jets & Giants-Eagles Featured ‘NFL Replay’ Games on Tuesday “Field Pass” Schedule

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NFL Network’s Tuesday Night “Field Pass” Schedule

Tuesday, November 23

  • 8:00 PM ET NFL Replay: Houston Texans at New York Jets

New York wide receiver Santonio Holmes caught a six-yard touchdown pass from Mark Sanchez with 10 seconds remaining in the game to lift the Jets to a 30-27 victory over the Houston Texans.

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2010112101/2010/REG11/texans@jets

  • 9:15 PM ET NFL Replay: New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia running back LeSean McCoy ran for a 50-yard touchdown on 4th and 1 late in the fourth quarter to give the Eagles a 27-17 victory over the New York Giants and possession of first place in the NFC East.

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2010112113/2010/REG11/giants@eagles

  • 10:30 PM ET Best of Sound FX: Mike Singletary

Best of the on-field sights and sounds of current San Francisco 49ers coach and former Chicago Bears linebacker Mike Singletary.

NFL Replay offers an exclusive look at the previous week’s games in a condensed, 75-minute, high-octane format. With the use of bonus NFL Films and NFL Network footage, including never-before-seen camera angles and coaches’ commentary, combined with exclusive wired sound from the field, locker rooms and sidelines, viewers will experience the game like never before.

Both 75-minute NFL Replay programs are a part of the new ‘Field Pass’ block airing every Tuesday and Wednesday from 8:00-11:00 PM ET. ‘Field Pass’ takes fans inside the game like never before with exclusive NFL Films footage and sound. Following NFL Replay at 10:30 PM ET is Sound FX featuring a ‘best of’ theme highlighting an NFL great on Tuesday nights and a compilation of the sound from the previous Sunday’s games on Wednesday.

***NFL Network Special Programming This Week:

Thursday Night Football Features Bengals vs. Jets Thanksgiving Special: Thursday Night Football is back on NFL Network and features a Thanksgiving special featuring the Cincinnati Bengals vs. New York Jets from New Meadowlands Stadium. New game analyst Joe Theismann joins Matt Millen and play-by-play voice Bob Papa in the booth with Alex Flanagan covering the sidelines. Coverage begins at 6:00 PM ET with the pregame show Thursday Night Kickoff Presented by Sears. Rich Eisen, Marshall Faulk, Steve Mariucci, Deion Sanders and Kara Henderson are live from New Meadowlands Stadium, while Fran Charles, Brian Billick, Jay Glazer, Sterling Sharpe and Kurt Warner provide analysis from Los Angeles.

Sound FX: Cincinnati Bengals vs. New York Jets – Saturday, November 27 at 8:30 PM ET

  • Exclusive one-hour “all-sound” show, enhanced re-air of the Thanksgiving Thursday Night Football game
  • “We are planning to have 15 players and coaches miked during the game, including both coaches and the coordinators. We’ll have 60 people at the game, which is more than we use for a Super Bowl, and then we’ll turn it around in 48 hours and show it to you through the eyes of the players. It’s something you won’t see anywhere else.” – Steve Sabol, NFL Films president

New Agreement for Barclays ATP World Tour Finals; Indian Wells & Miami Return to ESPN Networks

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New Agreement for Barclays ATP World Tour Finals; Indian Wells & Miami Return to ESPN Networks

Extensive Season-Long Action on ESPN3.com

In a wide-ranging multiyear agreement with ATP Media, the year-end Barclays ATP World Tour Finals will continue on ESPN2 and ESPN3.com, while the jointly held ATP and WTA tournaments in Indian Wells, Calif., and in Miami every March will return to ESPN networks in 2011.  In addition, ESPN3.com will carry an extensive year-long schedule of ATP World Tour action from top events.

The Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, held in London, brings together the top eight ranked players in the world with round-robin play leading to a final match aired live on ESPN2.  For 2011, the network will also televise one semifinal on tape delay while ESPN3.com will show the entire event. For later years, the television schedule will be expanded.

With top fields of the best men’s and women’s players, the BNP Paribas Open, held at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in the Palm Springs area, and the Sony Ericsson Open from the Tennis Center at Crandon Park on Key Biscayne island, are widely considered the two biggest tournaments in the world outside the four Grand Slam events.  ESPN2 will televise the men’s quarterfinals and women’s semifinals from California Friday, March 18, with the men’s semifinals on ABC on Saturday, March 19, and the men’s and women’s finals on ABC on Sunday, March 20.  In Miami, ESPN2 will carry the quarterfinals and semifinals.  The finals will remain on CBS.  At both events, ESPN3.com will provide extensive coverage throughout the competition and will also simulcast ESPN2’s matches.

ESPN2 last televised these hardcourt events in 2007, having aired each for many years, including the Florida tournament since 1985.  The events are two of the nine ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournaments and are two of the four mandatory events on the WTA tour.

In addition, the agreement calls for ESPN3.com to offer all nine ATP World Tour Masters 1000 events and nine of the 11 ATP World Tour 500 events, totaling hundreds of hours of live tennis annually.

“We’re very pleased to bring these top-tier events back to ESPN and to have worked with ATP Media to expand the footprint of their events from coast-to-coast,” said Jason Bernstein, ESPN senior director, programming and acquisitions.  “ESPN3.com continues to grow as a destination for tennis fans seeking the best players and events, and these tournaments reaffirm ESPN3.com as the unquestioned year-round home for live professional tennis.”

Steve Plasto, CEO, ATP Media, said, “This is great news for tennis fans in the U.S. who can now look forward to fantastic ESPN2 coverage of two additional ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournaments, as well as the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, the exciting climax to the season where only the Top eight singles and doubles teams in the world compete.”

ESPN – All Four Slams, All In One Place

Tennis has been part of ESPN since its first week on the air and provided many memorable moments, but it has never been as important as today, with the US Open joining the lineup in 2009, giving ESPN all four Grand Slam events, something no other U.S. network has ever done, let alone in one year.

ESPN debuted September 7, 1979, and the first tennis telecast was exactly one week later, September 14, a Davis Cup tie, Argentina at U.S. from Memphis with Cliff Drysdale on the call and John McEnroe playing.

ESPN has presented the Australian Open since 1984, the French Open since 2002 (plus 1986 – 1993), Wimbledon since 2003 and the US Open since 2009.

In addition, broadband network ESPN3.com, now in 65 million homes, carries thousands of hours of tennis annually, including all four Grand Slam events, plus ATP 1000 and 500 tournaments, usually with additional, exclusive matches.

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WEEK 13 FLEX SCHEDULING: No Change in NBC Sunday night game; Atlanta-Tampa Bay moves to 4:15 PM ET on FOX on Dec. 5

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WEEK 13 FLEX SCHEDULING:

NO CHANGE IN NBC SUNDAY NIGHT GAME;

ATLANTA AT TAMPA BAY MOVES TO 4:15 PM ET ON FOX ON DEC. 5

The final Week 13 NFL schedule was announced today with the originally scheduled Pittsburgh at Baltimore Sunday night game on NBC remaining in place. The Atlanta at Tampa Bay game on Sunday, December 5 moves from 1:00 PM ET to 4:15 PM ET on FOX.

Following is the final Week 13 NFL schedule (asterisk and bold/italics represents changed game time):

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2 (WEEK 13)

HOUSTON AT PHILADELPHIA 8:00 PM (ET) NFLN

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5

NEW ORLEANS AT CINCINNATI 1:00 PM (ET) FOX
CHICAGO AT DETROIT 1:00 PM (ET) FOX
SAN FRANCISCO AT GREEN BAY 12:00 PM (CT) FOX
DENVER AT KANSAS CITY 12:00 PM (CT) CBS
CLEVELAND AT MIAMI 1:00 PM (ET) CBS
BUFFALO AT MINNESOTA 12:00 PM (CT) CBS
WASHINGTON AT N.Y. GIANTS 1:00 PM (ET) FOX
JACKSONVILLE AT TENNESSEE 12:00 PM (CT) CBS
OAKLAND AT SAN DIEGO 1:05 PM (PT) CBS
ST. LOUIS AT ARIZONA 2:15 PM (MT) FOX
DALLAS AT INDIANAPOLIS 4:15 PM (ET) FOX
CAROLINA AT SEATTLE 1:15 PM (PT) FOX
ATLANTA AT TAMPA BAY* 4:15 PM (ET) FOX
PITTSBURGH AT BALTIMORE 8:20 PM (ET) NBC

MONDAY, DECEMBER 6

N.Y. JETS AT NEW ENGLAND 8:30 PM (ET) ESPN

This Sunday (Nov. 28), the Bucs-Ravens and Eagles-Bears games on FOX were moved from 1:00 PM ET to 4:15 PM ET.

The NFL will utilize “flexible scheduling” on Sundays in Weeks 11-17.  Flexible scheduling will ensure quality matchups in all NFL Sunday time slots in those weeks and give teams a chance to play their way onto primetime and into the late-afternoon 4:15 PM ET time slot on CBS and FOX.

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Filed Under: NFL