FOX SPORTS NOTES, QUOTES & ANECDOTES
NFL on FOX Kicks-off 19th Season Anchored By Packers/49ers Showdown at Lambeau
Aikman on Peyton: “When the Goal is SB or Bust, It’s Hard No Matter Who You Are”
College Football on FOX Heads into Week 2 with Nebraska @ UCLA; Davis Previews
Playoff Hopefuls Battle Saturday on MLB on FOX
Rosenthal’s Top Choice to Turn Red Sox Around? Terry Francona
NFL ON FOX KICKS OFF 19th SEASON WITH WEEK 1 DOUBLEHEADER ACTION – The NFL on FOX’s journey to the NFC Championship game begins Sunday, Sept. 9 with doubleheader coverage of seven games. The action starts at 1:00 PM ET at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome as Drew Brees and the new-look Saints try to put their offseason turmoil behind them as they host Robert Griffin III and the Redskins. Romeo Crennel looks to get his first full season as Chiefs coach off to a quick start in a home matchup with Matt Ryan and the Falcons. Michael Vick and the Eagles travel to Cleveland to face rookie QB Brandon Weeden and the Browns. In Detroit, Chris Long and the Rams defense hope to slow down the Lions’ dynamic duo of Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson.
With a new kick-off time of 4:25 PM ET, the second half of FOX Sports’ doubleheader takes us to Green Bay as Aaron Rodgers and the Packers host Alex Smith, Patrick Willis and the 49ers. Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver call the action between the NFC’s top seeds in last year’s playoffs from Lambeau Field. Meanwhile, Cam Newton looks to take the next step in his career as the Panthers travel to Tampa to battle the Bucs. Also, the Cardinals host the Seahawks in an all-NFC West affair.
Coverage begins at 12:00 PM ET with the 2012 premiere of America’s No. 1 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 is back for another season to break the latest league news and scoops from the FOX NFL SUNDAY studio while NFL rules analyst Mike Pereira returns to discuss the effects of the replacement on Week 1. Last month, FOX Sports added one of America’s funniest comedians to FOX NFL SUNDAY: writer, actor and comedian: Rob Riggle. Riggle contributes a weekly segment where in addition to lampooning the game, its stars and his co-stars, he challenges Bradshaw, Long, Johnson and Strahan as they vie for the coveted “Lead Dog” trophy for the most correct selections at season’s end.
In her FOX NFL SUNDAY reporting debut, Erin Andrews sits down with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
For instant updates during the week and games from the entire NFL on FOX crew, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/NFLONFOX. Fans can gain more access to exclusive FOX Sports content by logging on to www.facebook.com/foxsports.
AIKMAN ON EXPECTATIONS FOR PEYTON, STRAHAN ON SAINTS OFF THE FIELD DISTRACTIONS, PEREIRA ON WHAT THE REPLACEMENT OFFICIALS NEED TO WORK ON THE MOST: 2012 NFL ON FOX PRESS CALL QUOTES & REPLAY INFORMATION – NFL on FOX lead analyst and Hall of Famer Troy Aikman, future Hall of Famer and FOX NFL SUNDAY analyst Michael Strahan, FOX Sports football rules analyst Mike Pereira along with FOX Sports Media Group Co-President Eric Shanks and EVP of Production John Entz previewed FOX Sports’ NFL coverage and the 2012 season on a press call late last week.
A replay of the entire call is now available by dialing 719-457-0820 and entering pass code 9948954 when prompted.
Aikman on NFC Central: “Detroit is going to give Green Bay the biggest challenge. I like what they were able to do last year defensively. The year that Matt Stafford had was pretty amazing. The Bears were 7-3 when Jay Cutler went down and playing good football. Now, they bring in Brandon Marshall who he’s certainly comfortable with and has a relationship with. With Mike Tice becoming the offensive coordinator, the Bears’ offense is going to have a little bit of a different look but the Detroit Lions will be the team that challenges Green Bay although Green Bay is still the best team in that division.”
Aikman on what to expect from Peyton Manning: “Wherever Peyton went, that team was going to immediately become a Super Bowl contender. His impact is so significant. They’re a contender along with about a dozen other teams. Realistically, this was probably a five-win team last year. I don’t think Peyton is 100%. He’s a 15-year veteran who knows the game and knows what he’ll have to compensate for what he’s lacking in arm strength. He’s going to put together a great year. I like the young players on the Broncos. When the goal is Super Bowl or bust, that’s hard no matter who you are or what team you’re talking about. If this team is not in contention in January I’d be really surprised.”
Strahan on the distractions the Saints will have to overcome this season: “The field is your sanctuary, no doubt. If anybody can handle dealing with the displacement with Hurricane Isaac, the Saints can. They’ve been through this before. That part I worry about more than how the team is going to respond from the penalties or sanctions put on them by the league. Dealing with getting your families organized and worrying about your homes, neighborhoods and community is a lot more trying on the players than to get on the field and saying, ‘hey, it’s just us against the world.’ That actually gives the team, in a lot of ways, more momentum and focus on trying to have a better season than a lot of people give them credit for.”
Pereira on whether the expanded use of replay shield the replacement referees from criticism: “As instant replay expands and puts the game more into the hands of the replay official, you insulate the officials to a degree but the area of judgment that is not reviewable is still a key area that is very difficult due to the speed of the game. The problems that they have been having in the preseason are going to be magnified when the regular season starts. The speed will pick up dramatically and it’ll be over 60 minutes instead of maybe just over a quarter.
Pereira on what aspects of the game will be most challenging for the replacement officials: “The rules in the NFL are so complex that it takes years and years to master. I don’t discredit the people who are on the field now. They’re competent people at the level they have been working at with the set of rules that they have been used to working under. These rules are so totally different and so confusing which is why you end up with a situation like the Giants/Patriots preseason game where it takes five minutes to enforce a penalty or two penalties on a punt play. Administrative-wise, that is a concern. The regular referees make bad calls too, don’t discount that but with the regular referees you never questioned penalty enforcement or timing as an issue. That’s an area that’s going to be difficult for replacements referees.”
NFL ON FOX MAKES GRAPHICS POINT – Football uniform numbers are not always easy to see from the side so FOX Sports is developing a graphics system that tells the viewer who’s who. “It’s a new way to identity players and we’ve used similar technology during our NASCAR coverage, using pointers to follow the cars. We’re really excited by this technology that tracks players on the field and follows them in real time where you can ID them in wide shots,” said FOX Sports Media Group President and Executive Producer Eric Shanks. Two banks of eight unmanned cameras are set up high in-stadium at adjacent 35 yard lines. The cameras track all moving objects and technicians identify and tag players by number. Once tagged, the system can generate the player’s name and place in a graphic, or “pointer,” that can be made to appear on-screen. Once on-screen, the pointer remains until removed. This new tracking system debuted during FOX Sports’ coverage of Hawai’i at USC last Saturday night and was developed in conjunction with Hego US and Sportsvision. Additional information, such as statistics, can also be inserted into the pointer. Hego US is responsible for the tracking system and interface, while Sportvision, the supplier of the yellow first down line, creates the graphics. “Rather than the old fashioned way of analysts drawing a circle on the guy beforehand, this is a better way to do it and more technically efficient way to do it,” added Shanks.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
GAME
Washington Redskins at New Orleans Saints Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston
Mercedes-Benz Superdome – New Orleans, LA
MARKETS INCLUDE: Albany, Albuquerque, Austin, Baltimore, Birmingham, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Dallas, Fort Myers, Greensboro, Hartford, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, New Orleans, Norfolk, Orlando, Phoenix, Portland, Providence, Raleigh, Richmond, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington, West Palm Beach
Atlanta Falcons at Kansas City Chiefs Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick 10% 1:00PM
Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City, MO
MARKETS INCLUDE: Atlanta, Denver, Greenville, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Knoxville
Philadelphia Eagles at Cleveland Browns Dick Stockton, John Lynch
Cleveland Browns Stadium – Cleveland, OH
MARKETS INCLUDE: Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh
St. Louis Rams at Detroit Lions
& Jaime Maggio
Ford Field – Detroit, MI
MARKETS INCLUDE: Detroit, Oklahoma City, St. Louis, Tulsa
San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers Joe Buck, Troy Aikman
Lambeau Field – Green Bay, WI
MARKETS INCLUDE: Albany, Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Dayton, Denver, Detroit, Fort Myers, Hartford, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Knoxville, Las Vegas
Los Angeles, Louisville, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, New York, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Providence, Richmond, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, St. Louis, Tampa, Tulsa, Washington, West Palm Beach
Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Bucs Ron Pitts, Mike Martz
Raymond James Stadium – Tampa, FL
MARKETS INCLUDE: Birmingham, Charlotte, Greensboro, Greenville, Jacksonville, New Orleans, Raleigh
Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals Sam Rosen, Heath Evans
University of Phoenix Stadium – Glendale, AZ
MARKETS INCLUDE: Phoenix, Portland, Seattle
FOX SPORTS & CHILDREN’S ORGAN TRANSPLANT ASSOCIATION TEAM UP FOR 2012 NFL SEASON – This NFL on FOX season, FOX Sports is proud to team with the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA). COTA is a national charity dedicated to organizing and guiding volunteers, COTA’s Miracle Makers, in raising funds for families whose children are facing transplants. COTA’s priority is to assure that no child is denied a transplant or excluded from a transplant waiting list due to lack of funds. COTA families are not charged for services and every dollar contributed in honor of patients is used for transplant-related expenses. FOX Sports Supports, the network’s charitable initiative now in its fifth year, raises awareness, provides financial assistance and spurs volunteerism for health charities selected by FOX Sports employees. In August, NFL on FOX on-air personalities Troy Aikman, Terry Bradshaw, Joe Buck, Jay Glazer, Jimmy Johnson, Howie Long, Curt Menefee, Pam Oliver and Michael Strahan shot PSA’s in Los Angeles, CA with four transplant kids and their families.
For more information please visit: http://www.cota.org/
BIG TEN MEETS PAC-12 AS UCLA HOST NEBRASKA ON COLLEGE FOOTBALL ON FOX PRIMETIME – FOX Sports rolls into Week 2 of the college football season with a return to Southern California on Saturday, Sept. 8 (7:00 PM ET) as the UCLA Bruins host junior quarterback and Southern Californian native Taylor Martinez and the No. 16-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers. College Football on FOX’s lead broadcast team of play-by-play announcer Gus Johnson, analyst Charles Davis and reporter Julie Alexandria call the action from the Rose Bowl.
FOX’s coverage begins with FOX COLLEGE SATURDAY, originating live each week from FOX’s brand new state-of-the-art studio in the FOX Network Center in Los Angeles. Erin Andrews hosts with Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George and former Oregon All-American Quarterback Joey Harrington as analysts. Additionally, the trio handles all halftime and postgame studio coverage.
For instant updates during the week and games from the entire CFB on FOX crew, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/CFBONFOX. Fans can gain more access to exclusive FOX Sports content by logging on to www.facebook.com/foxsports.
CHARLES DAVIS: NEBRASKA IMPRESSIVE FIRST WEEK BUT NEED TO PREPARE FOR INTENSITY OF BRUINS HOME OPENER – After putting up more than 600 yards of total offense and five TDs, the Nebraska Cornhuskers led by QB Taylor Martinez caught the eye of FOX COLLEGE FOOTBALL analyst Charles Davis this week. Davis moved them up eight spots in his FOXSports.com Power Rankings http://msn.foxsports.com/
FOX SPORTS MEDIA GROUP WEEKEND COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
*All Times Eastern
| DATE |
TIME |
GAME | OUTLET | Play by Play | Analyst | Sideline |
| Saturday, Sept. 8 |
7:30 PM |
Nebraska at UCLA | FOX | Gus Johnson | Charles Davis | Julie Alexandria |
| Saturday, Sept. 8 |
12:00 PM |
New Hampshire at Minnesota | BTN | Matt Devlin | Glen Mason | J Leman |
| Saturday, Sept. 8 |
12:00 PM |
Tulane at Tulsa | FSN (National) | Ron Thulin | Shaun King | Desmond Purnell |
| Saturday, Sept. 8 |
12:00 PM |
Miami (FL) at K-State | FX | Justin Kutcher | Eric Crouch | Darius Walker |
| Saturday, Sept. 8 |
3:00 PM |
North Carolina at Wake Forest | FS South | Paul Kennedy | Keith Jones | Jenn Hildreth |
| Saturday, Sept. 8 |
3:30 PM |
Iowa St. at Iowa | BTN | Kevin Kugler | Chris Martin & Chuck Long | Jon Jansen |
| Saturday, Sept. 8 |
3:30 PM |
Carnegie Mellon at Allegheny College | FCS | John Sanders | Ellis Cannon | Amanda McCall |
| Saturday, Sept. 8 |
3:30 PM |
Rice at Kansas | FSN (National) | Joel Meyers | Brian Baldinger | Jim Knox |
| Saturday, Sept. 8 |
4:00 PM |
Wisconsin at Oregon St. | FX | Craig Bolerjack | Joel Klatt | Petros Papadakis |
| Saturday, Sept. 8 |
7:00 PM |
W. Carolina at Marshall | FCS | Mike Gleason | Gary Reasons | Lesley McCaslin |
| Saturday, Sept. 8 |
7:00 PM |
UTEP at Ole Miss | FS South | Bob Rathbun | Tim Couch | Elizabeth Moreau |
| Saturday, Sept. 8 |
7:00 PM |
Grambling St. at TCU | FSSW Plus | Mark Followill | JC Pearson | Emily Jones |
| Saturday, Sept. 8 |
7:00 PM |
Florida A&M at Oklahoma | PPV | Bill Land | Dave Lapham | Chad McKee |
| Saturday, Sept. 8 |
8:00 PM |
Vanderbilt at Northwestern | BTN | Eric Collins | Derek Rackley | Lisa Byington |
POTENTIAL PLAYOFF TEAMS HIGHLIGHT FOX SATURDAY BASEBALL GAME OF THE WEEK –
The city of Los Angeles may still be buzzing over the Dodgers’ big acquisitions from Boston; the team from the Bay Area still leads the NL West. On Saturday, September 8 (3:30 PM ET) long-time rivals and potential post season participants meet as the Giants host the Dodgers. In New York, the Mets continue to battle and welcome Chipper Jones and the NL Wild Card-leading Braves to Queens for the final time. Also, the AL Central-leading White Sox host the Royals.
Coverage begins with the FOX SATURDAY BASEBALL PREGAME SHOW, originating live from MLB Network’s state-of-the-art Studio 3 in Secaucus, NJ. The show is hosted by MLB Network studio host Brian Kenny, who is joined by analysts Harold Reynolds and Dan Plesac.
For instant updates throughout the week and during games from the entire MLB on FOX crew, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/MLBONFOX. Fans can gain more access to exclusive FOX Sports content by logging on to www.facebook.com/foxsports.
GAME
Los Angeles Dodgers at San Francisco Giants Matt Vasgersian, Tim McCarver 44%
AT&T Park – San Francisco, CA
MARKETS INCLUDE: Albuquerque, Austin, Boston, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Dayton, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, Providence, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Tulsa
Probable Pitchers: Chris Capuano, LHP (11-10, 3.63 ERA) vs. Matt Cain, RHP (13-5, 2.98 ERA)
Atlanta Braves at New York Mets
Citi Field – Flushing, NY
MARKETS INCLUDE: Atlanta, Birmingham, Buffalo, Charlotte, Fort Myers, Greensboro, Greenville, Hartford, Jacksonville, Knoxville, Memphis, Miami, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Orlando, Philadelphia, Raleigh, Richmond, Tampa, Washington, West Palm Beach
Probable Pitchers: Kris Medlen, RHP (7-1, 1.56 ERA) vs. Jeremy Hefner, RHP (2-5, 4.52 ERA)
Kansas City Royals at Chicago White Sox Steve Physioc & Mitch Williams 18%
US Cellular Field– Chicago, IL
MARKETS INCLUDE: Baltimore, Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Minneapolis
Probable Pitchers: Bruce Chen, LHP (10-11, 5.28 ERA) vs. Chris Sale, LHP (15-6, 2.93 ERA)
ROSENTHAL ON WHO SHOULD BE NEW RED SOX MANAGER: “MEET THE NEW BOSS, SAME AS THE OLD BOSS” – This week, FOXSports.com senior MLB columnist and MLB on FOX Insider Ken Rosenthal wrote a column suggesting that Red Sox ownership should admit their mistake in parting ways with former manager Terry Francona last season. Though Rosenthal doesn’t think this will happen, according to him it should. “Francona is anti-drama,” wrote Rosenthal. “He would deflect talk about the Sox’s smear campaign against him last fall – ‘whatever differences we had, I’m thrilled to be back, grateful for the second chance.’ If Francona came back, Rosenthal believes they could get back to their winning ways. “The Red Sox then could go do what they’re supposed to do, what they’ve forgotten how to do in this sorry season: win games.”
To read the complete version of Rosenthal’s column click here: http://on-msn.com/Thg6C7
FOUR STILL IN HUNT FOR 250 CLASS MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP AT SEASON FINALE – This weekend the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship wraps up its season at the Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park in Lake Elsinore, California with the inaugural Red Bull Lake Elsinore National, and four racers still have a mathematical chance at winning the 250 Class Title. FUEL TV will broadcast the opening motos of both the 250 and 450 Classes on Saturday, September 8 (4:00 PM ET). Blake Baggett (Grand Terrace, CA) leads the pack with 472 points, while Eli Tomac (Cortez, CO) follows 14 points behind in second place. Justin Barcia (Monroe, NY) sits in third just four points behind Tomac, while Ken Roczen (Apolda, Germany) is in fourth with 427 points and a longshot chance. None of the four have ever won the overall championship.
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