Let’s give you more links today. At 2 p.m. ET, the NFL will release its week-by-week schedule. Both the NFL Network and ESPN will air specials today devoted to the release of the schedule. Last year, NFL.com streamed the program, but there were so many problems, that it was not worth watching. I believe I have a back door to watch ESPN this afternoon so when the schedule is released, I will post things here so come here around 2 p.m. ET to find out when and where your team is playing.
Ok, let’s do your links.
Speaking of the NFL Network, Roger Van Der Horst of the Raleigh News & Observer writes that a North Carolina legislative committee will hear arguments whether the channel should be put on basic cable.
Dave Lubach from the Sheboygan (WI) Press says today’s release of the schedule shows that the NFL is a year-round sport.
The Kansas City Star’s Aaron Barnhardt writing in his TV Barn blog says his grass roots campaign to put Pam Ward in the NFL Network play-by-play spot is gaining momentum.
Christopher Byrne of the Eye On Sports Media suggests Tom Hammond to replace Bryant Gumbel on the NFL Network.
ESPN has set its on-air lineup for the NFL Draft.
The Big Lead talks about Patriots center Dan Koppen marrying cheerleader Amber van Eeghen. Yes, Amber is the daughter of former Raiders running back Mark van Eeghen.
USA Today’s Michael Hiestand looks at the ratings from the weekend.
Maury Brown writes in the Biz of Basketball blog that the NBA will be digitizing all of its video and film archives.
Neil Best of Newsday writes about the New York Knicks’ All You Can Eat Night being a huge success. In his blog, Neil has Knicks’ coach Isiah Thomas talking about his relationship with the media. In addition, Neil talks about Masters Champion Trevor Immelman’s media tour of New York.
Friend of Fang’s Bites Joe Favorito also talks about the Knicks’ All You Can Eat Night in his Sports Marketing and Public Relations blog.
Tom Jones from the St. Petersburg Times has his review of the sporting weekend on TV.
Richard Sandomir of the New York Times is not a fan of The Masters theme song which was heard throughout the weekend.
Just for kicks, here’s the entire theme. To be honest, I actually like it and it means that the spring is on its way. We only hear it one weekend a year so I can tolerate it.
Did you know The Masters theme, known as “Augusta”, had words? Here they are as they were written by Dave Loggins of “Please Come to Boston” fame:
“Augusta” by Dave Loggins
Well, it’s springtime in the valley on Magnolia Lane
It’s the Augusta National and the master of the game
Who’ll wear that green coat on Sunday afternoon?
Who’ll walk the 18th fairway singing this tune?
Augusta, your dogwoods and pines
They play on my mind like a song
Augusta, it’s you that I love
And it’s you that I’ll miss when I’m gone.
It’s Watson, Byron Nelson, Demaret, Player and Snead
It’s Amen Corner and it’s Hogan’s perfect swing
It’s Sarazen’s double eagle at the 15 in ’35
And the spirit of Clifford Roberts that keeps it alive
Augusta, your dogwoods and pines
They play on my mind like a song
Augusta, it’s you that I love
And it’s you that I miss when I’m gone.
It’s the legions of Arnie’s Army and the Golden Bear’s throngs
And the wooden-shafted legend of Bobby Jones.
Dave Del Grande of the Oakland Tribune says Steve Phillips has found a home at ESPN. And Dave writes that ESPN certainly did well in its first year of covering The Masters.
The perpetually angry Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News wonders why Tim McCarver did not question Yankees manager Joe Girardi for pitching to the Red Sox’s Manny Ramirez on Saturday that led to the winning run.
Laura Nachman says the Philadelphia area gets another all-sports radio station.
John Ryan of the San Jose Mercury News talks about how the focus on Sharks captain Patrick Marleau during Sunday’s game on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area was well-timed.
William Houston of the Toronto Globe and Mail says TSN’s Rod Black filled in admirably for Gord Miller last week.
Awful Announcing has the video from Versus in which an F-bomb flew out during the New York Rangers-New Jersey Devils playoff game on Sunday.
That’s all for now. Check back at 2 p.m. for the NFL schedules.
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