More Press Release Action!

Press releases keep flowing into my inbox so I will post some here, not all of them, but ones that are of interest to me and to you as well.

First, ESPN tells us what you can expect to see on Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown.

ESPN’s Sunday and Monday NFL Studio Features

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 program will include reports from Sal Paolantonio covering the Philadelphia Eagles at the New York Giants, Ed Werder at the Cowboys-Steelers game, and Rachel Nichols covering the Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints game. Other highlights:

Uncovering Plaxico Burress
Reporter Jeremy Schaap profiles Plaxico Burress, examining the controversy surrounding the nightclub episode where the Giants wide receiver accidentally shot himself. The profile will also look at how Burress’ past shaped his life, and how his journey to the NFL had its share of twists and turns.

Ben Roethlisberger “Unmasked”
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is very effective at buying precious time for himself in the pocket, at shedding would-be sackers and at making big plays when the situation looks most dire. Countdown “Unmasks” Big Ben, revealing why the clock in Steelers quarterback’s head runs differently than it does for other NFL signal-callers and the keys to his toughness.

Exclusive Interview with Former Jaguars Lineman Richard Collier
Early in the morning Tuesday, Sept. 2, Jaguars offensive lineman Richard Collier was sitting in his car outside a Jacksonville apartment complex when a gunman fired shots into his vehicle, pumping 14 bullets into Collier’s body. One severed his spinal cord, paralyzing him from the waist down, and the multiple wounds led to the amputation of his left leg. In Collier’s first television interview, granted to ESPN’s Kelly Naqi, reporting for Outside the Lines, he discusses the events of that fateful night and the profound impact they have had on his life. (Note: The extended version of Collier’s interview will air Sunday morning on Outside the Lines, ESPN at 9 a.m.)

“Mayne Event:” The Bucs’ Indoor Facility
In the NFL, teams sometimes need to go indoors to practice, but the Bucs have taken indoor practices to the extreme as Kenny Mayne uncovers in this week’s “Mayne Event.”

Virtual Playbook: Redskins Clinton Portis vs. Ravens Ray Lewis
In Virtual Playbook, Jackson breaks down how two key players in the “Battle of the Beltway” and fellow University of Miami alums – Portis and Lewis – will meet in the middle of a running hole Sunday on the playing field.

Ranking the NFC South
The NFC South might be the best division in its conference, but it doesn’t always get the attention it warrants, even with all of its teams above .500 and the division title going down the wire. Countdown commentators will rank the NFC South teams, predicting the order in which each will finish.

AFC – State Your Case
Ditka, Johnson, Carter and Jackson will each offer their positions and why on – “Who is the best team in the AFC?”

Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em with Matthew Berry and Merril Hoge
ESPN’s fantasy football guru Matthew Berry and NFL analyst 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 14 action.

Additional segments include “Ditka’s Doghouse,” where the erstwhile mercurial NFL head coach Mike Ditka sends an NFL player his doghouse; and “Sunday Stretch,” which previews some of the day’s key matchups and players as they warm up for their games.

MONDAY NIGHT COUNTDOWN, 7 P.M. ON ESPN

Monday Night Countdown with Berman, Carter, Ditka, Jackson, Johnson, and Mortensen (in Bristol) and Stuart Scott, Young and Emmitt Smith (at the MNF game in Charlotte, N.C.) will review Sunday’s games and preview Monday Night Football. The 90-minute, pre-game show will lead into the kickoff of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers game (8:30 p.m.), featuring Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski and Tony Kornheiser.

Reporters Suzy Kolber (Buccaneers) and Michele Tafoya (Panthers) will cover the teams. Other highlights:

“Soundtracks:” Jon Gruden and Jeff Garcia
The relationship between the Bucs head coach Jon Gruden and quarterback Jeff Garcia this season has featured many highs and lows. Countdown offers viewers a unique glimpse at the relationship as Gruden and Garcia are wired for sound in recent Bucs game for “Soundtracks.”

ESPN the Magazine’s “For Love or The Game:” Steve Smith
Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith will be the subject of Monday’s “For Love or The Game,” a Countdown segment that pairs a player or coach with a member of his family and a teammate to find out which person knows more about him. Smith’s wife, Angie, and his teammate Jordan Gross battle to see who really knows Smith better.

“C’mon Man?”
Monday Night Countdown personalities will weigh in on key plays from NFL’s Week 14 action that left them with the thought – “C’mon Man?”

WEEKLY MONDAY NIGHT COUNTDOWN SEGMEN
TS

FIELD PASS – Countdown offers an all-access look at pre-game preparations as the players get ready for kickoff. Analysts will also breakdown the important storylines and key players before the game.

TEAMS AT 20 – Every 20 minutes reporter Michele Tafoya will update news from the teams in their preparations for the game, beginning with NFL Live at 3:30 p.m.

In addition, Monday Night Football’s Tirico, Jaworski and Kornheiser will preview the night’s match-up, with Mortensen covering breaking news from around the league and the Countdown analysts offering their “Lead Pipe Lock” predictions for the game.

Next, CBS Sports has NFL quotage from analysts Phil Simms and Rich Gannon.

THE NFL ON CBS: WEEK 14 (SUNDAY, DEC. 7)
AUDIBLES WITH “NFL ON CBS” LEAD ANALYST PHIL SIMMS AND RICH GANNON

The CBS Television Network continues its 49th year broadcasting the NFL with coverage of THE NFL ON CBS on Sunday, Dec. 7 (1:00-7:00 PM, ET) beginning with THE NFL TODAY, the Network’s one-hour studio show (12:00 NOON-1:00 PM, ET), live from THE NFL TODAY studio in New York City.

THE NFL ON CBS lead announce team of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms call the action from the New York Jets-San Francisco 49ers game, live from Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif. Lance Barrow is the coordinating producer and lead game producer and Mike Arnold is the lead game director.

PHIL SIMMS
(On New York Jets-San Francisco): A couple of things to watch for: The 49ers won in Buffalo. They showed a lot of emotion and enthusiasm. They’re going to believe more in their coach and they’re going home. The 49ers have shown over the last four or five years, even when they’ve struggled and they weren’t a good team, that emotionally they can play these unbelievable games out of nowhere against good opponents. So, that is one of the big concerns that the Jets are going to have, and should have. Are they emotionally going to be able to match the energy the 49ers are going to have playing against them?…(On Jets rebounding from last week’s loss): When you lose in the NFL, despite all the nice things that were being said about them last week, it makes you go back to having a sense of urgency. And, it makes you realize how hard it is to win in this league. If you’re not emotionally into it, alert and focused on what you’re going to do, anybody can beat you. That rule has been reinforced to the Jets once again.

RICH GANNON
(On Buffalo): Without underestimating it, this is a critical game for both teams. It’s particularly critical for Buffalo who has lost five-of-their-last-six and three-in-a-row. They are reeling. Whether or not Trent Edwards plays will certainly have an impact on the game. He gives them the best chance to win – the numbers spell that out. Although, he hasn’t played particularly well since he suffered a concussion against the Cardinals in Week 5. J.P. Losman is not the same player as Trent Edwards. Offensively, when you watch the Bills on film they are out of sync. In four trips in the Red Zone last week, they missed two field goals, fumbled, and only came away with three points. Buffalo had a chance to win. To lose to a team like the 49ers at home was really painful to watch. So now at 6-6, they have to run the table to have any chance…(On Miami): The Dolphins are in a similar situation at 7-5. When you look at where they were a year ago, Miami is one of the real surprise stories, a big turnaround in the NFL. A lot has to do with the play of Chad Pennington. He has been spectacular and has given them a chance to win each and every week by his production and efficiency. He brings a tremendous amount of leadership to that football team. And they have two good running backs in Ronnie Brown and Reggie Williams…(On Miami-Buffalo): Neither team is doing a whole lot defensively. They are both middle-of-the-pack teams, so this could be a high-scoring game in Toronto. I have no idea whether there’s an upset or not, but I do like Miami on the road against Buffalo. Miami is healthier and has been more consistent throughout the year. They are two teams going in completely opposite directions. Miami is continuing to make a charge for the playoffs and Buffalo is beginning to run out of gas…(More on Buffalo’s woes) Field goal kicking – what a mess that has been. You talk about a team that’s struggling right now. Rian Lindell misses two field goals last week from 20 yards and 40 yards. Before that he made 53 straight field goals from inside 40 yards. Even one of your most consistent players and most accurate kickers in the game can’t deliver the play last week. This has been a major meltdown in Buffalo.

From our good friends at Turner Sports and NBA TV, here’s what you can expect on the NBA-owned and Turner Sports-run channel.

Upcoming NBA TV Telecasts Feature Toronto @ Cleveland Fan Night Match-up and NBA D-League Season Opener

The Toronto Raptors @ Cleveland Cavaliers match-up was selected through Fan Night voting on NBA.com over nine other matchups. The game will air on Tues., Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. ET with NBA TV announcers Ahmad Rashad, Chris Webber and Gary Payton on hand for studio coverage beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET.

Fans can continue voting for their team on NBA.com for the next Fan Night matchup that will air on Tues., Dec. 16. Voting will take place on Tues., Dec. 9 and Wed., Dec. 10 between six match-ups:

· Chicago Bulls @ Charlotte Bobcats

· New Orleans Hornets @ Memphis Grizzlies

· L.A. Clippers @ Oklahoma City Thunder

· Denver Nuggets @ Houston Rockets

· Sacramento Kings @ Portland Blazers

· New York Knicks @ L.A. Lakers

NBA TV will debut its first NBA D-League regular season game on Wed., Dec. 10 featuring Utah @ Bakersfield. Coverage will begin at 4 p.m. ET with D-League Central, a weekly studio show featuring an update on the news, transactions and D-League action, followed by tip-off of the game at 4:30 p.m. ET. NBA TV will air a D-League match-up every Wednesday.

NBA TV’s Euroleague Game of the Week coverage continues featuring Lottomatica Roma @ Alba Berlin. The game will air on Sat., Dec., 6 at 1 p.m. ET. The network will continue
to air a weekly Euroleague matchup every Saturday throughout the regular season.

NBA TV will air live NBA action including Caron Butler and the Washington Wizards facing Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls on Sat., Dec. 6 with studio coverage beginning at 8 p.m. ET. On Sun., Dec. 7, the network will air a battle between big men as Greg Oden and the Portland Trial Blazers take on Chris Bosh and the Toronto Raptors, with coverage beginning at 12:30 p.m. ET. Also, Yao Ming and the Houston Rockets visit O.J. Mayo and the Memphis Grizzlies on Mon., Dec. 8 beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET.

NBA TV’s weekly programming will feature its three signature nights, including:

Fan Night (Tues. Dec. 9): The Beat is a weekly roundtable show featuring NBA beat writers from newspapers across the country who will join host Marc Fein and TNT Insider David Aldridge to cover hot topics and NBA news.

Fan Night Week #7 voting opens on NBA.com on Tues., Dec. 9 for fans to decide the next NBA matchup they most want to see televised on NBA TV on Tues., Dec. 16. Voting will remain open until Wed., Dec 10 with the fans’ selection being announced that night on NBA TV.

Premiere Night (Wed., Dec. 10): Real NBA: D League Stories will premiere at 7 p.m. ET and takes a look at life in the D-League with the Utah Flash, while also telling success stories of Mike Taylor of the Los Angeles Clippers and Jawad Williams of the Cleveland Cavaliers. This summer, Taylor became the first-ever D-Leaguer to be chosen in the NBA Draft, and Williams is the final member of the celebrated 2005 University of North Carolina NCAA Championship starting five to make it to the NBA.

Also, NBA Fit: The Rookies will air at 7:30 p.m. ET telling the story of NBA rookies who put themselves through grueling workout routines in order to increase their draft position and prepare for a new career. This special goes behind the scenes with 2008 first overall pick Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls; 7-foot twin first-rounders Brook and Robin Lopez of the New Jersey Nets and Phoenix Suns, respectively; and surprise lottery pick Jason Thompson of the Sacramento Kings.

Legends Night (Thurs. Dec. 11): Thursday nights on NBA TV will continue to showcase the rich heritage of the NBA during Legends Night. The featured legends on Thurs., Dec. 11 will take a look at NBA legend Julius ‘Dr. J.’ Erving with historical footage for his days in the ABA as well as with the Philadelphia 76ers airing from 8 p.m. – 2 a.m. ET.

NBC Sports provides its weekend programming including a Father/Son golf tournament and Bode Miller competing in a downhill competition.

NICKLAUS, PALMER ALONG WITH AZINGER & FALDO REMATCH HEADLINE FATHER/SON CHALLENGE THIS WEEKEND ON NBC

Bode Miller to Compete Sunday on NBC in Audi Birds of Prey Men’s Downhill

NEW YORK – Dec. 4, 2008 – Victorious Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger once again competes against rival Nick Faldo along with an elite field of golfers playing with their sons in the 14th annual Father/Son Challenge from the International Course at Champions Gate Resort in Orlando, Fla. Azinger is playing with the late Payne Stewart’s son Aaron. Retired legends Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, Vijay Singh, Greg Norman and Lee Trevino are among the other prominent competitors. NBC will broadcast coverage Saturday 2:30 p.m. ET and Sunday 3 p.m. ET.

This unique format has fathers and sons competing together in a scramble for more than $1 million. To be eligible for the event, the fathers must have won a major championship during their career.

Dan Hicks (host), Gary Koch (tower), Bob Murphy (tower), Roger Maltbie (course reporter), Dottie Pepper (course reporter) and Jimmy Roberts (interviews and essays) call the action.

“This event is an interesting blend of being competitive, while also trying to have fun with your son,” said NBC Sports course reporter Roger Maltbie. “Usually in competition it’s about performance but the players enjoy this event and see the bigger picture, which is about enjoying yourself with your son. It’s not about making that two-footer. If we play well it’s a bonus but the competitive juices will be flowing.”

Azinger, a newcomer to the event, won 12 times on the PGA TOUR including the 1993 PGA Championship. As captain for this year’s Ryder Cup team, Azinger led the U.S. to its first victory over Europe since 1999.

BIRDS OF PREY MEN’S DOWNHILL SUNDAY, 2 PM ET

NBC Sports presents taped coverage of the 10th annual Birds of Prey Men’s Downhill Race Sunday at 2 p.m. ET from Beaver Creek, Colo. Americans Bode Miller, Ted Ligety and TJ Lanning, along with 2006 Winter Olympic silver medalist Michael Walchhofer are among the top competitors.

The Downhill is perhaps the most exciting event in alpine ski racing. Skiers navigate their way through a minimum number of control gates, while maintaining a high rate of speed. The Birds of Prey racecourse, designed by gold medalist Bernhard Russi of Switzerland, offers a vertical drop of 757 meters, enough for competiters to exceed well over 80 mph.

Tim Ryan, Todd Brooker, Steve Porino and Kristina Koznick call the action.

When I saw “Birds of Prey”, I was thinking about the DC comic book series. My mind works in strange ways.

As part of the Fang’s Bites Equal Time policy, here’s what non-football sports programming CBS will air this weekend.

FREESTYLE MOTOCROSS FEATURED ON CBS SPORTS SPECTACULAR ON SUNDAY

Bringing together the world’s best freestyle motocross riders going head-to-head on one of the best courses to-date, CBS SPORTS SPECTACULAR presents the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS OF FREESTYLE MOTOCROSS on Sunday, Dec. 7 (5:00-6:00 PM, ET; or 3:00-4:00 PM in late NFL markets; taped 9/27/08). Jeremy “Twitch” Stenberg highlights the competition, which took place at the Fairplex Park in Pomona, Calif. for the sixth year in a row. Cameron Steele, Tes Sewell and Jimmy Coleman call the action for CBS Sports. CBS Sports’ Ken Mack is the coordinating producer.

I’ll admit I don’t know the names in the CBS release, but I figured I would post it. Update coming later.