NFL Network Programming and Inside the NFL Quotage

I’ll put two NFL-related press releases here. Get ready to scroll as we look at NFL Network’s schedule for the next week.

NFL NETWORK PROGRAMMING NOTES (12/3-12/8)

AFC EAST SHOWDOWN IN TORONTO: JETS-BILLS

ON THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL AT 8:00PM ET

NFL RedZone Now Re-Airs Monday Mornings

Michael Irvin 1-on-1 Interview with Cowboys QB Tony Romo Thursday on the Halftime Show

Entire Interview Sunday at 9:00 AM ET on NFL GameDay Morning

Matt Millen Sits Down with Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan Thursday at 6:00 PM ET on Thursday Night Kickoff

Jets-Bills ’02, Bengals-Lions ’98 & Chiefs-Broncos ’94 Featured on Greatest 4^th QTRS Saturday at 8:00 PM ET

NFL Classic Games Features Patriots-Dolphins ’94 Matchup Friday at 8:00 PM ET & Saturday at 2:00 PM ET

RE-AIR OF NFL REDZONE – MONDAY 4:00-11:30 AM ET

It’s being called “the coolest thing on TV right now” and “the greatest invention since pizza.” Fans are raving about NFL Network’s new NFL RedZone channel. For those who don’t receive the channel, NFL Network now features a re-air of Sunday’s action on Monday mornings.

NFL RedZone is hosted by Scott Hanson and whips around every NFL game on Sunday afternoons delivering the touchdowns and most exciting moments as they happen and in high definition. When a team goes inside the 20-yard line, fans see the crucial plays live. The channel keeps fans up-to-date in real time, switching from game to game with live look-ins, highlights and a chance to see every important play.

THURSDAY NIGHT KICKOFF – THURSDAY 6:00 PM ET

· Michael Irvin sits down with Cowboys QB Tony Romo to discuss what Dallas is doing to ensure a successful December campaign. Excerpts from the interview will also be shown on the Halftime Show and the entire conversation will air on Sunday’s NFL GameDay Morning at 9:00 AM ET.

· Matt Millen talks to Jets head coach Rex Ryan about the lessons he’s learned in his first year as head coach, the passion he has for his job, his philosophy on defense, rookie QB Mark Sanchez’s learning process and how well WR Braylon Edwards has adjusted to the team.

· On The Marshall Plan, Marshall Faulk
analyzes Jets rookie QB Mark Sanchez

· Rich Eisen, Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk and Deion Sanders discuss Bills WR Terrell Owens’ future

· The best of Bills WR Terrell Owens’ sound bites through the years

NFL GAMEDAY MORNING – SUNDAY 9:00 AM-1:00 PM ET

· Michael Irvin sits down with Cowboys QB Tony Romo to discuss the emergence of WR Miles Austin, the Cowboys’ locker room atmosphere, whether his leadership role has increased and his opinions on the coaching staff.

· On Super Bowl Journey, two journeys collide with playoff implications on the line last Sunday when Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew visited TE Vernon Davis and the 49ers.This week’s edition gives a behind-the-scenes look at the game through the perspectives of both players.

· Kara Henderson reports from Eagles-Falcons matchup

· Paul Burmeister reports from Titans-Colts matchup

· Steve Wyche reports from Raiders-Steelers matchup

· Michael Lombardi reports from Saints-Redskins matchup

· Bob Papa reports from Cowboys-Giants matchup

NFL CLASSIC GAMES – NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS VS. MIAMI DOLPHINS (9/4/1994) FRIDAY AT 8:00 PM ET & SATURDAY AT 2:00 PM ET

After missing the majority of the 1993 season with an injury, Dolphins QB Dan Marino made his 1994 debut and had a record-setting day. He threw for 473 yards and five touchdowns to lead Miami to a 39-35 win. Marino set an NFL record by throwing four or more touchdown passes in a game for the 18^th time in his career, which broke his tie with Johnny Unitas. His 300^th touchdown pass in this game made him one of only two quarterbacks at that time to throw 300-plus career touchdowns (Fran Tarkenton was the other with 343 touchdowns).

NFL Classic Games is the only show on television where fans can catch the complete network broadcasts of classic NFL regular season and playoff games.

NFL FILMS PRESENTS: HIGH SCHOOL HEROES – FRIDAY AT 1:00 PM & SATURDAY AT 9:00 & 10:30 AM ET

This week, NFL Films Presents takes a trip back in time with Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels as he remembers his high school days growing up in Canton, Ohio and playing in one of America’s most fierce and most celebrated high school rivalry football games: Massillon Washington vs. Canton McKinley. As fate would have it, he is now coaching one of his former high school teammates, DE Kenny Peterson. Also in this episode, the story of local hero and former football team captain, Will Graves, a senior at West Jones High School in Mississippi, is featured.

NFL Films Presents, hosted by Steve Sabol, explores the depth of the NFL Films archive – the world’s largest sports film library – with unique perspectives on football’s greatest heroes and personalities as well as its history, humanity and humor.

GREATEST 4^TH QTRS – SATURDAY AT 8:00 PM ET

This week’s Greatest 4^th QTRs highlights Week 13 matchups between the Jets-Bills, Bengals-Lions and Chiefs-Broncos with a look back at the following games:

New York Jets vs. Buffalo Bills (9/8/2002): In his debut with the Bills, QB Drew Bledsoe forced the game into overtime when he threw a 29-yard touchdown pass with 26 seconds remaining to WR Eric Moulds. However, it was Jets RB Chad Morton who stole the show with his 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the opening seconds of overtime. Earlier in the game, Morton returned a kickoff for 98-yards and a touchdown. He became the first player in NFL history to score on a kickoff return in both regulation and overtime.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Detroit Lions (9/13/1998): In a back and forth battle where both teams scored a touchdown in each quarter, it was Lions RB Barry Sanders’ third touchdown run of the day that sent the game into overtime. Bengals DB Corey Sawyer ended the game in Cincinnati’s favor with 53-yard interception return.

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Denver Broncos (10/17/1994): In a classic duel with fellow Hall of Fame QB John Elway, Chiefs QB Joe Montana led a 75-yard march down the field during the final 82 seconds and snapped Kansas City’s 11-year losing streak in Mile High stadium with a five-yard pass to WR Willie Davis for the 31-28 win.

Greatest 4^th QTRs is a two hour compilation of three memorable fourth quarters in NFL history. Using NFL Films footage, Greatest 4^th QTRs preps viewers for the upcoming weekend’s games by reliving three of the most exciting finishes bet
ween teams set to faceoff on Sunday.

THIS WEEK ON NFL TOTAL ACCESS:

Thursday, December 3

• Jason La Canfora goes ‘Around the League’
• Post-game reactions and analysis of Jets-Bills

Saturday, December 4

• ‘Put up your Dukes’ with Jamie Dukes

Monday, December 7 – 90-minute Monday Night Football edition

• Paul Burmeister reports from Steelers-Broncos game
• Michael Lombardi goes ‘Around the League’
• A look back on all of Sunday’s action and a preview of the Steelers-Broncos game

Tuesday, December 8

• Kara Henderson reports from the Bears’ training facility
• Jason La Canfora goes ‘Around the League’
• A look at the top 10 plays from Week 13

THIS WEEK ON AROUND THE LEAGUE: Saints S Darren Sharper Wednesday

Thursday, December 3

· LB Joey Porter on Dolphins Cam

THIS WEEK ON PLAYBOOK:

Friday at 6:00 PM ET – AFC Playbook – Brian Baldinger, Sterling Sharpe and Joe Theismann discuss:

· How the Cowboys’ defense can dominate the Giants to take control of the NFC East

· How the Falcons can beat the Eagles to remain in the mix in the Wild Card race

· What the Cardinals need to do to beat the Vikings

· Why the Saints’ offense can have a field day against the Redskins’ defense

Saturday at 12 NOON ET – NFC Playbook – Brian Baldinger, Sterling Sharpe and Joe Theismann discuss:

· How the Broncos and Chargers can keep the AFC West title race close

· How the Titans’ defense can shut down the Colts’ offense

· Why QB Vince Young and the Titans’ offense could have success against the Colts’ defense

· How the Jaguars and Steelers can keep their Wild Card hopes alive

THIS WEEK ON NFL.COM: ‘Official Review’ online segment Wednesday, Matt Millen chat Thursday, Jamie Dukes chat Friday

Thursday,
December 3

· 12 NOON ET – NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock chat

· 1:30 PM ET – NFL Network analyst Matt Millen chat

· 2:00 PM ET – NFL.com columnist Bucky Brooks chat

· NFL.com/Live – From Los Angeles, host Fran Charles along with analysts Jamie Dukes and Bucky Brooks provide expert analysis, commentary and live “look-ins” of Thursday Night Football. Mike Mayock provides “instant analysis” on key plays and fantasy expert Michael Fabiano provides fantasy-related insight. Solomon Wilcots and Scott Hanson contribute live reports from Toronto.

Friday, December 4

· 11:00 AM ET – NFL.com fantasy editor Michael Fabiano chat

· 12 NOON ET – NFL.com columnist Vic Carucci chat

· 4:30 PM ET – NFL Network analyst Jamie Dukes chat

Sunday, December 6

· 12 NOON ET – NFL.com fantasy editor Michael Fabiano chat

· 7:00 PM ET – NFL.com columnist Bucky Brooks chat

DAY-BY-DAY PROGRAMMING SCHEDULE (all times listed are ET)

Thursday, December 3

12 NOON – Playbook: Wednesday recap edition

1:00 PM – NFL Replay: Arizona Cardinals vs. Tennessee Titans (HD)

2:30 PM – Sound FX: Week 12 (HD)

3:00 PM – America’s Game: 1968 New York Jets (HD)

4:00 PM – America’s Game: 1990 Buffalo Bills (HD)

5:00 PM – Around the League (HD)

6:00 PM – Thursday Night Kickoff Presented by Sears (HD)

8:00 PM – Thursday Night Football: New York Jets vs. Buffalo Bills (HD) – LIVE

11:30 PM – Kay Jewelers Post-Game Show (HD)

12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Total Access (HD)

Friday, December 4

12 NOON – Sound FX: Week 12 (HD)

12:30 PM – NFL Weekly Countdown: Week 12 (HD)

1:00 PM – NFL Films Presents: High School Heroes (HD)

1:30 PM – NFL Films: Dallas Cowboys vs. Buffalo Bills (Super Bowl XXVII)

2:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Comebacks

3:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Rookie Seasons

4:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Super Bowl Performances

5:00 PM – Around the League (HD)

6:00 PM – Playbook: NFC edition

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD)

8:00 PM – NFL Classic Games: New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins (9/4/1994)

11:00 PM – Playbook: NFC edition

12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Total Access (HD)

1:00 AM – NFL Classic Games: New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins (9/4/1994)

Saturday, December 5

9:00 AM – NFL Films Presents: High School Heroes (HD)

9:30 AM – NFL Weekly Countdown: Week 12 (HD)

10:00 AM– Sound FX: Week 12 (HD)

10:30 AM – NFL Films Presents: High School Heroes (HD)

11:00 AM – Playbook: NFC edition

12 NOON – Playbook: AFC edition

1:00 PM – America’s Game: 2003 Patriots (HD)

2:00 PM – NFL Classic Games: New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins (9/4/1994)

5:00 PM – Playbook: NFC edition

6:00 PM – Playbook: AFC edition

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD)

8:00 PM – Greatest 4^th QTRs

10:00 PM – Playbook: AFC edition

12 MIDNIGHT – NFL Total Access (HD)

Sunday, December 6

7:00 AM – Playbook: AFC edition

8:00 AM – Playbook: NFC edition

9:00 AM – NFL GameDay Morning (HD)

1:00 PM – NFL GameDay StatZone (HD)

4:00 PM – NFL GameDay Scoreboard (HD)

7:30 PM – NFL GameDay Highlights (HD)

11:30 PM – NFL GameDay Final (HD)

Monday, December 7

4:00 AM – NFL RedZone (HD)

11:30 AM – NFL GameDay Final (HD)

4:00 PM – NFL Replay Real-Time: Week 13 (HD)

5:00 PM – Around the League (HD)

6:00 PM – Up to the Minute (HD)

6:30 PM – The Coaches Show (HD)

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD) – 90-minute Monday Night Football edition

8:30 PM – The Coaches Show (HD)

9:00 PM – NFL Follies: NFL TV Follies (1986)

10:00 PM – The Coaches Show (HD)

10:30 PM – NFL Follies: Super Duper Football (1988)

11:30 PM – NFL Total Access (HD) – updated with postgame press conferences and analysis

1:00 AM – NFL GameDay Final (HD)

Tuesday, December 8

6:00 AM – NFL Total Access (HD)

1:00 PM – NFL Replay Real-Time: Week 13 (HD)

2:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Team Turnarounds

3:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Draft Steals

4:00 PM – NFL’s Top 10: Top 10 Things That Changed the Game

5:00 PM – Around the League (HD)

6:00 PM – Playbook: Tuesday recap edition

7:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD)

8:00 PM – NFL Replay: Matchup TBD (HD)

9:30 PM – NFL Replay: Matchup TBD (HD)

11:00 PM – NFL Total Access (HD)

12 MIDNIGHT – Playbook: Tuesday recap edition

1:00 AM – NFL Replay Real-Time: Week 13 (HD)

And we go to Showtime for the quotes from Wednesday’s Inside the NFL program.

NEWS, NOTES AND QUOTES FROM WEEK 13 OF

INSIDE THE NFL ON SHOWTIME®

NEW YORK (Dec. 2, 2009)—This week on INSIDE THE NFL on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME, host James Brown, Cris Collinsworth, Phil Simms, Warren Sapp and Insider Mike Lombardi discuss the concussion situation in the NFL. Plus a linebacker is selected this week for INSIDE THE NFL’s “Team of the Aughts.”

INSIDE THE NFL is being produced by CBS Sports and NFL Films with new episodes airing on SHOWTIME every Wednesday during the NFL season through February 10, 2010. Pete Radovich serves as coordinating producer. The executive producers are Sean McManus, President, CBS News and Sports, and NFL Films President Steve Sabol.

Below are excerpts transcribed from this week’s episode:

(On Ben Roethlisberger sitting out last we
ek and the culture in NFL regarding concussions):

SAPP: I put a call into the Pittsburgh Steelers locker room at the end of the week when I heard that he (Ben Roethlisberger) wasn’t going to play and I just text one of the players and what I got back was, “he wussed out on us.” And it hit me kind of hard…I’m like you’ve got to be kidding me because that is one of the toughest…that’s what you do, stamp him with that badge of courage because he is like any other quarterback. No time or clock in his head. He’s not getting rid of the ball. He’s making plays last longer. And for us to still have that Neanderthal mentality of it’s just getting your bell rung or a ding. We’re talking about head trauma.

SIMMS: Well it is a culture where, JB, its players expect players to play when they’re hurt. You know that about Ben Roethlisberger real quick, two things: Jealousy; and you have no idea what you’re talking about if you say that about him. But yes, you’re expected to play hurt and I think even in this day and age as much that has come out, still when you talk about concussions, ‘Oh I got a headache,’ nobody can really relate or pinpoint it. It’s not like your knee is swollen, so a lot of people don’t believe it when players say it.

COLLINSWORTH: And the other issue is, and it’s a legal term, but it’s assumption of the risk. As players, how much of the responsibility falls on us because we have to assume a certain amount of risk that we’ve decided to go ahead and play the game? So this in many ways is a liability issue, a money issue, and it’s one that the Players Association and the League, they have to get together on. And if they don’t, Congress has every right to jump into this battle.

SIMMS: …Nobody’s talking about, the other thing is, the helmet. The helmet has got to progress to the modern day era that we’re in here and I think we’re going to see a lot of different designs of helmets that will help the players out.

A couple of more release posts coming up. Keep it here.