It’s a Tuesday Night Linkfest

Let’s check out the linkage for tonight.

Starting out with Jim Williams of the DC/Baltimore Examiner in his Watch This! blog, he reviews the local coverage on radio, cable and local over the air TV of the Sean Taylor story.

A couple of things from Newsday’s Neil Best in his blog. First, he tells us that Mets radio announcer Tom McCarthy is leaving after two years to return to the Phillies radio booth. And he goes over the very poor commentary from Mike Francesca and Chris Russo on WFAN today on Sean Taylor.

Over on his Farther Off the Wall blog, Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News goes over the alternatives for NFL fans without the NFL Network to catch the Green Bay-Dallas game this Thursday. Meanwhile, fans in Green Bay will be able to watch the game on the CBS affiliate in town.

And here’s an NFL Media press release on the web feature on NFL.com allowing fans to see live cut-ins of the Green Bay-Dallas game this Thursday.

“NFL.COM LIVE: THURSDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL”

FEATURES “LIVE LOOK-INS” OF NFL NETWORK GAMES

First-Ever Widely Available Live Online and Wireless

Video NFL Game Coverage in U.S. on NFL.com and Sprint

NFL Network’s Packers-Cowboys Game Thursday at 8:00 PM ET

For the first time ever, NFL.com and NFL Mobile on Sprint offer all fans live online and wireless video coverage of NFL Network games, it was announced today.

This Thursday night’s game between the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys on NFL Network at 8:00 pm ET will be featured on NFL.com Live: Thursday and Saturday Night Football presented by Sprint, offering NFL fans a unique way to experience NFL games.

For fans who don’t have NFL Network, the live broadband broadcast covers the game from all angles. NFL.com Live: Thursday Night Football will be anchored by a live, originally produced video program, complimented by various interactive applications, giving fans a look at NFL Network games (NFL Network game schedule below) and programming.

NFL.com Live is also available to fans on the go via NFL Mobile on Sprint, which will stream NFL.com’s video coverage.

The video program consists of live look-ins, a live studio show, and featured NFL Network programming:

· “Live Look-Ins” – Fans will get a live look at NFL Network game action at :15 and :45 past each hour and during select action in the “red zone” (inside 20-yard line). The NFL Network halftime show will also be shown on NFL.com.

· Live In-Studio Programming – Includes game highlights, analysis and previews of the NFL games ahead that week, in-studio guests, conversations with NFL Network talent on-site at the game, and answers to questions submitted by fans on NFL.com.

· Featured NFL Network Programming – Segments of NFL Network programs reviewing the previous weekend’s games and previewing upcoming action.

NFL Network’s DERRIN HORTON, JAMIE DUKES and ROD WOODSON quarterback the live NFL.com video coverage of NFL Network games from the network’s Culver City, CA studios.

Additional interactive features will enhance NFL.com’s live video program:

· Submit a Question – Select fan questions submitted on NFL.com will be answered by NFL Network analysts.

· Live Statistics – Real-time statistical updates accompany the video program.

· “Call the Play” – Fans can match their play calls with the teams, by “predicting” the upcoming play.

· Live Blogging – NFL.com and NFL Network experts – including those on-site at the game – provide live analysis and commentary.

· “Get NFL Network” – Allows users who want to get NFL Network to find information on how to get it.

“Our coverage complements the complete game telecast on NFL Network and will showcase everything NFL Network has to offer,” said NFL Senior Vice President of Digital Media BRIAN ROLAPP. “

As for all other NFL games, NFL.com will include live statistics and drive charts in Game Center, highlights, and extensive editorial coverage of NFL Network games.

NFL.com, the most popular sports league website, is produced by the NFL.

Andrew Krukowski of TV Week has a feature on the new NFL Network ads featuring former 49er great, Joe Montana.

Friend of Fang’s Bites, David Scott of Boston Sports Media Watch talks with the outgoing
Red Sox Director of Public Relations, Dr. Charles Steinberg, who’s leaving for a similar post with the Los Angeles Dodgers. One side note in his story, Scott speculates on the fate of Red Sox announcing butcher and Fang’s Bites target, Glenn Geffner. And another Friend of Fang’s Bites, LC over at 38Cliches wonders what the Steinberg move will mean for Goofner. Personally, I don’t think Goofie would go to LA right away as the Dodger radio booth is full for now (Vin Scully, Charley Steiner and Rick Monday), but as former St. Louis Cardinal pitcher Joaquin Andujar once said, “youneverknow”.

CNBC’s Darren Rovell looks at the Alex Rodriguez contract with the Yankees and wonders if the team could ever collect its money back as A-Rod gets closer to Barry Bonds’ home run record.

Gina Keating of Reuters reports from the Reuters Media Summit that NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and NASCAR Chairman Brian France feel ESPN has much to improve upon.

The Baltimore Sun’s Ray Frager in his Medium Well blog looks at a poll conducted by the Sports Business Journal of its readership on its favorite sportscasters and sports shows. The results may surprise you.

And that’s it for tonight. See you tomorrow.