NFL Live always puts on a great show, and I've said it's one of the best shows ESPN has, but yesterday they took it to a whole new level. Trey Wingo and company took a field trip outdoors to talk how weather affects play on the Football field. Watch closely in the background for an extra special guest who is keeping watch over the proceedings....

Whoever that was, played the role of Belichick perfectly. I thought it was John Clayton at first, but he had a little bit of a breakdown earlier in the show.

I have no idea what that was, but hopefully it wasn't anything serious like a seizure. I'm thinking it was an earpiece issue or perhaps a wicked migraine.

It's extremely rare that you hear any analyst go off on a league in any fashion, let alone calling an entity, "garbage." But that's exactly what ESPN's Mark Schlereth did this afternoon on Sports Center. The topic of discussion was Troy Polamulu's comments about the NFL's fine on hitting, and after agreeing with him, Schlereth slowly starts to lose his cool a bit....

He's absolutely right and I'm proud that at least someone at ESPN has the balls to stand up to a league that most people just bow down to. It's also wonderful that an ex-athlete is actually putting his current situation, with his former employer, out in the open like that. Good for you, Stink. Hopefully you won't be come down upon too hard for talking bad about the most powerful league out there.

So if you didn't hear, there was a pretty substantial earthquake in California yesterday and we certainly hope everyone is okay. Sal Pal brought it up yesterday on NFL Live and was hoping that Mark Schlereth went with him, but of course he did not....

I don't know why, but that just made me crack up for some reason. Nope...no earthquake on my end, but thanks for asking. Can we get to the Favre stuff I've prepared already please? Thanks.

God this made me laugh, and before you say anything.....I was watching First Take for research dammit (yeah....that's it)! Well Mark, er Stinky is one of the hosts for that New Years Eve special that ESPN is airing and he was at practice with one of the performers when he tried to ride a dirtbike......

The best part about the whole thing is that the producer showed the clip 14 times. I guess you CAN forget how to ride a bike.....Paris Hilton would be proud. Mark should probably stick to Soap Operas.

I don't know how hard (or easy) it is to add production elements to a broadcast, but this seems like something that should have been caught before it was aired. According to Construda, John Clayton and Mark Schlereth were on Sports Center to talk about the Falcons' signing of Byron Leftwich when the graphic below was placed on the screen.


You know what? The Juice is 60, but I bet that he wouldn't be that bad of an addition to the Falcons. He'd probably split carries with Warrick Dunn just like every other back that's been on the team.

O.J. Simpson is Byron Leftwich (Construda)

ESPN is holding a Live Televised Draft tonight at 6:30 that you need to watch. Last year's was highlighted by Suzy Kolber (at least I think it was her) taking Brett Favre in the 1st Round, so you know this one is going to be good. Your hosts for the evening are Trey Wingo, Merrill Hoge, and fantasy guru Matthew Barry. But that's not what's important. It's the contestants that we care about right?

Tampa Bay Linebacker, Cato June (That's the biggest player you could get?)
Sean Salisbury (Too easy...pass.)
Michael Smith (I'm pretty sure you've got this one locked up Mikey)
Mark Schlereth (The Guiding Light has Stinky picking all offensive lineman. You get points for pancakes right?)
Steve Young (Concussions cause Young to draft Roger Craig in the 1st)
Chris Mortensen (A close 2nd)
Comedian and Contributor Nick Bakay (Ugh.)

....and my personal favorite. You may know him from such films as Kangaroo Jack, Tom Cats, Body Shots, and the Emmy Nominated...Mission to Mars. Ladies and Gentlemen.....

JERRY O'CONNELL!!!

Yes! As if he didn't overachieve enough with Rebecca Romijn....he now gets a fantasy spot on ESPN? Life just isn't fair. And could that league be any smaller? Just look at this motley crew (click for larger view).....


P.S.- I know you read blogs Michael Smith, and if you read this one I have something to tell you. If you don't run away with this league I'm going to make fun of you for a solid 2-month span. You have my word.

Can't remember if I covered this or not, but Bonnie Bernstein is hosting NFL Live in the offseason and I couldn't be happier. I don't care if the analysts are Mark "Guiding Light" Schlereth and Sean Salisbury. I'm watching.

I'm watching even though their first segment was a 5-minute discussion on whether Training Camp fight were a good thing or not. I'm watching even though they had 7 reports from 'sprite' Rachel Nichols on basically nothing (although the Tank Johnson interview was good). I'm watching even if Sean Salisbury yells "FREEDOM!" when comparing an Eagles Training Camp fight to Braveheart (true story...I missed the video opportunity). And yes, I'm watching even if Bonnie calls Canton....Camden.

Yes, I'm watching because Bonnie is one of the best Sports Reporters period. Oh, and she's number two on my "Top 5" list. Probably more because of number two. Sorry....number one was kind of a lie.

P.S.- If anyone can guess number one (hint: she's also in sports and not Erin Andrews) I'll send you a Free Harold! t-shirt.

P.P.S.- I wouldn't be against ESPN firing Trey Wingo and hiring Bonnie full-time. In fact I'm starting an online petition now.

ESPN is televising all 11 AFL Playoff games, and Mike and Mike have obviously been spread too thin (with all the cow-milking and spelling bee announcing)....so ESPN is giving them a break. They're adding a fourth team for the booth! YAY!!! (Who knew they had three??? Well I did, but I'm a freak...I'm talking about the public)....

Ex-NFL'er Ray Bentley will join Dave Pasch to create the most unnecessary team ever. Nothing against them, but 4 teams for 11 games? That's a little ridiculous. But I guess with Mike and Mike getting a break until one of the Conference Championship game...it's warranted.

Here's the schedule in case you care....

Fri., June 29 Orlando Predators at Philadelphia Soul
Dave Pasch and Ray Bentley ESPN 7:30 p.m.

Sat., June 30 Columbus Destroyers at Tampa Storm
Mark Jones and Merril Hoge ESPN 12 p.m.

Sat., June 30 Colorado Crush at Kansas City Brigade
Bob Wischusen and Mark Schlereth ESPN 3 p.m.

Mon., July 2 Utah Blaze at Los Angeles Avengers
Jones and Schlereth ESPN2 10 p.m.

Sat., July 7 TBD at San Jose SaberCats
Wischusen and Bentley ESPN 3 p.m.

Sat., July 7 TBD at Dallas Desperados
Jones and Hoge ESPN 8 p.m.

Sun., July 8 TBD at Georgia Force
Pasch and Bentley ESPN2 7 p.m.

Mon., July 9 TBD at Chicago Rush
Jones and Hoge ESPN2 8:30 p.m.

CONF CHAMPIONSHIP

Sat., July 14 Conference Championship
Wingo and Schlereth ESPN 12 p.m.

Sat., July 14 Conference Championship
Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic ESPN 3 p.m.

ARENABOWL

Sun., July 29 ArenaBowl XXI (New Orleans, La.)
Greenberg and Golic ESPN on ABC 3 p.m.

P.S.- It's going to be a sloooooooow news day today folks.
P.P.S.- Kansas City finally made the playoffs in something!
P.P.P.S- Does every AFL team make the playoffs?

I submit to you the Milwaukee Brewers on The Young and the Restless...better than Schlereth?



"She can warm up with me anytime."- JJ Hardy

Now THAT is acting my friends.....are you taking notes Stinky?

Annnnnnnnnd.......ACTION!

IT CANNOT POSSIBLY BE?!?! Repeat Offender??? Dunh Dunh Dunh!!!!!!!!!

(Via TBL)

This is becoming something of a fad, but Sports Stars and Analysts are starting to pop up on Soap Operas for some reason lately. The latest to get the acting bug is ESPN Analyst and former Redskin Mark Schlereth...

"When talent agents for the Guiding Light soap opera first contacted former Broncos offensive lineman Mark Schlereth by e-mail, he figured it was a hoax.

But when the source of the e-mails checked out, Schlereth and the GL folks started a serious conversation about him joining the sudser in a recurring role."

Stinky (nickname) debuts today as Detective Roc Hoover, and is sure to be JUST as exciting as he is on NFL Live.

Former Bronco sees the 'Guiding Light' (Rocky Mountain News)

(God he looks dreamy in that headshot)

So I know you are getting back from a three day weekend, and you want to get back into the swing of things. But there's something that's just killing you. Who are the announcers for ESPN's coverage of the upcoming Arena Football League season? Well that's what I'm here for.....drumroll please......

Your Backup Teams:

Trey Wingo-Mark Schlereth
Ron Jaworski-Merril Hoge

I'm stoked for Jaworski finally getting a shot, and Wingo-Schelereth isn't bad, but Merril Hoge?!?!?! Shoot me in the face. I wonder which 40,000 Yard, 82 TD QB he'll make fun of this season?

Your #1 Team, and Announcers of Arena Bowl XXII!!!!!!

Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic














Umm what did you just say? Wait....really??? Yep it's true (and awkward).

Greenberg and Golic, who will take their “Mike & Mike in the Morning” radio show on the road each Monday and Tuesday when they work games, will call ArenaBowl XXI.

God I don't even know how to feel about this. On one hand I will be throwing stuff at the TV, but at least I'll be able to watch some football after the SuperBowl is over. I need an AFL team though.....can someone make suggestions? I'm thinking the Colorado Crush because they just signed Peter Warrick and/or Bon Jovi's Philadelphia Soul.

Quick story. I worked for the Philadelphia Charge of the WUSA when JBJ first purchased the Soul. I sat in the back of a meeting that he was involved in and he was a dick. He was yelling at people for not meeting deadlines and embarrassing people by having them stand in front of the group. It was awkward, and I can understand him wanting a smooth start to the inaugural season, but Jon.....it's the Arena League.....calm down.