Inside the NFL was a huge get for Showtime, when HBO decided to drop it, and now they're deciding to branch out. The channel has decided to copy the formula for a NASCAR show, and our favorite terrorist joke making sideline reporter will be the host. According to John Ourand at SBD, Chris Myers will be your host and Brad Daugherty, Kyle Petty and Randy Pemberton will be along for the ride....

Showtime Sports has signed a multi-year deal with NASCAR to produce and televise premium television's first weekly highlights and analysis show dedicated to auto racing. Inside NASCAR will premiere on at 10 p.m. ET Feb. 10, 2010, on Showtime immediately following the season finale of Inside The NFL, and will consist of 38 one-hour episodes corresponding with the Sprint Cup Series' 38-week season.

"NASCAR is one of the most powerful sports brands in the country," said Ken Hershman, senior vice president and general manager, Showtime Sports, "and we are proud to team up with them on this compelling new series."

Inside NASCAR will feature narrated highlights and in-depth analysis from each week's Cup Series race, exclusive audio and video of never-before-seen aspects of race week and in-depth feature stories plus forecasts on upcoming races and opinions on America's No. 1 form of motorsports.

This is really a great move by CBS, who owns Showtime, as they try to get into the racing fray. An inside look at NASCAR really isn't anything new, but fans of the Sport eat that sort of thing up.

Showtime Sports launches 'Inside NASCAR' franchise (NASCAR)

The female MMA Match of the Century went down over the weekend on Showtime, and Gus Johnson was on-hand for the play-by-play. Not only did he have his usual repertoire of excitable phrases, but he was actually at a loss for words when the fight ended at the buzzer of the first round....

I don't think I've ever seen an exciting game or match, where Johnson didn't freak out at the end. That was such a good fight, that I was expecting him to freak out when it was stopped. There was however a ton of confusion, and you have to praise him and the other guys in the booth, for waiting to get the call right.

Cyborg Stops Carano In Round One (With Leather)

I know that announcers like getting as much work in as possible, but Gus Johnson is taking it to a whole new level. On the heels of his foray into the world of MMA for CBS, GuJo has been hired by Showtime Boxing to work the cable network's monthly "Showtime Championship Boxing". Via John Ourand at SBD....

Showtime has hired Gus Johnson as the lead announcer on its "Showtime Championship Boxing" series. Johnson will continue to work as an announcer on CBS' college basketball and NFL games, as well as Big Ten Network basketball games. Johnson will work with Al Bernstein on the monthly series, and he will make his debut February 7 for the Vic Darchinyan-Jorge Arce fight. He replaces Steve Albert, who is staying with the series in a reduced role. Albert, who has announced boxing on Showtime since '87, will call bouts when Johnson is unavailable.

Gus Johnson is obviously a polarizing announcer, but as a fan of his, it's great to see he's finally getting the respect he deserves from other networks. Maybe the one he's on full time (*ahem* CBS!) will take notice and bump him up another spot for this year's Tourney and the 2009 NFL season.

Gus Johnson To Call Showtime's Boxing (Sports Business Daily - $)

After learning that Joey Sunshine was going to be on Inside the NFL yesterday, you just knew I would have something on him today. About halfway through the show the panel was discussing the Titans when Theismann dropped a bombshell on the group. He predicted that the Titans would go undefeated.

Now I know what you're thinking. There's no way in hell they can win the rest of the eight games on their schedule. Well, our friend Joe actually made a pretty good case for the team....

It's obviously highly unlikely, but based on his analysis there, I guess it's possible. Their schedule is really favorable, and anything can happen in those last two weeks. I still don't think it's happening, but at least Theismann knows what he's talking about these days. Unlike Cris Collinsworth, who at one point said he wanted the NFL to shrink the size of balls so more players could be QBs, and his reasoning was because backup quarterback have been so terrible this year.

Yep, Kerry Collins, Gus Frerotte, Jeff Garcia, Kurt Warner, Matt Cassel and Byron Leftwich have all been awful this season. I'll give him Brad Johnson, and whoever Kansas City is currently starting, but other than that he's way off with that line of thinking.

Just a quick note that I wanted to pass along here, but Joe Theismann will be with the Inside the NFL crew on Showtime tonight, instead of Warren Sapp. Sapp will be on the Dancing With The Stars set tonight in some sort of team, battle royale event that I know nothing about. So in his stead, Showtime decided to bring in Theismann to fill the vacancy.

I think Theismann is much better in these formats, rather than live games, so if you're tuning in and looking for him to flub through the show, you might be disappointed. Joseph will be on at 9pm with JB, Phil and Cris, so check it out if you're so inclined. The topics will be The Colts and Patriots, as well as how the Packers are faring without Brett Favre....you know....new stuff!

Oh and Kenny Mayne will also be on Jimmy Kimmel Live as well.

Inside The NFL (Showtime Sports)

I keep forgetting that Inside The NFL is on Showtime, but luckily for me, Warren Sapp keeps saying controversial things to remind. This week's comment is on the Dolphins' "Wildcat Offense" and Warren wants you all to know that he think it's "disrespectful". Via ESPN's AFC East Blog....

Warren Sapp, found on page 142 in the Guinness Book of World Records as the most inflammatory sports commentator, considers the Miami Dolphins' exotic Wildcat offense an affront to the intelligence of opposing defenses.

"This is disrespectful to all defenses," Sapp said on Showtime's "Inside the NFL" roundtable Wednesday night. "It's disrespectful. You're taking the best player in the game, the quarterback, and you're putting him out wide, outside the numbers, and you put the running back in the back.

"How the hell you going to throw the ball? I'm not even thinking about throw right now. I'm going to get everybody in the gap. It's just power 'O.' You have the running back with the ball already in his hand."

I'm not quite sure why Warren Sapp is so offended, or that he doesn't remember Ronnie Brown throwing a TD pass, but....okay? It's not like the Dolphins are world beaters this year, so I don't really see what the big deal is. I like Warren's honest approach, but you start to force stories....that's when your credibility starts to slip. You don't have to say something off-the-wall every week, but I guess as long as ESPN picks it up each week, then you mind as well keep it up.

Sapp calls Dolphins offense 'disrespectful' (ESPN's Blog Network)

One of the things I always looking forward to when new ex-players and coaches become a member of the media, is whether they give easy/cupcake answers to questions, or if they actually give honest and sometimes difficult responses. Most people won't say anything about former teams and teammates, but with Warren Sapp we knew it was just a matter of time, and Lane Kiffin's firing gave him the perfect opportunity.

Sapp just laid into the Raiders' entire organization this past Wednesday on Inside the NFL, and the comments were so strong that ESPN even picked up the story....

"[Davis] is the common equation," Sapp said on "Inside the NFL." "You take him out, put him at home watching film or whatever he is doing -- you have a functioning football organization. But once he comes over the top, he goes and starts moving it around.

"Al Davis knows football -- it's just '60s and '70s football. That's what it is. He's thinking that Cliff Branch is outside and [Jim] Plunkett is dropping back and you can throw it 80 yards down the field -- deep ball, deep ball, deep ball."

Sapp even said that Davis would call in plays when Sapp was playing for the Raiders.

"I remember the first two weeks I was there, we played a preseason game. Somebody came up one time and said, 'We're going deep right here, dog.' I said, how do you know? He said, 'The phone just rang.'

"All the preparation that goes into a week of work is there, the practicing that you have to put in order to do these things, sometimes [Al Davis] messed with that part of it and that's what kills you," Sapp said on "Inside the NFL."

I thought I had the video, but for some reason it didn't save (I'll keep trying to look for it though). Either way, you get the idea. It was a pretty eye-opening segment and a refreshing change from the usual run-of-the-mill responses you get from ex-players. Warren Sapp still has some work to do on the show, but as long as he keeps up this level of honesty, I think more and more people will start to tune in.

Update: And here's your video....

Sapp says Kiffin treated unfairly, blames Davis for Raiders' mess (ESPN)

Last year I was intrigued by Mark Cuban's foray into dancing on the reality show and this year it's Warren Sapp who I wanted to check out. Here's his first go at the "cha cha" from last night's debut....

Anytime a dude with a belly can pull something like that off, it's sure to impress some people. The NFL continues to own this show, and while I'm not going to be watching it again the rest of the season, I fully enjoyed that performance. Good job Warren, now go and make Inside The NFL exciting too.

I mentioned yesterday that there were going to be some guests stopping by for the first episode of Inside The NFL on Showtime. Roger Goodell was boring (as expected) and Deacon Jones was entertaining (as expected), but it was DWTS's Kym Johnson that stole the show. Well, she wasn't that exciting, but her appearance gave us our first look at Warren Sapp's new moves....

Forget Warren, get Collinsworth on that show. He just swooped in and went to town with Kym Johnson. As far as the show went, it really didn't vary much from its predecessor. There were a few old elements that were missing (a handful of people emailed about the "Beat The Pros" segment from HBO), but for the most part it was on par with HBO's version. I enjoyed all four during the program, but there were a few annoying jester-like moments from Sapp. It wasn't anything that would cause you to change the channel, but hopefully he tones it down.

Oh and please Showtime, please don't try to promote Dancing With The Stars. Occasionally is fine, but every week would get old quick.

Inside The NFL Debuts On Showtime Tonight With A Few Special Guests (Awful Announcing)

Showtime seems to be all-in on promoting its version of the Inside The NFL with Warren Sapp and will feature multiple segments with the ex-defensive end when it debuts tonight on Showtime. The program will also have three special guests according to Market Watch....

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Hall of Fame defensive end Deacon Jones and Dancing With The Stars professional Kym Johnson are among the special guests for the premiere episode of INSIDE THE NFL on SHOWTIME this Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Jones, one of the most feared defenders of the 1970's, will face off with INSIDE THE NFL analyst and latter day counterpart Warren Sapp in a segment entitled "Debate '08." In the spirit of this election year, Jones and Sapp will debate their respective era's gridiron greatness.

Johnson, a Dancing With The Stars veteran who is currently in rehearsal as Sapp's dance partner for this season, will be on the set of INSIDE THE NFL.

I'm still amazed that so many people watch DWTS, but Showtime couldn't have hoped for better timing in Sapp's appearance on the program. The show always had its diehard fans, so it will be interesting to see if Showtime tries to appease to them, or tries to take it in a new direction.

Also, if you look at the promo photo above it appears as Showtime is already billing Warren Sapp as the court jester of the quartet. I don't think I've ever seen JB with a mean look on his face and he's actually scaring me a little bit. I'll be watching tonight and will have reactions and video tomorrow.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Kym Johnson and Deacon Jones on Tap for Debut Episode of Inside the NFL on Showtime (Market Watch)

Warren Sapp is one of the four parties involved in the new version of Inside The NFL that just moved from HBO to Showtime for this upcoming season. Warren is with a lot of people in thinking that the HBO version of the show had become boring and that the relaunching of the show on Showtime will help. He had this to say on the new version of the show to Boston.com....

Former NFL star Warren Sapp will be an integral part of the series. Sapp, who will team with Cris Collinsworth, Phil Simms, and James Brown, promises the show will be an improvement.

"I would hope to God it would be because the one on HBO just got bland," said Sapp, not one to edit himself. "It got bland, it got boring, and it just sat there that it was a foregone conclusion that somebody was supposed to tune in because it was what it was. You have to entertain the people. I think us four guys are diverse in every way possible and complement each other. We've got two champions. We've got a quarterback, a receiver, a defensive lineman, and a non-football guy. We've got four guys who are respected throughout the league."

Seems like standard operating procedure right? The show is moving networks and people need a reason to watch, so he hypes it up a little. I'm also inclined to agree with Sapp in that the show really didn't bring anything new to the table in the last few years, but apparently those comments rubbed one Peter King the wrong way. From MMQB via Fanhouse....

It'll be interesting to see the first production meeting at Showtime, when someone reads that quote to that boring co-host of the HBO show, Cris Collinsworth, who is only the best studio analyst in recent sports TV history. He never "entertained the people.'' No, not Cris. Remember last year, Warren, when every other sports TV analyst was covering his rear end on Bill Belichick and Spygate -- and I mean every one -- and Collinsworth ripped him a new one for dishonoring the game? There's a case of the totally bland Collinsworth just showing up for the paycheck every week. I can hear Sapp in that production meeting next week: "Cris, I didn't mean you. You're the greatest! It was all those other guys who put me to sleep!''

Ooooooooooh snap! We've got a budding analyst war before the show even starts!!! The first show on the new network is September 10th and I think this little tiff just gained it one new viewer.

'Inside' shift gets face lift (Boston.com)
Quote of the Week IV (Monday Morning QB)
Peter King Not Happy With Warren Sapp Over 'Inside the NFL' Comments (Fanhouse)

Showtime has named it's panelists and according to USA Today the only hold over from the HBO edition is Cris Collinsworth....

Longtime Inside analyst Cris Collinsworth, also an NBC and NFL Network analyst, will return. The weekly show, McManus says, might have a fourth analyst or "rotate that seat among recently retired and current players."

Meaning, longtime Inside analyst Dan Marino is out. McManus says Marino will continue as a "key mainstay" in CBS' NFL studio — and did a "terrific job" on HBO, but "we didn't want to just have CBS people. And we wanted a link to the HBO show. It was a tough one, in respect to Dan, to go with Cris."

I've never been the hugest fan of Dan Marino but it's still going to be tough to have the show with out him. Your other parties involved are James Brown taking over hosting duties from Costas and Phil Simms. There is no word on a fourth as of yet but the early word is that they will keep the fourth seat open for current NFL players and retired ones with attachment to the stories they are discussing.

Showtime goes with experience for 'Inside the NFL' lineup (USA Today)

I find it very odd that Inside The NFL would just trade cable movie channels but once you figure out who the partners are it makes total sense. The long-running show is doing just that this July as Showtime has reached a deal with NFL Films....

"Inside the NFL" is switching teams: The long-running HBO show is moving to rival pay cable network Showtime in the fall.

The NFL studio show, produced by NFL Films and Showtime's corporate sibling CBS Sports, will air at 9 p.m. Wednesdays starting September 10 and running through February 11.

A talent announcement isn't expected until July, though the hosts are likely to comprise one CBS Sports talent along with other non-CBS talent. Those could be from other networks, such as Bob Costas and Cris Collinsworth, who worked for "Inside the NFL" while working for NBC Sports, but aren't expected to return to the show. CBS' Dan Marino also has co-hosted the series.

I'd love to see who they tab to host this thing, but it's very unlikely that I'm ever going to see it. Outside of Boxing and Weeds the channel is the worst thing on cable television. I'm glad to see that one of the longest running shows got a home but I'm not sure how long it's going to last.

"Inside the NFL" moving to Showtime (Yahoo)