Your Week Four NFL Announcing Schedule And Broadcast Maps

Wednesday, September 30, 2009


Thanks as always to The506.com for the broadcast maps....

NBC Sunday Night Football: San Diego Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers (Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth)
ESPN Monday Night Football: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings (Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, Jon Gruden)

FOX 1pm:















RED: NY Giants at Kansas City Chiefs (FOX, 1pm)- Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa
BLUE: Seattle Seahawks at Indianapolis Colts (FOX, 1pm)- Dick Stockton, Charles Davis
GREEN: Tampa Bay Bucs at Washington Redskins (FOX, 1pm)- Sam Rosen, Tim Ryan
YELLOW: Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears (FOX, 1pm)- Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick
PURPLE: TBD (Either: NYG-KC or SEA-IND)

FOX 4pm:















RED: Dallas Cowboys at Denver Broncos (FOX, 4:15pm)- Joe Buck, Troy Aikman
BLUE: St. Louis Rams at San Francisco 49ers (FOX, 4:15pm)- Ron Pitts, John Lynch

CBS:















RED: Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots (CBS, 1pm)- Jim Nantz, Phil Simms
GREEN: Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars (CBS, 1pm)- Dick Enberg, Dan Fouts
YELLOW: Oakland Raiders at Houston Texans (CBS, 1pm)- Gus Johnson, Steve Tasker
PURPLE: Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns (CBS, 1pm)- Ian Eagle, Rich Gannon

BLUE: NY Jets at New Orleans Saints (CBS, 4pm)- Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf
ORANGE: Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins (CBS, 4pm)- Kevin Harlan, Solomon Wilcots

The Mariners Announcers Have To Get Happy About Something

The Mariners were actually in the Wild Card race at one point this season, but faded like a falling rock in the fourth quarter of the season. Which is why, Seattle's announcers Dave Niehaus and Mike Blowers decided to have some fun on Sunday. Not only did Blowers pick of Matt Tuiasosopo as player of the game pan out, but he even predicted the at-bat, count, pitch, and location of his first major league homer....



Now that is just unbelievable. The way they're giggling makes you think could be fake, but I think the reaction as the ball goes out gives it credibility. Too funny.

Call Of The Year (My Northwest)

ESPN To Use "Sports Nation" To Piss You Off Beyond Belief


Not that the Colin Cowherd hosted show doesn't already piss you off, but apparently ESPN is going to make it completely unwatchable for a day. The afternoon show will be going for the Guinness World record, for the most mentions of the name....Brett Favre. Seriously....

ESPN hopes to hype records for its Green Bay-Minnesota game Monday night. Literally. ESPN, says spokesman Mike Soltys, will announce that on next Monday's broadcast of its ESPN2 SportsNation (5 p.m. ET), it will try to set a record for the most mentions of Brett Favre on a TV show — with Guinness World Records now looking for the current record. Some records should never be broken.
First of all, you don't really even need to hype the game. It's basically guaranteed to become the most watched cable program of the year, by a long shot. Second....really? REALLY ESPN?!?! I understand that you think you're being cute, but this is just a terrible, terrible idea.

Spice Rack (USA Today)

Your Week Five College Football Announcing Schedule

Tuesday, September 29, 2009


Your Week Five Announcing Schedule is brought to you by SI's Cheerleader of the Week, Danielle from the University of Western Ontario. That's right....The Western Ontario Mustangs! Danielle enjoys UFC Fights and her favorite movie is Beverly Hills Ninja. Ready....OKAY!

Wednesday, September 30th

Hawaii @ Louisiana Tech (ESPN2, 8pm)- Rece Davis, Mark May, Lou Holtz, Rob Stone

Thursday, October 1st

Colorado @ West Virginia (ESPN, 7:30pm)- Chris Fowler, Craig James, Jesse Palmer, Erin Andrews
Southern Mississippi @ Alabama-Birmingham (CBS College Sports, 8pm)- Dave Ryan, Akbar Gbaja-Biamila

Friday, October 2nd

Pittsburgh @ Louisville (ESPN2, 8pm)- Joe Tessitore, Rod Gilmore
Utah State @ 21 Brigham Young (MTN, 9pm)- Bill Doleman, Blaine Fowler, Toby Christensen

Saturday, October 3rd

Wisconsin @ Minnesota (ESPN, Noon)- Dave Pasch, Bob Griese, Chris Spielman
Arkansas State @ 17 Iowa (ESPN2, Noon)- Pam Ward, Ray Bentley
Clemson @ Maryland (ESPNU, Noon)- Clay Matvick, David Diaz-Infante
East Carolina @ Marshall (CBS College Sports, Noon)- Tom Hart, Aaron Taylor
Michigan @ Michigan State (BTN, Noon)- Wayne Larrivee, Chris Martin, Charissa Thompson
Northwestern @ Purdue (BTN, Noon)- Ari Wolfe, Anthony Herron, Tony McGee
Alabama @ Kentucky (SEC Network, Noon)- Dave Neal, Andre Ware, Cara Capuano (Will Air on FS Detroit; CSN Bay Area, Washington; Comcast Network; MSG)
South Florida @ Syracuse (Big East Network, Noon)- Mike Gleason, John Congemi, Quint Kessenich (Will Air on CST, MASN)
Virginia @ North Carolina (Raycom, Noon)- Steve Martin, Rick Walker, Mike Hogewood
Toledo @ Ball State (ESPN Plus, Noon)- Michael Reghi, Doug Chapman
Virginia Tech @ Duke (ESPN360, Noon)- Dave Weekley, Danny Kanell
Cincinnati @ Miami-OH (ESPN360, 1pm)- Jim Barbar, Bob Chmiel
Kansas State v. Iowa State (FCS Central, 3pm)- Dan McLaughlin, Yogi Roth, Samantha Steele
Louisiana State @ Georgia (CBS, 3:30pm)- Verne Lundquist, Gary Danielson, Tracy Wolfson
Washington @ Notre Dame (NBC, 3:30pm)- Tom Hammond, Pat Haden, Alex Flanagan
Penn State @ Illinois (ABC/ESPN2, 3:30pm)- Mike Patrick, Craig James, Heather Cox
Florida State @ Boston College (ABC/ESPN2, 3:30pm)- Sean McDonough, Matt Millen, Holly Rowe
UCLA @ Stanford (ABC, 3:30pm)- Dave Lamont, David Norrie
New Mexico @ Texas Tech (FSN, 3:30pm)- Bill Land, Gary Reasons, Emily Jones (Will Air on FS Arizona, Detroit+, Florida, Houston (JIP), Midwest, North, South, Southwest, West; FSN Northwest, Pittsburgh, Rocky Mountain; CSN Bay Area; FCS Pacific)
North Carolina State @ Wake Forest (ESPNU, 3:30pm)- Todd Harris, Charles Arbuckle
Air Force @ Navy (CBS College Sports, 3:30pm)- Craig Bolerjack, Randy Cross
Florida International @ Louisiana-Monroe (Sun Belt TV, 3:30pm)- Todd Kalas, Derek Rackley (Will Air on CSS, CST)
Western Michigan @ Northern Illinois (CSN Chicago, 3:30pm)- Dave Kaplan, Bob Chmiel, Jim Blaney
Memphis @ Central Florida (Bright House, 3:30pm)- Drew Fellios, Mark Royals, Dave Baumann
Central Michigan @ Buffalo (Time Warner-NY, 3:30pm)- Howard Simon, Brian Koziol
Ohio @ Bowling Green (BCSN, 4pm)- Greg Franke, Tom Cole
Oregon State @ Arizona State (Versus, 7pm)- Ron Thulin, Kelly Stouffer, Lewis Johnson
Mississippi @ Vanderbilt (ESPNU, 7pm)- Eric Collins, Brock Huard
South Carolina State @ South Carolina (ESPN Classic, 7pm)- Bob Wischusen, Brian Griese
Ohio State @ Indiana (BTN, 7pm)- Craig Coshun, Glen Mason, Rebecca Haarlow
Texas A&M v. Arkansas (ESPN2, 7:30pm)- Mark Jones, Bob Davie
Tulsa @ Rice (CBS College Sports, 7:30pm)- Jason Knapp, Akbar Gbaja-Biamila
Georgia Tech @ Mississippi State (SEC Network, 7:30pm)- Doug Bell, Chris Doering (Will Air on CSS, CST)
Auburn @ Tennessee (ESPN, 7:45pm)- Brad Nessler, Todd Blackledge, Erin Andrews
USC @ California (ABC, 8pm)- Ron Franklin, Ed Cunningham
Oklahoma @ Miami (ABC, 8pm)- Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit, Lisa Salters
Southern Methodist @ Texas Christian (MTN, 8pm)- James Bates, Todd Christensen, Cash Sirois
UC-Davis @ Boise State (KTVB/CSN California, 8pm)- Mark Johnson, Tom Scott, David Augusto
Washington State @ Oregon (OSN/CSN Northwest, 9:15pm)- Joe Giansante, Anthony Newman
Colorado State @ Idaho (ESPNU, 10:30pm)- Carter Blackburn, Jon Berger

Monday Night Football Live Blog: Panthers at Cowboys

Monday, September 28, 2009


We'll be doing some more live blogging tonight over at 12StepDrop. It's ESPN's turn at praising Jerry's new stadium tonight, so get on early to enjoy the fellating! We'll get going right around 8:30pm, but in the meantime....let's get those predictions!!!

Carolina Panthers at Dallas Cowboys (ESPN, 8:30pm)- Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, Jon Gruden
Line: DALLAS -8.5, O/U 48

Terrell Owens Bashes Rodney Harrison Via Twitter

T.O. had his first catchless day in about one-hundred and seventy plus games, but he apparently decided to take his frustrations out on NBC commentator Rodney Harrison. Oh and he did so on Twitter. Via Sports by Brooks....

Well then. While it's certainly true that Harrison used steroids, this definitely just shows how much of a child that Owens really is. Welcome to T.O.'s last year in the league, folks. Hope you enjoy it!

T.O. Goes Beserk, Accuses Announcer Of Steroids (Sports by Brooks)

Why Is Gameday Going To Boston?


ESPN is sending College Gameday to Boston for the officially dull, and unranked, matchup of Florida State and Boston College. Obviously there has to be a reason, and while some might think it's to promote the launch of ESPNBoston.com, that's actually not the case. ESPN is heading to BC in part to discuss the story of Mark Herzlich, who was the Eagles' star linebacker who was 2008's ACC Defensive POY, and diagnosed with cancer this past March. Via The Sporting Blog....

ESPN's College GameDay has been all over the country since they took their show on the road, literally, in 1993. Until this coming weekend, though, the show had only been in Boston once, parachuting into Chestnut Hill in 2005 for Boston College's first ACC game.

The reasoning for going to a matchup of two unranked teams in a town where college football may be the fourth or fifth passion? Well, at least on its surface, it likely has something to do with the story of Mark Herzlich, the BC linebacker who was 2008's ACC Defensive Player of the Year and diagnosed with cancer in March.

However, at the risk of sounding crass: Does this really require moving the entire production to Boston? ESPN's offices, it is impossible to forget, are in Bristol, Connecticut, and their crews are more than capable of driving to Chestnut Hill or Pennsylvania, where Herzlich may be with his family, and putting together a moving piece with or without GameDay in town.
I personally think where Gameday goes, isn't really important, and there's not a chance that ESPN would send the crew to hype a CBS game airing that day. Sure there's Cal-USC, and Oklahoma-Miami, but why not raise awareness for Cancer research whenever you can.

Why College GameDay Is Coming to Your City, If You Live in Boston (The Sporting Blog)

The Raiders Are Not Fans Of Rich Gannon , The Analyst


At one point in time, The Oakland Raiders were an awfully good Football team. Current CBS analyst Rich Gannon was the team's quarterback then, and they even made it to a Super Bowl. I know it's hard to believe. Well, fast forward to today. The Raiders are dreadful, and Rich Gannon hasn't held back his feelings when it comes to his former team. Which is why....they've banned him. Via the San Francisco Gate....

"Rich Gannon is not welcome here," Raiders executive John Herrera said Friday when asked about the ban. "We told CBS we did not want him in our building, we did not want him to be part of our production meeting, and that's where it sits."

The Raiders also asked CBS to remove Gannon from Sunday's broadcast crew but the network declined. The team had previously asked CBS to remove Gannon from working their Nov. 30 game against the Chiefs last season to no avail.

"He's attacked us on a regular basis since becoming a member of the media," Herrera said. "After affording him the opportunity to establish a career here, he has since gone on to attack us in a way that's totally unacceptable."

Herrera quoted Gannon as saying in several interviews they should just "blow up the building and start over" in Oakland. Team officials took that as literally as they did figuratively, and told Gannon as much before last season's home game against the Chiefs.

"We think in a post 9/11 world, that's not a very proper thing to say," Herrera said. "It's uncalled for. He seems to be a guy who can't get over the fact that he played the worst Super Bowl game in the history of the game and he wants to blame everybody but himself.

"I guess it's our fault he threw five interceptions."
Good lord this team is petty. How team's think they can operate like this, and succeed, is completely beyond me. Kudos for Gannon to speak the truth, and that he's not letting this nonsense affect his work.

Gannon not welcome in Alameda (SF Gate)

Posted by Awful Announcing at 11:09 AM 6 Comments

Week Three Sunday Streaming

Sunday, September 27, 2009

12StepDrop is streaming games live all day today. I am going to be embedding their live blog viewer, but if you want to watch some out of market streams, head over.

The Sunday Stream: Week Three

Also:
Starts and Sits: Week Three
Wildcat Envy
The Weekly Press
Fantays Opinions: What Are Your Impressions Of The Cowboys Early In The Season?

Posted by Awful Announcing at 8:36 AM 0 Comments

Pam Ward Chronicles: Week Four

Saturday, September 26, 2009



Week Four Announcing Schedule
______________________________________

"And Nick Ford with the 24 year old, 24 YARD field goal."- Pam Ward

"Anthony Dixon is 6-1, 235, and he's been in the rodeo before."- Dave Neal (via Joe)

"Pushed out of bounds by Mouton....touchdown Indiana."- Pam Ward (via Joe)

"Another guy who's a converted wide receiver, now playing in the backfield. Defensive backfield."- Pam Ward

"Both of these teams are undefeated for a reason: Resiliency."- Dave Lapham (via 49er16)

"He looks like a water bug. Just scootin' out there."- Ray Bentley

"Naaman Roosevelt is hit by a host of cherry-shirted Temple defenders."- Michael Reghi (via Joe)

"Dawes was the outside guy, worked inside, then did a little whip route, where you move inside then *whip it back out*" - Ray Bentley (via Brian)

Steve Martin: "What's the difference between engagement and shading?"
Doc Walker: "Well, engagement is engagement, y'know... and shadin' is shadin'..."
(via Tully)

"You throw your hands in the air like you just don't care, like in that rap song."- Chris Spielman (via Evan)

"You practice with wet balls all the time."- Ed Cunningham

"Trying to tackle Tebow is like trying to tackle a moving refrigerator. And the refrigerator is winning." - Mark Jones

"Tebow stopped on a dime and didn't leave any change for the Wildcats." - Mark Jones

"Right now, we're in horse country, and they are riding Tim Tebow like Secretariat. Or Seabiscuit. They're all winners." - Mark Jones

Brent Musberger: "Did you have some of that Peachy Paterno ice cream?"
Kirk Herbstreit: "Yeah, I had to stumble over there. What about you?"
Brent Musberger: "No, I was reaching for a Peachy Sam Adams."

"You're watching Sunday Night Football on ABC." - Brent Musburger

"He reached in between Small's legs and grabbed the loose ball." - Ed Cunningham

"Welcome back to Fayetteville."- Verne Lundquist multiple times, when the game was in Tuscaloosa

Posted by Awful Announcing at 1:14 PM 93 Comments

Your Week Three Pammy Winners And New Standings

Friday, September 25, 2009


Your Week Three Pammy Nominees

10. "Javid Breast."- Chris Spielman

9. "Did you know that it's "National Talk Like A Pirate....Day"....today?"- Brent Musburger

8. "He's got great eye vision."- Gary Danielson

7. "He's got an eye patch, I'm sorry, an ice pack, over his forehead." - Erin Andrews

6. "He hurt his ankle in the first week of the game."- Pam Ward

5. "The hand signals allow him to call more things, they're like sign language." - Bob Griese

4. "I was impressed by his thickness." - Chris Speilman

3. "I gotta think that the USC Trojans are going to eat that one out."- Ray Bentley

2. "So it'll be 1st and ten at the 52 yard line..."- Todd Harris

1. "A bing, a bang, and a bong."- Gary Danielson
"Sounds like a late night college experience"- Verne Lundquist



Standings: 1. Pam Ward (21), 2. Ray Bentley (16), 3. Chris Spielman (14) 4. Gary Danielson (13), 5. Dave Pasch (10), 6. Rod Gilmore (9), Sonny Randle (9), Todd Harris (9), 9. Matt Devlin (8)

Others Receiving Votes: Kirk Herbstreit (7), Chris Fowler (7), Mark Jones (7), Bob Griese (6), Bob Davie (5), Todd McShay (5), Todd Blackledge (4), Erin Andrews (4), Dave Neal (3), Petros Papadakis (2), Matt Millen (2), Brent Musburger (2), Brad Nessler (1), Rece Davis (1)

Your Week Three NFL Announcing Schedule And Broadcast Maps

Wednesday, September 23, 2009


Thanks as always to The506.com for the broadcast maps....

NBC Sunday Night Football: Indianapolis Colts at Arizona Cardinals (Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth)
ESPN Monday Night Football: Dallas Cowboys at Carolina Panthers (Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, Jon Gruden)

CBS 1pm:















RED: Tennessee Titans at NY Jets (CBS, 1pm)- Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf
BLUE: Kansas City Chiefs at Philadelphia Eagles (CBS, 1pm)- Kevin Harlan, Solomon Wilcots
GREEN: Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens (CBS, 1pm)- Gus Johnson, Steve Tasker
YELLOW: Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans (CBS, 1pm)- Bill Macatee, Steve Beuerlein

CBS 4pm:















RED: Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals (CBS, 4:15pm)- Jim Nantz, Phil Simms
BLUE: Miami Dolphins at San Diego Chargers (CBS, 4:15pm)- Dick Enberg, Dan Fouts
GREEN: Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders (CBS, 4:15pm)- Ian Eagle, Rich Gannon

FOX:















RED: Atlanta Falcons at New England Patriots (FOX, 1pm)- Joe Buck, Troy Aikman
BLUE: NY Giants at Tampa Bay Bucs (FOX, 1pm)- Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa
ORANGE: San Francisco 49ers at Minnesota Vikings (FOX, 1pm)- Sam Rosen, Tim Ryan
YELLOW: Washington Redskins at Detroit Lions (FOX, 1pm)- Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick
LIGHT BLUE: Green Bay Packers at St. Louis Rams (FOX, 1pm)- Chris Myers, Trent Green

GREEN: Chicago Bears at Seattle Seahawks (FOX, 4pm)- Dick Stockton, Charles Davis
PURPLE: New Orleans Saints at Buffalo Bills (FOX, 4pm)- Ron Pitts, John Lynch

Sean Salisbury Isn't Playing Around Anymore

Sean Salisbury went from ESPN analyst to, online mogul, to radio host, in a brief period, and unfortunately controversy followed him each place. Everyone knows the ESPN alleged story about "Lil Sean" and a cell phone camera, while Sean's latest problems (after being let go by a radio station in Dallas) are rumored to be along the same lines, Salisbury is apparently suing everyone on the planet. Via Deadspin....

This is salisbury and I just want u to know ur guys lies and carelessness about CBS and espn stories has not only ruined my reputation but has cost me jobs so prepare urself for a lawsuit so big I will own deadspin u will be asked to give up ur sources so since u guys have cost me more than alot of money my only goal in my career is to ruin u like u have me. Sadly I tried to be honest with you and you have continually written lies. So you and a few major media networks arebeing sued. And put this on ur careless website. I kept a journal for 13 years at espn and a tell all book will be released in months to come. Book title: espn exposed. The truth inside the r rated company. So ur lies about a cell phone incident that is a lie and the reason I left CBS radio that u guys lied about. The time has come and I won't stop until the truth is told and deadspin is exposed.
Well then. Obviously, if the rumored cell phone incidents aren't true, then Salisbury has some leverage. Buuuut....these things have followed them everywhere, and the original ESPN employee is on record as confirming the story. It seems like big talk from someone who's frustrated with his current situation, but I'm definitely going to keep an eye on how it plays out.

(Side note: If you read that whole email exchange on Deadspin, the amount of spelling mistakes is atrocious. It wouldn't surprise me that this is/was a hoax.)

Sean Salisbury Has A Few Things To Get Off His Chest (Deadspin)

The MLB Playoff Push Is Upon Us


Near the end of every Baseball season, networks scramble to pick up some of the games in the Playoff race, and this year is no different. We saw some of it last weekend, but the real fun will start this Friday night. TBS has decided to pick up the Red Sox-Yankees game that evening, with Chip Caray and Buck Martinez on the call.

The MLB Network will also air a BOS-NYY game (today, 3:30pm), as well showing the Tigers, Twins, Cardinals and Rockies, in the coming week. Add to that the FOX and ESPN schedules and you have one heck of a Baseball weekend. Here's a schedule for you....

Wednesday, September 23rd

Yankees at Angels - TBD (MLB-N, 3:30pm)
Phillies at Florida Marlins - Dave O'Brien and Rick Sutcliffe (ESPN, 7pm)
Giants at Diamondbacks - Dan Shulman and Joe Morgan (ESPN, 10pm)

Thursday, September 24th

Tigers at Indians - Victor Rojas and Mitch Williams (MLB-N, 7pm)

Friday, September 25th

Red Sox at Yankees - Chip Caray, Buck Martinez and Craig Sager (TBS, 7pm)

Saturday, September 26th

Cubs at Cardinals - Josh Lewin and Mark Grace (FOX, 4:10pm)
Dodgers at Giants - Chris Rose and Jose Mota (FOX, 4:10pm)
Tigers at Twins - Dick Bremer and Ron Allen (FOX, 4:10pm)
Cardinals at Rockies - TBD (MLB-N, 8pm)

Sunday, September 28th

Cardinals at Rockies - Chip Caray and Buck Martinez (TBS, 3pm)
Twins at Tigers - TBD (MLB-N, 7pm)
Red Sox at Yankees - Jon Miller, Joe Morgan and Steve Phillips (ESPN, 1pm/Re-Air @ 8:30pm)

Bobby Valentine Could Be Joining Baseball Tonight


Former MLB Manager, Bobby Valentine, has spent what seems like a lifetime coaching in Japan, but that could be changing soon. According to the NY Daily News, are return to the States is a "done deal", and that his employer will be ESPN....

Television industry and baseball sources say Valentine, completing his final season as manager of the Chiba Lotte Marines of Japan's Pacific League, is on the verge of signing a lucrative multi-year deal with ESPN.

Valentine, no doubt carrying his bag of disguises, will likely make his debut at the network working in its "Baseball Tonight" studio during next month's playoffs.

"It's a done deal," one source said. "And it should be announced soon."

This would mark Valentine's second tour of duty in Bristol. In 2003, he replaced Buck Showalter in ESPN's "Baseball Tonight" studio.
Again, I don't know why they need to add yet ANOTHER analyst, but Valentine's hiring will sure make a splash for the Playoffs. I remember him having a few problems back in 2003, but he's done so much TV since then, that it shouldn't be a problem this go around.

Bobby Valentine close to making return to TV, nears deal with ESPN (NY Daily News)

Posted by Awful Announcing at 10:33 AM 2 Comments

ESPN Wants To Aide You, And Your Fantasy Team

One of the more stressful things to deal with, when it comes to Fantasy Football, is when you are away from your computer right before 1pm. I know everyone has called a friend to change their lineup, and I've even ran into a random library or two in my day. Well, ESPN has a solution for you if you use their fantasy services. Yes, ESPN is starting a "help desk", that runs from 8am to 1am seven days a week, and will actually change your lineup for you. Via 12SD....


While that seems like a great idea, it seems equally creepy. Obviously Fantasy Sports are a huge business nowadays, but this might be taking it too far.

The Leader: You Never Call Anymore (12 Step Drop)

Your Week Three Pammy Nominees

Tuesday, September 22, 2009


Here are the quotes that need your votes (in no particular order). Be sure to choose wisely, and I'll let you know who the results by the end of the week.

Pam Ward Chronicles: Week Three
________________________________________

1. "The hand signals allow him to call more things, they're like sign language." - Bob Griese

2. "So if you have to land that water plane on land how do you do it?"- Terry Gannon
"It has wheels on it"- David Norrie

3. "Javid Breast."- Chris Spielman

4.
"Husky fans looking for a little purple haze."- Terry Gannon

5. "I was impressed by his thickness." - Chris Speilman

6. "He hurt his ankle in the first week of the game."- Pam Ward

7.
"So it'll be 1st and ten at the 52 yard line..."- Todd Harris

8.
"He's got great eye vision."- Gary Danielson

9. "Did you know that it's "National Talk Like A Pirate....Day"....today?"- Brent Musburger

10. "They say that revenge is a dish best served cold. Well this one has been served cold and wet." - Mark Jones

11. "David Nelson will get an ear feel from his coach."- Gary Danielson

12. "He's got an eye patch, I'm sorry, an ice pack, over his forehead." - Erin Andrews

13.
"I gotta think that the USC Trojans are going to eat that one out."- Ray Bentley

14. "A bing, a bang, and a bong."- Gary Danielson
"Sounds like a late night college experience"- Verne Lundquist

Posted by Awful Announcing at 4:13 PM 1 Comments

Versus Announces Their UFL Broadcast Team


In case you were wondering where Kordell Stewart has been, you're in luck. He's been found, and he's an analyst on Versus for this season of UFL action!!! Stewart will working with PbP man Dave Sims, and the one and only Doug Flutie. Add to that Baltimore Radio's Anita Marks on the sideline, and you have your UFL announcing crew...

The United Football League announced today that four highly talented broadcasters will lead the television coverage of the UFL on VERSUS. Veteran play-play announcer Dave Sims joins the broadcast booth with color analyst and former NFL standout Doug Flutie. Former Steelers Quarterback Kordell Stewart and radio and television host Anita Marks will serve as sideline and features reporters.

“We have assembled a top-notch team to lead our inaugural telecasts on VERSUS,” said Frank Vuono, COO of the UFL. “The combined football experience and knowledge of Dave, Doug, Kordell and Anita will help us provide unprecedented access to professional football while allowing the home viewer prime viewing position that will truly make them feel like they are part of the action.”
I'm not sure anyone is going to watch the UFL, so I don't know what good it would be to judge this team. I personally like Sims and Flutie, and loathe Stewart and Marks, but who knows....maybe they'll make a good team. Here's the schedule again, in case you care....

October 8th- California Redwoods at Las Vegas Locos (9pm)
October 14th- Florida Tuskers at Las Vegas Locos (9pm)
October 22nd- California Redwoods at Florida Sentinels (7pm)
October 29th- Las Vegas Locos at Florida Tuskers (7pm)
November 4th- Las Vegas Locos at New York Sentinels (7pm)
November 12th- Florida Tuskers at New York Sentinels (7pm)
November 19th- Florida Tuskers at California Redwoods (9pm)
November 27th- Championship Game in Las Vegas (3pm)

Here's Your UFL on Versus Announcing Crew (Fang's Bites)

Posted by Awful Announcing at 1:25 PM 8 Comments

Giants-Cowboys Is Sunday Night Football's Largest Audience Ever


It's been awhile since I've put up a ratings post, mainly because nothing's jumped out at me, but this one is worth noting. The Giants-Cowboys game this last Sunday night, is officially SNF's largest broadcast, and the largest primetime audience since 1997. Via SBD....

NBC earned a 15.1 final Nielsen rating and 24.817 million viewers for its "SNF" telecast featuring Giants-Cowboys from 8:31-11:50pm ET, marking the most-viewed "SNF" telecast ever. The first regular-season game ever at Cowboys Stadium also marked the most-watched NFL regular-season primetime game since Broncos-49ers earned 27 million viewers in December '97. Compared to the same week last year, Giants-Cowboys was up 39.8% and 39.2%, respectively, from a 10.8 rating and 17.834 million viewers for Steelers-Browns. The Giants-Cowboys audience was also up 84.2% over the Emmy Awards on CBS (13.471 million viewers). "SNF" was the No. 1 program of the week among broadcast networks in HHs and viewers.
While that certainly is amazing, the NFL probably isn't done yet, and could end up making numbers like it did in the 80s & 90s, this season. Week three has Atlanta at New England on FOX, Indy at Arizona on Sunday Night and the Cowboys Panthers on Monday Night. Week Four then has last year's huge matchup of the Ravens and Pats, as well as the Jets at Saints, and Brett Favre's return to Green Bay. We'll likely see record after record being broken this season.

Giants-Cowboys Draws Best NFL Primetime Audience Since '97

Your Week Four College Football Announcing Schedule


Here is your College Football Announcing Schedule for Week Four, brought to you by SI's Cheerleader of the week. This week's cheerleader is, Lisa from Arizona State. Not only does she like "Sour Patch Kids", but one of her idols is Michele Tafoya! Ready, Okay!!!

Thursday, September 24th

Mississippi @ South Carolina (ESPN, 7:30pm)- Chris Fowler, Craig James, Jesse Palmer, Erin Andrews

Friday, September 25th

Missouri @ Nevada (ESPN, 9pm)- Joe Tessitore, Rod Gilmore

Saturday, September 26th

Michigan State @ Wisconsin (ESPN, Noon)- Dave Pasch, Bob Griese, Chris Spielman
Indiana @ Michigan (ESPN2, Noon)- Pam Ward, Ray Bentley
South Florida @ Florida State (ESPNU, Noon)- Clay Matvick, David Diaz-Infante
Southern Mississippi @ Kansas (FSN, Noon)- Joel Meyers, Dave Lapham, Jim Knox (Will Air on FS Arizona, Detroit+, Houston, Midwest, North, Ohio, South, Southwest, West; FSN Pittsburgh, Rocky Mountain; CSN Bay Area, Chicago, New England, Philadelphia. Washington; SUN; MSG+; FCS Central)
Minnesota @ Northwestern (BTN, Noon)- Wayne Larrivee, Chris Martin, Charissa Thompson
Louisiana State @ Mississippi State (SEC Network, Noon)- Dave Neal, Andre Ware, Cara Capuano (Will Air on MSG; FS Detroit; CSN California; Comcast Network)
North Carolina @ Georgia Tech (Raycom, Noon)- Steve Martin, Rick Walker, Mike Hogewood
Fresno State @ Cincinnati (Big East Network, Noon)- Mike Gleason, John Congemi, Quint Kessenich (Will Air on Altitude, CST, MSG)
Buffalo @ Temple (ESPN Plus, Noon)- Michael Reghi, Doug Chapman
Marshall @ Memphis (CSS, 1pm)- Richard Cross, Brian Jordan, Melissa Lee
Texas Christian @ Clemson (ESPN360, 1pm)- Dave Weekley, Danny Kanell
San Diego State @ Air Force (MTN, 2pm)- Ari Wolfe, Blaine Fowler, Andrea Lloyd
Wake Forest @ Boston College (ESPN360, 2pm)- Ryan Rose, Jeff Genyk
Arkansas @ Alabama (CBS, 3:30pm)- Verne Lundquist, Gary Danielson, Tracy Wolfson
Illinois @ Ohio State (ABC/ESPN, 3:30pm)- Ron Franklin, Ed Cunningham
Miami @ Virginia Tech (ABC/ESPN, 3:30pm)- Sean McDonough, Matt Millen, Holly Rowe
California @ Oregon (ABC/ESPN, 3:30pm)- Terry Gannon, David Norrie
Texas-El Paso @ Texas (FSN, 3:30pm)- Bill Land, Gary Reasons, Emily Jones (Will Air on FS Arizona, Detroit+, Houston, Midwest, North, Ohio, South, Southwest, West; FSN Northwest (JIP), Pittsburgh, Rocky Mountain; CSN Bay Area, Philadelphia, Washington; SUN; MSG+; FCS Central)
Pittsburgh @ North Carolina State (ESPNU, 3:30pm)- Todd Harris, Charles Arbuckle
Western Kentucky @ Navy (CBS College Sports, 3:30pm)- Craig Bolerjack, Randy Cross
Idaho @ Northern Illinois (CSN Chicago, 3:30pm)- Dave Kaplan, Bob Chmiel, Jim Blaney
Central Florida @ East Carolina (ISP Sports, 3:30pm)- Patrick Kinas, Billy Weaver, Brian Meador
Rutgers @ Maryland (ESPN360, 3:30pm)- Jim Barbar, Jeremy Bloom
Troy @ Arkansas State (Sun Belt, 4:30pm)- Todd Kalas, Derek Rackley (Will Air on CSS, CST)
Florida @ Kentucky (ESPN2, 6pm)- Mark Jones, Bob Davie
Colorado State @ Brigham Young (MTN, 6pm)- James Bates, Todd Christensen, Sammy Linebaugh
Arizona State @ Georgia (ESPNU, 7pm)- Eric Collins, Brock Huard
Ball State @ Auburn (FSN Regional, 7pm)- Bob Rathbun, Dave Archer, Jenn Hildreth (Will Air on FS Midwest, South, Southwest; SUN)
Maine @ Syracuse (Time Warner-NY, 7pm)- Mark Lawson, Dan Liedka, Chris Watson
Louisiana-Lafayette @ Nebraska (FSN PPV, 7pm)- Brent Stover, Matt Davison, Kent Pavelka
Ohio @ Tennessee (Vol PPV, 7pm)- Randy Smith, Pat Ryan, Mike Stowell
Arizona @ Oregon State (Versus, 7:30pm)- Ron Thulin, Kelly Stouffer, Lewis Johnson
Louisville @ Utah (CBS College Sports, 7:30pm)- Tom Hart, Akbar Gbaja-Biamila
Iowa @ Penn State (ABC, 8pm)- Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit, Lisa Salters
Notre Dame @ Purdue (ESPN, 8pm)- Brad Nessler, Todd Blackledge, Erin Andrews
Vanderbilt @ Rice (CSS, 8pm)- Matt Stewart, Chuck Oliver, Sandra Golden
Washington @ Stanford (FCS Central, 9pm)- Sean Farnham, Yogi Roth, Samantha Steele
Texas Tech @ Houston (ESPN2, 9:15pm)- Mike Patrick, Craig James, Heather Cox
New Mexico State @ New Mexico (MTN, 10pm)- Dan Gutowsky, Robert Griffith
Washington State @ USC (FSN, 10:15pm)- Barry Tompkins, Petros Papadakis, Michael Eaves (Will Air on FS Arizona, Detroit, Florida, Houston, Midwest (JIP), North, Ohio, South, Southwest, West; FSN Northwest, Pittsburgh, Rocky Mountain (JIP); CSN Bay Area, Philadelphia, Washington; MSG+; FCS Pacific)

Monday Night Football Live Blog: Colts at Dolphins

Monday, September 21, 2009


We'll be doing some more live blogging tonight over at 12StepDrop. It's Peyton vs. the Widcat O tonight, and while it's not the most exciting game ever, there is certainly some fantasy implication. We'll get going right around 8:30pm, but in the meantime....let's get those predictions!!!

Indianapolis at Miami (ESPN, 8:30pm)- Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, Jon Gruden
Line: IND -3, O/U 41

NFL Tells MLB That Favre Is More Important Than Their One Game Playoff


The MLB season is coming to an end, and with the AL Central race as close as ever, Bud Selig is planning for the off chance of a one game playoff. The Tigers would have to travel to Minnesota on the Monday after the season ends, but good ole Brett Favre is playing his former team in the Metrodome that night.

MLB has asked the NFL about the possibility of a swap, but Roger Goodell doesn't even seem to be considering it. Via CBS Sports....

The NFL said Monday it will not swap sites for this season's Green Bay Packers-Minnesota Vikings games in case the baseball playoffs get in the way at the Metrodome.

Green Bay plays at Minnesota on Monday night, Oct. 5, pitting Brett Favre against his old team in front of a national TV audience.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Twins trail the Detroit Tigers by three games in the AL Central with 13 games left to play. If the two teams finish tied for first place, the Twins will host a tiebreaker game if they beat the Tigers in the overall season series. Minnesota leads 9-5, with four games remaining in Detroit next week.

The Twins and White Sox needed a 163rd game to decide the division last year, a game that was played in Chicago. Major League Baseball typically schedules tiebreaker games for the Monday right after the regular season because playoff series begin that week.

NFL spokesman Dan Masonson said the Packers-Vikings game next month will not be moved, however. Green Bay later hosts Minnesota on Nov. 1.

"There is no swap under consideration," Masonson said in an e-mail to the Associated Press. "We are closely monitoring the situation."
I guess that the NFL game could be moved to the University of Minnesota, but that's a lot to ask of a league. Hopefully there isn't a tie, but this could become a bigger issue as we get closer to October.

NFL: No plans for Packers-Vikes site swap to accommodate MLB (CBS Sports)

ESPN's Thursday Night Crew Makes Fun Of Clemson Fan

Clemson lost to Georgia Tech two weeks ago, but this video just recently hit the webs. A Tigers fan was a little upset about said loss, and Chris Fowler, Jesse Palmer and Craig James, got quite a kick out of it. For four whole minutes....



I love how they hammer the kid forever, and then Fowler has to get all serious and say that they don't want to make fun of him. The kid was acting like a three year old, guys....have at him.

(via Hot Clicks)

Gameday Off To Linebacker U


For the third time in five years, ESPN will send it's Gameday crew to Penn State. The trio will post up at Beaver Stadium before the Iowa-PSU game, and the fun will get underway at 10am, yet again....

ESPN's College GameDay will travel to Penn State Saturday for the No. 5 Nittany Lions game against Iowa at 8 p.m. at Beaver Stadium.

Host Chris Fowler and analysts Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit and Desmond Howard will broadcast from Penn State prior to the Big Ten opener for both teams. Penn State will seek redemption from the Hawkeyes, who upset the Lions late in the season last year to spoil their national championship hopes.

The program will air from 10 a.m. — noon with other live segments throughout the day, as well as late Friday afternoon.
ESPN's College GameDay head to Beaver Stadium (The Pittsburgh Tribune Review)

Sunday Football: Week Two

Sunday, September 20, 2009

We are live blogging all day over at 12StepDrop again. Stop by and hang out. We will try to embed as many streams as are available.

Update:

Thanks for stopping by. If you are looking for some fantasy recaps of the week check these out:

Week Two Recap: Early Games
Week Two Recap: Late Games






The Sunday Stream: Week Two

Also:

Starts and Sits: Week 2
The Weekly Press
Fantasy Opionions

Posted by Awful Announcing at 10:10 AM 0 Comments

Pam Ward Chronicles: Week Three

Saturday, September 19, 2009



Week Three Announcing Schedule
______________________________________

"Javid Breast."- Chris Spielman (via 49er16)

"It's time to separate the platinum (bad teams) from the white (good teams) gold."- Desmond Howard (via Joe)

The hand signals allow him to call more things, they're like sign language - Bob Griese (via Matt)

"A lot of things were going on after that ball went in the endzone, er, out of bounds, and Carolina, er, North Carolina is going to get penalized." - Ray Bentley (via JFein)

"He's pulling out too soon."- Doc Walker (via Stewart)

"The team only seems to do well after the other team scores a touchdown." - Pam Ward (via JFein)

"You sure it's only a couple of games you're watching, you got 30 televisions there." - Dave Pasch to Rece Davis

"Clemson can get cute, but between the tackles theyre getting jiggy with it just bulldozing" - Doc Walker (via JGreul)

"That ball should not have been thrown. Everybody was coming." - Bob Griese

"I was impressed by his thickness." - Chris Speilman (via MJF3)

"He got most of those yardage in the first half." - Bob Griese (via JFein)

"You want everyone to send you cupcakes!"- Robert Smith
"I've already got plenty."- Wendy Nix

"Don't mistake these Ducks as decoys."- Ron Franklin (via 49er16)

"A drive is a victory for Tennessee."- Gary Danielson

"He bangs inside the 20." - Verne Lundquist, who put a very awkward emphasis on bangs (via JFein)

"So if you have to land that water plane on land how do you do it?"- Terry Gannon
"It has wheels on it"- David Norrie
(via BSPN)

"The talented Freshman, who was just in a highschool classroom twenty minutes ago."- Matt Millen

"He runs the ball with great bodyling."- Gary Danielson

"Tim Tebow with only 4 interceptions all last year's championship....year."- Verne Lundquist

"Husky fans looking for a little purple haze."- Terry Gannon (via BSPN)

"Unless it looks obvious, I'm eating a hotdog, and going with what the guy on the field had."- Gary Danielson on the replay booth

"2nd down is the NFL play action down. We'll see if Oakland counts as the NFL." - Gary Danielson (via Adam)

"He's got great eye vision."- Gary Danielson

"The extra point from 20 yards out...and Tennessee gets three." - Verne Lundquist (via Adam)

"David Nelson will get an ear feel from his coach."- Gary Danielson

"The bonzai offense, as they're now calling it here, a lot of the calls come from the sidelines."- Gary Danielson

"Its like Van Halen opening up for the Jonas Brothers"- David Norrie on the switch back from UT-FL to BC-CLEM

"This is not a good interchange...we go from Tracy Wolfson to Tim Brando. America is the loser."- Verne Lundquist (via Adam)

"He hurt his ankle in the first week of the game."- Pam Ward (via Jeremy)

"There have been Hollywood marriages that haven't lasted as long as the last few minutes of this half."- Bob Picozzi (via Joe)

"A bing, a bang, and a bong."- Gary Danielson
"Sounds like a late night college experience"- Verne Lundquist

"So it'll be 1st and ten at the 52 yard line..."- Todd Harris (via Mike)

"They (ARK) have some young receivers, that are pretty good lookin"- Todd Blackledge (via Stewart)

"We want to tell you about the latest upsate to date."- Wendy Nix

"His name might be Childs, but that was a man catch." - Brad Nessler (via JFein)

"Did you know that it's "National Talk Like A Pirate....Day"....today?"- Brent Musburger

Your MLB Announcing Schedule For The Weekend Of 9/19

Friday, September 18, 2009


Saturday, September 19th:

Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals (FOX, 4:10, 59%) - Josh Lewin, Tim McCarver and Ken Rosenthal

Markets: Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Birmingham, Buffalo, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Fort Myers, Greensboro, Greenville, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Knoxville, Louisville, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Nashville, New Orleans, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, Richmond, San Antonio, St. Louis, Tampa, Tulsa, Washington, West Palm Beach

San Francisco Giants at Los Angeles Dodgers(FOX, 4:10, 21%) - Chris Rose, Eric Karros

Markets: Albuquerque, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portland, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle

Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins(FOX, 4:10, 19%) - Dick Bremer, Mark Grace

Markets: Boston, Dallas, Detroit, Hartford, Minneapolis, New York, Providence

Sunday, September 20th:

LA Angels of Anaheim at Texas Rangers (TBS, 1pm) - Chip Caray, Buck Martinez
Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals (ESPN, 8pm)- Jon Miller, Joe Morgan and Steve Phillips

Your Hit Of The Year So Far

It's a Friday, so what better way to celebrate the eve of another great College Football weekend, than with a monster block from last night's GT-UM game? Miami’s Jordan Futch, unleashed a ridiculous block on Steven Sylvester, and here is your clip....



Daaaaamn! My favorite part is that it didn't really even help the runner out. He got tackled about five yards later. God, I love Football.

(H/T WL)

Posted by Awful Announcing at 10:17 AM 3 Comments

Your Week Two Pammy Winners And New Standings

Thursday, September 17, 2009


Here are your week two winners and new standings. Dave Pasch one by one vote, but there are some candidates jumping out to early leads....

Your Week Two Pammy Nominees

10. "Clark took it right in the moustache." - Rece Davis

9. "Maybe you and I should be calling this game."- Matt Millen

8. "Balls are flying all over the place."- Dave Neal

7. "You've got to get your eyes around and see what's coming in your face." - Todd Blackledge

6. "We've seen every part of the Dan LeFevour package." - Todd McShay

5. "Special word: elusivity." - Pam Ward
"Is that a word" - Ray Bentley
"It is now." - Pam Ward

4. "Todd Marijuanavich...er...Marivich."- Chris Fowler

3. "I gotta think that the USC Trojans are going to eat that one out."- Ray Bentley

2. "You can go up in there with it two or three times, then you gotta pull it out." - Sonny Randle

1. "Al Toon, who had his football career cut short because of multiple concussions, hopes his son follows in his footsteps."- Dave Pasch


Standings After Week One: 1. Pam Ward (16) 2. Dave Pasch (10), 3. Rod Gilmore (9), Sonny Randle (9) 5. Matt Devlin (8), Ray Bentley (8) 7. Kirk Herbstreit (7), Chris Fowler (7), Mark Jones (7), 10. Chris Spielman (6),

Others Receiving Votes: Bob Davie (5), Todd McShay (5), Todd Blackledge (4), Dave Neal (3), Petros Papadakis (2), Matt Millen (2) Brad Nessler (1), Rece Davis (1)

Posted by Awful Announcing at 3:41 PM 5 Comments

ESPN Adds Two More Former NFLers To Roster


Every offseason, ESPN seems to make offers to every recently retired NFLer an offer to appear on various shows throughout the subsequent season, and two more players have been added. Both, Derrick Brooks and Drew Bennett, have signed on to appear on First Take, and other shows throughout the 2009 season. Via ESPN PR....

Super Bowl champion linebacker Derrick Brooks is joining ESPN2’s First Take as an analyst for the 2009-10 NFL season where he will provide analysis on the popular sports-themed morning show (10 a.m. – 12 p.m., M-F) each week throughout the pro football season. Brooks will work primarily Thursdays and Fridays with analyst Lomas Brown, one of his former teammates, and will make his debut this week (Sept. 17-18).

Brooks: "While I still feel like I can play in the NFL, I'm excited to be a part of ESPN’s NFL coverage where I have a lot of former teammates. I look forward to the exposure this opportunity will bring as a share my knowledge and perspective of the game on First Take.”

Former standout wide receiver Drew Bennett has also joined ESPN2’s First Take as an analyst for the 2009-10 NFL season. Bennett will work a combination of Mondays and Tuesdays. His first day on-air was Monday.

Bennett: "I could not be more excited to be a part of the team at ESPN. This is the pinnacle of sports broadcasting, and I am looking forward to learning from and working with the best in the business."

“Derrick and Drew are accomplished, highly-respected players who will be great additions to our NFL coverage because they will relate to fans what goes on in the locker room and on the practice field leading up to and following each week’s NFL games,” said David Brofsky, ESPN senior coordinating producer, who oversees First Take.
Good lord. I don't even know how to describe how ridiculous the amount of ex-players ESPN has on its roster now. By my count, that's now thirteen on NFL coverage alone. Do you really need that many people, let alone former players?

Ernie Harwell Says Goodbye To Detroit, Major League Baseball

Tigers' announcer, Ernie Harwell, is a Baseball institution, so it came with great sadness that the HOFer has incurable Bile Duct Cancer. Harwell doesn't know how long he is to this Earth, but he's not letting that stop him from enjoying his last few days. Ernie talked to the Tigers crowd before last night's game, and here's the tribute video that was shown and his speech....



It's amazing this day in age, when someone works/plays for the same team, for as long as Ernie did. I can't imagine what it feels like to be him right now, but it certainly has to help to know that you've touched so many lives over the years.

Posted by Awful Announcing at 1:09 PM 5 Comments

Cowboys Could Set Attendance Record, And Still Be Blacked Out

The NFL's blackout policy has been under extreme scrutiny as of late, and rightfully so. Teams from Florida, to Ohio, and all the way to Cali, could be blacked out most of the season, but there's news today that America's team might fall into the same category. The Cowboys will almost certainly set the attendance record with over 100K+ people at their new stadium, but if they don't sell all of their standing room only seats, Dallas-area fans might not be able to see the game on TV. Via CBS 11....

The senior vice presidents of public relations for the NFL, and the league's director of corporate communications told CBS 11 Wednesday night that there are seats that still need to be sold for Sunday's game against the Giants, and that the league has not officially ruled out a blackout.

Brett Daniels, The Dallas Cowboys director of corporate communications, confirmed to CBS 11 that a few hundred seats still needed to be sold, and must be purchased to avoid a blackout.

The Cowboys have not had a television blackout since December 1990.

The NFL deadline for the blackout is Thursday evening. The Cowboys say they have no doubt the tickets will be sold, giving fans at home the chance to watch the game.

As of 10:45 Wednesday evening tickets were still available through dallascowboys.com. The cheapest seats available cost $239. With taxes and fees, the total price for two tickets comes to just under $494. That cost does not include parking, food or drink.
The NFL black out policy is a joke, and this year will solidify that fact. Upwards of 30% of all games will be blacked out in local markets, and with the economy the way it is, it could be even higher. To expect someone to pay $494 to attend a game is just ridiculous.

Cowboys Officials Have No Doubt Game Will Be On TV (CBS 11)

Posted by Awful Announcing at 12:31 PM 1 Comments

ESPN Going With Another 24 Hours Of College Baskeball To Start Season


ESPN's second annual Tip-Off Marathon is all set for November 17th, and this year's event should be just as fun as last year's. This year however, will feature a pair of women's games, the coverage will include a game from five different United States time zones. Here's the schedule....

Cal State Fullerton at UCLA (ESPN, Midnight)
San Diego State at St. Mary’s (ESPN, 2am)
Northern Colorado at Hawaii (ESPN, 4am)
Monmouth at St. Peter’s (ESPN, 6am)
Drexel at Niagara (ESPN, 8am)
Clemson at Liberty (ESPN, 10am)
Northeastern at Siena (ESPN, Noon)
Arkansas Little-Rock at Tulsa (ESPN, 2pm)
Temple at Georgetown (ESPN, 4pm)
O’Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic: Binghamton at Pittsburgh (ESPN2, 5:30pm)
Dick’s Sporting Goods NIT from Durham, N.C.* (ESPN, 6pm)
Tennessee vs. Texas Tech - Women's game (ESPNU, 7pm)
Hall of Fame Showcase: Arkansas vs. Louisville from St. Louis (ESPN, 7:30pm)
Gonzaga at Michigan State (ESPN, 8pm)
Northern Illinois at Illinois (ESPN360.com, 8pm)
O’Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic: Duquesne at Iowa (ESPNU, 9pm)
ESPNU Road to the Championship: Connecticut vs. Texas - Women’s game (ESPN2, 9:30pm)
Hall of Fame Showcase: Memphis vs. Kansas - from St. Louis (ESPN, 10pm)
Dick’s Sporting Goods NIT from Tempe, Ariz.* (ESPN2, 11:30pm)

(*Matchup determined November 16th)

Your Week Two NFL Announcing Schedule And Broadcast Maps


The maps are back, thanks to The506.com....

NBC Sunday Night Football: NY Giants at Dallas Cowboys (Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth)
ESPN Monday Night Football: Indianapolis Colts at Miami Dolphis (Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, Jon Gruden)















RED: New England Patriots at NY Jets
(CBS, 1pm)- Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf
BLUE: Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs (CBS, 1pm)- Kevin Harlan, Solomon Wilcots
GREEN: Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans (CBS, 1pm)- Gus Johnson, Steve Tasker
YELLOW: Cincinnati Bengals at Green Bay Packers (CBS, 1pm)- Ian Eagle, Rich Gannon















RED: New Orleans Saints at Philadelphia Eagles (FOX, 1pm)-
Joe Buck, Troy Aikman
GREEN: St. Louis Rams at Washington Redskins (FOX, 1pm)- Sam Rosen, Tim Ryan
ORANGE: Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons (FOX, 1pm)- Dick Stockton, Charles Davis
PURPLE: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions (FOX, 1pm)- Ron Pitts, John Lynch
LIGHT BLUE: Arizona Cardinals at Jacksonville Jaguars (FOX, 1pm)- Chris Myers, Trent Green
YELLOW: Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers (FOX, 4pm)- Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick
BLUE: Tampa Bay Bucs at Buffalo Bills (FOX, 4pm)- Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa
















RED: Pittsburgh Steelers at Chicago Bears (CBS, 4:15pm)- Jim Nantz, Phil Simms
BLUE: Baltimore Ravens at San Diego Chargers (CBS, 4:15pm)- Dick Enberg
GREEN: Cleveland Browns at Denver Broncos (CBS, 4:15pm)- Bill Macatee, Steve Beuerlein

Gus Johnson Talks About Stokley Call

Tuesday, September 15, 2009


I think people were split about whether they enjoyed the Gus Johnson call of Brandon Stokley's TD on Sunday, but the announcer himself went on the Dan Patrick Show today to defend his excitement. Via Sports Radio Interviews....



“I thought I was gonna have a heart attack. It was the most incredible thing. I’ve seen a lot of great things in sports. I started doing this in 1990, but I’ve never seen anything; not like in that in football. I mean wow.

Sometimes it’s kinda hard. Some people don’t like that, but in a moment like that, I can’t help but to let go. It’s a job, but c’mon we really don’t have jobs.”- Gus Johnson

Obviously the reason, I like Gus Johnson is because of that emotion, but he does have a tendency to blow things out of proportion. I mean, sure it was a great play, but a week one game between two teams that aren't making the Playoffs? I dunno.

Gus Johnson: “I’ve Never Seen Anything Like That Before In Football” (Sports Radio Interviews)

Tim McCarver Sings The Hits (And He's Actually Kind Of Good!)


If you were watching FOX Baseball over the weekend, you may have been one of the precious few to get a preview of Tim McCarver's new album! MLB on FOX, played some of the songs for the viewing audience, and what was a surprise to everyone, it really wasn't that bad. Via The Sporting Blog....

McCarver has a new album coming out called Tim McCarver Sings Selections from the Great American Songbook. My assumption is that there is no actual printed songbook he reads from (if there is, I want video), but rather the concept of great American classics that people have chronicled together. And classics they are. McCarver's dulcet tones serenade us with the likes of "One for My Baby (And One More For The Road)" and "Gone With The Wind."

But here's the thing – by the sound of it, McCarver can really sing. When the Fox telecast cut back from a break they showed the Phillie Phanatic dancing to one of the old classics and play-by-play man Howie Rose made the joke that we weren't listening to Frank Sinatra play over the PA, but McCarver instead. And after hearing his 'talk-as-singing' style that Sinatra made so famous, it was quite a pleasant sound. If you're a sports fan and a fan of old crooners, this album will be right up your alley as nobody in sports is as old and 'croony' as McCarver.
Who would have thunk it? Maybe McCarver should consider a career move. In fact, I think everyone should buy it from Amazon now, so we can plant that seed.

Press Coverage (The Sporting Blog)
Tim McCarver Sings Selections from the Great American Songbook (Amazon)

Posted by Awful Announcing at 3:31 PM 0 Comments

Emmitt Smith Will Be On The "Today Show" This Friday

This whole Emmitt Smith as a rogue reporter, for various networks, is highly entertaining. He was last seen talking about tailgating on FOX Sports, but this Friday he's heading to the big time. Emmitt will be taking both the Today Show's, Matt Lauer and Al Roker, on a tour of the Cowboys' new stadium!



Not only will Emmitt be your tour guide this Friday, but Lauer will be interviewing Jerry Jones, and Roker will be hanging with the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. The unintentional comedy of this event could be off the charts.

Your Week Three College Football Announcing Schedule


Here is your Week Three College Football Announcing Schedule, brought to you by SI's Cheerleader of the Week. This week's lovely lady is, Nayfe (center). Her favorite class is Advertising Copywriting and Concept (really), her guilty pleasure is T.G.I Friday's Brownie Obsession and she's terrified of needles! Ready? Okay!!!

Thursday, September 17th

Georgia Tech @ Miami (ESPN, 7:30pm)- Chris Fowler, Craig James, Jesse Palmer, Erin Andrews

Friday, September 18th

Boise State @ Fresno State (ESPN, 9pm)- Joe Tessitore, Rod Gilmore

Saturday, September 19th

California @ Minnesota (ESPN, Noon)- Dave Pasch, Bob Griese, Chris Spielman
East Carolina @ North Carolina (ESPN2, Noon)- Pam Ward, Ray Bentley
Duke @ Kansas (Versus, Noon)- Ron Thulin, Kelly Stouffer, Lewis Johnson
Louisville @ Kentucky (ESPNU, Noon)- Clay Matvick, David Diaz-Infante
Ball State @ Army (CBS College Sports, Noon)- Dave Ryan, Jason Sehorn
Eastern Michigan @ Michigan (BTN, Noon)- Wayne Larrivee, Chris Martin, Charissa Thompson
Temple @ Penn State (BTN, Noon)- Ari Wolfe, Anthony Herron, Kenny Jackson
Northern Illinois @ Purdue (BTN, Noon)- Craig Coshun, Rod Woodson, Larra Overton
Wofford @ Wisconsin (BTN, Noon)- Matt Devlin, Glen Mason, Jay Wilson
North Texas @ Alabama (SEC Network/FS Detroit/CSN Bay Area/CSN Wash/MSG, Noon)- Dave Neal, Andre Ware, Cara Capuano
Boston College @ Clemson (Raycom, Noon)- Steve Martin, Rick Walker, Mike Hogewood
Ohio State v. Toledo (ESPN Plus, Noon)- Michael Reghi, Doug Chapman
Furman @ Missouri (FSN PPV, 2pm)- Dan McLaughlin, Howard Balzer, Todd Donoho
Tennessee @ Florida (CBS, 3:30pm)- Verne Lundquist, Gary Danielson, Tracy Wolfson
Michigan State @ Notre Dame (NBC, 3:30pm)- Tom Hammond, Pat Haden, Alex Flanagan
Nebraska @ Virginia Tech (ABC, 3:30pm)- Sean McDonough, Matt Millen, Holly Rowe
Arizona @ Iowa (ABC, 3:30pm)- Mike Patrick, Craig James, Heather Cox
USC @ Washington (ABC, 3:30pm)- Terry Gannon, David Norrie, Quint Kessenich
Utah @ Oregon (ESPN, 3:30pm)- Ron Franklin, Ed Cunningham
Tulsa @ Oklahoma (FSN, 3:30pm)- Joel Meyers, Dave Lapham, Jim Knox (Will Air on FS Arizona, Detroit+, Houston, Midwest, North, Ohio, South, Southwest, West; FSN Northwest, Pittsburgh, Rocky Mountain; CSN Bay Area, Chicago, Philadelphia; SUN; MSG+; FCS Pacific)
Indiana @ Akron (ESPNU, 3:30pm)- Todd Harris, Charles Arbuckle
Virginia @ Southern Mississippi (CBS College Sports, 3:30pm)- Jason Knapp, Akbar Gbaja-Biamila
Wyoming @ Colorado (FCS Central, 3:30pm)- Drew Goodman, Yogi Roth
Alabama-Birmingham @ Troy (ISP Sports/CSS/FCS Atl, 3:30pm)- Sam Smith, Roger Schultz
Florida International @ Rutgers (Big East Network/SNY, 5pm)- Bob Picozzi, John Gregory
Cincinnati @ Oregon State (FSN, 6:45pm)- Rich Burk, Steve Preece (Will Air on FS Arizona, Detroit+, Midwest, North, Ohio, Southwest, West; FSN Northwest, Pittsburgh; CSN Bay Area, New England, Washington; SportSouth; MSG+; FCS Central)
Florida State @ Brigham Young (Versus, 7pm)- Joe Beninati, Glenn Parker, Lindy Thackson
Louisiana-Lafayette @ Louisiana State (ESPNU, 7pm)- Eric Collins, Brock Huard
Mississippi State @ Vanderbilt (FSN Regional, 7pm)- Bob Rathbun, Dave Archer, Jenn Hildreth
Northwestern @ Syracuse (Time Warner-NY, 7pm)- TBD
Air Force @ New Mexico (CBS College Sports, 7:30pm)- Tom Hart, Aaron Taylor
Southeast Louisiana @ Mississippi (CSS/CST/CSN NWest/CSN Philly, 7:30pm)- Doug Bell, JC Pearson
Buffalo @ Central Florida (Bright House, 7:30pm)- Drew Fellios, Mark Royals, Dave Baumann
Georgia @ Arkansas (ESPN, 7:45pm)- Brad Nessler, Todd Blackledge, Erin Andrews
West Virginia @ Auburn (ESPN2, 7:45pm)- Mark Jones, Bob Davie
Texas Tech @ Texas (ABC, 8pm)- Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit, Lisa Salters
Texas-El Paso @ New Mexico State (Aggie Vision, 8pm)- Glen Cerny, Danny Knee
Louisiana-Monroe @ Arizona State (FS Arizona/FCS Pacific, 10pm)- Tom Leander, Juan Roque, Jody Jackson
Kansas State @ UCLA (FSN, 10:15pm)- Barry Tompkins, Petros Papadakis, Michael Eaves (Will Air on FS Arizona, Detroit, Florida, Houston, Midwest, North, Ohio, South, Southwest, West; FSN Pittsburgh; CSN California, Chicago (JIP), New England, Philadelphia, Washington; MSG+; FCS Central)
Hawaii @ Nevada-Las Vegas (MTN/CBS College Sports, 11pm)- James Bates, Todd Christensen, Toby Christensen