Everyone is always piling on T.O., including the ESPN Sunday Countdown crew. Both Keyshawn Johnson and Cris Carter have been critical of the wide receiver multiple times this season, which is why some of their comments came across a bit hypocritical this past weekend.

The set was discussing Anquan Boldin's recent run-in with a coach, and both Johnson and Carter were sticking up for the Arizona receiver. This isn't sitting well with the Dallas Media, who are calling both analysts hypocrites today. Via Barry Horn at the Dallas Morning News....

As we all know from watch ESPN's Sunday studio show this season, Keyshawn Johnson and Cris Carter aren't very fond of Terrell Owens. The ex-WRs have picked, picked, picked on T.O. for everything from alligator arms to lizard leanings. They think T.O.'s sideline behavior has been lousy.

So it was surprising to hear Keyshawn kid-gloving Cardinals WR Anquan Boldin this morning after his sideline spat with former T.O. sparring partner Todd Haley.

"No. It's not that big of a deal," Keyshawn said. If it was, you could see players grabbing him ... I've been with Todd Haley and I've been around Todd Haley. He coached me with the Jets. He coached me in Dallas. In our meeting rooms (he) was the worst. You would like to be a fly on that wall. I don't how we could even be in the same room, I don't know how we can get along so well. But that's just a player and a coach out there competing. I work for TV, but I hate it because they try to turn it into more than it is. And, it's not that big of a deal."

Said Carter: "For one, a lot of times you don't know what the players are saying. But as players and coaches, we're a fraternity. Whatever we say on Sunday's or Monday's during the game it doesn't count. This is a competitive atmosphere. It's a result's oriented business ...When you have an athlete like him and he can't participate in the game, he's going to let the coach know that. And he has a right to know that because of the sacrifice he's made for his teammates."

Considering that the Carter-T.O. "Bullet incident" happened only a few short weeks ago, it's definitely surprising that he would be a Boldin apologist. Forget the fact that anytime Keyshawn says that someone is a "distraction", that it's extremely hypocritical. I know the media is trying to play up the whole fight between Anquan and Coach Haley, and ESPN was right in dismissing it over the weekend, but they should be more careful about who they do and don't defend on-air.

Do Keyshawn and Cris Carter have a double standard when it comes to T.O.? (Dallas Morning News)

After the crew gave Warren Sapp a little bit of praise for his trip to the finals of DWTS, Sapp took the time to apologize for his comments directed at Keyshawn Johnson. The outspoken one, who railed on Keyshawn's new interior design show and the ESPN analyst's masculinity last week, decided to say a few words that were apparently inspired by a talk with his mom. Here's the video complete with a bonus Collinsworth-JB tiff story....

See how easy that was? Sure the comments came at the very end of the show, and after he had already piled on Donovan McNabb, but you have to start somewhere. I still think Warren is a good addition to the show, and as soon as he realizes that he doesn't have to say something outrageous each week, he'll become even better.

Oh and don't forget to vote for the big guy!

Sapp apologizes to Johnson, criticizes McNabb (NFL.com)

I completely understand the role that Showtime has tried to place on Warren Sapp, or that he did so on his own, but this just takes it to a whole new different level. On Wednesday's Inside The NFL, Sapp was taking questions for a segment called "Ask Warren Anything". A question came in about whether Warren would be watching Keyshawn Johnson's new design show on A&E and this was the outspoken one's response. Via Adam Schefter's blog on NFL.com....

In a special segment on this week’s Inside The NFL, Warren Sapp answered viewer submitted questions during “Ask Warren Anything”.

Below are transcription highlights of the show.

(On rumor that Sapp is a diva on “Dancing With The Stars”)
SAPP: I’ll tell you what. I have to be honest about the diva thing. I am a little eccentric at times. I like cold water and in California they like it room temperature. And as a 300-pound man I needed a little cold water. So they gave me a big cooler and they put “Warren’s Water,” so I guess that’s where they get that from. If a big fella needing cold water is being a diva, then diva I am.

(On whether he would ever watch Keyshawn Johnson’s reality show about interior design)
SAPP: Me, watch Keyshawn on an interior decorating show? Keyshawn, I knew you were a bitch. And thanks for making it all clear.

I know what the term "bitch" is supposed to mean nowadays, and I know that we are overly sensitive as a society, but that's just flat out uncalled for. Even if you take away the sexist nature of the comment, there's no point for Keyshawn's name to be coming out of Sapp's mouth in this format. If he wants to go on some douchebag's talk radio show and spout off at the mouth....fine. But to do so on a once classy and well done show like Inside the NFL, and to not be reprimanded after multiple attacks like this, makes me think that Showtime just isn't taking their direction with the show seriously.

I really hope that Keyshawn doesn't take this bait, and sink to Warren's level, but nothing would surprise me these days. I'll try to have the video up later in the day for posterity when ITN re-airs today, but that's the last time I watch that garbage. There's just no need for more of this crap in an already crap-filled Sports World.

Warren answers anything (NFL: Adam Schefter)

There are some things you just can't make up. ESPN Analyst Keyshawn Johnson is getting his own reality show on A&E, and you'll never what it's going to be about. Go ahead....I'll let you take a few guesses. Football? Nope. How to get him the "damn" ball? Nah. Well does it have anything to do with Sports? Actually no. Make sure you're sitting down for this....

Interior Design.

Seriously. I'm not even remotely kidding. The show, called “Keyshawn Johnson: Tackling Design”, will premier in 2009 and will air as as a part of A&E's Saturday lineup, "The Big Fix". Here's your official press release....

"Sports fans are aware of Keyshawn's formidable skills on the field, but will be completely surprised by his talent as a designer. The fact that he is really trying to get his interior design business off the ground perfectly fits with our real life brand where we capture the real lives of extraordinary people," said Robert Sharenow, Senior Vice President, Nonfiction and Alternative Programming, A&E. "In the current real estate market, 'Sell This House' is even more pertinent than ever, because it demonstrates how to get the most out of your investment in your home."

Outspoken NFL veteran wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson may be known best for his play on the field, but now he's putting a completely different set of skills to the test in "Keyshawn Johnson: Tackling Design." Furniture, fabric and finishings used to be just a hobby, but with his football days behind him Johnson's wide-receiving now has more to do with fitting furniture through the front door of a house. Will clients take this former pro-athlete seriously as an interior designer? The ten episode half-hour series follows Johnson as he tries to make a name in the world of interior design. And given the pressures and personalities, Johnson's famous temper is sure to be put to the test.

I don't even have something clever or cute to say right now. I'm shocked....SHOCKED! I mean, I know he won a fashion award recently, but this is just out of nowhere. I think I need a nap because my mind is straight blown right about now.

A&E Greenlights New Original Series "Keyshawn Johnson: Tackling Design" (A&E)
Keyshawn Johnson To Win A Fashion Award, Seriously (Awful Announcing)

Hey, why not another "analyst war" to add to the growing list? This time it involves Warren Sapp and Keyshawn Johnson, and was of course started by Sapp during his weekly random bashing on Inside the NFL. So the topic of discussion was the Cowboys, and how Brad Johnson was going to work for them, when out of nowhere he goes into a mini rant on ex-Cowboy and current ESPN analyst, Keyshawn Johnson....

"An accurate quarterback, a championship, someone that knows the ropes and how to distribute the ball. He’s played with worse malcontents than T.O. He played with Keyshawn. Keyshawn was kicked off the team, away from us. Terrell Owens is a choirboy compared to Keyshawn. He’ll get the ball and distribute it and they’ll be fine."- Warren Sapp

Now I sort of understand the point he was going for there, but was there really a need to bring Keyshawn's name into it like that. Obviously, based on reporter's and teammate's accounts of his demeanor, the statement is likely true, but Sapp is just taking every chance he can to be controversial. Sooner or later that's going to come back to haunt him.

Warren Sapp calls Keyshawn Johnson 'malcontent' (Watchdog)

Last night's game, as far as the booth went, really wasn't all that bad. Sure Tony had his moments, but I think the trio was just so shocked at the outcome that they didn't have time to say anything too annoying. Countdown however was pretty wild throughout, but they saved the best for the end. Here is Cris Carter doing his endzone celebration for you before the game started last night, and the rest of the quotes below that....

Your Monday Night In Quotes:

"Eli Manning he has a big brother you know, Archie. Peyton's injury?"- Chris Berman
"Cooper! You talking about Cooper?"- Chris Mortensen

"You were a hawk on that."- Jaws to Tirico
"He's being helped by that hunter's moon."- Tony Kornheiser

"A lot of the issues of the Dallas Cowboys yesterday having pressure on Tony Romo, came from the outside pressure."- Emmitt Smith

"We think Eli is taller and handsomer now that he's won the Super Bowl. Imagine what would've happened if [Jaws] won the Super Bowl." - Tony Kornheiser

"In 1492, Christopher Columbus....in the ultimate road game. Where was he going? I don't know, but winning in front of hostile crowd....not easy."- Chris Berman

"How did Eli get to be the first pick? If his name was Schwartz he would have went in the sixth round."- Tony Kornheiser

"Even if Cleveland sails the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria can the Browns win tonight."- Chris Berman

"Penalty on the Browns. That's a shock....they only have nine a game."- Mike Tirico

"Thanks for Coughlin and Crennel, or I would be the third oldest coach in the NFL."- Tony Kornheiser

"The dog pound got a bone they can chew on here tonight"- Mike Tirico

"Wasn't Jamal Lewis, Brandon Jacobs, before Brandon Jacobs was Brandon Jacobs?"- Tony Kornheiser

"We think Eli is taller and handsomer now that he's won the Super Bowl. Imagine what would've happened if [Jaws] won the Super Bowl." - Tony Kornheiser

I'm kind of amazed at how quickly ESPN jumped off the Cowboys' Bandwagon, but whether T.O. and the 'Boys are doing well or not, it's still going to be a major story on the network. Just about every ESPN analyst railed on the receiver after his comments following the loss to the Redskins and now he's firing back at the "Leader" and most notably, Keyshawn Johnson. Via the Star-Telegram....

“It’s me being confident in who I am. Its not going to be the last time you hear me say I need the ball.

Owens took a lot of heat from the ESPN studio analysts Tom Jackson, Keyshawn Johnson and Cris Carter after Sunday’s comments.

On Tuesday, he offered his own rebuttal.

Regarding Keyshawn Johnson, whom Owens’ referred to as Sheshawn at least three times, he said: “[As the No. 1 overall pick in the 1996 draft] he is the ultimate underachiever on that panel. I am the reason he is in the booth. Everybody is aware when I was brought to Dallas he was the one they let go to get me here.”

He said there was one thing he agreed with that Carter had to say and that was that Jerry Rice is the best receiver of all time.

“But I am second all time behind Jerry Rice," Owens said in accentuating his superiority over Carter and Johnson.

It still amazes me that after all these years that it's so easy for people to get under T.O.'s skin. Especially when no one at ESPN was doing so on purpose. They were just responding to comments the receiver made, and explaining how ridiculous they were after 30% of the offense went through him on Sunday. I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again. It doesn't take a genius to say that T.O. needs to just be quiet and play Football, but coming from one who used to act the same way when he was younger....he might want to listen up.

In the end, I'm just hoping that this small attack on ESPN will tone down the almost constant over-hyping of the Cowboys that the network does on a regular basis.

Dallas Cowboys' Terrell Owens not upset with Romo, offense (Star-Telegram)

Obviously they should be promoting what's arguably the best matchup of the College Football season, but I haven't seen them go to this degree before. Even with playoff games in professional Sports. First off they've dubbed it "The Collision In The Coliseum" and they've made a crawl for info on the game for the bottom of the screen. They're also hyping the game on both Sports Center and First Take multiple times a day, showing clips of former players Keyshawn Johnson and Cris Carter talking bets and now ESPNU plans on starting coverage on Friday with something called “Walk ThrU” at 1pm....

As a prelude to No. 5 Ohio State at No. 1 USC live Saturday, Sept. 13, at 8 p.m. on ABC and ESPN Radio, ESPNU’s Walk ThrU special will highlight several college football moments from the Buckeyes and Trojans’ past and present, including the 1985 and 1990 Rose Bowl matchups between both schools. Coverage begins Friday, Sept. 12, at 1 p.m.

In addition, ESPNU will continue to utilize Campus Connection students during the college football season. All weeklong, a student from Ohio State and USC will provide student perspectives from the campuses leading up to Saturday’s matchup. USC vs. Ohio State Walk ThrU Schedule...

Fri., Sept. 12

Ohio vs. Ohio State (2008)- 1pm
USC at Virginia (2008)- 3:30pm

Sat., Sept. 13

USC vs. Arizona State (2005)- Midnight
Michigan vs. Ohio State (2006)- 3am
2006 Heisman Presentation (Troy Smith)- 6am
2005 Heisman Presentation (Reggie Bush)- 7am
1985 Rose Bowl: USC (20) vs. Ohio State (17)- 8am
1990 Rose Bowl: USC (35) vs. Ohio State (26)- 10am

Again, not a bad idea at all, but I can't remember them hyping a game to this degree in quite awhile. Well maybe the Michigan-Ohio State game back in 2006, when it was #1 vs. #2, but other than that I can't think of one.

Given that there will be no guests in the MNF Football booth this year (so says ESPN), ABC has found another way to cross promote its hit show "Dancing With The Stars". Yep, they've decided to throw it into a Monday Night Countdown promo and here is the awesome result....

It's not the worst commercial ever made, but it doesn't hold a candle to Emmitt and Key leading that pottery class last year. Although the Tom Jackson reply of "worrrrd" made me chuckle.

Last week, Tony joked on Jaws' involvement in the AFL, but this week's MNF Video of the Night features new material from our good friend Emmitt! It's been a few Mondays since Smith was on Countdown, and it really only takes one night of Emmitt to realize just how much I miss him when he's not there. Today's video is a clip of Smith explaining why Shawne Merriman shouldn't let the Chargers "co-horse" him into getting season ending surgery....

Just plain lame! Everything he says at this point just cracks me up. Even words I've actually heard before, I have to go back and check to see if they actually exist. It's really fun as hell....I suggest you try it sometime. The guy could seriously recite passages from War and Peace flawlessly, and I would still just start giggling like a little kid. I honestly love the guy.

In other news, ESPN actually aired a Football game last night without pointless and inane interruptions. Someone was apparently missing, but I still can't quite figure out who that was. Anyone have any suggestions? Onto the quotes....
_______________________

F the quotes. Since you are all such a great reading audience, I'm going to forego your night in quotes for....wait for it....BONUS EMMITT TIME!!!!!!!

Nick who? Out of my mouth to your ears one thing I can promise you this....I love me some Emmitt. Oh and if you didn't know, "LT" stands for LaDanian Tomlinson and the "opening season" is....well I have no idea what that is.

So last night's telecast was rather interesting. Monday Night Countdown had more analysts than ever, Tony Kornheiser complained about the heat in Arizona and Emmitt....well, Emmitt actually wasn't that bad (not THAT bad at least). The broadcast definitely got stale at times, namely the second half, but you can expect that in a preseason game. Let's break this out and do a paragraph on each element, shall we?
____________________

Countdown: Your players were (from left to right) Trey Wingo, Keyshawn Johnson, Cris Carter, Tom Jackson and Emmitt Smith. The problem wasn't the content, in fact they all had solid contributions at one point or another, but rather just too many cooks in the kitchen (per usual).

The best segment of the show came when their collection of former players at the ready explained how Favre would help each individual offensive position for the Jets next season. Carter discussed how the offensive line should buy in right away, Key broke down how the receivers should be excited for not having just 6-yard routes to run, and good ole' Emmitt actually made sense when explaining how all of this would lead to a huge year for Thomas Jones.

Emmitt still had his moments, and while this pregame show wasn't bad, it still wasn't great. In all honesty a host (not Berman), Tom Jackson and Cris Carter would be solid, but with 80 people on the payroll that's probably not possible.

1st Half: Okay, what the heck happened to the whole nixing the sideline reporters thing? Michele Tafoya was all over this broadcast and Suzy Kolber was milling around during Countdown. As recent as a month ago, Tony Kornheiser confirmed that the two would likely be seeing less time but he wasn't sure of the reasoning.

Other than that obvious addition, or rather non-deletion, the first half was pretty spot on. Lots of Leinart and Bush talk, but that was expected, and amazingly....and I mean AMAZINGLY....very little Favre talk. The trio talked about the potential of the Saints offense, delved into the dicey acquisition of Shockey and had a few good interviews. It was a good mix.

Halftime: By far the best part of the program. It was just Wingo and Carter on the set (which looked insanely small with just them at the desk) talking highlights. The two even delved into Baseball and Golf and had a pretty good rapport that obviously developed over the Summer during NFL Live.

2nd Half: This is where things usually derail for the trio. Tony goes off on inane tangents, Mort forces stats talk and Tirico is left picking up the pieces. If the game is a blowout or a preseason game, it's even worse. Never fails.

This game was no different with Tony's cheesy joke du jour being that it was ridiculously hot in Arizona. Who knew it was hot in the f'ing desert? I'm not sure how many actually enjoy his act at this point of the game, but it can't be many. He also added in a "Brett Favre has been traded to the Knicks" joke for good measure. Look for it around either the 3-minute mark of the third quarter or the 11-minute mark of the fourth of every game this year.

Tirico, on the other hand, was extremely good throughout the game and even made me laugh out loud at one point in the second half with this exchange....

“You have a incredible amount of facts at the ready. You knew that was the only first down of the half. I think no more than five people in the world knew that.”- Tony Kornheiser
“Enjoyable moments in play by play. Men dream of the fourth quarter in preseason games. These are the happy moments of the year.”- Mike Tirico

(I guess that's a good segue into the quotes)

Your Top Ten Quotes:

We're changing up this year. Going with both good and bad in the same spot....well, mostly bad.

10. “The question I have for Matt Leinart, does he love playing in the National Football League? Or does he love the benefits of being a player in the National Football league.”- Cris Carter (Great way to pose it)

9. “Jaws, this maybe as good a quarterback situation as any team in the NFL.”- Mike Tirico on the Cardinals (Ummm really?)

8. “Watch Terrell Smith here, this is one of those Chris Berman lines…..rumbling, bumbling, bullying to the endzone.”- Ron Jaworski (Huh?)

7. “This just in….Brett Favre has left Jets, he signed with the Knicks, I’m tired all the stuff the Jets said about me.”- Tony Kornheiser (Boooooooo!)

6. “440 Completions for Drew Brees.”- Ron Jaworski
“That was like five years for you right?- Tony Kornheiser (Now that's funny)

5. “This is the thing, Brett Favre is coming to New York and leaving Green Bay.”- Emmitt Smith (Thanks for the insight Emmitt!)

4. “He’s been the Most Valuable Internet Player for awhile with those beer pong photos. You want to say, hey dude....it’s not Entourage.”- Tony Kornheiser on Leinart

3. “I don’t know how they can truly be comfortable with Aaron Rodgers considering that the fact, that, he has only played in that number of games.”- Emmitt Smith

2. “I don’t know anything about Football, but I believe what Keyshawn says.”- Cris Carter (I'd rethink that)

1. “Where does Hochuli go to get his shirts made that tight?”- Tony Kornheiser (Come on, you knew an Eddie Gunz joke would make it in)
___________________

In the end (I'm sure it doesn't read like it above) the broadcast wasn't bad. With the way the past two years have gone you have to know that this is a vast improvement. There were still some elements that were less than desirable, but that just comes with the territory. Again, it was the first preseason game of the year.

There is one final note I wanted to make though. For the first time ever, Jaws really got on my nerves in the second half. He was forcing things and his stance that the Packers were better off without Favre was laughable. Especially after Tony asked him why he'd pick Rodgers and he responded, "Because when you build a Football team you build it for the future. Right now they could probably win more games with Brett Favre." Huh? That makes zero sense. I understand he's the "nice" one, but he'd be better served by at least once talking bad about something or someone. Just a thought.

Overall Grade for the Night: C+/B- (I can't talk myself into giving out a solid B out this early in the season)

(Normally there'd be a video of the night in this spot but this post ran super long. Once I get the format down and/or figure out how to add a "jump" feature....it'll all go in the same spot. Stay tuned for your MNF Video of the Night coming in the next post. Oh and if you have suggestions on the "Review" format and/or a title for the brand new "Pam Ward Chronicles" of the NFL, let them be known in the comments.)

I have no idea what the Michael Awards are but ESPN passes along that the are known as the Oscars of Fashion. Keyshawn is actually going to receive an award from them and it's not just any old award....

ESPN NFL analyst Keyshawn Johnson will be honored as the “Best Dressed Male” in the 2008 Michael Awards, also known as the "Oscars of Fashion.” The Michael Awards honor the stars of the fashion world by highlighting fashion icons, top designers, supermodels, emerging fashion trends, and leading stars in entertainment and media. Previous winners have included Oscar de la Renta, Hugo Boss, Calvin Klein and Cindy Crawford. The event will be held in New York Wednesday, May 7, at the Marriott Marquis. Proceeds from the evening benefit the National Children's Leukemia Foundation.

Wow...the Best Dressed Male of the Year? Like better everyone on the planet??? That's pretty impressive. Also, Boss and Klein were previous winners? Two designers won Best Dressed Male??? Who would have thunk it?

(Via ESPN PR)

Keyshawn is either completely and utterly wrong about things or dead on. Most of the Draft he was wrong, but in an interview with USA Today he is completely right about Chad Johnson....

Keyshawn Johnson had some advice for Chad Johnson, the Cincinnati Bengals wideout who had been been on forcing a trade like out of an unhappy situation like Randy Moss did last year.

The ESPN analyst and former NFL receiver believes the Bengal would be making a mistake if he were to divorce himself from quarterback Carson Palmer.

"I think Chad is going about it the wrong way," the ESPN analyst said. "I told Chad at the Super Bowl, 'Be careful what you wish for. Because when they bounce your butt and you wind up in Buffalo with J.P. Losman as your quarterback, you're going to be screaming.

"I just told him to relax and chill and handle your situation differently."

While his assesment of Chad Johnson's situation is dead on he's a bit off on his Buffalo Bills depth chart. JP Losman isn't the starter for the Bills, Trent Edwards is. I guess the sentence still works but that's certainly not they way he originally meant it.

Now if there was only a way to shut them both up. Hmm???

Keyshawn to Ocho Cinco: 'Careful what you wish for' (USA Today)

You know it’s a bad omen for a review when I have no idea where to even start when picking apart a broadcast. ESPN’s Day One coverage of the Draft was probably only slightly behind the 100+ Band view broadcast of last year’s Orange Bowl, as the worst telecast I’ve ever seen. They missed picks, talked over picks and each other, had 40 people trying to chime in, got into fights with each other, and had more commercials on-air than the Draft itself. I was listening to Sporting News Radio late last night and I think their host Matt Spiegel summed it up best by saying, “I was begging for more Mike Tirico.”

Chris Berman is now on the short list of people that should be banned from ever touching the mic again and it’s kind of a shame. We all grew up with the guy but somewhere along the way the schtick overtook any semblance of Sports knowledge he had. He was so lost the entire broadcast that he would have to occasionally pause and rethink his own cheesy nicknames before blurting them out. I’m no Rich Eisen fan, but in this capacity he is head and shoulders above the “has been” Berman. I still think he works well on clip shows and gimmicks like the Homerun Derby, but too many people take the Draft seriously and he’s just a joke at this point. It’s time to phase him out as soon as you can.

As far as the other analysts what can you say? I don’t know when Ron Jaworski got the where with all to argue every single prediction from his partners, but he might possibly be more annoying than Berman. It’s okay to debate the picks and trades but when you’re shouting over top of your “teammates” you just look like a fool. I love his football knowledge and he knows the QB position like no other, but he needs to just settle down and pass along his knowledge calmly. Cris Carter really added nothing and while Mel Kiper’s player knowledge is unprecedented the staged on-air feuds with Todd McShay were unbearable. You need to pick either one or the other and be done with it. The last bad thing I’m going to say about their coverage is that Chris Mortensen should never be on live television. He’s like a deer in headlights out there.

Okay, now that the negatives are out of the way let’s get into what they did well, so they can improve for next year. Trey Wingo should be the host. He leads one of your main NFL shows during the season and offseason and his Football acumen is on par with anyone ESPN has. Adding Kirk Herbstreit on the coverage (presumably for Emmitt Smith) was a good decision and while Michael Smith is a work in progress, he has some promise. Overall the Day Two coverage was actually pretty good and the interview with Caleb Campbell, although somewhat over-the-top, came off as a good addition late in the Draft (even though Jaws almost fell of the stage trying to stand up and shake his hand).

Grades:

Chris Berman: Z-
Trey Wingo: B
Ron Jaworski: C-
Cris Carter: D
Mel Kiper: C+
Chris Mortensen: D
Mike Tirico: B
Kirk Herbstreit: B
Todd McShay: C+
Michael Smith: B-
Producers: F (For deciding it was okay to miss about 10% of the first round)

Overall: D- (only because of Day Two)

You can’t miss live picks, have more commercials than coverage, and have people constantly bickering, and expect to get good reviews. I’m more than positive that there won’t be one major writer in the Country that would give ESPN a passing grade for Day One, and if you see one let me know. Just a horrible, horrible attempt at something they’ve done well in the past.

Video of the Weekend: McShay vs. Kiper (DING!)

NFL Draft Media Review: NFL Network
Weekend Tube Review: NFL Network vs. ESPN (The Sporting Blog)

It was last Thursday wen Fanhouse's MDS reported that ESPN might be expanding Keyshawn Johnson's role if he doesn't return back to the NFL. Keyshawn is scheduled to fill in for Jim Rome starting today....

Today I was told that Johnson is scheduled to guest host ESPN's Jim Rome is Burning on Monday. It's the first time he's served as the host of an opinion-oriented show since he signed with ESPN last year, and it's an opportunity for Johnson to expand his TV reach beyond his normal role as an in-season NFL analyst.

Now I don't know if giving Keyshawn his own show is a sign of the apocalypse but it very well could be. Johnson isn't the only person it seems getting a tryout for a larger role. Both Dana Jacobson and Sage Steele were missing from First Take last Friday and ex-Team USA Midfielder Julie Foudy was sitting in. The Soccer analyst did a pretty great job and only stumbled once or twice.

So is ESPN openly trying people out for larger roles on the network? We saw it more recently with Fantasy Guru Matthew Barry and as long as they keep picking people with something valid to say then I don't have a problem with it. When Skip Bayless starts appearing on College Gameday...then I'll be scared.

ESPN Expands Keyshawn Johnson's Role (Fanhouse)

It's 4 hours or so until gametime so I'm going to kill some time by breaking down the 2-hour edition of Countdown. Why you ask? Well I ask you why not??? First up....Ray Lewis talking about weather and saying "the bottom line" a lot. Video in a few...

Not bad, but he had a little bit of Emmittitis in a few spots. I'm going to need some help with this second video. Is Berman making a joke or did he really just call Norv Turner....Norv Turnover?



Did anybody else think the whole Brady Bunch thing was incredibly cheesy? (Via Nos)

Yes....yes I did, but I didn't think it was as bad as the Brett Favre running naked thing. I also laughed at the Brady one at least twice.

Emmittisms of the day and other quotes:

"9 straight road wins make them the best road team since Hannibal."- Chris Berman

"If the Giants win today they possibly go onto the SuperBowl."- Emmitt Smith

Man I was with you Emmitt. You were actually making a great point there for a second....

I guess this isn't all that surprising but there's no a rumor that Bill Parcells is interested in bringing Keyshawn Johnson with him to Miami. Not to coach but to come out of retirement and play. Via Johnson's Agent...

''I speak to Keyshawn daily about all aspects of his career, he is very close to Coach Parcells and is in great shape IF he chose to play next year,'' Stanley wrote, responding to an e-mail from The Miami Herald about Johnson's potential interest in returning to play for Parcells. ``Miami could use a good tough veteran like Key to help the current crop of young receivers develop.''

Interesting. That actually makes sense, but that would leave the Countdowns in disarray by losing two people. What am I saying? They'd still have about 14 people left to giggle at each other on the show.

Keyshawn Johnson To Reunite With Bill Parcells? (Sports by Brooks)
Could Keyshawn, Parcells reunite? (Miami Herald)

I'm done trying to understand what Emmitt Smith is talking about, but you know it's bad when Chris Berman has to try and explain what the hell you're talking about.....

I don't know if he was trying to make a joke like the rest of the crew, but that was terrible. I actually chuckled at the other three and new by the time it got to Emmitt he'd screw his up. Man he is the gift that keeps on giving.

Wow. That quote I linked earlier didn't really scratch the surface of the T.O. comments. As Rich Eisen used to say on SportsCenter.....It's Time To Play The Feud!

I didn't know the word "piss" got bleeped out on TV, but I guess you learn something new everyday. In all honesty (and someone commented on this earlier), T.O. has been quiet all year and ESPN did the perfect job baiting him out of hiding.

(P.S.- I don't think I'd really like a skunk pissing on me Keyshawn, but to each his own.)

I have no idea where this came from because I saw what Keyshawn said and it didn't seem that bad at the time, but T.O. is calling the former 'Boys receiver out. During Sunday's open thread I noted that Keyshawn had actually made a good point about coaches and their successors. Here's a summary from that post which highlighted what Johnson said.....

Wow. Keyshawn makes a great point about previous coaches building their teams and the following coach taking them to Super Bowls in regards to Owens. He used himself in Tampa with Tony Dungy building the team but Gruden winning the Super Bowl, and the same analogy with Emmitt, Jimmy Johnson, and Switzer. This could actually be the case in Dallas this year. Good stuff.

Sound like it makes sense right? Well not to Owens.....

According to an article posted in the Dallas Morning News Owens stated “It's not a matter of me giving or not giving Bill credit. Everybody wants to make a big deal, that this is the team he built. It doesn't matter. ... My thing is give credit to Wade. The difference between Wade and Parcells is this: Parcells, he didn't use me as a playmaker; Wade, he got the staff, and that's what I'm being used as.”

After dismissing comments about Parcells importance in the club make-up Owens challenged the retired Johnson to “down here and take my job. ESPN producers, let him go.”

Owens went on to say “I'm probably the reason he's in the booth now.”

Well then. I should have video of Owens up soon, but this seems like much ado over nothing if you ask me. There should be good fodder this weekend as both Parcells and Keyshawn will have something to say about this on Countdown.

Terrell Owens Challenges Keyshawn Johnson Comments, Tells Him “Take My Job” (Trans World)