In a press conference today, NBC said that they will be sending Bob Costas to the game site each Sunday, and he will do the pregame show with Cris Collinsworth and Al Michaels. Following the trio discussing the bigger stories of the day, along with Tiki Barber on the sidelines and locker rooms, they will then throw it to Dan Patrick and Keith Olbermann (along with Dungy, Harrison and Peter King). Via NBC PR....

Costas, the most honored studio host of all time with 19 Emmy Awards, will host the show from a set at the "Sunday Night Football" game site. He will be joined by the new SNF broadcast team of Al Michaels, a six-time Emmy Award-winner whom the Associated Press has called "TV's best play-by-play announcer," and Cris Collinsworth, the most honored studio analyst in sports television history, winning the award in nine of the 12 years of its existence and winning two additional Emmys for game analyst. Collinsworth moves from the studio to the broadcast booth alongside Michaels to replace the recently-retired John Madden.

"At our best we aspire to give the viewer the best seat in the house -- not the hype around the event, but the story of the event itself," said Ebersol. "Bob has proven time and again that he is unmatched in his ability to appropriately set the scene and tell the story of an event. Having the two premier broadcasters of their generation in Bob and Al on site and appearing together alongside Cris, the best analyst in the business, adds an immediacy that makes 'Sunday Night Football' an even bigger event."

Costas said: "Hosting from the site of the game, being in the stadium surrounded by the fans and the energy and atmosphere of the event, creates an urgency and a sense of place that can't be duplicated in the studio. And of course, this allows me to keep working with Cris, while at the same time building on the special chemistry I developed with Al Michaels in BASEketball."

I've always been critical of NBC's decisions when it comes to "Football Night in America", but this year they seem to be close to getting it right. In fact, you could argue that they only really need Costas, Collinsworth and Michaels, manning the highlights.

(Also to note: As I mentioned before, Andrea Kremer is no longer on the sidelines)

As the rest of his NFL brethren descends on Tampa, Tiki Barber is stuck in freezing cold New York City and has the unfortunate assignment of having his crotch painted by the Blue Man Group, and some crazy kids. Here's the video via Best Week Ever....

Tiki Barber Has Crotch Painted By Children And Blue Man Group, Finally Regrets Retiring Probably (Best Week Ever)

Good first quarter for Arizona, better 2nd for Atlanta. Rackers kicks off to Norwood, who gets out to the 27. Ryan hits Peelle at the 30.

Turner runs....and the ball's knocked out by Dockett! Rolle picks it up and runs into the end zone, TOUCHDOWN, CARDINALS! That was quick, 27 yard return. Rackers, up and good (barely), and it's 21-17, Arizona.

Let the good times Rolle! - SSR

Very punny. Norwood kneels on the kick, start at the 20. Turner had a wide open lane, but Arizona called time-out. He was gone if they hadn't, but let's guess that a TO called that early might bite them in the ass.

Turner gets brought down in the backfield again on first down. Ryan to White...but negated thanks to holding. An incomplete on a rush, and then a delay of game. Does not look good for Atlanta. Ryan throws it away on 3rd and 25, and the refs miss a hold in the end zone that would have been a safety. Breaston gets nailed on the punt before he could catch it -- 15 more yards, and Arizona will start inside the Atlanta 40.

Edge rushes for several yards in his LDT visor. Warner goes for Fitzgerald, who tries to bring it in one handed, but is a couple feet short. Warner to Fitz, it's incomplete, but man, that's a PI flag if I ever saw one. Rackers tries to kick one from 51, but it's wide left. Ken Whisenhunt ought to be fucking furious right now.

Turner gets to the 42. Roddy White brings in another catch, but for not much. 3rd down, and the O-line gets savaged. Incomplete, of course. Punt goes out of bounds at about the mid 20s. Edge gets eight on the next two carries, and Cris is agitating for Pat Tillman in the HOF. Warner to the TE, first down.

"Impressive yards after catch for James, and we did count the times he ran into his own offensive linemen." - Cris, as Warner scampers to the 46 for a first down. James gets into Atlanta territory again for another first down. Tim Hightower gets a couple on the next carry. Warner hits the TE Urban, then checks down to James for another first down at the 25 of the Falcons. Hightower grabs five more to the 20. Warner smokes one into Breaston at the five yard line.

Warner, short pass to Hightower, in the end zone. Rackers point is up and good, 28-17.

Has anyone noticed how odd it is to have Clint Eastwood hunting down Asian gang members. It's like Dirty Harry: The Retirement Years. Looks good though. Atlanta will start at the 20 after a touchback.

Ryan aims downfield for Roddy White....and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie makes an acrobatic interception to pick it off! He got UP THERE. Three and out, though. Punt downed inside the 15. Turner continues to get nothing from Berry and the D-line, Norwood doesn't get much more as the 3rd quarter ends.

Ryan overthrows Jenkins on first down, and he's unraveling. Punt again. Stop hitting yourself, Falcons! 15-yard face mask on the end of an Edge run gets inside Falcons territory. Dumb, dumb screen pass on first down to Arrignton, loses tons of yards. 3rdr and 11. Warner gets harried by the blitz and it's incomplete. Falcons get called for a hold on the punt, giving Arizona ten more yards.

THEY BROKE OUT THE VANILLA ICE FOR MATT RYAN. Good lord.

And they get Matt Ryan in the grasp....and IT'S A SAFETY!!! 30-17. Looks debatable, he held on to the ball too long and they called it as if he was in the grasp and about to go down, and the ref was grabbing Ryan's crotch.

Cris: "He gave him a couple of bucking bronco rides, but the third and fourth was too much." (via Mal)

James burrows for more yards and another first down. Warner out to the TE, about the 22. James gets stopped up in the backfield, there's a flag, and they're battling out of bounds. Holding on Arizona. Warner hits Fitzgerald, but he's short of the first. Douglas takes the punt return out to the 41.

Ryan to Norwood for some serious yardage after the catch, going way deep into Cards' territory. Ryan then goes to Peelle at the 20 -- next pass to Jenkins, short of the first down. QB sneak for the first down. Offsides on the Cards. Toss to White for another first down, and it's first and goal.

Ryan to White -- in the flat, just walks into the end zone, kick is good. 30-24, Cards.

Lost transmission thanks to incompetence at the local station. And now they're not broadcasting in HD. Warner aims for Breaston, who makes the catch and gets into Falcon territory at the 40. Hightower to the 43, and an ATL timeout. An end around to Breaston is broken up big time. And Warner just iced this game with a throw to Spach over the middle and to the 20.

Now they're eating clock, and this game is over with another first down. Your final score will be 30-24, and I totally blew it on this call -- where was this Arizona team all season? See you in a bit for the Colts and Chargers.

Michael Turner, who garnered 4 MVP votes this year, is ready to run all over the place today.

That DP-Matt Millen interview had to be one of the most uncomfortable things I've ever seen on sports television. It's remarkable that Millen admitted to sucking in so many words. Anyway....

Matt Millen just picked the Falcons, so I'm confident the Cards will win this. - Bazooka Jones

That did make me a bit less comfortable with my Falcons pick, but the NFC West is so atrocious.

I cannot be the only one who thinks it's incredibly lame that Arizona somehow thinks it's clever to put "RED ZONE" in humongous lettering over the end zones, as if Cardinals fans are so bad with football that they need it explained where the red zones are. (Of course, this is football in Arizona; that is entirely possible. Is there an actual Arizona Cardinals fan among us here? We would love to hear from you.)

Collinsworth: "Boldin is one of the toughest players in all of football".
Hammond: "You know he's a wide receiver, don't you?" (via Mal)

Thank you Tiki and NBC, for teaching me something I didn't know: they roll the grass at the stadium outside to grow and water it, then roll it back in. That's pretty damn cool.

J.J. Arrington picks up the kickoff and is knocked out at the 12 yard line. The KW-1300 Cybernetic Quarterback throws the first pass of the game high for Larry Fitzgerald. This QB model hides his mechanical enhancements under the gloves. KW-1300 gets whacked as he lets it go on 2nd down, and it's obviously short, as Keith Brooking tried to maul him. 3rd down pass underneath to Ben Patrick, three yards short for a 3 and out.

Edge picked up that blitz like a man ready to leave town. - Mal

Harry Douglas gets the punt at the 30 and returns it 21 yards past midfield for some fine field position to start. Matt Ryan rolls out for three yards and slides after his options are well covered to start. Turner the Burner starts with only a couple yards rushing. Matty Ice fires....and gets picked right away by Ralph Brown. Cards will start at about their own 36.

Edgerrin James picks up about four or five yards on his first carry of the series. He gets a first down by heading past midfield. Another Edge run for 6. One more handoff to Edge -- ooh, we got ourselves a flea flicker -- KW-1300 aims, fires, and Larry Fitzgerald back flips into the end zone with the catch! TOUCHDOWN, CARDINALS. Kick is up and good by Rackers, 7-0, Arizona.

Seriously, double coverage, leaping, back flip, that's major highlight material.

You know how you can sense a disaster approaching. That mall cop movie just pinged every sensor I've got.

"He's like Spider-Man." - Collinsworth on Fitzgerald.

Falcons will start at the 20 thanks to a touchback. Nothing for Turner on first down. False start, then Turner gets about four of those back. Ryan hits Roddy White at the 30 for a first down, and I love Cris breaking down the plays super quick on replays like that. Next throw on first down goes out of bounds. Turner loses a bunch on 2nd down, because Arizona, for some reason, is pegging on the run hard. The Cards have the Falcons on the run right now, and they call time out.

Yep, that was a blown offsides...but it doesn't matter, as Ryan's sacked on 3rd and long. Michael Koenen will come on to punt. Cardinals start at the 24. More Edge, out to the 29.

"Are you sure the Falcons and Cardinals didn't switch uniforms?" - Collinsworth.

KW-1300 then hits Fitzgerald again, who gets out to the mid-40s with some yards after the catch. James inside the 35 of the Falcons. Arrington gets stuffed on his first carry on 2nd and 3. KW-1300 throws it through Anquan Boldin's hands, and this will be a punt, apparently...and it's downed at the Atlanta 5....well, 7 yard line.

Turner gets three on the first carry. Ryan drops back, aims deep for Michael Jenkins, and Rod Hood knocks it away. Bertram Berry takes Ryan down for the second sack of the day, and Koenen will be punting out of his end zone. Left tackle Sam Baker got completely burned. Steve Breaston backs off on the ball, picks it up, and is taken down in good field position.

Fitty gets tied up with the Atlanta defender on first down, ball falls incomplete. KW-1300 gets nailed by Lawyer Milloy as he lets the ball go. 3rd and 10. Warner throws through the hands of Keith Brooking, who should have come up with that.

"Even the defensive players with the bad hands ought to catch that." - Collinsworth

Douglas gets nailed inside the 10 for no return on the punt. Tuner gets two yards, up to the 10. Ryan to White at the 20 for a first down; White is quickly developing into a good wideout. Turner gets leg-tackled by Hood when it looked like he was about to break for 5-10 yards. Norwood gets very close to a first down, busting through for 8...and he's got it to end the first quarter.

I guess Ryan will be added to the QB slurping tree or a replacement for Favre, Brady, Peyton - JG

That ain't new, man. That's been going on all damn year. Turner gets his first good run of the day, 13 yards and another first down. Another first down pass out to Michael Jenkins, who gets 13 more and into Arizona territory. Check down pass to Turner for 7, as Ryan has to bring everyone in around him to get the play call out. It's rather Peyton-esque. Turner hits another first down on the rush. Ball at the AZ 32. Swing pass to Douglas -- and Rod Hood just decked him.

Harry Douglas, you just got KNOCKED THE FUCK OUT.

2nd and 11 on the swing to White, gets a first down near the 24. Ryan to the TE Pollard, completes, and it comes lose, but the Falcons keep the ball.

"One of the things they told Gerald Hayes, I don't want to say this; it sounds bad, but it was: 'Don't think. Just go get the guy!'" - Collinsworth, after Hayes takes Turner down in the backfield. Hood falls down on 3rd and long, and Jenkins winds up being a yard shy on the first because he didn't realize Hood had fallen. 4th down, and a tough call coming.

Kicker and noted author Jason Elam tries a 30-yarder, and it's good. 7-3, Cardinals.

Arizona starts at the 27. KW-1300's pass gets tipped by an airborne D-lineman, and we get our first Leinart shot. The cyborg hits Boldin for his first catch, and he's down after a yard gain. Out to Boldin on the side, the corner misses a tackle, and Boldin is GONE. He burned Lawyer Milloy, badly. Rackers' kick is good, 14-3, Cartdinals. 71 yards all the way. Yeowch.

"I guess that would qualify as some run after the catch." - Collinsworth (via Mal). Norwood returns the kick out to the 23 yard line. 7 yards on the first pass to White, and he gets it again for a first down. Ryan goes all the way across the field for White, who manages not to bring it in. Another throw wide for Jenkins. Jenkins then brings in a pass from Ryan, who had very good protection and the receiver does a great job to come down in bounds.

Turner gets nothing in the backfield again. Arizona's stopping the run very well. Ryan to White again for a first down.

"Have any explanation for that, Cris?" - Hammond
"No, I'm not smart enough to come up with one for that!" - Collinsworth, on why Ryan is more successful throwing to his left than his right.

Ryan to White again for another 12 yards, and they're in the red zone. Ryan scrambles, gets up to the 18.

Atlanta is going all Philly on us and is going pass happy. - SSR
Mularkey's channeling his inner Andy Reid it looks like. - James Craven

Burn. Turner gets up to the 15.....and eventually Turner just walks into the end zone. Kick up and good, 14-10, Cardinals.

Warner faces a 3rd and 10 after having to throw a pass away...and 3rd down is deflected and picked by Cheivous Jackson! Turner rushes up and is just short of the first down....never mind, he got it. Offsides on AZ, first and 5, Ryan overthrows White when he didn't have to at all. 1:12 left to go int he first half.

Ryan to White again just inside the first down. 2 yard line. Ryan to Justin Peelle, easy TE pattern, TOUCHDOWN. Kick up and good, 17-14, Falcons take the lead.

Warner to Fitzgerald for a small screen pass to end the half at that score. See you in the 2nd half thread.

It's been awhile since we've had a Tiki Barber update in these parts. It was mainly because I couldn't stand the guy, and I thought his role on NBC was transparent and annoying, but he also hasn't really made waves the way he did in the past. Sure there was the whole Olympics "see you in Toledo" moment, but he hasn't provided fodder in terms of the NFL in over a year.

Which leads us to today. Tiki and Eli Manning have made up! Hallelujah!!!

"It cleared the air for everybody else who think Eli and I are still at each other's throats," Barber yesterday told The Post. "He actually laughed about it."

The "it," of course, was the line the recently-retired Barber threw out there last summer, calling the young Manning's leadership ability "comical at times." Manning, with the most pointed comments he's ever made, immediately shot back at Barber, who now says comical was "too strong a word."

Tiki wants to chat with Tom Coughlin.

"I'm trying to do an interview with him this week," Barber said. "Put the emphasis on 'trying to.' I know there's no shot, but we'll see."

Yeah I don't know about that one. When you say that your coach was "out coached", in an NFC Championship game, but I guess anything can happen. As far as Eli goes, you can expect talk of him to reach Peyton levels on NBC now.

Barber, Eli Clear The Air (NY Post)

I have no idea why Tiki Barber would be so animated in regards Donovan McNabb, but he certainly was during an interview with the Bloomberg show, "On The Ball". Barber sat down with the hosts of the show (airing November 22nd), and called McNabb's misunderstanding of the rule "indefensible" and that he would, "live to regret it for a long time"....

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb's misunderstanding of the National Football League's overtime rules is ``indefensible'' and may have hurt his team's playoff chances, former NFL running back Tiki Barber said.

McNabb said after the Eagles' 13-13 tie yesterday in Cincinnati that he didn't know the NFL's regular-season rule that if neither team scored during a 15-minute overtime period, the game would end in a tie.

``That's an indefensible comment that he made,'' Barber, now a commentator for NBC Sports, said in an interview that will air Nov. 22 on Bloomberg's ``On the Ball'' radio program. ``He will live to regret it for a long time.''

According to Pro Football Talk, in an un-aired portion of the same interview, Donovan even stated that he'd, "Hate to see what happens in a Super Bowl or [I’d] hate to see what happens in the playoffs, to settle with a tie."

And while that statement is just downright dumb, and almost unfathomable, Tiki's comments make no sense. It's not like McNabb wasn't trying to win the game in the first overtime. They were trying to throw the ball down the field as time ran out, but McNabb just couldn't find anyone. Now if Tiki said that Donovan's play and three interceptions might cost them a Playoff spot, that would make sense. But to say that his misunderstanding the rule hurt his team in anyway is just wrong.

Sure it was (and still is) idiotic, but it didn't cost the Eagles their season.

Barber Calls McNabb's Mistaking of NFL Tie Rule `Indefensible' (Bloomberg News)

Late Thursday night, Tiki Barber (through an MSNBC spokesperson) denied uttering the "See You Next Tuesday" word during an Olympic Update segment last week. The two parties combined to give Neil Best and Newsday a few interesting "turns of phrase" regarding the issue....

To many ears, it sounded like an offensive word usually aimed at women. But MSNBC said Barber meant to say “You’re a total medal count,’’ meaning Wolfe was on that side of the ongoing debate.

“I would never disrespect a colleague and friend with that kind of language,’’ Barber said from Beijing through an MSNBC spokeswoman, who said Barber had no idea of a budding controversy until she informed him of it.

“It’s disappointing someone would intentionally misrepresent the hard work Jenna and I are doing.’’ Barber and Wolfe co-host “Olympic Wrap-up’’ from 5 to 7 p.m. Eastern Time.

MSNBC said in a statement, “Tiki and Jenna were discussing total medal count versus gold medal counts and Tiki’s words were unclear.’’

Let me start by saying that NBC and I obviously aren't exactly the best of friends at the moment. I feel the need to tell them and you that I would never bash a network or its personalities without cause, even in the current state of the "relationship" between NBC and myself. With that out of the way....

YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME?! First of all, everyone knows he was trying to say "count". I don't think that was ever in question. Second, there's not a chance in hell that Barber said the word "count". I'm pretty sure there was no intent behind the word, and that it was a slip up, but he said "cunt" plain as day in that clip. I also don't believe that he was directing the word to his co-host at all. If he had been, she should of kicked his ass and he should have been immediately fired.

As for as people "misrepresenting" the "hardwork" that you are doing in Beijing, Tiki. You and Jenna are doing a damn good job of that on your own. This interview was a classic no denial, denial and I hope everyone sees through that. "We don't admit to saying it, and we don't admit to not saying it." It seriously wasn't that big of a deal, but I echo Mike Florio's statement when I say that for Tiki to now try and paint himself as a victim after the fact, comes off pretty ignominious. No one would have even cared if he had said it, and the original point of my story was to show how much of a disgrace that the show itself was to the Olympic Games. Hell, using the word cunt was much more pleasant than the homophobia that the two hosts gave off when joking about the European congratulatory kiss.

It's a shame it had to come to this, but seriously....please show a little more class NBC. That show is, and has been, a disgrace throughout these past two weeks. The word cunt said on the airwaves should be the least of your worries.

Tiki Barber speaks unclearly, causes blogosphere stir (Newsday)
Maybe Tiki Should Stick To Big Words (Pro Football Talk)
MSNBC's "Olympic Update" Continues To Disrespect The Beijing Games (Awful Announcing)

Everyone saw the goofy clip of Tiki Barber getting lifted off the set by Rulon Gardner right (if not, click here)? Well, Barber has been getting hammered by multiple outlets for his "juvenile and nasty" segments with co-host Jenna Wolfe on MSNBC's "Olympic Update" and the two don't really seem to be making any progress. In fact, Michael Zuidema of The Grand Rapids Press even said the two, "seem to have worse chemistry than Barber and Eli Manning." It really hasn't been a good showing for Tiki and Co. at the Olympics.

Well since those articles were published, and that cheesy wrestling piece linked above aired (end of last week), I've found two more clips to throw on the fire. Watch first as Jenna decides to take a dig at Tiki Barber for not winning a Super Bowl (not sure what that has to do with the Olympics) and then listen for Tiki's freudian slip when trying to say "medal count" (at the :28 mark, and sorry for the sketchy footage, it came from Youtube)....

Yes, he really did just say "medal c*nt" on live television. I'm not sure why MSNBC has stayed with this abortion of an evening show (other than to ridicule the Olympics and diminish the athletic achievements of the participants), but they really should check out their own message boards from time to time....

anewvoicein08- Not only is the leather distracting, Jenna is sophmoric and Tiki is no orator.

Necey20- The report I just saw on the tensions and politics being brought into the Olympic games through out the years was APPALLING. It wasn't just the announcers though, there saw background noise, the film work was shoddy and the video clips used to illustrate their points were absolutely irrelevant. Jenna had no idea what she was talking about when discussing paying players to compete for nations they are not really citizens of, and it made the whole report confusing. Not to mention that there was no understanding of the European practice of kissing each other on the cheek and I got a sense of homophobia out of it because of course the "men would not have been hugging and kissing"

Lainy625- Frankly I am appalled at the broadcast on the Olympic update that I just saw with Tiki Barber and Jenna Wolfe. This was the worst broadcast I have ever seen. I have worked in television truck for several years and have a good idea of what it takes to do a decent broadcast. From a television production point of view the whole broadcast was horrible, the graphics need to be updated, the talent needs to be better informed, the background noise needs to be taken out, and the information needs to be RELEVANT!

Softstep- i have to agree that the olympic update i just watched my have been the worst broadcast i have ever seen. tiki and jenna are so unprofessional! they seem to be constantly cracking jokes and taking shots at olympians shown on the screen. this is the olympics folks, i believe the athletes deserve a little respect.

There's about forty more of those as well if you want to check them out, but spelling errors aside....I think you get the idea. The whole show is pretty much an embarrassment and an insult to the hardworking Olympians. I really hope NBC is taking note, but I doubt they are.

MSNBC Olympic Update - Tamryn, Tiki, and Jenna (MSNBC Message Boards)

I'm still not exactly sure what Tiki Barber does for NBC outside of Sunday Night Football. The guy just shows up randomly on various NBC networks throughout the day and is made to do weird stuff.

Well apparently part of his job description entails having a gold medal winning wrestler picking him up over his shoulder and carrying him around the set. Via Deuce of Davenport....

I love the look on Tiki's face when Tamron Hall says, "but let him pick you up." You could almost see him thinking for a second. "Oh come on....well....I like my job so okay." I guess that's a good way to promote Olympic Wrestling, but couldn't have Gardner gone ahead and slammed him to the ground?

Tiki Barber Swallows His Pride For Our Entertainment (Deuce of Davenport)

Hey, why don't we follow up ESPN's "Manny Socks" with yet another ridiculous idea/PR move? NBC Sports has decided to put a Sunday Night Football Cookbook out and it features recipes from top chefs but Faith Hill and John Madden himself!

Completely authorized by NBC Sports, The Sunday Night Football Cookbook marries two great American institutions--food and football. With more than 150 delicious recipes from America's top chefs, NFL players and alumni, and NBC Sports' all-star on-air team, the book is an easy-to-use playbook for making the ultimate football meal.

Team by team and city by city, The Sunday Night Football Cookbook celebrates the special dishes, unique flavors, and most famous chefs of the NFL's 31 cities (and Honolulu, where the Pro Bowl is held.. Recipes range from local favorites like Seared Tequila Chicken from Eddie Matney's Restaurant in Phoenix to decadent desserts like Chef Tobin McAfee's Double Loving Chocolate Spoonful served at Sir Edmond Halley's in Charlotte, NC.

Among the all-star chefs contributing recipes are Daniel Boulud, Jean-Robert de Cavel, Christopher Wilson, Susan Goss, and others. Also adding their favorite recipes are former NFL players--including Green Bay Packer Brett Favre, Pittsburgh Steeler Jerome Bettis, and Minnesota Viking Carl Eller--and stars from the NBC Sports team, including John Madden, Tiki Barber, and Bob Costas.

These aren't your run-of-the-mill tailgating recipes, though: The Sunday Night Football Cookbook redefines football food, transforming traditional dishes into super-tasty recipes and adding the nation's regional tastes to the game-day table.

Seems like a winner. I was trying to come up with a few ideas for the SNIFNIA gang and all I could come up with is: John Madden's Maple Syrup coated Turducken with Mini Donuts and mashed potatoes and Tiki Barber's "Throw Your Teammates Under The Bus" Cheese Fries (ketchup on the side to be used as blood). If you can do better, feel free to try in the comments.

If you want the book, you can find it at a bookstore near you on September 2nd for the low low price of $27.95!

NBC Sunday Night Football Cookbook (Amazon)
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Wow. How about this little bit of breaking news for a Monday afternoon? NBC is going to bring on Dan Patrick to work with Olbermann during his highlight section during halftimes of the network's Sunday night games....

Dan Patrick, who left ESPN last year to create his own syndicated radio program and write a column for Sports Illustrated, will join NBC Sports where he will be reunited with Keith Olbermann to call the N.F.L. highlights on “Football Night in America.” NBC is scheduled to make the announcement at 2 p.m. Eastern.

NBC is looking to recreate the chemistry and quirky humor that Patrick and Olbermann demonstrated when they were co-anchors on ESPN’s “SportsCenter,” which they dubbed “The Big Show.” Olbermann joined “Football Night” last year, but is best known now as the host of MSNBC’s nightly “Countdown” program.

I love the two together as much as the next person but it just makes zero sense to hire more people for that studio show. This hire makes seven employees that currently work on the show and that's just way too many cooks in the kitchen. I wish nothing but fun times for the two, but I don't know how they're going to get to say what they want with Costas, Collinsworth, Bettis, Barber and Peter King vying for airtime as well. It'll be interesting.

Patrick and Olbermann Reunite on NBC (NY Times)

It was just a year ago that we were saying the exact same thing about another Giant in Tiki Barber, and apparently it's now a right of passage to talk trash about your teammates before entering the TV World. Newly hired FOX Analyst Michael Strahan had this to say about ex-teammate and current Giant, Jeremy Schockey....

"I don't think you gain much by keeping a guy around. Regardless of how well he plays for you, there's always that tension, and that's one thing you can't have if you're expected to go back and repeat."

Strahan added Shockey might do his job well, but that doesn't mean he would be happy.

"You don't need that out of one of your leaders," the recently retired defensive end said. "So I think the best thing for them and for Shockey is if they have the opportunity, let him go."

That's the kind of thing Fox will be looking for from Strahan, who signed a four-year deal believed to be worth about $2.3 million a year after fielding offers from other networks.

I'm not saying it's not refreshing to have honesty in the Sports Television world, but you might want to wait at least until the start of the season before bashing your former team. We saw how unaccepted Tiki Barber became before last year and it would be a shame for the same thing to happen to Strahan (even if he is right).

Neil Best also has this tidbit to share as well in the article....

"It's a one-way contract, so the players, you have no rights," he said. "They can come in and say, 'You suck, get out of here,' but I can't walk into the team and say, 'You know, this team really sucks. I want to go somewhere else."'

Eventually Johnson cut him off, saying, "Michael, that is bull," and argued bonuses amount to guarantees. Soon the entire cast was arguing, with Strahan and Terry Bradshaw trading barbs about their respective divorces while Fox Sports president Ed Goren beamed.

"Save it for the show!" Fox Sports chairman David Hill shouted.

Greaaaaaaaat. They're already yelling at each other. If only Caliendo was there as Madden to moderate. Ugh.

Strahan: Giants should dump Shockey (Newsday)

The rumor earlier this week was that the NBC Analyst was going to be dropped from the Today Show, but that didn't pan out. Instead they're sending Tiki to Bejing to be the show's Olympic correspondent.....

Tiki Barber, last seen by many sports fans interviewing former teammates for NBC after Super Bowl XLII, will be part of the "Today" show contingent at the Beijing Olympics.

So SportsWatch learned yesterday from a person in the sports TV industry, and so Barber's agent, Mark Lepselter, confirmed last night.

When Lepselter called, he was furious about a rumor posted Sunday on ProFootballTalk.com, a blog widely read in the football world, that speculated Barber might be out as a "Today" correspondent.

"Nothing could be further from the truth," said Lepselter, who added that in addition to his Olympics assignment, Barber is working on projects for "Dateline," "NBC Nightly News" and MSNBC.

Well then. Not only is Tiki not being dropped, he's getting even more work on the network. Greaaaaaat.

Tiki To Bejing (Newsday)

Tiki Barber was oddly quiet the past week. He had that awkward interview with Eli Manning in the tunnel following the game and then nothing. Well now he's coming out and saying that he's happy for them and that he knows he "helped a lot of guys on that team". Seriously....

“I feel great joy for them because I know in a lot of ways I helped a lot of guys on that team,” Barber said. “I know Brandon was someone who benefited from me being there; even criticizing someone is a way of getting them to think about themselves.”

Are you serious?!? Come on Tiki....even someone with the biggest ego couldn't possibly begin to believe that crap. I can understand being happy for the guys, but saying you helped is beyond ridiculous.

So there you have it folks. It was his plan all along. It wasn't to try and make a splash in the media and to make a name for himself. No it was to motivate his former teammates. You are a special one Tiki...I can't wait until next year.

For Barber and Giants, a Parting, Then an Embrace (NY Times)

So I completely missed this yesterday, but apparently Tiki Barber was actually granted a Giants interview. And get this....it was Eli...

Whoa and Peyton too! I bet Tiki died a little when Meredith said congratulations to him. Schadenfreude is so great.

Tiki Barber Reports on Super Bowl, Interviews Eli Manning on Today Show (Fanhouse)

A ton of you emailed me after the Giants made the Super Bowl asking for me to take Tiki Barber to task, and I've basically been waiting for the right moment to do. The Monday of Super Bowl Week seems like the right time.

I always complain when the ESPNs and FOXs of the world bring on current athletes and coaches to do analysis because most of them would never dare say anything bad about the teams, coaches and players they are covering (see Herm Edwards). This same line of thinking applies to recently retired athletes and coaches and it's borderline annoying when these individuals take to the mic. While I commend Tiki Barber for taking a shot at providing honest commentary in the beginning of the season, he went about it the completely wrong way.

It's one thing to say Eli Manning is not a great leader and is a shaky Quarterback, but to go on a radio show with your brother and completely degrade the kid is another. And now that the New York has ascended to the biggest stage in Sports sans-Tiki, it's Manning and the Giants that appear to be getting the last laugh.

As the television networks scramble to snare exclusive interviews, Barber, who also is prominent on "Today," would seem to be NBC's key player because he knows the Giants players and coaches so well.

Problem is, Barber is persona non grata now. Based on media reports, he stands a better chance at scoring a sit-down with Osama bin Laden than with Eli Manning or Michael Strahan. Barber is on the outside looking in at a very bad time for NBC.

At this point I'd be surprised if the Giants even looked at anyone from NBC, and I wouldn't blame them for it. I think we saw Tiki Barber's true colors at the beginning of the season and we're even seeing it today on his own radio show. When asked by his brother if he was upset he wasn't playing in the game this was his response....

"I'm not, dude. I'm really not. And I'm happy for them. I really am. A lot of people assume, and this has been somewhat of a source of consternation for me, mainly because of the media-driven, for lack of a better word, B.S., that gets put in the New York media and then picked up around the country about me being overly critical of the New York Giants. I said what I said because it is my job to say what I said about the New York Giants but that doesn't mean that I'm not a supporter of an organization that was part of my family for years."

I can't even believe the guy anymore. If you are even the slightest bit competitive I don't know how you couldn't be upset. Just another reason not to hire every single ex-athlete you can just because you think their name will get you ratings.

NBC's Barber is a lonely man at the Super Bowl (Market Watch)

This was the video that I mentioned at the start of last night's NBC telecast and I really need your help to figure out what the hell is going on. Keith Olbermann goes into an old clip of Cris Collinsworth trying to impress a model with his losing Super Bowl ring, which is hilarious. But what is all of this Tab nonsense at the end? Via the AA Weekend in Review over at The Sporting Blog....

Actually here's a better question.....They still make Tab??? That stuff was worse than Sam's Choice Cola. Also did Cris have his pinkie finger out when drinking a soda? No wonder she left the Country.

Weekend Tube Review: Final Primetime Games Set (The Sporting News)

Apparently lost in between 14 people speaking on SNIFNIA last night was a tidbit that Tiki Barber has been approached by the Bucanneers to return to the game. Via ProFootballTalk....

But there it was -- Tiki Barber saying that his brother, Ronde, and his mother want the retired Giants tailback to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Tiki saying that he's not gonna do it.

Since they spent (wasted) so much time talking about sports movies, there was no mention of the mechanics that would apply, even if Tiki wanted to come back. Per league rules, the Giants still hold his rights. They can trade his rights to another team during the 2007 season only through tomorrow, October 16. Keep in mind, however, that Tiki has until November 30 to unretire and join the Giants. If he does, the Giants presumably would have to decide whether to welcome him back -- or cut him loose. If Tiki is released, he'd be required to pass through waivers, as are all vested veterans terminated after the trade deadline. So every team, from the worst to the best, would have a chance to claim his contract.

If no one makes a waiver claim, then Tiki would become a free agent.

Why even ask, or for that matter bring it up on National TV if you don't even know the rules? Oh Tiki...it always has to be about you doesn't it?

Barber Says He's Not Buc Bound (PFT)

I've picked on Olbermann enough the past two NBC games....let's move onto someone else. Umm Tiki you're not ON the Giants anymore friend....

Our, Us, We? It's one of my pet peeves when fans talk like that, but an analyst talking that way is just ridiculous. Remember this is the team you've been trashing for the past two months too Tiki. Good lord he is dreadful.

And Spinning Class? I would love to be a fly on the wall in that gym. Al and Tiki just sweating to the oldies. Good times.

Here's The Rest Of Your Sunday In Quotes:

"In his seventeenth season which means he's probably on the seventeenth hole."- Chris Berman introducing Chris Mortensen

Emmitt Smith had to of called Tank Johnson, Tank Williams about 17 times.

“If that had been perfect it would have been a completition”- Dan Dierdorf, Wouldn't they all be Dan?

"James Jones has great hands at the point of the catch."- Daryl Johnston

Kevin Harlan: "Hines Ward always lines up outside in a 4 receiver set." This contradicts the previous series when he noted Hines was in the slot in a 4 receiver set. Wonder if he's listening to himself.
(Via Dave)

“Jay Feely to kick the Field Goal…..What a good FEELing.”- Greg Gumbel

Just wanted to send in a comment I heard during a game on Sunday. During
the Browns-Steelers game, Rich Gannon dropped this little diddy about Browns
Defensive Coordinator Todd Grantham's intensity....

"He'll go into the locker room, he's gonna choke somebody."- Rich Gannon
(Via Mez)

“This is going to be a red-shirt year for Jamarcus Russell”- JC Pearson, Umm that analogy would work if there were years of eligibility in the pros.

“About LT’s lack of production he attributes it to the Bears stuffing the box.”- Pam Oliver

“We’ve got all the action and emotion you can have with a 3-0 game”- Joe Buck, Smugness personified

Dick Stockton mispronounced several names - even calling the Buccaneers coach "Josh Gruden" at one point. "Baldie" doesn't even merit any criticism. REALLY disappointing!-
(Via Bryan)

....and my personal favorite taken down verbatim (I had to rewind the TIVO 7 times)....

“I was just going to say that with the tightness that’s a cramp. That’s what we talked about you know dehydration and we were just talking about this and you know dehydration and you get dehydrated and you get cramps.”- John Madden
“Very infrequently will you see the KICKER dehydrated.”- Al Michaels
“You know sometimes they warm up so much and kick so many balls into the net they have these little drills they do……they just hyperventilate themselves.”- John Madden

God. I don't even know where to start. We had about a minute and a half of highlights of the actual game followed by Keith Olbermann ragging on himself and introducing some random bat phone. Can we say failure now, or should I give it a couple of weeks???

The ONLY redeeming quality about this whole thing is Chris Collinsworth just absolutely clowning everyone on the set each week. Someone needs to get him his own show. Perhaps a political commentary show? I know someone who needs to be put out to pasture.

Update: Just to clarify....I'm not looking for a day's worth of highlights like some of you have hinted at. I'm looking for a breakdown of the first half....that's it. If Keith is going to do this promo for his show every week, then there's no room for any analysis regarding the game at hand.

Someone in the comments mentioned that "haven't most football fans seen all of the day's highlights by the time halftime on Sunday night comes around". Great point.....hasn't everyone in the g'damn world seen the back story on anyone he could bring up as the "worst person in the world"!?!

It's all old news, and it's pointless. You can see why Chris Collinsworth is already annoyed with the whole thing. Why? Because he knows something about Football AND the game that was taking place on the station we were all watching.

More on this tomorrow....