The Crowe's Nest: March 2010

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

FOX NFL Preseason Schedule

From Fox Sports -

Countdown to Super Bowl XLV on FOX Begins with Three Prime-Time Games

New York – FOX Sports kicks off its Super Bowl season this August with back-to-back nights of NFL preseason action under the lights.

On Thursday, August 19 (8:00 PM ET) Tom Brady and the AFC East-winning New England Patriots visit the Georgia Dome to take on Matt Ryan, Michael Turner and the exciting Atlanta Falcons. The Patriots/Falcons match up is the first of three preseason contests all in prime time to launch the NFL on FOX’s championship season.

FOX Sports keeps the action rolling the next night when on Friday, August 20, (8:00 PM ET) Andy Reid and his Philadelphia Eagles travel to Cincinnati to take on Chad Ochocinco and the Bengals, who last season dominated the AFC North. FOX Sports’ last preseason broadcast comes Sunday, August 29 (8:00 PM ET) at INVESCO Field in Denver when the most decorated franchise in the NFL, the six-time Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers square-off against the Denver Broncos, who could find themselves in the midst of a quarterback controversy between last season’s starter Kyle Orton and off-season acquisition Brady Quinn.

Following its coverage of the NFL’s prestigious NFC regular season schedule, FOX Sports presents exclusive live postseason coverage including an NFC Wild Card Game, the NFC Divisional Playoffs, the NFC Championship Game and culminates with SUPER BOWL XLV from state-of-the-art Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.

FOX SPORTS 2010 NFL PRESEASON BROADCAST SCHEDULE

Thursday, August 19
New England Patriots at Atlanta Falcons 8:00 PM ET

Friday, August 20
Philadelphia Eagles at Cincinnati Bengals 8:00 PM ET

Sunday, August 29
Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos 8:00 PM ET

Patriots Preseason Games

Here are you New England Patriots preseason games for 2010:

Week 1 Aug. 12 New Orleans at New England (Local TV)

Week 2 August 19 New England at Atlanta 8pm (FOX)

Week 3 Aug. 26 St.Louis at New England (Local TV)

Week 4 Sept.2 or 3 New England at NY Giants (Local TV)

NFL Preseason Schedule Announced

From the NFL, we get the preseason schedule. I'm still drying out here, but nice to get above water for a little pigskin news!

2010 NFL preseason national television schedule
Hall of Fame Game
Sunday, Aug. 8 - 8pm (NBC)
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Dallas Cowboys, at Canton, Ohio

Week 1 (Aug. 12-16)
Thursday, Aug. 12
Carolina Panthers at Baltimore Ravens ESPN (8 p.m. ET)

Monday, Aug. 16
New York Giants at New York Jets ESPN (8 p.m. ET)

Week 2 (Aug. 19-23)
Thursday, Aug. 19
New England Patriots at Atlanta Falcons FOX (8 p.m. ET)

Friday, Aug. 20
Philadelphia Eagles at Cincinnati Bengals FOX (8 p.m. ET)

Sunday, Aug. 22
Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers NBC (8 p.m. ET)

Monday, Aug. 23
Arizona Cardinals at Tennessee Titans ESPN (8 p.m. ET)

Week 3 (Aug. 26-29)
Thursday, Aug. 26
Indianapolis Colts at Green Bay Packers ESPN (8 p.m. ET)

Friday, Aug. 27
San Diego Chargers at New Orleans Saints CBS (8 p.m. ET)

Saturday, Aug. 28
Dallas Cowboys at Houston Texans CBS (8 p.m. ET)

Sunday, Aug. 29
Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos FOX (8 p.m. ET)

2010 NFL preseason schedule
Hall of Fame Game (NBC)
Aug. 8 Cincinnati Bengals vs. Dallas Cowboys, at Canton, Ohio

Week 1 (Aug. 12-16)
Aug. 12 Carolina Panthers at Baltimore Ravens (ESPN)
Aug. 16 New York Giants at New York Jets (ESPN)
TBD Buffalo Bills at Washington Redskins
TBD Chicago Bears at San Deigo Chargers
TBD Cleveland Browns at Green Bay Packers
TBD Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals
TBD Detroit Lions at Pittsburgh Steelers
TBD Houston Texans at Arizona Cardinals
TBD Jacksonville Jaguars at Philadelphia Eagles
TBD Kansas City Chiefs at Atlanta Falcons
TBD Minnesota Vikings at St. Louis Rams
TBD New Orleans Saints at New England Patriots
TBD Oakland Raiders at Dallas Cowboys
TBD San Francisco 49ers at Indianapolis Colts
TBD Tennessee Titans at Seattle Seahawks
TBD Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Miami Dolphins

Week 2 (Aug. 19-23)
Aug. 19 New England Patriots at Atlanta Falcons (FOX)
Aug. 20 Philadelphia Eagles at Cincinnati Bengals (FOX)
Aug. 22 Minnesota Vikings at San Francisco 49ers (NBC)
Aug. 23 Arizona Cardinals at Tennessee Titans (ESPN)
TBD Baltimore Ravens at Washington Redskins
TBD Dallas Cowboys at San Diego Chargers
TBD Detroit Lions at Denver Broncos
TBD Green Bay Packers at Seattle Seahawks
TBD Houston Texans at New Orleans Saints
TBD Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills (in Toronto)
TBD Kansas City Chiefs at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TBD Miami Dolphins at Jacksonville Jaguars
TBD New York Jets at Carolina Panthers
TBD Oakland Raiders at Chicago Bears
TBD Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Giants
TBD St. Louis Rams at Cleveland Browns

Week 3 (Aug. 26-29)
Aug. 26 Indianapolis Colts at Green Bay Packers (ESPN)
Aug. 27 San Diego Chargers at New Orleans Saints (CBS)
Aug. 28 Dallas Cowboys at Houston Texans (CBS)
Aug. 29 Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos (FOX)
TBD Arizona Cardinals at Chicago Bears
TBD Atlanta Falcons at Miami Dolphins
TBD Cincinnati Bengals at Buffalo Bills
TBD Cleveland Browns at Detroit Lions
TBD Jacksonville Jaguars at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TBD New York Giants at Baltimore Ravens
TBD Philadelphia Eagles at Kansas City Chiefs
TBD St. Louis Rams at New England Patriots
TBD San Francisco 49ers at Oakland Raiders
TBD Seattle Seahawks at Minnesota Vikings
TBD Tennessee Titans at Carolina Panthers
TBD Washington Redskins at New York Jets

Week 4 (Sept. 2-3)
TBD Atlanta Falcons at Jacksonville Jaguars
TBD Baltimore Ravens at St. Louis Rams
TBD Buffalo Bills at Detroit Lions
TBD Carolina Panthers at Pittsburgh Steelers
TBD Chicago Bears at Cleveland Browns
TBD Cincinnati Bengals at Indianapolis Colts
TBD Denver Broncos at Minnesota Vikings
TBD Green Bay Packers at Kansas City Chiefs
TBD Miami Dolphins at Dallas Cowboys
TBD New England Patriots at New York Giants
TBD New Orleans Saints at Tennessee Titans
TBD New York Jets at Philadelphia Eagles
TBD San Diego Chargers at San Francisco 49ers
TBD Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Raiders
TBD Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Houston Texans
TBD Washington Redskins at Arizona Cardinals

Washout!

Well, while we continue to dry out the house after nearly 10 inches of rain and flooding here in Southern New England, a couple of notes to pass along.

First, a Smackdown spoiler! It's after the sexy picture of Lauren Graham! Why? Why not, right!

Jack Swagger is your new World Champion after cashing in his Money in the Bank contract and beating Chris Jericho at last night's Smackdown tapings. You can see it Friday at 8pm on MyNetwork TV.

Also, the NFL releases its preseason schedule today at 3pm. We'll post it if we dry out!

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

NBC flexes Bruins/Capitals

From NBC Sports -

WASHINGTON CAPITALS HOST BOSTON BRUINS ON NBC SPORTS’ “GAME OF THE WEEK” SUNDAY, APRIL 11, AT NOON ET

NEW YORK - Mar. 30, 2010 - The Sunday, April 11, Boston Bruins at Washington Capitals game has been flexed as NBC Sports’ “Game of the Week” and will be played at Verizon Center at Noon ET, the National Hockey League and NBC Sports announced today.

The game is a preview of a potential Stanley Cup Playoffs first-round matchup. If the season were to end today, the Capitals, who have locked up the top position in the Eastern Conference and continue in pursuit of the Presidents’ Trophy, given to the club finishing the regular-season with the best overall record, would square off against the No. 8 seeded Bruins in the first round.

Capitals superstar Alexander Ovechkin, already the two-time defending Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy winner, is again challenging for the League lead in goals. Ovechkin (46 goals) currently sits one behind Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins (47) and one ahead of Steven Stamkos of the Tampa Bay Lightning (45) in a race that promises to go down to the final day of the season.

Leading the defense looking to stop Ovechkin and his Capitals teammates will be Bruins captain Zdeno Chara. The tallest player in the League at 6’ 9”, Chara won the Norris Trophy as the League’s top defenseman last season over Washington’s Mike Green, who finished second.

Games not flexed to NBC will be available to the teams’ regional carriers and remain at the originally announced start time.

ADDITIONAL “GAME OF THE WEEK” MATCHUPS

This Sunday, April 4, playoff positions will again be on the line when the Red Wings visit the Philadelphia Flyers at 12:30 p.m. ET in the only meeting of the two teams this season. The Red Wings have climbed to the sixth spot in the Western Conference due in part to a current five-game winning streak and 8-1-1 record in their last 10 games. Meanwhile, an important two points are on the line for the Flyers who will be looking to strengthen their hold on the sixth
position in the Eastern Conference.

Chris Rose joins MLB Network

From MLB Network -

MLB NETWORK ADDS CHRIS ROSE TO ON-AIR TALENT LINEUP

Veteran FOX Broadcaster to Serve as Studio Host Starting Friday, April 2

Secaucus, N.J., March 30, 2010 – MLB Network today announced that Chris Rose has joined its roster of on-air talent as a studio host. Rose, who will continue his work for FOX Sports, will make his MLB Network debut on MLB Tonight Friday, April 2 at 9:00 p.m. ET and also be part of MLB Network’s 14 hours of live coverage starting at 12:00 p.m. ET on Opening Day, Monday, April 5. Rose joins hosts Bob Costas, Greg Amsinger, Matt Vasgersian and Matt Yallof at MLB Network.

“Chris’s knowledge of baseball from his recent work with FOX during the regular season and World Series will enhance our coverage of the game,” said Tony Petitti, President and CEO of MLB Network. “Chris has a variety of on-air hosting and reporting experience and we’re excited to welcome him to MLB Network as we begin our second season on the air.”

Rose joined FOX in 2000 and serves as the on-site pregame show host and calls play-by-play for select games for MLB on FOX. He also hosted FOX’s pregame and post-game coverage for the 2009 MLB All-Star Game and 2009 World Series. In addition to his baseball work, Rose calls play-by-play for FOX NFL Sunday and hosted FOX Sports’ Bowl Championship Series coverage for the last four years. Rose served as a studio host for FOX’s Best Damn Sports Show Period from 2001-2009.

MLB Tonight, the signature program of MLB Network during the regular season, airs live beginning at 6:00 p.m. ET until the final MLB game of the night ends each Monday through Friday, featuring live look-ins of games in progress, updates, highlights, reporting and analysis.

Chris Rose joins MLB Network

Sean "P-Diddy" Combs does the NCAA

From CBS Sports -

CBS SPORTS’ NCAA BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME COVERAGE TO TIP-OFF WITH NEW SINGLE FROM SEAN “DIDDY” COMBS “HELLO GOOD MORNING”

The opening tease of CBS Sports’ 2010 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship Game on Monday, April 5 (9:00 PM, ET) will feature the infectious new song “Hello Good Morning” from the highly-anticipated album Last Train to Paris, created by multi-platinum, Grammyâ Award-winning artist/producer Sean “Diddy” Combs, and his new group featuring Dawn Richard and Kalenna Harper.

The fast-cutting music video montage previewing the contestants in the 2010 NCAA title game was shot in New York City with Diddy alongside Dawn and Kalenna. Pete Radovich produces.

Duke, West Virginia, Butler and Michigan State are on the road to Indianapolis as CBS Sports culminates its 29th consecutive year as the exclusive network broadcaster of the 2010 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship and Final Four with live coverage of the national semi-final games on Saturday, April 3 (6:00-11:00 PM, ET) and the National Championship game from Lucas Oil Stadium. Jim Nantz and Clark Kellogg, CBS Sports’ lead college basketball announce team, call the games.

Combs, who has sold 75 million albums worldwide, has teamed up with singer/songwriters Dawn Richard and Kalenna Harper to create a new group. Together this music trio, infused with formidable singing, songwriting and production talent, create a new sound: train music, an electro-hip hop soul funk experience. Their debut CD, Last Train to Paris, set for release on June 22nd, is the embodiment of this new sound, reveals an intense love story that defies today's musical status quo. “Hello Good Morning” is available for download on iTunes on March 31st.

Nantz remembers the Masters

From CBS Sports -

CBS SPORTS SPECTACULAR FEATURES “JIM NANTZ REMEMBERS AUGUSTA: THE 1977 MASTERS®” ON SUNDAY, APRIL 11

CBS Sports will broadcast a CBS SPORTS SPECTACULAR special JIM NANTZ REMEMBERS AUGUSTA: THE 1977 MASTERS® on Sunday, April 11 (1:00-2:00 PM, ET) on the CBS Television Network. Jim Nantz, this year covering his 25th Masters for CBS Sports, and 23rd as host, revisits one of the most memorable Masters in its storied history. In a classic showdown between two of golf’s greatest players and gentlemen, young Tom Watson held off the veteran Jack Nicklaus - already a five-time Masters champion at that point - for the first of his two green jackets.

"Tom Watson's magical performance last summer at Turnberry has rekindled appreciation and interest in his legendary career,” said Nantz. “This year's Masters will be Tom's first appearance in a major since his near-epic victory last summer at the Open Championship. His 1977 Masters triumph was a riveting final round showdown with Jack Nicklaus. Golf fans are going to love re-visiting the drama of that day."

For the first time since its initial airing viewers will get to re-live the tension-filled final round as it unfolded 33 years ago. This one-hour special includes a conversation with 60-year-old Tom Watson, who discusses his great career at Augusta, and reflects on his heartbreaking loss last summer at Turnberry in the Open Championship, where he turned back the clock and nearly became the oldest player to win a major.

JIM NANTZ REMEMBERS AUGUSTA: THE 1977 MASTERS is produced and directed by Chris Svendsen. The Executive Producer is Jim Nantz.

Monday, March 29, 2010

NewsBabes Finals!

We've made it to the finals of TCN's 2010 NewsBabes Tournament!

It's a battle of WPRI and Fox Providence's Michelle Muscatello and Danielle North.

Michelle Muscatello

Danielle North

Make sure you make your vote count before next Monday's finals announcement!

Vote early and often!

Shawn Michaels backstage afer retirement match

After last night's loss at Wrestlemania that ends the career of Shawn Michaels in the WWE (at least for now), the Heartbreak Kid gets a hero's greeting backstage from his wife, kids, fellow wrestlers and yes, even Bret Hart!

WWE.com has all the exclusive footage right here.

NCAA Final Four Notes

From CBS Sports -

CBS Sports has announced tip times for the 2010 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Final Four games on Saturday, April 3 (6:00-11:00 PM, ET). Butler takes on Michigan State to tip-off the day (6:07 PM, ET), followed by Duke against West Virginia 40 minutes after conclusion of the first game.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA GOES ONE-ON-ONE WITH CLARK KELLOGG DURING CBS SPORTS’ NCAA FINAL FOUR COVERAGE ON SATURDAY, APRIL 3

CBS Sports’ lead college basketball analyst Clark Kellogg goes one-one-one with President Barack Obama in an interview and game of basketball during CBS Sports’ exclusive coverage of the NCAA Final Four® on Saturday, April 3 (4:00-11:00 PM, ET). Kellogg and CBS News’ EARLY SHOW co-anchor Harry Smith challenge the President to a game on the White House basketball court.

Also, Smith sits down in a separate interview with the President that will be broadcast on THE EARLY SHOW Friday, April 2 (7:00-9:00 AM, ET/PT). The interviews and game are scheduled to occur on Thursday, April 1.

Earlier this season President Obama joined Kellogg and Verne Lundquist courtside as guest analyst during CBS Sports’ broadcast of Duke-Georgetown on January 30. During the broadcast President Obama said, “Nobody can keep up with Clark. He’s the best color man in college basketball.” President Obama then warned Kellogg that he was interested in his job, “After retirement I am coming after your job Clark. I am just letting you know. You either have three more years or seven, I am not sure which. But you need to plan accordingly because I am going to do some play-by-play.”

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Classic outburst!

His name is Jim Playfair and he is the coach of the AHL's Abbotsford Heat.

Kind of ironic considering his last name huh?

The Streak!

The Undertaker's streak is on the line today at Wrestlemania 26 against the career of Shawn Michaels. Who ya got?

I've got HBK, but first, take a look back at 17-0!

This should be a classic just like their confrontation in Wrestlemania 25!

Wrestlemania Sunday!

The time has come for Wrestlemania 26 today for the WWE! It's truly the Super Bowl Sunday of sports entertainment. Thanks to Xmzcharmz, we get a look back at the history of Wrestlemania through the music of Chris Daughtry.

Great stuff.

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Wrestlemania 26 Predictions

The mother of all PPV's comes to us Sunday night from Glendale, Arizona as the WWE's Wrestlemania 26 comes to fruition. The card is very stacked and outside of the Diva's match, there should be lots of drama and excitement.

Let's take a stab at our intrepid predictions!

Kelly Kelly & Eve Torres & Gail Kim & Mickie James & Beth Phoenix vs. Layla & Michelle McCool & Vickie Guerrero & Maryse & Alicia Fox
Don't expect this one to last too long and don't expect to see too much Mickie James as she continues to recover from her leg staph infection. Since it doesn't really matter, I'll give it to the heels in this one.
Winner: Layla, Michelle, Vickie, Maryse and Alicia

HHH vs. Sheamus
This one should be easy, right? Triple H should go over pretty easy, right? Well, not exactly. Why would the WWE try so hard to put over Sheamus as WWE Champ only to put him right back into mediocrity with a Wrestlemania loss to back up his previous PPV Title loss? Doesn't make sense to me as Triple H puts over his workout buddy.
Winner: Sheamus

CM Punk vs. Rey Mysterio (If Rey Mysterio Loses, He Must Join The Straight Edge Society)
Here again, I'm hoping the WWE goes against convention wisdom (Rey Mysterio getting the fast revenge) and keeps the intriguing storyline going between these two. It's been really well done and CM Punk is becoming a heel to watch and loathe! Let's see Rey try to go Straight Edge for awhile before getting over Punk.
Winner: CM Punk

Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Ted DiBiase
Who would've thought that just a few months after decimating and embarassing the McMahon family, Randy Orton would be cheered wildly for his actions? It's great to see Orton act like the old Four Horsemen and be outlandish and still get cheered! It's time to touch the kids a lesson in the desert.
Winner: Randy Orton

No Holds Barred Match: Bret Hart vs. Vince McMahon
This one will have twist and turns as Vince tries to screw Bret. It won't work as 13 years of frustration end in a Hart Sharpshooter over VKM! I'm just hoping we get to see "The Anvil" Jim Niedhart in with a cameo.
Winner: Bret Hart

Money In The Bank Ladder Match: Christian vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Kane vs. Shelton Benjamin vs. Jack Swagger vs. MVP vs. Matt Hardy vs. Evan Bourne vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Kofi Kingston
Christian! Christian! Christian! Time to pay off the former ECW Champion with a little reward.
Winner: Christian

World Title Match: Chris Jericho vs. Edge
This one could steal the card, if not for the HBK/UT match. I'd expect Edge to complete the comeback with the SPEAR! SPEAR! SPEAR!, but wouldn't it be an even tastier treat if Christian cashed in his MITB contract right then and there as Edge celebrated? It'd be attack of the tag team partners, part 2!
Winner: New World Champion Edge

Unified Tag Team Title Match: The Miz and The Big Show vs. John Morrison and R-Truth
Do you really want to see R-Truth on both RAW and Smackdown anymore? I'll be honest, the ShowMiz has come a long way in a short amount of time. They're growing on me and should continue to decimate the competition for a bit longer.
Winner: ShowMiz

Career vs. Streak – Winner By Pin or Submission Only: Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker
I'll be honest, I can see this one going either way. Why end the Dead Man's streak now unless he's looking to take a long time off away from the ring? Why end HBK's career now when he's still one of the WWE's strongest performers? The streak has to end sometime and what better way to send this one into a winner-take-all rubber match in a Hell in a Cell than with a Showstopping Moment by Mr. Wrestlemania!
Winner: Shawn Michaels

WWE Title Match: Batista vs. John Cena
It's the match the WWE wanted last Wrestlemania, but it's delivered on all fronts this time around. Batista has put Cena down in every way while making himself villafied. This match will probably end the card and we usually get the WWE's highest star in a shining moment, so I'd expect nothing less than Cena holding the gold above his head while we end the best PPV of the year.
Winner: New WWE Champion John Cena

NCAA Tournament Sunday Tip Times for CBS

From CBS Sports -

Tip-Times Announced for Regional Finals on Sunday, March 28

CBS Sports' exclusive broadcast coverage of the 2010 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship continues on Saturday, March 27 (4:30-9:00 PM, ET) with broadcasts of the regional finals as Kansas State battles Butler in the first game followed by Kentucky playing West Virginia. Regional final action continues on Sunday, March 28 (2:00-7:00 PM, ET) as Tennessee takes on Michigan State to tip-off the day followed by Duke against Baylor.

Following are the tip-times and announce teams for Sunday’s regional final games.

SUNDAY, MARCH 28 (2:00 PM-7:00 PM, ET
2:20 PM St. Louis I
Michigan State vs. Tennessee
Verne Lundquist/Bill Raftery

5:05 PM Houston I
Duke vs. Baylor
Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg

Friday, March 26, 2010

NCAA Tournament: CBS adds Bill Self

From CBS Sports -

Tip-Times Announced for Regional Finals on Saturday, March 27

CBS Sports' exclusive coverage of the 2010 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship continues on Friday, March 26 (7:00 PM-12:00 AM, ET) with broadcasts of the regional semi-finals. The regional finals will be broadcast on Saturday, March 27 (4:30-9:00 PM, ET) and Sunday, March 28 (2:00-7:00 PM, ET). On Saturday Kansas State takes on Butler in the first game followed by Kentucky playing West Virginia.

On Saturday, the Division II Men’s Basketball Championship (1:00-3:00 PM, ET) tips-off the day followed by THE ROAD TO THE FINAL FOUR®, hosted by Greg Gumbel, Greg Anthony and Seth Davis (3:00-4:30 PM, ET).

Following are the tip-times and announce teams for Saturday’s regional final games.

SATURDAY, MARCH 27 (4:30 PM-9:00 PM, ET)
4:30 PM Salt Lake City
Kansas State vs. Butler
Gus Johnson/Len Elmore

7:05 PM Syracuse
Kentucky vs. West Virginia
Dick Enberg/Jay Bilas

KANSAS HEAD COACH BILL SELF TO SERVE AS GUEST ANALYST FOR CBS SPORTS’ NCAA REGIONAL COVERAGE

The University of Kansas’ head coach Bill Self joins CBS Sports’ Greg Gumbel,
Greg Anthony and Seth Davis for its studio coverage of the Regional Finals for
the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship on Saturday, March 27
(4:30-9:00 PM, ET) and Sunday, March 28 (2:00-7:00 PM, ET). Self also serves as
guest-analyst for CBS Sports’ ROAD TO THE FINAL FOUR® show on Saturday
(3:00-4:30 PM, ET).

Thursday, March 25, 2010

March Madness hits the Price is Right

From CBS Sports -

FOUR COLLEGE CHEER TEAMS TO PARTICIPATE IN A SPECIAL NCAA® FINAL FOUR®-THEMED SHOWCASE ON CBS's "THE PRICE IS RIGHT," FRIDAY, APRIL 2

Cheer Teams From Duke University, Michigan State University, Butler University and University of Kansas Each Pre-Taped Appearances in Showcase

Showcase Includes Trip to 2010 NCAA® Final Four®

Four college cheer teams will participate in a special NCAA® Final Four®-themed showcase on CBS's THE PRICE IS RIGHT, with host Drew Carey, Friday, April 2 on the CBS Television Network. Teams from Duke University, Michigan State University, Butler University and University of Kansas each pre-taped appearances in the showcase, which includes a trip to the 2010 NCAA Final Four® in Indianapolis.

THE PRICE IS RIGHT, the longest-running game show in television history, is hosted by Drew Carey. Produced by FremantleMedia North America, THE PRICE IS RIGHT is broadcast weekdays on the CBS Television Network.

It's Official - Jets on HBO's Hard Knocks

From HBO Sports -

HBO SPORTS®, NFL FILMS AND THE NEW YORK JETS JOIN FORCES FOR A NEW SEASON OF THE ULTIMATE SPORTS REALITY SERIES WHEN HARD KNOCKS: TRAINING CAMP WITH THE NEW YORK JETS, CHRONICLING THE RIGORS AND DAILY DEMANDS OF NFL TRAINING CAMP, DEBUTS WEDNESDAY, AUG. 11, EXCLUSIVELY ON HBO

NEW YORK, March 25, 2010 – HBO Sports, NFL Films and the New York Jets team up for an all-access look at what it takes to make it in the National Football League when HARD KNOCKS: TRAINING CAMP WITH THE NEW YORK JETS debuts in August. The first sports-based reality series – and one of the fastest-turnaround reality series – kicks off its five-episode sixth season, presented in HD, WEDNESDAY, AUG. 11 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO. Other hour-long episodes debut subsequent Wednesdays at the same time, culminating in the Sept. 8 season finale, with regular encore plays on Thursdays.

“We are delighted that HARD KNOCKS will be returning this summer and placing the spotlight on charismatic Jets head coach Rex Ryan and his engaging team of proven veterans and emerging stars,” says Ross Greenburg, president, HBO Sports. “As always, there will be plenty on the line for veterans, free agents and rookies alike during training camp. After last year’s postseason run, this is certainly a championship-caliber team with big-name talent. Get ready for some of Coach Ryan’s ‘blunt force trauma’ behind the scenes with this staff and this talent.”

“HARD KNOCKS has successfully traveled the country over the last several years,” says NFL Films president Steve Sabol. “There have been shows in Dallas, Baltimore, Kansas City and Cincinnati. Now we’ve got our act together – we’re finally ready to open on Broadway!”

The cinema verité series will focus on the daily lives and routines of players and coaches as the dynamic New York Jets, who compete in the ultra-competitive AFC East, prepare for the 2010 NFL season. HARD KNOCKS: TRAINING CAMP WITH THE NEW YORK JETS will chronicle second-year head coach Rex Ryan and an intriguing mix of high-profile veterans, free agents and rookie hopefuls throughout training camp and the preseason. Each week, players will experience drills, meetings and fun, while struggling to prove they have what it takes to make the team and make their mark in the NFL.

“We are committed to being an organization that is open and accessible,” says New York Jets chairman and CEO Woody Johnson. “HARD KNOCKS serves as a tremendous vehicle for fans everywhere to receive unprecedented access and a fascinating behind-the-scenes look as we prepare for the 2010 season. HBO and NFL Films have an award-winning track record and we are excited about working with them.”

A 24-person NFL Films crew will live at the Jets’ training camp, shooting more than 1,000 hours of video over the course of the series. Camera and sound crews will be given unencumbered access to the players’ and coaches’ meeting rooms, training rooms, dormitories and practice fields.

HARD KNOCKS launched with the Baltimore Ravens in 2001, followed by the Dallas Cowboys in 2002. The series resumed in 2007 with the Kansas City Chiefs, winning a Sports Emmy®. In 2008, the series returned to the Dallas Cowboys, receiving a second Sports Emmy® for production excellence. In 2009 HARD KNOCKS spotlighted the Cincinnati Bengals franchise.

GQ magazine wrote that HARD KNOCKS was reason No. 18 of 73 reasons why “we’re living in a new golden age of football,” adding that “ ‘Hard Knocks’ might be the second-best thing on television,” while Esquire observed, “There’s a brilliant late-summer reality TV treat on HBO.”

HBO and NFL Films recently received four Sports Emmy® nominations for last season’s “Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Cincinnati Bengals,” including Outstanding Edited Sports Series/Anthology, Outstanding Camera Work, Outstanding Editing and Outstanding Post-Produced Audio/Sound. The winners will be announced April 26.

CBS presents Best Shots at The Masters

From CBS Sports -

CBS SPORTS SPECTACULAR PRESENTS “SHOTS THAT MADE HISTORY AT THE MASTERS®” ON SATURDAY, APRIL 10

CBS Sports will broadcast a CBS SPORTS SPECTACULAR golf special, SHOTS THAT MADE HISTORY AT THE MASTERS on Saturday, April 10 (2:30-3:30 PM, ET) on the CBS Television Network.

Hosted by CBS Sports’ Jim Nantz, SHOTS THAT MADE HISTORY AT THE MASTERS looks back at the strokes of genius by some of the game’s greatest players that have thrilled golf fans for the last 75 years. Among some of the highlights featured include:

●Gene Sarazen’s “shot heard ‘round the world” – a double eagle in 1935

●Arnold Palmer’s charge to victory in 1960

●Jack Nicklaus’s dramatic birdie on hole No. 16 in 1975; and eagle at No. 15 in 1986

●Ben Crenshaw’s 70-foot putt on hole No. 10 in 1984

●Larry Mize’s chip-in on hole No. 11 in a playoff in 1987

●Sandy Lyle’s birdie from the bunker in 1988

●Mark O’Meara’s surge in 1998

●Phil Mickelson’s closing birdie to win in 2004

●Tiger Woods’ unbelievable chip-in on hole No. 16 in 2005

●Angel Cabrera’s par from the trees in 2009

SHOTS THAT MADE HISTORY AT THE MASTERS also takes the viewers inside the moment with first-person accounts of the shots from the players who made them including Nicklaus, Palmer, Mickelson, Crenshaw, O’Meara, Lyle and Mize, as well as interviews with Gary Player, Sir Nick Faldo, Trevor Immelman, Geoff Ogilvy, Steve Stricker, Padraig Harrington, Zach Johnson, Craig Stadler, Nick Price, Ernie Els, David Feherty and Jim “Bones” McKay.

The one-hour special also includes rare archival clips from the late Gene Sarazen, the late Byron Nelson and the late Hall of Fame broadcaster Jim McKay.

SHOTS THAT MADE HISTORY AT THE MASTERS is produced by two-time Emmy Award winner Mickey Holden of the Holden Production Group, and directed by Tim Johnson. CBS Sports’ Chris Svendsen is coordinating producer.

HBO After Dark Returns

From HBO Sports -

HBO SPORTS PRESENTS A DOUBLEHEADER OF TOP-FLIGHT COMPETITORS WHEN HBO BOXING AFTER DARK®: MARCOS RENE MAIDANA VS. VICTOR CAYO AND JOAN GUZMAN VS. ALI FUNEKA IS SEEN SATURDAY, MARCH 27

HBO’s hit late-night boxing series features a doubleheader of hungry young fighters when HBO BOXING AFTER DARK: MARCOS RENE MAIDANA VS. VICTOR CAYO AND JOAN GUZMAN VS. ALI FUNEKA is seen SATURDAY, MARCH 27 at 10:30 p.m. (live ET/tape-delayed PT), from The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, exclusively on HBO. The HBO Sports team of Bob Papa, Lennox Lewis and Max Kellerman will be ringside for the event, which will be available in HDTV, closed-captioned for the hearing-impaired and presented in Spanish on HBO Latino.

The main event features sluggers with nearly perfect records, as Marcos Rene Maidana (27-1, 26 KOs) of Margarita, Argentina goes up against Victor Cayo (24-0, 16 KOs) of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic in a scheduled 12-round junior welterweight match. Suffering only one loss in his pro career, Maidana possesses a fabulous knockout margin and is one of the division’s top contenders and heaviest hitters. Boasting great ring presence, the undefeated Cayo looks to elevate his standing in the division with a victory.

The opening bout is a rematch pitting undefeated Joan Guzman (29-0-1, 17 KOs) of Brooklyn, by way of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, against Ali Funeka (30-2-3, 25 KOs) out of East London, South Africa, in a scheduled 12-round lightweight title bout. Last November on BOXING AFTER DARK, the two faced off in an action-filled contest that saw Guzman dominating the early rounds before Funeka rallied. The judges’ verdict of a draw left most observers unsatisfied, setting the stage for this highly anticipated encore.

Hasbro Children's Radiothon - Donate Today!

Don't forget to make your donations today! It's day 1 of the Hasbro Children's Radiothon broadcast by Citadel Broadcasting on 92 ProFM, Lite Rock 105 and 630 WPRO and 99.7FM.

It's a cause near and dear to our family's heart and anything you can donate will go a long way in helping the unbelievably courageous children and families who benefit everyday from the miracles performed at Hasbro Children's Hospital.

You can listen all day long, 6am-6pm by clicking on each station's link above. Remember, every dollar stays here in Rhode Island!

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

NY Jets hit HBO's Hard Knocks

Now this should be interesting!

Rex Ryan + HBO = must see tv! The NY Daily News is reporting that the Jets will announce on Thursday that they will be feature on HBO's Hard Knocks this summer during the training camp/preseason weeks.

Seems to me, we should be getting more priceless stuff like this coming from the team that lost to the Colts in the AFC Championship Game last season.

Set those DVR's!

Yogi Berra: NY's All-Time Best Catcher

To no one's surprise, Yogi Berra gets picked as NY's All-Time Best Catcher in MSG's first episode of "The Lineup" last night on MSG.

Don't forget to make your picks for next week's episode starting at 10PM. This time the panel will discuss NY's All-Time Best First Basemen.

If you missed the first episode or want to vote, check out MSG's website at: http://msg.com/lineup/

Remember to stay tuned to see if you won a signed baseball from a baseball legend as each week, viewers play the The Lineup fantasy baseball game for a chance to win more signed baseball memorabilia from Steiner Sports!

Arnold Palmer Invitational Preview

From NBC Sports -

MICKELSON, STRICKER, FURYK HEADLINE FIELD AT ARNOLD PALMER INVITATIONAL PRESENTED BY MASTERCARD ON NBC SPORTS THIS WEEKEND

“It’s a real gem. I’m interested to see if they’ve changed a ruby into a diamond.” – NBC Sports’ Johnny Miller on Bay Hill’s redesign

“No other network can match NBC's star analysts.” – St. Petersburg Times on NBC Sports’ golf coverage (3-22-10)

NEW YORK - Mar. 24, 2010 - Phil Mickelson, Steve Stricker and Jim Furyk headline an impressive field at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard from Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando, Fla. to be broadcast on NBC Sports this Saturday and Sunday from 2:30-6 p.m. ET.

Host Dan Hicks and analyst Johnny Miller, in their 11th season together as NBC’s lead golf team, will anchor the coverage from the 18th hole tower. They are joined by tower reporters Brad Faxon and Gary Koch; course reporters Roger Maltbie, Dottie Pepper and Mark Rolfing; and interviewer/essayist Jimmy Roberts.

MILLER ON THE COURSE: “I’m pretty excited about the changes to the course. They’ve moved the bunkers so there are more penalties for the pros. This is a great course. It could host a major. It’s a real gem. I’m interested to see if they’ve changed a ruby into a diamond.”

The field includes 10 of the top 20 players in the world: Stricker (No. 2), Mickelson (3), Jim Furyk (6), Ernie Els (9), Camilo Villegas (11), Henrik Stenson (13), Robert Allenby (15), Retief Goosen (16), Kenny Perry (18), and Sean O’Hair (19).

It also includes 10 of the 13 winners on the PGA TOUR this year, including each of the last five winners: Furyk (Transitions Championship), Els (WGC-CA Championship), Derek Lamely (Puerto Rico Open), Villegas (Honda Classic) and Hunter Mahan (Waste Management Phoenix Open).

MILLER ON THE FIELD: “The field is great. I don’t think you have a chance at this course if you don’t hit the fairway. Players who are driving it well are in the best position.”

BEFORE TEEING OFF: Global Golf Adventure hosted by Mark Rolfing, a groundbreaking first-of-its kind golf, travel and adventure show, will air on Saturday from 2-2:30 p.m. ET. On Sunday, The 2010 Golf Digest Equipment Special, an insider’s look at the newest trends in golf technology and equipment, will air from 1:30-2:30 p.m. ET.

ST. PETERSBURG TIMES ON NBC SPORTS’ GOLF COVERAGE (3-22-10): “What sets NBC apart from the other networks are the analysts, specifically Johnny Miller, Dottie Pepper and Gary Koch. Host Dan Hicks is a real pro - No other network can match NBC's star analysts. One could compliment practically everything that comes out of their mouths - After watching NBC's coverage of the Transitions Championship, it made perfect sense that NBC's golf coverage was nominated for an Emmy in audio/sound even though we're talking about a sport where silence is golden. NBC's audio work, especially hearing the caddies and golfers talk to one another, made the tournament that much more enjoyable and certainly is Emmy-worthy.”

UPCOMING SCHEDULE: The Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard is the fourth of five consecutive weeks of NBC Sports’ PGA TOUR coverage. The first three events were the Honda Classic, the WGC-CA Championship, and the Transitions Championship. The remaining event is the Shell Houston Open (all times ET):

Shell Houston Open - Houston, Texas
Saturday, April 3 1-5 p.m.
Sunday, April 4 3-6 p.m.

NFL OT & Nascar views from FOX

From Fox Sports -

NASCAR on FOX: Expect Bumpin’ & Bangin’ on Short Track Sunday in Martinsville

NFL on FOX’s Johnston, Billick, Johnson & Lynch Agree:

NFL OT Playoff Rule Should Apply To Regular Season As Well

Thursday’s Episode of FOXSports.com’s Emmy-Nominated Show CUBED Features

Texans WR David Anderson, Tom Arnold and Bobby Lee

CAN JIMMIE JOHNSON CONTINUE HIS DOMINANCE IN VIRGINIA? – Following his Sprint Cup-leading third victory last weekend, it seems to be only a matter of time before Jimmie Johnson leads the point standings once again. It could happen as soon as this Sunday, March 28 (12:00 PM ET) when FOX Sports heads to Virginia for NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing from Martinsville. Current points leader Kevin Harvick and second-running Matt Kenseth look to keep their place in the standing against a star-studded field.

Coverage starts with FOX NASCAR SUNDAY host Chris Myers, along with analysts Waltrip and Jeff Hammond from the Hollywood Hotel, FOX Sports’ traveling prerace set providing up-to-the-second reports and live interviews with drivers, crewmen and officials shaping the day’s action. Once the green flag drops, race announcer Mike Joy will be alongside analysts Waltrip and Larry McReynolds to call all the twists and turns on the track while Dick Berggren, Steve Byrnes, Krista Voda and Matt Yocum patrol the pits for the latest news and notes.

SUNDAY, MARCH 28 NASCAR SPRINT CUP RACING FROM MARTINSVILLE
12:00 PM ET PRESENTED BY NATIONWIDE INSURANCE

MCREYNOLDS: TRUE TEST OF REAR SPOILER WILL COME DURING RACE ACTION – Testing of the new rear spoiler continued this week at Charlotte Motor Speedway but NASCAR on FOX analyst Larry McReynolds believes what happens this weekend in Martinsville during the spoiler’s first appearance this season will show precisely how the change will influence the style of racing. “Testing can only take you so far,” said McReynolds. “We won’t have an exact feel for how the rear spoiler affects these race cars until teams can actually do some racing.” According to McReynolds, a trip to one of the top tracks on the circuit will offer the verdict on the spoiler. “Texas Motor Speedway is one of the fastest tracks we go to and will feature the third race using the rear spoiler instead of the wing. That’s the race that’ll tell us where we really are. I think everyone is very excited about it.”

For more from Larry Mac on FOXSports.com click here: http://tinyurl.com/ydw8cyo

FOX SPORTS ANALYSTS WEIGH-IN ON NFL’S LATEST RULE CHANGE

NFL on FOX analysts Jimmy Johnson, Daryl Johnston, Brian Billick and John Lynch offer their views on the National Football League’s playoff overtime rule change. League owners voted to accept a “modified sudden death” system in which the team that wins the coin toss can win the game with a touchdown on its first possession but not by kicking a field goal. This rule only applies to playoff games that go into overtime. These FOX Sports analysts all agree on one thing – it should be instituted for regular season games as well.

DARYL JOHNSTON – “An overtime loss in September on a first possession field goal that kept you out of the playoffs by one game has as much meaning as the potential of the same scenario happening in the playoffs so I think they should also extend it to the regular season. That being said, I would have been one of the four owners that voted to keep the rule the same. If you do not want to lose the game on a first possession FG then make a play during regulation to prevent overtime. And if you are the team that executes a last second game tying FG in regulation but loses the coin toss, make a defensive stop on the first possession. If you do not do either than you deserve to lose the game.”

BRIAN BILLICK – “The competition committee is consciously vigilant with regards to the numbers to see what is affecting the game. I’m disappointed that they didn’t include it in the regular season. It’s going to affect how coaches call games. Coaches are going to have to make that determination as to whether you’re going to go for a field goal or touchdown, where typically you’d kick the field goal. It’s one of those things that even if the statistics weren’t overwhelming, there’s a sense of fairness that each team should have a possession that I think has driven this.”

JOHN LYNCH – “This is an issue to which there is no perfect solution. I agree with the owners as I think this rule is an improvement. As a former captain in the NFL, there’s insurmountable pressure at the coin toss prior to overtime. As a defensive player, my job was to stop the other team or score ourselves to win the game. The statistics say it wasn't so silly to be nervous for a coin toss, as close to 60% of the teams that won the toss in overtime, won the game. As a former baseball player I always thought the baseball guys had it right with each team getting a chance. This seems closer to that and thus, I feel is a better system. My only change would be to make it uniform and do it all season long. Football is football, regular season or post-season, the stakes are high. Make the rules consistent and uniform.”

JIMMY JOHNSON – “In the last few years, statistics have gone the way of the team winning the toss because of all the great kickers. This rule will help even it out. It’s an improvement and I think they should extend it to the regular season as well.”

FOXSPORTS.COM’S EMMY-NOMINATED ‘CUBED’ ALL NEW EPSIODE THIS THURSDAY – On the heels of its Sports Emmy nomination for Outstanding New Approaches to Sports Programming, CUBED, FOXSports.com’s irreverent internet show where nothing is off limits, is back this week with an All-Star Cast. Houston Texans wide receiver David Anderson coaches Michelle on how to fill out her NCAA Sweet Sixteen Bracket; Tom Arnold joins ‘Slice Of Pizzi’ to talk about his new show “Kid Pitch” airing on FSN, and former MADtv Star/Comedian Bobby Lee guests as a human resources manager who goes a little crazy when the gang refuses to listen to his presentation on health insurance plans. CUBED is part of FOXSports.com’s ‘Lunch with Benefits’ programming block and airs each Thursday at 1 PM ET.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

NFL Adopts New OT Rule

OK overtime optimists, you have your change.

By a 28-4 vote today, the NFL approved a change to the current sudden-death overtime rules to one that will, unless a touchdown is scored on the opening drive of the overtime, see each team get at least one possession during the playoffs only.

So, if you score a field goal, the other team gets a chance to score a touchdown to win the game. If team two ties the game with a field goal, the game continues under the pre-2010 rule which is the next score wins the game.

Oh yeah, BTW: we think that if a team scores a safety on the first possession, the game is over just like a touchdown.

Let's just put me on the record right now as one who doesn't like it!

Here's a few simple reasons why:

* - If it's a better system, why not use it for both regular season and playoffs?

* - It doesn't completely solve the problem of both teams getting a possession. Sure, it eliminates a field goal winning the game by the team that wins the coin toss, but if the coin toss winning team drives down and scores a touchdown, game over!

* - What's wrong with just playing an extra period - whether it be 5, 10 or 15 minutes?

So, why the change? Here's why: almost 35 percent of the teams winning the coin toss since 1994 won the game on the first possession. Plus, the team that correctly called the coin toss won nearly 60 percent of the overtime games since they moved kickoffs back to the 30 yard-line.

I simply am a die-hard when it comes to overtime. Even if it's my team that loses the game on the first possession of overtime, then so be it!

Each team's had 60 minutes to win the game. Plus, if you want the ball, just stop the other team either on special teams or defense! They are just as an important part of the game as offense.

In the end, we're changing overtime now because field goal kickers are better than they were 20 years ago. They can make a 40-45 yard field goal more times now than they could have.

So, it now is not good enough to just go down and score in overtime, you must do it the NFL's way - get into the end zone. Heck, just throw up a long pass and get a 50-yard pass interference call to get you closer to the end zone. Wouldn't that be just as cheap?

If you can't solve the problem entirely, the status quo was just fine. Just ask the Minnesota Vikings, who lost in overtime in this past season's NFC Championship Game to the Saints which has paved the way for this rule change. The Vikes joined the Bengals and Ravens in voting AGAINST the rule change.

MSG's The Lineup

Check out the new show "The Lineup: New York's All-Time Best Baseball Players" on MSG tonight!

Here are the details from our friends at MSG...

MSG Network is introducing a new show "The Lineup: New York's All-Time Best Baseball Players," a 10-Part original series, premiering on tongith (3/23) at 10:30 EST, will determine the best baseball players in the history of New York teams; NY Yankees, NY Mets, NY Giants, and Brooklyn Dodgers. The basic format of the show is simple- each 30 minute episode will feature a distinguished panel and interviews with legendary players to determine the best ever by position. MSG’s Fran Healy will host a panel, consisting of Hall of Fame Mets catcher Gary Carter, former Yankee bullpen ace Sparky Lyle, New York Magazine contributing editor and baseball aficionado Will Leitch, and executive vice president of the Elias Sports Bureau Steve Hirdt. The panel will decide on the top 5 players from a larger list from each position and by the end of each episode, they will crown the top player naming him to the official “Lineup” card.

In addition to this, the show will also feature interviews with some of New York’s most famous former baseball stars, managers, coaches, celebrities and media, including: Yogi Berra, David Cone, Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry, Willie Randolph, Andre Dawson, Bucky Dent, Wade Boggs, Davey Johnson, Tony Kubek, Rusty Staub, Don Zimmer, Bert Sugar, Charles Grodin, Rudy Giuliani, Steve Schirripa and Michael Rapaport.

What makes this show stand out from other baseball shows is the interactive fantasy game launched in conjunction with the on-air program and hosted on MSG.com/lineup. Viewers can see how they stack up against The Lineup's experts by predicting the five players who will be nominated each week and ultimately who will be selected as the starter in the final “Lineup.” Participants will receive points for each correct pick and will be eligible for weekly prizes such as signed memorabilia from baseball greats like Don Mattingly, Joe Torre, Reggie Jackson and Derek Jeter. At the end of the series, the participant with the most points will win a Grand Prize. The site will also feature chats for fans to interact and debate each position, quizzes about the nominated players, photo and video galleries, and player statistics for fans to comb through before making their picks.

The first episode of The Lineup airs on Tuesday, March 23rd at 10:30 p.m. ET on MSG Network, but you can already head over to MSG.com/lineup and make your picks for the best catcher in NY baseball history. Piazza? Posada? Yogi Berra?

TNT goes interactive!

From TNT Sports -

TNT and NBA Digital Present an Interactive NBA Viewing Experience on Thursday, March 25, LIVE from Chicago

Emmy-Award winning TNT Studio Team Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith to Call Game Together for the First Time Since 2001; NBA TV Team to Provide Pregame, Halftime, and Postgame shows in TNT’s Studio J in Atlanta

Fans will get inside access to the Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls game through live tweeting, special player and game camera feeds, exclusive HD Pocket Cam videos and more

On Thursday, March 25, LIVE from Chicago, TNT and NBA Digital will team up for a special interactive edition of TNT NBA Thursday, fully integrating TNT, NBA TV and NBA.com. The coverage, which tips off at 8 pm ET, will be highlighted by TNT’s Emmy-Award winning studio team of Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith announcing the Miami Heat at Chicago Bulls game courtside from the United Airlines Arena. NBA TV’s Matt Winer, Kevin McHale and Chris Webber will be providing coverage from TNT’s studio J in Atlanta. Fans will get inside access through live tweeting, special player and game camera feeds, exclusive HD pocket cam videos and a live stream chat with McHale on NBA.com. The second game will feature the Dallas Mavericks versus the Portland Trail Blazers at 9:30 p.m. (ET), with Marv Albert (play-by-play) and Mike Fratello (analyst) courtside, with David Aldridge reporting.

The Heat-Bulls game will include a social media first for Turner Sports and will fully integrate TNT, NBA TV and NBA.com. The cross promotion will weave exclusive NBA.com content throughout the TNT telecast. Highlights include:

§ Twitter Integration: For the first time, a Turner Sports game announcer will use Twitter to share his thoughts throughout a telecast, with Smith providing a running courtside commentary from Chicago. On-site reporter Craig Sager will provide additional tweets from the Windy City, with Webber providing additional commentary and analysis of action on-and-off the court. Tweets will be featured on the NBA TweetMix Channel, http://www.nba.com/tweetmixx/. TweetMix provides a real-time stream of tweets from talent and official league team accounts and features “chatter” and “links” tabs that aggregate all tweets with NBA-related terms.

§ Mosaic on NBA.com: TNT Overtime Extra, an interactive application, will provide a mosaic view allowing users to watch four exclusive camera angles at one time:

- Announcer Cam – A camera will be focused on the Inside crew throughout the game and, for the first time, fans will get live commentary from EJ, Kenny and Charles during select commercial breaks.

- Player Cams (2) – Fans will vote each quarter for one player each from the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat. An isolated camera will focus on the players.

- Robo Cam – This camera, which is mounted above the backboard, will give unique perspectives of the action on the court.

§ Exclusive HD Pocket Cam Videos: On Thursday, Johnson will take fans behind the scenes of TNT’s production meeting as he uses an HD pocket video camera to provide a peek into the inner workings of an Emmy award winning broadcast.

§ Live Stream Chat with Kevin McHale on NBA.com: The Hall of Famer will take questions from fans via Facebook and Twitter following halftime of the Mavericks – Trail Blazers game.

§ Studio Swap: This marks the first time since 2001 that the EmmyÒ-award winning TNT studio team has called a game together. It’s also their first regular-season road trip since visiting New Orleans in 2006 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The NBA TV gang in Atlanta will provide pregame, halftime and postgame shows. Johnson will handle play-by-play duties, with Smith and Barkley serving as analysts. Barkley will also interview both coaches during the game.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Welcome to the 3rd round URI!

The URI Rams sneak by Nevada tonight, 85-83 in the 2nd round on the NIT at the Ryan Center.

Next up, it's Virginia Tech, who squeaked by UConn, 65-63.

Pete Rose on WWE RAW tonight!

Pete Rose is the guest host on RAW tonight! I'm sure we'll see a sighting from Kane to stir up memories of Wrestlemania's past and his memorable beatdowns.

Plus, we get this from tonight's show from WWE.com -

* - HHH and Randy Orton vs. Sheamus, Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase
* - John Cena and Batista confrontation

NESN picks up Red Sox/Twins Tuesday

From NESN -

NESN will air tape-delayed coverage of Fox Sports North’s broadcast of tomorrow’s Red Sox-Twins game immediately following NESN SportsDesk at 10:30 PM. Clay Buchholz is expected to start for the Red Sox with Connecticut native Carl Pavano expected to start for the Twins.

The Red Sox game, which is being played at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida at 7 PM, will not air live on NESN because NESN has live coverage of the Boston Bruins at Atlanta Thrashers game beginning at 6:30 PM with WB Mason’s Bruins Face-Off LIVE. The Bruins are currently holding on to the 8th spot in the Eastern Conference standings, one point ahead of the Thrashers.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

NCAA Tournament Regional Semi Tip Times

From CBS Sports -

CBS SPORTS' EXCLUSIVE LIVE COVERAGE OF 2010 NCAA MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP CONTINUES ON THURSDAY, MARCH 25

Tip Times and Broadcast Pairings Announced for Regional Semi-finals

CBS Sports' exclusive live coverage of the 2010 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship continues with the regional semi-finals on Thursday, March 25 and Friday, March 26 (7:00 PM-12:00 AM, ET, both days) and concludes on Monday, April 5 with the National Championship game (9:00 PM, ET).

Following are the tip times for Thursday and Friday’s regional semi-final games, as well as the CBS Sports announce and production team assignments, led by Jim Nantz and Clark Kellogg.

THURSDAY, MARCH 25 (7:00 PM-12:00 AM, ET)
7:07 PM Salt Lake City I
Syracuse vs. Butler
Gus Johnson/Len Elmore

7:27 PM Syracuse I
Washington vs. West Virginia
Dick Enberg/Jay Bilas

after conc. I Salt Lake II
Kansas State vs. Xavier
Johnson/Elmore

after conc. I Syracuse II
Kentucky vs. Cornell
Enberg/Bilas

FRIDAY, MARCH 26 (7:00 PM-12:00 AM, ET)
7:07 PM St. Louis I
Ohio State vs. Tennessee
Verne Lundquist/Bill Raftery

7:27 PM Houston I
Baylor vs. St. Mary’s
Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg

after conc. I St. Louis II
Michigan State vs. N. Iowa
Lundquist/Raftery

after conc. I Houston II
Duke vs. Purdue
Nantz/Kellogg

Greg Gumbel, Greg Anthony and Seth Davis host THE ROAD TO THE FINAL FOUR® from the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City.

Tiger Talks!

Tiger Woods with Tom Rinaldi of ESPN - one of two interviews Tiger did Sunday. The Gold Channel was the other.

Sunday's NCAA Tournament CBS Schedule

SUNDAY, MARCH 21 (12:00 Noon-7:00 PM, ET)
12:10 PM Buffalo I
Syracuse vs. Gonzaga
Gus Johnson/Len Elmore

2:20 PM Milwaukee I
Ohio State vs. Georgia Tech
Ian Eagle/Jim Spanarkel

2:30 PM Spokane I
Michigan State vs. Maryland
Tim Brando/Mike Gminski

after conc. I Buffalo II
West Virginia vs. Missouri
Johnson/Elmore

2:50 PM Jacksonville I
Wisconsin vs. Cornell
Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg

after conc. I Milwaukee II
Pittsburgh vs. Xavier
Eagle/Spanarkel

after conc. I Spokane II
Purdue vs. Texas A&M
Brando/Gminski

after conc. I Jacksonville II
Duke vs. California
Nantz/Kellogg

NCAA Tournament Day 3 Top Plays

Top plays from Saturday's 2nd round, courtesy of CBS Sports.

More fun on Sunday to come!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

NCAA Tournament Updated 2nd Round Tip Times

From CBS Sports, updated tip times for Saturday and Sunday's 2nd round games.

CBS SPORTS' EXCLUSIVE LIVE COVERAGE OF 2010 NCAA DIVISION I MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP CONTINUES ON SATURDAY, MARCH 20

Tip-Times and Match-ups Announced for Sunday, March 21

CBS Sports' exclusive live coverage of the 2010 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship continues with second-round action on Saturday, March 20 (1:00-10:00 PM, ET) and concludes on Monday, April 5 with the National Championship game (9:00 PM, ET-conclusion).

Greg Gumbel, Greg Anthony and Seth Davis host THE ROAD TO THE FINAL FOUR® from the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City. Eric Mann serves as Senior Producer and Bob Matina directs. Harold Bryant is Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

Following are the tip times of Saturday and Sunday’s second-round games, as well as the CBS Sports announce and production team assignments for the 2010 edition of "March Madness."

SATURDAY, MARCH 20 (1:00-10:00 PM, ET)
1:05 PM Providence I
Villanova vs. St. Mary’s
Verne Lundquist/Bill Raftery

3:20 PM San Jose I
Butler vs. Murray State
Spero Dedes/Bob Wenzel

after conc. I Providence II
Tennessee vs. Ohio
Lundquist/Raftery

5:40 PM Oklahoma City I
Kansas vs. Northern Iowa
Kevin Harlan/Dan Bonner

5:45 PM New Orleans I
Baylor vs. Old Dominion
Dick Enberg/Jay Bilas

after conc. I San Jose II
New Mexico vs. Washington
Dedes/Wenzel

after conc. I Oklahoma City II
Kansas State vs. BYU
Harlan/Bonner

after conc. I New Orleans II
Wake Forest vs. Kentucky
Enberg/Bilas

SUNDAY, MARCH 21 (12:00 Noon-7:00 PM, ET)
12:10 PM Buffalo I
Syracuse vs. Gonzaga
Gus Johnson/Len Elmore

2:20 PM Milwaukee I
Ohio State vs. Georgia Tech
Ian Eagle/Jim Spanarkel

2:30 PM Spokane I
Michigan State vs. Maryland
Tim Brando/Mike Gminski

after conc. I Buffalo II
West Virginia vs. Missouri
Johnson/Elmore

2:50 PM Jacksonville I
Wisconsin vs. Cornell
Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg

after conc. I Milwaukee II
Pittsburgh vs. Xavier
Eagle/Spanarkel

after conc. I Spokane II
Purdue vs. Texas A&M
Brando/Gminski

after conc. I Jacksonville II
Duke vs. California
Nantz/Kellogg

Friday, March 19, 2010

At least the Bruins pulled in ratings...not wins!

From NESN -

Last night’s Bruins-Penguins game garnered a 6.2 household rating which is the highest rated regular season game in NESN’s history.

NESN’s highest rated Bruins game ever was a 14.2 rating for game 7 of last year’s Eastern Conference Semifinal against the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Bruins next two games are against the two teams that are trailing them in the Eastern Conference standings with a game against the New York Rangers on Sunday on NBC and a game against the Atlanta Thrashers on Tuesday night, with coverage beginning at 6:30 PM on NESN.

Friday Feel-Good: Olivia Wilde

Need I say anything else?

A Little Payback

At least a little payback for one Matt Cooke, courtesy of Shawn Thornton

The Pens win the war though, 3-0.

CBS Friday and Saturday Tip Times for NCAA Tournament

From CBS Sports -

CBS SPORTS' EXCLUSIVE LIVE COVERAGE OF 2010 NCAA DIVISION I MEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP CONTINUES ON FRIDAY, MARCH 19

Tip-Times and Match-ups Announced for Saturday, March 20

CBS Sports' exclusive live coverage of the 2010 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship continues with first round action on Friday, March 19 (12:00 Noon-5:00 PM, ET and 7:00 PM-12:00 AM, ET) and concludes on Monday, April 5 with the National Championship game (9:00 PM, ET-conclusion).

Greg Gumbel, Greg Anthony and Seth Davis host THE ROAD TO THE FINAL FOUR® from the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City. Eric Mann serves as Senior Producer and Bob Matina directs. Harold Bryant is Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

CBS COLLEGE SPORTS NETWORK airs the out-of-market broadcast of Texas A&M – Utah State on Friday, March 19 in its entirety. The broadcast is fully produced by CBS Sports with its announcers and graphics and is broadcast locally on CBS.

Tip times for Sunday’s second-round match-ups will be announced at the conclusion of play on Friday, March 19.

FRIDAY AFTERNOON, MARCH 19 (12:00 Noon-5:00 PM, ET)

12:15 PM Buffalo I
West Virginia vs. Morgan State
Gus Johnson/Len Elmore

12:25 PM Milwaukee I
Xavier vs. Minnesota
Ian Eagle/Jim Spanarkel

12:30 PM Jacksonville I
Temple vs. Cornell
Jim Nantz/Clark Kellogg

2:30 PM Spokane I
Purdue vs. Siena
Tim Brando/Mike Gminski

after conc. I Buffalo II
Clemson vs. Missouri
Johnson/Elmore

after conc. I Milwaukee II
Pittsburgh vs. Oakland
Eagle/Spanarkel

after conc. I Jacksonville II
Wisconsin vs. Wofford
Nantz/Kellogg

after conc. I Spokane II
Texas A&M vs. Utah State
Brando/Gminski

FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH 19 (7:00 PM-12:00 AM, ET)
(announce and production teams same as day games)

7:10 PM Buffalo III
Gonzaga vs. Florida State

7:15 PM Milwaukee III
Oklahoma State vs. Georgia Tech

7:20 PM Spokane III
Michigan State vs. New Mexico State

7:25 PM Jacksonville III
Duke vs. Arkansas Pine Bluff/Winthrop

after conc. III Buffalo IV
Syracuse vs. Vermont

after conc. III Milwaukee IV
Ohio State vs. UC Santa Barbara

after conc. III Spokane IV
Maryland vs. Houston

after conc. III Jacksonville IV
California vs. Louisville

SATURDAY, MARCH 20 (1:00-10:00 PM, ET)
1:05 PM Providence I
Villanova vs. St. Mary’s
Verne Lundquist/Bill Raftery

3:20 PM San Jose I
Butler vs. Murray State
Spero Dedes/Bob Wenzel

after conc. I Providence II
Tennessee vs. Ohio
Lundquist/Raftery

5:40 PM Oklahoma City I
Kansas vs. Northern Iowa
Kevin Harlan/Dan Bonner

5:45 PM New Orleans I
Baylor vs. Old Dominion
Dick Enberg/Jay Bilas

after conc. I San Jose II
UNM vs. Washington Dedes/Wenzel

after conc. I Oklahoma City II
Kansas State vs. BYU
Harlan/Bonner

after conc. I New Orleans II
Wake Forest vs. Kentucky
Enberg/Bilas

The single greatest NCAA Tournament Day EVER!

It's only been one day, but we've already experienced the greatest day EVER in the NCAA Tournament!

3 overtimes, including a double-overtime in the very first game with BYU/Floriday, plus #3 Georgetown getting routed by #14 Ohio, #2 Villanova narrowly escapes in overtime and the Big East goes 1-3. Oh my!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't believe me? ESPN's Mark Schlabach is on board with me!

Can't wait for Friday's games to tap!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Sports Emmy Nominations

Emmy Award Nominations are in from the sports networks. Here's MLB Network (12) and NBC (17) touting themselves today.

MLB NETWORK GARNERS 12 SPORTS EMMY NOMINATIONS IN FIRST YEAR

MLB Tonight Receives Four Nominations, Including Outstanding Daily Studio Show

Bob Costas Nominated For Outstanding Studio Host and MLB Network’s Studio 42 with Bob Costas is Nominated for Outstanding Weekly Show

Secaucus, N.J., March 18, 2010 - MLB Network earned 12 Sports Emmy Award nominations during its inaugural year, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences announced today.

MLB Tonight, MLB Network’s signature nightly studio show, collected four nominations including Outstanding Daily Studio Show, Outstanding Production Design and Art Direction, Outstanding Graphic Design, and Outstanding Technical Team Studio.

Bob Costas, winner of 19 Emmy Awards, once again earned a nomination for Outstanding Sports Personality- Studio Host for his work on both MLB Network and NBC Sports. MLB Network’s Studio 42 with Bob Costas also garnered a nomination in the category of Outstanding Studio Show - Weekly.

Al Leiter earned a Sports Emmy nomination in the Outstanding Sports Personality - Studio Analyst category. Thursday Night Baseball analyst Jim Kaat, a seven-time New York Sports Emmy Award winner, earned a nomination for Outstanding Sports Personality - Sports Event Analyst.

MLB Network also received two nominations for The George Wensel Technical Achievement Award for Ballpark Cam and Enhanced Digital Recreation/Reenactment. Ballpark Cam is a series of robotic cameras placed throughout ballparks across the league and controlled by operators at MLB Network in Secaucus. The Enhanced Digital Recreation/Reenactment was a series of vignettes produced by MLB Network that interspersed real footage of classic moments in baseball history with reenactments shot to compliment the existing footage.

“We are very proud of the quality of MLB Network’s first year and it is enormously gratifying to be recognized with 12 Sports Emmy nominations,” said Tony Petitti, MLB Network President and CEO. “We will strive to continue to deliver the very best programming and production that we can to baseball fans across the country.”

The 31st Annual Sports Emmy Awards will be presented on Monday, April 26 at the Frederick P. Rose Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City.

MLB Network launched on January 1, 2009 as the largest debut in cable television history and is currently available in approximately 54 million cable and satellite homes. With live games, original programming, highlights, classic games, and coverage of baseball events, MLB Network is the ultimate television destination for baseball fans. For more information and to find MLB Network in your area, go to mlbnetwork.com. www.Facebook.com/MLBNetwork www.Twitter.com/MLBNetwork

Below is a list of the MLB Network Nominations:

Outstanding Edited Sports Special: Incident At Candlestick (MLB Network)

Outstanding Edited Sports Special: Josh Hamilton: Resurrecting the Dream (MLB Network/MLB Productions)

Outstanding Studio Show – Weekly: MLB Network’s Studio 42 with Bob Costas (MLB Network)

Outstanding Studio Show – Daily: MLB Tonight (MLB Network)

Outstanding Sports Personality – Studio Host: Bob Costas (MLB Network/NBC)

Outstanding Sports Personality - Studio Analyst: Al Leiter (MLB Network)

Outstanding Sports Personality - Sports Event Analyst: Jim Kaat (MLB Network)

Outstanding Technical Team Studio: MLB Tonight (MLB Network)

Outstanding Graphic Design: MLB Tonight (MLB Network)

Outstanding Production Design/Art Direction: MLB Tonight (MLB Network)

The George Wensel Technical Achievement Award: Ballpark Cam (MLB Network)

The George Wensel Technical Achievement Award: Enhanced Digital Recreation/Reenactment (MLB Network)

NBC CAPTURES 17 SPORTS EMMY AWARD NOMINATIONS

Costas, Michaels, Collinsworth, Dungy & Emrick Nominated Madden to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award

Super Bowl XLIII and 2009 Stanley Cup Final Nominated for Outstanding Live Sports Special

"Sunday Night Football" Nominated for Outstanding Live Sports Series

NEW YORK - March 18, 2010 - In a non-Olympic year, NBC Sports received 17 total Sports Emmy Award nominations, including Outstanding Live Sports Special for Super Bowl XLIII and the 2009 Stanley Cup Final; Outstanding Live Sports Series for "Sunday Night Football"; and nominations in individual talent categories for Bob Costas (Studio Host), Al Michaels (Play-by-Play), Cris Collinsworth (Event Analyst), Mike Emrick (Play-by-Play) and Tony Dungy (Studio Analyst - in his rookie year as a broadcaster).

NBC received five nominations in all for coverage of the NFL, three for Ironman World Championship, two for NBC Sports promotional campaigns and one each for NBCSports.com and NBCOlympics.com. The announcement was made today by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The winners will be announced by the Academy on April 26.

MADDEN TO RECEIVE LIFETIME ACHEIVEMENT AWARD: Legendary broadcaster John Madden will receive this year's Lifetime Achievement Award. Madden, the most honored NFL broadcaster of all time with an unprecedented 16 Emmy Awards for Outstanding Sports Analyst/Personality, is a Hall of Fame coach and most recently served as the game analyst for "NBC Sunday Night Football" from 2006-2009. Madden served as an NFL broadcaster for 30 years for CBS, Fox, ABC and NBC and on February 1, 2009 earned rave reviews and critical acclaim Super Bowl XLIII -- his final game and 11th career Super Bowl.

"John Madden was the best analyst in the history of the National Football League and, in my opinion, the best analyst of any kind in sports television history," said Dick Ebersol, Chairman, NBC Universal Sports & Olympics. "John is much more than a football legend, he's an American icon. He is the only sports television talent who resonates across all ages - kids grow up today playing his video game and watching him on TV, as their fathers grew up watching him on NFL sidelines every Sunday as the head coach with the best winning percentage in league history."

NBC SPORTS NOMINATIONS:

· Outstanding Live Sports Special: Super Bowl XLIII

· Outstanding Live Sports Special: Stanley Cup Final

· Outstanding Live Sports Series: "Sunday Night Football"

· Outstanding Sports Personality, Studio Host: Bob Costas

· Outstanding Sports Personality, Play-by-Play: Al Michaels

· Outstanding Sports Personality, Play-by-Play: Mike Emrick
· Outstanding Sports Personality, Sports Event Analyst: Cris Collinsworth

· Outstanding Sports Personality, Studio Analyst: Tony Dungy

· Outstanding Technical Team Remote: "Sunday Night Football"

· Outstanding Live Event, Audio/Sound: NBC Golf Tour

· Outstanding New Approaches - Short Format:
* Countdown to Vancouver, NBCOlympics.com

· Outstanding New Approaches - Sports Event Coverage:
· "Sunday Night Football" Extra, NBCSports.com

· Outstanding Edited Sports Special: Ironman World Championship

· Outstanding Camera Work: Ironman World Championship

· Outstanding Editing: Ironman World Championship

· Outstanding Sports Promotional Announcement - Episodic:
* 2010 NHL Winter Classic
* "Sunday Night Football"

Let the Madness Begin - Watch and vote!

While you watch and enjoy the NCAA Tournament today, vote along in TCN's Annual NewsBabes Tournament!

We're in round 2 so make your vote count today!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

It seems strange to me that...

* - Rangers manager Ron Washington tests positive for cocaine, yet gets no punishment. Sure, he had to be tested three times a week, but let's be honest. We're not talking about steroids here, it's cocaine!

* - The NFL is proposing a new overtime rule where each team gets at least one possession. Seriously? Seriously! Either leave it the way it is or play another quarter where you pick it up exactly where the fourth quarter ended up so you can't just try to play it safe for overtime.

* - The NHL's Colin Campbell, the "punishment czar," will be at the Penguins/Bruins game Thursday night and is pushing for a ban on blindside hits. Yet, this is the same man who dolled out NO punishment on Matt Cooke for ending the season and quite possibly altering the career of Marc Savard.

* - NBC's ratings are up 45% at 10pm since Jay Leno left the timeslot. OK, that one's not so strange!

Fox Sports: Nascar at Bristol & Tiger Woods

From Fox Sports -

FOX SPORTS NOTES, QUOTES & ANECDOTES

NASCAR on FOX Returns With Short-Track Racing From Bristol

DW: ‘Sixth Sense’ Needed To Win At Bristol

BUSCH BROTHERS LOOK TO CONTINUE RECENT AND HISTORICAL SUCCESS AT BRISTOL On Sunday, March 21 at 12:00 PM ET, FOX Sports tears down Thunder Valley for NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing from Bristol Presented by GoDaddy.com. Fresh off capturing his first checkered flag of the 2010 season, Kurt Busch aims to win the race his brother Kyle did twice last year at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Coverage starts with FOX NASCAR SUNDAY host Chris Myers, along with analysts Waltrip and Jeff Hammond from the Hollywood Hotel, FOX Sports’ traveling prerace set providing up-to-the-minute reports and live interviews with drivers, crewmen and officials shaping the day’s action. Once the green flag drops, race announcer Mike Joy will be alongside analysts Waltrip and Larry McReynolds to call all the twists and turns on the track while Dick Berggren, Steve Byrnes, Krista Voda and Matt Yocum patrol the pits for up-to-the-second news and notes.

SUNDAY, MARCH 21
NASCAR SPRINT CUP RACING PRESENTED BY GODADDY.COM 12:00 PM ET

DW: ‘SIXTH SENSE’ NEEDED TO WIN IN BRISTOL – As the driver who holds the record for most wins at Bristol (12) including a seven race win streak, FOX Sports analyst Darrell Waltrip knows a thing or two about short track racing. “Winning at Bristol takes a ‘sixth sense’ and one thing you really need is anticipation. You have to be able to determine in a really short period of time what you need to do and what direction you need to go. It is all instinctive. It’s boils down to ‘track presence’ – knowing where you are, knowing where all the trouble is, and being able to avoid it.” When asked about who will win this weekend, Waltrip leaned towards Harvick and the younger Busch but said it’s hard to pick a clear cut favorite. “The Childress teams have had an incredible turn around from last year. Kevin Harvick will be a real factor this weekend. Joe Gibbs racing is generally strong at Bristol and Kyle Busch won both races there last year. Across the board this could be the most competitive race we have seen at Bristol in a long time.”

FOXSPORTS.COM SENIOR GOLF WRITER LUSETICH BREAKS THROUGH TIGER RUMORS – Last Thursday, FOXSports.com’s senior golf writer Robert Lusetich, bucked the trend that Tiger Woods set his return date for the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. In his column, Lusetich proclaimed that Woods would begin his 2010 campaign at the Masters, not Bay Hill. Lusetich’s original report was confirmed to be true when Woods verified through his website this week that the Masters will indeed be Woods’ first tournament since his admission to having an affair. Appearing as a guest on the Dan Patrick Show Tuesday morning, Lusetich said Tiger’s decision not to play in Bay Hill had to do with two factors: preparation and security. “I don’t know that his game is in good enough shape. He really has not touched a club in over three months and Bay Hill is not a secure place. I don’t think he wanted anything more than the million distractions he’s already going to have.” Lusetich went on to predict how Tiger will fare in his highly anticipated performance this April. “Augusta is probably the most comfortable course for him. He’s played there countless times and knows it like the back of his hand. Do I expect him to win? No, I don’t. I think that is a lot to expect for someone coming back after all he’s been through.”

To read more from Lusetich click here: http://msn.foxsports.com/golf/story/Tiger-Woods-will-return-to-golf-at-the-Masters-031610

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