Before we get ourselves revved up for Week 3, a quick note about Props.
While the blog covers all aspects of sports from its action to its culture to its business, the idea of Props was to highlight some of the finer things specifically in a game or its broadcast. Yet, this hasn't been an ordinary week considering all that has gone on in the past seven days: Hurricane Ike, Wall Street, etc. So, in regards to Week 2, let's spread the love a bit, shall we?
Kickoff - FOX: For as many issues some of us (myself included) have with FOX's NFL coverage, they are daring in their graphics innovation. With a defensive player now equipped with a headset to speak with his defensive coordinator, fans want to know which player has the green dotted helmet. In the scrolling starting lineup graphic, there's a green box and radio label that surrounds the picture of player who adorns the helmet.
During the first Giants offensive/Rams defensive series, Joe Buck pointed out that is was Corey Chavous, the Rams' free safety who wore the helmet as his team was torched by the Philadelphia Eagles for over 500 yards in Week 1. Now, maybe it just gives fans and media a scapegoat when their defense looks sloppy, yet, FOX did this to help satiate one of the league's great curiosities.
1st Quarter - Darren Rovell: Before all hell broke loose on Wall Street, the last seemingly positive financial news this week centered around the valuation of NFL franchises. Forbes releases the worth of each franchise annually and delves into what makes the league's proverbial cash registers go 'ching!' every second of the day. Forbes said that the average worth of a team has reached over $1 billion, with nineteen teams clearing that mark. These days, the NFL seems to be like The Juggernaut, only getting stronger as it moves without anyone truly questioning its power. So we're supposed to believe that every team is really worth its stated value, right?
Rovell questions how the venerable magazine came up with the numbers and in some way, puts them in perspective with the economic realities here in the U.S. This is not to say that a lie is being told so much as Rovell is telling folks to not take everything as gospel.
2nd Quarter - Matt Forte: The Chicago Bears needed something to be happy about and there's no doubt that Forte has provided a reason to smile a bit more. Their quarterback situation has been in shambles for decades, no one can name one wide receiver in the franchise's history outside of Chicagoland and Cedric Benson burned them baaaaaaaaaaaaaaad. He's been impressive for a guy that they did not plan on playing much and was relatively unknown coming out of Tulane. Granted, it's been two weeks, but 215 yards in two games for a rookie RB against a stout Carolina front seven and an Indianapolis team hyped to open a new stadium isn't a bad start.
Halftime - Gene Deckerhoff. Just the coolest voice in the game.
3rd Quarter - Ed Hochuli: If you haven't heard by now, the most famous referee in American sports became its most infamous because of a blown call that cost the San Diego Chargers a potential win against the rival Denver Broncos. Yet, respect should be due to the man for not only admitting to his error - no matter how great it is in the overall scheme of a 16-game season - but for not hiding behind the overall body of officials or stubbornly telling the public (and himself) that he believed he made the right call at the time and stands by it. The referee's job is difficult enough as is and Hochuli had every ample opportunity to partake in a little CYA. It doesn't change the outcome nor will it make any member of the Chargers organization any less upset, but at least everyone can move forward.
With that positive slant given, two things need to be understood. First, for those folks who are getting into a tizzy about the call, aren't there a few other pressing concerns in society than this? Secondly, when a team's fortunes seem to be predicated on a botched call or play, the reality is that it should never come down to that in the first place! If the final score of a football game is 39-38, as exciting as it may be to watch, it should be an alarm for such porous defense played on both sides. (Thanks to Shutdown Corner for the reference).
4th Quarter - Keary Colbert and Koren Robinson: They were the winners of the "Seattle needs healthy bodies at wide receiver" sweepstakes. "Because we all know" - in the words of Stephen A. Smith - that right now, the Seahawks have more trainers and paramedics than flankers at the moment.
In all seriousness, this could be one of the good stories in the NFL this year. Robinson been sober for 25 months and returns to the franchise that drafted him six years ago. For anyone that has ever watched how a person's alcoholism can disrupt and devastate life, you wish for more redemptive stories as his.
Showing posts with label FOX Sports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FOX Sports. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Overdrive
Remember back in February when we were wondering when the television writer's strike would end? Broadcast networks were praying that something... anything could give them the kinds of numbers and buzz that their halted programs generated for them before the studio scribes went on their extended breaks. Well, if you recall, FOX decided to couple their coverage of the national primaries with their NFL coverage on Super Bowl Sunday, creating a tremendous ratings windfall for the Rupert Murdoch network.
It was a day of politics and pigskin. Americana at its finest, right?
Now just imagine the next two months.
It's not to say that suddenly ESPN will have a midscreen ticker counting down to Election Day (though ESPN.com has linked to ABCNews.com for election coverage since the Democratic primaries began). Yet, considering the historic nominations of Barack Obama (first African-American nominee), John McCain (oldest nominee in American history, don't forget) and Sarah Palin (first woman Vice President nominee for the Republicans), it would not be much of a stretch to believe that at least one of the NFL's broadcasting partners would try to bring the two national passions together once again.
Leading into last fall, the public (not the media which covers and hypes these events) didn't really believe that the primaries would have received so much attention and for as long as they did. November 2007 changed much of the television landscape as not only was the strike gaining steam, but the scrapping between Obama and New York (State) Senator Hillary Clinton began to take center stage. There must have been 76,000 Super Tuesdays, it seemed, which made for an interesting way to end 2007 and begin 2008.
FOX's decision to promote the continued political battles along with the battle between the Patriots and Giants was a bold and successful one, but because of both the primaries and the Super Bowl are unique events, it seemed to have been a relatively easy fusion.They would be the leading candidate to try it again, though you have to wonder if it'll be a wise move. Despite the fact that we're talking about the President of the United States, we're also talking about half of the season of NFL action compared to one special Sunday. It could become overkill for many of the demographics they seek, causing some dwindling ratings and a firestorm among many of its fans who find a voice online.
NBC could, but it would be one of the biggest failures in network history. Nothing - save for a major news story, tragic, absurd or both - beats the NFL on television. They would have to go against ongoing games on other networks. Throwing political specials and the like before their already-crowded pre-game show, Football Night in America would be asking interested viewers to listen to a hundred voices for seven hours before their Sunday Night Football broadcast. If you haven't heard, Keith Olbermann isn't a well-liked fellow in some circles. Also considering their approach to the Beijing Olympics - where some felt that they didn't say enough about the fallacies of the Chinese government - the Peacock will get raked through the coals for anything broaching the concept of promoting politics and football together.
CBS? Never. Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever. For all of the flack that The Tiffany Network gets for its older viewership and tendancy to cancel shows too soon, they are about as no-frills with their game coverage as it gets. Even with the horrendous blend of MTV and CBS during Super Bowl XXXVIII (which lead to... this), there was essentially no mention of the halftime performances other than their introduction and reminder promos leading to the game's break. Other networks would have probably asked Ed Hochuli to not start the game clock for the second half until someone had an on-field interview with the bare-breasted Janet Jackson before the story 'got stale'. It's hard to imagine that CBS would make an attempt to cross anything with its sports properties ever again.
Then again, all of this could be (and will likely be) 100% wrong. Yet, as all of our politicians will tell us, this is a significant and historic time in our country.
It's also football season... even in Washington, D.C.
Say What?!?!: And can we all give a warm welcome back to Mr. Hochuli. The only man on Earth that can instill fear in a 6-foot-7, 350 pound defensive tackle without wearing a helmet.
Also, as this was being edited, Chris Chase for Yahoo Sports!'s Shudown Corner blog delves into the first test of the two passions.
It was a day of politics and pigskin. Americana at its finest, right?
Now just imagine the next two months.
It's not to say that suddenly ESPN will have a midscreen ticker counting down to Election Day (though ESPN.com has linked to ABCNews.com for election coverage since the Democratic primaries began). Yet, considering the historic nominations of Barack Obama (first African-American nominee), John McCain (oldest nominee in American history, don't forget) and Sarah Palin (first woman Vice President nominee for the Republicans), it would not be much of a stretch to believe that at least one of the NFL's broadcasting partners would try to bring the two national passions together once again.
Leading into last fall, the public (not the media which covers and hypes these events) didn't really believe that the primaries would have received so much attention and for as long as they did. November 2007 changed much of the television landscape as not only was the strike gaining steam, but the scrapping between Obama and New York (State) Senator Hillary Clinton began to take center stage. There must have been 76,000 Super Tuesdays, it seemed, which made for an interesting way to end 2007 and begin 2008.
FOX's decision to promote the continued political battles along with the battle between the Patriots and Giants was a bold and successful one, but because of both the primaries and the Super Bowl are unique events, it seemed to have been a relatively easy fusion.They would be the leading candidate to try it again, though you have to wonder if it'll be a wise move. Despite the fact that we're talking about the President of the United States, we're also talking about half of the season of NFL action compared to one special Sunday. It could become overkill for many of the demographics they seek, causing some dwindling ratings and a firestorm among many of its fans who find a voice online.
NBC could, but it would be one of the biggest failures in network history. Nothing - save for a major news story, tragic, absurd or both - beats the NFL on television. They would have to go against ongoing games on other networks. Throwing political specials and the like before their already-crowded pre-game show, Football Night in America would be asking interested viewers to listen to a hundred voices for seven hours before their Sunday Night Football broadcast. If you haven't heard, Keith Olbermann isn't a well-liked fellow in some circles. Also considering their approach to the Beijing Olympics - where some felt that they didn't say enough about the fallacies of the Chinese government - the Peacock will get raked through the coals for anything broaching the concept of promoting politics and football together.
CBS? Never. Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever. For all of the flack that The Tiffany Network gets for its older viewership and tendancy to cancel shows too soon, they are about as no-frills with their game coverage as it gets. Even with the horrendous blend of MTV and CBS during Super Bowl XXXVIII (which lead to... this), there was essentially no mention of the halftime performances other than their introduction and reminder promos leading to the game's break. Other networks would have probably asked Ed Hochuli to not start the game clock for the second half until someone had an on-field interview with the bare-breasted Janet Jackson before the story 'got stale'. It's hard to imagine that CBS would make an attempt to cross anything with its sports properties ever again.
Then again, all of this could be (and will likely be) 100% wrong. Yet, as all of our politicians will tell us, this is a significant and historic time in our country.
It's also football season... even in Washington, D.C.
Say What?!?!: And can we all give a warm welcome back to Mr. Hochuli. The only man on Earth that can instill fear in a 6-foot-7, 350 pound defensive tackle without wearing a helmet.
Also, as this was being edited, Chris Chase for Yahoo Sports!'s Shudown Corner blog delves into the first test of the two passions.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Sensationalism
For once when Terrell Owens says something, it wasn't illicting hoards of hate in his direction.
In fact, it seemed as if when Owens jokingly referred to Jessica Simpson's appearance in a Texas Stadium luxury suite at Tony Romo's worst game this season as a distraction, people laughed it up.
And went too far.
Days after losing to the Philadelphia Eagles, folks began to have a field day with the fact that Romo hadn't performed well with her or former girlfriend Carrie Underwood were in the suite. While many in the media used the excuse of 'T.O. being T.O.' to run with this story, it already had legs of its own thanks to someone... something else.
FOX.
It's no secret that FOX fashions itself as an entertainment network, from its success with staples such as The Simpsons and American Idol to its monumental emphasis on sports programming with its coverage of NFC games. The slant on sports is similar to anything else under the helm of Rupert Murdoch; make it sexy, salacious or scandalous. FOX is a master of cross promotions in their sports programming... not so much on their technological innovations (that failed tail on the hockey puck during their five minutes of NHL coverage). Yet, FOX wants to show their games to more than sports loyalists, but to the ultimate casual fan who probably doesn't have a clue about what is happening on the field.
Enter Jessica.
Somehow, the pop singer who lagged behind Britney Spears, Christina Aguliera and the boy-bands of the mid-to-late nineties has survived it all to become something more than relevant in a new era of entertainment. She has the music, movies, magazine covers, Pepsi campaigns and likely, the best publicist in the business (the latter is the only logical explanation of how she has made it to 2007 without becoming an answer to a trivia question). And now she has the quarterback of the most popular team in the country's most popular sport. Though this wasn't her first appearance at a Cowboys game at home, this was the first time that FOX noticed this. Just when you thought that you were watching a football game with a few bells and whistles, you found yourself wanting to throw the remote at the TV because of the constant references and attention to Simpson's relationship with Romo.
Outside an October loss to the New England Patriots, there was little for Cowboys fans to get riled up about this season. Of course, considering that any mention of her brings out the gossip pages, trashy tabloids and Perez Hilton-wannabes, this gave Cowboys fans something to be quite miffed about. One fan was so incensed that he felt that this story is the reason why women shouldn't watch football. While this isn't or shouldn't be a reason to call upon women's right advocates, this is a reason to wonder if this would happen with another network. Well...
This wouldn't happen on CBS. CBS' sports coverage is as no-frills as it gets.
In fact, it seemed as if when Owens jokingly referred to Jessica Simpson's appearance in a Texas Stadium luxury suite at Tony Romo's worst game this season as a distraction, people laughed it up.
And went too far.
Days after losing to the Philadelphia Eagles, folks began to have a field day with the fact that Romo hadn't performed well with her or former girlfriend Carrie Underwood were in the suite. While many in the media used the excuse of 'T.O. being T.O.' to run with this story, it already had legs of its own thanks to someone... something else.
FOX.
It's no secret that FOX fashions itself as an entertainment network, from its success with staples such as The Simpsons and American Idol to its monumental emphasis on sports programming with its coverage of NFC games. The slant on sports is similar to anything else under the helm of Rupert Murdoch; make it sexy, salacious or scandalous. FOX is a master of cross promotions in their sports programming... not so much on their technological innovations (that failed tail on the hockey puck during their five minutes of NHL coverage). Yet, FOX wants to show their games to more than sports loyalists, but to the ultimate casual fan who probably doesn't have a clue about what is happening on the field.
Enter Jessica.
Somehow, the pop singer who lagged behind Britney Spears, Christina Aguliera and the boy-bands of the mid-to-late nineties has survived it all to become something more than relevant in a new era of entertainment. She has the music, movies, magazine covers, Pepsi campaigns and likely, the best publicist in the business (the latter is the only logical explanation of how she has made it to 2007 without becoming an answer to a trivia question). And now she has the quarterback of the most popular team in the country's most popular sport. Though this wasn't her first appearance at a Cowboys game at home, this was the first time that FOX noticed this. Just when you thought that you were watching a football game with a few bells and whistles, you found yourself wanting to throw the remote at the TV because of the constant references and attention to Simpson's relationship with Romo.
Outside an October loss to the New England Patriots, there was little for Cowboys fans to get riled up about this season. Of course, considering that any mention of her brings out the gossip pages, trashy tabloids and Perez Hilton-wannabes, this gave Cowboys fans something to be quite miffed about. One fan was so incensed that he felt that this story is the reason why women shouldn't watch football. While this isn't or shouldn't be a reason to call upon women's right advocates, this is a reason to wonder if this would happen with another network. Well...
This wouldn't happen on CBS. CBS' sports coverage is as no-frills as it gets.
Maybe on NBC. The Peacock has its hands in many forms of entertainment thanks to its parent, General Electric, yet they have some limits.
ABC? Well, it happened already. Someone by the name of Eva Longoria.
ABC? Well, it happened already. Someone by the name of Eva Longoria.
If you are tired of hearing about Jinxing Jessica, don't blame Owens. Don't even blame the media at-large. Blame FOX.
Because the camera could have shown the Eagles enjoying this upset. Or maybe Romo, himself.
If there's one thing to appreciate about this overblown story, the sales on pink-colored jerseys may decrease. It's about time.
Say What?!?!: Call this an early present from Scribe. I remember watching this game in my dorm room. There was no doubt that this was one of the worst officiated games I have ever seen, but the nation only knows about this because of color commentator Tommy Heinsohn's brilliance. Enjoy!
Because the camera could have shown the Eagles enjoying this upset. Or maybe Romo, himself.
If there's one thing to appreciate about this overblown story, the sales on pink-colored jerseys may decrease. It's about time.
Say What?!?!: Call this an early present from Scribe. I remember watching this game in my dorm room. There was no doubt that this was one of the worst officiated games I have ever seen, but the nation only knows about this because of color commentator Tommy Heinsohn's brilliance. Enjoy!
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