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NFL
This Morning, By George Stahl NEW YORK (AQB)--Chris Myers, host of the new hourlong pregame show NFL This Morning at 11 a.m. on Fox Sports Net, thinks there's more football programming to come - much more. "Because the NFL is still really a once-a-week event, on the day of the game, that morning, I don't know that there is a saturation point," Myers said. "I think there will be a 24-hour NFL channel in our future somewhere, but that's up to commissioner." A 24-hour NFL channel? I think there is one already ... in heaven. But until that day comes, we'll have to make due with just 7 1/2 hours of pregame shows on Sunday mornings. Fox Sports Net executive producer Arthur Smith thinks NFL This Morning can distinguish itself among its competitors, most notably ESPN's NFL Countdown, which is on at the same time. "We clearly think there's an appetite for this show," Smith said, "Because of Fox's commitment to the NFL, there was strong reason to this show - more so because we feel like we can do the best show out there." "The emphasis for the show is news and information. This is a fan's show and, really, if you are not a football fan, you shouldn't watch this show." NFL This Morning will draw its football insight from former All-Pro offensive lineman Jackie Slater and former coach Marv Levy. Also, this week, recently retired Cleveland Browns linebacker Chris Spielman will join the set. While Smith said Spielman's appearance is a one-week deal, he certainly left the door open for more appearances, or possibly a permanent job. Levy says he's ready to jump into the NFL pregame show fire. "I'm going to welcome the competition, and I hope people are going to say, 'That show is something special,' just like they're saying now, 'The Denver Broncos are something special.' So the competition aspect is entrancing for me." "When the Sunday afternoons rolled around last autumn, I missed the competition," Levy said. "I plan to prepare like I'm preparing for a game plan. I don't want to go out there and just wing it. I don't want to do that." "He already set a curfew for Jackie and I," Myers cracked. "I'm serious." The show, which will include weekly visits from the Fox NFL Sunday crew, will be slightly more serious than Terry, Howie, Cris and J.B. on Fox. "I think Fox understands the entertainment side of sports," Myers said. "We're going to go harder into the game - and the X's and O's and hardcore - but still keep that Fox flare." Myers is playing through an injury to start the season. The former Up Close anchor tore the ACL and MCL in his right knee - an injury similar to fallen St. Louis quarterback Trent Green - when he hit a sprinkler head in a pick-up football game. He will have surgery Sept. 20 and will need six-to-10 months rehabilitation but will not miss any work. "I always talk about guys and their ACLS, now I know what it feels like. I guess I was getting into character a little too much for the show," Myers joked. The also includes weekly visits from Fox's top game analyst, John Madden, who likes the idea of another pregame show. "I think it's helping NFL broadcasting. I don't think there ever could be too much, and I feel the same way with the length of the Super Bowl pregame show, because it's not something that you have to watch. It's just something that is there. And I think something that is there and is a choice for the viewer is better than something that's not there." Madden said the extra outlet will help Fox's broadcast teams. "We have a lot of things that we come up with ... [and] it gives us another place to put something, and put something that is pretty good and put something that nobody else has. And I think that's an advantage." |
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