ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown Features

September 13, 2007 -- ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown Presented by IBM will preview the day’s matchups Sunday at 11 a.m. ET with Chris Berman and analysts Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson, Keyshawn Johnson and Emmitt Smith. Chris Mortensen will also provide headlines and league news, and Steve Young will contribute his weekly Sunday segment – “Young is Restless” – featuring his opinion on the week's hottest topics.

The two-hour NFL pre-game show will include reports from Sal Paolantonio covering the Green Bay Packers at the New York Giants, Ed Werder in Nashville, Tenn., for the Colts at the Titans, and Bob Holtzman in Pittsburgh for the Buffalo Bills at Pittsburgh Steelers game. Other highlights:

Article continues below...

Patriot Games

Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots allegedly broke NFL rules when a team video assistant was caught videotaping the hand signals of the Jets’ defensive coaches last week. How widespread is this tactic in the NFL? Did the opponents sense New England had a competitive advantage? What punishment will Commissioner Roger Goodell hand out? How will this rule-breaking allegation affect the Patriots’ recent legacy? Reporter Greg Garber will delve into these unanswered questions from the Patriots’ act.

Vince Young – The Leader

When the Titans arrived at training camp this year, each player had a letter from Vince Young waiting in his locker. In the letter, the second-year quarterback outlined what he wants to accomplish this season. Though the Titans’ quarterback has been known as a leader his entire football life, assuming the leadership mantle in the NFL has its ups and downs, reports Rachel Nichols.

Kevin Everett

In Buffalo last Sunday, one of the worst nightmares for a player, team or family occurred when Bills tight end Kevin Everett suffered a spinal cord injury on a special-teams play. Everett was undergoing an emergency surgery while Denver defeated Buffalo on a last-second field goal. Sunday NFL Countdown will review how Everett’s team, family and doctors are dealing with the emotion of this past week.

Soundtracks: Jay Cutler

Denver’s second-year quarterback Jay Cutler is wired for sound on “Soundtracks,” as he continues to acclimate himself in an NFL huddle

Mayne Event: Rule Changes

In “Mayne Event,” Kenny Mayne examines the impact of this year’s NFL rule changes on Week 1 action, including new “Do-Over” rule when a team doesn’t like what happened on a play.

“Takin' It To The House” with Jason Krause

Ten-year old Chicago boy Jason Krause focuses on sportsmanship – opining about the Patriots videotaping their opponent to gain a competitive advantage.

Start 'Em or Sit 'Em with Matthew Berry

ESPN.com Fantasy Football guru Matthew Berry will answer online fantasy football questions posted by fans on www.espn.go.com/sundaycountdown in “Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em” and will also preview weekly trends and sleepers.

Berman, Ditka, Jackson, Johnson and Smith will pick the biggest games of the day and tell fans which players will make the biggest impact in NFL’s Week 2 action.

MONDAY NIGHT COUNTDOWN, 7 P.M. ON ESPN

Monday Night Countdown Delivered by UPS with Berman, Jackson, Johnson, Bill Parcells and Mortensen (in Bristol) and Stuart Scott, Young and Smith (at the MNF game in Philadelphia) will review Sunday’s games and preview Monday Night Football. The pre-game show will lead into the kickoff of Monday Night Football – Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles (8:30 p.m.), featuring Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski and Tony Kornheiser with sideline reporters Suzy Kolber and Michele Tafoya.

Werder and Tafoya will cover the Redskins, while Paolantonio and Kolber will report on the Eagles.

Brian Dawkins: Superhero

Brian Dawkins is a rabid fan of the Marvel comic book character "Wolverine" from the X-Men - and has gone as far as creating an alter-ego for himself named "Weapon X" based on Wolverine's mold. Weapon X has his own locker next to Dawkins' in Eagles locker room filled with Wolverine memorabilia. Dawkins tells Monday Night Countdown about his obsession with Wolverine, and the qualities they have in common once he steps on the field.

Soundtracks: Skins/Eagles Rivalry

For years, the Redskins and the Eagles have been one of the best rivalries in the NFL. In soundtracks, the program looks back on some of the best moments between these two teams.

Field Pass

Countdown offers an all-access look at pre-game preparations as the players get ready for kickoff. Analysts will also breakdown the important storylines and key players before the game.

WEEKLY MONDAY NIGHT COUNTDOWN SEGMENTS

JACKED UP – Hard-hitting linebacker Tom Jackson looks at the biggest hits from Sunday's action.

READ AND REACT – A new segment featuring Bill Parcells and Keyshawn Johnson as they offer their widely differing looks at the game.

BOILING POINT – On the field, Parcells and Mike Ditka were two of the most passionate and fiery coaches in NFL history. In a new Monday Night Countdown segment, will offer their take take on which coaches and players have reached their boiling points around the NFL

TEAMS AT 20 – Every 20 minutes reporters Werder, Tafoya, Paolantonio and Kolber will update news from the teams in their preparations for the game.

In addition, Monday Night Football's Tirico, Jaworski and Kornheiser will preview the night’s match-up, with Mortensen covering breaking news from around the league and the Countdown analysts offering their “Lead Pipe Lock” predictions for the game.

Source: ESPN