ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown and Monday Night Countdown Features

September 20, 2007 -- Sunday NFL Countdown Presented by IBM with Chris Berman and analysts Mike Ditka, Tom Jackson, Keyshawn Johnson and Emmitt Smith will preview the day’s NFL matchups Sunday at 11 a.m. ET. 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 pre-game show will include reports from Sal Paolantonio covering the Detroit at Philadelphia game, Ed Werder in Houston for the Colts at Texans, and Rachel Nichols covering the San Diego Chargers at Green Bay Packers. Other highlights:

Randy Moss

It’s taken two games to answer a lot of questions about Randy Moss’ performance as a New England Patriot and his adjustment to becoming a Patriot. He has 17 catches, 288 yards and three touchdowns, despite not playing a single down in the preseason. Previously known for causing problems on- and off-the-field, Moss has quickly learned “The Patriot Way” and has formed a connection with quarterback Tom Brady, who has called Moss a “leader” and a “role model.” Nichols reports on how Moss won over the Patriots so quickly.

Frank Gore

49ers running back Frank Gore has dealt with adversity his entire life – from was battling dyslexia off-the-field to overcoming injuries on the field. The past week, arguably, was Gore’s toughest. His mother, Liz, died after battling kidney disease for many years. She was 46. After spending last week in Florida, Gore traveled late to St. Louis for an emotional football game where his 20 carries for 81 yards and two touchdowns delivered a win for his team. In return, coach Mike Nolan gave Gore the game ball. Greg Garber reports how Gore has dedicated his season to his mother’s memory and how his teammates have vowed to help him cope with the loss.

Panic or Patience – Dueling Ditkas

If your team is 0-2, is it time to panic or is it a time for patience? The conflicting personalities of legendary coach Mike Ditka will represent the feelings of fans in New York, Philadelphia and New Orleans and offer answers on what emotions should dominate the fans of these 0-2 football clubs.

Contender – Pretender

With so many 2-0 teams in the NFL, a few are surprises such as the Texans, 49ers, Lions and Redskins. Sunday NFL Countdown will break down which undefeated teams are real “contenders” and those that are “pretenders.”

Mayne Event: Hero Player

MNF’s Ron Jaworski makes a special cameo in this week’s “Mayne Event” as Kenny Mayne reveals what Ray Lewis and his Ravens’ teammates have known for sometime: right guard Chris Chester is a true gridiron “hero.”

“Takin' It To The House” With Jason Krause

What’s it like to be the last kid picked on the school yard? The Browns face off against the Raiders and Jason Krause re-enacts how Brady Quinn felt being the last guy left in the 2007 NFL Draft “green room” long after Jamarcus Russell was picked No. 1 by the Raiders.

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 for Week 3.

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 3 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 New Orleans) will review Sunday’s games and preview Monday Night Football. The pre-game show will lead into the kickoff of Monday Night Football – Tennessee Titans at New Orleans Saints (8:30 p.m.), featuring Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski and Tony Kornheiser with sideline reporters Suzy Kolber and Michele Tafoya.

Rachel Nichols and Tafoya will cover the Titans, while Ed Werder and Kolber will report on the Saints.

New Orleans: One Year Later

With help from the Saints and the resilient residents of New Orleans, Monday Night Countdown will review how the city has changed since the Superdome's reopening last year. The segment will capture how much the Saints return to New Orleans and their most successful season in team history has meant to the community. Interviews with residents will highlight topics such as population, culture, music, restaurants, rising costs, crime, housing and schools in New Orleans.

Soundtracks: Jeff Fisher

Only 10 men have coached more NFL games with the same team than Jeff Fisher. In Soundtracks, the long time Titans coach is wired during team practice.

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 – Legendary coach Parcells and wide receiver Johnson 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. On Monday Night Countdown, they offer their take on which coaches and players have reached their boiling points in the NFL

TEAMS AT 20 – Every 20 minutes reporters Nichols, Tafoya, Weder 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

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