THE NFL ON CBS, broadcasting its 53^rd year of the NFL, kicks off its 2012 NFL season on Sunday, Sept. 9 (1:00-4:00 PM, ET) beginning with THE NFL TODAY (12:00 Noon-1:00 PM, ET).

          THE NFL TODAY’s Boomer Esiason sits down with two of the most talked-about players in the off-season, New York Jets quarterbacks Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow. 

          Sanchez led the Jets to the AFC Championship Game in each of his first two years, but failed to make the playoffs last season as the team fell to 8-8. Out in Denver last season, it was “Tebow Time,” as he led the Broncos on six game-winning drives, including a thrilling overtime win against the Steelers in the AFC Wild Card Game. Now a Jet, Tebow remains a lightning rod. Last month, Esiason said on his radio show that the Jets should cut Tebow. Now Tebow gets a chance to respond, as he and Sanchez both sit down with Esiason as the Jets quarterbacks prepare for their season opener at home against the Buffalo Bills. How much pressure does Sanchez feel with Tebow’s presence? How effective will Tebow be running the Wildcat offense? Can the two co-exist running the Jets offense?  Jeff St. Arromand is the producer.

          James Brown hosts THE NFL TODAY along with analysts Dan Marino, Esiason, Shannon Sharpe and Bill Cowher, NFL TODAY Insider Jason La Canfora, as well as Lesley Visser reporting.

          Eric Mann is senior producer and Bob Matina is director of THE NFL TODAY.

          Sean McManus is Chairman, CBS Sports and serves as the Executive Producer for THE NFL ON CBS.  Harold Bryant is Executive Producer and Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

* * * * *

Follow us on Twitter: @CBSSportsGang and @NFLonCBS

CBS Sports Contacts: Jen Sabatelle             212/975-4120              jsabatelle@cbs.com

                                 Robin Brendle             212/975-1533              rlbrendle@cbs.com

                                 Jerry Caraccioli           212/975-7466              gwcaraccioli@cbs.com