AUDIBLES WITH “NFL ON CBS” AND “NFL TODAY” ANNOUNCERS ON

FIRST HALF OF SEASON HIGHLIGHT

The CBS Television Network continues its 54th year broadcasting the NFL with coverage of THE NFL ON CBS on Sunday, Nov. 3 (1:00-7:00 PM, ET) beginning with THE NFL TODAY, the Network’s one-hour studio show (12:00 NOON-1:00 PM, ET), and THAT OTHER PREGAME SHOW on CBS Sports Network (9:00 AM-1:00 PM, ET) live from the CBS Broadcast Center in New York City.

THE NFL ON CBS lead announce team of Jim Nantz and Phil Simms call the action from the Pittsburgh Steelers-New England Patriots game live from Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.  Lance Barrow is the coordinating producer and lead game producer and Mike Arnold is the lead game director.

Sean McManus is Chairman, CBS Sports, and serves as Executive Producer of CBS Sports’ coverage of THE NFL ON CBS.  David Berson is President, CBS Sports.  Harold Bryant is Executive Producer and Vice President, Production, CBS Sports.

* * * * *

THE NFL ON CBS announce teams were asked their thoughts on the first half of the 2013 NFL season and what has been the highlight or defining moment thus far.

PHIL SIMMS: My defining moment of the year so far is Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs being 8-0 at the half-way point of the season.  It’s incredible.  Once again it just goes to show how important coaching is to winning and losing and the players becoming who they really want to be on the field.  What’s the difference with this team this year?  There wasn’t a great amount of turnover in personnel in Kansas City.  It’s just a different head coach.  Therefore, Andy Reid is the defining moment.              

JIM NANTZ: The defining moment of the season's first half was Indianapolis' “coming of age” performance against mighty Denver. We may be in store for Manning-Luck II come playoff time. That might become the defining moment of the postseason.

JAMES BROWN: One of the most talked about additions coming into the season was that of Reggie Bush to the offense in Detroit and how it would open up so much more for them.  In fact, it was never more evident than this past weekend when Detroit played Dallas. “Megatron” Calvin Johnson simply went off.  I love a guy, Calvin Johnson, who lets his play do the talking.    

BILL COWHER: The defining moment to me so far is the Kansas City Chiefs’ season – from worst to first.  It defines the NFL.  The two biggest keys to their success are the head coach, Andy Reid, and the quarterback, Alex Smith. That's pretty much the only difference between last year and this year.

DAN MARINO: Peyton Manning having 29 touchdowns and 2,900 yards through eight games is amazing; Calvin Johnson’s game against Dallas with 329 receiving yards; and the New York Giants at 2-6 are still in the race.

DAN DIERDORF: I’m going to channel my inner-Dennis Green for my take on the first-half of the season and say these specific teams aren’t who we thought they were: the Giants, Atlanta, Minnesota, Pittsburgh and Houston.  Also in that category would be Kansas City because they aren’t who we thought they were either.  They happen to be a whole lot better.

GREG GUMBEL: Most had pretty much felt that the very good teams had already been established: the Chiefs, Broncos, Patriots, 49ers, Saints and Seahawks.  I believe the Colts’ win over Denver opened a few eyes and elevated them in the esteem of many who weren't convinced that Indy belongs in the upper echelon of teams in the NFL.

DAN FOUTS: The highlight of the NFL season so far is the only undefeated team – the Kansas City Chiefs.  I’m not sure that they are the best team in the NFL.  They have taken advantage of a soft schedule in the first half of the season because of how they finished last year, but there is no denying that they have beaten everybody they’ve played.

IAN EAGLE: Colts quarterback Andrew Luck out-dueling future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning in Indianapolis.  There was a lot of emotion in the air with Manning returning to his former home, but it was Luck who looked like the savvy superstar.  He has handled the pressure of replacing a legend, and is already carving out his own legacy early in his NFL career.  This was a defining moment for the new face of the Colts franchise. 

RICH GANNON: Detroit’s win over Dallas and the performances of Calvin Johnson and Matthew Stafford.  If Detroit makes the postseason and Dallas doesn't, this could be the defining moment for both teams.

MARV ALBERT: Calvin Johnson's incredible performance this past Sunday in Detroit’s win over Dallas; 329 receiving yards, just seven shy of the NFL record, on 14 receptions including several spectacular catches.  It has to be considered one of the best games of the season.

SOLOMON WILCOTS: The most defining moment for me so far is the Robert Mathis sack of Peyton Manning in the end-zone for a safety in Indianapolis’ win over Denver.  I’ve watched the Colts beat Seattle, San Francisco and Denver.  They were the most physical team in all of those games and won in resounding fashion.  The Indianapolis Colts have made a statement but I’m not sure enough people have been paying attention.  And, I don’t know if we’ve given Indy enough credit because Kansas City is 8-0 and Denver is once beaten.  The Colts are a team to watch out for.       

* * * * *

Following are THE NFL ON CBS assignments for Week 9 and Week 10 (subject to change).

WEEK 9 – Nov. 3 – CBS DOUBLEHEADER

GAME                                                 PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST                      PRODUCER/DIRECTOR

1:00 PM, ET starts:  

·Kansas City @ Buffalo                         Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf                       Mark Wolff/Suzanne Smith

·Tennessee @ St. Louis                        Marv Albert/Rich Gannon                          Jim Rikhoff/Andy Goldberg

·San Diego @ Washington                     Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts                               Bob Mansbach/Jim Cornell

4:25 PM, ET starts:

·Pittsburgh @ New England                    Jim Nantz/Phil Simms                              Lance Barrow/Mike Arnold

·Baltimore @ Cleveland                        Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots                   Ken Mack/Mark Grant

WEEK 10 – Nov. 10 – CBS DOUBLEHEADER

GAME                                                 PLAY-BY-PLAY/ANALYST                      PRODUCER/DIRECTOR

1:00 PM, ET starts:  

·Cincinnati @ Baltimore                        Greg Gumbel/Dan Dierdorf                         Mark Wolff/Suzanne Smith

·Oakland @ N.Y. Giants                        Ian Eagle/Dan Fouts                                 Bob Mansbach/Chris Svendsen

·Buffalo @ Pittsburgh                           Marv Albert/Rich Gannon                            Jim Rikhoff/Andy Goldberg

·Jacksonville @ Tennessee                   Bill Macatee/Steve Tasker                          Victor Frank/John Coleman

4:25 PM, ET starts:

·Denver @ San Diego                           Jim Nantz/Phil Simms                               Lance Barrow/Mike Arnold

·Houston @ Arizona                             Kevin Harlan/Solomon Wilcots                    Ken Mack/Mark Grant

* * * * *