HUGE TV Numbers For AFC & NFC Championship Games
Est. 1920
The NFC Championship game on FOX was of blockbuster magnitude as the New Orleans Saints thrilling overtime victory over the Minnesota Vikings drew a 33.3 overnight and approximately 57.9 million viewers, which would be the second best NFC Championship average viewership of all time, behind only 1982’s Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers (“The Catch”) matchup that produced a 68.7 million viewers.
The NFC Championship game on FOX Sunday night was well above last years Arizona Cardinals/Philadelphia Eagles game which only produced 38.4 million viewers and it 33 o.3 overnight is up 5% from New York Giants/Green Bay Packers on FOX in 2008 (31.7) and . Ratings peaked at a 39.4 from 10:00-10:30 PM.
The Vikings/Saints is the most-viewed television program of any kind, excluding Super Bowls, since the series finale of Seinfeld in 1998 which saw 76.3 million.
The game did not dominate in all markets though, in Buffalo the NFC Championship game was actually outdrawn head-to-head by Extreme Makeover Home Edition on ABC, with Extreme Makeover drawing a 35.8 and the game drawing a 32.1.
CBS on the other hand did not post as great as number compared to FOX however did draw the highest overnight rating for the AFC Championship game in 16 years and saw 46.9 million actual viewers.
The Indianapolis Colts come from behind win over the New York Jets drew a stellar 28.4 overnight rating on Sunday afternoon, up 4% from San Diego Chargers/New England Patriots on CBS in 2008 (27.4).
The 28.4 overnight is the highest for the AFC Championship Game since Buffalo Bills/Kansas City Chiefs in 1994 (29.5) on NBC. Additionally, the 28.4 is the highest overnight for any NFL telecast on CBS, excluding Super Bowls, since the network resumed airing NFL telecasts in 1998. Ratings peaked at a 32.0 from 5:30-6 PM.
Buffalo Bills Hire Chan Gailey
Can't Believe It Can You
Buffalo Bills have hired Chan Gailey to be their head coach making it his second chance to prove himself as an NFL coach and inheriting a team that has missed the playoffs for 10 straight years.
Gailey was introduced by general manager Buddy Nix at a new conference which ended a two-month search to replace Dick Jauron, who was fired in November. Gailey takes over a team that finished 6-10 and becomes the Bills fifth coach since Marv Levy retired after the 1997 season. Gailey said he intends to serve as the team’s offensive coordinator, and is now assembling a staff.
Gailey has spent 15 of his 38 years of coaching in the NFL. In his two years coaching the Dallas Cowboys, he went 18-14 and led the team to consecutive playoff appearances,both losses. He was dismissed after the 1999 season, and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has acknowledged his mistake in firing Gailey.
Gailey has also run college and pro teams, including a two-year stint as coach of the World League of American Football Birmingham Fire in 1991-92. He also coached Troy State and Samford. At Georgia Tech, Gailey led the Yellow Jackets to six bowl appearances, but his time there ended after a 7-5 finish and going 0-6 against rival Georgia.
Gailey has been out of football since he was removed as the Chiefs offensive coordinator in August, two weeks before the season opener. He was entering his second season with Kansas City after a six-year stretch as Georgia Tech’s coach, during which he went 44-33 before being fired in 2007.
The Bills hit several bumps during their coaching search. They spoke with former Steelers coach Bill Cowher in an attempt to lure him out of broadcasting. The team also interviewed former Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, who instead chose to coach the Washington Redskins. Last week, New York Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer rejected the Bills’ request for an interview. Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier was considered the top candidate after interviewing two weeks ago, so what changed?
Jamaal Charles Has A Great End Zone Dance
259 yards and 2 touchdowns on just 25 carries in the Kansas City Chiefs 44-24 defeat of the Denver Broncos and not to mention keeping Denver out of the NFL playoffs is what I would call running wild.
Kansas City Chiefs Fan Shows Off Team Spirit
WHY!!! Why ruin that masterpiece by putting a stupid Kansas City logo on it.
NFL Players Use Steroids Too & His Name Is Dwayne Bowe
Cheater
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe has been suspended four games without pay for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drugs policy, effective immediately, the Chiefs announced in a statement.
“As a result of the league suspension, the team will have no further comment,” the statement said.
Bowe will be eligible to return to the active roster on December 14 following their Week 14 game against Buffalo. He is the Chiefs (2-7) leading receiver, with 33 receptions for 466 yards and four touchdowns this season. The 25-year-old Bowe is in his third year in the NFL after being selected in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft out of LSU. In his 40-game NFL career, he has 189 catches for 2,483 yards and 16 TDs.
But where is the outcry that steroids are being used in America’s “new” pastime?
The Writing Is On The Wall Larry Johnson
What Did The 5 Fingers Say To The Face?
Larry Johnson if you go on Twitter and talk about your head coach behind his back expecting it to be fly by the night talk and then use homophobic slurs that cause your fan base to gather a petition to have you removed, you know your days are numbered in Kansas City, hell possibly in the National Football League all together.
If you still don’t get the message, the Chiefs have decided to let you and the rest of the 52 guys in that locker room know that its clear as day, they will form as a TEAM and not as losers. It says it right there on the wall.
Chiefs Fans Want Larry Johnson Removed
Are You Happy?
Hundreds of loyal Chiefs fans have signed a petition, begging the team owner to keep Larry Johnson’s name out of the Chiefs Hall of Fame forever as he’s just 80 yards from becoming the franchise all time leading rusher. Apparently his latest scandal is the breaking point for Chiefs fans, as they want him off the roster.
Dear Scott Pioli,
Let us start with the point: We do not want Larry Johnson to become the Kansas City Chiefs all time leading rusher.
We are lifelong fans of the Kansas City Chiefs. Win or lose, good or bad, right or wrong, we love the Kansas City Chiefs. Growing up in Kansas City, we were raised knowing there are two seasons in KC: Chiefs season and Road Construction. We feel we speak for an entire city when we say that we are an organization of hard working fans, hard working players and blue collar coaches that care passionately about not only our win/loss record, but also for the integrity of the game of football.
Being new to the organization, we would like to talk about something that has been on our minds since before the season started. We have had a long standing tradition of putting the best players in roles that best serve the needs of our team.
As a fan base, we have always taken pride in some of the names that have played on our field, hung in the Ring of Honor and those that are now immortalized in the Hall of Fame at Arrowhead Stadium. Names like Bobby Bell, Christian Okoye, Willie Roaf, Lenny Dawson, Priest Holmes, Abner Hayes and the amazing Derrick Thomas. These are just a few of the names that will live forever in the hearts and minds of Chiefs fans everywhere.
The times we’ve spent watching and supporting our great past players are times that we hold dear. The players were role models for us as we grew up, and they will be names we share with our children as they grow up. With that being said, one name that I hope is never mentioned amongst those great Chief names is Larry Johnson.
While we are thankful for his service, we feel that Larry has been a black eye on the organization and has no business being mentioned with some of the above names.
During his first few years in Kansas City, Larry Johnson ran through holes created by one of the greatest offensive lines ever put together. He was handed the ball and was asked to follow Tony Richardson, the best fullback to ever don a Chiefs helmet. Because of those early successes, Larry Johnson now sits on the cusp of becoming the all-time leading rusher in Kansas City Chiefs history. Not to discredit anything he has accomplished, but we believe it would be a travesty if Larry were to surpass the great Priest Holmes as the Chiefs all-time leading rusher.
It’s not a hidden fact that Larry hates being in Kansas City. He doesn’t like the organization, he doesn’t like the fans, he doesn’t like the city. He has been more than vocal about how he feels about being a Chief. We’ve waited for years for him to be traded and we don’t believe that there is an offensive line that can open a hole big enough for Larry and the chip on his shoulder to run through.
Let’s talk about facts now. So far on the season, here are Larry’s numbers:
7 Games
132 attempts
358 yards
2.7 yards per carry
51.1 yards per game
0 TD
0 runs of 20 or more yards
2 fumbles
That is abysmal. For a professional back in the NFL, that is absolutely terrible. There is no reason for him to keep getting starts. There is no reason for him to even see the ball. There is no reason for him to be on the sidelines. The number 27 should be taken off the field because of a line like that.
We are asking you, as fans of this team, this organization, and of the pride that this city has in the Chiefs, please deactivate Larry Johnson. Please do not let his name sit atop the all-time rushing leaders in Kansas City Chiefs history. He needs a mere 80 yards to surpass Priest. He doesn’t deserve that opportunity. He has never represented anything close to the values that we have for our Chiefs and it would be another dagger to the fans that continue to support this proud franchise.
We are asking this as a favor to those of us who have supported this team long, long, long before you were brought in. We will support you through thick and thin – you will find out that we are a loyal, loyal bunch. As you will learn, Kansas Citians are very supportive of our organizations. We love the Royals and the Chiefs. We understand there are ups and downs and we do not expect the team to win 12 games every year. We know the Chiefs will get better and that it might take some time. While we may be frustrated at times, we understand. However, allowing Larry Johnson to attain a record is something that can never be erased. In a year where the team is trying to look toward the future with many young players, please don’t add to the collective morose this city is feeling by allowing one of the truly great players, people, and role models in this city’s sporting history to be replaced in the record books by someone who we don’t like and who doesn’t like us. Show this town you are the leader the organization needs and release or deactivate Larry Johnsons now and never again let him wear the red and gold on Sunday.
Thanks for your time and understanding.
Sincerely,
The Undersigned
It doesn’t look good when the paying consumer doesn’t want him part of the product anymore, however, I doubt front office really cares or they would have already brought back the TD Pack Band.
Larry Johnson’s Father Isn’t Pleased With His Son
I'm Talking To You Son
Following his Larry Johnson’s homophobic remarks and critical comments of coach Todd Haley, his father has weighed in on the situation.
Larry Johnson Sr., the Penn State assistant coach, said that he’s disappointed in his son’s comments. He said that he taught his children to treat everyone equally, regardless of race, gender, beliefs of sexual orientation.
“That’s just not who we are and not what we believe,” Johnson Sr told the Kansas City Star. “It’s not how he was raised. It’s tough for me as a father,” adding that he taught Larry Jr. that those types of words are “just not tolerated.”
Johnson Sr. said that he has spoken with his son about the incident.
“Now you’re labeled,” Johnson Sr. said. “It’s unfortunate. He’s my son. You can’t disown him. We just talk to him, listen to him, and help him move forward.”
Is There Deeper Problems Within Larry Johnson?
Is This Man Really Happy?
In what has become far to common practice for today’s athletes is the template apology. They just change the team name they play for (Chiefs), the league in which they play in (NFL), the commissioner (Roger “Godfather” Goodell) they play for, their coach (Todd Haley), and of course their teammates, for actions they now regret.
This being no different for Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson, who had himself a Twitter fight over his belittlement of his coach Haley and his followers responses, which was recently published here on this site. This time though the apology came through his attorney (which is very sincere) for using a gay slur in one of his tweets and a loud to reporters on Monday.
“I regret my actions. The words were used by me in frustration, and they were not appropriate,” Johnson said. “I did not intend to offend anyone, but that is no excuse for what I said. I also want to apologize to all the kids who view athletes as role models. I was not a good role model yesterday and hopefully I can become a better role model.”
The issue everyone will be for sure talking about is whether he deserves to be suspended however, I think Johnson may have deeper issues within himself. It was a constant theme in his tweets to reference how much more money he was making over the people that where responding to his tweets.
Then there is the issue of how many times he has been arrested for assaults on women, four times to be exact. They have ranged from pushing a woman’s head into a nightclub wall to spitting in a woman’s face. These are not your typical actions from someone that is happy within themselves.
Money can make your life a easier but it doesn’t buy you happiness, as cliche as that sounds, I wonder if that’s what we are seeing right before our eyes with Johnson.
If he does get suspended, that bank roll he was so boisterous about on Twitter will obviously be lighter.
Twitter Fight Between Larry Johnson & Fans
Is He Really Happy?
Chiefs’ running back Larry Johnson took a shot at Todd Haley on his Twitter account after Kansas City’s 37-7 loss to the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, criticizing his head coach for not having NFL playing experience.
my father got more creditentials than most of these pro coaches…..google my father!!!!!!!
My father played for the coach from “rememeber the titans”. Our coach played golf. My father played for redskins briefley. Our coach. Nuthn
My father 3 or 4 state champs in Maryland. 3 or 4 1st rd picks Penn State. . Not including son!!!
But when some fans thought he had lost his mind with his most recent tweets fans and started to call out his on the field performances, Johnson unless furey towards the same people that had called him out
@jaredlaunius. Sorry ur a cornball n ur mom birthed u broke. But I’m cakn patna. While u work or school for 5 dollas n hour. Ha!
@jaredlaunius think bout a clever diss then that wit ur fag pic. Christopher street boy. Is what us east coast cats call u.
@DrewK30 sorry to tell u ur the reason y ur broke n dissn on twitter lmao.
- (my personal favorite is when @DrewK30 responded back to Larry Johnson @ToonIcon)
@ToonIcon You have the same amount of TDs this year that I have.
@DrewK30 got nuthn to do wit hiring my father. But u wouldn’t know cuz u don’t play either so keep on the sideline lil gril n cheer.
@KD2407 then don’t reply then. Still richer then u. Keep goin. Come play our game ooops forgot u can’t.
LJ was brutal on Sunday, just as he has been all season. He has 309 rushing yards on 116 carries and no touchdowns in seven games this year, but continues to get opportunities in the Chiefs’ offense. Despite his struggles, Haley has stuck by Johnson all season.
Sidebar: Johnson’s credit report looks like this
- Arrested a total of four times for various assaults on women.
- Arrested for assault in 2008 for allegedly pushing a woman by the head in a wall at a nightclub
- Arrested agin in 2008 for non-aggravated assault via spitting a drink in a woman’s face
- Oct. 19, 2008, deactivated in a game against the Tennessee Titans for violating a team rule
- Pleaded guilty to the two 2008 arrests in March and was sentenced to two years probation
But that’s NFL coaches for you, if they think you can get them a win in the National Football League, you can have credit like this.
Todd Haley Fires Another Kansas City Chiefs Coach
Bring Back The TD Pack Band
The Chiefs have demoted wide receivers coach Dedric Ward, who head coach Todd Haley personally brought with him to Kansas City from Arizona. The move comes six weeks after Kansas City fired offensive coordinator Chan Gailey.
Ward’s replacement will be Richie Anderson, a former running back for the Jets. Ward remains on staff, but in what capacity is unclear. Haley has refused to comment on the decision, but has expressed discontent with the Chiefs’ wide outs even benching No. 1 receiver Dwayne Bowe at one point.
Haley, a former receivers coach himself, has played musical chairs with his staff and has yet to produce a win. That all could change this weekend when the Chiefs travel to play the Washington Redskins more commonly know as the slump busters of the NFL.
Keep your heads up high Chiefs fans there’s hope coming your way on Sunday.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS ‘THE OFFICE’ PARODY
KC Wolf and the people at One Arrowhead Drive could be stepping on Dunder Mifflin’s toes.
The Office season premiere is Thursday September 17, at 8 P.M. Central Standard Time on NBC.
Warren Moon Goes All Tony Soprano
Talk About Greats Betta Talk Bout Me
Like an episode right out of the Sopranos Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Moon would wait until the end of the day before sneaking into the back entrance twice each week to a psychologist office, where a Minneapolis psychologist scheduled Moon with the last appointment so it was not to be known the NFL quarterback was in therapy.
“I’d go Tuesday and Fridays, and I’d always go at the end of the day so no one would see me in the stairway,” Moon recalled during a recent interview. “Confidentiality was a big thing with me, but once I got past that, I was able to open up and talk about myself.”
As many find out once in therapy they have many suppressed issues and Moon was no different.
“When my dad passed away, I took a lot of responsibility and probably matured a lot faster because I was so caught up with being the ‘man of the house’ with my sisters and my mom,” said Moon. “Football was a way for me to make it in order to take care of my family. I never really paid any attention to me, except for the kind of football player I wanted to be.”
Moon’s autobiography, “Never Give Up on Your Dream: My Journey,” details his experiences during a lifetime of personal and professional challenges.
“One of the things I learned from this whole experience is that you need to deal with yourself first,” said Moon. “If you do that, you’ll be a better person to be around for others…”Address your feelings. Address your emotions. It will be a much more freeing experience in life, which will help you to be better to others around you.”
From being one of the top quarterbacks in the nation at the University of Washington to going undrafted by the NFL, Moon had to overcome stereotypes at every level. He is one of two people to be enshrined in both the to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame where he won five Grey Cups for the Edmonton Eskimos. He is also the first, and currently only, African-American quarterback elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Moon wound up playing for 17 NFL seasons for the Oilers, Seahawks, Vikings and Chiefs and passing a over 49,325 yards, 291 touchdown passes.
Moon’s message to others: Live the dream.
Blackout Blues
Greed?
The latest sign the down economy is taking a toll is even effecting America’s most popular sport. According to NFL and team sources, 10 to 12 teams may not sell out every game and be force to blackout games locally. A game that is not sold out within 72 hours of kickoff cannot be broadcast locally. That blackout also extends to DirecTV’s premium package.
Last year only three teams the Oakland Raiders, Detroit Lions and the St. Louis Rams suffered blackouts. Collectively, those three teams had nine games blacked out, just one more than the eight regular-season games the Jacksonville Jaguars alone are expecting to contribute to this year’s total. The Jaguars have already said that in all likelihood none of their eight game home schedule will sell out this season.
The NFL is not contemplating amending the blackout rule, which has been in place 36 years.
“There is no consideration being given to amending the blackout policy,” wrote NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy, in an e-mail. “The policy is important in supporting the ability of the clubs to sell tickets and keeping our games attractive as television programming with large crowds so we can keep all our games on free TV.”
Sean McManus, president of CBS Sports and CBS News, said last week that NFL Commissioner Roger “Godfather” Goodell told him that
“He is not going to make any major adjustment to a rule that has lasted a long time just because of a short-term economic problem.”
The Jaguars, Lions, Raiders and Rams are bound to repeat last years blackouts but the rest of the NFL teams that are having challenges of selling out at the start of this season include San Diego Chargers, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs, . While other clubs it’s a little to early to be for sure but if they have losing September and Octobers it’s almost certain by the end of the year they will be.
Many teams avoided blackouts in past years by having local sponsors or other companies buy up any remaining inventory, but those companies may not be able to afford to do so in these economic times. In some cases the number of tickets available is more than just a few thousand.
Will the short term greed eventually hurt the NFL product in the long run?
The NFL Is A CopyCat League Part Deux
Damm You Todd Haley
In what my man Calvin Casey of Sports Grind Entertainment has always said about the NFL is that it’s a copycat league.Wait, didnt I already post this? That’s right I have and it just has new characters involved. This time its the Buffalo Bills and offensive coordinator Turk Schonert. Just a day after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fired their offensive coordinator and days after the Kansas City Chiefs made it all cool to do so. Schonert probably doesn’t want to hear the name of Chiefs head coach Todd Haley mentioned around him for a few weeks, because he knows how the league is.
Head coach Dick Jauron is addressing the media and name former Bills quarterback Alex Van Pelt, who is currently the quarterbacks coach, to take over the role vacated by Schonert. Many Bills fans see Van Pelt as the next successor to Jauron somewhat of a similar position as Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett. To Bills that had heard all off season how the team would be going back to the glory years of Jim Kelly, Andre Reed and the no-huddle but this preseason they have managed to see something of no resemblance.
Will there be a part 3 to what Calvin Casey of Sports Grind Entertainment has always said about the NFL is that it’s a copycat league?
The NFL Is A CopyCat League
Tough Times
In what my man Calvin Casey of Sports Grind Entertainment has always said about the NFL is that it’s a copycat league. Just a few days ago the Kansas City Chiefs and head coach Todd Haley became the trailblazer within the league for it to be OK to fire coordinators before the first week of the NFL season, when they did so to Chan Gailey. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers responded by firing offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski Thursday, marking the second time that Jagodzinski has been fired in 2009, without coaching a meaningful game.
Jagodzinski spent the last two seasons as Boston College’s head coach, but he was fired early this year after he interviewed for the New York Jets’ head coaching job against the wishes of the BC athletic department. After the Jets passed over him for Rex Ryan, first year head coach Raheem Morris of the Buccaneers called and offered the offensive coordinators position.
But now Morris has fired Jagodzinski and replaced him with quarterbacks coach Greg Olson. Though the specific reasoning why Jagodzinski was fired is not known at this time, it is rumored to be Morris and Jagodzinski butted heads over the quarterback competition between Byron “Gary Coleman” Leftwich and Luke McCown and the eventual decision to start Leftwich.
“I am certainly disappointed but I wish nothing but the best for Raheem Morris and the entire Buccaneer organization,” Jagodzinski said. “I was given the chance to remain on staff as the quarterbacks coach, but felt that the timing for such a move was not in the best interest for either side. I appreciate the opportunity that was given to me. Again, I wish nothing but the best for this organization.”
Jagodzinski wonders if Boston College will have him back?
