In DC, Dan Steinberg reported former Redskins Exec VP/Football Operations Vinny Cerrato "has gotten a regular gig" with Baltimore's WJZ-FM. Multiple sources said that Cerrato "will join host Ken Weinman weekdays" from 8:00-10:00pm ET, and the two hours "will be all-football talk." Cerrato hosted "Inside the Red Zone" on ESPN Radio 980 DC while with the Redskins. He also "worked as an analyst for ESPN" between stints with the team (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 4/25).
DRAFT VOICES: Former Vikings coach Brad Childress during the NFL Draft "will offer his analysis" for CBSSports.com. Childress, anchor Jason Horowitz and CBS NFL analysts Dan Fouts and Randy Cross will appear "on a show that will be streamed live online" (AP, 4/25)....In Newark, Zach Berman profiled NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock, the net's "face for all 254 picks" of the draft. The role "will be another phase in the evolution of a football junkie who grew from a coach's son studying high school schemes to a Giants safety playing under Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick, to one of the pre-eminent names in football broadcasting." Mayock "works throughout the year for the three days this week at Radio City Music Hall, an experience sullied last season when Mayock lost his voice during the second day of the broadcast." He "vowed to conduct fewer interviews this week to preserve his vocal cords" (NJ.com, 4/26).
TUNA FLAVORED: Early feedback on Twitter for Bill Parcells’ NFL Draft special on ESPN last night has been almost unanimously positive. CSN New England’s Tom Curran last night wrote, “Bill Parcells killing it on ESPN Draft preview. Fascinating.” The South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s Omar Kelly: “I will admit seeing Parcells' board did make me think about some things I hadn't considered, & that's the value he brings to a draft room.” The Miami Herald’s Ethan Skolnick joked, “That Bill Parcells guy sounded pretty smart. Dolphins ought to hire him, and give him a contract that allows him to bolt early” (TWITTER.com, 4/26).
TAKING THE REINS: espnW Editor-in-Chief Tina Johnson began her new role yesterday, and she said of her attraction to espnW, "I’ve been in and around the women’s marketplace for years and the idea of talking to women as sports fans and athletes seemed like a natural to me. No one else in the media is having that in-depth conversation with them and ESPN is in the ideal position to leverage that white space." Johnson added "like any new brand, our biggest challenge will be to establish a voice and content quality that’s unique, appealing and substantive." Johnson noted espnW will "feature extensive coverage of the upcoming Women’s World Cup." Johnson: "With ESPN focused on the U.S. women’s team, our content will center around the rest of the international field" (ESPNFRONTROW.com, 4/26).
