THE BIG LEAD's Henry McKenna wrote NFL Network's "Good Morning Football" explores "every angle of football coverage -- on and off the field." Pre-production meetings are "sometimes just 15 minutes long." The producers "like the talent to save the arguments for the air" because it "keeps the conversation fresh and genuine." It is "not all bloopers and comedy standup, of course." Rather, this is a show for "diehard football fans" (THEBIGLEAD.com, 9/4).
STAR TURN: In L.A., Sam Farmer noted former Cowboys "populate broadcasting booths across a spectrum of channels." Farmer: "From Troy Aikman at Fox to Tony Romo at CBS to Jason Witten at ESPN, three of the four network 'A-teams' feature an analyst who spent his entire NFL career with a star on his helmet." Other on-air personalities with Cowboys ties include Jimmy Johnson and Daryl Johnston at Fox, Michael Irvin at NFL Network and Deion Sanders at CBS and NFL Net (L.A. TIMES, 9/4).
SAFETY FIRST: In S.F., Eric Branch noted fans this season will "continue to be informed about the game by ex-safeties who have made successful transitions" to TV. That list includes NBC's Rodney Harrison and ESPN's Louis Riddick, Ryan Clark, Darren Woodson and Charles Woodson. They are "often the quarterbacks of the secondary and call out pre-snap adjustments." Clark said, "It develops communications skills and I think it lends itself to really understanding the game and seeing it from a broader perspective" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 9/5).
