If NFL Media Senior VP/Programming & Production Mark Quenzel has his way, Bill Belichick’s dog Nike will be the star of tonight’s three-hour schedule-release show on NFL Network at 8:00pm ET. Quenzel has made it clear that he wants the league’s coaches and general managers to show a softer side than fans usually get to see. “Yes, we made a request for the dog,” Quenzel said. “We don’t know if we’re going to get the dog. That may be the most popular segment. The dog may be the star of the whole darn show.” Based on the popularity of this year’s NFL Draft, NFL Network will interview coaches, GMs and players from their homes. Quenzel’s main message is that he wants a more relaxed atmosphere. “Most of these coaches and GMs have realized that what happened on Draft (night) was a good thing and presented them. Coaches are generally conservative people and tend to be guarded. What the Draft showed the coaches is that they can let their guard down a little bit and that’s not going to affect anything when they go onto a football field.”
LINING UP THE SCHEDULE: As of this morning, NFL Network had 21 teams representatives confirm that they would take part in the show, including the Broncos’ John Elway, Steelers’ Mike Tomlin, Redskins’ Ron Rivera, Chiefs’ Andy Reid, Rams’ Sean McVay and the 49ers' John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan. Belichick will be interviewed, as will Fox' Joe Buck, NBC’s Al Michaels and CBS’ Jim Nantz. “The message here is that we’re trying to provide fans with not just a level of normalcy but the Draft and the schedule share a common trait,” Quenzel said. “They both represent the future, and they both represent hope. We’re hoping that comes across.”
