Scott Garceau to give up his daily sportscast   

By: Jim Williams

The Examiner

The dean of Baltimore sportscasters Scott Garceau announced that he will no loner be doing the five day a week sportscast on WMAR after 20 years with station.

In an Exclusive with the Examiner Scott Garceau stated “I am glad to continue my relationship with ABC2. This isn’t the final chapter, instead a new beginning. I look forward to remain working on the special events that have made ABC2 Sports’ local coverage second to none. I hope to be able work on a number of projects with ESPN and other opportunities that are now open to me. So this is a good thing and I will have the best of both world’s special projects with ABC2 and some play by play gigs that I have really missed doing.” 

IBll Hooper, ABC2/WMAR-TV General Manger and Vice President told said “Scott will be a part of the station and we will be doing many projects together. We have spoken a number of times about what is best for both Scott and the station and in the end we agreed that the best thing for both Scott and WMAR is to work together of sports specials. We want to give Scott the time and the resources to do specials. He simply can’t do that now in a three minute sportscast. In the end I really feel that this is the best thing for both of us.”

After July 3, Garceau will work on special projects for ABC2 including play by play for college lacrosse and The Turkey Bowl, as well as special Ravens, Orioles, and Preakness coverage.  The move will allow Garceau to pursue other broadcast opportunities, both regionally and nationally.

His replacement has not yet been named.

What we are seeing is a change in the way news is being done on local TV. Sports are no longer a major part of the local newscast. The news is driven by 18 to 49 women and they want more weather, more features and fewer sports. That is why in a half hour newscast you will see at least three seven day weather forecasts.

This is not just at WMAR but it is the case at WBAL and WJZ as well. The three minute sportscast is the way both stations handle their allotment of sports.

Only FOX 45 Sports Director Bruce Cunningham has more than three minutes. He boasts almost six minutes each night but he is part of a one hour 10pm newscast.

Most sports fans get their news from ESPN, CSN or the internet and they know the information long before the 5, 6, 10 or 11pm newscast rolls around.

So we say good night to Scott Garceau at least as an every night sportscaster. Trust me in about three to five years there will be no local sports on the nightly newscast       

Baltimore’s Lynn Doyle teaching NASCAR to women

By: Jim Williams

The Examiner

CN8 Lynn Doyle has taken up the cause of teaching women more about how NASCAR works. The Baltimore native hosts “It’s Your Call with Lynn Doyle” on CN8 Monday through Friday nights at 9pm to 10pm.

Doyle has launched a very popular segment on her show called “Trackside 101”and it looks at all aspects of NASCAR from driving to the pit crews and everything in between.

Doyle on NASCAR: “I have learned a great deal about the sport and it has a lot of fun and the drivers as well as the entire NASCAR family have been very good to me. I learned about the art of bump drafting and I used to do that on my way to classes at Towson – my Alma matter- on the 695 Beltway so yes I can relate to that. I think fans will learn a lot about the sport and the women come up to me and tell me they now know more than their husbands about NASCAR.”

Doyle on Baltimore and NASCAR: “Baltimore is a great NASCAR city. It is too bad that there is not a race track there. I am sure that they would do as well as Dover. I must also say that Baltimore fans know NASCAR and many have called my show and stopped me talking about how much they love NASCAR. Make no mistake about Charm City is NASCAR Country.”  

The Trackside 101 series has been very successful and drivers Kasey Kahne, Joey Logano, David Ragan, and Kenny Wallace and their families have lined up to be on Doyle’s show.

Trackside 101 with Lynn Doyle is on tonight at 9pm on CN8. Check it out you just might learn something.    

By: Jim Williams

The Examiner

For NBC the Kentucky Derby it was the best of time and it was the worst of times. They did a wonderful job covering the impressive win of Big Brown and caught flack for their coverage or lack thereof in the story of death of Eight Belles.

Such was not the case Saturday at the Preakness where once again the network proved that they were indeed on top of their game on thoroughbred racing coverage.

At 4:30p.m. NBC producer Sam Flood and host Bob Costas addressed the issues of “The State of Horseracing in America.” It was Costas at his best hosting a round table discussion first on the death of Eight Belles and then on the many issues that face the industry as a whole. Eight Belles trainer Larry Jones, NBC's horse racing analyst Gary Stevens, Churchill Downs veterinarian Larry Bramlage, Alex Waldrop, CEO of the NTRA and veteran New York Times columnist William Rhoden had a spirited debate on the issues and while they did not solve any problems they certainly advanced the discussion.

At 5p.m. the race coverage began and every possible angle of Big Brown was covered by Costas, Tom Hammond, and two-time Preakness winner Stevens.  Meanwhile contributing analysts/handicappers Mike Battaglia and Bob Neumeier; reporter Kenny Rice and on-track reporter Donna Barton-Brothers covered the horses every move.

Stevens showed his wonderful knowledge by describing prior to the race what track Big Brown would have to travel to win the race. He pointed out that Big Brown had to avoid the problems of being caught in the tight first turn at Pimilico and then hang around either third or forth place while traveling down the backstretch and then turn it on as Big Brown rounded the post and headed for home.

That was exact the course that jockey Kent Desormeaux took to winning the 133^rd Preakness.

Director David Michaels (Al’s brother) did a great job of covering the pre race activities and made Old Hill Top hill look like a million dollars.

Then once the race began again Michaels did not miss a single shot of Big Browns impressive Preakness victory. I also loved the replay of the race from the blimp it really shows all the moves that Big Brown on the road to his way to the second jewel of the Triple Crown.

When I asked Flood about NBC now handing the Triple Crown coverage over to ABC who will carry the Belmont in three weeks he said “I won’t lie I wished that we had all three races. But in the end we want to do what is best for the sport and we about how we have taken this great story about Big Brown two thirds of the way home. Now we will all watch and see if history is made at Belmont.”

For one day in May we can thank NBC for making Pimlico look like a real jewel in racings Triple Crown. Let’s hope that it is here for many years to come and we are not watching The Preakness from Delaware, Florida or California a couple of years from now.             

Mark down to be in front of your TV or set your TiVo for 4:30pm on NBC today. You are not going to want to miss a very special round table discussion on the Future of the Horse Racing Industry in this country.

NBC Sports' Bob Costas will lead the discussion that will examine the tragic death of filly Eight Belles at the Kentucky Derby and the challenges that lie ahead for the horse racing industry.  Joining Costas will be Eight Belles trainer Larry Jones, NBC's horse racing analyst Gary Stevens, Churchill Downs veterinarian Larry Bramlage, Alex Waldrop, CEO of the NTRA and veteran New York Times columnist William Rhoden.

Preakness producer Sam Flood also told me that if there are protests by either PETA or the Human Society of America that they will be addressed as news stories and covered in the pre race show.

At 5pm from Old Hill Top race coverage begins and is co-hosted by Tom Hammond and Costas alongside two-time Preakness winner Stevens.  NBC Sports' broadcast team also includes race-caller Tom Durkin; contributing analysts/handicappers Mike Battaglia and Bob Neumeier; reporter Kenny Rice and on-track reporter Donna Barton-Brothers, who retired in 1998 after an impressive 11-year career as a jockey.  

Producer Sam Flood on what makes the Preakness special: “The Kentucky Derby is more formal, but the Peakness is a wonderful garden party. The fans at Pimlico embrace that fun and it makes this really a fans race.”

Flood on Big Brown and the network’s coverage: “Big Brown is the story there is no doubt about that. We will follow his every move and of course we will give viewers every plenty of background on all 12 horses in the race but the focus has to be on Big Brown he is the only one in the field that has a chance at the Triple Crown.”

Here is the Preakness coverage by the numbers:  

25 cameras

52 hours of pre production

Broadcasters: Bob Costas, Tom Hammond, Gary Stevens, Bob Neumeier, Mike Battaglia, Kenny Rice, Donna Brothers, Tom Durkin (race caller).

Producer: Sam Flood

Director: David Michaels (Al's brother)

Trucks: 12 total trucks in compound

Crew: 150

Broadcast hours: 2 - most ever network coverage of Preakness.

By: Jim Williams

The Examiner

Kenny Mayne is excited about the 133^rd running of the Preakness and he can’t wait till Saturday to see he action. He and Randy Moss will anchor ESPN’s coverage of all the pre race activities starting Friday and then all day Saturday from noon till 4:30pm when they hand things off to NBC for race coverage.

Mayne on the Preakness: “This is a one horse race. Big Brown is such a wonderful horse to watch and I said before the Kentucky Derby that I thought that he was a real Superstar and so did a great many other people but this horse is really something special and a true Triple Crown contender.”

 Mayne on the future of the Preakness: “Look I love coming to Baltimore and the people at Pimlico have been wonderful to me. That said of the three Triple Crown race tracks they could use a coat of paint out there. But it is the race that matter and what the track looks like is not important simply put the Preakness at Pimlico is special as are the people behind the scenes that make the race come off without a hitch each year. So I hope that the race stays in Baltimore for another 133 years. I also hope that the people of Maryland understand how special that the horse racing industry is to the state and that they appreciate what they have in the Preakness because it can be taken away.”

 Mayne on the death of eight Belles: “That was one of the saddest things that I have ever seen. I know that the Vet and all of the people that cover racing said that they had never seen such a bad break in both legs at the same time. I really don’t know what happened and do think that we need to look into how the horses are bread and how we get them ready to race. I am all for investigating and learning more about why these deaths happen and how we can make the sport safer for horses and the jockeys.”

Anyone wanting to meet Kenny Mayne can today from noon till 2pm at Pimlico where he will be signing copies of his new book An Incomplete and Inaccurate History of Sport. It is a great read and like the author plenty of laughs. 

 You can also get the book from www.kennymaynehaswrittenabook.com

What can Big Brown — named for UPSbecause of his owner’s ties to the company

—    do for you? Apparently make money.

Dave Johnson who has spent over 40 years following the Triple Crown and 25 of them calling the race for ABC Sports says that "Is is Big Brown and all the little browns. I really think that he is an impressive a favorite as we have seen in years."

Johnson will go over all the entries in the crowed 20 horse field this morning on his show at 10am on Sirius 127.    

 Another view comes fom  NBC on-track reporter Donna Barton- Brothers: “Big Brown has proven he’s the fastest while Pyro and Colonel John have been battle-tested. I can’t see any of the remaining 17 horses that will be running in the Derby as being good enough to beat any of these top three.”

Today things get underway at 11am on ESPN2 with Churchill Downs Today then the show to ESPN at noon. There will be a special at 3pm the network will air a special on The Derby.  

Kenny Mayne and Rece Davis, analysts Jerry Bailey, Randy Moss and Jeannine Edwards, handicapper Hank Goldberg and reporters Jay Privman and Steve Cyphers will handle the broadcasting duties. 

At 4pm NBC takes over with former area radio personality and Access Hollywood host Billy Bush doing red carpet show Access at the Kentucky Derby

"The Derby is a legendary event," said Bush.  "My goal will be to add fun and help build excitement for the race without distracting from the tradition of Derby day and people's passion for it.  That said, there should be some moments."

At 5 p.m. NBC Sports race coverage begins with Tom Hammond and Bob Costas co-hosting the Derby alongside three-time Derby winner Gary Stevens.  NBC Sports' broadcast team also includes race-caller Tom Durkin; contributing analysts Mike Battaglia and Bob Neumeier; reporter Kenny Rice and on-track reporter Donna Barton Brothers, who retired in 1998 after an impressive 11-year career as a jockey.

NBC will also have post race coverage and the trophy presentation.

Dave Johnson will have a special edition of Down The Stretch airing from 10am till noon on Sirius 127 and then at 5pm ESPN Radio will cover all the pre race, race and post race action live.

Brian Billick to FOX

By: Jim Williams

The Examiner

Former Ravens head coach Brian Billick will be joining FOX as a game analyst this season starting September 7^th.

After working this past weekend with the NFL Network as a Draft Day analyst he wasted no time in signing a one year deal to work the NFC games for FOX.

The first half of the season Billick will have a partner (yet to be named) and then for the second half of the season he will join existing FOX broadcast crews as the third man in the booth.

In a prepared statement Billick talked about joining FOX.

“I am very pleased to have the opportunity to work with FOX and the outstanding members of the NFL on FOX broadcast team,” said Billick. “Having spent nearly 30 years coaching football, I look forward to providing analysis from this new vantage point.”

Anyone who has ever heard Billick knows that he is broadcasting natural and FOX beat out CBS for the coaches services.

FOX Sports President Ed Goren on Billick joining the network: “We have always tried to hire analysts that have a certain presence or confidence - an edge if you will, and Coach Billick is the latest example of our philosophy," said Goren. "Partner that passion with a tremendous knowledge of the game, and you have the makings of a top game analyst."

Look for the former Ravens coach on more than a few Redskins games. 

Chris Landry will be on most of the day Saturday nationally on Fox Sports Radio following the draft from his own War Room in LA. Locally he can be heard on Sports Talk 980AM in Washington and on WNST 15600AM in Baltimore.

Chris took a few minutes out of his busy Friday schedule to talk draft with me and what might happen with the Ravens and the Redskins.

Landry on the draft: “Fans of both teams know that they have multiple needs and not one player is going to solve the issues that these teams have. So look for them both to stay with their Draft Boards.”  

Landry on the Ravens getting prize QB Matt Ryan: “I don’t see him falling to the #8 spot and I also do not see Ozzie Newsome (the Ravens GM) making a trade to move up. It is not his style and few people are truer to their draft board than the Ravens and that has served them well over the years.”

Landry on a possible trade: “If they see a chance to trade down and get extra picks and a chance to land Michigan QB Chad Henne who they like then that is a trade I can see Ozzie making.”

Landry on if the Ravens stay at #8 “If they stay where they are then Leodis McKelvin of Troy is a CB that I know they like and he could play day one. Then they could hope to score a QB in the second round like a Brian Brohm or a John David Booty.”

Locally the draft can be followed in Baltimore on WBAL 1090AM and on ESPN 1300AM as well as on WNST-AM 1570

How about the Redskins?

Landry on a trade: “You can never rule out a trade when it comes to the Redskins. But I really think that not getting Chad Johnson was a very good thing. He would not have helped them and could have been a major distraction.”

Landry on the #21 pick: “The Redskins have needs and there are plenty of good line both on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. However, I know they want a WR and if they simply can’t wait the best one who should be there at #21 is Michigan State star Devin Thomas. But they may trade down if he is not there and stock up and picks and surprise us all by looking to fill a number of needs.”

Chris Landry and the Fox Sports radio gang will be on all day on Sports Talk 980AM and of course Triple X ESPN radio.

The TV side is already on with ESPN and the NFL Network looking pulling long day’s of wall to wall coverage.

Floyd Reese knows all about getting ready for the NFL Draft pouring over the scouting reports and looking over the personal notes he made watching and talking to perspective picks.

Reese, the Former Tennessee Titans General Manager (1994 - 2006) is currently a writer for ESPN.com and television commentator on NFL Live on ESPN. He is known for drafting 3 NFL Rookies of the Year with only 11 first round draft choices. Eddie George (1996), Jevon Kearse (1999) and Vince Young (2006) he also drafted Steve McNair as well as Adam Packman Jones.

Examiner: What is it going to be like in the Ravens War Room Saturday?

Reese: “They will be praying that Matt Ryan drops to them. I don’t see the Ravens trading up to get Ryan however that is always a possibility. The more likely route is to stay where they are and take a corner and then pick up a quarterback in the second round.”      

Examiner: Do the Ravens have a legitimate starting QB on their roster?

Reese: “Not that I see. Troy Brown is not ready yet and it will be up to the organization to decide just where he is in their future plans. As for Kyle Boller the thing that worries me is that they signed Steve McNair to be their #1 guy and that sent the signal to Kyle that you aren’t our guy. Now there is a new head coach and a new offensive coordinator and they are saying to him that you are our guy. It is my experience that those mixed signals seldom work. It is only human nature for Boller to always be looking over his shoulder.”   

Examiner: Talk about two guys you know well Steve McNair and Packman Jones?

Reese: “I watched Steve’s retirement press conference and he went out with class just like he came in with us at the Titans. I remember telling the press that he would sit for a couple of years and then we would work him into the system. In his 5^th year I said that he would take us to the playoffs. I was wrong. In his 5^th year we won the Super Bowl and then for the next six years we were the winningest franchise in the NFL. Ravens fans know in his last full season at Baltimore he set a franchise record for wins. Steve was a player that never gave up and played 100% every down he ever played and he made every one that he ever played with him a better player. What more can you ask of anyone?

“As for Adam Jones well we saw that he had one small fight in college and it did not seem to be a big thing. We drafted him and all hell broke loose once he had money and started hanging out with some friends who really weren’t his true friends. I will tell you this he has the potential to be one of the best cornerback’s in the NFL and if he goes to Dallas and truly wants to play football and gets his act together then the Cowboys will have a true steal. However if his goes there and has any trouble he will be banned for life from the NFL and that would be a very sad thing, so it really is up to Adam and I hope that he makes the best of this second chance.”

Floyd Reese will be part of ESPN’s Draft day coverage both on TV and online at ESPN.COM starting Saturday at 3p.m.