With the football season now officially over, it's time to start pondering what's ahead for fans who have only the NFL draft to look forward to in April.
How about the 2010 NFL schedule, and more importantly, that first game in September on a Thursday night? The league has been putting the previous Super Bowl winner at home on those nights. In 2006, the Steelers hosted the Miami Dolphins. Last year, the Steelers hosted the Tennessee Titans.
This year, you have the New Orleans Saints who will get that spot. Guess who's on their schedule as one of their eight home games? The Pittsburgh Steelers.
Don't you think the league is salivating over having the last two Super Bowl winners open up the season on NBC in a matchup of a team known for its offense against a team known for its defense?
Something to do
For fans who will be suffering withdrawl symptoms this weekend, the NFL Network has a Valentine's Day treat: an all-day marathon on Sunday of pro football follies.
If you're a single guy and love football, this is the network for you. Even if you're married or dating, stock up on flowers, candy and jewelry for your significant other, clean the house or apartment, and get her a day at a spa. That way you won't feel guilty.
Not enough?
If the NFL Network isn't enough for you, Tru TV, a network that uses reality TV programming, has a show on Monday nights called NFL Full Contact.
It basically is recapping the 2009 season. It airs at 10 p.m. Last week's first episode started with the Steelers' highlights against the Titans to open the year, and basically talked about the beginning of the past season.
As much I love football, this show seems a little too much, especially since the 2009 season just ended.
Wouldn't it be nice
I would have loved to have listened to the Super Bowl on local radio, but no one around here carried the game.
ESPN Radio 1430 WVAM carried regular programming, which was odd. If you're ESPN, who wants to be a guest on a show when the biggest football game on the planet is taking place? Who wants to talk about the game while it's going on?
Westwood One Radio carried the game with Marv Albert and Boomer Esiason, but it was not picked up locally. If people are out driving, or working where only a radio is available, wouldn't it be nice to have had the game on? Those are potential clients that radio advertisers would want to reach.
Scott Franco can be reached at sfranco@altoonamirror or at 946-7528.
