Dennis Allen tells FOX broadcast ’45 of the roster spots are largely set’

Dennis Allen told FOX Sports sideline reporter Tom Rinaldi that most of the Saints’ roster spots are largely set, urging players on the outside to ‘prove us wrong’ against the Texans

There’s a lot on the line for some players in the New Orleans Saints’ preseason finale with the Houston Texans, which head coach Dennis Allen emphasized to the team all week. Allen shared his message with FOX Sports sideline reporter Tom Rinaldi, who related it on the game broadcast. before kickoff.

“Talking to Dennis Allen, he said 45 of the roster spots are largely set, which means 8 are still up for grabs before final cuts are made Tuesday,” Rinaldi said. “That means, largely speaking in Allen’s words, ‘If we already thought positively of you, confirm what we thought. If not, prove us wrong with the opportunity you get to play in this game tonight.'”

That lines up with what we’re seeing in media roster projections from around the Saints beat; 46 players were consensus locks at ten different media outlets. So the roster bubble is ready to burst with some players earning roster spots and others hoping for a call back to the practice squad. Let’s see who makes the most of their opportunity.

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FOX announces broadcast crew for Vikings vs. Giants Wild Card matchup

The Vikings get the A-team announce crew on Sunday

The Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants are set to play Sunday in this weekend’s NFL Wild Card game at 3:30 p.m. central time.

These two teams recently faced off in Week 16, where the Vikings beat the Giants 27-24 on a 61-yard field goal by kicker Greg Joseph. It was announced on Tuesday that Fox has the broadcast crew of Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olsen, Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi calling the game. This crew called the Vikings and Green Bay Packers matchup in Week 1, where the Vikings won 23-7.

The Vikings are 8-1 at home this season, with their only loss coming in Week 11 against the Dallas Cowboys when they lost 40-3. The Vikings will have an opportunity this weekend against the Giants to utilize their home-field advantage, one that’s been questioned by Giants offensive lineman Nick Gates. The hope for the Vikings is that they can win the game this weekend without a 61-yard field goal.

Also, with a little luck in the rest of this weekend’s games, they could win and potentially host the divisional round with a San Francisco loss.

FOX’s Tom Rinaldi traveled more than 18K miles over 10 days to cover the World Cup, NFL and college football

Tom Rinaldi will sleep in January

When FOX hired award-winning reporter Tom Rinaldi away from ESPN in 2020, the network boasted that it would be adding the fan favorite to its coverage of college football, the NFL and the World Cup.

Rinaldi probably didn’t expect to cover all of those in the same week.

Amid arguably the biggest sports stretch of the year, the journalist took a 10-day, globetrotting odyssey from the Middle East to the Midwest and back again, joining FOX’s coverage of Michigan-Ohio State, Chiefs-Rams, Cowboys-Giants and the U.S. Men’s National Team’s journey through group play in Qatar.

A journey that spanned 18,141 miles and more than 41 hours of flight time.

Rinaldi joined the Sports Media with Richard Deitsch podcast to talk about his wild stretch of travel. Now back in Qatar, Rinaldi still sounded quite upbeat—if not invigorated—by his travels, telling Deitsch it’s unlike anything else he’s done in his career.

“I’m just so incredibly grateful, who wouldn’t be?” Rinaldi said. “To be at these games and these events. To be in The Shoe for Ohio State-Michigan and then to be in the stadium for the USA against Iran. To be part of the Thanksgiving tradition in the NFL and then to be on the sideline to see Sean McVay trying somehow someway to solve Patrick Mahomes. It’s an awesome, awesome set of opportunities.”

Not to mention all those frequent flier miles and hotel points he’s racking up. Hopefully Rinaldi gets to use them on a much-deserved vacation sometime soon. 

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FOX Sports reveals lead NFL broadcast team

Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olsen, Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi are FOX Sports’ new No. 1 NFL team

FOX Sports on Tuesday made it official: The network, which will broadcast Super Bowl LVII, has a new No. 1 broadcast team.

With Joe Buck and Troy Aikman off to ESPN and Monday Night Football, FOX has handed the keys to the lead broadcast booth to Kevin Burkhardt and Greg Olsen.

The sidelines will be patrolled by Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi.

The team makes its regular-season debut on Sunday, Sept. 11, from Minneapolis, as the Minnesota Vikings host the Green Bay Packers in an NFC North showdown

Olson was honored and ecstatic.

Of course, Olsen is keeping the seat warm until Tom Brady decides to officially retire.

The official press release:

NEW YORK – FOX Sports – the most-watched NFL network – names three-time NFL Pro Bowler Greg Olsen as this season’s lead NFL analyst, joining renowned play-by-play announcer Kevin Burkhardt in the booth. Veteran reporters Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi, along with trailblazing rules expert Mike Pereira, round out the team as they prepare for the network’s top regular and postseason games – culminating with FOX’s 10th all-time Super Bowl presentation.

“We’re thrilled to have this team steward our industry leading and award-winning coverage as we embark on our 29th NFL season, highlighted by our 10th Super Bowl,” said FOX Sports President of Production/Operations and Executive Producer Brad Zager. “Last season, Kevin and Greg showed viewers their undeniable chemistry and ability to call football at an elite level. We can’t wait for fans to see what they’re going to bring to AMERICA’S GAME OF THE WEEK, the NFL Playoffs and Super Bowl LVII.”

… Although Burkhardt and Olsen are no strangers to the NFL’s championship game – Burkhardt having previously called three Super Bowl world feeds and Olsen serving as an NFL studio analyst for FOX Sports’ coverage of Super Bowl LIV in Miami – Super Bowl LVII will be the first time they each call the national broadcast, respectively.

 

NFL Week 8 announcers’ schedule

The Buccaneers and Saints have drawn Tom Rinaldi and Erin Andrews as sideline reporters

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers visit the New Orleans Saints and FOX Sports is loading up for the Week 8 NFC South battle. The network will have a pair of sideline reporters in Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi.

The power of Tom Brady and the Super Bowl champs is amazing.

Thursday Night Football 8:20 ET Kickoff

Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals (FOX, NFL Network and Amazon Prime Video): Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews. Kristina Pink

1 p.m. ET Kickoff

Cincinnati Bengals at New York Jets (CBS): Kevin Harlan, Melanie Collins

Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts (CBS): Spero Dedes,  Jay Feely

Los Angeles Rams at Houston Texans (FOX): Chris Myers,  Daryl Johnston, Jen Hale

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns (CBS): Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson

Philadelphia Eagles at Detroit Lions (FOX): Kenny Albert,  Jonathan Vilma, Megan Olivi

San Francisco 49ers at Chicago Bears (FOX): Adam Amin,  Greg Olsen, Pam Oliver

Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons (FOX): Kevin Kugler,  Mark Sanchez, Laura Okmin

Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills (CBS): Andrew Catalon, James Lofton, Sheree Burruss

4:05 p.m. ET Kickoff

New England Patriots at Los Angeles Chargers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Charles Davis, Evan Washburn

Jacksonville Jaguars at Seattle Seahawks (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Adam Archuleta, AJ Ross

4:25 p.m. ET Kickoff

Washington Football Team at Denver Broncos (FOX): Brandon Gaudin, Mark Schlereth, Shannon Spake

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints (FOX): Joe Davis, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews, Tom Rinaldi

Sunday Night Football 8:20 ET Kickoff

Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya

Monday Night Football 8:15 ET Kickoff

New York Giants at Kansas City Chiefs (ESPN): Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Louis Riddick, Lisa Salters

NFL reveals announcers’ schedule for Divisional round

The big names are out as networks send their star announcers to Divisional games

We’re down to four games and that means the creme de la creme of NFL announce teams. FOX has a pair of games in the Divisional round. CBS has one as does NBC. The matchups are set and so are the announcer assignments.

Saturday

Los Angeles Rams at Green Bay Packers, 4:35 p.m. ET

FOX: Kevin Burkhardt, Daryl Johnston, Pam Oliver, Kristina Pink

Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills, 8:15 p.m. ET

NBC: Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michelle Tafoya

Sunday

Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs, 3:05 p.m. ET

CBS: Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints, 6:40 p.m. ET

FOX: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews, Tom Rinaldi

Watch: Tom Rinaldi bids farewell to ESPN’s College GameDay

Tom Rinaldi bids farewell to ESPN as he heads to the next chapter at FOX Sports

Tom Rinaldi has been an integral part of ESPN and College GameDay for more than 17 years while being at the network for 19. He is coming to a close of his career at the Bristol, Ct.-based network and left with a perfect message to his colleagues and audience.

“It’s been an incredible ride. Nineteen years at ESPN and 17 years as part of College GameDay. And the indulgence of really being able to say thank you,” said Rinaldi, who is headed to FOX Sports.

His colleagues paid tribute to a person who has told stories that have left us inspired and in tears for years.

“You have been a confidant, the conscious of this show,” GameDay host Rece Davis said. “You have welcomed me with open arms and as I have told you, when you told us the news that you are moving on to the next great opportunity, (we are) friends first no matter what and I appreciate everything you have meant to this show and to me personally.”

Rinaldi closed in the classic style America has come to know and love.

“For more than 15 years, I never had to graduate, from the greatest gig and the grandest show and from being a part of this family,” Rinaldi said. “It’s bond and love and example of dedication and leadership, warmth and cheer, trust and teamwork, kindness and caring. So, I thank you for sharing the stories and the moments and all the Saturday mornings, with deepest gratitude, Tom.”

ESPN’s Tom Rinaldi pens farewell letter on ‘College GameDay’ before leaving for FOX Sports

A goodbye from the longtime reporter.

Reporter Tom Rinaldi has spent nearly two decades at ESPN, winning awards and covering all kinds of events and sports, from golf to baseball to college basketball to horse racing to college football and more.

We found out last month that Rinaldi is leaving the Worldwide Leader for FOX Sports, and so New Year’s Day marked his final appearance on College GameDay, where he was a frequent contributor.

Here’s his final message to ESPN viewers, a thank-you note and reminder of some of the incredible stories he told on the air.

“So, I thank you,” he says in the video below, “for sharing the stories and the moments, and all the Saturday mornings.”

Rinaldi got a goodbye from the crew at College GameDay on the air, and it was lovely:

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ESPN golf coverage takes hit as Tom Rinaldi signs with Fox Sports

Former ESPN reporter Tom Rinaldi, featured in the network’s golf coverage, has signed with Fox Sports.

ESPN award-winning reporter Tom Rinaldi is leaving the network to sign with Fox Sports, it was announced Wednesday.

Rinaldi is set to cover major sporting events, including the Super Bowl, World Series, World Cup and major college football games.

“Tom is one of the all-time great people in this business and a generational storyteller,” Eric Shanks, Fox Sports’ CEO and executive producer, said in a statement. “The biggest events on Fox just got bigger because of Tom, and we are honored to have him as our newest teammate.”

Rinaldi, winner of 16 Sports Emmy Awards and seven Edward R. Murrow Awards, reported on emotional feature stories for ESPN, where he began in 2002, and was often on the sidelines for the NCAA national championship games of the College Football Playoff in conjunction with his coverage on “College GameDay”.

“I’m beyond excited to join the great team at Fox Sports,” Rinaldi said in a statement. “To contribute to the network’s incredible collection of live events, and to continue to tell the stories across those sports and in those venues, is such a fantastic opportunity. I can’t wait to get started.”

Some of Rinaldi’s most notable interviews include the first interview in 2010 with golf star Tiger Woods following his car accident and the scandal that followed.

He authored the book, “The Red Bandanna: A Life, A Choice, A Legacy,” which chronicles the tragic death of Welles Crowther, a former Boston College lacrosse player, volunteer firefighter and equities trader who lost his life while saving others in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

ESPN recently eliminated 500 positions and let go of 300 employees.

Report: Tom Rinaldi leaves ESPN for FOX Sports

Tom Rinaldi is leaving ESPN for FOX Sports, per a New York Post report

Major media news when it comes to one of the top feature and sports reporters in the business. ESPN has lost Tom Rinaldi to FOX Sports, per Andrew Marchand of the New York Post on Wednesday.

Per the Post:

Rinaldi, one of ESPN’s top on-air reporters, is leaving for Fox, where he is expected to be featured across all of its major events from the Super Bowl to the World Series to the World Cup and college football, according to sources.

At ESPN, Rinaldi was probably best known for the poignant features he would do for “College GameDay” and on the sidelines for the national championship. He has worked on most of the major sports for the network with a deep association with golf.

Over the past year, Fox has been swiping top ESPN on-air people. Among them, Fox has signed Adam Amin, Jonathan Vilma and Emmanuel Acho.

Rinaldi has won three Regional Emmy Awards, three Associated Press Awards and a USA Today Feature-of-the-Year Award. In 2016, he wrote a book called The Man in the Red Bandanna, about Welles Crowther, who saved many people before he was killed when the World Trade Center collapsed after the September 11 attacks.

Since 2006, Rinaldi has been the lead interviewer and feature reporter for ESPN and ABC’s coverage of golf. In this capacity, he has been praised for many of his essays, especially those following the conclusion of major events. Rinaldi conducted the first interview of Tiger Woods after the incident on Nov. 27, 2009, which led to Woods’ public disclosure of his extra-marital affairs.

One oddity is FOX Sports has no golf, which has been one of Rinaldi’s fortes. The network gave up the U.S. Open and other USGA events to NBC in 2020 and for the future.