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NBC Football Night in America, Costas interview previews

By April MacIntyre Oct 9, 2011, 18:58 GMT

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings jokes as he leaves the field after the Packers American football game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, USA 25 September 2011. EPA/TANNEN MAURY

NBC sent the interview outtakes from Bob Costas and Monday Night Football in America.

Bob Costas interviewed Packers WR Greg Jennings and TE Jermichael Finley for tonight’s Week 5 edition of Football Night in America, which will also include highlights, analysis and reaction to Week 5’s afternoon games.

In addition, Rodney Harrison interviewed Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez, who demonstrates how he uses his basketball experience to aid him on certain pass routes, particularly on the goal line.

NBC Sports’ Jimmy Roberts will profile 85-year-old Summerville (SC) High School football coach John McKissick, who is in the midst of his 60th season and has won 591 games, more than any football coach at any level in history.

Football Night airs each Sunday at 7 p.m. ET with Costas hosting the program live from inside the stadium. In addition to his interviews, Costas is joined on site by Sunday Night Football commentators Al Michaels (play-by-play) and Cris Collinsworth (analyst) for reaction to the afternoon games.

Dan Patrick co-hosts Football Night from Studio 8G at NBC's 30 Rockefeller Plaza studios and is joined by Super Bowl-winning head coach Tony Dungy, two-time Super Bowl winner Harrison, Peter King of Sports Illustrated and Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk on NBCSports.com. Alex Flanagan will report from Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., on the Jets-Patriots game.

Football Night is averaging 9.5 million viewers and a household rating of 5.8/10 (7:30-8:15 p.m. ET) through the first four weeks, up 10 percent and nine percent, respectively, from last year’s first four weeks.

Below are excerpts from Costas’ interview with Packers WR Greg Jennings and TE Jermichael Finley, and Harrison’s interview with Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez.

GREG JENNINGS

COSTAS: Your first two years in the league were Brett Favre’s last two with the Packers. Is Aaron Rodgers better than Brett Favre was at that point?

JENNINGS: Bob, you’re going to do that to me? (laughs). Obviously Brett was able to jumpstart my career. He was very experienced when I got there so obviously he had the upper hand from that standpoint but…

COSTAS: It’s more of a collaboration right now between you and Rodgers.

JENNINGS: It’s definitely more of a collaboration. Long-term, I’m going to have to nod my head to A-Rod.

JERMICHAEL FINLEY

COSTAS: Last week you said, ‘Hey, I’m not getting the ball enough,’ but the Packers scored 49 points. Do you wish you’d zipped it?

FINLEY: I don’t know where all that came from about me not getting the ball. I guess people see me snapping my helmet or clapping my hands and want to write what they want. But I’m excited. I’m just excited to get back on the field.

COSTAS: So you’re cool?

FINLEY: I’m great.

TONY GONZALEZ

HARRISON: Who’s the best tight end to ever play the game, including you? I feel like you’re the best.

GONZALEZ: Obviously, the receiving part of it, I’ve done well. I’d like to think that I’ve been able to be a complete tight end and hopefully that puts me right at the top with everybody else.

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