2002 NFL Mock Commentator Crews

The logo for the NFL: Simulation Series (2023-present). (Tamir Moore)

While nothing really changed on the TV side of things, they certainly did as far as structure was concerned. The Houston Texans entered the NFL as its 32nd team. This necessitated the first major changes to the NFL's Conference/Divisional set-up since the 1970 merger, 32 seasons ago. The Texans were placed in the AFC, while the Seattle Seahawks moved from the AFC to the NFC. The conferences went from 3 divisions to 4 divisions of 4 teams each.

One new wrinkle started this season. The NFL decided to have a "Kickoff Game" on the Thursday night before the opening Sunday games.

Pat Summerall retired as lead Fox play-by-play announcer, but continued to call lower level regional games. John Madden moves from Fox to ABC.

🞙 PRESEASON

- Preseason Hall of Fame Weekend, 2002:

* Thursday, 8/1 — Hall of Fame Game:

Texans-Giants (Canton, Oh), 8:00, NBC. Mike Patrick, Joe Theismann, Paul Maguire, Suzy Kolber

* Saturday, 8/3:

49ers-Commanders (Philadelphia), 7:00. Dennis O'Donnell, Keena Turner (SF). George Michael, Sonny Jurgensen, Michael Wilbon (WSH).

- Preseason Week 1, 2002:

* Thursday, 8/8:

Jets-Steelers, 8:15, Prime Video. Brad Nessler, Bob Griese, Holly Rowe

Also: WCBS - New York City, KDKA - Pittsburgh

* Friday, 8/9:

Jaguars-Falcons, 7:00. Sam Kouvaris, Jeff Lageman, Tom McManus (JAX). Randy Waters, Tim Green (ATL).

Lions-Ravens, 7:00. Dan Miller, Chris Spielman, Jennifer Hammond (DET). Dick Stockton, Daryl Johnston (BAL).

Bengals-Bills, 7:30. Paul Keels, Anthony Muñoz (CIN). None (BUF). 

- » No local telecast for Buffalo.

Raiders-Cowboys, 8:00. Jim Gray, Jim Plunkett, Sean Jones, George Atkinson (LV). Unknown (DAL).

* Saturday, 8/10:

Rams-Titans, 1:00. Ken Wilson, Jackie Slater (LAR). John Dwyer, George Plaster (TEN).

Broncos-Bears, 1:00. Dave Logan, Tony Zarella, Ryan Chiaverini (DEN). Kevin Harlan, Mike Ditka (CHI).

Texans-Saints, 4:00. Terry Gannon, Craig James, Bob Allen (HOU). Jim Henderson, Archie Manning (NO).

Browns-Vikings, 4:00. Jim Donovan, Todd Blackledge (CLE). Curt Menefee, Brian Baldinger (MIN).

Packers-Eagles, 7:00. Chris Roth, Bill Maas, Andy Kendeigh (GB). Kenny Albert, Ron Jaworski (PHI).

Patriots-Giants, 7:30. Don Criqui, Jerry Glanville, Mike Lynch (NE). Sam Rosen, Phil McConkey, Harry Carson (NYG).

Commanders-Panthers, 8:00, CBS. Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms, Armen Keteyian

Chiefs-49ers, 9:00. Roger Twibell, Tim Grunhard, Al Wallace (KC). Dennis O'Donnell, Keena Turner (SF).

Colts-Seahawks, 9:00. Don Fischer, Charles Arbuckle, Mark Patrick (IND). Steve Raible, Warren Moon (SEA).

Cardinals-Chargers, 9:00. Barry Tompkins, Doug Plank (ARI). Dan Fouts, Billy Ray Smith (LAC).

* Monday, 8/12:

Dolphins-Buccaneers, 8:00, ESPN/ABC. Al Michaels, John Madden, Melissa Stark

- Preseason Week 2, 2002:

* Thursday, 8/15:

Jets-Ravens, 7:00. Unknown (NYJ). Dick Stockton, Daryl Johnston (BAL).

Saints-Dolphins, 7:00. Jim Henderson, Archie Manning (NO). Craig Bolerjack, Nick Buoniconti, Nat Moore (MIA).

- » Miami tape-delayed to Friday, August 16 at 8:00 PM ET.

Raiders-Titans, 8:00, Prime Video. Brad Nessler, Bob Griese, Holly Rowe

Also: KSNV - Las Vegas, WTVF - Nashville

* Friday, 8/16:

Buccaneers-Jaguars, 7:30. Dave Sims, Merrill Hoge (TB). Sam Kouvaris, Jeff Lageman, Tom McManus (JAX).

Vikings-Bills, 7:30. Curt Menefee, Brian Baldinger (MIN). None (BUF).

- » No local telecast for Buffalo.

Bears-Rams, 8:00, ABC. Al Michaels, John Madden, Melissa Stark

* Saturday, 8/17:

Texans-Chiefs, 1:00. Terry Gannon, Craig James, Bob Allen (HOU). Roger Twibell, Tim Grunhard, Al Wallace (KC).

Giants-Falcons, 1:00. Sam Rosen, Phil McConkey, Harry Carson (NYG). Randy Waters, Tim Green (ATL).

Bengals-Colts, 3:00. Paul Keels, Anthony Muñoz (CIN). Don Fischer, Charles Arbuckle, Mark Patrick (IND).

- » Indianapolis tape-delayed to 10:30 PM local (11:30 PM Eastern).

Lions-Browns, 4:30, Fox. Dick Stockton, Daryl Johnston

Eagles-Patriots, 7:30. Kenny Albert, Ron Jaworski (PHI). Don Criqui, Jerry Glanville, Mike Lynch (NE).

Cowboys-Panthers, 7:30. Unknown (DAL). Bill Rosinski, James Lofton, Pete Yanity (CAR).

Packers-Cardinals, 10:30. Chris Roth, Bill Maas, Andy Kendeigh (GB). Barry Tompkins, Doug Plank (ARI)

- » Arizona tape-delayed to 11:00 PM local (2:00 AM Eastern).

* Sunday, 8/18:

Steelers-Commanders, 4:00. Bob Pompeani, Edmund Nelson, Jeff Verszyla (PIT). George Michael, Sonny Jurgensen, Michael Wilbon (WSH).

Seahawks-Chargers, 8:00, Fox. Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Cris Collinsworth, Pam Oliver

* Monday, 8/19:

49ers-Broncos, 8:00, NBC. Mike Patrick, Joe Theismann, Paul Maguire, Suzy Kolber

- Preseason Week 3, 2002:

* Thursday, 8/22:

Chargers-Rams, 10:00. Dan Fouts, Billy Ray Smith (LAC). Ken Wilson, Jackie Slater (LAR).

* Friday, 8/23:

Panthers-Patriots, 7:30. Bill Rosinski, James Lofton, Pete Yanity (CAR). Don Criqui, Jerry Glanville, Mike Lynch (NE).

Ravens-Eagles, 7:30. Dick Stockton, Daryl Johnston (BAL). Kenny Albert, Ron Jaworski (PHI).

Jaguars-Bears, 8:00. Sam Kouvaris, Jeff Lageman, Tom McManus (JAX). Kevin Harlan, Mike Ditka (CHI).

Titans-Vikings, 8:00. John Dwyer, George Plaster (TEN). Curt Menefee, Brian Baldinger (MIN).

* Saturday, 8/24:

Steelers-Lions, 1:00. Bob Pompeani, Edmund Nelson, Jeff Verszyla (PIT). Dan Miller, Chris Spielman, Jennifer Hammond (

DET).

Saints-Bengals, 1:00. Jim Henderson, Archie Manning (NO). Paul Keels, Anthony Muñoz (CIN). 

- » Cincinnati tape-delayed to 11:35 PM local.

Dolphins-Texans, 1:00. Craig Bolerjack, Bob Griese, Nat Moore (MIA). Terry Gannon, Craig James, Bob Allen (HOU).

49ers-Raiders, 4:00. Dennis O'Donnell, Keena Turner (SF). Jim Gray, Jim Plunkett, Sean Jones, George Atkinson (LV).

Broncos-Cardinals, 4:00. Dave Logan, Tony Zarella, Ryan Chiaverini (DEN). Barry Tompkins, Doug Plank (ARI).

- » Arizona tape-delayed to 11:00 PM local (2:00 AM Eastern).

Chiefs-Seahawks, 4:00. Roger Twibell, Tim Grunhard, Al Wallace (KC). Steve Raible, Warren Moon (SEA).

- » Seattle tape-delayed to 7:30 PM local (10:30 PM Eastern).

Giants-Jets, 7:00. Unknown (NYJ)

Bills-Colts, 7:00. Steve Tasker, Marv Levy (BUF). Don Fischer, Charles Arbuckle, Mark Patrick (IND).

- » Indianapolis tape-delayed to 10:30 PM local (11:30 PM Eastern).

Falcons-Cowboys, 8:00, CBS. Dick Enberg, Dan Dierdorf, Bonnie Bernstein

Commanders-Buccaneers, 8:00. George Michael, Sonny Jurgensen, Michael Wilbon (WSH). Dave Sims, Merrill Hoge (TB).

* Monday, 8/26:

Browns-Packers, 8:00. Jim Donovan, Todd Blackledge (CLE). Chris Roth, Bill Maas, Andy Kendeigh (GB).

- Preseason Week 4, 2002:

* Wednesday, 8/28:

Chargers-49ers, 10:30. Dan Fouts, Bill Ray Smith (LAC). Dennis O'Donnell, Keena Turner (SF).

* Thursday, 8/29:

Falcons-Bengals, 7:00. Randy Waters, Tim Green (ATL). Paul Keels, Anthony Muñoz (CIN). 

- » Cincinnati tape-delayed to 11:35 PM local.

Bears-Dolphins, 7:00. Kevin Harlan, Mike Ditka (CHI). Craig Bolerjack, Bob Griese, Nat Moore (MIA).

- » Miami tape-delayed to Friday, August 30 at 8:00 PM ET.

Ravens-Giants, 7:00. Dick Stockton, Daryl Johnston (BAL). Sam Rosen, Phil McConkey, Harry Carson (NYG).

Bills-Lions, 7:00. Steve Tasker, Marv Levy (BUF). Dan Miller, Chris Spielman, Jennifer Hammond (DET).

Patriots-Commanders, 7:00. Don Criqui, Jerry Glanville, Mike Lynch (NE). George Michael, Sonny Jurgensen, Michael Wilbon (WSH).

Vikings-Steelers, 7:00. Curt Menefee, Brian Baldinger (MIN). Bob Pompeani, Edmund Nelson, Jeff Verszyla (PIT).

Cowboys-Jaguars, 7:00. Unknown (DAL). Sam Kouvaris, Jeff Lageman, Tom McManus (JAX).

Cardinals-Raiders, 10:00. Barry Tompkins, Doug Plank (ARI). Jim Gray, Jim Plunkett, Sean Jones, George Atkinson (LV).

» Las Vegas tape-delayed to 9:00 PM local (12 Midnight ET).

Seahawks-Broncos, 10:00. Steve Raible, Warren Moon (SEA). Dave Logan, Tony Zarella, Ryan Chiaverini (DEN).

 * Friday, 8/30:

Eagles-Jets, 7:00. Kenny Albert, Ron Jaworski (PHI). Unknown (NYJ).

Panthers-Browns, 7:00. Bill Rosinski, James Lofton, Pete Yanity (CAR). Jim Donovan, Todd Blackledge (CLE).

Colts-Saints, 8:00. Don Fischer, Charles Arbuckle, Mark Patrick (IND). Jim Henderson, Archie Manning (NO).

Titans-Packers, 8:00. John Dwyer, George Plaster (TEN). Chris Roth, Bill Maas, Andy Kendeigh (GB).

Rams-Chiefs, 8:15. Ken Wilson, Jackie Slater (LAR). Roger Twibell, Tim Grunhard, Al Wallace (KC).

Buccaneers-Texans, 8:15. Dave Sims, Merrill Hoge (TB). Terry Gannon, Craig James, Bob Allen (HOU).

🞙 REGULAR SEASON

- Week 1, 2002:

* Thursday, 9/5 (Opening Night):

Bills-Patriots, 8:20, NBC. Mike Patrick, Joe Theismann, Paul Maguire, Suzy Kolber

* Sunday, 9/8:

Vikings-Commanders, 1:00, CBS. Dick Enberg, Dan Dierdorf, Bonnie Bernstein

Dolphins-Steelers, 1:00, CBS. Gus Johnson, Brent Jones, Marcus Allen

Colts-Giants, 1:00, CBS. Ian Eagle, Solomon Wilcots

Eagles-Titans, 1:00, Fox. Dick Stockton, Daryl Johnston, Don Tollefson

Seahawks-Lions, 1:00, Fox. Sam Rosen, Bill Maas, Jennifer Hammond

Falcons-Panthers, 1:00, Fox. Curt Menefee, Tim Ryan, Paul Butler

Jets-Texans, 1:00, Fox. Ron Pitts, Marv Levy, Matt Sampsell

Browns-Buccaneers, 4:25, Fox. Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Cris Collinsworth, Pam Oliver

Cardinals-Rams, 4:25, Fox. Kenny Albert, Tim Green, Kevin McCabe

Saints-Ravens, 4:25, Fox. Pat Summerall, Brian Baldinger, Brent Harris

Bengals-Chiefs, 4:25, CBS. Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms, Armen Keteyian

Chargers-Raiders, 4:25, CBS. Kevin Harlan, Craig James, Beasley Reece

Cowboys-Jaguars, 8:20, NBC. Mike Patrick, Joe Theismann, Paul Maguire, Suzy Kolber

* Monday, 9/9 -- MNF DH:

Bears-Packers, 7:00, ABC. Al Michaels, John Madden, Melissa Stark

Broncos-49ers, 10:30, ESPN. Sean McDonough, Chris Spielman, Tracy Wolfson

- Also: KMGH - Denver, KGO - San Francisco/Oakland

- Week 2, 2002:

* Thursday, 9/12:

Buccaneers-Falcons, 8:15, Prime Video. Brad Nessler, Bob Griese, Holly Rowe

- Also: WFLA - Tampa, WXIA - Atlanta

* Sunday, 9/15:

Patriots-Jets, 1:00, CBS. Dick Enberg, Dan Dierdorf, Bonnie Bernstein

Lions-Bears, 1:00, CBS. Kevin Harlan, Craig James, Beasley Reece

Ravens-Bengals, 1:00, CBS. Ian Eagle, Solomon Wilcots, Scott Kaplan

Titans-Colts, 1:00, CBS. Craig Bolerjack, Jerry Glanville

Commanders-Cowboys, 1:00, Fox. Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Cris Collinsworth, Pam Oliver

Panthers-Vikings, 1:00, Fox. Sam Rosen, Bill Maas, Mike Goldberg

Raiders-Browns, 1:00, Fox. Pat Summerall, Brian Baldinger, Brian Webber

49ers-Rams, 4:05, Fox. Dick Stockton, Daryl Johnston, Martin Kilcoyne

Giants-Eagles, 4:05, Fox. Kenny Albert, Tim Green, Don Tollefson

Steelers-Jaguars, 4:05, Fox. Curt Menefee, Tim Ryan, Ryan Elijah

Saints-Packers, 4:25, CBS. Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms, Armen Keteyian

Cardinals-Seahawks, 4:25, CBS. Gus Johnson, Brent Jones, Marcus Allen

Bills-Dolphins, 4:25, CBS. Don Criqui, Steve Tasker

Chiefs-Broncos, 8:20, NBC. Mike Patrick, Joe Theismann, Paul Maguire, Suzy Kolber

* Monday, 9/16:

Texans-Chargers, 8:15, ABC/ESPN. Al Michaels, John Madden, Melissa Stark

- Week 3, 2002:

* Thursday, 9/19:

Browns-Ravens, 8:15, Prime Video. Brad Nessler, Bob Griese, Holly Rowe

- Also: WKYC - Cleveland, WBAL - Baltimore

* Sunday, 9/22:

Packers-Lions, 1:00, Fox. Dick Stockton, Daryl Johnston, Jennifer Hammond

Commanders-Titans, 1:00, Fox. Sam Rosen, Bill Maas, Dave Feldman

Bears-Vikings, 1:00, Fox. Curt Menefee, Tim Ryan, Mike Goldberg

Falcons-Saints, 1:00, CBS. Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms, Armen Keteyian

Jets-Bills, 1:00, CBS. Dick Enberg, Dan Dierdorf, Bonnie Bernstein

Jaguars-Colts, 1:00, CBS. Kevin Harlan, Craig James, Beasley Reece

Texans-Dolphins, 4:05, CBS. Gus Johnson, Brent Jones, Marcus Allen

Panthers-Buccaneers, 4:05, CBS. Ian Eagle, Solomon Wilcots

Eagles-Rams, 4:25, Fox. Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Cris Collinsworth, Pam Oliver

Giants-Seahawks, 4:25, Fox. Kenny Albert, Tim Green, Brent Ringenbach

49ers-Cardinals, 4:25, Fox. Pat Summerall, Brian Baldinger, Kevin McCabe

Bengals-Steelers, 8:20, NBC. Mike Patrick, Joe Theismann, Paul Maguire, Suzy Kolber

* Monday, 9/23:

Broncos-Patriots, 8:15, ABC/ESPN. Al Michaels, John Madden, Melissa Stark

- Bye: Chargers, Chiefs, Cowboys, Raiders

- Week 4, 2002:
* Thursday, 9/26:

Lions-49ers, 8:15, Prime Video. Brad Nessler, Bob Griese, Holly Rowe

- Also: WDIV - Detroit, KTVU - San Francisco/Oakland

* Sunday, 9/29:

Seahawks-Bears (London), 9:30 AM, Fox. Dick Stockton, Daryl Johnston, Brent Ringenbach

Cowboys-Texans, 1:00, CBS. Dick Enberg, Dan Dierdorf, Bonnie Bernstein

Jaguars-Commanders, 1:00, CBS. Gus Johnson, Brent Jones, Marcus Allen

Patriots-Bengals, 1:00, CBS. Ian Eagle, Solomon Wilcots

Vikings-Bills, 1:00, Fox. Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Cris Collinsworth, Pam Oliver

Saints-Panthers, 1:00, Fox. Kenny Albert, Tim Green, Paul Butler

Colts-Jets, 1:00, Fox. Curt Menefee, Tim Ryan, John DiScepolo

Cardinals-Falcons, 4:05, Fox. Sam Rosen, Bill Maas, Kevin McCabe

Dolphins-Titans, 4:05, Fox. Pat Summerall, Brian Baldinger, Mike DiPasquale

Packers-Eagles, 4:25, CBS. Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms, Armen Keteyian

Chargers-Browns, 4:25, CBS. Kevin Harlan, Craig James, Beasley Reece

Rams-Chiefs, 8:20, NBC. Mike Patrick, Joe Theismann, Paul Maguire, Suzy Kolber

* Monday, 9/30:

Ravens-Raiders, 8:15, ESPN. Al Michaels, John Madden, Melissa Stark

- Also: WBFF - Baltimore, KSNV - Las Vegas

- Bye: Broncos, Buccaneers, Giants, Steelers

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