Gerould has with the Kings since they came to California in 1985 and has called nearly 2,000 games. He’s been on ESPN since 1990, covering NASCAR, IndyCar, CART and other forms of racing in addition to his current role.  Since the NHRA and NBA seasons overlap in both the spring and fall, Gerould sometimes finds himself travelling from court to track and back again.  How does he keep it straight?

“I tell myself ‘engage the racing brain,’ and ‘engage the basketball brain,’” he said. ”Over a period of time you find shortcuts that help. But by the same token, doing three games in a week, then suddenly you’re at a racetrack, then you’ve got to shift gears a little bit.  I work very hard to stay up to speed on what’s going on with rule changes, driver changes, crew chief changes, so that when I get on site, the seed has been planted.  Having done 80-plus basketball games for 25 years, it’s more a discipline of getting your homework done and updating stats.  You’re with these guys, you travel with them on the plane, and so you have opportunities to ask them about things.”

If Gerould has to miss a Kings game to work a drag racing event, he keeps up by watching ESPN and checking box scores online. And while he’s with the Kings, he reads racing websites on a daily basis. He may miss eight or so games during the regular season, but has the full support of the Kings organization.

“I’ve been so fortunate because right from when I first started with the Kings, I was involved with NBC and I had to have certain latitude because of previous commitments, and they allowed it,” he said. “Over 25 years, they’ve continued to give me that. I greatly appreciate it.”

Naturally, Gerould is often asked if he prefers basketball or racing. “My answer is that I like everything that I do,” he said. “I’m that kind of a person. I want to find enjoyment in what I do and have a passion for it.  Also, when you start to get ground down by an 82-game basketball season, or a 23-weekend race season, you go to the other one, and it recharges you, and gives you a fresh outlook.”

Jaws will be back in the nation’s capital in just a few days for this week’s MNF game when the Giants face the Redskins.

In preparation for and recognition of this week’s Monday Night Football, when the undefeated Saints would host the Patriots, SportsNation Presented by Toyota held a New Orleans vs. New England debate Monday, Nov. 30, with host Michelle Beadle promoting the Saints and all things New Orleans, and host Colin Cowherd taking up the argument for the Pats and his beloved New England.

Half of the SportsNation studio was decorated in Mardi Gras Mania, and half in homage to the Minutemen and Pat Patriot. In the end, SportsNation voted that New Orleans was the better team and region, siding with their beloved Beadle and the Saints.

As a result, Cowherd, ever the Patriotic loser and dressed as Paul Revere, was sent to the SportsNation dunk tank filled with New England lobsters (of the faux variety) in the frigid Connecticut outdoors.

Five members of the SportsNation production crew each got a shot at dunking Cowherd — and each failed. Finally, Beadle asked for a shot, and, while assuring Cowherd he could trust her as his co-host, had someone secretly smash the lever on the sly, sending Colin to his icy defeat.

Johnson made live appearances on First Take (ESPN2), SportsCenter (ESPN), ESPNEWS, and ESPN Radio’s Scott Van Pelt Show (simulcast on ESPN2). He also did a live chat on ESPN.com, and taped appearances on the 6 p.m. SportsCenter and ESPN Deportes.

Prior to departing from Florida, where he captured his record-breaking Cup crown Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Johnson called into ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning (6-10 a.m. M-F). When asked how he was feeling at 7:12 a.m., about 12 hours after completing his historical 2009 season, Johnson replied: “Terrible, I wish you had a noon show.”

In total - after factoring in the time he awoke that morning - Katz was awake for about 41 hours (minus a 20-minute catnap outside a colleague’s cubicle around 4 a.m.).

“Don’t try this at home, especially if you are getting over a cold,” said Katz, who did change his contacts, shower and shave during the 41 hours. “I was amazed at how many people, through our chats and on Twitter, were involved in what we were doing, including poking fun at - in good humor - my physical breakdown. I only had to chat and talk. I can’t imagine how doctors then have to perform surgery under these conditions.”

Katz woke up at 7 a.m. Monday, Nov. 16, and the cab dropped him off at his house Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 1 a.m.

Dilfer regularly does analysis for NFL Live, NFL PrimeTime and SportsCenter. He also contributes to Monday Night Countdown, ESPN Radio and ESPN’s annual Super Bowl week and NFL Draft coverage. He once called a college football game – while he was still in college.

“I’m very ambitious and love to challenge myself,” he said. “The only time I’ve done color commentary is for the Senior Bowl when I was still at Fresno State. I want to continue to challenge myself in this career and this is a great opportunity to get involved in the college game and stretch my TV talents.”

The play-calling lineups for ESPN’s Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday games have included Rece Davis, Lou Holtz and Mark May; the SEC Network’s Dave Neal and Andre Ware; Eric Collins and Ray Bentley; and Bob Wischusen and Brian Greise.

“It is totally different; night and day in terms of prep,” Dilfer said. “I consider myself an expert in the NFL world. I live and breathe it. The college game, I’m a fan but I haven’t invested the same amount of time and energy into learning and knowing the game inside and out like the NFL.

“The game itself and the global themes are the same, but I’ve had to spend lots of hours doing film prep, understanding the story lines, team and game history, coaching staff and players. It’s been a really great challenge – and I have some anxiety, but it’s stretching your capacity to learn that excites me.”

Gruden, whose multi-year extension to remain with ESPN was announced today, also previews tonight’s MNF matchup between the Ravens and Browns.

Gruden Knows What It’s Like to Face “The Sheriff”