Behind the Broadcast: Diehl folds again on ‘Big Board Sportstalk’

PHOTOGRAPHER: Ken Schott

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So, what is the deal, David Diehl?

For the second straight year, Diehl, an offensive tackle for the New York Giants, blew off the season finale of his “What’s the Diehl?” segment, which is heard Tuesdays during the NFL season on “Big Board Sportstalk” on WOFX-AM (980). Last year, Diehl told show host Rodger Wyland he had changed his cell number. That seemed like a convenient excuse after the Giants’ loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Divisional playoffs.

So, what is the excuse this time?

Could it be you didn’t want to talk about the Giants’ collapse in the second half of the season, punctuated by losing the final two games by a combined score of 85-16? I would be embarrassed, too.

Wyland doesn’t understand why Diehl stiffed him at the end of the season again.

“I am surprised we didn’t get him on Tuesday because he has been reliable all season long,” Wyland said.

If I am Wyland, I would thank Diehl for his two years contributing to the show and say goodbye. If Wyland wants to continue the segment, he needs to find a Giants player who will be reliable, who will show up win or lose, and who will be there to answer the questions as to why the Giants failed to make the playoffs.

GOLDEN REPLAY

If you didn’t watch Tuesday’s incredible gold-medal game between Team USA and Canada in the World Junior Hockey Championships, the NHL Network will air the game again in its entirety at 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

The U.S. beat Canada, 6-5, in overtime to win the gold medal, just the second time ever. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute forward Jerry D’Amigo had a goal and an assist in the game.

Of course, you can watch D’Amigo live on ESPNU Sunday at 3 p.m., when the Engineers visit Princeton.

TWC HOOPS

Time Warner Cable Sports channel 3 will be busy with men’s college basketball coverage this weekend.

There are three games on today. At noon, it’s St. John’s at Louisville. That will be followed by Miami (Ohio) at Buffalo at 4 p.m. The triple-header concludes with a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference clash between Canisius and Marist at 7:30 p.m.

It’s a double-header on Sunday. South Florida visits Syracuse at 2 p.m., and UAlbany hosts Vermont at 4 p.m.

On Monday, Siena hosts Canisius in a MAAC game at 7 p.m.

WILD-CARD WEEKEND

The NFL playoffs get underway today with the wild-card round.

NBC has two games today. The New York Jets meet the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC at 4:30 p.m., and the Philadelphia Eagles face the Dallas Cowboys at 8 p.m. Those games can be seen on WNYT (Ch. 13) and WNYT HD.

On Sunday, CBS (WRGB Ch. 6 and WRGB HD) has the AFC contest between the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots at 1 p.m. At 4:30 p.m., Fox (WXXA Ch. 23 and WXXA HD) carries the NFC matchup between the Green Bay Packers and the Arizona Cardinals.

RATINGS NEWS

Some ratings news from the NFL and college football.

u The NFL on Fox averaged 19.1 million viewers, smashing the previous record of 18.2 million set in 1995. It was also more than two million more viewers than a year ago (17.0 million). Fox averaged an 11.4 rating and 23 share, a 9 percent gain over last season’s 10.5/22.

u NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” averaged 19.4 million viewers, a increase of 17 percent from last year’s 16.6 million. Its rating was 11.7/19, 15 percent higher than last year’s 10.2/16.

u Fox’s ratings for the Bowl Championship Series stayed the same as last year.

The Sugar, Fiesta and Orange bowls averaged a 7.9 rating and 13 share. Iowa’s 24-14 win over Georgia Tech in Tuesday’s Orange Bowl earned a 6.8/11, up 26 percent from the record low for Cincinnati-Virginia Tech last season.

The Fiesta Bowl between teams from non-BCS conferences did fine. Boise State’s 17-10 win over Texas Christian on Monday drew an 8.2/13. That’s the fifth-highest rating among the 12 non-championship BCS games that Fox has aired, but down 21 percent from last year’s Texas-Ohio State game.

This is the final year of the BCS on Fox. ESPN takes over coverage next season.

NBA TV HD ON TWC

Time Warner Cable recently added NBA TV’s high definition channel to its system.

NBA TV HD is on TWC channel 1771.

3-D TV

ESPN announced this week that it will launch ESPN 3D later this year.

ESPN 3D will televise 85 live sporting events during its first year, beginning with the first World Cup match on June 11, featuring South Africa vs. Mexico. Other events to be produced in 3D include up to 25 World Cup matches, Summer X Games, college basketball and college football, which will include the BCS National Championship game.

”ESPN’s commitment to 3D is a win for fans and our business partners,” ESPN and ABC Sports president George Bodenheimer said in a release. “ESPN 3D marries great content with new technology to enhance the fan’s viewing experience, and puts ESPN at the forefront of the next big advance for TV viewing.”