Scott Hanson - Life in the Red Zone
By: Jim Williams
Examiner Sports Columnist
10/09/09 6:25 AM EDT
When last we saw Scott Hanson, he was a popular fixture at the anchor desk in Bethesda at Comcast SportsNet. Almost three years ago he moved on to the NFL Network, where he has been a successful anchor and reporter living in Tampa.
Recently Hanson was made the host of the new NFL Network Red Zone Channel, a spate channel available as part of the Sports Package that shows every touchdown either live or right after it happens.
I spoke to Hanson about life in the Red Zone.
JW » When do you start getting ready for the show?
Hanson » “I fly from Tampa to Los Angeles on Thursday evening. Starting on Friday we begin to go over all of the data for all the Sunday games. We look at everything from the weather to who will be playing and who are likely not to play.”
JW » What is a Red Zone Sunday like?
Hanson » “The show starts at 1 p.m. just as all the games kick off. Then things get rolling. Our team watches every game and as soon as a team gets into a scoring position we go to that game live. I set things up on how, say, the Cowboys got to the 5-yard line. Tony Romo hit a pass to Jason Witten of 30 yards setting Dallas up at the 5-yard line. Sometimes we have two games with scoring chances and we do split screens so that the fans can see both games at the same time. When we are not in a scoring position then we go to one of our games that is close, or where a quarterback or running back is having a great game.”
JW » You are a high-energy guy. How does that help you on Red Zone?
Hanson » “Well I am on the air for seven hours and coordinating producer Kent Camera really keeps things moving. As some of you know my friend, a Syracuse classmate, Andrew Siciliano, has been doing the Red Zone show for DirecTV and he was a big help telling me what goes into a seven-hour show with no breaks. His best advice was to have a strong bladder. But all kidding aside, I am on the best show a football fan could ever want to be on. I am going to see and share with the fans every great play that happens either live or just after it occurs. I can think of a better job for a football fan or broadcaster.”
I have seen the show for over two hours and Hanson really does keep things moving. Speaking of moving, you can catch him on the NFL Network Monday’s on “NFL Up to the Minute” at 6 p.m. and also see his reporting on many of the NFL Network shows. A free preview the Red Zone Channel is available today for all digital cable subscribers.
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this! on washingtonexaminer.com.
More from Jim Williams
Follow The Examiner
