Behind the Scenes with FOX’s NFL crew: ‘Tush Push’ rule at center of NFC title game-ZoomTech News

By Richie Zyontz
FOX NFL Lead Producer

Editor’s Notice: Richie Zyontz has been an NFL producer for FOX since 1994 and is in his twenty third season because the lead producer. He has greater than 40 years of expertise masking the league and has produced seven Tremendous Bowls. All through the 2024 NFL season, he’s offering an inside look as FOX’s new No. 1 NFL crew, together with NFL legend Tom Brady, makes its journey towards Tremendous Bowl LIX. Learn extra behind-the-scenes tales from Richie Zyontz right here.

“It was a gray day, that least fleshly of all weathers; a day of goals and much hopes and clear visions.”

I doubt F. Scott Fitzgerald knew a lot about soccer. When he penned these phrases in his first novel, “Paradise Misplaced,” in 1920, the NFL was getting into its first season. 

Too unhealthy previous Fitzy wasn’t round in South Philly on Sunday, for he would have loved seeing these lofty ideas come to life. 

Beneath cloudy skies, with hopes and goals on the road, a packed home at full throat, and a visit to Tremendous Bowl LIX at stake, the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders placed on fairly a present within the NFC Championship Recreation on Sunday. 

And boy had been there plot strains!

Let’s begin with “Bracegate.”

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts entered the sport with a balky knee. There was a lot hypothesis whether or not he’d put on a brace on it. Braces can positively hinder a quarterback’s mobility, and mobility is the identify of Hurts’ recreation. So it’s a chunk of knowledge that might be useful to know.

In our video chat with head coach Nick Sirianni on Saturday morning, he guarded that data as if he had been Basic Eisenhower defending his plans for the Normandy invasion. No assist there. 

So our digital camera crew was prepared and documented Hurts in pregame warmups certainly sporting the brace, which we reported on moments earlier than kickoff.

However the plot thickens. 

When the Eagles took the sphere after a really lengthy Washington opening possession, Hurts trotted onto the sphere with out the brace. Now, maybe it simply didn’t really feel comfy, however the canine and pony present appeared pointless. 

Fortunately, the remedy for the quarterback’s unhealthy knee was simply hand the ball to Saquon Barkley. After the Commanders spent the opening seven minutes driving down the sphere solely to earn a subject purpose, the Eagles merely tucked the ball into Saquon’s stomach and scored a landing in 16 seconds. And that will get us to plot line No. 2.

America’s New Sweetheart …

I’ll always remember the nice John Madden’s tackle Detroit Lions working again Barry Sanders a few years in the past: “He’s essentially the most unassuming celebrity I’ve ever been round”. And Madden was round fairly just a few. Humility and sophistication outlined Sanders. Rating a landing, hand the ball to the official. No muss no fuss. Electrifying on the sphere, utterly grounded off it. 

Now a era later, Barkley has picked up that mantle. After losing away in a swamp of incompetence often known as the Jersey Meadowlands, Barkley was inexplicably allowed to flee down the turnpike into the loving arms of their archrivals. 

Consistent with Madden’s tackle Sanders, Saquon is a completely pleasant individual to speak with. There’s no ego, only a love for the sport, appreciation for his teammates, and a real humility that makes rooting for him fairly straightforward. All through the printed, our fabulous digital camera crew captured his unbridled pleasure with smiles broad sufficient to span the Ben Franklin Bridge. 

Now these smiles can be on show for all of the world to see within the Tremendous Bowl in two weeks. 

The Rule E book ….

Two weeks in the past, our cameras caught Eagles broad receiver A.J. Brown casually studying a e book throughout play in a wild-card recreation. On Sunday, the e book within the highlight was the NFL Rule E book, particularly Rule 12, Part 3, Article 2, identified to none as “Fouls to Forestall a Rating.” 

Fortunately, we’ve obtained former Head of NFL Officiating Mike Pereira on our aspect. 

With the Eagles in Tush Push territory down at Washington’s purpose line, Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu did his finest Superfly Jimmy Snuka imitation and repeatedly got here flying by means of the air in attempting to forestall a landing. Even earlier than referee Sean Hochuli might clarify what was taking place, Pereira was throughout it, explaining {that a} landing may be rewarded to the offense by advantage of repeated infractions. 

Arcane doesn’t start to explain this rule, and after the sport, Mike advised me he couldn’t recall one occasion of it ever being utilized. 

After Hochuli’s announcement, Washington obtained the message, however Philly finally obtained the landing.

Philly Particular ….

And at last, a humorous second from our GOAT in residence, Tom Brady. After director Wealthy Russo took a shot of former Eagles quarterback Nick Foles, he of the well-known Philly Particular landing catch in Tremendous Bowl LII in opposition to Brady’s Patriots, Brady blurted out in self-deprecating honesty, “Nick, I don’t hate you. I’m simply jealous of you.” 

You see, Brady had an opportunity at a uncommon go catch himself in that recreation however didn’t haul it in. That quip capped off a powerful day for the rookie broadcaster in a recreation that went in lots of instructions. Brady stayed forward of all of it, proactively mentioning technique and, as soon as once more, taking us contained in the thought means of taking part in quarterback. 

However as at all times, it is the photographs that outline a broadcast. We’re blessed with one of the best crew within the enterprise and their photographs spoke volumes. 

The shot of Eagles offensive lineman and warrior Landon Dickerson on the sidelines barely capable of stroll but insisting on going again within the recreation. Saquon Barkley, his evening over, joyously working on the sphere to have a good time his backup’s landing.

And better of all, the best closeup of an precise Eagle from veteran cameraman and budding ornithologist Mario Zecca. 

It was fairly a day.

Now there’s one recreation to go. It’s a rematch of the Tremendous Bowl on FOX two years in the past between the Eagles and Chiefs. In a time period trademarked by former Los Angeles Lakers coach Pat Riley, the Chiefs can be vying for a “three-peat” — three consecutive championships, which has by no means been completed within the Tremendous Bowl Period.

Tom Brady within the sales space, Patrick Mahomes on the sphere.

It could be one of the best storyline of all.

Richie Zyontz has been an NFL producer for FOX since 1994 and is in his twenty third season as lead producer. He boasts greater than 40 years of expertise masking the NFL.

---

---