NFL Network struggling to make airwaves   The upcoming NFL Network may need a "Hail Mary" to get its product onto cable television by its premiere date of Nov. 4. The new network, led by former ESPN boss Steve Bornstein and NFL Films president Steve Sabol, has a commitment only from Direct TV, which reaches 11 million households. However, in a conference call, Bornstein said he wasn't concerned.   "This is the way negotiations work," he said. "ESPN2 made six major cable deals the day of its debut in 1993." Former ESPN star Rich Eisen will host the signature show of the network "NFL Total Access" at 8 o'clock weeknights from Los Angeles. Former outspoken Eagles linebacker Seth Joyner will be one of the analysts. Ken Norton Jr., Marv Levy and Mike Ditka also will be part of the show. Because the NFL is in the middle of lucrative contracts with the networks, NFL games won't air on the NFL Network for now. But it could be a different story when the contracts expire in a couple of years. NFL Europe and preseason games will be broadcast on the NFL Network. Another regular show will be "The Game of the Week," which will use coaches' tape and other methods to give fans a detailed analysis of a game. With most sports ratings on the decline, Bornstein was asked why he thought a 24-hour, seven-day-a week NFL network would work. "The NFL is a natural to be successful," he said. "It is the most popular product around. The most successful sitcom of all time, "Seinfeld," couldn't go 24/7, but the NFL can." Take that, Kramer! Smaller role for Big Al Al Meltzer is no longer the fulltime host of "Spotlight" on Comcast SportsNet. CSN will use full-time talent on the interview show, and Meltzer will be used as a substitute. Eagles on CBS KYW wins the Eagles' lottery this week. CBS will air the Jets-Eagles game at 4:15 p.m. Sunday with the network's No. 1 team of Greg Gumbel, Phil Simms, and Armen Keteyian. Ratings game Last week's Giants game 24.7 rating/50 share for Fox. Each rating point equals 28,305 households. World Series gripes I'm not sure what is more annoying on Fox - the sound effects that sound like an airplane whizzing by on instant replay or Joe Buck's platinum blond hair. A dig from Doug Former Sixer Doug Collins, who will be the new lead NBA basketball analyst for TNT, didn't show any love to his old team. In a conference call, Collins said: "I think that their front line is suspect. Derrick Coleman is really their only big man inside. Kenny Thomas is undersized, as is Marc Jackson, so what kind of front line play will they get?" New critic NBA scout Bob Salmi will join the lineup of "Sixers Post Game Live" on Comcast SportsNet this season joining Gerald Henderson and Michael Barkann. Salmi replaces John Nash, who left the show to join the Portland Trail Blazers with Philly friends Maurice Cheeks and Jimmy Lynam. Sunday night fun Looking to vent after Eagles games on Sunday? Another option before you hit the sack is Rob Charry on WIP 610-AM. Charry reminds me of a grumpy uncle who hates everything. (That's a compliment). Laura Nachman covers television and radio sports for the Courier Times. She can be reached at bradyresident@aol.com. October 24, 2003 7:01 AM