On The Air by Laura Nachman Bucks County Courier Times December 26, 2003 "The Second Half" of football expert Ray Didinger's life began seven years ago when he attended a symposium he almost didn't attend.  Didinger, 57, of NFL Films, "Eagles Post Game Live" on Comcast SportsNet, and WIP 610-AM was entrenched in his role as a sports columnist for "The Philadelphia Daily News," when he was invited to a panel discussion at the Ritz movie theater featuring Steve Sabol of NFL Films. "I almost didn't attend, because I had spent most of the previous two weeks on the road, but decided to go at the last minute," said the NFL Hall of Fame writer.  Didinger, who at that time had worked 30 years as an Eagles beat writer and sports columnist recalled, "Sabol was discussing a project he was about to embark on called "Football America," a film about the country's love affair with the game.  I thought it sounded intriguing and my wife ("Philadelphia" magazine restaurant critic Maria Gallagher) encouraged me to approach Sabol.  After they talked, Sabol invited him to work on the movie. With his extensive football connections, Didinger spent the next six weeks on the phone with people all around the country coming up with story ideas for the film.   Though still enjoying his full-time job as a sports columnist for "The Daily News," Didinger found himself getting deeply involved in "Football America." A few months into the project, "The Daily News" offered buyouts to employees.  Much to the surprise of everyone at the paper, the popular columnist took the paper up on the offer. "I knew I had a year's salary from the buy-out and had become invested in the film."  With the encouragement of his wife, Didinger left the world of newspapers after three decades.  Didinger finished the project and "Football America" aired on TNT and won an Emmy award in 1996.  Soon after, Didinger's gamble paid off as he was offered a full-time job with NFL Films. Now he is living a football lover's dream.  Besides his role as senior producer for NFL Films, Didinger discusses the Eagles on "Post Game Live" and every Saturday on WIP 610-AM.  Though not as flashy as his "Post Game Live" colleagues Vaughn Hebron and Gov. Ed Rendell, enough people appreciate Didinger's knowledge to name him "Favorite Post Game Live Analyst" in our readers' poll. "I am grateful I have been able to spend my entire professional life covering the Eagles."  Ed and Steve Sabol of "NFL Films" will be the subject of a story on "60 Minutes II" on Wednesday, January 28. With the problems between Phillies announcers Harry Kalas and Chris Wheeler becoming public this week, here's possibly one reason that Kalas wants Wheeler "Outta Here."   According to a source in the sports industry, one time during a game Kalas called Wheeler "Chris."  After they went to break, Wheeler exploded and screamed at Kalas "Don't ever call me Chris on the air.  It's Wheels."  Where's Andy Musser when we need him? Aw-Phil In Saturday's late night sportscast with Phil Andrews on WPVI, Flyers general manager Bob Clarke was spelled "Clark," Andrews called Temple player David Hawkins "Dawkins" and said the "Saints" instead of "St. Louis" when discussing the NFL playoff picture.  Hart-Breaker Is CSN's Neil Hartman a jinx?  When Hartman subbed for Michael Barkann on "Eagles Post Game Live" the Eagles' nine-game winning streak was broken.  Also, the one year Hartman did radio play-by-play for the Temple Owls, they had their first losing season in 20-years.