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NFL ratings decline and a loss in populatrity.

Archer : 10/18/2016 1:42 pm
I fear that the NFL under Roger Goodell’s leadership that the NFL is eating “the goose that laid the golden eggs”.
Nobody could imagine the NFL declining, but, due to a series of events this is occurring.
In general, the NFL in their impertinence have dismissed the fans. They believed that their product was “bullet proof “and would thrive despite a watering down of the product.
The ratings drop is not due to (1) specific item and despite the NFLs insistence it is not related to the elections.
I believe that the reasons for the NFL losing popularity is;
1. The average game has 100 commercials and 11 minutes of actual game activity.
Quote:
“The NFL’s popularity is all the more remarkable when you inspect the fare it has to offer each week on television. An average professional football game lasts 3 hours and 12 minutes, but if you tally up the time when the ball is actually in play, the action amounts to a mere 11 minutes.”

http://qz.com/150577/an-average-nfl-game-more-than-100-commercials-and-just-11-minutes-of-play/

2. High definition television has exposed how poor the officiating is. The detailed coverage has made a mockery of the NFL officiating. The inconsistent and bad officiating have made it less enjoyable to watch a game. After every play the fans have to survey the field to see if there is some phantom penalty.
Quote:
“Top league officials might ignore some of the issues because the NFL is a money-making monster gobbling up billions every year, but the on-the-field product has dropped in quality. A lot of games have lost appeal. Officiating has been horrendous and seems to get worse every week. Injuries continue to mount, especially to star players who are disappearing as fast as the fundamentals.”

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/

The poor officiating has gone so far as to create conspiracy feelings. Fans are believing that the official are fixing games. I remember reading how Detroit fans were convinced that their playoff loss to Dallas was fixed.
Quote:
“Poor officiating has come to define the NFL. Despite the fact that the league is at its peak from a popularity and revenue standpoint, and despite the fact that it has more eyes on it now than ever before, it just can't figure out a way to correct its officiating problem. And yes, a problem exists “. “So, is this instead a conspiracy involving the specific officials? In true Tim Donaghy fashion, did one or more of them rig the game because they had money on the Cowboys? “

Gambling almost destroyed baseball and a perception of game rigging would doom the NFL.

3. Roger Goodell’s “holier than thou attitude” has turned off many fans. Goodell does not believe that he needs to explain his actions and that he demonstrates through his actions that he is only responsible to the owners.

4. The in game experience is in decline and it is impacting the TV audience as well. The in game experience is becoming more elitist. The cost of going to a game is extremely expensive and the PSLs have limited the opportunity for participation. The stadiums are now like the old “Roman Coliseum”. The classes are segregated by tiers. The owners make their money on the boxes and expensive seating and at the expense of the ordinary fan. The demise of the in game experience is affecting the young fans.

5. Injuries are hurting participation. Parents are discouring their children from playing youth football. They are afraid that their children will get hurt. Lack of participation will reduce youth interest in football.

I love football. I am a fan and I will continue to support the NFL. However, I see a tipping point and if the NFL does not recognize that there is a problem I believe that the situation will worsen. It is about time that the NFL makes the game more fan friendly.
I think  
Old Dirty Beckham : 10/18/2016 1:44 pm : link
people are overreacting. Sometimes leagues have down years.
Do you know anyone that was watching and is now not watching at  
Joey from GlenCove : 10/18/2016 1:45 pm : link
all?

RE: I think  
Giants2012 : 10/18/2016 1:46 pm : link
In comment 13180416 Old Dirty Beckham said:
Quote:
people are overreacting. Sometimes leagues have down years.


Viewership or not, the overall game has stunk for years.
the game is different because  
Rory : 10/18/2016 1:48 pm : link
the fans have made it that way, bitching and whining about everything and feeling entitled to voice their opinion over every little issue has caused the league to take a back stance and do whats best for the league.

blame yourself
I read that it's mostly because of the  
Gordo : 10/18/2016 1:51 pm : link
election. It was down in 2008 and 2012 as well.
Do I know people who are now not watching?  
Archer : 10/18/2016 1:52 pm : link
Absolutely.
I have a co-worker who was an avid fan who now will go pumkin picking with his family rather than watch a game.

I have three children and only one has remained a dedicated fan. The others are occasional observers.
RE: I think  
27 : 10/18/2016 1:54 pm : link
In comment 13180416 Old Dirty Beckham said:
Quote:
people are overreacting. Sometimes leagues have down years.


I am an avid football fan for my entire life and I can say that I:
1. Have steadily lost interest in the sport as a whole over the past few years.
2. Have been truly appalled for years now at the consistent lack of accountability for poor officiating and overall product.

It started years ago with clean football hits getting flagged as unsportsmanlike, and with growing health concerns, horrid officiating and declining product, I have lost interest steadily as the years have gone on. In every single prime time NFL game there are 2 or 3 calls that are ABSURD. No accountability. Such a bad product. And so poorly handled in every way by the league, from discipline of players to declining refereeing. I have several friends that feel the same way about the loss of interest in the overall sport outside of their favorite team.

That's not to say I am going to stop watching, but less? For sure. If it wasn't for the Giants, or if this season went/does go far south, I would lose interest even more. I hate the NFL outside of the Giants.

Does any of this really matter for the stranglehold and billions upon billions of dollars the league and dictator Goodell have over the Sports/Entertainment industry? I'm not sure.
RE: Do you know anyone that was watching and is now not watching at  
UConn4523 : 10/18/2016 1:54 pm : link
In comment 13180422 Joey from GlenCove said:
Quote:
all?


Me. Other than Giants games I don't really watch anymore. I'm certainly not the only one. The league sucks balls.
A really large chunk of it is the Kaepernick shit  
Nitro : 10/18/2016 1:56 pm : link
this angered a substantial portion of the population. You can think they're right or wrong, but decades of 'God, Country, Football' have a lasting affect, and it's a reaction to antagonistic stance Kaep knew he was taking.
I can believe it  
JerseyCityJoe : 10/18/2016 1:58 pm : link
Normally I would watch at least 2-3 games a week. Now I watch the Giants and maybe parts of another game. I understand this could be due to the shitty seasons the Giants have been having, however I just don't seem enjoy the NFL games like I used to.
RE: A really large chunk of it is the Kaepernick shit  
Sonic Youth : 10/18/2016 2:00 pm : link
In comment 13180451 Nitro said:
Quote:
this angered a substantial portion of the population. You can think they're right or wrong, but decades of 'God, Country, Football' have a lasting affect, and it's a reaction to antagonistic stance Kaep knew he was taking.
I've heard people say this before, but it's really hard to buy.

People aren't going to watch their teams because of an outspoken player on another team?

On the other hand, I don't doubt it with the way people are putting out shirts with him in the crosshairs of a rifle, and with this election showing just how rabid and dogmatic some people are.
alot of you criticize the league because you compare  
Rory : 10/18/2016 2:01 pm : link
it to how it used to be but you fail to take in consideration the world we live in now is not the world it was 20 years ago....hell even 10 years ago.

You think Paul Tagliabue had to worry about concussions , PED's , not standing for the national anthem being a big deal ? The overall amount of absurdity in this nation is a direct cause by giving everyone an open social forum to express their opinion about anything/everything.

I say it again, we made it this way so now you wanna complain and blame someone.
I think it is overexposed  
AnnapolisMike : 10/18/2016 2:01 pm : link
Once you had your Sunday days games and then Monday Night Football was the big game. Now you have 5 time slots for football...few have the time to sit for all 15-17 hours of televised football. I catch the Giants games and occasionally will watch a game involving another NFCE team or a really good matchup.

I also think peoples viewing habits have changed. With DVR's and video on demand people watch what they want to watch...not just what is on. I cut the cord several years ago...and watch much less football than I did before.
RE: RE: A really large chunk of it is the Kaepernick shit  
Greg from LI : 10/18/2016 2:03 pm : link
In comment 13180461 Sonic Youth said:
Quote:
People aren't going to watch their teams because of an outspoken player on another team?


They might watch their favorite team, but ignore the rest of the league.
I stopped watching the NBA  
Chip : 10/18/2016 2:03 pm : link
because of the officiating. All I see is traveling, palming, and not calling anything on the superstars. Wilt Chamberlin use to always get in foul trouble and when I stopped watching if Rick Robey was within 10 feet when Bird fouled Robey would get the foul.

The NFL does need to pay attention that hard tackles are ok and that the pansification of the game can go to far. Would Leonard Marschalls hit on JOe Montana be a foul today. I hope not. Tripletts crew would call a penalty
Sonic - I know 3 or 4 people anecdotally who have stopped because of  
Nitro : 10/18/2016 2:04 pm : link
it - a few are veterans, are few are just old cranky white guys, but they've all been put off by it.

Like I said, you can make of it what you will - but numbers are numbers.

Me personally, I thought it was a clumsy protest at best - when does he stop? Does he kneel the rest of his career? When does he say 'okay things are better now'.
RE: alot of you criticize the league because you compare  
UConn4523 : 10/18/2016 2:04 pm : link
In comment 13180465 Rory said:
Quote:
it to how it used to be but you fail to take in consideration the world we live in now is not the world it was 20 years ago....hell even 10 years ago.

You think Paul Tagliabue had to worry about concussions , PED's , not standing for the national anthem being a big deal ? The overall amount of absurdity in this nation is a direct cause by giving everyone an open social forum to express their opinion about anything/everything.

I say it again, we made it this way so now you wanna complain and blame someone.


We didn't do anything. I get that the times change and the league needs to make money, but that doesn't mean I have to accept it and not challenge the status quo. The competition i see every Sunday is mostly garbage. The officiating is laughable, and league is taking every single thing that makes the game fun away from its product.

I have countless things to do to occupy my time. I don't need the NFL. If it went away tomorrow I honestly wouldn't give a shit. Its a watered down mess. I hope they go on strike when the CBA is up (won't happen) and demand massive changes to the league.
and anyone who thinks  
UConn4523 : 10/18/2016 2:05 pm : link
the Kaepernick stuff isn't causing some viewership loss is clueless. Just because you don't think its a big deal doesn't mean that many people agree with you.
RE: Other than Giants games I don't really watch anymore.  
Trainmaster : 10/18/2016 2:06 pm : link
I agree with this. I'll "snack watch" a few of the better games on SNF. I usually keep the Red Zone channel on in the background while I do other stuff.

Ratings are down due to IMHO:

1) Overexposure - too many games with TNF, SNF & MNF
2) Reduced quality product (poor officiating, catering to high scores for fantasy football)
3) Too many commercials / long games
4) Presidential election year
5) National anthem protests (I know a lot of people it turned off)

I don't start watching a Giants game for 30 to 90 minutes so I can skip through the commercials and often inane commentary (Gruden MNF is the worst).

RE: I stopped watching the NBA  
UConn4523 : 10/18/2016 2:09 pm : link
In comment 13180470 Chip said:
Quote:
because of the officiating. All I see is traveling, palming, and not calling anything on the superstars. Wilt Chamberlin use to always get in foul trouble and when I stopped watching if Rick Robey was within 10 feet when Bird fouled Robey would get the foul.

The NFL does need to pay attention that hard tackles are ok and that the pansification of the game can go to far. Would Leonard Marschalls hit on JOe Montana be a foul today. I hope not. Tripletts crew would call a penalty


The worst. Couldn't pay me to watch a full NBA game. I tried during the finals and failed miserably.

I'm pretty much College Basetball/Football, Soccer, the occasional baseball game if there's a good pitching matchup, and Giants games.
RE: RE: A really large chunk of it is the Kaepernick shit  
27 : 10/18/2016 2:13 pm : link
In comment 13180461 Sonic Youth said:
Quote:
In comment 13180451 Nitro said:


Quote:


this angered a substantial portion of the population. You can think they're right or wrong, but decades of 'God, Country, Football' have a lasting affect, and it's a reaction to antagonistic stance Kaep knew he was taking.

I've heard people say this before, but it's really hard to buy.

People aren't going to watch their teams because of an outspoken player on another team?

On the other hand, I don't doubt it with the way people are putting out shirts with him in the crosshairs of a rifle, and with this election showing just how rabid and dogmatic some people are.


"An outspoken player on another team" is very different classification from starting a nationwide racial/political discussion using the NFL's popularity to gain a platform.

Not arguing the point of whether Kaep has influenced ratings either way, and have no idea if he has, but I don't think the basis of what he has achieved in some people's eyes can be dismissed that easily.
everything today  
gm7b5 : 10/18/2016 2:14 pm : link
is worse than it used to be, including the nfl. Things you thought in the past would be around forever are no longer. This may eventually happen to the nfl.
A friend of mine's husband was a pretty big fan  
knicks3031 : 10/18/2016 2:14 pm : link
and he happens to be in law enforcement. Apparently between the Beyonce performance at the Super Bowl and the Kap stuff, he is "boycotting" the NFL. Agree or disagree with it, the racial stories are having an impact on how people are viewing the game.
It's a shittier product  
Dunedin81 : 10/18/2016 2:17 pm : link
So many flags, the ever-present specter of injury, it really is harder to watch than it used to be.

And don't underrate the Kaepernick thing. Not every football fan is a diehard, entertainment options have mushroomed with Netflix and On Demand. The idea that something like that could be the straw that broke the camel's back for a few percentage points of the viewing audience is not outlandish. Just because you agree with or sympathize with the protests doesn't mean everyone agrees with you.
RE: and anyone who thinks  
Rory : 10/18/2016 2:20 pm : link
In comment 13180476 UConn4523 said:
Quote:
the Kaepernick stuff isn't causing some viewership loss is clueless. Just because you don't think its a big deal doesn't mean that many people agree with you.


you're missing my point, I do think the Kapernick stuff is a big deal however 10 years ago you wouldn't have even known if he was standing sitting or even there because it wasn't broadcasted like things are now. Once something goes "viral" on the web then it becomes a topic to discuss.
NFL games in London...  
Tark10 : 10/18/2016 2:24 pm : link
This is insanity. Let them play in Mexico. London is too far away. This game on Sunday will be on at 6:30am on the west coast. Hell! The NBA is playing exhibition games in China. I agree with all the negative comments. The product is in decline and the fees continue to increase. Not a good formula.
The rule changes have changed the game in a negative way  
weeg in the bronx : 10/18/2016 2:26 pm : link
1) As a result you have a 16% increase in penalties from 2009 to 2015. Penalties ruin the flow of the game and are very subjective at times.
2) I would also argue the emphasis on passing has led to more injuries - QBs are more at risk as are WRs. The injury problem is two fold: negative press in general and loss of stars turning off casual fans.
3) I agree with whoever brought up Goodell, although that only applies to the hardcore fan.
4) There is no doubt that the protests have turned off some % of the casual fan.
RE: It's a shittier product  
Rory : 10/18/2016 2:26 pm : link
In comment 13180511 Dunedin81 said:
Quote:
So many flags, the ever-present specter of injury, it really is harder to watch than it used to be.

And don't underrate the Kaepernick thing. Not every football fan is a diehard, entertainment options have mushroomed with Netflix and On Demand. The idea that something like that could be the straw that broke the camel's back for a few percentage points of the viewing audience is not outlandish. Just because you agree with or sympathize with the protests doesn't mean everyone agrees with you.


its shittier but thats because we made it that way, thats my point. When you start adding new rules and protocol then it has a domino effect on itself.

You want less flags and want less penalties but you get fucking fired up all to hell when your team doesn't get every call their way, You want the game to stay the way it is but then you want answers for mistakes made, you call your sports radio station, you post , you blog and come onto sites like BBI to vent demanding someone to be fired or fined.

I mean holy shit we as fans have become fucking insane.



RE: NFL games in London...  
Rory : 10/18/2016 2:28 pm : link
In comment 13180530 Tark10 said:
Quote:
This is insanity. Let them play in Mexico. London is too far away. This game on Sunday will be on at 6:30am on the west coast. Hell! The NBA is playing exhibition games in China. I agree with all the negative comments. The product is in decline and the fees continue to increase. Not a good formula.


playing in other regions of the world doesn't phase me in the least , if the NFL sees promise in becoming global like that then I'm all for it. Just dont expect the ratings/response to be the same as Week 15 in December
I don't know anyone  
chuckydee9 : 10/18/2016 2:30 pm : link
that stopped watching NFL.. Yes father time has caught up to us and we miss games because of the time we spent with kids but I just think the ratings are wrong.. I think more people watch at the bars or BWW.. I watch the redzone channel when giants are not playing.. because of this NFL thinks I no longer watch games... but its just the opposite..

Although I don't watch monday night games any more as I don't have the cable package with ESPN..
The flags have a lot to do with injury prevention  
Dunedin81 : 10/18/2016 2:30 pm : link
Which is good. But that doesn't mean that the quality of game play improves.
Number 1 rated Network Show Last Week  
djstat : 10/18/2016 2:31 pm : link
Sunday Night Football

Number 1 rated cable show last week

MOnday Night Football

Debates are considered special events. It is overreacting, but the league needs to see less flags and every deep ball cannot have PI called
RE: RE: alot of you criticize the league because you compare  
Rory : 10/18/2016 2:32 pm : link
In comment 13180474 UConn4523 said:
Quote:
In comment 13180465 Rory said:


Quote:


it to how it used to be but you fail to take in consideration the world we live in now is not the world it was 20 years ago....hell even 10 years ago.

You think Paul Tagliabue had to worry about concussions , PED's , not standing for the national anthem being a big deal ? The overall amount of absurdity in this nation is a direct cause by giving everyone an open social forum to express their opinion about anything/everything.

I say it again, we made it this way so now you wanna complain and blame someone.



We didn't do anything. I get that the times change and the league needs to make money, but that doesn't mean I have to accept it and not challenge the status quo. The competition i see every Sunday is mostly garbage. The officiating is laughable, and league is taking every single thing that makes the game fun away from its product.

I have countless things to do to occupy my time. I don't need the NFL. If it went away tomorrow I honestly wouldn't give a shit. Its a watered down mess. I hope they go on strike when the CBA is up (won't happen) and demand massive changes to the league.


Then stop watching
According to polls the protests are also a factor  
giant24 : 10/18/2016 2:34 pm : link
A sizable number of Americans say they may give the National Football League a pass this year, thanks to the player protests over racial issues.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey finds that nearly one-third (32%) of American Adults say they are less likely to watch an NFL game because of the growing number of Black Lives Matter protests by players on the field. Only 13% say they are more likely to watch a game because of the protests. Just over half (52%) say the protests have no impact on their viewing decisions.

I know that if the Giants start taking a knee I will not watch and will let the Giants/NFL know about it.
There's always  
joeinpa : 10/18/2016 2:35 pm : link
only been 11 minutes of action in an NFL game

The suspense between snaps is part of the game.
I have come to a point where I don't care anymore  
Larry in Pencilvania : 10/18/2016 2:35 pm : link
Things that have happened in my life over the past seven years have made the NFL insignificant to me. I work Sunday's and see only a few Giants games. There was a time when I couldn't get enough NFL now so what. I just don't find it fun anymore or worth watching the bs. Many people have been saying college ball is more appealing and I'm thinking of checking it out
I'm not someone who complains about bad calls  
BurlyMan : 10/18/2016 2:36 pm : link
or rails on play/personnel selection or speculates on conspiracy theories. I like to watch the games, enjoy the spectacle, win or lose.

But this Sunday with all the flags, non-calls and injuries (and terrible play by the Giants) I had a moment where I wondered why I go to such trouble to watch the games. I was out of town and had sought out a place to watch the game in a place where I didn't know a soul and it seemed like such a waste of time. I arrange my travel around games, have watched all but a handful of games over the last 20 years. Is the product worthy of such loyalty? I have my doubts.

I love the Giants. I'll get up at 6am and go watch the game somewhere in San Diego. But I think it's only a matter of time when I say "Enough."

RE: Number 1 rated Network Show Last Week  
weeg in the bronx : 10/18/2016 2:37 pm : link
In comment 13180552 djstat said:
Quote:


the league needs to see less flags and every deep ball cannot have PI called


It doesn't help that PI is so subjective and called so inconsistently, this past week being a prime example: In giant game a mystery PI nearly ends our season. In Atlanta game, the failure to call a blatant PI costs them the game.
RE: The flags have a lot to do with injury prevention  
chuckydee9 : 10/18/2016 2:40 pm : link
In comment 13180550 Dunedin81 said:
Quote:
Which is good. But that doesn't mean that the quality of game play improves.


But some of the flags have nothing to do with injuries and are repeatedly being called.. like the one on OBJ at the end of the game.. or vernon davis for shooting the ball through the uprights.. or AB dancing.. I think these are just annoying.. Every game has calls like these and they change the outcome of the game.. which is ridiculous.. I know earlier this year Pryor got a penalty called for taunting when he definetely wasn't taunting and that play was a huge play and put them in position to kick the game winning field goal.. but some butt hurt Refree called the penalty and hence the game was changed by a useless penalty..
RE: I'm not someone who complains about bad calls  
Rory : 10/18/2016 2:40 pm : link
In comment 13180567 BurlyMan said:
Quote:
or rails on play/personnel selection or speculates on conspiracy theories. I like to watch the games, enjoy the spectacle, win or lose.

But this Sunday with all the flags, non-calls and injuries (and terrible play by the Giants) I had a moment where I wondered why I go to such trouble to watch the games. I was out of town and had sought out a place to watch the game in a place where I didn't know a soul and it seemed like such a waste of time. I arrange my travel around games, have watched all but a handful of games over the last 20 years. Is the product worthy of such loyalty? I have my doubts.

I love the Giants. I'll get up at 6am and go watch the game somewhere in San Diego. But I think it's only a matter of time when I say "Enough."


i agree, an thats the way we should be when it comes to watching the games. Colin Cowherd used to always say....like your team , love your life.
Great Post Archer  
Bluesbreaker : 10/18/2016 2:43 pm : link
I can't argue with anything you mentioned very well
stated . I for the 1st time and I have been watching
since 1963 that I turned off the TV two weeks in a row.
The Giants are in my blood so to speak , but your
very right about the TV and the replays HD and Slow-Mo
from every angle possible .
Yet how many time do you get a flag and you don't even
see a replay ?
Weather plays a big part too...  
EricJ : 10/18/2016 2:50 pm : link
we have had some really nice weekends which means that families are out doing things vs locked up in the house.

I also think products like the red zone may not be counted and it looks like those fans have left.

Finally, I think the NFL has completely fucked up some of these markets like NY. We should have more football options on TV. We live in a time where not all fans in the NY area are Jets/Giants fans. I think they are missing an opportunity to have "football fans" tune into other games. I would treat the game that opposes the Jets and Giants in NY as a flex TV option. Put another division game on that would interest the fans of the home team. So, when the Giants are on TV, put an AFC east game on another channel at the same time. Then, when the Jets play at 4pm, put an NFC east game on TV then...or some other NFC game that would interest Giants fans.

Offer free red zone in NY on Cablevision to be available at times other than when the Giants and Jets are on TV. So this sunday for example the Giants play in the morning and they will be done by 1pm. I would plant my ass in front of the TV if I could watch all of the other games but I can't. So, they lost me for the rest of the day.
Reasons for loss of NFL popularity ....  
Manny in CA : 10/18/2016 2:52 pm : link

(My guesses) ...

(1) Demographics - More young people these days were not born in this country and therefore have not any American Football exposure

(2) Social Media Boom - Many people these days spend a lot of time talking to friends (probably at the sacrifice of the time they would otherwise spend sitting in front of the TV, watching the NFL)

(3) Cost - It's too expensive for the average man to go to the stadium, to see the games live

(4) Over-exposure - Too many games on TV (too much of a good thing breeds indifference
My view  
PaulN : 10/18/2016 3:06 pm : link
Is that I am starting to believe that the games are somewhat rigged. I do not bet or play fantasy sports for any money at all, so forget the theory that I am a pissed loser.

When was the last time a call went against the Steelers and the rapist NFL hero?

How obvious is it that they are trying to help the Cowboys and Redskins win, every call goes their way, how many refs are from the Washington or Dallas area that are NFL refs.

They cheat the teams that are never advertised very much on the NFL network, every little call goes against teams like the Giants and the Bengals, look at the reputation these two teams have on the NFL network, Eli went against the NFL draft protocol, they do not want players to dictate anything, they want full control. The Bengals are the NFL scapegoat.

I think the games are unfairly ref'ed, I feel there are teams that are league favorites, they target certain players they decide are going to be stars, and they get every call and break because they are advertised so hard by the league. Cam Newton is an example and now its Prescott, the cowboy rookies are the greatest pair of rookies in the history of the league you know, the league will give them every call they can give them now, and every ref now knows what to do, sure they are not called and told, but they hear what we hear also, and go with that flow, they keep their jobs that way.

The game has never been so bad, teams can not even tackle anymore, sickening football.
I have the answer!  
Stan in LA : 10/18/2016 3:07 pm : link
.
Bring back the Fun Bunch! - ( New Window )
RE: According to polls the protests are also a factor  
Rover : 10/18/2016 3:11 pm : link
In comment 13180561 giant24 said:
Quote:
A sizable number of Americans say they may give the National Football League a pass this year, thanks to the player protests over racial issues.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey finds that nearly one-third (32%) of American Adults say they are less likely to watch an NFL game because of the growing number of Black Lives Matter protests by players on the field. Only 13% say they are more likely to watch a game because of the protests. Just over half (52%) say the protests have no impact on their viewing decisions.

I know that if the Giants start taking a knee I will not watch and will let the Giants/NFL know about it.

Rasmussen is a known conservative garbage poll. Ignore it.
I still love it  
Ned In Atlanta : 10/18/2016 3:11 pm : link
People that want to stop watching because a peaceful protest, don't let the door hit you on the way out
RE: I have the answer!  
Giants2012 : 10/18/2016 3:11 pm : link
In comment 13180624 Stan in LA said:
Quote:
. Bring back the Fun Bunch! - ( New Window )


F-THEM!!!!!!

Besides the Giants Super Bowls, Black Sunday was the best!!!!


Arrognace Humbled - ( New Window )
RE: I still love it  
UConn4523 : 10/18/2016 3:16 pm : link
In comment 13180629 Ned In Atlanta said:
Quote:
People that want to stop watching because a peaceful protest, don't let the door hit you on the way out


They won't, the NFL isn't as good as you think it is.

Some people don't want politics entering their escape, some don't believe in the case, what's so wrong with that? It doesn't bother you and that's awesome, but it clearly bothers other people and your opinion is no better than theirs.
It's  
AcidTest : 10/18/2016 3:17 pm : link
a confluence of the factors cited here:

Injuries and specifically the threat of concussions are slowly killing football at all levels.

Too many commercials. Contrast that to soccer, where the clock never stops.

Too much football. Except for MNF and Thanksgiving, all NFL games should be on Sunday. Thursday night football is ridiculous, as is traveling to foreign countries, even for preseason games.

The season is too long. The regular season should be shortened by two games, with every team getting an extra bye week. The preseason should be shortened to two games.

I'm not sure the league can do anything about the officiating. We now have review. PI and holding are always going to be subjective. I'd change the rule to allow defensive backs to hit WRs within ten yards of the LOS.
RE: RE: I still love it  
Mad Mike : 10/18/2016 3:20 pm : link
In comment 13180638 UConn4523 said:
Quote:
They won't, the NFL isn't as good as you think it is.

Some people don't want politics entering their escape, some don't believe in the case, what's so wrong with that? It doesn't bother you and that's awesome, but it clearly bothers other people and your opinion is no better than theirs.

You're cute.
RE: Do I know people who are now not watching?  
djm : 10/18/2016 3:23 pm : link
In comment 13180444 Archer said:
Quote:
Absolutely.
I have a co-worker who was an avid fan who now will go pumkin picking with his family rather than watch a game.

I have three children and only one has remained a dedicated fan. The others are occasional observers.


I say bs. The fan that always loved the game still loves the game now and if they are going pumpkin picking it's because the wife threw guilt trips at the guy. Don't tell me every red blooded guy at the patch isn't longing to be home watching football. Your friend is just saying they don't want to watch.
Streaming games  
Jesse B : 10/18/2016 3:24 pm : link
Might have missed it but no one has mentioned streaming games. I think viewership is steady.

But there's definitely a quality problem. Too many commercials, too many flags, too many bad teams.

Think a big help would be to jettison 4-6 teams, but that would never happen. Would definitely improve quality of play. Also the spread offense makes the games longer. More clock stoppage.

But it's the commercials, flags neutering the game and also the giants being pathetic are the main issues for me
And it's ridiculous  
djm : 10/18/2016 3:29 pm : link
To say NFL popularity is down. The game is making more money today than it was 3 years ago and more than it was 20 years ago. Oh but becsuse of a slight slight dip in night game coverage you're gonna tell me the game is slowly dying or losing fans? The game is earning more than ever!

The product may or may not be worse but I assure you the officials sucked in the 80s and 90s its just that today the officials have more calls to make more rules to officiate or deliberate on and more scrutiny to withstand due to social media.

You want to improve officiating? Lesson the amount of penalties and draw up a nes nfl rule book with clearly defined rules. These refs are only doing what they are told to do, horrible calls aside. Calls we saw 30 year ago I might add.
RE: everything today  
djm : 10/18/2016 3:32 pm : link
In comment 13180500 gm7b5 said:
Quote:
is worse than it used to be, including the nfl. Things you thought in the past would be around forever are no longer. This may eventually happen to the nfl.


Except medicine. And technology. And tolerance.
Just gonna get worse  
TimsGiants : 10/18/2016 3:39 pm : link
Middle schools wont even let kids play 2 hand touch football during recess. As a kid I loved football especially recess and had to watch it on tv around 9 years old.

Future isn't like good for the game.
RE: RE: I still love it  
Ned In Atlanta : 10/18/2016 3:39 pm : link
In comment 13180638 UConn4523 said:
Quote:
In comment 13180629 Ned In Atlanta said:


Quote:


People that want to stop watching because a peaceful protest, don't let the door hit you on the way out



They won't, the NFL isn't as good as you think it is.

Some people don't want politics entering their escape, some don't believe in the case, what's so wrong with that? It doesn't bother you and that's awesome, but it clearly bothers other people and your opinion is no better than theirs.


I'm just giving my 2 cents. What other people do or don't do in their spare time doesn't impact me whatsoever
RE: RE: Do I know people who are now not watching?  
Ned In Atlanta : 10/18/2016 3:41 pm : link
In comment 13180656 djm said:
Quote:
In comment 13180444 Archer said:


Quote:


Absolutely.
I have a co-worker who was an avid fan who now will go pumkin picking with his family rather than watch a game.

I have three children and only one has remained a dedicated fan. The others are occasional observers.



I say bs. The fan that always loved the game still loves the game now and if they are going pumpkin picking it's because the wife threw guilt trips at the guy. Don't tell me every red blooded guy at the patch isn't longing to be home watching football. Your friend is just saying they don't want to watch.





Yeah, I don't buy it. Your buddy sounds whipped and afraid to admit it.
NFL loss of viewership  
Archer : 10/18/2016 3:47 pm : link
As exhibited by this dialogue the NFL should be concerned with their product. There is a decline. There will always be the hard core fans who will follow the games but the success of the NFL relies upon the casual fan.
The amount of commercials  
Sy'56 : 10/18/2016 3:48 pm : link
has gotten out of control
I don't even watch a ton of golf  
djm : 10/18/2016 3:49 pm : link
And in a perfect world I'd sit home and watch golf all day if I could. Every married guy i know wants to sit at home, drink beer and watch bs all day on tv. But your friend is done with the NFL and would prefer anything to if. Sure he would. And this is evidence that the 15 billion dollar industry (annual) is losing its grip on fans.

I take it some long time NFL fans didn't stop watching in the 80s and 90s?

there was nothing else to watch  
UConn4523 : 10/18/2016 3:56 pm : link
in the 80's and 90's. Now you have infinite amounts of content at your fingertips, not to mention other sports or events happening at the same time.

We are in a new era where attention spans are at an all time low. If you are going to stop the game ever other play with a flag, cram commercial spots down my throat once every 4 minutes, and make me watch instant replay and still get calls wrong, then what's in it for me exactly?

The NFL isn't hurting...yet. But its coming, and sooner than some people here think. We are on a Giants forum but most of the NFL's audience doesn't spend their time on football message boards as they are casual fans, those are the people the NFL can't afford to lose; its the whole reason why they've expand in the first place.
RE: The amount of commercials  
shockeyisthebest8056 : 10/18/2016 3:59 pm : link
In comment 13180687 Sy'56 said:
Quote:
has gotten out of control


The first game I watched this season elicited a "Now I remember why I hate the NFL" reaction from me when they did their classic XP-commercial-kickoff-commercial horseshit. They need to get rid of those altogether... make halftime longer and play those commercials then.
This Sunday I took my kids to the park...  
Dunedin81 : 10/18/2016 4:04 pm : link
and took Bob Papa with me on the XM app. It's not because I'm whipped, it's because it's a better use of my time than watching the game while my kids run around the basement bored out of their skulls while my wife is trying to get her schoolwork done. There are a finite number of leisure hours in the week. And this is the point about the protests. I'm a pretty dedicated fan, but when it comes to allocating that time things like that make me less inclined to tune in. For a casual fan it might decide the issue.
The only argument i have against those who say  
Millwall_Giant : 10/18/2016 4:22 pm : link
the protests turn people off (which they may), is that i could imagine the same number of people refusing to watch if the NFL was deemed to be denying people the right to protest.
The protests are hurting - no doubt  
SomeFan : 10/18/2016 4:36 pm : link
My gripe about the NFL these days though is the officiating and the one-side games. The NFL has to avoid being like the NBA where big games seem to be virtually orchestrated by the officials.
RE: Reasons for loss of NFL popularity ....  
Fred-in-Florida : 10/18/2016 4:36 pm : link
(3) Cost - It's too expensive for the average man to go to the stadium, to see the games live

Lot of good arguments listed but this is one that I'm close to.

I've been a season ticket holder since '75. My son now has them but they're in my name.

Yes cost of living and all but tickets we're $9.00 a game. $72 for the, season. Didn't have to buy preseason games. Now face is $130, Lower endzone. Season $1300. For you math wizes what is that 1700 per cent increase? I don't know what the prices of tickets are in other locations but for argument sake $130 is the average.

So $130 x 80,000(avg) = $10,040,000 a game.
$104,000,000 a year in gate receipts.

Parking was 5 bucks. Now you need a pass that's $35(?). How about a beer and a hot dog. I know beers are over 10 bucks. I can get a freekin 12 pack for that! Oh and did I mention the PSL! They were $5000 a seat that's $20,000. Just to have the right to see yellow. (See what I did there).

There was no shared TV package. Now 3 major networks bidding for the rights and TV ratings! Commercials gotta pay for those contracts. Salaries have increase greatly also but just for the top player. I don't follow that end in great detail. Eli gets top end money but then many players just get the minimum. My point here is that although salaries have skyrocketed so has the way the teams make money. It's just not gate receipts. NFL properties is another. Nobody wore Jerseys back in the day. Now your not a fan if you don't have a few, and at what price? I think I have 8 different hats and probably a dozen shirts.

My son works retail and can't get to games after Thanksgiving. So I'm the average fan. Where do I get tickets. Oh Ticket exchange. Lucky to get a game under $200. Why are they so expensive. Like I said he has to pay for preseason games so he's trying to cover his cost. Then what about the game he can't make. Who wants to see Detroit in December. Good thing Cleveland is away.




RE: RE: According to polls the protests are also a factor  
littlejoe47 : 10/18/2016 4:42 pm : link
In comment 13180628 Rover said:
Quote:
In comment 13180561 giant24 said:


Quote:


A sizable number of Americans say they may give the National Football League a pass this year, thanks to the player protests over racial issues.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey finds that nearly one-third (32%) of American Adults say they are less likely to watch an NFL game because of the growing number of Black Lives Matter protests by players on the field. Only 13% say they are more likely to watch a game because of the protests. Just over half (52%) say the protests have no impact on their viewing decisions.

I know that if the Giants start taking a knee I will not watch and will let the Giants/NFL know about it.


Rasmussen is a known conservative garbage poll. Ignore it.


This is true. Rasmussen has one of, if not the largest conservative bias in the polling world. No doubt that some are certainly tuning out due to the protests, however.
Goodell  
Ben in Tampa : 10/18/2016 5:07 pm : link
And officiating plus some Kapernick
I'd like to see the NFL  
mrvax : 10/18/2016 5:35 pm : link
Invest $1M or more into better helmet technology.
Ditch the Thursday night and overseas games.
Reduce the commercial time to half of what is now is.
Have and pay for full-time refs.
RE: RE: Reasons for loss of NFL popularity ....  
Sec 103 : 10/18/2016 5:38 pm : link
In comment 13180743 Fred-in-Florida said:
Quote:
(3) Cost - It's too expensive for the average man to go to the stadium, to see the games live

Lot of good arguments listed but this is one that I'm close to.

I've been a season ticket holder since '75. My son now has them but they're in my name.

Yes cost of living and all but tickets we're $9.00 a game. $72 for the, season. Didn't have to buy preseason games. Now face is $130, Lower endzone. Season $1300. For you math wizes what is that 1700 per cent increase? I don't know what the prices of tickets are in other locations but for argument sake $130 is the average.

So $130 x 80,000(avg) = $10,040,000 a game.
$104,000,000 a year in gate receipts.

Parking was 5 bucks. Now you need a pass that's $35(?). How about a beer and a hot dog. I know beers are over 10 bucks. I can get a freekin 12 pack for that! Oh and did I mention the PSL! They were $5000 a seat that's $20,000. Just to have the right to see yellow. (See what I did there).

There was no shared TV package. Now 3 major networks bidding for the rights and TV ratings! Commercials gotta pay for those contracts. Salaries have increase greatly also but just for the top player. I don't follow that end in great detail. Eli gets top end money but then many players just get the minimum. My point here is that although salaries have skyrocketed so has the way the teams make money. It's just not gate receipts. NFL properties is another. Nobody wore Jerseys back in the day. Now your not a fan if you don't have a few, and at what price? I think I have 8 different hats and probably a dozen shirts.

My son works retail and can't get to games after Thanksgiving. So I'm the average fan. Where do I get tickets. Oh Ticket exchange. Lucky to get a game under $200. Why are they so expensive. Like I said he has to pay for preseason games so he's trying to cover his cost. Then what about the game he can't make. Who wants to see Detroit in December. Good thing Cleveland is away.




Same reason I gave them up... 20 K for psl to start with, and I can tell you from my two visits, it's not the same and my 28 year old son has the same opinion. Hope all is well Fred!
Another:  
mrvax : 10/18/2016 5:40 pm : link
Have all bye weeks occur during week 7, 8, 9.
RE: I'd like to see the NFL  
bradshaw44 : 10/18/2016 5:56 pm : link
In comment 13180802 mrvax said:
Quote:
Invest $1M or more into better helmet technology.
Ditch the Thursday night and overseas games.
Reduce the commercial time to half of what is now is.
Have and pay for full-time refs.


And I'd like a billion dollars.
It's obviously a mix of all the factors  
bradshaw44 : 10/18/2016 5:58 pm : link
Listed on this thread. Why people need to bicker over if it's one or the other is just ridiculous.
RE: RE: RE: According to polls the protests are also a factor  
Deej : 10/18/2016 6:01 pm : link
In comment 13180747 littlejoe47 said:
Quote:
In comment 13180628 Rover said:


Quote:


In comment 13180561 giant24 said:


Quote:


A sizable number of Americans say they may give the National Football League a pass this year, thanks to the player protests over racial issues.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey finds that nearly one-third (32%) of American Adults say they are less likely to watch an NFL game because of the growing number of Black Lives Matter protests by players on the field. Only 13% say they are more likely to watch a game because of the protests. Just over half (52%) say the protests have no impact on their viewing decisions.

I know that if the Giants start taking a knee I will not watch and will let the Giants/NFL know about it.


Rasmussen is a known conservative garbage poll. Ignore it.



This is true. Rasmussen has one of, if not the largest conservative bias in the polling world. No doubt that some are certainly tuning out due to the protests, however.


The bias is R+2.0. You can hardly dismiss a result of 32% because the pollster has a R+2.0 bias. So what? So the number is really 30%?

The real problem with that poll is probably (1) as response rates have gone down a ton, polls have become less reliable, (2) a single poll is usually very unreliable and the stated MOEs are a joke, and (3) questions like this are notoriously poor measures of what they purport to measure. Most people saying yes to this poll either dont watch the NFL already or will continue to watch it. But they say yes to either mess with the pollster or to voice their displeasure with the topic (here NFL protests).

And probably (4), unless you do a great job writing the question on something like this, the question is likely to contain a social cue (approval or disapproval) suggesting one appropriate answer. Such questions will throw off the results. I just looked as Rasmussen's website and the actual wording of the question is considered premium content.
...  
christian : 10/18/2016 6:07 pm : link
For all the changes made, the game isn't as different as the way we watch it.

That the NFL maintained ratings on broadcast TV for as long as it did is the anomaly.

Ten years from now media analysts will probably point to the bad economy for key demos as the reason ratings stayed above water.

Broadcast TV is free. 3.5 hours of entertainment you can gather friends and family around is attractive to folks who don't have 60 bucks to dump into a movie at the theater for a family of four.

I've rattled off a list of factors that impact viewership the folks I know in media buying point to a few times. This is where to focus:

- The NFL needs to end the editorializing of penalties by the refs. Name the penalty, the yards and the spot and stop. Making up rules and rationales is weird and counter-productive and erodes credibility.

- make the play clock 15 seconds, pack more action between commercials and all the bitching about commercials will stop. There isn't a hug increase in ad time per hour in the last 10 years. It's frequency. It's the one truck ad between the extra point and kick-off, and the same commercial between touch back and 1st down

- The NFL swapped offense for violence, but then introduced a shit ton of rules that stop the game. Let defenses play defense, cut out the PI, holding etc. minor contact. If you speed up the plays, defense will tire and you'll score more points

RE: The only argument i have against those who say  
Dunedin81 : 10/18/2016 6:41 pm : link
In comment 13180728 Millwall_Giant said:
Quote:
the protests turn people off (which they may), is that i could imagine the same number of people refusing to watch if the NFL was deemed to be denying people the right to protest.


Because you think that you are representative of the bulk of the NFL audience. Hubt: you're not.
Hint rather  
Dunedin81 : 10/18/2016 6:43 pm : link
Fat-fingering my phone
Too many commercials  
Nomad Crow on the Madison : 10/18/2016 6:44 pm : link
Too many injuries, too many penalties. The games are boring. And if you are bothered by the "protests" maybe you would be happier in Iran. Not much in the way of protests there.
RE: Too many commercials  
Dunedin81 : 10/18/2016 6:49 pm : link
In comment 13180842 Nomad Crow on the Madison said:
Quote:
Too many injuries, too many penalties. The games are boring. And if you are bothered by the "protests" maybe you would be happier in Iran. Not much in the way of protests there.


Fuck off. Plenty of people think it's a dumbshit protest based on a fiction and that when they're patronizing a consumer product they can expect to not have said consumer product invaded by half-assed political stunts against a flag that is more than a piece of cloth to some of us.
Commercials  
Josiah31 : 10/18/2016 6:58 pm : link
Have to play a really big part. Score a TD commercial. Kick extra point commercial. Kickoff commercial. The last two min of a game takes 30 min. It can be really annoying.

I know presidential debate was during a few of the "prime time" games and that brought ratings down. As much as the candidates suck, it's at least entertaining at times.


Their primetime games have been crappy matchups as well. Cards vs jets? Anyone not a fan of those teams want to watch that? Tampa vs panthers? Too many bad football teams. Product is a little watered down.
It's what defines America:  
Nomad Crow on the Madison : 10/18/2016 7:00 pm : link
freedom of speech, freedom to protest. Nothing more "American" than that.
RE: It's what defines America:  
Dunedin81 : 10/18/2016 7:05 pm : link
In comment 13180853 Nomad Crow on the Madison said:
Quote:
freedom of speech, freedom to protest. Nothing more "American" than that.


They're free to do whatever the fuck they want, subject to their employer's right to a say in their conduct on the clock (within the scope of a CBA). And I'm free to protest by taking my money and my time elsewhere. Or do you not accept that form of protest?
RE: RE: According to polls the protests are also a factor  
giant24 : 10/18/2016 7:07 pm : link
In comment 13180628 Rover said:
Quote:
In comment 13180561 giant24 said:


Quote:


A sizable number of Americans say they may give the National Football League a pass this year, thanks to the player protests over racial issues.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online survey finds that nearly one-third (32%) of American Adults say they are less likely to watch an NFL game because of the growing number of Black Lives Matter protests by players on the field. Only 13% say they are more likely to watch a game because of the protests. Just over half (52%) say the protests have no impact on their viewing decisions.

I know that if the Giants start taking a knee I will not watch and will let the Giants/NFL know about it.


Rasmussen is a known conservative garbage poll. Ignore it.


Shoot the messenger I see. How about a yahoo/yougov poll:
The survey of 1,128 Americans, conducted on Sept. 13 and 14
Nearly half of all NFL fans, 44 percent, claim they would stop watching football if protests continued.
Nearly half of all NFL fans, 44 percent, claim they would stop watching football if protests continued. - ( New Window )
Really?  
Nomad Crow on the Madison : 10/18/2016 7:12 pm : link
Is viewership down 44%? And I do not denie your right to disagree with me. But when you resort to vulgarity, you belittle your argument.
Harcore fans like us will watch the Giants at the very least.  
Joey from GlenCove : 10/18/2016 7:13 pm : link
Maybe these casual fans are just bored with the game.

They are on to the next thing.
Clearly  
Nomad Crow on the Madison : 10/18/2016 7:13 pm : link
That should read "deny."
they surveyed about 1200 people  
santacruzom : 10/18/2016 7:14 pm : link
and extrapolated those results to all of NFL fans?

I'm no statistician, but that seems a little specious to me.
RE: Really?  
Dunedin81 : 10/18/2016 7:14 pm : link
In comment 13180867 Nomad Crow on the Madison said:
Quote:
Is viewership down 44%? And I do not denie your right to disagree with me. But when you resort to vulgarity, you belittle your argument.

You said people who disagree with the protests should move to Iran and you're complaining about vulgarity? Practice what you preach.
RE: they surveyed about 1200 people  
giant24 : 10/18/2016 7:17 pm : link
In comment 13180870 santacruzom said:
Quote:
and extrapolated those results to all of NFL fans?

I'm no statistician, but that seems a little specious to me.


How polling works:

According to probability theory, it’s not necessary to sample the opinions of all 300 million Americans; a much smaller sample can reflect the larger population—if that sample is truly representative. So in surveying the opinions of the whole country, pollsters have to sample a proportional percentage of men and women; Republicans, Democrats, and independents; rural and urban residents; and so on. That sample group, moreover, has to reach a certain size threshold to be statistically accurate. For national polls, most pollsters use a sample of 1,500 as a rule of thumb. A sample that size will accurately reflect the whole within about 3 percentage points, a variance that statisticians call the margin of error.
but it's not results-oriented at all  
santacruzom : 10/18/2016 7:21 pm : link
It's people answering a question with words rather than action. In a question such as this I imagine people present an answer they can most easily reconcile with their convictions, but would they actually follow through with it? Doubt it.

Put another way, I bet if you polled that 44% and asked them if they'd indeed make good on their threat to stop watching, 100% would say yes.
Just saying that the protests have to be taken into account  
giant24 : 10/18/2016 7:21 pm : link
and I think they are really pissing a lot of people off. I so far have ignored them because it really is only a handful, but if starts to spread and members of the Giants start doing it I will not watch another game and I will contact the Giants/NFL to tell them why they lost a viewer. They can protest and I can refuse to watch and line their pockets.
I can't see it being anywhere near that high...  
Dunedin81 : 10/18/2016 7:28 pm : link
But statistically significant? Sure. Football has a number of different constituencies. Some of them are heartened by the protests. Some are revolted by them. You can disagree all you want, but there are people who believe LEOs are under siege, and there are others who are upset that the protest targets the flag and the National Anthem. If a fraction of them follow through, even if it's just watching less instead of none at all, that's a significant loss of audience.
I have multiple friends  
Mike from SI : 10/18/2016 7:30 pm : link
who have mentioned to me they've been watching less over the last few years. One even mentioned he now prefers random NHL games over random NFL games. These are younger/liberal folks who support Kaepernick. It's a combination of many of the other issues people have raised. (I imagine Kaep has an effect on others, just not these particular people.)]
RE: RE: Too many commercials  
FStubbs : 10/18/2016 7:40 pm : link
In comment 13180845 Dunedin81 said:
Quote:
In comment 13180842 Nomad Crow on the Madison said:


Quote:


Too many injuries, too many penalties. The games are boring. And if you are bothered by the "protests" maybe you would be happier in Iran. Not much in the way of protests there.



Fuck off. Plenty of people think it's a dumbshit protest based on a fiction and that when they're patronizing a consumer product they can expect to not have said consumer product invaded by half-assed political stunts against a flag that is more than a piece of cloth to some of us.


What good is the flag if the state that flag represents can kill you on a whim? But yeah, in your world it's fiction. That privilege must be nice.
Great post...  
trueblueinpw : 10/18/2016 7:48 pm : link
I love the NFL and even though my life is busier than ever, I never miss a Giants game. Also, I make every effort to watch the Jets on Sunday, I watch Redzone, I watch TNF and SNF and MNF. I love the NFL Network too so, basically, I can't really get enough NFL.

However, as much as I love the NFL, the decline in the quality of the product is both noticeable and rapid. The officiating is bad, yes, very bad.

But, even when they get the call right, it takes way too long. Its a TOUCHDOWN! Or is it? Let's watch 3 minutes of ads and then we'll get back to you about whether or not its a touchdown. There's no flow to the game these days. So, its not just that the officials get it wrong sometimes, its the whole process of calling a game is somehow wrong.

I feel personally responsible  
Glover : 10/18/2016 7:49 pm : link
for the dip in NFL ratings. I got a new job in June and I work 7p-7a. I have to leave for work at 5:30, and I get up around 4. Sometimes I can't help myself, like this past sunday, and I watch the Giants if they are on at 1, but it makes me tired at work. I do put on NFL Mobile at work and peek at whatever game is on when I can, so I guess am counted there, but I don't watch football like I have in the past. It has nothing to do with players taking a knee during the anthem because they think there is social injustice in this country. I have no problem with that. If the teams want to discipline them for doing it, I would be ok with that too, but that would open up a can of worms that would probably hurt their ratings more than they are being hurt now. I also don't give a fuck about this election. Meaning, I'm not watching debates over football. Hell no. I don't think many people's votes are going to be swayed either way by watching any of these debates. Officiating sucks, but the game is still great. I just bought a pair of those Giants Nike training sneakers. They are awesome. I love them. I don't go to games, I have the ticket. What's the problem? I agree with someone here, if players taking a knee or raising their fist during the anthem turns you off from football so be it. I'll still watch.
RE: RE: RE: Too many commercials  
Dunedin81 : 10/18/2016 8:08 pm : link
In comment 13180897 FStubbs said:
Quote:
In comment 13180845 Dunedin81 said:


Quote:


In comment 13180842 Nomad Crow on the Madison said:


Quote:


Too many injuries, too many penalties. The games are boring. And if you are bothered by the "protests" maybe you would be happier in Iran. Not much in the way of protests there.



Fuck off. Plenty of people think it's a dumbshit protest based on a fiction and that when they're patronizing a consumer product they can expect to not have said consumer product invaded by half-assed political stunts against a flag that is more than a piece of cloth to some of us.



What good is the flag if the state that flag represents can kill you on a whim? But yeah, in your world it's fiction. That privilege must be nice.


The fiction is that large numbers of black men are being killed indiscriminately by police. And that's a fiction. If you're too fucking stupid to figure out that it's a fiction, I suggest you Google confirmation bias and figure it out. Check your own fucking privilege and don't pretend you know anything about mine.
I have watched less this year  
81_Great_Dane : 10/18/2016 9:04 pm : link
due to other obligations and issues. But I also enjoy the game less than I used to. I think I know a couple of reasons:

1) Too many commercial interruptions and those breaks are too long. Game doesn't flow.

2) Too many officiating interruptions, including booth reviews. Slows down the game waayyyy too much. They're obsessed with getting every call right, and with so much riding on each score and turnover, I get that, but the pendulum has swung too far one way. They need to streamline the replay/booth review process. It takes too long.

3) Too many arcane rules, especially about things like the definition of a catch. We don't know what we're seeing anymore. It's dispiriting.

4) Too many penalties. It seems as if players/coaches/teams are either unable or unwilling to play pro football within the rules. Something's gotta give.

5) Too many rules that aren't about game play or safety, like the unsportsmanlike conduct rule that OBJ broke on Sunday. Don't try to control everything -- you can't, anyway. Cut those rules way way back.

Years ago they changed some rules to speed up the game. At that time, they were concerned about the total running time of games, and the rule changes succeeded in cutting that back by actually reducing the number of plays run in a game. They made the game shorter in overall time by making them have less actual football.

Since then, the game has gotten more complex, players are faster and bigger, there are more injuries, and there are more rules, some for safety, many adopted with the best intentions. But the unintended consequence is a less entertaining product. They need to streamline and simplify. They need to have fewer interruptions and more football-per-minute during the time between opening kick and time expiring. I don't know how you get there, but you better get there.
Look, there are wider issues...  
Dunedin81 : 10/18/2016 9:07 pm : link
Dignity matters. Extra traffic stops, stop and frisk, etc etc. And there are NFL players who have made commendable attempts to approach this constructively. But Kaepernick started his half-assed protest mouthing that aforementioned fiction.

And you can be sympathetic or even in agreement without assuming that those who feel differently are malignant racists.
i watch the Giants and big college matchups that's it.  
gtt350 : 10/18/2016 9:49 pm : link
a decade ago i couldn't be pryed from the set
the best football game i have seen this year was a broadcast of  
gtt350 : 10/18/2016 9:52 pm : link
High school.
Bishop Gorman vs St Thomas Aquanis
triple overtime, terrific playing, no one kneeling, few commercials
unbelievabe drama and balls out coaching,and terrific kids playing their hearts out
5 Years ago I would have ripped my right arm off  
Rob in Rockaway : 10/18/2016 10:38 pm : link
and beaten myself to death with it rather than miss a Giant game. Now, I could really give a shit less.

I watch Baseball and Hockey religiously.
RE: RE: everything today  
Boy Cord : 10/18/2016 11:14 pm : link
In comment 13180668 djm said:
Quote:
In comment 13180500 gm7b5 said:


Quote:


is worse than it used to be, including the nfl. Things you thought in the past would be around forever are no longer. This may eventually happen to the nfl.



Except medicine. And technology. And tolerance.


Not sure I would add tolerance to that list. Have you been following the news?
RE: Look, there are wider issues...  
Greg from LI : 10/18/2016 11:20 pm : link
In comment 13180975 Dunedin81 said:
Quote:
And you can be sympathetic or even in agreement without assuming that those who feel differently are malignant racists.


No, they really can't.
Technology is the key to the officiating crisis.  
Sarcastic Sam : 10/18/2016 11:46 pm : link
And let's face it-- it's a crisis. The zebras are not capable of handling the many aspects of an NFL game-- so let's use technology to help them out.

The Hawk-Eye review system has been IMO a huge asset in tennis. The NFL >> ATP in terms of resources and pull. Instead of having ref's have to deal with things like number of plays on the field, false starts, off-sides, position of the ball, delay of game, OOB calls.... there is plenty of off the shelf technology that could be adapted to the minute details of football. So referees can focus on the bigger issues, and computers can deal with the minor ones.

And an automated off-sides detection system could finally flag Demarcus Ware for a change....
hell the 1st down measurement is antiquated  
gtt350 : 10/19/2016 12:32 am : link
just use a laser from the sideline
RE: This Sunday I took my kids to the park...  
Vanzetti : 10/19/2016 1:02 am : link
In comment 13180705 Dunedin81 said:
Quote:
and took Bob Papa with me on the XM app. It's not because I'm whipped, it's because it's a better use of my time than watching the game while my kids run around the basement bored out of their skulls while my wife is trying to get her schoolwork done. There are a finite number of leisure hours in the week. And this is the point about the protests. I'm a pretty dedicated fan, but when it comes to allocating that time things like that make me less inclined to tune in. For a casual fan it might decide the issue.


Nope. You're whipped. You just happen to be smart and you are a pretty good writer, so you can mount a plausible case. But, "I decided to do other things with the kids" is the classic defense of a whipped husband.

PS: Not trying to be offensive. Just trying to be honest. Hope you take it in the spirit it was meant.
More like a good father  
Giants_ROK : 10/19/2016 3:01 am : link
than a whipped husband.
When attendance at the Colosseum declined in the fifth century...  
Big Blue Blogger : 10/19/2016 6:53 am : link
... it may have been because the gladiators weren't putting on as good a show as in the Flavian Golden Age. Or maybe the average Roman had to deal with more pressing demands on his time, like storing up grain for the next sack of the city. Probably a little of both.

RE: This Sunday I took my kids to the park...  
Big Blue Blogger : 10/19/2016 6:56 am : link
Dunedin81 said:
Quote:
and took Bob Papa with me on the XM app.

Same here. Elephant Playground, Riverside Park.
RE: RE: This Sunday I took my kids to the park...  
UConn4523 : 10/19/2016 8:36 am : link
In comment 13181085 Vanzetti said:
Quote:
In comment 13180705 Dunedin81 said:


Quote:


and took Bob Papa with me on the XM app. It's not because I'm whipped, it's because it's a better use of my time than watching the game while my kids run around the basement bored out of their skulls while my wife is trying to get her schoolwork done. There are a finite number of leisure hours in the week. And this is the point about the protests. I'm a pretty dedicated fan, but when it comes to allocating that time things like that make me less inclined to tune in. For a casual fan it might decide the issue.



Nope. You're whipped. You just happen to be smart and you are a pretty good writer, so you can mount a plausible case. But, "I decided to do other things with the kids" is the classic defense of a whipped husband.

PS: Not trying to be offensive. Just trying to be honest. Hope you take it in the spirit it was meant.


If you are being honest, that's sad. Football is so bad now I'd rather hangout with my inlaws than watch some of these games. But my kid? I'll take her all day over this crap, willingly. My wife is cool as shit, has historically left me be on Sundays and has been asking me why I don't want to watch the games now. She finds it strange i'm not glued to the TV like I used to be. I wonder why?

So yeah, you are incorrect, God forbid a grown man doesn't like Football as much as you. It isn't the greatest thing in the world, its far from it.
He referred to the CK protests  
Overseer : 10/19/2016 9:02 am : link
making him less likely to tune in, not the quality of the game(s). Although I agree in general the overall quality of the NFL has dropped (I don't think, like some, markedly so), personally I still plan my wknd around Giants games. If one doesn't, and they'd rather go to the park with family or do w/e else, that is understandable and 100% fine. We all prioritize.

Just don't act like you're a hardcore fan anymore. And then certainly don't pretend as much when/if the Giants are great again (in 2030) as if you were "there all along" through thick & thin. That's weaksauce territory.
RE: When attendance at the Colosseum declined in the fifth century...  
Giants2012 : 10/19/2016 9:15 am : link
In comment 13181100 Big Blue Blogger said:
Quote:
... it may have been because the gladiators weren't putting on as good a show as in the Flavian Golden Age. Or maybe the average Roman had to deal with more pressing demands on his time, like storing up grain for the next sack of the city. Probably a little of both.


Maybe the shows were interrupted too often with solicitation breaks :)

the reason  
UConn4523 : 10/19/2016 9:19 am : link
one doesn't like the NFL is irrelevant when it comes to someone calling them out for prioritizing their family. Poor games, protests, etc, it doesn't matter.

As for the Giants, I will continue to watch the Giants whether they go 0-16 or may a SB run. Me not watching other NFL games doesn't make me any less a Giants fan.
RE: I'd like to see the NFL  
Giants2012 : 10/19/2016 9:20 am : link
In comment 13180802 mrvax said:
Quote:
Invest $1M or more into better helmet technology.
P.


The investments have been and will continue to be made. There have been a lot of concepts to product developed and will continue. Very tough to protect the brain and brain stem for all if any.
Fantasy football isn't helping the sport  
Dave in PA : 10/19/2016 9:27 am : link
This may be counter intuitive, since FF draws casual and even non-football fans to the TV, but it's created a gigantic NFL fan base that's for hire every single.
RE: ...  
Gman11 : 10/19/2016 1:35 pm : link
In comment 13180822 christian said:
Quote:

- The NFL swapped offense for violence, but then introduced a shit ton of rules that stop the game. Let defenses play defense, cut out the PI, holding etc. minor contact.


You what rule change I absolutely hate? It's the throw away when the QB is out of the pocket. If you want to save the poor QB from being clobbered then when he throws it away to avoid a sack mark the ball at the point where he threw it away and record a sack.
Call into question my harcore bonafides...  
Dunedin81 : 10/19/2016 3:49 pm : link
BFD. Everyone's priorities are different at 35 than they were at 25, and if they aren't something is wrong. I lose a weekend a month to reserve duty and I work 50 odd hours a week. I get this time to spend with my kids, either I can take the Giants with me when I do things or I can sit in the house and stare at a monitor while they run around downstairs, distracting my wife from her coursework at that. If the idea that someone, somewhere might actually be more important than oneself counts as whipped, I'm whipped.
RE: Call into question my harcore bonafides...  
UConn4523 : 10/19/2016 3:52 pm : link
In comment 13181794 Dunedin81 said:
Quote:
BFD. Everyone's priorities are different at 35 than they were at 25, and if they aren't something is wrong. I lose a weekend a month to reserve duty and I work 50 odd hours a week. I get this time to spend with my kids, either I can take the Giants with me when I do things or I can sit in the house and stare at a monitor while they run around downstairs, distracting my wife from her coursework at that. If the idea that someone, somewhere might actually be more important than oneself counts as whipped, I'm whipped.


Haha, man you are whipped. How dare you not set aside life for the Giants and the almighty NFL.
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