outside of normal business risks associated to companies, and contact sports safety issues that will always be there, I don’t see much risk at all in anything the nfl is investing in.
the only thing id point to that would be considered as marginally elevated risk is their willingness to be greedy at all times. some b2c companies that want to last forever bend over backwards for brand loyalty. nfl bends their fans over backwards.
Earnest question to the group, what are some discreet things you wish had not changed and from what era?
beyond what's already been mentioned from the era post tagliabue this may not qualify as 'discreet' but just like .1% less greed. if someone buys sunday ticket, throw in red zone. and preseason games. they are making enough money they could throw fans a few bones instead of acting like spirit airlines.
dont mind the 3 day draft but i wish they'd keep it more about the football/players less of the concert/sideshow.
and this is just utopia, I can deal with all the changes. Nothing bothers me enough about the NFL to care more than to take note/complain, I wasn't including myself in the group bothered by the current state.
1. No Thursday night football. I don't mind an annual MNF game or two if your team is a contender and popular draw, but I can't stand TNF and when being honest coaches and teams hate it too. even playing prime time. Coaches like routine and consistency. and the more "off schedule" games the harder it is to get into that routine. and TNF is basically just a money grab. My preference is for all games to be Sunday at 1 with the occasional 4
2. This is a hard one and not really due to any specific change but just an obvious (seeming) degradation in quality, but consistent officiating and simpler rules. When it takes 4 to 5 minutes to review if a play is a catch and then the "experts" get it wrong half the time too. and the game changing calls and non-calls do impact the game.
3. 66 quarterbacks started games in 2023. Not all were due to injury, some were due to poor play by the starter, but a lot were due to injury. The rules to protect QB's aren't working. Football is a violent game and the ridiculous rules about protecting a QB get "over-called" and impact the game negatively. go back to the days where QB's are treated like other players. I doubt the injuries are worse than what we currently see.
4. If you're going to legislate kick-offs out of the game. Get them out of the game or allow the option to not kick. The sequence of commercial break, kick-off out of the end zone, commercial break, offense starts series is the kind of thing baseball would eliminate in their efforts to speed the game up, football should too. If you as the kicking team intend to kick it out of the end zone, give the kicking the team the option to just not kick it. and avoid the 5 minutes+ of commercials and designate it so the offense just starts at the 25. I view this like an intentional walk in baseball where you no longer need to throw the pitches.
5. Fewer defensive penalties should be automatic 1st downs if the penalty yardage wouldn't result in a 1st down (like defensive holding). Why is that an automatic 1st down on 3rd and 15. It's a 5 yard penalty why not just make it 3rd and 10 if the play is incomplete. or make it even. Offensive holding is 10 yards, why not just make defensive holding 10 yards and if it's not a 1st down instead of 3rd and 15 it's 3rd and 5.
I am sure I have more and some have been mentioned by others, and again a lot of this is just things I'd change not things related to recent changes. I love a lot of the new things.
I like the gambling, lol, fantasy football, red zone, sunday ticket, I have Amazon Prime so that broadcast media games don't bother me, I like the challenges in general since you want to get game altering plays officiated correctly but half the time it seems like it's still controversial (per my inconsistent officiating comment), and more of the last decade or whatever changes.
I agree with the quarterback protection rules. I think the regular protections that apply to the other players sufficiently now protect the quarterback.
I'm curious about replay in the context of the past. Was there a time when fans liked it?
I agree with the quarterback protection rules. I think the regular protections that apply to the other players sufficiently now protect the quarterback.
I'm curious about replay in the context of the past. Was there a time when fans liked it?
Not sure how others feel, but I'm torn. I want the calls to be right, obviously, but I also feel like a: after lengthy reviews it's still sometimes seems like they get it wrong and b: the delays hurt the flow of the game.
this is an area I think technology can help. Like the British fan in his review of the championship games noted- how are things like placement of the football and breaking the plane of the goal line, not managed by technology at this point.
In hockey I feel like review is killing the game in some areas (irrelevant off sides, interpreting goalie interference, intending to blow a whistle, etc.) - at some level if you can be sure the refs are not compromised I'm prepared to accept it's a game played by humans refereed by humans - they call it to the best of their ability and you live with the results.
In some areas I feel like I would adopt that mindset for football too. Unless you can ensure replay is fast and accurate.
Earnest question to the group, what are some discreet things you wish had not changed and from what era?
The Super Bowl intros of each team. When players were announced individually that was a real, genuine moment in their lives that really came across on TV. Now we get these canned, overproduced pieces that are written by the networks. I know I'm in the minority but I thought the "Resiliency" thing in 2007 was so corny.
The look on Hostetler's face before he came out of the tunnel on his own in 1990: that is real.
Earnest question to the group, what are some discreet things you wish had not changed and from what era?
The Super Bowl intros of each team. When players were announced individually that was a real, genuine moment in their lives that really came across on TV. Now we get these canned, overproduced pieces that are written by the networks. I know I'm in the minority but I thought the "Resiliency" thing in 2007 was so corny.
The look on Hostetler's face before he came out of the tunnel on his own in 1990: that is real.
that whole approach got ended when the 2001 Patriots refused individual intros and were simply introduced and ran out of the tunnel as a team.
I think (though not 100% sure) that's the first time that was done at a Super Bowl.
The fact that the rules can’t be implemented well across a wide group of officials isn’t proof that we need officials, it’s that the rules have to be redesigned.
Earnest question to the group, what are some discreet things you wish had not changed and from what era?
The Super Bowl intros of each team. When players were announced individually that was a real, genuine moment in their lives that really came across on TV. Now we get these canned, overproduced pieces that are written by the networks. I know I'm in the minority but I thought the "Resiliency" thing in 2007 was so corny.
The look on Hostetler's face before he came out of the tunnel on his own in 1990: that is real.
that whole approach got ended when the 2001 Patriots refused individual intros and were simply introduced and ran out of the tunnel as a team.
I think (though not 100% sure) that's the first time that was done at a Super Bowl.
How can you go back to individuals now?
I don't see why you couldn't, but I'm sure it's not even a consideration. The canned stuff makes me cringe. The one this past Sunday was so lame; Tony Gonzalez screaming in front of a green screen like it's a comic book movie.
I could just picture in 2008: "Ok Eli we need you to run through it again, but look at camera 2 this time when you say 'Resiliency'." Ugh. Might as well be a GEICO ad.
Earnest question to the group, what are some discreet things you wish had not changed and from what era?
The Super Bowl intros of each team. When players were announced individually that was a real, genuine moment in their lives that really came across on TV. Now we get these canned, overproduced pieces that are written by the networks. I know I'm in the minority but I thought the "Resiliency" thing in 2007 was so corny.
The look on Hostetler's face before he came out of the tunnel on his own in 1990: that is real.
that whole approach got ended when the 2001 Patriots refused individual intros and were simply introduced and ran out of the tunnel as a team.
I think (though not 100% sure) that's the first time that was done at a Super Bowl.
How can you go back to individuals now?
I don't see why you couldn't, but I'm sure it's not even a consideration. The canned stuff makes me cringe. The one this past Sunday was so lame; Tony Gonzalez screaming in front of a green screen like it's a comic book movie.
I could just picture in 2008: "Ok Eli we need you to run through it again, but look at camera 2 this time when you say 'Resiliency'." Ugh. Might as well be a GEICO ad.
Agree, elements of the super bowl seem manufactured and plastic.
The Super Bowl has turned into a Las Vegas/Disney circus
which I don't care for, but it's for the entire world which has mostly casual fans. Really started in the 90s mainly through the funny commercials. It's actually the only time I watch commercials. Also, adding fantasy football which I cannot stand. I want to watch the games as a pure fan and not be tugged in the wrong direction like hoping a WR scores a TD against the Giants, but the Giants still win.
I moved away from NY in 1979, so I've was unable to watch most of the NYG games until the later 80's when bars began getting all the games on direcTV, but you had to get there early and make sure your game got on a TV you could see and usually with no sound because they would be playing the home team over their speaker system. And many times they had trouble or were limited on the games they could show and you wouldn't be able to get the game until midway the first quarter. It sucked! Then in 2010 I was able to get direcTV and could watch the games live--unless it snowed or rained hard and screwed the reception. Finally, I got the NFL package off the internet about 5 years ago, so I can watch every game in comfort of my home.
Nowadays, I watch the NYG on delay--a couple hours after it finished. Usually, the full commercial-less version, unless I heard they got killed, then I watch the condensed one when I can handle it. I also, watch many of the other games condensed version, sometimes just the second half or 4th quarter.
One thing I really miss is the custom super bowl logos. I wish 46 had a unique logo.
the only thing id point to that would be considered as marginally elevated risk is their willingness to be greedy at all times. some b2c companies that want to last forever bend over backwards for brand loyalty. nfl bends their fans over backwards.
beyond what's already been mentioned from the era post tagliabue this may not qualify as 'discreet' but just like .1% less greed. if someone buys sunday ticket, throw in red zone. and preseason games. they are making enough money they could throw fans a few bones instead of acting like spirit airlines.
dont mind the 3 day draft but i wish they'd keep it more about the football/players less of the concert/sideshow.
1. No Thursday night football. I don't mind an annual MNF game or two if your team is a contender and popular draw, but I can't stand TNF and when being honest coaches and teams hate it too. even playing prime time. Coaches like routine and consistency. and the more "off schedule" games the harder it is to get into that routine. and TNF is basically just a money grab. My preference is for all games to be Sunday at 1 with the occasional 4
2. This is a hard one and not really due to any specific change but just an obvious (seeming) degradation in quality, but consistent officiating and simpler rules. When it takes 4 to 5 minutes to review if a play is a catch and then the "experts" get it wrong half the time too. and the game changing calls and non-calls do impact the game.
3. 66 quarterbacks started games in 2023. Not all were due to injury, some were due to poor play by the starter, but a lot were due to injury. The rules to protect QB's aren't working. Football is a violent game and the ridiculous rules about protecting a QB get "over-called" and impact the game negatively. go back to the days where QB's are treated like other players. I doubt the injuries are worse than what we currently see.
4. If you're going to legislate kick-offs out of the game. Get them out of the game or allow the option to not kick. The sequence of commercial break, kick-off out of the end zone, commercial break, offense starts series is the kind of thing baseball would eliminate in their efforts to speed the game up, football should too. If you as the kicking team intend to kick it out of the end zone, give the kicking the team the option to just not kick it. and avoid the 5 minutes+ of commercials and designate it so the offense just starts at the 25. I view this like an intentional walk in baseball where you no longer need to throw the pitches.
5. Fewer defensive penalties should be automatic 1st downs if the penalty yardage wouldn't result in a 1st down (like defensive holding). Why is that an automatic 1st down on 3rd and 15. It's a 5 yard penalty why not just make it 3rd and 10 if the play is incomplete. or make it even. Offensive holding is 10 yards, why not just make defensive holding 10 yards and if it's not a 1st down instead of 3rd and 15 it's 3rd and 5.
I am sure I have more and some have been mentioned by others, and again a lot of this is just things I'd change not things related to recent changes. I love a lot of the new things.
I like the gambling, lol, fantasy football, red zone, sunday ticket, I have Amazon Prime so that broadcast media games don't bother me, I like the challenges in general since you want to get game altering plays officiated correctly but half the time it seems like it's still controversial (per my inconsistent officiating comment), and more of the last decade or whatever changes.
I'm curious about replay in the context of the past. Was there a time when fans liked it?
I'm curious about replay in the context of the past. Was there a time when fans liked it?
Not sure how others feel, but I'm torn. I want the calls to be right, obviously, but I also feel like a: after lengthy reviews it's still sometimes seems like they get it wrong and b: the delays hurt the flow of the game.
this is an area I think technology can help. Like the British fan in his review of the championship games noted- how are things like placement of the football and breaking the plane of the goal line, not managed by technology at this point.
In hockey I feel like review is killing the game in some areas (irrelevant off sides, interpreting goalie interference, intending to blow a whistle, etc.) - at some level if you can be sure the refs are not compromised I'm prepared to accept it's a game played by humans refereed by humans - they call it to the best of their ability and you live with the results.
In some areas I feel like I would adopt that mindset for football too. Unless you can ensure replay is fast and accurate.
Every penalty that's a matter of placement -- offsides, in/out of bounds, breaking the goal, etc. can all be easily called by sensors.
I'd also like to see all reviews initiated by the booth, and have a strict 60 second timer, or the play stands.
The Super Bowl intros of each team. When players were announced individually that was a real, genuine moment in their lives that really came across on TV. Now we get these canned, overproduced pieces that are written by the networks. I know I'm in the minority but I thought the "Resiliency" thing in 2007 was so corny.
The look on Hostetler's face before he came out of the tunnel on his own in 1990: that is real.
Quote:
Earnest question to the group, what are some discreet things you wish had not changed and from what era?
The Super Bowl intros of each team. When players were announced individually that was a real, genuine moment in their lives that really came across on TV. Now we get these canned, overproduced pieces that are written by the networks. I know I'm in the minority but I thought the "Resiliency" thing in 2007 was so corny.
The look on Hostetler's face before he came out of the tunnel on his own in 1990: that is real.
that whole approach got ended when the 2001 Patriots refused individual intros and were simply introduced and ran out of the tunnel as a team.
I think (though not 100% sure) that's the first time that was done at a Super Bowl.
How can you go back to individuals now?
The fact that the rules can’t be implemented well across a wide group of officials isn’t proof that we need officials, it’s that the rules have to be redesigned.
Quote:
In comment 16398399 christian said:
Quote:
Earnest question to the group, what are some discreet things you wish had not changed and from what era?
The Super Bowl intros of each team. When players were announced individually that was a real, genuine moment in their lives that really came across on TV. Now we get these canned, overproduced pieces that are written by the networks. I know I'm in the minority but I thought the "Resiliency" thing in 2007 was so corny.
The look on Hostetler's face before he came out of the tunnel on his own in 1990: that is real.
that whole approach got ended when the 2001 Patriots refused individual intros and were simply introduced and ran out of the tunnel as a team.
I think (though not 100% sure) that's the first time that was done at a Super Bowl.
How can you go back to individuals now?
I don't see why you couldn't, but I'm sure it's not even a consideration. The canned stuff makes me cringe. The one this past Sunday was so lame; Tony Gonzalez screaming in front of a green screen like it's a comic book movie.
I could just picture in 2008: "Ok Eli we need you to run through it again, but look at camera 2 this time when you say 'Resiliency'." Ugh. Might as well be a GEICO ad.
Quote:
In comment 16398728 Go Terps said:
Quote:
In comment 16398399 christian said:
Quote:
Earnest question to the group, what are some discreet things you wish had not changed and from what era?
The Super Bowl intros of each team. When players were announced individually that was a real, genuine moment in their lives that really came across on TV. Now we get these canned, overproduced pieces that are written by the networks. I know I'm in the minority but I thought the "Resiliency" thing in 2007 was so corny.
The look on Hostetler's face before he came out of the tunnel on his own in 1990: that is real.
that whole approach got ended when the 2001 Patriots refused individual intros and were simply introduced and ran out of the tunnel as a team.
I think (though not 100% sure) that's the first time that was done at a Super Bowl.
How can you go back to individuals now?
I don't see why you couldn't, but I'm sure it's not even a consideration. The canned stuff makes me cringe. The one this past Sunday was so lame; Tony Gonzalez screaming in front of a green screen like it's a comic book movie.
I could just picture in 2008: "Ok Eli we need you to run through it again, but look at camera 2 this time when you say 'Resiliency'." Ugh. Might as well be a GEICO ad.
Agree, elements of the super bowl seem manufactured and plastic.
I moved away from NY in 1979, so I've was unable to watch most of the NYG games until the later 80's when bars began getting all the games on direcTV, but you had to get there early and make sure your game got on a TV you could see and usually with no sound because they would be playing the home team over their speaker system. And many times they had trouble or were limited on the games they could show and you wouldn't be able to get the game until midway the first quarter. It sucked! Then in 2010 I was able to get direcTV and could watch the games live--unless it snowed or rained hard and screwed the reception. Finally, I got the NFL package off the internet about 5 years ago, so I can watch every game in comfort of my home.
Nowadays, I watch the NYG on delay--a couple hours after it finished. Usually, the full commercial-less version, unless I heard they got killed, then I watch the condensed one when I can handle it. I also, watch many of the other games condensed version, sometimes just the second half or 4th quarter.