Everyone quotes the viewership numbers for the Super Bowl and the NFL in general as well as jersey sales, merchandise etc... And there is no question that the NFL has become a financial juggernaut more popular than ever. I can't help wondering however, if the NFL is selling its soul for quantity over quantity. The growth of NFL fans might have come at some expense of the most hardcore and devoted fans who made up the bedrock of NFL support. Many of the greatest diehard fans I knew, were distanced from the Buccaneers and the NFL when they were priced out of the new stadium, and again when the prices increased in the mid 2000's. I wonder if the waves of new fans with a more trendy younger demographic, will be as reliable as the old school support the NFL has enjoyed. Will this fan base be less likely to fill stadiums, or more likely to gravitate to soccer as years go by? Will they be more likely to abandon the game as more and more stories about retired players and their medical problems progress?
+1,000,000
Cowherd is obnoxious. I really just skimmed the quote because I don't care for his dramatics. But, while I wouldn't call it a myth, I do think it is a bit of an over reaction by the fans. To me, the game is suffering more because of the penalties that have a negative effect on the strategic part of the game. Once all the players adjust, football will be football again. I think would most would agree we love it for the strategy more than the hitting. Of course if this evolution leads to a game that lacks physicality entirely, then maybe most of us will lose interest.
I agree for the most part. There is definitely some overreaction by some fans. Fans have been growing increasingly irritated with Goodell and the FO every since the lockout. There were a lot of players who came out and made Goodell the scapegoat for the lockout trouble. Most fans sided with the players, which is easier to do, when it was both the owners and the players who were to blame for it dragging out like it did...but Goodell takes the majority of the blame on that. So, flash forward to the present. Any questionable decision or change that comes from the league office or competition committee...Goodell's fault. Fact is, the league was facing a potentially crippling lawsuit and changes need to be made. Unfortunately, the changes were handled sloppily and refs still say that it isn't 100% clear to them what they should and should not call on issues like the "defenseless WR" foul. The league also may have tried to do too much, too quickly in this transition. My hope is that they slightly dial things back over the next 2 years and are able to give an accurate definition and make things a little more black and white for officials, so that they can be more consistent in what they call.
Cowherd is obnoxious. I really just skimmed the quote because I don't care for his dramatics. But, while I wouldn't call it a myth, I do think it is a bit of an over reaction by the fans. To me, the game is suffering more because of the penalties that have a negative effect on the strategic part of the game. Once all the players adjust, football will be football again. I think would most would agree we love it for the strategy more than the hitting. Of course if this evolution leads to a game that lacks physicality entirely, then maybe most of us will lose interest.
I agree for the most part. There is definitely some overreaction by some fans. Fans have been growing increasingly irritated with Goodell and the FO every since the lockout. There were a lot of players who came out and made Goodell the scapegoat for the lockout trouble. Most fans sided with the players, which is easier to do, when it was both the owners and the players who were to blame for it dragging out like it did...but Goodell takes the majority of the blame on that. So, flash forward to the present. Any questionable decision or change that comes from the league office or competition committee...Goodell's fault. Fact is, the league was facing a potentially crippling lawsuit and changes need to be made. Unfortunately, the changes were handled sloppily and refs still say that it isn't 100% clear to them what they should and should not call on issues like the "defenseless WR" foul. The league also may have tried to do too much, too quickly in this transition. My hope is that they slightly dial things back over the next 2 years and are able to give an accurate definition and make things a little more black and white for officials, so that they can be more consistent in what they call.
This is my beef. There's so much inconsistency, it's affecting the game (AJ Clay's sack fumble on Brees for instance). I don't watch football FOR the hits per say, but some of my favorite players were those that laid those hits (Lynch, Taylor, Reed, Dawkins, etc) and that brand of football is apparently going, which leaves a giant hole in my football heart.
The argument that I would have there is that, if what we saw in '13 continues for a few year, where officials don't have a great understanding on what they should be calling and the inconsistency continues, then you could see a slight decline in viewership.
Exactly how I see it and it's like that with me and the NBA. Had to stop watching, and it took a while for me to finally stop watching it. It would have to get worse then it was last year and would probably take a little longer before you would see any significant decline in the ratings. But if it keeps going in the direction it is can see it happening.
I can only speak for myself, but I'm calling bullshit. The physical toughness in football is what makes the sport what it is. Not necessarily the big hits (though I absolutely love them), conversely, the primal, brutal nature of the sport itself is why its so entertaining, and dangerously fun.
The argument that I would have there is that, if what we saw in '13 continues for a few year, where officials don't have a great understanding on what they should be calling and the inconsistency continues, then you could see a slight decline in viewership.
Exactly how I see it and it's like that with me and the NBA. Had to stop watching, and it took a while for me to finally stop watching it. It would have to get worse then it was last year and would probably take a little longer before you would see any significant decline in the ratings. But if it keeps going in the direction it is can see it happening.
The inconsistency, because of it all being rather vague, is my one true concern. I understand that the game is going to have to evolve and there needs to be something done to try and limit some of these head and neck injuries. It cant all come from the rules though, and it cant be sudden and abrupt changes like we have seen the past two years, because then you have some crews scratching their heads and just going into games "winging it" on some of these calls because the hit "looked" violent initially. My hope is that they take a good long look at all of the questionable calls this year and iron out what needs to be called next year, and what should be allowed to slide. It also cant just be the players that evolve. The officials and those directing the officials need to be on the "continuous improvement" journey as well. I happen to be optimistic that they will get it all figured out and that this will just be a slight hiccup, when we lokk back on it. This isn't the MLB that we are talking about here. The NFL is on top of the world for a good reason, and they should be able to get things balanced out. Overall this talk that "games sucked" because of a few questionable calls, is absurd...but they do need to make corrections and make sure that they dont keep trending in the direction that they are bt adding even more vague rules before clearing defining what is already out there.
The argument that I would have there is that, if what we saw in '13 continues for a few year, where officials don't have a great understanding on what they should be calling and the inconsistency continues, then you could see a slight decline in viewership.
Exactly how I see it and it's like that with me and the NBA. Had to stop watching, and it took a while for me to finally stop watching it. It would have to get worse then it was last year and would probably take a little longer before you would see any significant decline in the ratings. But if it keeps going in the direction it is can see it happening.
The inconsistency, because of it all being rather vague, is my one true concern. I understand that the game is going to have to evolve and there needs to be something done to try and limit some of these head and neck injuries. It cant all come from the rules though, and it cant be sudden and abrupt changes like we have seen the past two years, because then you have some crews scratching their heads and just going into games "winging it" on some of these calls because the hit "looked" violent initially. My hope is that they take a good long look at all of the questionable calls this year and iron out what needs to be called next year, and what should be allowed to slide. It also cant just be the players that evolve. The officials and those directing the officials need to be on the "continuous improvement" journey as well. I happen to be optimistic that they will get it all figured out and that this will just be a slight hiccup, when we lokk back on it. This isn't the MLB that we are talking about here. The NFL is on top of the world for a good reason, and they should be able to get things balanced out. Overall this talk that "games sucked" because of a few questionable calls, is absurd...but they do need to make corrections and make sure that they dont keep trending in the direction that they are bt adding even more vague rules before clearing defining what is already out there.
Thats it for me too. I dont care about "big hits" as big hits can still be done cleanly per the new rules. What drives me crazy are the wrong calls on those hits. The game to me is as fun to watch as ever as I dont see that changing anytime soon.. He also has a point..if you think it sucks with the new rules you may as well stop watching because its not going back to the "old rules"..EVER.
Usually Cowherd makes a lot of sense and he shows that by taking an intelligent stance based upon facts. This time, however, I do not agree with him.Bring back Jack Tatum and Chuck Cecil.
Usually Cowherd makes a lot of sense and he shows that by taking an intelligent stance based upon facts. This time, however, I do not agree with him.Bring back Jack Tatum and Chuck Cecil.
Those 2 would be suspended more than they played. Its a different game now, and the league has to do something about the hard hits. If they don't, the lawsuits for players with brain damage could eventually destroy the league.
Can't argue that in today's litigious society
Usually Cowherd makes a lot of sense and he shows that by taking an intelligent stance based upon facts. This time, however, I do not agree with him.Bring back Jack Tatum and Chuck Cecil.
Those 2 would be suspended more than they played. Its a different game now, and the league has to do something about the hard hits. If they don't, the lawsuits for players with brain damage could eventually destroy the league.
That right there is what will destroy the game.
