Article: 10 things the NFL needs to change

[TrueBeliever]

League needs to make changes, do away with nonsense - NFL - CBSSports.com Football

My take on the 10 topics:

1) Couldn't agree more.

2) I could live without it.

3) I don't see why you have to get rid of them altogether. What I would like to see is one or two weekends a year where all the teams do it, though it would probably have to be voluntary because some teams don't like doing it. It's a bit jarring, IMHO, to have games where one team wears TBs and the other doesn't.

4) Couldn't agree more.

5) I agree, but good luck making it happen.

6) No strong feelings either way.

7) Agreed. He sticks out like a sore thumb on that show.

8) I can agree with what he's saying, but I don't think the league needs to take any action... that's a bit much.

9) It wouldn't bother me to see these go. Half the time you can tell the coaches aren't really thinking about what they're saying anyway.

10) I don't care as much about this issue as some folks seem to. I say let's do it for a season and see how it works.

 

[Kontradiction]

I guess I'll weigh in too. After all, it is the offseason...

1. I fully agree with this. However, this is just because I absolutely hate it when people cannot make up their mind. I think the media should stop asking him every ten seconds and Favre should stop obliging them with a different answer every time. All that said, I hope Favre comes back. He makes things interesting where he's at and we play Minnesota this year.

2. I like Thursday night football, personally. I wouldn't mind if it stayed. However, I can also see the arguement the author makes. It's pretty hard on the players' bodies.

3. Yeah, I can do without throwback uniforms in any other season except for an anniversary season (such as the one the Pats just had). Even then, I think they should only wear those jerseys on opening night. But, alas, money is the bottom line and those jerseys sell for the NFL.

4. I could not agree more. The NFL was already becoming more popular overseas without the annual London game. It just doesn't make sense to me to take away a home game from a team to go play in a city where their fans are mixed in with fans from the other 31 NFL teams.

5. Completely agree. This is the reason why I would never go to a preseason game if I lived in Boston. That's just ridiculous.

6. I like flyovers. It makes the game experience that much better, especially considering you just took out a second mortgage for parking and tickets. I don't have a problem at all with having a flyover for every regular season and postseason game.

7. I actually met Warren before and he didn't actually seem like a bad guy. He actually stopped and had a conversation with me about football. I cannot tell you how many times I was blown off by other players of other teams, including the Pats. It was only after that when I heard how much of an a-hole he was supposed to be. I used to just think he got that label from the trash talking he did pre-game (which I always chalked up to his schtick). From my personal experience, Warren seemed like a decent guy. I don't mind watching him on the NFL Network either.

8. Heh. I think most Pats fans will agree with this.

9. I agree here. Coaches halftime interviews are next to useless. You can pretty much tell that all these guys want to do is run past the reporter and talk to their teams but cannot because of reprucussions from the league. When they stop and talk, they very seldom give any sort of in depth analysis and say things like, "well, we have to play better", or, "we have to keep the intensity up". Yeah. You'll excuse me while I go find a change of pants for that mind blowing analysis.

10. I wasn't a huge fan of the OT rules but I don't think OT will be any better or less controversial when changed. That's just what I think at the moment. I'll have to wait and see what happens in the playoffs next year before I give any sort of in depth thoughts about it.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

They need to stop having TV timeouts after the XP and again after the kickoff. That is just annoying and stupid

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

Fun article. Here are my thoughts:

1. Agree, but at least it's not as bad as year's past.
2. I don't mind it, but they do need to get rid of Thursday Night Football on the NFL network.
3. This needs to come to an end. It has gotten completely out of control.
4. Another dumb idea by Roger Goddell. It takes away a home game for a team and I was actually looking forward to seeing the Pats play in Tampa Bay for the first time since '97.
5. Doesn't apply to me. Games are better watched on a big screen TV and in the comfort of your own home.
6. Never notice them.
7. I never watch the NFL Network.
8. Yep, that's pretty laughable.
9.All interviews are lame.
10. They should apply to the new playoff format.

 

[Deus Irae]

1.) Will be finished soon enough.

2.) As long as they keep the Thanksgiving games, I'm all for it.

3.) The teams with better "throwbacks" than modern unis (i.e. Chargers, Patriots) should just switch back. Throw backs are just cynical ways take advantage of the fans' nostalgia in an effort to make even more money.

4.) Yep.... one of the stupidest ideas the NFL's ever had.

5.) Indeed. I'd refuse to buy season tickets for this reason alone.

6.) Agree

7.) I really don't care that one reporter/analyst has a bug up his ass about another one. I find it unprofessional that the writer chose to air the dirty laundry this way, though.

8.) It's a team motto. It's not a legally binding contractual clause. The writer is just looking for filler to get to ten items.

9.) If people didn't want them, the networks would stop doing them. Yes, they are usually useless. So are many press conferences.

10.) Should never have changed the rule in the first place. Now the regular season has a better rule than the playoffs. That's just stupid. and that leads me to the bonus ...............

11.) Fire Roger Goodell

 

[9RB]

I agree with all but NOT #3 I love all the throwback games. Its fun to sort of relive what it would have been like to live in the days of those uniforms. How it would feel to be those fans in the stands cheering on a new team that is representing them. Think about it, they started it all. Them, like us went to any game they could cheering on there team. Think about the fans here in New England. How much better things got. Nothing was more old school then last October in the snow blowing out the Titans (oilers). Reminded me of one of those old NFL films from the 60's. Tons of snow and and a blow out score. Classic stuff! I love the history of the NFL and it has the best history out of any other sport. Keep the throwbacks!!! Some may be ugly at times, but in every throwback is a piece of NFL history. (I own 2 Tom Brady Boston Patriots ROAD jerseys. Love the throwback white road jersey the best for some reason.):rocker:

All the others are just foolish. OT im on the fence about. As much as it would help if the Pats needed it to help win a game, It will prolong the game even longer. Its bad enough a commercial plays every 2 seconds during a game, think how long overtime would go. And SCREW Brett Favre! I hate Brett Favre as much as I hate Manning. I just wish he would go away. I love NFL Network but now they are even starting the Favre Watch. It was stupid enough when ESPN followed it but now my favorite channel thinks its funny. Stop the bull**** and just retire. You would think he had 3 Super Bowl Rings the way the NFL kiss his ass.:enranged:

 

[PatsFanSince74]

1. Brett Favre speculation: Agree
2. Thursday Night Football: Agree unless its Thanksgiving
3. Throwback uniforms: Agree
4. Regular-season games overseas: Agree, especially if we're the "Home" team.
5. Charging regular-season prices for preseason games: Disagree. They're gonna get you one way or the other; if they lower the preseason prices, they'll raise the rest.
6. Flyovers: Season openers, playoffs and SB only. Agreed.
7. Warren Sapp: He shouldn't be allowed anywhere on TV.
8. "commitment to excellence": Aw, come on. You have to have a sense of irony!
9. Coaches' halftime interviews: They're fine by me.
10. Regular-season OT rules: Agree.

 

[BradyBranch39]

1. Hate him so much.
2. It's too bad the NFL is afraid of Fridays and HS football.
3. It's definitely overdone.... but it helps the league via merchandise sales so whatever.
4. AGREE.
5. Agree... only go to PS games when I get the tickets from people who don't want to go.
6. Uhh, ok. I guess I agree but if the planes need something to do....
7. Don't get NFLN
8. Let Al say anything he wants... just ignore him.
9. Agree here - get rid of pregame interviews with players too.
10. I"ve been saying the whole time to just move the kickoffs in OT but keep the rest the same. He's right - it's too late now.

 

[DarrylS]

1. Favre is the consummate media whore, and if he did not make the news would anyone care??
2. Depends on who is playing, but for the most part seems to disrupt a regular week of practice and prep.
3. While I like the Pats throwbacks, some of the teams(Jets) come under the category of what could they have been thinking..
4. Overseas games are stupid...
5. Not sure I would pay much for a preseason game... even if they were reduced.
6. Flyovers, who cares it is one of those feel good things.
7. Sapp.. who cares.
8. Oakland Raiders, let them do what they want as long as it benefits us.
9. 1/2 time interviews provide useless information, from a coach who has more on his mind than appeasing the viewers.
10. Would like to see how the new OT rules work before endorsing, but the current sitz needs to change.

 

[Calciumee]

On the overseas games:

I don't care if they stop them now, as the Pats have been over.

But I do agree that it must suck to have only 7 home games, and to play in a stadium with fans from EVERY team. At the Pats-Bucs game last year, I had some guy behind me chanting 'Brady you suck for 3 HOURS' and he wasn't even a Bucs fan.

Also, I think that the international games have slowly become less interesting. I actually cannot remember who is playing in this years!

The first year was one of the worst games I have ever seen, but the hype was massive.
The second year was actually a decent game as a football fan, two high powered offences, with poor Ds.
And then the third year was GREAT But I know the first time I watch the Patriots at Gillette will be completely different, and even better.

Something stills doesn't seem right about seeing NFL in London. And also for months after the game, the media complain that the pitch was ruining by the game.

 

[TrueBeliever]

They need to stop having TV timeouts after the XP and again after the kickoff. That is just annoying and stupid

Agreed. It's at a point now where you expect your channel guide to say "3 hours of commercials occasionally interrupted by NFL Football."

 

[Calciumee]

Agreed. It's at a point now where you expect your channel guide to say "3 hours of commercials occasionally interrupted by NFL Football."

I know that in the UK, the breaks are a HUGE reason that people won't watch a game.

 

[PatsChamp88]

1. The annual Brett Favre speculation: Don't care

2. Thursday Night Football: Agree (Besides Thanksgiving)

3. Throwback uniforms: Don't care

4. Regular-season games overseas: Agree (Preseason or Pro Bowl?)

5. Charging regular-season prices for preseason games: Agree

6. Flyovers: Don't care

7. Warren Sapp on the NFL Network: Don't care (A lot of people shouldn't have the jobs that they do)

8. The phrase "commitment to excellence" in connection with the Oakland Raiders: Don't care

9. Coaches' halftime interviews: Don't care

10. Regular-season OT rules: Agree (If it ain't broke don't fix it)

 

[Scouse Patriot]

If it's payback for The Beatles then surely the game should come to Liverpool. London can't breed talent like that.

 

[Scouse Patriot]

I know that in the UK, the breaks are a HUGE reason that people won't watch a game.

This is why C5's coverage was the best, instead of Sky's breaks every 5 minutes C5 would do analysis instead. Then again maybe thats why they struggle for money.

 

[Calciumee]

This is why C5's coverage was the best, instead of Sky's breaks every 5 minutes C5 would do analysis instead. Then again maybe thats why they struggle for money.

Yeah, and the dominos advert on Sky are sooooo annoying! There are only so many times I can watch them before I feel like puncturing my ear drums

 

[resdubwhite]

If it's payback for The Beatles then surely the game should come to Liverpool. London can't breed talent like that.

But as soon as they made it big then went down to that london didn't they.

:bricks:

 

[Reckedtrek]

If the current Patriots logo (Flying Elvis) has been over done, it's time for something new, and better. I love the old Pat Patriot, 3 point stance, but as much as I love the image, the uniforms are done, gone... except Roger wants to make more money. I don't understand wanting to go back to something that represents a time period where the team struggled more often than not.

I know I'm in the minority on this thought, but i don't want to go back- I want this team to forge a new identity and move on. That goes for their play, and if it goes for the uniforms than so be it. Maybe they can get a logo that looks bad ass, and tough, and hopefully the team can back that up. I want this team to kick ass and I'm actually glad they're being looked over by many. There's only one sentiment I want to hear from all of the "experts" who have written off the Pats this year come December and January, and that is "Ooops... guess I was wrong". Yeah, you were. Again.

 

[Scouse Patriot]

But as soon as they made it big then went down to that london didn't they.

:bricks:

Well, big time musicians rarely stay in the one place to play, record and do infact own homes logistically closer to where they work. My family has a place in Spain, I'm still from Liverpool.

 

[captain stone]

If it's payback for The Beatles then surely the game should come to Liverpool. London can't breed talent like that.

The Who, Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd & Sex Pistols all say Wha?

Edit: my takes on Judge's list -

1. Want to end the Lord Farvequad speculation? Then stop writing about him.

2. 30 Rock sux, just like Thursday Night Football, exc. for Thursday Night Thanksgiving. I love the addition of a 3rd - and usually more compelling - game.

3. I don't mind seeing the throwbacks at least once per year, esp. Pat Patriot, who's much cooler than Flying Elvis. The Pat Patriot unis should appear at least 4X per year.

4. Couldn't agree more; reg. season games overseas (incl. Mexico) are a national disgrace.

5. Also agree with Judge; MLB doesn't charge the same prices for pre-season baseball, so why should the NFL?

6. I agree; save flyovers for Opening Day & POs.

7. I agree; Sapp, Marshall Faulk, Deion Sanders & Michael Irvin are unlistenable, ignorant jerks. Jamie Dukes is barely tolerable.

8. Keep the phrase; it's good for a laugh every year.

9. I agree; coaches don't reveal much during an entire post-game press conference, so why bother asking them anything as they're running off the field?

10. This should be the OT rule: each team gets one posession; if the first team scores on its first posession, then the other team gets the chance to match. What the heck is so hard about that?