How can fans let the NFL know the officiating is garbage?

[BradyManny]

So I jokingly said the world would have to explode for me to stop watching football, and then last night happened.

The officiating and pace of the game last night was truly awful. It was exhausting. Outside of Broncos fans, I don't think anyone wants to see flags fly like this.

Is there really any means, realistically, for fans to let the NFL know that this is not the product we want? Because, at least in the short term, fans are going to keep watching, keep going to games, keep playing fantasy football, buying merchandise, etc. There will be no repercussions to the NFL for turning watching football into a laborious act. It will take a long time before the NFL turns into the NBA and people stop watching.

No one wants the officials to be a big part of the game. Especially a game as physical as football. We all get it when it's about player safety. But when it's simply to let the offenses have an easier go at it, screw that. Unfortunately, I just don't know what outlet the fans have to express concern...but I welcome any thoughts.

 

[Kontradiction]

Write them and/or stop watching. There were 29 flags last night. That's ****ing pathetic. At that pace, the referees are going to be A-list celebrities by Week 15. And if that keeps up, it's going to make it very difficult for me to watch games... even Pats games.

 

[reflexblue]

this rule change is money driven and if whhat we saw last night continues into the regualr season the leauge office will be inandated will calls complaing about the rule change. if goodell thinks that hes going to lose fans and revinue THAN something will be done

 

[Galeb]

Stop watching.

 

[BradyManny]

Write them and/or stop watching.

There in lies the problem, those are the only two forms of feedback. The former not enough people will do, and the latter might gradually happen for some people, but not for a long time.

 

[BradyManny]

Stop watching.

How many Patriots fans want to stop watching while Belichick & Brady have a few years together. Not going to happen. I doubt many other fan bases will defect either. Football is an institution, it's something people get together for on Sundays. It will be 5-10 years before crappy officiating affects ratings significantly.

 

[Galeb]

How many Patriots fans want to stop watching while Belichick & Brady have a few years together. Not going to happen. I doubt many other fan bases will defect either. Football is an institution, it's something people get together for on Sundays. It will be 5-10 years before crappy officiating affects ratings significantly.

I love football and realize how precious every remaining Brady and BB game is precious. That said, 30ish penalties a game makes it unwatchable. I would rather miss a half a season now than the have all of their remaining games ruined by this ********. There's too many stops and commercials during NFL games as it is. This increase of penalties makes it unbearable.

The only thing the NFL cares about is revenue. If enough people stop watching, the NFL will be forced to react.

 

[BTTA]

I've less a problem with the number of flags, as it will naturally go down through a combination of players adjusting their play and the league backing off the enforcement a bit. This issue isn't about the officiating as much as it is about the rules.

I've more of a problem with the refs deciding for the coaches when they are going to accept a penalty or not. They did it all the way through the fourth quarter, despite BB going nuts about it in the first quarter.

Plus, they got the WRONG TEAM assigned to a penalty three times, and had to correct themselves.

 

[BradyManny]

I love football and realize how precious every remaining Brady and BB game is precious. That said, 30ish penalties a game makes it unwatchable. I would rather miss a half a season now than the have all of their remaining games ruined by this ********. There's too many stops and commercials during NFL games as it is. This increase of penalties makes it unbearable.

The only thing the NFL cares about is revenue. If enough people stop watching, the NFL will be forced to react.

I agree with all of this. But again, just not sure I - or how many of us - have the guts to not tune into a Brady-BB game with the clock on their careers winding down...

 

[Kontradiction]

There in lies the problem, those are the only two forms of feedback. The former not enough people will do, and the latter might gradually happen for some people, but not for a long time.

I don't believe it will take as long as you think. Very few people in their right mind want to spend 5+ hours of their day watching a football game. As it stands, the length of the Super Bowl is already a complaint for people. Ultimately, if this **** is going to stop, it will be up to the players. Do what the Seahawks did and dare the referees to slow the game down like that in the regular season. If they do, it will be an embarrassment for the NFL and for Goodell. If they don't, then we have our game back.

 

[Galeb]

I agree with all of this. But again, just not sure I - or how many of us - have the guts to not tune into a Brady-BB game with the clock on their careers winding down...

Sure I'll tune in, but if the flags are flying, I will turn it off. I hope enough do.

 

[BradyManny]

I don't believe it will take as long as you think. Very few people in their right mind want to spend 5+ hours of their day watching a football game. As it stands, the length of the Super Bowl is already a complaint for people. Ultimately, if this **** is going to stop, it will be up to the players. Do what the Seahawks did and dare the referees to slow the game down like that in the regular season. If they do, it will be an embarrassment for the NFL and for Goodell. If they don't, then we have our game back.

Fair points.

 

[JMC00]

Shocker. Zero mention on NFL.com about the obscene amount of flags last night.

86 accepted penalties in the 4 games last night. Which means there was probably over 100 flags thrown last night with penalties that weren't accepted.

Not to mention there was 21 accepted penalties in the CHI/JAX game Thursday.

 

[Kontradiction]

Shocker. Zero mention on NFL.com about the obscene amount of flags last night.

86 accepted penalties in the 4 games last night. Which means there was probably over 100 flags thrown last night with penalties that weren't accepted.

That's absolutely absurd.

 

[Patriot Missile]

Shocker. Zero mention on NFL.com about the obscene amount of flags last night.

Sean Payton 'upset' with Saints' preseason penalties - NFL.com

Oh, they mentioned it alright. Too bad Kelly and Payton played it off like Goodell choir boys. I wonder if the NFL Gestapo threatened their families If they didn't read off the q cards?

 

[Nikolai]

I saw it took about 50 minutes to finish the first quarter last night. If games start creeping into 3.5-4 hour territory because of this, something will have to give.

As Pats fans, we have a reason to watch it regardless, because the Pats are contenders and we're watching the twilight years of Brady-BB. I know a number of Redskin fans who are already fed up with their team as it is. I could see them, and fans of other also-rans, jumping off the bandwagon a little more easily.

 

[james87654]

im for pulling out all the stops to get peyton another ring with a second team.....i dont want there to be any doubt that he is the GOAT

 

[Kontradiction]

im for pulling out all the stops to get peyton another ring with a second team.....i dont want there to be any doubt that he is the GOAT

 

[SB39]

The NFL knows that the people this upset over preseason games will not stop watching, despite all the threats to do so. However, the casual fans (the ones not yet following the NFL this season) just might.

To give a realistic answer to your question: I think generating media pressure is a good way to force a change and a lot of media pressure comes from discontent within the fandom. So if/when the #1 topic of discussion on ATH, PTI, sports radio, etc, is how atrocious the games were this weekend, the league may listen. However, no matter what happens, the amount of talk generated by a weekend of exhibition games is a tiny fraction of what will ensue after week 1.

 

[mmasterkillah]

I was at the game and I still had a blast... but holy ****, that was embarrassing for the league.

We talk about expanding into Europe, does anybody think Euros will watch this slow-paced garbage?