OT: It needs to be said, the NFL Network has been a disappointment

[SoonerPatriot]

Like a lot of fans, when the NFL network made its debut I was eager to see it. I b!tched to my cable company about not having it and when they finally added it to their channel lineup, I was pumped.

Three years later the verdict is in: It's been a consistent disappointment.

I'm not sure why anyone would feel compelled to hire Sterling Sharpe as he is only slightly more articulate than his dim witted brother, but against all odds he's carved out a career on TV.

As the Bucs were driving down the field on their opening possession Sharpe predictably quipped "The Patriots sure do look old" or something to that effect. I didn't have my closed captioning function on as I typically do when his brother speaks so I can't be completely sure. But besides being glib, it's factually inaccurate. By my count as many as 9 of the 11 players on defense at the time he said it were under 30.

Marshall Faulk is of course the dumbest of the dumb. And you add guys like Rod Woodsen and that hopelessly obese former lineman that had his own show (or still does, I gave up awhile ago) and suddenly the NFL Network's talent roster is long on former players and thin on anything resembling competent analysis.

I'm not a big fan of Mort or Clayton, but for the love of God, they're capable of thinking and forming their own opinions based on something other than how it was "back in the day". All their synapses are firing.

I like Schefter a lot and Eisen has his moments, but other than those two, I'm just not seeing much in the way of interesting TV. I sense the prevailing attitude is lets just round up some former players, or Bryant Gumbel, turn on the cameras and go. There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of effort being put forth to improve their product.

 

[piemonade]

I like NFL network. But maybe my man crush on Rich Eisen has blinded me to the truth.

 

[JSn]

Eisen is the sh!t. Love his tude and the way he openly mocks the tards he shares the set with.

I think Rod actually manages general objectivity and I like Faulk talking about anything other than the Pat's.

Dukes is pure entertainment. He doesn't seem to know Jack, but he's fun to watch.

I wish Schefter would take off the Mannequin head. He's good stuff when he's not trying to kill time.

Every guy is going to have a bias somewhere along the way, but even El Mariucci is good for analysis as long as it's not about Favre. His man-crush on Brett is DEEEP.

Eisen and Schefter could stay and boot everyone else and replace them with more former coaches or straight up analysts and it would be better. As it is, besides the STUPID and SMALL commercial line-up, I don't have too many complaints.

Tonight's analysis was ok, but the commentating was RE TODD DEAD. At least TRY to be unbiased. Poking fun at Gruden's foul mouth for a minute isn't enough.

 

[jmt57]

I totally agree that Faulk is an embarassment. And Sharpe's 'old' comment was contrived and predictable. But what do you suggest, that would be viable and economically feasible for the network? Reiss and Gasper? Before you say 'yeah!!!', that means that we, and all other 31 teams, also need to listen to the Cowboys, Colts, Chargers, Steelers, etc. equivalent when those teams are on; careful what you wish for.

Yes, the NFLN has a lot of room for improvement. But most of what I hear from fans is 'get rid of this show' or 'get rid of that host'. Until I hear 'this show would be better, and this is why', or 'that host would be better, and this is why', I want to hear about suggestions rather than condemnations. At this point in time I'll take Schefter, Woodson and Eisen (despite Faulk) over Jaworski and Mortensen, simply in order to avoid the rest of that four letter crew.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

It's like any other programming, turn your filters on and change them regularly - the raw stuff will Faulk you up.

 

[SVN]

this is the preseason, the actual crew is collinsworth and bob papa. these 3 were just fill ins
Eisen is funny but he is also a jets fan.

 

[Canada's #1 Pats Fan]

If someone PVR'ed it, please go back and count the times either of those 2 morons (Faulk/Sharpe) indicated that they did not like what they saw from the Pats.

 

[pheenix11]

Tonight was a travesty with those morons Faulk and Sharpe in the booth. Their hatred and stupid comments about the Patriots made me want to vomit. I live down in Tampa and missed the first few minutes where you see the guys in the booth. For the first few minutes I thought we were getting a local broadcast with some pro Bucs announcers because they barely even mentioned the Patriots except to say something negative. Then when they went to a shot in the booth I realized they were "impartial" NFL Network broadcasters and saw which morons they had working. I think my Dad and I would have been better off with some Bucs homers.

 

[piemonade]

What exactly could they have said positive about the debacle they were witnessing before them?

 

[cupofjoe1962]

I thought the game was on BET last night.

 

[piemonade]

I thought the game was on BET last night.

HA BET THEY EAT FRIED CHICKEN AND WATERMELON HAAAAAAAAAAA

Go away.

 

[blackglass3]

I live in South Jersey, so I will be able to watch the Philly broadcast of the game Friday night. I am actually looking forward to hearing the Eagles announcers. I expect them to be more impartial than those NFLN flamers.

Last night was just ridiculous.

 

[PatsFan24]

Like a lot of fans, when the NFL network made its debut I was eager to see it. I b!tched to my cable company about not having it and when they finally added it to their channel lineup, I was pumped.

Three years later the verdict is in: It's been a consistent disappointment.

I'm not sure why anyone would feel compelled to hire Sterling Sharpe as he is only slightly more articulate than his dim witted brother, but against all odds he's carved out a career on TV.

As the Bucs were driving down the field on their opening possession Sharpe predictably quipped "The Patriots sure do look old" or something to that effect. I didn't have my closed captioning function on as I typically do when his brother speaks so I can't be completely sure. But besides being glib, it's factually inaccurate. By my count as many as 9 of the 11 players on defense at the time he said it were under 30.

Marshall Faulk is of course the dumbest of the dumb. And you add guys like Rod Woodsen and that hopelessly obese former lineman that had his own show (or still does, I gave up awhile ago) and suddenly the NFL Network's talent roster is long on former players and thin on anything resembling competent analysis.

I'm not a big fan of Mort or Clayton, but for the love of God, they're capable of thinking and forming their own opinions based on something other than how it was "back in the day". All their synapses are firing.

I like Schefter a lot and Eisen has his moments, but other than those two, I'm just not seeing much in the way of interesting TV. I sense the prevailing attitude is lets just round up some former players, or Bryant Gumbel, turn on the cameras and go. There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of effort being put forth to improve their product.

it is still light years ahead of espn

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

If someone PVR'ed it, please go back and count the times either of those 2 morons (Faulk/Sharpe) indicated that they did not like what they saw from the Pats.

I gave up counting after a dozen......

 

[DarrylS]

Listening to those guys was painful, so much so I only went about 5/8 through the game.. at one time there was talk about how this would be BB's greatest challenge and the opportunity to show what a great coach he is... WTF.. these guys are worse that I have ever heard.

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

Fran Charles used to be from Boston.. The network is fine, they are finally not replaying NFLTA so many times..

Bob Papa , though a giants play by play guy, will be doing the games now and he is very good..


The talent they had as being ex players has been suspect at best

Lincion Kennedy, Terell Davis.. Faulk,

Sharpe is just a loud blowhard, Faulk is very biased...

Even though he was a steeler, he is honost and that is why i dont mind Rod Woodson..

Sad that they did not sign Trent Dillfer or any other QB.

 

[Bostonian1962]

QUOTE
"As the Bucs were driving down the field on their opening possession Sharpe predictably quipped "The Patriots sure do look old" or something to that effect. I didn't have my closed captioning function on as I typically do when his brother speaks so I can't be completely sure. But besides being glib, it's factually inaccurate. By my count as many as 9 of the 11 players on defense at the time he said it were under 30.

Marshall Faulk is of course the dumbest of the dumb. And you add guys like Rod Woodsen and that hopelessly obese former lineman that had his own show (or still does, I gave up awhile ago) and suddenly the NFL Network's talent roster is long on former players and thin on anything resembling competent analysis."

Both right on the money points. I noticed the same thing. Sharpe, after one particular defensive play said the defense is looking old. I'm looking at my TV screen seeing Mayo, Pierre Woods, and the other youngsters, and I wanted to throw something through the TV. What a fool! Instead of outing his stupid comment the others just giggled like school girls.

And Marshall Faulk has to go. If he says "the team has went", or "that player has went" one more time, I'm going to vomit. Hey moron, it's THE TEAM HAS GONE.......not WENT! Idiot!

 

[Scouse Patriot]

Total Access is now shown here everyday (well it has been for about a year) and I like it. You get your football fix during the day and most of the time I think theres some level headed discussion, well, when Faulk's not there.

Thier coverage of games has alot to be desired though. Some stupid comments last night but more sarcasm then anything.

 

[Disco Volante]

Positives:
High definition
Post-game coverage / Press conference updates
NFL Total Access
NFL Top 10
America's Game: The Super Bowl Champions
Replay of games you might have missed

Negatives:
Game commentators / Game graphics
Schedule too crowded with old games

Overall a solid channel for what it is, 24/7 football. I'd like for them to start showing those team season in reviews that ESPN usually shows instead of so many random old games that I have no desire to watch.

 

[Pat_the_Patriot]

I love the Network.... yeah, there are glitches... but it's NFL football all of the time... how could it be BAD?