Watching these old superbowls
 

Watching these old Super Bowls on NFL Network, I am struck by a few things. First, referree mechanics have really changed an awful lot in the last 15 years, and for the good. What a mess things were back then -- guys running in from all over the field, Us calling touchdowns, line judges getting caught 20 yards upfield. Just a wreck to watch. Second, who ever first though to put the score and the clock on the screen throughout the game should win the nobel prize.

Re: Watching these old superbowls
 

Absolutely. The other big thing to have changed is that games are contests now. I remember so many of the earlier Superbowls I watched (from the 1986-87 season onwards, i.e. Denver- Giants) being over by half time. With the exception of the SF-Cincy game, and later the Buff-Giants game, they sucked.
Do you also remember the experiment with instant replay where it seemed as if EVERYTHING was reviewable? That also sucked.

Re: Watching these old superbowls
 

let's not forget that the first down line has re-invented the art of watching football games

Re: Watching these old superbowls
 

Yeah its taken for granted now, but that was a pretty unobtrusive but damn good idea as well.

Re: Watching these old superbowls
 

Yup. It's a great idea. They take it too far now, though. A blue line to show the line of scrimmage. (I don't need that. I can tell where the line of scrimmage is by where the ball is.) A magenta line to show where the kicker needs to get to have a good chance at a field goal. (I don't need that. I know that around the 35 is where it starts to get possible, and it gets more likely as you move closer to the end zone.) Or even worse, boxes with writing on the field.

Actually, in watching these old games, before the yellow line they used to put the chains right to the side line and the orange strip was right on the sideline too, so it was pretty easy to tell where the first down was. Not that the yellow line isn't great -- it is. It's a big improvement. But not nearly as big as the clock, score, and down and distance in the upper corner.

Re: Watching these old superbowls
 

I really enjoy the yellow line.