Football How do we overcome the NFL's desire to neuter defense? - Page 5

Sweet Daddy Hate · 10-17-2018, 04:14 PM

It appears that the NFL would love nothing more than for all of us to regress to the mindset, expectations, and attention spans of the average 8 year-old on game day.
The average football youngster fan can tell you the names of his or her favorite QB's, Receivers, and even Running Backs( if said RB is an undeniable yardage monster ). Ask them about their favorite defensive players and you're just as likely to get a blank stare as you are a very short list of defensive superstars who are as well known for their commercials, endorsement deals, on-field antics, and off-field issues as they are for their play.
Now before you take me to task over that last comment, let me first say that I know and understand that there ARE parents out there who enjoy teaching their kids about the team, who is who, and what they bring to the overall effort on BOTH sides of the ball. Bless you good parents for doing so.
Had you asked me that question when I was a youngster, the best I could probably come up with was Mean Joe Green.

Offense is exciting, I get that. Deep passes for massive gains, insane catches between multiple defenders, running backs busting through lines, juking defenders at the 2nd level, and then screaming off to the end zone leaving DB's in their wake. It's great entertainment that anyone watching, regardless of their knowledge of the game, can enjoy and be a part of.

Defense is a little more tricky. Defense requires you to have some knowledge of the game to truly appreciate( or condemn )it. But once you do, there is no question whatsoever that it is far and away the most exciting phase of the game, especially if your squad is composed of 4 or more genuine all-stars.

In coming across this article today( https://bleacherreport.com/articles/...m_campaign=nfl ), I found it interesting in that the writer touched on some points that have been under discussion at CP for some time.
Namely, I found it both interesting and troubling that the writer points out a lack of defensive fundamentals( tackling etc.)not only with the Chiefs, but across the whole league.
It seems to me that these fundamentals have been sacrificed in the name of a new defensive game that relies more on speed, intelligence/scheme, and finesse. Tackling, a subject that we beat to death around here, is on it's way to becoming a very nuanced "shade of grey" that can result in lost yardage through penalty and close games lost on the whims of officials.

This is completely unacceptable. We spend so much time here joking about flying banners in an effort to effect change within our own organization when what we should be doing is creating a league-wide coalition of fans who are absolutely fed up with this bullshit, and who want OUR ****ing game returned to a state of balance where all three phases of the game have an unfettered opportunity to change the course of a game.

The technology, science, and sports nutrition exist to counter the effects of a reasonably executed defensive standard where tackling, sacks, and properly laid wood can live in symbiotic harmony with 40 year-old QB's and 40+ point games. This isn't an either/or situation.
I'm open to any ideas, no matter how far out they might seem. Create a "double roster" whereby starters can be rotated in and out of the game, either by rules or choice in an effort to keep the amount of playing time down for the individual and reduce potential long-term damage? Double the cap and let's roll. Allow the defense to hit hard under very defined guidelines and points of contact that if violated result in sitting that player out for a couple of defensive series, similar to hockey? That's certainly better than outright eliminating the very essence of defensive football.

I don't want to wake up one day to find a completely unrecognizable game playing on my television. The game is not so far gone that we couldn't put the brakes on and at least make an attempt to right the ship. And I know that CP is not the only site on the web frequented by fans of the game who are as sick and tired of this shit as we are.
If SOC can accomplish the change it sought, then there is no reason that a similar organization comprised of fans the whole league over could not create a voice to be heard and reckoned with in this matter. After all, it is ultimately in the hands of the fans whether or not the NFL gets ratings, can generate revenue through advertisement, sell merchandise, fill stadiums, and pay its overhead and salaries.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 10-19-2018, 02:56 PM

Did James Harrison peg this nonsense and get it right 8 years ago?

Yes. Yes he did.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 10-19-2018, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

How to sack a quarterback in the NFL....wait nvm. pic.twitter.com/EYuOo4qNEq
— Sean McGann (@seanmickeyG14) September 23, 2018

10-17-2018, 04:14 PM
Sweet Daddy Hate Unsparing Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	How do we overcome the NFL's desire to neuter defense? It appears that the NFL would love nothing more than for all of us to regress to the mindset, expectations, and attention spans of the average 8 year-old on game day. The average football youngster fan can tell you the names of his or her favorite QB's, Receivers, and even Running Backs( if said RB is an undeniable yardage monster ). Ask them about their favorite defensive players and you're just as likely to get a blank stare as you are a very short list of defensive superstars who are as well known for their commercials, endorsement deals, on-field antics, and off-field issues as they are for their play. Now before you take me to task over that last comment, let me first say that I know and understand that there ARE parents out there who enjoy teaching their kids about the team, who is who, and what they bring to the overall effort on BOTH sides of the ball. Bless you good parents for doing so. Had you asked me that question when I was a youngster, the best I could probably come up with was Mean Joe Green. Offense is exciting, I get that. Deep passes for massive gains, insane catches between multiple defenders, running backs busting through lines, juking defenders at the 2nd level, and then screaming off to the end zone leaving DB's in their wake. It's great entertainment that anyone watching, regardless of their knowledge of the game, can enjoy and be a part of. Defense is a little more tricky. Defense requires you to have some knowledge of the game to truly appreciate( or condemn )it. But once you do, there is no question whatsoever that it is far and away the most exciting phase of the game, especially if your squad is composed of 4 or more genuine all-stars. In coming across this article today( https://bleacherreport.com/articles/...m_campaign=nfl ), I found it interesting in that the writer touched on some points that have been under discussion at CP for some time. Namely, I found it both interesting and troubling that the writer points out a lack of defensive fundamentals( tackling etc.)not only with the Chiefs, but across the whole league. It seems to me that these fundamentals have been sacrificed in the name of a new defensive game that relies more on speed, intelligence/scheme, and finesse. Tackling, a subject that we beat to death around here, is on it's way to becoming a very nuanced "shade of grey" that can result in lost yardage through penalty and close games lost on the whims of officials. This is completely unacceptable. We spend so much time here joking about flying banners in an effort to effect change within our own organization when what we should be doing is creating a league-wide coalition of fans who are absolutely fed up with this bullshit, and who want OUR ***ing game returned to a state of balance where all three phases of the game have an unfettered opportunity to change the course of a game. The technology, science, and sports nutrition exist to counter the effects of a reasonably executed defensive standard where tackling, sacks, and properly laid wood can live in symbiotic harmony with 40 year-old QB's and 40+ point games. This isn't an either/or situation. I'm open to any ideas, no matter how far out they might seem. Create a "double roster" whereby starters can be rotated in and out of the game, either by rules or choice in an effort to keep the amount of playing time down for the individual and reduce potential long-term damage? Double the cap and let's roll. Allow the defense to hit hard under very defined guidelines and points of contact that if violated result in sitting that player out for a couple of defensive series, similar to hockey? That's certainly better than outright eliminating the very essence of defensive football. I don't want to wake up one day to find a completely unrecognizable game playing on my television. The game is not so far gone that we couldn't put the brakes on and at least make an attempt* to right the ship. And I know that CP is not the only site on the web frequented by fans of the game who are as sick and tired of this shit as we are. If SOC can accomplish the change it sought, then there is no reason that a similar organization comprised of fans the whole league over could not create a voice to be heard and reckoned with in this matter. After all, it is ultimately in the hands of the fans whether or not the NFL gets ratings, can generate revenue through advertisement, sell merchandise, fill stadiums, and pay its overhead and salaries.
Posts: 77,135

10-19-2018, 02:56 PM	#61
Sweet Daddy Hate Unsparing Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	Did James Harrison peg this nonsense and get it right 8 years ago? Yes. Yes he did. __________________ 1. Merciless, severe. 2. Given freely and generously. 100% refusal to overrate 20 year Head Coaches with ZERO **ing rings as a Head Coach. CP's Official Professor of 'Dem Blues for 2019/2020!**
Posts: 77,135