Poll: Has the NFL become to politically correct for you taste?

[Top]

I keep reading about how the NFL is losing viewers/fans.I'm wondering if its because of all the rule changes that has seemed to make the game less interesting? Or is it because of all the political actions that you don't agree with and you just don't watch it anymore or fail to become interested.

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by stevieray

I think it does...when it feels like the same teams over and over, futility sets in.

Right. I would think so, but we had the same problem in the NFC for 15 years and it didn't seem to hurt too badly.

It could be the specific teams at issue. "America's Team", the Cowboys, were in the mix before, and so their success was good for the NFL. Dallas (with their broad appeal), plus WASH/NYG/SF/CHI are bigger, in terms of market size, than NE/IND/PIT/DEN/BALT.

I dunno.

Probably it's a combo of factors. Feelings of futility, plus replay issues, plus "refs suck", plus over-saturation, maybe, all combinign to drive down ratings.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Dayze

For me it's pretty much like Dane said. I'd add, for me anyway, the presentation of the games. In that, it's always about a story of some sort. Whatever the story is, it's best me to death leading up to the game, and during the game.

I have the sound muted for every Chiefs game and certainly for any games in which the #1 team Fox of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman are broadcasting.

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by notorious

One thing is certain: the older I get, the less ****s I give about the NFL.

I agree with this. I can't really pinpoint one thing that has made me watch less but I agree with those about the NFL being over saturated and there is way,way,way, way to many commercials.

I definitely agree they need to get of Thursday night games and probably need to change the review system to be more like the NCAA. Maybe have all the replay decisions come from NFL headquarters. Also they need to make every rule reviewable.

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by BeaverEater

It's a huge factor for me.

This goes back to the rules changes which have continually favored the passing game. Tightening up pass interference and other rules changes have reduced the importance of other aspects of football, all in favor of passing.

Not that it is impossible to win otherwise (see, unfortunately, Denver last year), but it's increasingly hard to be competitive without an above-average or great QB.

Belichick was talking about an aspect of htis earlier this week. He said when he came into the NFL (aroudn 1975) there were 6 competitive plays in special teams. As of last year, there were only two. He therefore welcomed the rules change bringing kickoff returns to the 25, as it had returned kick and kick coverage into a competitive play.

Take it away Bill:

Originally Posted by Bill Belichick

“When I came into the league on special teams you had six phases,” Belichick said in his Monday press conference. “Every phase was very competitive, so field goal protection, field goal rush, kickoff, kickoff return, punt, punt return - now that's really down to just two phases; punt and punt return.

“Field goals - it's very hard to block a field goal because of the rules. You can't hit the center, you can't jump, you can't overload, you can't do much of anything. You just have to make a great play to somehow split the coverage or have a bad kick or both to really affect that play. It's not impossible but it's hard, so field goal protection isn't what it used to be and the field goal rush has really been taken out of the game.

“Then when you start touch-backing the kickoffs you take the coverage players out of the game because you and I could cover a lot of the kickoffs when they're nine, 10, 11 yards deep in the end zone. You don't need anybody to cover them and the same thing with the return game. They don't block because there's no return, so it's become a punt and punt return game and that's where a lot of the emphasis now has to go in the kicking game because that's where most of the plays are.”

“Getting the ball out to the 25-yard line is obviously harder than getting it out to the 20,” Belichick said, “and those touchbacks that put it on the 20, I mean I know it's only five yards- and five yards is five yards- but it just seems like it was a lot easier for teams to just touchback and put the ball on the 20, whereas now there's just a little more incentive to make them return it to the 25 as opposed to just handing them the ball on the 25-yard line.”

[Hammock Parties]

The whole world has.

It's a dishonest way of living.

[dirk digler]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

This goes back to the rules changes which have continually favored the passing game. Tightening up pass interference and other rules changes have reduced the importance of other aspects of football, all in favor of passing.

Not that it is impossible to win otherwise (see, unfortunately, Denver last year), but it's increasingly hard to be competitive without an above-average or great QB.

Belichick was talking about an aspect of htis earlier this week. He said when he came into the NFL (aroudn 1975) there were 6 competitive plays in special teams. As of last year, there were only two. He therefore welcomed the rules change bringing kickoff returns to the 25, as it had returned kick and kick coverage into a competitive play.

Take it away Bill:

Bill is right but the NFL can't talk about player safety and then go back to the old way of kickoff's. They should just eliminate it.

[Chief Pagan]

Originally Posted by KCUnited

It would be interesting to see how many commercial interruptions occur in an NFL game now compared to 10-15 years ago. Whether that's due to quicker scoring offenses, replay, rule changes resulting in more stoppages, etc. There seems to be little flow to most of the NFL games I watch anymore. Also, it seems like flipping between games now is pointless because every time I flip, they're always at a commercial break. Maybe that's just my perception though as I don't watch as many games as I used to.

I didn't think the Red Zone was going to be that big of deal, but the ability to flip to the Red Zone, during the commercial break of the game I am focused on, is really nice.

I realize for many people it is not a viable option, but when I watch the prime time games, I'm watching them off the recorder (without knowing the results) and skipping the commercials.

Just say no to watching commercials.

[Amnorix]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

Bill is right but the NFL can't talk about player safety and then go back to the old way of kickoff's. They should just eliminate it.

I think that is probably where they end up. Which I guess means either you onside kick it, or the other team gets the ball at the 20. Hopefully not the 25.

[Amnorix]

Jesus, I would imagine viewership is down in the rest of the AFC East. 15 years of suck, the Pats lose Brady, Gronk doesn't even have a catch yet as he recovers from a hammy, and this is what they have to deal with.

I, of course, am totally fine with it, but it certainly drives home the point...

[Don Corlemahomes]

I'm Ron Burgandy?

[Randallflagg]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Over-saturation.

There are one too many Primetime games on each week, which usually end up being blowouts. Madden has become so hyper realistic that people can get their fix without waiting for Sundays. Most people that play Fantasy Football don't even need to bother watching the games.

The irony of the situation is that the return to Los Angeles (and its 20 million viewers) was supposed to increase viewership, yet it's down 20%.

Over-saturation. Color Rush. Terrible officiating, especially PI calls. No one knows what's a catch and what isn't a catch. Domestic Violence. Stupid marijuana restrictions.

The NFL is eating itself.

Couldn't agree more. I would rather the NFL concentrate on Sunday and Monday and to hell with the rest. Take the time, spend the money on training the "officials" and STOP changing the damned game every off-season.

I've been a fan since the 60s - the game looks nothing now like it did then.

The NFL's biggest problem? The NFL.

[threebag]

Everything is becoming too politically correct.

[DaneMcCloud]

The NFL anymore resembles College Football Bowl Season.

It seems like there's a game on every night for weeks on end and those games are usually noncompetitive blowouts.

[Chief Pagan]

Originally Posted by dirk digler

Bill is right but the NFL can't talk about player safety and then go back to the old way of kickoff's. They should just eliminate it.

I know that there are always going to be some that complain about rule changes, but with that said:

I like of the idea of instead of doing a kickoff you have a punt. Or rather, you treat it as, say, 4th and 5 from the 30 yard line so the team can go for it if they want. The yard line and down distance can be tweaked as needed.

For something even more contrived, I think it would be interesting if it starts out as 4th and one. If the "kick off" team ever converts fourth down instead of punting, then the next kick off goes to 4th and 5 and then maybe it goes to 4th and ten and stays there for any more attempts.

It would make it easier to have comebacks and make for a more interesting decision.

[wazu]

Poll would have been perfect if it included an "I'm Ron Burgundy?" option.