Anyone else over the NFL?

[Dargone]

I find myself less and less interested every year. This year was the worst, I've been paying attention but barely watching any games. I guess interests wax and wane but I'm really done with the sport at this point. I used to be so hardcore too, up early Sunday to watch all the pregame shows etc. I played from 6 years old through high school as well. I lived and died by the Rams when they were in LA. I've almost done a complete 180, not quite complete because I'm still following very casually, but I may soon just become a Superbowl watcher.

My main sporting interest has now switched to European Football (soccer). I listen to podcasts, regularly watch FSC, watch games, browse websites etc.

Curious if there are any NFL fans that have drifted away and if so then why?

[crackpott]

Originally Posted by Dargone

I find myself less and less interested every year. This year was the worst, I've been paying attention but barely watching any games. I guess interests wax and wane but I'm really done with the sport at this point. I used to be so hardcore too, up early Sunday to watch all the pregame shows etc. I played from 6 years old through high school as well. I lived and died by the Rams when they were in LA. I've almost done a complete 180, not quite complete because I'm still following very casually, but I may soon just become a Superbowl watcher.

My main sporting interest has now switched to European Football (soccer). I listen to podcasts, regularly watch FSC, watch games, browse websites etc.

Curious if there are any NFL fans that have drifted away and if so then why?

Odd... I find this year was a great example of why the NFL is so much more interesting than most leagues. In the last game of the season, something like 2 games didn't have some sort of interesting playoff/historical implication. The teams in the playoffs change from year to year so you're not just permanently screwed (Blue Jays fan, so... hear where I'm coming from.), and the game itself is still incredibly exciting, whereas as much as I've tried to like soccer (What is with this trend of calling soccer football? Yes, I understand it's called football everywhere else, but we're IN north america. If you want to call it football, fine... but start being pissed off by the lorry who cut you off on the motorway, the lift that's broken in your apartment, etc. Sorry, Dargone... not meant at you specifically there, just a place for me to rant about that.), but I really can't. Being my family is British, I felt some obligation to try to like it. But NOTHING happens. The Simpsons satire of it was pretty damn accurate. Then again, I seem to be in the minority as everyone flocks to soccer, so... what do I know?

[Russ]

I was like you. I played through high school and used to watch football from 10 am til midnight every Sunday. I watched the ravens game today and it was the first game I've watched all year. I woke up one day and it seemed very boring to me. I don't really know what happened.

[Dargone]

Originally Posted by crackpott

Odd... I find this year was a great example of why the NFL is so much more interesting than most leagues. In the last game of the season, something like 2 games didn't have some sort of interesting playoff/historical implication. The teams in the playoffs change from year to year so you're not just permanently screwed (Blue Jays fan, so... hear where I'm coming from.), and the game itself is still incredibly exciting, whereas as much as I've tried to like soccer (What is with this trend of calling soccer football? Yes, I understand it's called football everywhere else, but we're IN north america. If you want to call it football, fine... but start being pissed off by the lorry who cut you off on the motorway, the lift that's broken in your apartment, etc. Sorry, Dargone... not meant at you specifically there, just a place for me to rant about that.), but I really can't. Being my family is British, I felt some obligation to try to like it. But NOTHING happens. The Simpsons satire of it was pretty damn accurate. Then again, I seem to be in the minority as everyone flocks to soccer, so... what do I know?

Well, for me, I use both terms. In Europe, and other places, it's called football and since I, primarily, follow European football (and the National game in the USA) I use the term football as well. At my job, I meet a lot of Europeans and it is a great rapport builder so I'm used to the term in day to day life. Hopefully that helps, I'm certainly not trying to be elitist by using the term I also find myself using other English terms all the time, which my soon to be wife from Australia finds hilarious. Terms like gaffer, wind up, and sacked to name a few. All picked up from following the English game.

[Le Grande Orange]

I have only a mild interest in the NFL at the best of times. My biggest beef is with the rule changes they've made over the years which have made it far too easy on the offences. Intentional grounding? There's a penalty that's been relegated to the history books. Time management? No need to conserve timeouts, you can instead spike the ball whenever you want to stop the clock.

[Erik W.]

I feel exactly like you (Dargone), except it's about baseball rather than football. I still look forward to every Sunday during NFL season, but every year that passes finds me less interested in MLB.

[John C]

Originally Posted by Erik W.

I feel exactly like you (Dargone), except it's about baseball rather than football. I still look forward to every Sunday during NFL season, but every year that passes finds me less interested in MLB.

I was like that the past few years with baseball, mainly due to steroids and me not playing it. The MLB this year was severely interesting to me. I think the fact that I'm playing again may have helped things.

Oh, and the Phillies winning the World Series helped things, I'm sure.

[Cryomaniac]

I'm going the opposite way, I watch less and less soccer every year and more and more NFL.

[canadiancreed]

Sounds like me with baseball and to a lesser extent hockey. Never saw the appeal of the NFL at all, despite multiple tries.

[Dargone]

The lady and I watched some NFL playoffs this weekend and she astutely observed that it's 10 seconds of action followed by 30 seconds of inaction and a lot of advertisements. I think football has jumped the shark for me

[jarmenia]

I stopped watching when I realized the NFL didn't want me to watch their games. I hate being forced to watch crappy games because the NFL says Jacksonville and Tampa are my local teams. Only carrying NFL Sunday ticket on Dish and then charging something like 15 bucks a Sunday is BS.

I now watch college football since I can see all the good games, and see more of them. The fact I live in Gainesville now may have something to do with that too though.

[The Professor]

Originally Posted by Dargone

The lady and I watched some NFL playoffs this weekend and she astutely observed that it's 10 seconds of action followed by 30 seconds of inaction and a lot of advertisements. I think football has jumped the shark for me

The NFL is one long commercial which is occasionally interrupted by a football game - and that game time is made up of lots of big dudes standing around with the monotony broken by the occasional, short, flare-up of action.

Seriously, I'm not sure if it really has gotten worse over the years or what, but I watched a copy of the 1981 "Epic in Miami" game (not an NFL Films feature, but the actual game with the commercial segments cut out) and it was really incredible. For one thing, there wasn't a lot of celebrating after a first down catch. Guys did their thing, got up, and went back to do it again. Today there is a spontaneous dance show that breaks out after every tackle. Too, the graphics were minimal and the announcers stuck to the game, spent less time dissertating on popular culture and off-the-field hijinks. It was a tight, dramatic, affair.

It makes me sound old and crotchety, but the for all the legitimate criticism about the "No Fun League", I think all the excess chest-thumping crap you get today is a real downer. It isn't as bad as the commercial-after-commercial, with commercial graphics throughout setup, but it's not far behind.

[Cryomaniac]

I haven't seen the "epic in Miami", but the best football game I've ever watched was the Boise State v Oklahoma Fiesta Bowl. The was intense even when I knew the outcome.

[stevebydac]

For me...

NFL: I find that I can watch teams that I have no fan affiliation with easier than in baseball, plus it has more intense action. But still, I watch it less than I used to due to other interests.

Baseball: The games can draaaaaaag on and on. It's like Chinese water torture sometimes. Speed up the game please! That said, I love the hot stove period and the strategy more than in any other sport. OOTP too.

Soccer: I really, really have tried to love this game, but I just can't deal with the lack of scoring. Considering how popular it is around the world, I guess I just don't understand and enjoy the ball possession strategies well enough. On the plus side, it moves along quickly with no commercial interruptions!

Overall, I'm finding that as computer games are improving, I'd rather play those than watch most sports on TV. I get far more enjoyment out of three hours of OOTP than from a 3-hour early season Red Sox game.

[Dargone]

Originally Posted by stevebydac

For me...

NFL: I find that I can watch teams that I have no fan affiliation with easier than in baseball, plus it has more intense action. But still, I watch it less than I used to due to other interests.

Baseball: The games can draaaaaaag on and on. It's like Chinese water torture sometimes. Speed up the game please! That said, I love the hot stove period and the strategy more than in any other sport. OOTP too.

Soccer: I really, really have tried to love this game, but I just can't deal with the lack of scoring. Considering how popular it is around the world, I guess I just don't understand and enjoy the ball possession strategies well enough. On the plus side, it moves along quickly with no commercial interruptions!

Overall, I'm finding that as computer games are improving, I'd rather play those than watch most sports on TV. I get far more enjoyment out of three hours of OOTP than from a 3-hour early season Red Sox game.

Yeah, I think the lack of scoring puts off American viewers at times. However, I love pitching duels in baseball and tight-defensive football (NFL) or at least I used to when I was an NFL addict. Soccer is a very subtle/cerebral (much like baseball) game and until you understand what's going on it can seem very boring. I used to despise soccer and now I've done a complete 180.

I was watching the Aston Villa V. Gillingham FA Cup match today and it was a very tense/hard fought 1-1 game for a while (until a sketchy penalty in the box made it 2-1). There is plenty of "action" and drama to be found in soccer.

Anyway, a bit off topic, which is why I started a separate thread for soccer. This thread was not meant to be a football V. soccer thread

[The Professor]

Originally Posted by Cryomaniac

I haven't seen the "epic in Miami", but the best football game I've ever watched was the Boise State v Oklahoma Fiesta Bowl. The was intense even when I knew the outcome.

Oh man!

The "Epic in Miami", the AFC playoff at the Orange Bowl between the Dolphins and Air Coryell Chargers -- took place the day after Clemson won their National title there (something that was repeated relentlessly by Don Criqui and John Brodie, the broadcasters...)

The Chargers run out to a 24-0 lead before the 1st quarter is up, as the Dolphins can get no offense running behind mobile but erratic QB David Woodley.

In the second quarter, Don Shula puts in lanky Don Strock, his pocket-passing relief whiz (hence the "WoodStrock" term for Miami's quarterbacking tandem) and the Dolphins march down the field at will, scoring 17 unanswered points - including the final score of the half, the famous hook-and-lateral play (Strock hit Duriel Harris who lateraled to Tony Nathan who galloped into the endzone) to close the gap.

The two teams traded scores in the third quarter with long, impressive, drives. The Dolphins started the fireworks as Strock led them to a game-tying score. Fouts and the Chargers answered with a scoring toss to Kellen Winslow. The Dolphins tied it once again at 31 with a Strock-to-Dan Hardy connection of 50 yards. They'd then take the lead on the first play of the fourth quarter (and Nathan run) after Fouts was intercepted at the end of the third.

With both teams drenched in sweat, Kellen Winslow repeatedly dragging himself off the field and collapsing on the Chargers sideline in agony, Miami tried to sit on the lead while Air Coryell stalled. The Dolphins were driving for what was sure to be a clinching score, eating up clock in huge chunks, when Andra Franklin fumbled on the Charger 18-yard-line. Fouts took the Bolts on one last drive and with less than a minute left hit James Brooks in the back of the endzone to knot the score at 38 (famously, the pass looked intended for Winslow, but sailed just beyond his outstreched hands and into the hands of Brooks who seemed totally unaccounted for...)

But there was still plenty of time for Strock, enjoying the game of his life (several times the announcers noted that it could be the game that changed his career -- alas, Strock would never escape his "relief" role) to drive the Dolphins into field goal range.

But Uwe von Schamann's field goal attemp was blocked by, of all people, Kellen Winslow.

To overtime.

San Diego won the toss, drove to about the Miami ten, but Rolf Benirschke shanked a chip-shot field goal. By this point the cameras were focused on Winslow, practically crawling off the field after the plays in which he took part, being administered to by trainers, clearly in agonizing pain.

Miami, granted a repreive, drove deep into Chargers territory to set up a relatively easy von Schamann try. But this one, too, was blocked, this time by Charger Leroy Jones.

Ultimately, the Chargers managed to put together the clinching drive as the first OT period wound down, setting up Benirschke's 29-30 yard winning field goal. Final: 41-38.

And then the iconic photos of Winslow, towel covered, being helped off the field by his mates.

For my money, and watching it again only confirmed it to me, it was the most exciting pro football game ever played. 433 yards passing for Fouts who was at the height of his powers, 403 for Strock who didn't even play in the first quarter. Winslow caught 13 passes for more than 160 yards and was treated for dehydration, a pinched nerve, and a gash that needed stitches among other injuries during the game.

Poor Bolts, they had to go from the balmy Orange Bowl to the AFC Championship in Cincinnati the next week -- the coldest game ever played in NFL history (-60 F with wind chill). Yuk. They lost, of course. And the door pretty much slammed shut on Air Coryell's Super Bowl flight plans....

...but that game? Wow! The NFL at its very best.

[Dargone]

As a kid, the NFL in the 80s was where it was at. I was so into football back then. Following my Rams every Sunday, I wanted to be Eric Dickerson. I still remember when they traded him in '87. I was heartbroken I heard the news as I exited the bus to school my freshman year...

[bababui]

The 1980 Raiders v Chargers AFC Championship is just about as good as the Dolphins v Chargers game, IMO.

1980 AFC CHAMPIONSHIP RAIDERS VS CHARGERS AAA CLASSIC For Sale

[Hurkman]

I wish I was born earlier so I could remember games like the Epic in Miami, but I missed that one. I remember the Bills/Oilers comeback pretty well, and that game was awesome.

As for this season, I think this year had a lot to do with the Phillies making it to the World Series. By the time that was over, it was midway through the NFL season, and it was like I looked up and went "Holy crap, it's already Week 9..." I could never really get into it, even though I went to a bunch of Eagles games. This last run certainly has helped though. It's nice when sports karma is on Philadelphia's side.

[OmahaBaseball]

Great stuff - I remember that game as well. Wow a classic.

Originally Posted by The Professor

Oh man!

The "Epic in Miami", the AFC playoff at the Orange Bowl between the Dolphins and Air Coryell Chargers -- took place the day after Clemson won their National title there (something that was repeated relentlessly by Don Criqui and John Brodie, the broadcasters...)

The Chargers run out to a 24-0 lead before the 1st quarter is up, as the Dolphins can get no offense running behind mobile but erratic QB David Woodley.

In the second quarter, Don Shula puts in lanky Don Strock, his pocket-passing relief whiz (hence the "WoodStrock" term for Miami's quarterbacking tandem) and the Dolphins march down the field at will, scoring 17 unanswered points - including the final score of the half, the famous hook-and-lateral play (Strock hit Duriel Harris who lateraled to Tony Nathan who galloped into the endzone) to close the gap.

The two teams traded scores in the third quarter with long, impressive, drives. The Dolphins started the fireworks as Strock led them to a game-tying score. Fouts and the Chargers answered with a scoring toss to Kellen Winslow. The Dolphins tied it once again at 31 with a Strock-to-Dan Hardy connection of 50 yards. They'd then take the lead on the first play of the fourth quarter (and Nathan run) after Fouts was intercepted at the end of the third.

With both teams drenched in sweat, Kellen Winslow repeatedly dragging himself off the field and collapsing on the Chargers sideline in agony, Miami tried to sit on the lead while Air Coryell stalled. The Dolphins were driving for what was sure to be a clinching score, eating up clock in huge chunks, when Andra Franklin fumbled on the Charger 18-yard-line. Fouts took the Bolts on one last drive and with less than a minute left hit James Brooks in the back of the endzone to knot the score at 38 (famously, the pass looked intended for Winslow, but sailed just beyond his outstreched hands and into the hands of Brooks who seemed totally unaccounted for...)

But there was still plenty of time for Strock, enjoying the game of his life (several times the announcers noted that it could be the game that changed his career -- alas, Strock would never escape his "relief" role) to drive the Dolphins into field goal range.

But Uwe von Schamann's field goal attemp was blocked by, of all people, Kellen Winslow.

To overtime.

San Diego won the toss, drove to about the Miami ten, but Rolf Benirschke shanked a chip-shot field goal. By this point the cameras were focused on Winslow, practically crawling off the field after the plays in which he took part, being administered to by trainers, clearly in agonizing pain.

Miami, granted a repreive, drove deep into Chargers territory to set up a relatively easy von Schamann try. But this one, too, was blocked, this time by Charger Leroy Jones.

Ultimately, the Chargers managed to put together the clinching drive as the first OT period wound down, setting up Benirschke's 29-30 yard winning field goal. Final: 41-38.

And then the iconic photos of Winslow, towel covered, being helped off the field by his mates.

For my money, and watching it again only confirmed it to me, it was the most exciting pro football game ever played. 433 yards passing for Fouts who was at the height of his powers, 403 for Strock who didn't even play in the first quarter. Winslow caught 13 passes for more than 160 yards and was treated for dehydration, a pinched nerve, and a gash that needed stitches among other injuries during the game.

Poor Bolts, they had to go from the balmy Orange Bowl to the AFC Championship in Cincinnati the next week -- the coldest game ever played in NFL history (-60 F with wind chill). Yuk. They lost, of course. And the door pretty much slammed shut on Air Coryell's Super Bowl flight plans....

...but that game? Wow! The NFL at its very best.