The NFL Ain't What it Used to Be

[dogsdad]

I watch football these days and just can't get into it like I used to do.<br /><br />I grew up a fan of the Dallas Cowboys. I liked the Packers (as long as they weren't beating the Boys) and thought the Chargers were okay too.<br /><br />Back in those days, a team stayed together. You'd have the same line, same receiving corps, same linebackers and safeties, year in and year out. For better or worse, teams had a certain character that was all their own.<br /><br />These days, it's just not the same. Rarely does a franchise field the same team two years in a row, even with just minor personnel changes.<br /><br />I find it hard to be a team fan anymore. Now it's like baseball. I can be a fan of a few players (how about that Peyton Manning!!), but the whole thing just isn't near as much fun as it used to be. If the Cowboys blow, so what?<br /><br />I miss the good ol' days.

 

[pjc]

Re: The NFL Ain't What it Used to Be

The game as we know it today is due to player agents like Drew ***** (represented TO, Eagles) wanting to manipulate players contracts and salaries to enhance his bottom line.

 

[Fly Rod]

Re: The NFL Ain't What it Used to Be

"When it is not about the money, it's all about the money"!!!! Salaries are prohibitive and you can't have many franchised players, because of salary caps and the best players are gone!!!!<br /><br />Exspansion has hurt the game also,add more teams and you have players that would never have made a pro team<br /><br />There are no more dynasty teams other then the " Patriots"!!!! 3superbowls out of 4 attemps and they may be in there this year and nobody likes our team because they are winners!!!!<br />And a couple of players have made their own deals without player agents and taken cuts in pay to stay!!!! <br /><br /><br />Merry Christmas!!!!!! Happy Hanukkah!!!!!

 

[pjc]

Re: The NFL Ain't What it Used to Be

Fly Rod, those players who have negotiated for themselves are to be commended as well as congratulated! THAT is what American Football, Sports, Are about. Thank You for your post and a Merry Christmas To You!<br /><br />Please consider Brett Favre of Green Bay when giving due to pro players who LOVE the game.<br /><br />Some will not be swayed by parasitic agents who wish only to bargain in their interest.

 

[JB]

Re: The NFL Ain't What it Used to Be

Well, I don't disagree with most of the above, but I think the competition is better than it has been in a long time. When was the last time we had so many teams in contention on the 15th week?<br /><br />It is harder to be a fan of a team because teams don't last from year to year, but it is easier to enjoy tight games. I think this year 12 of the Cowboys' 15 games have been settled in the last 2 minutes (or overtime) by less than 7 points.<br /><br />Nobody is unbeatable and no game is a sure thing for any team. That's the way I like it.<br /><br />It is true that I was a much more enthusiastic Cowboys fan during the reign of the "triplets" when they won three Superbowls in four years, but those days are history.

 

[alden135]

Re: The NFL Ain't What it Used to Be

Real Patriot success and teamwork started post Bledsoe. I am truly sad for any iboaters that have him as their home team QB.<br /><br />I am always impressed with the way the Pats conduct themselves off the field, true gentlemen and good role models. I sure can't say that about the Sox.

 

[heycods]

Re: The NFL Ain't What it Used to Be

I just miss Tom Landry, the old boys ,Staubach ,the two minute drill,and<br />most of all Turn out the lights the partys over.<br /> Hardly ever watch it anymore.

 

[JamesCoste]

Re: The NFL Ain't What it Used to Be

I prefer college football myself. For the most part, once a team is formed, that is the team you watch for 4 years. Yes, 25 new recruits (on average) join a team; however, the core stays the same.<br /><br />I'm also from the state of Alabama (not a single pro sport (basketball, baseball, football) in the state) so college sports rule. <br /><br />I watch the Seahawks because Shaun Alexander (former Alabama RB) plays for them. Other than that, I don't watch it unless a close game is on.<br /><br />There is a lot of money being made with pro football. I do agree that the owners of teams shouldn't get the bulk of it; however, the salaries of people who simply entertain by playing a "game" is quite outrageous.<br /><br />Are those athletes truly making a difference in the world other than entertaining the masses?<br /><br />So much of our attention is on things that simply don't matter. We American's are so blessed that we (myself included) forget that there are others in the world who are starving, disease-ravaged, and without the basic necessities of life.<br /><br />I know each of us can't save the world by our self; however, I think if everyone gave a little time, energy, and resources, this world could be so much better starting with ourselves for getting our priorities in line.<br /><br />Oh yeah, pro football is the subject. Sorry to get off topic (but not so sorry to delete it before posting it).<br /><br />Merry Christmas all.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: The NFL Ain't What it Used to Be

Go Seahawks! & Merry Christmas!

 

[JB]

Re: The NFL Ain't What it Used to Be

The Seahawks looked pretty good yesterday. So did the Cowboys. Haven't seen the Cowboys play so well in a long time. Now if they were just consistent.

 

[crab bait]

Re: The NFL Ain't What it Used to Be

the money..?? <br /><br />was on the news last week that a high % of retired nfl players over age 55,, need help physically to feed themselves..

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: The NFL Ain't What it Used to Be

The contracts they sign and we read about in the paper are not "real" and they are killing the game. That is why you will not see a franchise team anymore (except for N.E. Some how they are holding it together). <br /> The player signs a huge contract but all the money is not paid equally over the length of the contract. The signing bonus is up front but the "pay" starts off low. Over the life of the contract the payments ramp up and that is why a team must get rid of the player (their "pay" will put them over the cap years later) or other players to make up the difference. That is what happened to the 2000 Ravens. In the off season they had to let so many players go to meet the cap there wasn't a chance for a repeat Superbowl run in 2001. <br />All it takes is the right accounting with the contracts to get the beginnings of a Superbowl team. <br />

 

[treedancer]

Re: The NFL Ain't What it Used to Be

Seeing as how the Rams are playing for a high draft choice cant wait till baseball starts . Also Merry Christmas everyone.

 

[12Footer]

Re: The NFL Ain't What it Used to Be

I too, quit sitting in front of the tube to watch football several years ago, after watching an unamed flawless receiver "fumble" the ball on one of the most on-target passes, in the most critical play of the game. It was an obvious "pay-play", and in a rage, i ruined a perfectly good tv over the incident.<br />I watch NASCAR now, but it is slowly turning-into a "circular interstate", what with the restrictor plates and drunken antics of some of the drivers. It still has a modicum of sportsmanship, but with this new breed of "young-guns", as they are called, punting each other into the wall, checking-up for no reason durring close drafting, and then given no penalties, i would just as soon go out and mow the lawn on a Sunday afternoon.<br />-----------------end of rant--------------------

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: The NFL Ain't What it Used to Be

12 if you think NFL players do things for gambling purposes, fine. But how many NASCAR races have you watched where a caution didn't come out exactly when one of the power teams needed it to? Or how every big race (Daytona, Talladega) seems to either end in a green white checker, or has a 5 lap shootout at he end, when Tony Stewart or Jeff Gordon was pulling away from the field all race? I love NASCAR, but it the most blatantly staged sport since roller derby!<br />I love the NFL the way it is. One team doesn't lock up all the best players for 10 years at a time. The majority of the teams are competitive,and in the playoff hunt. And that player who signs the big fat contract and doesn't perform, gets cut, cause the team can afford to, and they don't have to pay him to sit at home (like baseball). That's the American Way, not like the Communism of Baseball where you get paid even after you're cut or suspended for drugs.

 

[12Footer]

Re: The NFL Ain't What it Used to Be

I don't think either sport is "staged", but it's easy to find money trails in both. <br />And it's a shame.

 

[aspeck]

Re: The NFL Ain't What it Used to Be

Give me the college game over the pro game anyday. Only 2 NFL teams I really care to watch - Pittsburgh and Chicago - both have had the same basic style for years, sound defense, run the ball, and if all else fails, throw the ball. Grossman and Big Ben have changed that a little bit. Gotta love Hines Ward - contract dispute at the beginning of the year, but it was more to guarantee that his career would stay and end in football, and to make sure he could get him Mom everything she wanted. Back-up Charlie Batch, another that took a cut to come to Pittsburgh and end his career there, even if in a back-up role. Team players, not self-praisers.

 

[AK_Chappy]

Re: The NFL Ain't What it Used to Be

As much as I don't like Pittsburgh (just look at my avatar to understand), I really like Hines Ward. He is a good receiver. But it is the fact that I have never seen him NOT smiling. Even when the play went bad, he ALWAYS has a smile on his face. You are right aspeck, he plays for the "love of the game."<br /><br />AK Chappy

 

[coleman kayak1]

Re: The NFL Ain't What it Used to Be

I agree- it ain't what it used to be. However, I am a lifelong Giants fan, and always will be.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: The NFL Ain't What it Used to Be

AK, I feel almost sorry for Cleveland Browns fans. The fact that you appreciate a Steeler is a sad sad statement. Just like my sister who on Nov 14, 2004,(inside Cleveland Browns Stadium) said to me, "when the Browns didn't score a touchdown after that long opening kickoff return, I knew they wouldn't win the game."<br /><br />Here we go Steelers, here we go!