NFL Off Topic

[Bmore Irish]

Re: NFL Off Topic 2012

I don't think this game gets played on Wednesday, and it has nothing to do with Rosh Hashanah. It's about money. For anyone who thinks that moving this game to another day is the same, it's not even close. Look it up, the NFL season opener has been the most watched regular season sporting event the past several years, though I'm not sure about 2012 as I'll explain in a bit. It was more watched than the BCS championship in 2011 and maybe 2010 as well. Moving it to Sunday or Monday defeats that purpose, as it is no longer a special, singled out opener. NBC pays a lot of money for this, they want the game played when it is supposed to be played, prime time Thursday night when it has gotten the best ratings. Last year it was on a Wednesday and the game lost 4 mil+ viewers...that game was between Giants and Cowboys. If anything, it'll be played away in Denver. Otherwise it will be the expected Thursday, home vs New England.

[kehlis]

I didn't know they lost that many viewers, what's the difference between a Wednesday and a Thursday?

[NateDogPack12]

I didn't know they lost that many viewers, what's the difference between a Wednesday and a Thursday?

College kids. I'd say about 20% of all college students don't have class on Friday and thus would be more inclined to watch a Thursday night opener.

[cjonesfan921]

Re: NFL Off Topic 2012

Which is nuts considering it was Dallas vs NY.

I do think Thursday is the right day for it, and think it ultimately ends up happening.

[wwharton]

Re: NFL Off Topic 2012

As a sign of good faith. Both teams share a parking lot and city.

MLB could easily move the game to the afternoon. It wouldn't be THAT big of an inconvenience for either team. Chicago is coming in from Cleveland so I see no issue with playing in the afternoon.

I don't think you're following everything. It's not an O's issue or Baltimore issue... the MLB could care less that the teams share a parking lot (same with NFL).

And (again I just posted this, lol) both teams are coming from out of town probably at 2am. Chicago is coming in from NY actually but both teams are coming into town after night games. So unless the MLB (with the blessing of the MLB Players Association) changes the game time of 3 games it's not really feasible. Doesn't seem like a big deal from an outsider but it'd inconvenience a lot of people that have nothing to do with the situation for absolutely no reason... that's the problem.

Fair enough. I wasn't aware of 1 & 2. I still say the NFL gets its way though.

I think so too but have absolutely no idea how that's going to happen at this point.

I'd place anything marketing under the "sharing the spotlight" remark. Other than that, there would be no problem with putting them on the first Sunday with every team, especially since they would still have the same number of days to prepare for each other than they do now(they get a week right now IIRC).

Yep the marketing stuff is under that umbrella, but I think you're drastically limiting the importance of that in this case. It's not JUST about having the shine to yourself, it's also being paraded out as the SB champs, all eyes on you, etc, etc. Someone listed the numbers for this game a couple of posts ago. And the fact that it's a perk for the SB champ means something.

I don't understand the comment about having the same days to prepare. If they don't play on that Thursday then they will have to play on another Thursday (every team has to play at least one Thursday game). The only way to not have a short week is to have the first Thursday game.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: NFL Off Topic 2012

I had a counter argument for that but I'm too lazy to write it out so I'll just let it ride.

[wwharton]

Re: NFL Off Topic 2012

I had a counter argument for that but I'm too lazy to write it out so I'll just let it ride.

lmao, I'd love to hear it... next time you need to procrastinate.

[rangerrick012]

Re: NFL Off Topic 2012

The other than in your post is a HUGE deal. To simplify these are the two biggest reasons imo.

1. From a team's brand marketing perspective having a night game spotlight, only game on the schedule and first real game of the season is enormous.

2. Every team has to play a Thursday game. Only the 2 teams that play in the opener get to play one without having to deal with a short week. 16 game season, that's a pretty significant advantage that only the SB winner and their lucky opponent get each year.

1. OK, so play it Sunday/Monday night. The 'night game spotlight' doesn't change based on what day it is, does it?

2. I'm pretty sure Baltimore will play another Thursday game at some point in the season, so that point is virtually insignificant IMO.

[King_B_Mack]

Re: NFL Off Topic 2012

1. OK, so play it Sunday/Monday night. The 'night game spotlight' doesn't change based on what day it is, does it?

2. I'm pretty sure Baltimore will play another Thursday game at some point in the season, so that point is virtually insignificant IMO.

Thank you. This is what I've been saying. Move the game to that Monday that starts the week. The Orioles aren't in town at all that day. It's not a Wednesday so ratings shouldn't be hurt by it and they keep the spotlight on the Super Bowl champs. What's the issue here besides the NFL wanting to punk somebody else into doing whatever they want when the easier thing would be for them to change days?

[Bmore Irish]

Re: NFL Off Topic 2012

my theory is that, as petty as it sounds, it won't be the same because it's not truly the season opener, which is kinda the whole point. that early dose of real football everybody's been waitin for.

[kehlis]

Re: NFL Off Topic 2012

Thank you. This is what I've been saying. Move the game to that Monday that starts the week. The Orioles aren't in town at all that day. It's not a Wednesday so ratings shouldn't be hurt by it and they keep the spotlight on the Super Bowl champs. What's the issue here besides the NFL wanting to punk somebody else into doing whatever they want when the easier thing would be for them to change days?

Am I missing your argument?

I thought you wanted it to be played the Monday BEFORE the Thursday they want.

RR was just saying they should play in prime time on either SUnday night or Monday night of the opening weekend.

Your proposal (as I understand it) is not feasible because it gives both teams a second bye week essentially.

[King_B_Mack]

Re: NFL Off Topic 2012

Am I missing your argument?

I thought you wanted it to be played the Monday BEFORE the Thursday they want.

RR was just saying they should play in prime time on either SUnday night or Monday night of the opening weekend.

Your proposal (as I understand it) is not feasible because it gives both teams a second bye week essentially.

Is it really a second bye week during the first week of the season though? Given the logistics of what MLB would have to do to switch around their game as explained by wwharton, it seems to me that the easier option for all teams would be to play that Monday before that Thursday where they don't have to worry about a ratings dip that playing on Wednesday would apparently bring, they keep a day to themselves before all the other teams play so they're advertising isn't affected too much if at all. Hell they could at least try to move their game to that Saturday and ask MLB to move the Orioles to the afternoon that day, it'd work out better than them just having their hearts dead set on playing that Thursday and forcing the Ravens on the road to do it if MLB (rightly) doesn't budge.

[wwharton]

Re: NFL Off Topic 2012

1. OK, so play it Sunday/Monday night. The 'night game spotlight' doesn't change based on what day it is, does it?

2. I'm pretty sure Baltimore will play another Thursday game at some point in the season, so that point is virtually insignificant IMO.

1. It's not "night game spotlight" it's the first NFL game of the season spotlight. As many huge NFL fans checking these boards daily, I'm confused why that seems to be so hard to understand. That VERY first game is probably the biggest regular season ratings game of the year.

2. Why are you pretty sure of that? That's the whole point. They wouldn't have to play another Thursday game.

Thank you. This is what I've been saying. Move the game to that Monday that starts the week. The Orioles aren't in town at all that day. It's not a Wednesday so ratings shouldn't be hurt by it and they keep the spotlight on the Super Bowl champs. What's the issue here besides the NFL wanting to punk somebody else into doing whatever they want when the easier thing would be for them to change days?

This is an interesting idea but Kehlis makes a good point about extra prep time... also don't know if there'd be a networking situation there.

[Bdubb]

Re: NFL Off Topic 2012

Haha watchout Ted Johnson

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wIM_03uQDCM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Spoiler

[mestevo]

Re: NFL Off Topic 2012

Not sure how they don't get a bunch of heat for this:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/03/22/nflpas-plan-for-performance-based-pay-crosses-a-line/

NFLPA is going to hold onto pay for performance bonuses for 2 years as a way to keep the salary cap where they want it (oh, and to 'protect the players from themselves financially).

The pay for performance program affects players who are paid little but end up playing a lot. You know, the people that actually need those bonuses. More examples and information in the link.