NFL Off Topic

[slickdtc]

Re: NFL Off Topic

via @CNBCnow

BREAKING: NFL reaches deal with CBS and NBC for Thursday Night Football; fees for Thursday night rights will be roughly $450M - Dow Jones

Yes please. No more of this NFLN nonsense. I guess the writing was on the wall when they split it up half to CBS two seasons ago. Glad it's being done away with altogether.

I think the original play was put games on NFLN to increase subscriptions to that tier, but more people are pulling the plug on cable let alone extended sports packages. Smart move to cut it.

LOL at them keeping the split though. Get that paper NFL!!

[N51_rob]

Re: NFL Off Topic

Only $450 million. I had heard the TNF would net them around $600 million.

[areobee401]

Re: NFL Off Topic

Yes please. No more of this NFLN nonsense. I guess the writing was on the wall when they split it up half to CBS two seasons ago. Glad it's being done away with altogether.

I think the original play was put games on NFLN to increase subscriptions to that tier, but more people are pulling the plug on cable let alone extended sports packages. Smart move to cut it.

LOL at them keeping the split though. Get that paper NFL!!

NFLN will still air up to 7 games exclusively. 5 each for CBS and NBC.

[wco81]

Re: NFL Off Topic

Too bad, money over quality of play.

That means cross-country trips after Sunday games to play on Thursday will be the norm now.

[pietasterp]

Re: NFL Off Topic

Not sure how you can blame either party on this...I certainly don't blame CJ for walking away. He's made money to live comfortable the rest of his life, he wants to actually enjoy the rest of his life without being in pain 24/7. You can't tell me that if you were in his shoes, you wouldn't consider doing the same thing...

It's not a matter of blaming anyone for CJ wanting to walk away with his health intact, it's more an indictment of the fact that the Detroit Lions have been fortunate enough to be blessed with 2 generational talents that they offered such little hope of success during their careers that both felt compelled to walk away from the game when they were still highly effective players. If Barry or CJ played for a consistent contender, it's likely one or both would have continued past 30.

Of course I don't blame Megatron. I'm glad he will go out on his own terms (if this is in fact it...it's technically not official yet) and I'm glad that I got to see him play. All-time great Lion, proud he was a member of our franchise. Although sad for him that he was a member of our franchise....

[Bellsprout]

Re: NFL Off Topic

Yes please. No more of this NFLN nonsense. I guess the writing was on the wall when they split it up half to CBS two seasons ago. Glad it's being done away with altogether.

I think the original play was put games on NFLN to increase subscriptions to that tier, but more people are pulling the plug on cable let alone extended sports packages. Smart move to cut it.

LOL at them keeping the split though. Get that paper NFL!!

They're never not going to be on NFLN. The network would die without them.

[pietasterp]

Re: NFL Off Topic

Re: the Pro Bowl, to plagiarize my post from the hockey ASG thread, as a general observation, I think All-Star Games - in any sport - are a concept whose time has passed. When you're first starting a fledgling sports league, and at the dawn of the television era, perhaps it made some sense to gather and showcase all your stars in one place as a cool novelty and to let fans from all over see players they might not otherwise see. But in the modern sporting environment where every star on every team is more-or-less showcased all the time (I mean, is there anyone in the world that wants to see LeBron not getting enough LeBron in their lives?), the whole exercise just seems redundant. Just name an All-Star team and be done with it. The games - in any sport - are totally pointless. (the only exception may be baseball, because you can go 100% effort in that sport without significant risk of injury, so the game is still somewhat compelling...and also the whole history of it and all, and also the fact that NL/AL fans might not get to see the other league's stars ever, although with interleague play that's changing).

[wwharton]

Re: NFL Off Topic

I personally don't think Calvin gets voted in the HOF if he were eligible right now, but I think those of you criticizing those of us that feel this way are looking at it the wrong way.

He is no doubt one of the most imposing WRs I've ever seen. But, like most of us, I haven't seen many of the players already in the HOF play, or witness first hand how the game was played at the time they were voted in. We also know the WR position specifically has a huge back log of players that many also say "yep, definitely HOFer" too. I think consider that Terrell Davis had an insane peak with the stats and a huge roll in winning titles, but can't get in. Then I look at Calvin who even at his peak barely won enough games on a yearly basis to even make the playoffs. I agree he was the best at the position for some time, but I also have to think about what that ultimately meant for his team... not a whole lot unfortunately.

So with all that said, my feeling is similar to what was already posted. His fate will be tied to the number of WRs already waiting in line before him. Ochocinco? Calvin should get in before him. But Reed, Brown, Moss, Owens, etc, etc, etc all should hear their names called before Calvin... and by that time, others still playing in the same "era" as Calvin could surpass him as well.

[pietasterp]

Re: NFL Off Topic

Reasonable take, wwharton. Although I take some exception with the line of logic of "what that ultimately meant for his team". In football, it's hard for any 1 player, even a QB, to have their individual brilliance translate directly to team success. There are just too many factors involved.

Case in point: Barry Sanders. Was there any doubt about his HoF credentials? But the Lions were still largely hapless (that '91 blip notwithstanding) despite his individual brilliance. I mean, Erik Kramer was the best QB he probably ever played with, whaddyagonnado?

[slickdtc]

Re: NFL Off Topic

NFLN will still air up to 7 games exclusively. 5 each for CBS and NBC.

Aw poop.

I mean, the games are typically sloppily played, but it's football and nice to see teams that don't get MNF or SNF spotlights to get a night of their own.

I guess if the NFL can't convince the players to buy in to an expanded schedule, just add low quality TNF games.

[dubcity]

Re: NFL Off Topic

So with all that said, my feeling is similar to what was already posted. His fate will be tied to the number of WRs already waiting in line before him. Ochocinco? Calvin should get in before him. But Reed, Brown, Moss, Owens, etc, etc, etc all should hear their names called before Calvin... and by that time, others still playing in the same "era" as Calvin could surpass him as well.

Which Brown? And Andre Reed? Took him like 6-7 more seasons to edge out CJ's yardage, TDs, etc. I'm gonna give HoF voters enough credit to know who was better.

[wwharton]

Re: NFL Off Topic

Reasonable take, wwharton. Although I take some exception with the line of logic of "what that ultimately meant for his team". In football, it's hard for any 1 player, even a QB, to have their individual brilliance translate directly to team success. There are just too many factors involved.

Case in point: Barry Sanders. Was there any doubt about his HoF credentials? But the Lions were still largely hapless (that '91 blip notwithstanding) despite his individual brilliance. I mean, Erik Kramer was the best QB he probably ever played with, whaddyagonnado?

Yeah I agree, but I also suspect it's the reason it's so hard for any WR to get into the HOF.

I think the difference with Barry is that his stats jump off the page. Calvin has a few great years, but isn't in the same league with Barry when it comes to stats.

I'll also say, I think Terrell Davis should be a HOFer but I'm evaluating based on how they are voting... so if TD isn't in as a SB winning RB with the stats to boot, I don't see how CJ gets in at the WR position and playing for a team that never makes the post season. I guess I think the stats could help mask the lack of team success, or more team success could help boost his stats, but lacking on both sides at WR is asking a lot.

[wwharton]

Re: NFL Off Topic

Which Brown? And Andre Reed? Took him like 6-7 more seasons to edge out CJ's yardage, TDs, etc. I'm gonna give HoF voters enough credit to know who was better.

Tim Brown

And it's not just about stats (as it shouldn't be).

[wco81]

Re: NFL Off Topic

If he doesn't get into the HoF, it's not like people won't remember him or be able to see his feats.

What are the ratings for the HoF game and induction ceremony?

Do people even bother to watch an exhibition game with some long ceremony?

[SPTO]

Re: NFL Off Topic

Which Brown? And Andre Reed? Took him like 6-7 more seasons to edge out CJ's yardage, TDs, etc. I'm gonna give HoF voters enough credit to know who was better.

Just to put some context here but the Bills at their peak with the K-Gun offense would look fairly pedestrian today. The game was played a lot differently even in the early '90s.

Same type of thing goes for Tim Brown with the Raiders. I know a lot of people hate the "eye test" but you really have to use that criteria when you're evaluating between eras in football.