NFL Network: Top 10 things that changed the game

[ZB9]

"Anything" was used as the only qualification, meaning people, place, thing, or happening

10 things that changed the game

10. K Pete Gogolak revolutionized nfl kicker because he was a soccer style kicker. In the past, kickers were linemen... sideways kicker vs straight out

9. Bill Walsh West Coast Offense

8. NFL Films

7. Rule changes of 1978 - Defenses were dominating the game, so chnges were made to make it more exciting for fans by opening up the passing game.

-Limit the amount of contact between DB and receivers (aka 5-yd chuck rule)
-Better pass protection for QBs - hands open/close should be inside blocker elbows.

6. Astroturf - made the game faster. changed the way the search for speed the #1 priority. Also the rise in injuries. Better science made the astro turf extinct.

5. Instant replay

4. Paul Brown - Cleveland Browns, Radio receiver in the QB helmet, Draw play, put teaching into the coaching, brought integration into football

3. free agency

2. Television - Pete Rozelle divised the idea of revenue sharing to make the game more television-friendly. Creation of MNF. First pre-game show

1. AFL-NFL War


Honorable Mention
Lawrence Taylor
Fantasy football

what do yall think about this list? What would you add to it?

[Cebby]

Quote: Originally Posted by ZB9

what do yall think about this list? What would you add to it?

Any list in the NBA, NFL, or MLB that doesn't have integration (or reintegration) as #1 is wrong.

[MassNole]

Quote: Originally Posted by The Soldier

Any list in the NBA, NFL, or MLB that doesn't have integration (or reintegration) as #1 is wrong.

I agree 110%.

[ZB9]

Quote: Originally Posted by The Soldier

Any list in the NBA, NFL, or MLB that doesn't have integration (or reintegration) as #1 is wrong.

I agree

they put it at #4 with Paul Brown. Brown was the Branch Rickey of the NFL

4. Paul Brown - Cleveland Browns, Radio receiver in the QB helmet, Draw play, put teaching into the coaching, brought integration into football

perhaps he should have been higher than #4

[mdgoalie37]

If you want to go way back - The forward pass.

[The C]

Quote: Originally Posted by The Soldier

Any list in the NBA, NFL, or MLB that doesn't have integration (or reintegration) as #1 is wrong.

Wooohooo! Paul Brown #1 then!

[ZB9]

Tex Schramm is all over this list

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7. Rule changes of 1978

As head of the league's competition committee, Schramm was one of the main architects behind these rule changes.



5. Instant replay

Schramm has been called the "father of instant replay."



2. Television

It was Schramm's idea to give the ref a microphone, put the official game clock on the scoreboard, have tie games go to overtime, and put the arrows next to the yardline markers to give viewers a better idea of what part of the field the action was on, as well as other things.



1. AFL-NFL War

The ultimate effect of which was the merger. Schramm and Lamar Hunt were the two people who were most responsible for making the merger happen.

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If i listed every Schramm innovation, it would be a long list. Schramm probably made the NFL what it is today as much as anyone else.

[ZB9]

btw, the DC cheerleaders were also Tex Shramm's idea (Cowboys were the first NFL team to have cheerleaders), and of course that brought a lot of good scenery to NFL games.