The NFL is becoming dead to me. And it doesn't even bother me.

[BAS]

You know things have gotten bad when Ed Hochuli forgets which camera to show off his guns.

The NFL has done away with two things that made it entertaining; big hits and kickoff returns. Was there even one kickoff return last night? I can't even cheer after a big hit now, I'm holding my breath expecting a flag. Fantasy football now dictates the NFL game, the game as we new it, and especially Steeler football is indeed sadly dead.

I liked seeing Jacoby Jones react in frustration after the opening kickoff of the 2nd half. You know that there are players just frustrated with the changes to the kicking game.

As much as I hate to say it, I sat there half watching the game as well. I do think the game has lost something with the rule changes, but at the same time I think getting older you realize just how little the game means in the grand scheme of things. Having other priorities to occupy your time means something has to give. It's definitely become something for the younger generation to get fired up about.

I still plan to attend a game every year, it's a good weekend getaway with my cousin and nephews.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Heath was hit helmet to helmet, and if Brown wasn't hit in the head, why was he checked for a concussion? His head didn't hit the ground, I thought they were all good hard hits, but how do you flag troy and mitchell, but not the hits to heath and brown?

Because the refs and Roger Goodell have a conspiracy against the Steelers. You must be new here. Welcome to SN.

 

[Coryea]

Because the refs and Roger Goodell have a conspiracy against the Steelers. You must be new here. Welcome to SN.

Haha, been here since 99, I'm definitely not one who thinks there's a conspiracy against the steelers, i mean afterall, the refs are in our pocket since super bowl XL

 

[Franco]

you really believe that bullshit?

Once the receiver catches the ball and makes a football move he becomes a runner and then there is no such a thing as a helmet to helmet penalty.

 

[Steelerfan]

If you're dissatisfied with the product, the solution is simple: stop watching.

So I'm supposed to just stop watching a franchise that has become like part of the family, and a sport that is one of the few healthy escapes from today's stressed out, ****** world? I'm supposed to just forget about the years of enjoyment I've had previously? Football, and the Steelers in particular, are like the family dog. One grows attached. Its hard to just "stop watching." But then again, when the family dog seems to have a terminal condition, it might not be a bad idea to put it down. I don't think the NFL is there yet. Close, but not yet. So I'll keep watching. And you can bet I'll be bitching as loud as anyone else.

 

[blitzburghv5]

I am not thrilled about the increasing regulation toward physicality in the game either, but it has not yet prompted me to hold the level of detestation toward the league that others here have expressed. I'm not saying it won't eventually; it just hasn't yet.

I understand the legal reasons the league has taken these steps. The owners need to be able to plausibly claim that they did what they could to reduce head trauma when the likely epidemic of brain issues from former players emerges in the next 10-20 years.

Concussions have trended down, while viewership continues to soar.

If you're dissatisfied with the product, the solution is simple: stop watching. The bitching and moaning rings hollow if you continue to tune in each week. The league could not care less how emotionally vested you are or aren't, as that has no bearing on the numbers.

Viewership is up for two reasons....1) the female audience has increased (the league marketing its product to women and the introduction of BCA Susan G Komen in to Pink movement) and 2) Fantasy football.

 

[Vader]

I know I'm in the minority but I don't really have issues with the "head" rules. I don't like inconsistent penalties.

 

[antdrewjosh]

I know I'm in the minority but I don't really have issues with the "head" rules. I don't like inconsistent penalties.

This!!! There is no consistency. In college they go to the booth slow it down and focus on intent. Why dont tge big boys do the same? Full speed its too bang bang for the refs to see. What looks like helmet to helmet may not be. Slow it down then make a call.

 

[Vader]

This!!! There is no consistency. In college they go to the booth slow it down and focus on intent. Why dont tge big boys do the same? Full speed its too bang bang for the refs to see. What looks like helmet to helmet may not be. Slow it down then make a call.

Exactly. This should be done just like college. Which is why I enjoy college. They do their best to get it right.

 

[antdrewjosh]

Exactly. This should be done just like college. Which is why I enjoy college. They do their best to get it right.

Cant be a concern for longer games because longer games is more commercials. Its bullshit.

 

[Superman]

I dont think that call on Ben was legit.
I also think there should have been a flag on the Brown hit.
Good thing the refs made up for it with the hit on Steve Smith.

 

[antdrewjosh]

I dont think that call on Ben was legit.
I also think there should have been a flag on the Brown hit.
Good thing the refs made up for it with the hit on Steve Smith.

I said it last nite Ben got rocked fair and square. Play ball.

 

[Southern Steeler]

I said it last nite Ben got rocked fair and square. Play ball.

Precisely. This isn't a thread bitching about the refs. They are doing what they are told. This is about the NFL ruining their product (in my opinion, anyway). I realize I am no longer their target demographic, too

 

[thumbring]

Looking around the Internet today, I have seen a lot of bitching about the calls last night. Lots of "let them play football" talk.

Sadly, nothing is going to change. It's only going to get worse. The NFL isn't about to back down off its "player safety" (*cough* BULLSHIT *cough*) high horse. Even if Goodell was fired, it's not like the next guy is going to come in and roll back all those rule changes. The best we could hope for is maybe the refs being instructed to call fewer of those penalties. Or stop the "when in doubt, throw the flag" crap. But I doubt that is going to happen before the players make adjustments and just stop hitting each other. At that point the game will be pretty laughable.

Maybe someone will start another league where they play actual football. Or maybe we all start watching soccer. LOL

 

[GMC]

Anyone else find it ironic that prior to the release of a video this week, it was more detrimental to hit a player than a woman.

 

[oneforthebus]

I know I'm in the minority but I don't really have issues with the "head" rules. I don't like inconsistent penalties.

I feel the same way. Especially as the mom of a football kid. There's no place in the game for trying to hurt someone, still, they have to make good calls. Maybe replay is needed. Or maybe stop making it a penalty that affects the outcomes of games and start making it big fines after the fact, so that the punishment can be doled out after the play has been reviewed. That will keep people from doing it intentionally at least. Things that are unavoidable should not be fines or penalties.

 

[Ward4HOF]

The NFL has done away with two things that made it entertaining; big hits and kickoff returns. Was there even one kickoff return last night? I can't even cheer after a big hit now, I'm holding my breath expecting a flag. Fantasy football now dictates the NFL game, the game as we new it, and especially Steeler football is indeed sadly dead.

You got that right!! Being a Steeler fan, we are fans of defensive football which the NFL doesn't want anymore. I've been a fan since SB 13 and it's sad to see football the way it is now. I haven't ordered Sunday ticket for 3 years after having it for 10. Besides the Steeler game I'm more excited for Georgia and South Carolina game tomorrow than any game on Sunday. Life changes right...

 

[strat68]

The quote after Mitchells hits was "they will call that everytime, play safety is paramount". If that is true, then the hit on Heath and AB should have been called. Having said that, i wish NONE of them were called. I hate that my boy and I can't hop around celebrating after a play as we almost always wait to see where the flag is. Sad really

Heath was no longer "defenseless". A ref at the game told me that the AB hit was completely legal. Completely sure about it. Although he did not think Mitchell should have been penalized on the hit right after Troy's. See my post on page 3.

 

[strat68]

I dont think that call on Ben was legit.
I also think there should have been a flag on the Brown hit.
Good thing the refs made up for it with the hit on Steve Smith.

Nope, the rules ban crown of the helmet hits like that.

 

[Booted]

I was involved in organizing a benefit for a friend to help with medical bills. People were donating their time, money, food and making gift baskets to be raffled off. Well, Being that I am even more disgusted with the NFL than Southern, I took ALL my Steelers collectibles and memorabilia including pictures, towels, books, SuperBowl programs,etc....EVERYTHING I owned and made several Steeler gift baskets. I just don't care about it anymore for the reasons SoutherSteeler listed and more. Every touchdown can't be celebrated as it happens, no, now you have to wait for a flag to drop or not. Every hit you wait for the flag, Every big play, you wait for the flag. It sucks! If you're not an old school fan you just can't understand how great it used to be. When a team came in to face us, you just knew they were in for a long day with our defence. Now? There are no defences that scare any team. Sure, some defences are better than others but fear? Whats there to be scared of? I could go on and on but it;s everything about todays game and the main pussyballer himself, Rodger goodell that turned me away! Good job Rog.

 

[Franco]

Does anyone watch many NFL games not involving the Steelers ? That to me tells me all you need to know about the NFL. I used to be a die hard NFL fan but to watch an NFL game now is a chore not something enjoyable or must see TV.

 

[Steeltime]

Does anyone watch many NFL games not involving the Steelers ? That to me tells me all you need to know about the NFL. I used to be a die hard NFL fan but to watch an NFL game now is a chore not something enjoyable or must see TV.

Good points. I used to watch 3-4 games per week, but my viewership declined to the Steelers on the weekend and the MNF game. It has now declined to the Steelers' game and nothing else. And given what I saw in the first 22 minutes yesterday, I am going to have a tough time dedicating even 3 1/2 hours total, each week, to the Steelers.

I would rather do chores and improve my home than watch Tomlin standing on the sidelines and looking like the stunned, post-iceberg Titanic captain as yet another opponent "surprises" him with a no-huddle, or hurry-up offense, or an 8-man front, or a quick passing game, or passes over the middle of the field rather than the sidelines, or zone blocking and cut-back runs, or QB bootleg.

 

[steelerscotty]

I am not thrilled about the increasing regulation toward physicality in the game either, but it has not yet prompted me to hold the level of detestation toward the league that others here have expressed. I'm not saying it won't eventually; it just hasn't yet.

I understand the legal reasons the league has taken these steps. The owners need to be able to plausibly claim that they did what they could to reduce head trauma when the likely epidemic of brain issues from former players emerges in the next 10-20 years.

Concussions have trended down, while viewership continues to soar.

If you're dissatisfied with the product, the solution is simple: stop watching. The bitching and moaning rings hollow if you continue to tune in each week. The league could not care less how emotionally vested you are or aren't, as that has no bearing on the numbers.

Im all for forming some kind of a boycot. If we got fans everywhere to not go to the games, dont go to a bar to watch the games and dont even watch them on tv, even if for just one week . . .i know, its a pipe dream. But if this could be done i wonder if the NFL (and the networks) would get the message.

 

[Southern Steeler]

Does anyone watch many NFL games not involving the Steelers ? That to me tells me all you need to know about the NFL. I used to be a die hard NFL fan but to watch an NFL game now is a chore not something enjoyable or must see TV.

That's a good barometer. And using that as a guide, I can say that I don't watch much of any other games anymore. College ball, however, I will still make time for great matchups.

Heck, I barely make time for Steeler games anymore. After watching the pussfest last night I can't see that changing anytime soon

 

[Ward4HOF]

Sadly I think we are just in the minority now. Fantasy football has brought a huge amount of fans and the NFL is damn near printing money. I've seen a commercial for Sunday Ticket that comes with a channel exclusively showing scoring plays for fantasy people. These fans don't even care about the game, it's all about their fantasy league points. I haven't given the NFL a dime since 2010.