Are Steeler Fans the only ones turning away from the NFL?

[feltdizz]

Re: Are Steeler Fans the only ones turning away from the NFL

Im still watching most of the games, but I don't like all the rules that limit the defense. Can't hit a QB high, can't hit a QB low, cant make contact with a QB's helmet, can't lead with your helmet on a QB. Cant faceguard a WR, cant bump a WR after 5 yds. Can't hit a defenseless WR. I'm sure I've missed some of the BS rules.

With all these rules favoring the offensive player it seems like after 90% of incompletions the WR's are jawing at the refs to throw a flag for pass interference.

There are four qbs on pace to throw for 5000 yards this year (Brees, Rodgers, Eli Manning, and Brady). I don't think Eli Manning should ever be close to 5000 yards. This is the new nfl.

WR's have always begged for pass INT's..

Eli gets a bad rap based on his last name but the guy isn't a bad QB.

My brother in law is a Pats fan and when a Pats fan complains about the refs and the new rules you know something is wrong. LOL.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Are Steeler Fans the only ones turning away from the NFL

I'm looking forward to the end of Goodell's reign of terror but football season is still the best time of the year. What else do I have to look forward to? The Buccos?

Hockey. If you don't know it, learn it. The Pens are about as good a team to watch as any.

I'm shocked hockey isn't more popular in the U.S. Speed, power, grace, hitting, talent, fighting, players without massive egos that permeate other pro sports...it has it all over baseball, basketball, soccer, NASCAR, tennis, golf, etc. I used to be 85% football and 15% hockey and screw everything else. Now it's more like 55% football and 45% hockey (and closing).

[isonator07]

Re: Are Steeler Fans the only ones turning away from the NFL

Pats fans complaining about the rules says it all.

Dizz, i'm not saying Eli is a bad QB. If I had to rank the QB's in the league he wouldn't be in my top 5. With that said hes closing in on a record (along with 3 other QB's) that has stood for over 25 years.

[WindyCitySteel]

Re: Are Steeler Fans the only ones turning away from the NFL

I'm shocked hockey isn't more popular in the U.S. Speed, power, grace, hitting, talent, fighting, players without massive egos that permeate other pro sports...it has it all over baseball, basketball, soccer, NASCAR, tennis, golf, etc. I used to be 85% football and 15% hockey and screw everything else. Now it's more like 55% football and 45% hockey (and closing).

I got my in-laws watching Detroit-Boston day after Thanksgiving. They had never seen it but were into it.

Biggest problem was they couldn't follow the puck.

[fezziwig]

Re: Are Steeler Fans the only ones turning away from the NFL

I don't watch much of Eli but I did tune in for Eli's last drive against the Cowboys and Eli to me looked like an elite QB with some of those passes.

[SteelBucks]

Re: Are Steeler Fans the only ones turning away from the NFL

I'm looking forward to the end of Goodell's reign of terror but football season is still the best time of the year. What else do I have to look forward to? The Buccos?

Hockey. If you don't know it, learn it. The Pens are about as good a team to watch as any.

I've been a Pens and hockey fan since Lemieux's rookie year. Love it.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Re: Are Steeler Fans the only ones turning away from the NFL

Biggest problem was they couldn't follow the puck.

HD helps immensely.

[ColumbusSteelerFan]

Re: Are Steeler Fans the only ones turning away from the NFL

Biggest problem was they couldn't follow the puck.

HD helps immensely.

Or the "glow in the dark" puck that FOX used for a while. That worked, didn't it?

[feltdizz]

Re: Are Steeler Fans the only ones turning away from the NFL

I'm looking forward to the end of Goodell's reign of terror but football season is still the best time of the year. What else do I have to look forward to? The Buccos?

Hockey. If you don't know it, learn it. The Pens are about as good a team to watch as any.

I'm shocked hockey isn't more popular in the U.S. Speed, power, grace, hitting, talent, fighting, players without massive egos that permeate other pro sports...it has it all over baseball, basketball, soccer, NASCAR, tennis, golf, etc. I used to be 85% football and 15% hockey and screw everything else. Now it's more like 55% football and 45% hockey (and closing).

I'm a fan of the Pens but I couldn't watch any other team play...

Skating on ice is hard to do.. and most people don't enjoy watching a sport they never played or couldn't envision themselves playing.

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

Re: Are Steeler Fans the only ones turning away from the NFL

OK, so from the comments here, it seems that though there may be some unhappiness with the NFL outside of Steeler Nation (and Planet!), there's no widespread plans to march with pitchforks on Goodell and NFL headquarters.

Bummer, I was hoping talking heads on TV would realize the game they love is on life support, that only a Goodell-ectomy can keep it from death (it will still be called "football", but any similarities to the game we have known and loved would be purely coincidental ...), and that they would be leading the revolt on TV ...

BTW - why aren't old school retired players speaking out? Marino? Bradshaw? Blount? Etc.?

Re: hockey - since SASF, Jr. became a lacrosse goalie I have watched a fair amount more of similar sports, like hockey and soccer, than I used to. Only problem I have with hockey is the fighting, from two points of view: one is the hypocrisy, it's supposedly illegal, but is tolerated/encouraged; the other is why fight? ... it really doesn't add anything to the beauty of the game, it detracts IMO.

[fezziwig]

Re: Are Steeler Fans the only ones turning away from the NFL

Not a hockey fan or baseball fan but I root for our Pens and Bucs just the same.

I do take the kids to a couple of Pirate games a year and it's enjoyable. Hockey just makes me so nervous to watch.

[virgilbosetti]

Re: Are Steeler Fans the only ones turning away from the NFL

[quote="SanAntonioSteelerFan"]OK, so from the comments here, it seems that though there may be some unhappiness with the NFL outside of Steeler Nation (and Planet!), there's no widespread plans to march with pitchforks on Goodell and NFL headquarters.


BTW - why aren't old school retired players speaking out? Marino? Bradshaw? Blount? Etc.?


In regards to the pitchfork thing.......I'm in.

As far as the old school talking heads - that is exactly my point from earlier post. I understand why they are doing it (see Ghosts' post), but why no critique from anyone besides Jon Gruden?? Ditka, Jackson, Cowher, etc.....

Cut my teeth on the Steelers of the 70's, and have been a fantasy dood for about 20 years. It seems like the new NFL is only catering to fantasy football, and scoring TD's. The hit on a defenseless WR is the one that is driving me nuts. It's a bad rule and open to much human interpretation (error through inconsistency).
Separate receiver from ball with solid hit…..IT’S FOOTBALL!!!

[WindyCitySteel]

Re: Are Steeler Fans the only ones turning away from the NFL

Only problem I have with hockey is the fighting, from two points of view: one is the hypocrisy, it's supposedly illegal, but is tolerated/encouraged; the other is why fight? ... it really doesn't add anything to the beauty of the game, it detracts IMO.

Eh, they're tame fights. I see it as a code of honor thing. If someone is jamming his stick into your goalie's ribs after the whistle or throwing cheap shots, I'd rather see gloves drop than retaliation at full speed that could seriously injure someone.

[SanAntonioSteelerFan]

Re: Are Steeler Fans the only ones turning away from the NFL

Only problem I have with hockey is the fighting, from two points of view: one is the hypocrisy, it's supposedly illegal, but is tolerated/encouraged; the other is why fight? ... it really doesn't add anything to the beauty of the game, it detracts IMO.

Eh, they're tame fights. I see it as a code of honor thing. If someone is jamming his stick into your goalie's ribs after the whistle or throwing cheap shots, I'd rather see gloves drop than retaliation at full speed that could seriously injure someone.

Hey Windy!

But why is it an "either/or" kind of thing? If the refs enforced the rules about jamming the stick or cheap shots, then theoretically (like in football now) wouldn't that cut down on the fighing or full speed retaliation?

I have a hard time watching those fights, besides the hypocrisy of the rules/refs it's looking lately like they aren't as tame as people once thought - [url="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/06/sports/hockey/derek-boogaard-a-brain-going-bad.html?pagewanted=1"]http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/06/sport ... gewanted=1[/url]

[WindyCitySteel]

Re: Are Steeler Fans the only ones turning away from the NFL

If his brain got scrambled by hockey, it was more likely from the violent collisions during play rather than from a human fist. Two guys slipping around, holding each other's jersey, and throwing half punches isn't going to do damage compared to a full speed collision at center ice.