The NFL has major issues that seem to be converging at once to form a cesspool of negativity. Television ratings were down last season and have been falling his year. The polarizing national anthem protests and now black-power salutes when a white player is tackled certainly are a part of the mix (Michael Bennett - Seahawks).
So is the rising price of attending the game that serves to disenfranchise the average fan. And, the growing debate over concussions and head trauma has cast a pall over the sport at all levels and led to a decline in youth participation. That’s an extremely ominous sign for football’s future.
But really, it seems to come down to a gut feeling that the games themselves just aren’t as well-played or compelling or as aesthetically pleasing as they used to be. Everyone has a theory as to why. Too many interruptions — commercials, replay reviews, etc. —- that disrupt the flow.
Too many rule changes designed to help the offense. Too much reliance on a short, risk-averse passing game, and too much conservative play-calling in general.
Too few good quarterbacks.
Too much restriction on padded practices ( which is designed to protect players health) has hampered the development of offensive linemen with their play agreed to be at an all-time low.
It seems the players have taken over the GAME. But, is it really a GAME anymore or a money-making slick media production ????
So is the rising price of attending the game that serves to disenfranchise the average fan. And, the growing debate over concussions and head trauma has cast a pall over the sport at all levels and led to a decline in youth participation. That’s an extremely ominous sign for football’s future.
But really, it seems to come down to a gut feeling that the games themselves just aren’t as well-played or compelling or as aesthetically pleasing as they used to be. Everyone has a theory as to why. Too many interruptions — commercials, replay reviews, etc. —- that disrupt the flow.
Too many rule changes designed to help the offense. Too much reliance on a short, risk-averse passing game, and too much conservative play-calling in general.
Too few good quarterbacks.
Too much restriction on padded practices ( which is designed to protect players health) has hampered the development of offensive linemen with their play agreed to be at an all-time low.
It seems the players have taken over the GAME. But, is it really a GAME anymore or a money-making slick media production ????
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