After having watched all of the playoff games so far I think it's pretty clear Defense and strong running game doesn't win the Super Bowl anyomre... or at least the NFL doesn't want it that way. How many lousy PI have been called!? How many times have the refs called bullshit penalties to help the team that plays the most entertaining football? The game between the Ravens and the Colts was the apex of this injustice. In my opinion some TV advisor who works for the NFL suggested them that more enteraining games could bring more income and so some A^hole rounded up the refs before the post season and told them to call a lot of penalties on those teams (like the Jets) that play strong D and close down those tickect selling Os. After all this is what the NFL is to Goodell isn't it? Not a physical game in which the best team wins but a business in which success is rated on how much money you make every season. I'm 100% sure that tonight the refs will call some inexistent PI and personal foul against the Jets... because Rivers and Jackson can make you earn a lot more money than Revis and D. Harris.
Passing game = more plays and changes of possession = fewer plays per score = more opportunity for commercials = more revenue for the NFL. Running and defense is still more important but you're right that the NFL is doing everything it can to change that. If they're successful in the end they'll lose fans big time because one of the things that makes football interesting is the contrast in styles and the competitive arguments on the field and on the drawing board that is produced by that. I would not be watching the NFL if it was pass-pass-pass. That wouldn't be any more interesting than the NBA is at this point.
And don't forget touching the quarterback. How about that BS call that reversed Ed Reed's pick in the 2nd, when the d-line mans hand barely grazed Mannings face mask.
And don't forget touching the quarterback. How about that BS call that reversed Ed Reed's pick in the 2nd, when the d-line mans hand barely grazed Mannings face mask. that wasn't what was called every call I seen looked right on imo
That's probably bc you are used to watching powder puff football that teams like SD play. Not real defensive football that you will see from the jets today.
Everything you said is correct and it is ruining the game. Just like the NHL, toughness is no longer a prerequisite for playing in the league, flash and finesse are.
Don't forget height.:up: I couldn't disagree more strongly. There is no collusion among the refs when practically every play is shown multiple times in slow motion of several different angles, broadcast to huge audiences in HD, coaches are allowed to challenge, and commentators are allowed to comment. Compare that to the NBA where arenas are contractually forbidden from replaying controversial calls on the jumbotron, and challenging the call will get you a technical foul. The teams that got beat yesterday, got beat because they weren't as good on that particular day.
The NFL is no NBA.... Does Peyton Manning get to play by the Jordan Rules? Absolutely but to suggest that the game is being fixed to generate revenue seems absurd. I will say that they have called alot more tightly in the playoffs but in general the officiating has always sucked. The league continues to take away calls in which they are required to use judgment... think about it. No more pushing out of bounds, no more 5 yard incidental facemask. They have always sucked and it gets magnified in the playoffs because there is alot more at stake. By your logic the Cardinals and Seahawks both should have beaten the Steelers in the SB the last few years. Yet the offiacting in those games seemed to favor Pittsburgh. Penalties are not the reason the Colts won yesterday, the Ravens stunk. Plain and simple...
In every sport in which physical contact is allowed the refs meter for what is a foul and what isn't is very important. How many PI calls have you seen challanged? None because on almost every passing down there is contact between the CB and the WR (going both ways) and it's up to the ref's personal judjment wether that's a foul or it isn't. Sometimes CBs are doing a full anal search on WR and they don't get called for anything... sometimes they barely touch the WRs shoulder and the refs call PI. In my opinion the refs have been encouraged to call as many PI's as possible in the playoffs to protect the teams that pass the ball more. Like in basketball the NBA makes more money on thrilling 120-135 matches rather then intense 80-77 matches, the NFL is trying to encourage more high scoring games in the playoffs to enhance income.
I know the officiating will always have flaws... what I'm saying is the in every playoff game I've seen THIS season every time there is the slightest doubt wether a PI should be called or not it has been called and always against the D. If in the regular season they call 50% of the possible PIs and 80% go against the D while in the playoffs 90% of the possible PIs are being called and 100% of them are against the D it makes me thing it isn't only bad officiating but that Referees have been clearly told: "When in doubt call PI". I'm not stating this is done for some specific teams... they might call a non-existent PI in favor of the Jets (like Edwards was going to catch it!) like they might call one for SD... but if we throw the ball 15 times and they throw it 40 it's probably against us (a better defending team) then them (a better passing team) thus de facto encouragin the pass against a strong physical D.
In that call, the helmet was barely grazed but at the last moment the defender closed his fingers on the end of the face mask just enough to pull Warner's head slightly. I didn't think is was roughing, but I did think it was a 5-yard face mask, and the Sharper pick should have been negated. That is just me though.
You're questioning the toughness of NFL players? lol... right! They're a bunch of pussies. The league has been making rule changes for years to reach this point. Whether you like it or not, that's the league you got and you have to build your team to win within the rules. One thing for sure, no playoff game I've seen this year was decided on the calls of the refs. ...frankly, the OP of this thread has the feel of a guy starting to make excuses long before the game begins...
2009 - Steelers 2008 - Giants 2007 - Colts 2006 - Steelers 2005 - Patriots 2004 - Patriots 2003 - Bucs 2002 - Patriots 2001 - Ravens 2000 - Rams aside from the 2000 rams and 2007 colts, these teams were very good defenses and some relied heavily on the running game. It's certainly become a passing league, but you still need a big D to get it done when it matters.
No question, they imploded. After the first qtr, the Colts controlled that game. I saw a couple of questionable calls at most in both the games but in no way did they effect the out come of either game. Saints and Colts showed why they are No. 1 seeds. But as to how they both got there, they both have a high powered offense. Do I think they can "fix" or even favor teams do to their style for money? Nah, if they are looking for revenues, you would favor the big market teams.
