Storyline: Let NFL games begin. Maybe, just maybe, Monday’s sports headlines will be about the football played on the field — not the Shenanigans happening off it.
I love the game of football!
I find myself completely absorbed by all the action played between the white lines on the field. Whether it is the war in the trenches between the offensive and defensive lines or the one-on-one battle between the wide receiver and cornerback. I’m enthralled! What’s more exciting than a running back bursting through the line and juking defenders every which way as he dances through the secondary? The game of football, in its purest form, is exhilarating.
Courtesy: bostonherald.com
But where was my excitement when professional football returned last Thursday night? It was a matchup between NFL cornerstones, the New England Patriots and the Pittsburgh Steelers, the defending champs versus NFL royalty. It was the opening game of the 2015 NFL season. Yet I approached the game with a very meh attitude.
Where had my excitement gone?
For the last few years the NFL has been about everything besides action on the field. And that act is growing oh so tiresome. The trend continued on Thursday night. The main story line in the Friday papers wasn’t about the Patriots win on the field. It was about everything else: the arrogant trophy presentation, the Steeler’s malfunctioning headsets, and “Where you at Roger?” chants.
It was just about everything BUT the game itself!
Ever since Roger Goodell took over for Paul Tagliabue in 2006 the league has been embroiled in controversy. It all started when Goodell appointed himself judge, jury, and executioner of the NFL’s disciplinary program. The NFL players were running afoul of the law and Sherriff Goodell was just the man to clean up this NFL town with his iron fist.
How’s that working out for you, Rog?
Courtesy: davegrandlund.com
Since we have been saddled with Roger’s Reign of Terror the following incidents have occurred: Spygate, Bountygate, 2011 player lockout, 2012 referee lockout, the Ray Rice incident and, of course, the granddaddy of all severe situations … Deflategate.
All of these matters have been seriously bungled by the man NFL owners pay $40 million a year. It’s a league that could probably make a billion dollar profit with one of the team mascots in charge.
I acknowledge that Goodell cannot be held responsible for all the scandals, but a leader needs to have a full-fledged plan on how to handle incidents. Goodell’s emergency plan seems to consist of making a ruling with a question mark attached and, then, to alter the ruling based on media reaction. He seems to have no grasp of public perception. But I guess it’s hard to perceive reality when your bosses consist of billionaire owners.
Perhaps I just have Deflategate fatigue. But I’m not sure. On Thursday the Patriots raised a middle finger to the league with more Shenanigans. What will come next? Because there’s always “something” controversial happening under Roger’s regime we should probably prepare for the worst.
It’s kind of like I do every Sunday as a Raider fan. Life sometimes is all about expectations.
Courtesy: blogs.denverpost.com
Even though Goodell has been pretty incompetent, I don’t believe he is the root of the problem. The major problem comes from the source of most modern problems … MONEY. The league is a remarkable cash cow and every decision, it seems, is driven to create more revenue. The NFL no longer caters to hardcore football lovers, like me. It’s constantly tweaking the product to bring in the casual fan.
Think about it: Thursday Night games, expansion overseas, Super Bowl’s played in cold weather cities…all inventions by the league to bolster the bottom line. But, truth be told, none of those things improves the product on the field. The NFL is like any corporation bound to their shareholders: maximize profits. Damn the integrity of the game. Damn the cities and fans that actually provide all the wealth through their support and hard-earned money. I understand the league is a business and money rules the world, but don’t preach about “protecting the integrity of the shield” when some of the league’s business decisions go against that very value.
Maybe a Sunday of NFL football will be just the elixir I need to wash out the bad taste in my mouth. The games are what I live for. I don’t live for constant controversy and litigation.
Let the games begin.
Maybe, just maybe, Monday’s sports headlines will be about football played on the field.
