Punching Bag Posted October 18, 2017 Share Posted October 18, 2017 Chicken hawk. No need to insult a long time animation icon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buffaloboyinATL Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 And I'll entertain your point about forcing others vs. disengaging oneself, that's well made. And may be people are engaging in their boycott that way...but not those calling for players to be benched/fined/fired/singled-out by the president, those are all trappings of your (not inaccurate) depiction of snow flake behavior. on this we agree... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fadingpain Posted October 19, 2017 Share Posted October 19, 2017 I think anyone dismissing the Anthem issues as a reason is extremely naive. The percentage of people actively protesting the league may not be that great, but there were a lot of casual fans who were turned off and found other things to do. I couldn't disagree with this more. Casual fans are probably not watching MNF in the first place. I also think more serious football fans who would otherwise watch a given football game are going to continue to do so, regardless of the anthem issue or their feelings about it. They might piss and moan about it for 2 minutes, but then it's game on and that is forgotten. The NFL product is becoming over-exposed and many games aren't any good b/c neither team playing has a decent QB. Parity is another name for mediocrity, and there are just a lot of games in today's NFL that are not going to be very compelling viewing for a neutral, third-party fan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyDays Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 @CBSSportsGang: TNF on CBS + NFL Network scores another ratings increase, +5% for @Raiders - @chiefs with avg. rtg/shr of 9.9/17 in metered markets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heavy Kevi Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 1) Capricious and erratic enforcement of rules by officials makes many of these "primetime games" unwatchable 2) The "average Joe" is turned off by players making $20 million per season who sit out because they have a sore ankle or tummy ache 3) The protests turned some people off 4) The announcers typically suck balls...everything is over-analyzed in a politically correct way and done so as not to offend the Patriots 5) Far too many commercials 6) Commercialization of the product (beer, cleats, towels, underwear, gloves, golf carts, headphones, etc). 7) Parity But yeah, I still watch it when nothing else is on. Well, that pretty much sums it up. I could not vote, since there is not an option for "all of the above". In my opinion the NFL has gotten "a little big for their britches", figuring they can do whatever they want and people will just blindly follow. You can't blame them for this, it has worked up to this point, but starting just last year, the jig is up. People are getting turned off, and are turning it off. The NFL is hemorraging fans and popularity, and it's hard to point to just one thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dma0034 Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 I personally think it's two reasons: 1. Poor matchups. They love putting the NFC East team in there to draw the most ratings but more often than not they're bad. Looking at the remaining MNF games really the only game I really want to watch is Falcons-Seahawks. Where Sunday Night Football has: Pats-Falcons, Pats-Broncos, Eagles-Seahawks, Ravens-Bucs with the ability to flex any game to make it better later. The NFL should look into flexing MNF too 2. Poor commentating. TNF quickly realized Tony Romo was great to have in the booth for TNF..... Gruden is boring; likes everyone and doesn't show me anything. McDonough? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeSpeed Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 I am a casual fan in that I only watch Bills games and maybe watch games that directly affect the Bills. Mainly AFC East opponents. The problem is that most of the time the divisional teams are playing at the same time. Here is my solution to all of the scheduling and rating problems. Ax Monday and Thursday night football. Break Sunday up into 3 equal groups of games trying to break the divisional games apart as much as possible. For example: this weekend the Jets play the Dolphins at 1:00 and the Bills play the Bucs also at 1:00. Move either game to 4:00. Sunday night the Patsies play. This way you can keep an eye on the entire division. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rico Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 Great game last night, but TNF ratings are down again: http://deadline.com/2017/10/dodgers-raiders-win-thursday-night-football-ratings-down-nfl-cbs-1202191943/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFunPolice Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 Many have said it but cord cutters oversaturation and so many other options are probably to blame. There's nothing special about prime time games because there are so many. More and more entertainment options have appeared but there are still only 24 hours in a day Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo_Gal Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 I was one of those 4+ games a week people. Now, I just watch the Bills (40+ year habit).My turn-off reason? The anthem protests.I watched less football last year. This year I moved on to just watching the Bills. All the things I can now do with the time I am no longer devoting to watching football all day Sunday, Monday night, Thursday night, etc. Not to mention the time saved on all the sports shows, etc. I am not sure I will ever go back.I was definitely more than a "casual observer" for a very long time. When you insult your consumers, it doesn't make for good business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Bomb Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 I can't really watch football anymore. The anthem protests and ppl like Mike Schopp telling me I have no right to question the protests could very well be the final straw for me. That and most games are garbage to watch with the commercials and officiating. As I have said before, the NFL has thought too highly of itself for a while now, and will likely go the way of NASCAR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luxy312 Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 Hard core NFL fans won't tune out because of the Anthem protests. Casual NFL fans that still follow their team closely (like me) won't stop watching the Bills because of Anthem protests. Where I tune out is all of the other games in other time slots. Last night, I tuned into the pregame for the Chiefs-Raiders. Aware of the kneeling players during the Anthem, I changed the channel. I have not seen a single game outside of a Bills game this season and have no plans to do so. There's other fans just like me and it most certainly is related to the "protests" or whatever you want to call them. I don't have a problem with having a cause that they're trying to bring attention to. I just think that their method is screwed up. Do it on your time. Volunteer for public speaking engagements. Start your own non-profit. They have the freedom of course to sit, as they have the freedom to burn a flag. I have to respect that freedom, but certainly don't have to empathize or otherwise understand and agree with what they're doing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Bomb Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 (edited) They have the freedom of course to sit, as they have the freedom to burn a flag. I have to respect that freedom, but certainly don't have to empathize or otherwise understand and agree with what they're doing. Actually, when they are on the field they are at work, so their employer has the legal right to set the rules. They certainly are allowed to do whatever they want with the anthem when they are not at work. It's up to the NFL and owners of teams to do something about the protests if they so desire. If say Jerry Jones starts fining his players who kneel, he has every right to do so, the players can go find another job if they don't like the rules. Edited October 20, 2017 by T-Bomb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 Actually, when they are on the field they are at work, so their employer has the legal right to set the rules. They certainly are allowed to do whatever they want with the anthem when they are not at work. It's up to the NFL and owners of teams to do something about the protests if they so desire. If say Jerry Jones starts fining his players who kneel, he has every right to do so, the players can go find another job if they don't like the rules. Then the NFL should test that in the courts. It hasn't. And it hasn't for good reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PolishDave Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 Then the NFL should test that in the courts. It hasn't. And it hasn't for good reason. Players would lose. NFL is just trying to be PC and not offend anyone - not realizing that, as Geddy Lee puts it "if you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatdrinks Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 Players would lose. NFL is just trying to be PC and not offend anyone - not realizing that, as Geddy Lee puts it "if you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice." Technically the quote should be attributed to Neil Peart, the great drummer and lyricist from Rush. I know, I'm picking nits but he penned those words. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luxy312 Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 Actually, when they are on the field they are at work, so their employer has the legal right to set the rules. They certainly are allowed to do whatever they want with the anthem when they are not at work. It's up to the NFL and owners of teams to do something about the protests if they so desire. If say Jerry Jones starts fining his players who kneel, he has every right to do so, the players can go find another job if they don't like the rules. It's a huge gray area whether the owners have the legal right to create new rules that previously didn't exist. That's precisely why they're NOT doing anything and haven't done anything now in going on 7 weeks. Bad lawsuit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatdrinks Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 Then the NFL should test that in the courts. It hasn't. And it hasn't for good reason. The league would likely win any such case. The " good reason" is actually that they likely want to try to keep labor peace with their players. They are really walking a line here between not offending the fan base ( which has happened) and the labor issue. This is a crisis of the leagues own creation. They should have put explicit language into their policy with the Military deal , but left a loophole in it that the players have exploited and hijacked the anthem for their own questionable message. It's a huge gray area whether the owners have the legal right to create new rules that previously didn't exist. That's precisely why they're NOT doing anything and haven't done anything now in going on 7 weeks. Bad lawsuit. Past practice has no bearing actually. They can make new policies as they see fit. They are the employer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PolishDave Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 Technically the quote should be attributed to Neil Peart, the great drummer and lyricist from Rush. I know, I'm picking nits but he penned those words. Thank you. Didn't know that. Just hear Geddy singing it in my head. Bare nare nare nare nare narow....bare nare nare nare nare norow .....bum bum bum bum dum dum dit dit .....dititditiditiditiditi bum bum dit dish dititidoditditdo...etc. YEAH! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GottaRun Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 The new version of “All My Rowdy Friends Are Here on Monday Night” makes me want to vomit a bit. Add that to the list of potential reasons people are bailing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PolishDave Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 It's a huge gray area whether the owners have the legal right to create new rules that previously didn't exist. That's precisely why they're NOT doing anything and haven't done anything now in going on 7 weeks. Bad lawsuit. The league would likely win any such case. The " good reason" is actually that they likely want to try to keep labor peace with their players. They are really walking a line here between not offending the fan base ( which has happened) and the labor issue. This is a crisis of the leagues own creation. They should have put explicit language into their policy with the Military deal , but left a loophole in it that the players have exploited and hijacked the anthem for their own questionable message. Past practice has no bearing actually. They can make new policies as they see fit. They are the employer. I think they are walking softly knowing full well that the media is just dripping at the chops to turn this into an even bigger steaming pile of clickbait than it already is. You know national media outlets can't wait to run headlines pumping up the politics and somehow making it a race issue of rich white men (a.k.a. Donald Trump and NFL owners) vs. the oppressed struggling peasants at the bottom of societies echelon having their civil rights trampled on. Only in America baby - where the average person is so unbelievably spoiled compared to most of humanity and don't realize how truly great life is here compared to most of the rest of the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatdrinks Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 I think they are walking softly knowing full well that the media is just dripping at the chops to turn this into an even bigger steaming pile of clickbait than it already is. You know national media outlets can't wait to run headlines pumping up the politics and somehow making it a race issue of rich white men (a.k.a. Donald Trump and NFL owners) vs. the oppressed struggling peasants at the bottom of societies echelon having their civil rights trampled on. Only in America baby - where the average person is so unbelievably spoiled compared to most of humanity and don't realize how truly great life is here compared to most of the rest of the world. I can't disagree with this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Formerly Allan in MD Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 Because a team as exciting as the Bills isn't on it regularly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mannc Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 Past practice has no bearing actually. They can make new policies as they see fit. They are the employer. Not really. There is a collective bargaining agreement in place that greatly limits what the owners can do unilaterally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick the Greek Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 What will replace football if it continues in this downward sprial? Thats my question. Baseball and the NBA? Yawn. Hockey? Double yawn (sorry Sabres fans). Soccer? Really? I think the NFL will be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ned Flanders Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 The NFL should look into flexing MNF too Really? Imagine in August buying tickets, a flight and reserving a hotel for a Sunday game, and only 10 days out be told, "Umm, we moved your game to Monday night." Not going to happen. And the above is the primary reason the NFL will not flex Monday night games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boatdrinks Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 Not really. There is a collective bargaining agreement in place that greatly limits what the owners can do unilaterally. Do you know what is in the CBA , exactly? I'm guessing that you do not. I do not and don't claim to know either. Again, this whole thing is really about walking a fine line between angering the fans and keeping labor happy. The best thing they could do at this point is go back to keeping the players inside during the anthem. It would solve the issue with the least mess possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mannc Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 (edited) Do you know what is in the CBA , exactly? I'm guessing that you do not. I do not and don't claim to know either. Again, this whole thing is really about walking a fine line between angering the fans and keeping labor happy. The best thing they could do at this point is go back to keeping the players inside during the anthem. It would solve the issue with the least mess possible. I don't know everything that's in the CBA, but I know that there is a CBA and that the workforce is unionized. Therefore, the employer can't just start making unilateral changes, although the league may have the right to change certain rules. I agree that the league is trying to walk a fine line between the fans and the players, with Trump doing everything he can to further inflame the situation. It will be interesting to see what happens if Jerry Jones or some other owner disciplines one of his players for protesting. I don't think anyone really knows, and both sides want to avoid finding out. What they really should do is just get rid of the anthem at the games, but they wont. Edited October 20, 2017 by mannc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hapless Bills Fan Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 (edited) Take a close look at what's happened to cable subscribership in general. We have had a cable modem for years but never cable. Called for service this summer, repair guy took the filter that keeps folks from buying a box and descrambling off the line - so few people doing that nowadays, isn't worth the cost to them to replace it. Put it on over the airwaves TV and see what happens. Edited October 20, 2017 by Hapless Bills Fan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldTimeAFLGuy Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 (edited) What will replace football if it continues in this downward sprial? Thats my question. Baseball and the NBA? Yawn. Hockey? Double yawn (sorry Sabres fans). Soccer? Really? I think the NFL will be fine. ....which they will have to convince their advertisers of that.....Goodell wants to INCREASE revenues to $25+ BILLION by 2027.........a minimal yet prolonged downward spiral could be a huge impediment...negativity does NOT sell.....and if a possibility of a strike down the road materializes, uh oh...... Edited October 20, 2017 by OldTimeAFLGuy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunnerBill Posted October 20, 2017 Share Posted October 20, 2017 (edited) Players would lose. NFL is just trying to be PC and not offend anyone - not realizing that, as Geddy Lee puts it "if you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice." I don't know US contract law well enough to comment who would win or lose. I certainly know it would not be that simple under UK law. I can't be dismissed from my job for not standing for the anthem and I represent Her Majesty's Government. But what I actually meant by my comment was that the NFL does not want to risk alienating a huge contingent of its players. Because this could end up in a strike issue. Edited October 20, 2017 by GunnerBill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punching Bag Posted October 21, 2017 Share Posted October 21, 2017 It's a huge gray area whether the owners have the legal right to create new rules that previously didn't exist. That's precisely why they're NOT doing anything and haven't done anything now in going on 7 weeks. Bad lawsuit. Incorrect. It states directly in rules that you need to be out for kickoff, etc. The NFL is not enforcing it to avoid conflict with NFLPA but the Détente will not last long as NFL feels it is losing viewers. Really? Imagine in August buying tickets, a flight and reserving a hotel for a Sunday game, and only 10 days out be told, "Umm, we moved your game to Monday night." Not going to happen. And the above is the primary reason the NFL will not flex Monday night games. This already happens with flex scheduling late in season hence reason will not buy tickets in second half of season. There was quite an outrage on the wall the last time the NFL flexed a game and that was from 1 PM to 4 PM and ticket buyers wondering if they could catch flights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manther Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 The addition of prime time games especially Thursdays dilute the MNF excitement IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiz Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 I agree that one of the reasons is the bad matchups on MNF, but WHAT IS a marquee matchup these days??? There are no really good teams, a lot of mediocrity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marv's Neighbor Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 If the NFL is really worried about this, they need to get it off ESPN and back to network TV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobbyC81 Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 I think it's at least due to over saturation of the NFL product. With Thursday Night, Sunday Night and Sunday Ticket.....even a football fanatic like me is about done on Monday Night. If I was the league I would dump Thursday night next year. There have actually been a couple of good Thursday games this year (SF/Rams and Oakland/KC). Prior to this, most of them have been one-sided with the home team usually winning. It just showed there isn't enough time for a road team to prepare and travel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pine Barrens Mafia Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 Last night's matchup, Indianapolis at Tennessee, was only appealing to people in...Indianapolis and Nashville. Neither team with a hint of a national following. BTW, is there a bigger "I don't care" division in football than the AFC South? Let's rename it the jay cutler memorial division Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
row_33 Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 Gruden screaming every completed pass was the catch of the century and that 13 players in every game were the greatest ever was a final straw. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaggersEOD Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 I have my own business - If my employees knelt quietly for 45 seconds before they started their shift, I really wouldn't give a crap. Would you give a crap if by them doing it they were insulting your customers and losing you business? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaBillsFanSince1973 Posted October 22, 2017 Share Posted October 22, 2017 howard and dandy don would boost the ratings. maybe they should consider doing a monday night virtual retro show? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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