Are we about to watch the last NFL game of their Golden Era?

[DearbornDolfan]

My fear is the players got exactly what they wanted in Smith, who campaigned on the tacit promise of no compromise. The players are going to have to realize, and quickly, that while they are in a large part the NFL, their success stems from the good will of the fans. The fact is that the fans are starting to see the players as a threat to the success of their teams and once they do, if it doesn't happen too late, they're going to fold instead of riding a busted straight.

IMO, both Goodell and Smith need to go. If you ask me, I think Condaleeza Rice should replace Goodell and Troy Vincent should replace Smith.

 

[1 Crazy Commish]

I sincerely hope RC is right. Having Uncapped teams will make 10 or less teams dominant. 1 or 2 will be super powers. The other 20 or so teams will struggle, and struggle forever.
The Oakland A's are an excellent example. Look at the dominant farm system they have had these last 10 years, Plus some very good luck I might add, but they can't keep anybody that rises to stardom more than 2 years or less unless they just concentrate their payouts to 1 or 2 players.
Let's not turn the NFL into the MLB. We don't need the Giants, Jets or Cowboys turn into the Yankees and have the other 30 teams play catch up for the next 20 or 30 years.

 

[Phicinfan]

I sincerely hope RC is right. Having Uncapped teams will make 10 or less teams dominant. 1 or 2 will be super powers. The other 20 or so teams will struggle, and struggle forever.
The Oakland A's are an excellent example. Look at the dominant farm system they have had these last 10 years, Plus some very good luck I might add, but they can't keep anybody that rises to stardom more than 2 years or less unless they just concentrate their payouts to 1 or 2 players.
Let's not turn the NFL into the MLB. We don't need the Giants, Jets or Cowboys turn into the Yankees and have the other 30 teams play catch up for the next 20 or 30 years.

Exactly. The issue in the NFL is you can't have a Minnesota or Florida or Tampa bay who builds with youngsters...as there is no minor league to develop talent in the NFL. No, College is not enough.

This will severely kill small city teams as stated before. With their revenue killed....the NFL as a whole will also get hurt.

 

[Miller]

The draw to the NFL is that fans in every city feel they have a shot come September. They show up in mass and pour a ton of money into the league.

Contrast that with MLB, which when you look at the end of the year seems to do a decent job with parity, and some small market teams do well.....the problem is that almost 1/2 the teams fans know they have no shot already in April.....just no perception of an even playing field. Means that fans do not show up in these spots and apathy sets in.

The NFL has done a fantastic job of spinning a perception that anyone can win and anyone can be competitive. A large part of that perception is tied to the salary cap and the fact that fan perceive it to be a level playing field. Take was that perception and the league is in trouble.

 

[DearbornDolfan]

We don't need the Giants, Jets or Cowboys turn into the Yankees and have the other 30 teams play catch up for the next 20 or 30 years.

It's not just the owners of the Giants, Jets, and Cowboys. A big part of the reason I'm so looking forward to next year is that Steven Ross is going to give Bill Parcells and Jeff Ireland a piece of paper with the words Grocery List on top and a blank checkbook with every check already signed.

Plus, another reason is that if anybody doesn't measure up to their paycheck? Bye bye, now!

 

[1 Crazy Commish]

It's not just the owners of the Giants, Jets, and Cowboys. A big part of the reason I'm so looking forward to next year is that Steven Ross is going to give Bill Parcells and Jeff Ireland a piece of paper with the words Grocery List on top and a blank checkbook with every check already signed.

Plus, another reason is that if anybody doesn't measure up to their paycheck? Bye bye, now!

:rolllaugh::rolllaugh::rolllaugh:

 

[RZR]

This is hardly the first time the NFL has had a less than stellar Commish and found themselves in game-changing quicksand. As is years past, we'll face set backs. But the NFL has found a way to continue being KING since the 50's and there are too many owners with too many millions invested to let this whole game go belly up.

Ride it out.... things usually improve AFTER the evolution transition is over. NFL history has proven it. There was a time when the Giants, Bears, and Packers were the only powerhouse in the league (The Browns in the AAFC) and the lack of competitiveness almost killed both leagues. If that happens again, they'll wrap a cast around that broken bone quickly. There's too much money fan money to be lost.

 

[Remote Controller]

The draw to the NFL is that fans in every city feel they have a shot come September.

Cept for Lions Fan :grin:

 

[Cooley Cadets]

This is hardly the first time the NFL has had a less than stellar Commish and found themselves in game-changing quicksand. As is years past, we'll face set backs. But the NFL has found a way to continue being KING since the 50's and there are too many owners with too many millions invested to let this whole game go belly up.

Ride it out.... things usually improve AFTER the evolution transition is over. NFL history has proven it. There was a time when the Giants, Bears, and Packers were the only powerhouse in the league (The Browns in the AAFC) and the lack of competitiveness almost killed both leagues. If that happens again, they'll wrap a cast around that broken bone quickly. There's too much money fan money to be lost.

The same arguments could have been said about baseball but I do not see me returning any time soon

 

[Cooley Cadets]

Cept for Lions Fan :grin:

You're wrong - hope runs eternal for this fan.

 

[Remote Controller]

You're wrong - hope runs eternal for this fan.

Sadly, we all get off on that hope knowing there ain't no way. :nannie:




Seriously though, being a Norse Fan, I'd love to see the Lions finally climb out of the hole called "MILLENS Trough".

 

[steelon]

I used to only watch Steeler games and MNF. Then, several years ago, I started playing Fantasy Football. Now I usually watch all the games I can and am not only interested in the players I own, but truly interested in the games themselves. I only play money IDP, PPR dynasty/keeper on CBS commish leagues with 16-17 starters, and I even concentrate on matchups on O and D lines on each play. Total concentration and I enjoy it. But without the CAP, this will all be gone. If the rich teams dominate, I'm done with football. Why bother? By the way, I made the championship in all 4 of my leagues this year. But I only won 1 !!!!!!! Rodgers was my QB on the 3 close ones I lost and had a bad week 16. Oh, well, better than not even making the playoffs!!!