The NFL Network

[DrewKaree]

Did the sun come up today? Are we still a democracy? Can you still get a cup of coffee at 7-11?

I mean, I was sorta worried that “LIFE AS WE KNOW IT!” might end because big bad cable companies weren’t willing to let the NFL take them anyway they want in orifices not meant for the activity. Ahem.

Packers v. Cowboys is in the book. (Results, too late for print. Sorry). Somebody has the inside edge at home field. And guess what, there’s a whole slate of games again on Sunday.

Dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.

I was told that I should call my cable company and complain that either..

a) The NFL Network needs to be added to my cable menu
b) The NFL Network needs to be pushed up to “basic” level for free.

Not happening. I’m calling my cable company to urge them to STAND FIRM against Goodell and his goons. I mean really, who does the NFL think they are? Pushing a second rate TV production (basic graphics, poor use of replays, and a HORRIBLE bush league announcer in Bryant “No Really, I’m NOT White” Gumball) and asking cable companies for an outrageous .80 per subscriber.

Get outta here.

I love the NFL, and I like what the NFL Network does (although I don’t really “get” the whole “Jamie Dukes screaming at me” show) but it’s a 6 month cable channel. With a little flurry of stuff around the NFL Draft, which frankly can be had over at ESPN only better thanks to Mel Kiper Jr. – draft God!

I think cable companies putting NFL Net on a “sports tier” where you pay an extra $6 a month is totally fair.

Plus, take this dose of hard hitting fact from David Cohen, executive VP of Comcast.

"While the NFL claims that it wants its games to be seen by the widest possible audiences, it's actually their rules that limit which games fans can watch. It's the NFL that designates which cities can have over-the-air broadcasts of specific games. It is also the NFL that decided to take these eight games off of free broadcast television and to try to enrich themselves at the expense of their fans by creating a multi-billion dollar asset called the NFL Network."
Amen.

Suddenly the NFL is worried about my wallet. Oh, that’s rich.

This is a league that cuts away from overtime games in the 1 p.m. hour if it creeps into the precious 4:15 window, even when your local team is playing ON THE OTHER NETWORK!

This is a league that despite ESPN’s outrageous overpayment for the MNF rights, killed the BEST highlight show ever invented – NFL Primetime – in order to hand deliver a few more viewers to NBC and their amateur hour of Costas, Olbermann, and 9 ex-players who aren’t nearly as interesting as they think they are.

This is a league that killed a fictional TV show, because they had nothing better to do.

Ray Frager of the Baltimore Sun put it best when he wrote this week: “It's hard to know whom to cheer for. The league that seems to always get its way and exudes a certain arrogance while doing so? Or the corporations that have had a monopoly on running television into your home and raising your rates after you're hooked? You know, it's kind of like when two New York teams play each other. Can both of them lose?”

I say root for Cable, because at least they must still compete for your dollars in fending off satellite and FiOS.

Once the NFL has your cash, they won’t give a rats ass about you after that. They’ll just go about finding a new way to fleece you.

You want something hilariously stupid. Go to the NFL’s website set up to help you WRITE YOUR CONGRESSMAN about getting the NFL Network.

I guess they forgot the weblinks for…

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE SMALL ARMS AND START A MILITIA
CLICK HERE TO BEGIN HUNGER STRIKE
CLICK HERE TO START RIOT
CLICK HERE TO FILE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT.

How about “Click Here To Show Your Ass To Roger Goodell and the 32 Owners.” Now there’s a link I’d like to click.

Amen, brutha, amen!

[ChadTower]

I have the NFL Network.   

[shardian]

I remember when the first ever commercials for the NFL Network were being broadcast. I thought it was some kind of joke for ESPN.

I just don't understand why this channel needs to be in the basic package. Personally, it would be nice if Cable would cut out a few of those horrendous shopping channels to make room for it, but they can't do that of course.

What is really funny is that big cable offered the NFL pay-per-view rights for their 8 games, with the bonus condition that the NFL got to keep every dag gone dime from it. Of course that wasn't good enough for the NFL. That right there ought to show who is in it for the money.

[btp2k2]

I think the NFL Network is a joke. I had it with Comcast before they pulled this crap, and I have to say...besides thursday night games with a broadcast crew worse than ESPNs MNF crew and the draft, they got nothing. The network is completely worthless. I love the sport of football...anything football, from pop warner to pros and everything in between...and I can't find any reason to watch that network. I mean really, how many times can we rehash the same Devin Hester return? Last count - 52

The Commish is turning the NFL into a joke....the bratty kid on the block who has all the shiny toys and thinks his crap doesn't stink.

[ChadTower]

The network is completely worthless.

It's true.  I have it and until this game haven't watched a damn thing on this station other than the combine workouts.  I'm a Sunday Ticket subscriber and I spend all day every sunday watching NFL games... then usually watch MNF as well.  But there is little worth watching on the NFL network.  I don't see what everyone is so pissed about.  They're not missing anything.

[markrvp]

This season has been teh suxxorz for the NFL.  In all honesty, there have only been a handful of games worth watching.

Dallas vs. New England
New England vs. Indianapolis
Dallas vs. NY Giants
Indianapolis vs. San Diego
Dallas vs. Green Bay

Notice a trend?  When the 3 or 4 good teams play each other it's fun to watch.  All the rest of the games are boring at best.  Even Tampa Bay and Seattle haven't played a team of any consequence.

The Monday night games this year have been a nightmare.  Sunday Night has had the Cowboys 3 times, the Patriots 2 or 3 times, so they have at least been watchable.

Take out the top 5 teams this year and there is no reason to watch.  This is why there was so much hoopla over Thursday night's game... after that there aren't any more interesting games on the NFL network.

[btp2k2]

watchable?

Sorry....I find a 40 point blowout not very watchable.

I may come across as a homer here....but in my opinion the NFL really dropped the ball when they flexed the Hawks/Bears game for the Pats/Bills the other week. Would you rather watch a real game with both teams fighting and giving it everything...or a game with one team basically running drills against practice dummies?

Plus....as a result we missed the Seahawks kicker layout Hester on a kick return

[FrizzleFried]

I guess the $8.00 beer and $40 for parking isn't enough to pay ---uvulas--- like T.O. and Moss.  If the NFL gave a ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- about it's fans they wouldn't charge the same outrageous price for PRE-SEASON games as they do for regular season games. 

The NFL only cares about the all mighty dollar... just like 99% of the players.

[ChadTower]

This season has been teh suxxorz for the NFL.  In all honesty, there have only been a handful of games worth watching.

I disagree with that, but then, I enjoy a game between 3-5 teams so long as the game is close.  Football is football to me. 

[btp2k2]

I enjoy a game between 3-5 teams so long as the game is close. 

Whoa...what kind of football is that?

Menage A Trois NFL style!

[markrvp]

I like games like the Pittsburgh/Cleveland game a couple weeks ago where it's high-scoring and lots of fun and you don't know the winner until the very last.

Likewise, the Dallas comeback over Buffalo was fun to watch even though the Cowboys stunk up the joint in the first 58 minutes.

[mccoy178]

I like the Pittsburgh/Miami game on Monday.  It was neat to see a game that was so jacked up.  I think this season has been more interesting than others.  I like that New England is kicking the ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- out of other teams.  They seem to take it dead serious.  Well, when Moss wants to run hard of course, but they do seem to play the game like it is supposed to be.

[ChadTower]

I like the heel Patriots.  It works better this way.  The whole "we do it the right way" prototype franchise Patriots of the last few years was all a load of crap and everyone knew it. 

Last week's game Moss' downfield blocking was terrible.  Twice Welker caught a ball inside the ten only to be brought down by the guy Moss should have blocked out (a guy nearly half Moss' size).  He's a GREAT pass catcher but damn if he hasn't started to show some of his old tendencies.

[DrewKaree]

I guess the $8.00 beer and $40 for parking isn't enough to pay ---uvulas--- like T.O. and Moss.  If the NFL gave a ---Cleveland steamer--- about it's fans they wouldn't charge the same outrageous price for PRE-SEASON games as they do for regular season games. 

The NFL only cares about the all mighty dollar... just like 99% of the players.

I think your issue is having to pay those prices to get into the Idaho Conference Center just to watch the NFL on their glorified TV they call a "product display"

[tommy]

My concern with the NFL network is the head of referees they have on from time to time trying to explain this call or that call. I have never seen that guy once say one of his officials has ever made a mistake even when it's right in front of him and us in film, the guy just won't ever admit something went down in a game and a bad call was made that made a game turn out wrong from how it should have. There is always some way out for him and he can always find something to make his explanation seem right and the guys asking the questions on the NFL network will never press the issue and force the guy to say they made a mistake.

[ChadTower]

The key there is selection of what he explains... he explains the ones he can justify.  If he can't, he just omits that play, and moves on to another.