Good ole days of the NFL?

D

Dr Dave

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What ever happened to the good old days when being down by two touchdowns with two minutes to go wasn't the end of the game.

I'm an old-time Cowboys fan who can clearly remember thinking that 14 points in two minutes meant that Roger was going to win this one too. We might win it in overtime with a field goal, but we were still going to win it!

Nowadays, the sidelines of the losing team down by little more than a touchdown is totally despondant. There is almost no hope of seeing a miraculous comeback within the last 5 minutes.

Is there too much money involved to risk injury?
 
RE: Good ole days of the NFL?

I'll tell you.

It's the same reason Defensive Backs don't do the "Touchdown Saving Dive", or why players running after someone, never seem to get there. They are in it for the money, not to play "Hero", not for Pride, Not for Kudo's from their teammates. It makes me so angry to see someone trot into the endzone with a guy 1 step behind him, not trying to take him out, doing his stupid "look at me" antics, all while the guy who was chasing him is walking after him. I'd get may rear end chewed out if I ever did that in High School, and College. Some guys do have "it" though. That desire, pride, whatever to save that touchdown, make that catch, dive for the ball, etc. Sadly most don't.

Nowadays, it's all about the benjamins.....

I remember the good old days. I remember the Stabler, and Plunkett comebacks. I remember Heidi. I remember the miracle in the meadowlands. Not likely to happen today.
 
RE: Good ole days of the NFL?

I guess you missed Monday's game just a few weeks ago...

I know what you are saying though, and I've though tthe same exact thing on occasion, but I don't think the average person understands what it takes to be in the NFL. It's incredible what kind of player you have to be just to be in the league, much less start, and stay for any length of time. These guys are incredible athletes.

I think coaching has a lot to do with how a team and/or player reacts to being down. Coaching is big on my list because football is just like a chess game, strategy is just as important as execution. When you're making millions whether or not you win or lose, you need a coach that can inspire you to give 110%. Whether you're on an 0-8 or an 8-0 team makes a difference too. It shouldn't, but it undeniably does.

The one thing that bothers me everytime I watch a game is the stupid "excessive celebration" penalty. They can't even take off their helmet! That's absolutely ridiculous.

Kale
 
RE: Good ole days of the NFL?

What bothers me is how bad the Lions suck. The "good ole days" would be when we could expect the lions to win more than 2 games in a season.
 
RE: Good ole days of the NFL?

Could be worse, you could be a Steeler's fan. So much individual talent for such a disappointing season so far.:(
 
RE: Good ole days of the NFL?

I know what you mean. I am a huge Bears fan and can't believe after years of having a great defence in the 80's and part of the 90's they now have one key linebacker that's it. Lets not even get started on their lack of a running game.
 
RE: Good ole days of the NFL?

Looks like tonight's game was a perfect example of what started this thread. I mean they were only down a couple of TDs, with 12 full minutes left to play. It seemed like they gave up. Man the Chargers looked aweful...

Kale
 
RE: Good ole days of the NFL?

Some teams are like that or least project that persona. The Steelers being one of those many teams, who once they get behind on the scoreboard, they seem to change the whole game strategy and subsequently stand very little chance of coming back and winning.

Third quarter and 14 points or more behind? Might as well leave the stadium or turn off the TV set.
 
RE: Good ole days of the NFL?

Individual talent doesn't quite cut it in the NFL anymore. The 3 biggest factors for a team to win consistently are in my opinion definately: 1.) Coaching
2.) Depth
3.) Turn-over ratio

The Patriots are a good example in all three of these categories. Bill Belichek is definately one of the top 3-5 coaches in the NFL. Teams prepare for his definsive schemes rather than for particular players. Also, they are well coached in all 3 areas of the game....defense, offense, and special teams.

Also, the Pats have been winning with an incredible amount of injuries. This proves my point that depth is key. Every team will have big injuries throughout the season, but some don't have depth, some will quit and some will fight.

I wouldn't say that all players play only for the money. Ty Law had a plaster cast on his ankle till Thursday last week. He cut it off himself and made one of the biggest plays in the game, intercepting a pass to end the Brown's chances. Mike Vrabel started his first game since breaking his arm and had three sacks and a forced fumble.

Some players still play for their teammates and the love of the game.
 
RE: Good ole days of the NFL?

GO FINS!!!!!!!

Football is in the same sinking ark as the other major sports (basketball, baseball, hockey). Too much money, talent spread too thin because of expansion and the game has become "the bottom line" instead of crossing the goal line. Love of the game for many players has been substituted by love of the endorsements.
 
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