The end of the three point stance?

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

I really think it would take A LOT for that to happen. The league's popularity continues to grow each year. Besides, what else is going to step up to take it's place?

I'm not saying it would happen quickly, but I think an 18 game season would be the start of it. This year we saw what happens to teams in a down economy, including ours; people don't go to the games, and even some on this site said they weren't watching every game.

The labor situation always makes pro sports look worse than it should. People just don't have sympathy for the owners or players in these disputes. I could see this one getting ugly & it really having an impact on fans economic decisions.

As for what would take it's place; there's plenty to do that. There is so much entertainment out there at much cheaper cost & greater convenience. Until the 1950s or so, college football was by far more popular than the nfl. Despite whatever negative feelings fans have for the ncaa, college athletics has alumni that feel great loyalty to their schools, and enjoy the game day experience enough to make the trip for every home game. As more Americans attend college w/each generation, college sports has a built in audience. I could see college football becoming more popular than the nfl in the next 10 years, especially if a playoff system can be created.

[GusFrerotte]

Originally Posted by freddyg12

Playing football can't be good for your brain long-term. I think in the next 10 years or so more conclusive evidence about concussions will emerge, which of course won't be good for the game's image. I see a few things on the horizon - 18 games, lockout, economics - that could really mark the beginning of the end for the nfl as the country's most popular sport.

I agree, the punishment these guys can take is akin to boxing almost with the head jars either from hitting or getting hit. A collision of two or more 200+lb men is a lot of punishment to absorb over say a 10-15 year period. Shoot Rick James had long term neck trouble just from doing that quick jerk of the neck move he always did way back when. Look at all those old timer with Parkinson's now, not to mention all knee replacements needed once they get old. As for lockout economics, who knows, but these folks need to come down with both their salaries and pricing soon or the NFL is going to go Kaput. Can't believe Goodell is still pushing the international crap, when the Eurozone is going to shit economically, not much interest in the NFL in S America or Asia, or should I say not enough to sustain a franchise anyway. Damn, the NFL can't even fill its domestic stadiums, much less one overseas.

[MTK]

Anyone see the latest segment on concussions on HBO's Real Sports? The research that is coming out is downright scary.

[NYCskinfan82]

The National Flag League it will be this soon.

[DIE-NASTY]

Originally Posted by NYCskinfan82

The National Flag League it will be this soon.

I'd call it the National [Gay] League.

They've insulated the QB (except JC) from virtually any hits, made the chop-block illegal (which is a good rule IMO), horse collar...illegal, head to head contact (that call on Ray Lewis was in the playoffs was BS)...illegal, hits on defenseless WR...illegal. Now they want to take the three point stance out of the game. Why even play the game? It's a violent game and they're well compensated. If they don't like it, they can work for a living. And damn these owners and league officials. All they care about as someone said earlier, is their investment. They're ruining the game.

Lombardi is rolling in his grave.

[GTripp0012]

If it can actually curb concussions...more lineman are using the two point stance than ever before.

But there would have to be some actual evidence that this could accomplish that goal before they just got rid of a staple of football for the sake of doing it.

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

If it can actually curb concussions...more lineman are using the two point stance than ever before.

But there would have to be some actual evidence that this could accomplish that goal before they just got rid of a staple of football for the sake of doing it.

Yeah but what about D-Lineman on the interior? What position would they be allowed to play in?

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag359

Yeah but what about D-Lineman on the interior? What position would they be allowed to play in?

The bitch position?

Good point. Probably a stand up position in a gap. Basically, this is a change that would take 320 lb nose tackles out of the game entirely. Which, im sure, is part of the goal of preventing concussions.

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

The bitch position?

Good point. Probably a stand up position in a gap. Basically, this is a change that would take 320 lb nose tackles out of the game entirely. Which, im sure, is part of the goal of preventing concussions.

Hey I spent some time at Nosetackle, even though I was undersized.

I guess though the NFL's other goal is to tackle obesity and $100 million players that can't breathe.

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

If it can actually curb concussions...more lineman are using the two point stance than ever before.

But there would have to be some actual evidence that this could accomplish that goal before they just got rid of a staple of football for the sake of doing it.

4th and goal.. game on the line, power back snarling waiting for the ball.. linemen in the two-point

something just doesn't sound right

[GTripp0012]

And get 'em while their young:

NFL PLAY 60: The NFL Movement For An Active Generation

[CultBrennan59]

This only makes the NFL look more look a bunch of wusses if they were to really do this. Soon golf will become a more dangerous sport than football.

[SkinEmAll]

By the time this a-hole Goodell is finished with his tinkering of the greatest sport in the world it will be completely non contact flag football. I see alot of retired older players, esp. lineman and they seem fine, hell look at our great Russ Grimm, how many heads did he bang. I dont know anything anymore, good ol Roger knows everything and he needs to b replaced and I say we start collecting money to rent a sign on the side of a bus, or was it the tail gate of a truck, whatever.

[KLHJ2]

How many offensive and defensive lineman in history have ever either gotten a concussion or left the game because of one? I cannot think of any. It seems to me that this is just lip service from the commissioner to keep congress from breathing down the NFL's neck.

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by Angry

How many offensive and defensive lineman in history have ever either gotten a concussion or left the game because of one? I cannot think of any. It seems to me that this is just lip service from the commissioner to keep congress from breathing down the NFL's neck.

The only thing that the three point stance could concievably be responsible for his the mangled hands of lineman and that won't stop by eliminating the three point stance. Unless of course we have another "genius" rule change on the horizon.

I mean wedge rule, didn't necessarily agree with it but it was enough to keep players safe while not fundamentally changing the game.