National Football League

[Alpe d'Huez]

Oh dear god, Swift and Kelce I can almost handle (with all this public scrutiny I'm not sure their relationship can in the long run), but anyone involved with the Kardashians is about to be cast on a reality TV show...

Some great news! Apparently Swift is helping a lot of young people to become interested in this new sport called football, and an obscure event with it called the Super Bowl. Thank goodness the NFL has her to help promote the league. It may have gone bankrupt without her bringing interest. I sure how they show a lot of her on TV during the event.

A Taylor Swift love story: How pop icon is bringing a new, young audience to the NFL

Arrie Flathouse never cared about the NFL, but after she started seeing Swift at games, her interest spiked. "I feel like I’m hooked now."

theathletic.com

 

[jmdirt]

Exactly. Here's a good link to top name QBs drafted, and when they played. I looked at other sites, videos. There is no clear-cut "best" plan. Several people talk about all the overdrafted, overpaid QBs, but that was too obvious. The best argument I could cull from this is if a QB you like is available to you and you think you can bring him along in your timeframe (whenever that is in your plan), and you've logically thought it through and planned it, then draft him. Otherwise, don't. I realize that's no formula though. Arizona thought Josh Rosen dropped to them when they needed a QB.

I missed it entirely last year, and will this year too. It's crushingly boring and the hype is ridiculous.

Cool story! That's maybe the first SB I remember clearly, sort of (XII) There was a lot of excitement over the Broncos that season. They started 6-0, and 12-1 before losing the last game of the season in Dallas, when both teams rested a few starters. Denver took out both Oakland and Pittsburgh in the playoffs, before an eagerly awaited rematch with Dallas for the Super Bowl. But the game was rather dull, mistake filled with fumbles, heaps of penalties, and Denver's offense fared badly. Roger Staubach had a very good game though, and the game has a famous "catch" by Butch Johnson for a TD that would be ruled incomplete today. But it was really Dallas defense that carried the day. Craig Morton had the worst Super Bowl QB performance in history. It was so bad that since Morton had previously played for the Cowboys, some sportswriters joked he was still playing for the Cowboys. It was way later revealed he was more banged up than people realized before the game even started, and Too Tall Jones hit his elbow early in the game injuring it, but Craig played through it, before being benched by some guy named Norris Weese. A sad end to a storybook season for Denver.

I remember that SB too, but not with the clarity that you do...I don't even have that much clarity for the 2023 SB!

 

[jmdirt]

I shared a few weeks a go that I inquired about a young lady's Kelce jersey, and she had no idea about the NFL, had never even heard of the Ravens that KC was getting read to play, she just had Taylor's boyfriend's jersey.

 

[SHAD0W93]

I shared a few weeks a go that I inquired about a young lady's Kelce jersey, and she had no idea about the NFL, had never even heard of the Ravens that KC was getting read to play, she just had Taylor's boyfriend's jersey.

At least it wasn’t a Maneri jersey.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

I remember that SB too, but not with the clarity that you do...I don't even have that much clarity for the 2023 SB!

I honestly only remembered about half of what I wrote, had to look the rest up. The two things I definitely remembered were how sloppy the play was, and that it was a bitter pill to swallow for Denver. Not just losing after a magical season, but the way they lost.

By halftime, the Cowboys had fumbled five times (losing one), had missed three field goals, and had allowed four sacks, but still led 13–0. Meanwhile, the Broncos had committed a halftime record 7 turnovers. Morton, who had thrown only 8 interceptions during the entire 1977 season, was picked off 4 times in the half in addition to 3 fumbles lost, finishing with a passer rating of 0.0. Incredibly, after punting on their very first drive of the game, six of the next seven Broncos possessions resulted in a turnover, and there also was a fumble on a punt return.... Penalties piled up as well in the game. 8 for 60 yards against Denver, and a whopping 12 for 94 yards against Dallas.

Another quote:

Slate webpage writer Justin Peters watched all Super Bowls over a two-month period. He considered Super Bowl XII to be the worst Super Bowl ever. Morton was a large part of the reason for Peters, who felt the Broncos' quarterback was lucky to have only been intercepted four times in the first half, and a total output that amounted to only one completion for positive yardage that was not followed by an immediate turnover...Nor had the Cowboys impressed him..."This game was nothing but pain."

Here's the infamous Butch Johnson "catch". The game was 13-3 at the time, with neither team moving the ball well (and making lots of mistakes). Not a catch by today's standards, but still a beautiful throw. Make no mistake, the right team won the game in the end.

 

[Nomad]

I hate to predict how a guy will do, but you nailed it I think, I see Williams being similar to Mayfield. I'd love to see him end up closer to Mahomes though.

If he turns out to be similar to Mayfield that would be a disaster. Mayfield had to burn through 3 teams to finally find  some success with TB. He wasn't any good in four seasons at Cleveland (only one winning season and 1-1 in postseason) that they traded for Watson & wanted Mayfield to assume a backup role.

Whoever drafts Willams (Chicago or Wash?) will expect him to be the next Mahomes...nothing less. Lol.

 

[Oldermanish]

Some great news! Apparently Swift is helping a lot of young people to become interested in this new sport called football, and an obscure event with it called the Super Bowl. Thank goodness the NFL has her to help promote the league. It may have gone bankrupt without her bringing interest. I sure how they show a lot of her on TV during the event.

A Taylor Swift love story: How pop icon is bringing a new, young audience to the NFL

Arrie Flathouse never cared about the NFL, but after she started seeing Swift at games, her interest spiked. "I feel like I’m hooked now."

theathletic.com

Be as snarky as you want but the young people that even follow NFL now are largely American I'd guess. She definitely will bring some international interest from countries that didn't know the sport existed or could care less.
After they break up; those fans will all go away unless it's her fault and Travis starts writing break-up songs that sell.

 

[Nomad]

https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/super-bowl-players-vegas-18644847.php

The 49ers are staying have been in staying in Henderson - 20 miles from the Strip. Lol. I wonder where the Chiefs are staying? The distractions that Vegas gives must be a challenge on the coaching staffs to keep these player's focus on preparation for the game.

 

[movingtarget]

Internationals were watching NFL long before Swift arrived on the scene. Australia has screened every playoff game on free to air TV and has been doing that for years. They also screen two free games every week. To watch more you need to subscribe elsewhere.

As for taking the game to Brazil, that will be a much harder market to crack. Soccer is still the king in South America and Africa and many European countries while Australia, Germany and the UK have had NFL fan bases for years. Mexico seems to have a healthy NFL fan base as well. I'm guessing Canada is the same. The NFL money machine is in good health even if the limits for for further expansion are going to be more incremental now probably. Not sure how big it is in Countries like China, India and Japan.................but the NBA and soccer seem to be big in China. India is huge for cricket.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

I believe last year close to 120 million people watched the Super Bowl. Articles like the one I posted make it seem like young people have barely heard of the sport and it will take someone big like Taylor Swift to get people to watch, which is laughably absurd. What's more likely to happen with the NFL is that it will get football fans to know who Taylor Swift is. I don't have raw numbers, but I'm going to guess only the World Cup final, and probably the UCL championship match gain a bigger audience for single broadcast events (globally. Those are only somewhat watched in the US).

Here you go, a list of the most watched TV broadcasts in US history. Would you care to guess which event dominates with 23 of the top 30 watched events?

Watch the highlights of that Super Bowl I posted between Dallas and Denver. It was in New Orleans. I'm now thinking both teams were out late the night before, completely wasted on Bourbon Street. Everyone except straight arrow Roger Staubach. That explains the sloppy play. Boy, I hope the 49ers and Chiefs have a curfew or something.

 

[SHAD0W93]

https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/super-bowl-players-vegas-18644847.php

The 49ers are staying have been in staying in Henderson - 20 miles from the Strip. Lol. I wonder where the Chiefs are staying? The distractions that Vegas gives must be a challenge on the coaching staffs to keep these player's focus on preparation for the game.

Last I heard they were staying at Lake Las Vegas, which is about 30-60 mins from the strip depending on time of day and traffic. The resorts there have all the amenities you’d need but if they wanted to have fun, Sunset and Boulder station are close by. Plus a small bar frequently around the areas. I also heard someone pulled their fire alarm in the middle of the night and a player was attacked by a coyote at Lake Las Vegas. They didn’t say which team the player was on and later some said it was a Niners fan. I don’t know where the Chiefs are staying. The Raiders practice facility is in Henderson by M and South Point casinos and UNLV football stadium is by Lake Las Vegas but if they’re using UNLV’s sports fitness center and practice field that’s all the way by the strip and airport.

 

[Unchained]

I shared a few weeks a go that I inquired about a young lady's Kelce jersey, and she had no idea about the NFL, had never even heard of the Ravens that KC was getting read to play, she just had Taylor's boyfriend's jersey.

I am going to print out 8.5x 11 photos of some of my favorites for tomorrow.. Have not really thought about what 49ers but I will have Tony Gonzalez and my favorite, the Nigerian Nightmare, Christian Okoye,guy used to literally smash people!! Will do Len Dawson because remember my grandfather screaming at the TV when he was playing..
As a tike, remember hearing my grandfather ranting about how every pass thrown by Billy Kilmer resembled a wounded, wobbly duck, I never understood what poor Billy did to get my family so worked up..?

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Be as snarky as you want but the young people that even follow NFL now are largely American I'd guess. She definitely will bring some international interest from countries that didn't know the sport existed or could care less.
After they break up; those fans will all go away unless it's her fault and Travis starts writing break-up songs that sell.

This sudden interest in the NFL may also prove beneficial to husbands of "Super Bowl widows" (women who, due to their lack of interest in football, go shopping and take their husbands' credit cards out for a walk instead of watching the Super Bowl), gotta look at the positives.

On that note with this Swift - Kelce circus I'm not sure anyone cares about the halftime show too much (unless Swift joins Usher on stage), but I'm still here for Usher. And the Niners. All the Swifties will obviously be rooting for KC, so I just want to show the Niners some love.

 

[movingtarget]

Tom Brady on track to become a Raiders minority owner, set for TV future with FOX

 

[SHAD0W93]

Tom Brady on track to become a Raiders minority owner, set for TV future with FOX

I wonder if Edelman and Gronk will come be coaches with Amendola.

 

[movingtarget]

Sounds like Toney and Mackinnon won't suit up for the Chiefs. 49ers no players in doubt.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Sounds like Toney and Mackinnon won't suit up for the Chiefs. 49ers no players in doubt.

Doubt Toney will be invited to the ring ceremony if Chiefs win.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

...a player was attacked by a coyote at Lake Las Vegas.

I find this almost impossible to believe, but since it was Vegas, maybe. Outside of this place and on my bike, I have a heap of experience in the great outdoors. I also lived in Arizona, and Nevada, where coyotes are frequently seen. They absolutely do not attack humans. If you see one in the wild and walk towards it, it will run off, usually with its tail between its legs. Coyotes are survivors, resilient, and want nothing to do with people, and just do their own thing. The Native Americans revere them for this reason. If the report later comes out that a person was trying to feed it, grab it, corner it (which would be incredibly stupid) and/or they were totally drunk and thought it was a loose pet dog they could catch, that would be about the only way. Now that I think about it, this last scenario is actually somewhat plausible, Vegas and all. A few bites have happened in the outskirts of Los Angeles and Phoenix, almost always tied to human foolishness, but are still super rare.

 

[Nomad]

Sounds like Toney and Mackinnon won't suit up for the Chiefs. 49ers no players in doubt.

I guess that just leaves Pacheco & Clyde Edwards-Helaire? That too bad because MacKinnon is an excellent pass catching back. And Edwards-Helaire has never lived up to his 1st round expectations (I believe the only RB that KC has ever taken in the first round).

 

[Nomad]

I believe last year close to 120 million people watched the Super Bowl. Articles like the one I posted make it seem like young people have barely heard of the sport and it will take someone big like Taylor Swift to get people to watch, which is laughably absurd. What's more likely to happen with the NFL is that it will get football fans to know who Taylor Swift is. I don't have raw numbers, but I'm going to guess only the World Cup final, and probably the UCL championship match gain a bigger audience for single broadcast events (globally. Those are only somewhat watched in the US).

I thought that number might be closer to 200 million (or at least more than half of the nation's population). When you factor in the marathon halftime show & the stupid, brain-dead commercials, so many people who don't watch the NFL during the regular season nor have any idea what American football is all about, will tune in to the SB. Lol.

Here in the Mile-High City, once the game starts it's like a ghost town. Streets have sparse traffic, parks & trails are empty, gyms are lighty attended with some even closing early. Alcohol & junk food sales explode. SB Sunday has become like a New Year's eve holiday.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Internationals were watching NFL long before Swift arrived on the scene. Australia has screened every playoff game on free to air TV and has been doing that for years. They also screen two free games every week. To watch more you need to subscribe elsewhere.

As for taking the game to Brazil, that will be a much harder market to crack. Soccer is still the king in South America and Africa and many European countries while Australia, Germany and the UK have had NFL fan bases for years. Mexico seems to have a healthy NFL fan base as well. I'm guessing Canada is the same. The NFL money machine is in good health even if the limits for for further expansion are going to be more incremental now probably. Not sure how big it is in Countries like China, India and Japan.................but the NBA and soccer seem to be big in China. India is huge for cricket.

Canada has its own American football league, the CFL, which some former (or even occasionally current), NFL players migrate to. So American football is nothing new to Canada.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Roughly 90 mins till kickoff... I don't know what's more exciting - getting my Amazon delivery on time or watching the actual Super Bowl!

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Last post for many hours, off to a family get together. Sticking with my previous prediction. Chiefs win by more than a TD, game only moderately interesting, not very close. The last part I could be wrong as I'm somewhat jaded, it could be a good game. This is the least interesting Super Bowl for me in aeons. I dislike both teams, and am tired of both teams, gotten sick of all the greed and controversy in the NFL, sick of the Swift hype, so all that affects my prediction. But I'm still quite confident the Chiefs will win and there won't be much doubt about who was better. Kelce will be MVP.

If SF somehow wins it will be a combination of McCaffery having the game of his life, the SF front 4 getting frequent pressure on Mahomes, and stopping Pacheco, plus SF winning the turnover battle, and time of possession by a large margin. Four big hills to climb. I just don't see it.

KC by 31-23 is my primary pick. If defenses really step up, it could be more like 24-13.

 

[Nomad]

KC by 31-23 is my primary pick. If defenses really step up, it could be more like 24-13.

I like KC also but in a very close game. I see an air show & high-scoring affair with the indoor venue. It wouldn't surprise me if KC wins the game with a walk-off FG in regulation or OT, etc.

 

[Nomad]

How many camera shots are we going to get of Taylor Swift? What's the betting line on this? Lol.