Although we all know that for his $70 million-plus per yr Roger Goodell is a really busy man, is he too busy to care for the NFL?
We all know his strengths:
Promoting awful NFL video games in Germany and England. Suckering clients with bait-and-switch video games to maximise TV cash. Adorning finish zones with socially right messages which are extra wanted by NFL gamers than TV audiences. Guaranteeing that each sport is tethered to a guess or three. Pitching bad-deal, extortion-like PSLs as “good investments.” Ignoring or minimizing the legal habits of gamers, and selecting vulgar, women-degrading, N-word-spewing rappers for crotch-grabbing Tremendous Bowl “leisure.”
However it’s long gone time for Goodell to spend a few of his counting home time doing what as soon as was presumed to be the first mission of sports activities commissioners:
Preserving their league vibrant and priceless by before everything taking good care of the sport. If the sport is steadily diminished, how does that serve the most effective funding pursuits of the workforce homeowners who appoint, maintain and vote to enhance the pay of commissioners?
The NFL, its video games yearly burdened by degraded play and take-it-for-granted neglect or Band-Support therapy of significant illnesses, is a multitude.
The gamers are uncontrolled, the NFL’s TV companions in alternate for billions mindlessly promote essentially the most uncivil acts amongst gamers and spectators, and the foundations of the sport — thus the outcomes of video games — are a matter of game-to-game modifications and infrequently rotten guesswork that we’re purported to indulge with a shrug.
In the meantime the common sport, particularly midway via the season, is now decided by survivors — third-string QBs throwing to taxi-squad receivers after taking the snap from a man who per week in the past was delivering dry cleansing.
Up to now two weeks, we’ve listened to and noticed a sweep: The three on-call, extremely regarded, ask-for-them-by-name former NFL sport officers — CBS’ Gene Steratore, Fox’s Dean Blandino NBC/Prime’s Terry McAulay — have been left astonished, unable to sq. why a name was made, wasn’t overturned or was overturned. And in the event that they don’t get it, why ought to we?
Thursday evening, in one other backup QB competitors between mediocre groups — completely seen through added-cost streaming to maintain NFL TV revenues maxed — the now 3-10 Patriots defeated the now 7-6 Steelers, 21-18, largely as a result of completely confused late-game unlawful movement name on Pats lengthy snapper Christian Kuntz on a fourth-and-3.
However video confirmed no extraordinary motion from Kuntz however fairly what seemed to be offsides on the Pats — a name that might’ve given Pittsburgh a primary down.
McAulay: “So that they’re saying [Kuntz] made a fast and abrupt motion [the illegal motion standard] previous to the snap. I don’t see this as fast and abrupt. Clearly, it’s subjective. This seems to be like the traditional motion that we see from a protracted snapper. I believe this could have been on the protection.”
Oh, properly, one other what-the-heck-was-that? NFL sport. Three-play parlay, anybody?
It doesn’t appear to be a matter of inferior officiating however a sport buckling beneath the load of its personal ever-changing and selectively referred to as guidelines, a troubled sport that has run away from house, a sport in want of agency, wise and vigilant steerage, and a rulebook makeover to each simplify and make clear.
However that’s not occurring on Goodell’s watch, as he would possibly surmise that the general public is properly happy by the sight of gamers doing all-about-me dances — now usually in massive teams — whatever the rating or their workforce’s report. And if we watch to benefit from the sight of drunken, typically violent stadium sots frequently dressed for the event, I’d insist that Goodell sit amongst them.
Goodell’s attraction to TV cash at any worth is relentless.
Now Dec. 17’s Sunday afternoon Eagles-Seahawks has been “flexed”— baited-and-switched — to Monday evening for TV scores that assist foster profitable promoting offers. To hell with ticket patrons, those that made plans to attend a 1:25 p.m. PST Sunday sport in Seattle, on a weekend, and people East of the Mississippi who in any other case would have been awake to observe the sport’s finish.
The shameless vanity of the Goodell Reign of Monetary Terror appears to shout: “You don’t prefer it? It’s unfair? You’re a 20-year ticket holder? Powerful. Take it or go away it. What are you gonna do about it, peon?
“The Seahawks pressured you to purchase PSLs to maintain your allegiance and financing? Good! You’re a sucker. We’ve made tens of hundreds of them since I used to be employed.”
And the components holds: The higher your workforce, the larger the burden. This would be the Eagles’ sixth prime-time sport this season.
You good with all of it? No? Who cares? Not Roger Goodell. Not the commissioner of the NFL.
Sorrow, respect for Erskines
Ex-Brooklyn and L.A. Dodgers pitcher of renown Carl Erskine — “Oisk” to our fathers and grandfathers — is 96, and to those that’ve met him, he’s often called the kindest particular person they’ve been lucky sufficient to fulfill. Final week, he misplaced his son, Jimmy, at 63.
Jimmy was born with Down Syndrome. On the time, Down Syndrome children had a life expectancy of about 15. However the Erskines, fairly than institutionalize Jimmy as was the prevailing resolution, took him house then actively inspired his existence as a mainstreamed child, then teen, then grownup. He labored at an Applebees for 20 years.
Unsure whether or not to specific my condolences first, or my admiration.
Final week’s 49ers-Eagles turned NFL-ugly when a sideline road problem left Niners LB Dre Greenlaw ejected whereas “safety officer” Dom DiSandro entered the fray on behalf of the Eagles when, ostensibly, he ought to have been policing the realm.
And at no time did Fox’s Kevin Burnhardt and Greg Olsen, the latter by no means puzzled, supply a phrase of condemnation. They even sounded amused by the scene as per the nervous media pandering that’s laying sports activities decrease and decrease.
SNY in improper state
After the Mets’ season, SNY might as properly name itself SCT — Sports activities Connecticut — for its constant abandonment of extra native sports activities whereas servicing its offers to report and promote UConn sports activities.
Wednesday, Iona, Hofstra, Rutgers and St, John’s performed basketball. Not a spotlight seen on SNY’s studio present. However UConn girls’s 27-point win over Ball State was lined with video and interviews.
Why SNY frequently chooses to quick native sports activities, thus remove potential common viewers, as an alternative of serving all stays a thriller.
Sunday we get “Hollerin’ ” Kevin Harlan with Trent Inexperienced on CBS’ Texans-Jets. Inexperienced was a strong analyst when paired with Greg Gumbel, who gave the area to talk and the decorum to be heard. However Inexperienced has been swallowed by the scream-at-anything model of Harlan.
Penn State basketball guard RayQuawndis Mitchell is enjoying for his fifth school. Penn State additionally has a recruit from Iceland and two from Nigeria. Right here, there, all over the place — no matter it takes.
Can’t anticipate Fox’s fascinating NFL halftime present, Sunday. Final week it rigorously inspected different video games to point out a 1-yard TD plunge in Panthers-Buccaneers.
Priorities: Rutgers despatched its basketball teaching workers to Hungary to efficiently recruit Dylan Harper. Jersey tax {dollars} at work! Quickly RU will launch its annual drive for donations to feed undernourished college students.