NFL 2015

[Alferd Packer]

I never understood why people complain about pace of play in baseball. Football games and baseball games, on the professional level, take roughly 3 hours to complete (though MLB has encouraged enforcement of pace-of-play rules that have sped up the average game this year by 9 minutes or so). Both have roughly the same number of commercial breaks. Again, on the professional level, scoring is infrequent and important.

I get why people would not like the sport of baseball, or find the structure of the game itself boring, but the narrative of a game--determining a winner and a loser--takes the same amount of time as a football game. Way less, even, when you compare it to the seemingly interminable college games.

[Flagg]

I never understood why people complain about pace of play in baseball. Football games and baseball games, on the professional level, take roughly 3 hours to complete (though MLB has encouraged enforcement of pace-of-play rules that have sped up the average game this year by 9 minutes or so). Both have roughly the same number of commercial breaks. Again, on the professional level, scoring is infrequent and important.

I get why people would not like the sport of baseball, or find the structure of the game itself boring, but the narrative of a game--determining a winner and a loser--takes the same amount of time as a football game. Way less, even, when you compare it to the seemingly interminable college games.

Because the QB and wide receivers can't stand around practicing throws and catches for 3-5 minutes between plays. Meanwhile, in baseball, the person supposed to be at bat can stand around picking his ass, scratching his crotch, and hocking loogies while the pitcher stands there waiting for the fucker to get on the plate. You want to improve baseball? Give the batter 40 seconds, then the pitcher can throw 3 quick strikes. Suddenly the games are 2 hours long and slightly more watchable for non-stats nerds.

[Alferd Packer]

Because the QB and wide receivers can't stand around practicing throws and catches for 3-5 minutes between plays. Meanwhile, in baseball, the person supposed to be at bat can stand around picking his ass, scratching his crotch, and hocking loogies while the pitcher stands there waiting for the fucker to get on the plate. You want to improve baseball? Give the batter 40 seconds, then the pitcher can throw 3 quick strikes. Suddenly the games are 2 hours long and slightly more watchable for non-stats nerds.

Batters can now be fined $500 for each instance of stepping out of the batter's box without asking for time, at the umpire's discretion(basically, if the pitcher is ready but the batter is dicking around). Additionally, non-injury pitching changes and breaks between innings are now timed to 2:30, including all 8 warm-up pitches that a pitcher may throw when he's on the mound. Honestly, unless one or both teams are going yard on the opposing pitchers, most games are well under 3 hours this year, probably closer to the 2.5 hour mark. A well-pitched, low scoring game probably clocks in right around 2 hours, and the shortest game I personally watched this year was something like 1 hour and 56 minutes or something like that.

They did toy around with the idea of a pitch clock this spring, but I don't think they're going to go for it. I'd say 2:30 is probably about where they want the game length to be--shorter than football, longer than basketball.

[Flagg]

Because the QB and wide receivers can't stand around practicing throws and catches for 3-5 minutes between plays. Meanwhile, in baseball, the person supposed to be at bat can stand around picking his ass, scratching his crotch, and hocking loogies while the pitcher stands there waiting for the fucker to get on the plate. You want to improve baseball? Give the batter 40 seconds, then the pitcher can throw 3 quick strikes. Suddenly the games are 2 hours long and slightly more watchable for non-stats nerds.

Batters can now be fined $500 for each instance of stepping out of the batter's box without asking for time, at the umpire's discretion(basically, if the pitcher is ready but the batter is dicking around). Additionally, non-injury pitching changes and breaks between innings are now timed to 2:30, including all 8 warm-up pitches that a pitcher may throw when he's on the mound. Honestly, unless one or both teams are going yard on the opposing pitchers, most games are well under 3 hours this year, probably closer to the 2.5 hour mark. A well-pitched, low scoring game probably clocks in right around 2 hours, and the shortest game I personally watched this year was something like 1 hour and 56 minutes or something like that.

They did toy around with the idea of a pitch clock this spring, but I don't think they're going to go for it. I'd say 2:30 is probably about where they want the game length to be--shorter than football, longer than basketball.

Instead of fining them what they spend a week on having their lawns maintained, it should effect the game, like in football. Plus they need serious salary caps so you can't buy a good team (New York Wankers) and restrictions on treating players like chattel (Like every time the FL Marlins win a World Series they use the opportunity to "sell" their "world championship" team, since they only care about making as much money as possible, and they can profit by selling off their players and the next season feed their fans a spoonful of pigshit by having mostly unknown talentless hacks the next season), though all sports seem to buy and sell human beings. Not that I'm crying for them given how much some of those motherfuckers make a'cause they kin throw a bally-ball real good an' hit'un with a stick-bat!

[Jub]

@Flagg

It sounds like you'd probably enjoy hockey more than you do football or baseball. The players kill themselves for 30-60 second shifts, there's a maximum of 3 scheduled commercial breaks per period, and between the 20 minute periods you can walk away from the TV and grab a fresh drink, or listen to the commentators if that's your thing. The only issue might be the lack of scoring, a 3-2 game is pretty average.

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On topic, I haven't managed to catch an NFL game yet with the Jays coming down the stretch and hockey season starting. It seems like the Seahawks might have a bit of a down year after the loss in the finals, and as a very casual fan I'm not sure I can get myself up to watch them if they struggle for the next few games.

[GuppyShark]

Are you kidding me?

They were in the last two Super Bowls, won the first of those, and it's the same roster. Unless Strong Safety is suddenly the most important position in football, they will be contenders again.

[Thanas]

Bandwagoners be tripping, yo.

[Flagg]

@Flagg

It sounds like you'd probably enjoy hockey more than you do football or baseball. The players kill themselves for 30-60 second shifts, there's a maximum of 3 scheduled commercial breaks per period, and between the 20 minute periods you can walk away from the TV and grab a fresh drink, or listen to the commentators if that's your thing. The only issue might be the lack of scoring, a 3-2 game is pretty average.

-----

On topic, I haven't managed to catch an NFL game yet with the Jays coming down the stretch and hockey season starting. It seems like the Seahawks might have a bit of a down year after the loss in the finals, and as a very casual fan I'm not sure I can get myself up to watch them if they struggle for the next few games.

I enjoy playing hockey, but like soccer I hate ties, so no.

[Jub]

Are you kidding me?

They were in the last two Super Bowls, won the first of those, and it's the same roster. Unless Strong Safety is suddenly the most important position in football, they will be contenders again.

I'm first and foremost a hockey fan. The Canucks are going to be, at best, fighting for a bottom playoff spot again this year and even if they do make it they'll most likely bow out in the first round again like they did last year. I'll still watch as many of their games as I can. This is partly because I've been a Canucks fan since the 94' cup run when I was 6, and partially because I understand the stats and strategies of the game in a way I just don't with football.

If I knew more about football to the point of being able to draft a fantasy team, I'd probably care more and watch more. If I knew the subtle differences between formations and knew if things were looking good or bad presnap I'd likely have tons more interest. I don't know these things and don't know any fans that could get me up to speed on these things. So I'll only watch a team that's excellent and playing exciting football.

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I enjoy playing hockey, but like soccer I hate ties, so no.

With 3-on-3 overtime for 5 minutes, most games should resolve one way or the other and if they don't that's why the league went to a shootout. Hockey doesn't have ties anymore unless you count ties after OT.

[Terralthra]

Man, Baltimore had almost as many yards in penalties on that Oakland drive as Oakland did in successful plays. Talk about snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

[Thanas]

Our offence puts up 493 yards and 33 points and we still lose. The fuck?

And say goodbye to our playoff chances as well. Starting 0-2 means 12% chance of reaching the playoffs.

[Col. Crackpot]

Our offence puts up 493 yards and 33 points and we still lose. The fuck?

And say goodbye to our playoff chances as well. Starting 0-2 means 12% chance of reaching the playoffs.

Please.. You have a damn fine QB, and some solid vets remaining on D. Your division consists of the Bungles and the Bownies who will choke, and the Steelers who look like shit. Don't wet your pants yet.

Though you did lose to the Raiders.

[Terralthra]

Steelers did just obliterate the 49ers. Says more about the 49ers than the Steelers, though. Ouch.

[Elfdart]

What a sloppy, grabasstic two weeks of football! Aside from the Cardinals and Patriots, every team looks like they're playing the second preseason game. That Cowboys-Eagles game was grotesque.

[Guardsman Bass]

Argh. I managed to catch the tail end of the Saints game, just in time to watch them lose to the fucking Buccaneers.

[Thanas]

Our offence puts up 493 yards and 33 points and we still lose. The fuck?

And say goodbye to our playoff chances as well. Starting 0-2 means 12% chance of reaching the playoffs.

Please.. You have a damn fine QB, and some solid vets remaining on D. Your division consists of the Bungles and the Bownies who will choke, and the Steelers who look like shit. Don't wet your pants yet.

The problem is that the Bengals are a good regular season team and the steelers look damn strong. I don't think we will sweep them, which is probably what is necessary for us to get this done.

[TheHammer]

Steelers did just obliterate the 49ers. Says more about the 49ers than the Steelers, though. Ouch.

I wouldn't be too hasty about drawing conclusions on either team after one game. That game was a gift to the Steelers by the scheduler makers. Home game on 10 days rest against a West Coast team with a short week having to fly cross country for the early game on Sunday. Rothlisberger was sharp, but I think on more equal footing that game is a lot closer than the final score. Time will tell...

[Flagg]

Our offence puts up 493 yards and 33 points and we still lose. The fuck?

And say goodbye to our playoff chances as well. Starting 0-2 means 12% chance of reaching the playoffs.

Please.. You have a damn fine QB, and some solid vets remaining on D. Your division consists of the Bungles and the Bownies who will choke, and the Steelers who look like shit. Don't wet your pants yet.

Though you did lose to the Raiders.

Ravens should just cheat like your team.

[GuppyShark]

I love the first couple of weeks of the season.

Jaguars beat the Dolphins who beat the Redskins who beat the Rams who beat the Seahawks, therefore Jaguars >> Seahawks.

[Col. Crackpot]

Our offence puts up 493 yards and 33 points and we still lose. The fuck?

And say goodbye to our playoff chances as well. Starting 0-2 means 12% chance of reaching the playoffs.

Please.. You have a damn fine QB, and some solid vets remaining on D. Your division consists of the Bungles and the Bownies who will choke, and the Steelers who look like shit. Don't wet your pants yet.

Though you did lose to the Raiders.

Ravens should just cheat like your team.

Not smart enough to pull it off. They are pretty good at whining about complex plays they have nevwr seen before though. They should stick to that.

[Thanas]

Yeah, those plays were so much in the spirit of the rules that as soon as they had a chance to fix it, they were banned.

[Elfdart]

Which is horseshit. Good thing this kind of crybaby mentality wasn't around decades ago, or just about every other trick play would be banned too ("He faked the hand off and then... threw a pass! It's so unfair! Waaaaaaaah!").

[Thanas]

Yeah, this definitely wasn't around back then and definitely not among the chargers. I mean, how could I possibly hear about Riverfronts being kept open.

[Col. Crackpot]

Flacco had a brilliant 26 yard td pass to Gilmore Sunday. Great creative play calling. But I can't help but wonder where I saw that play before. Looks so familiar.. Just can't put my finger on it.

[Thanas]

Flacco had a brilliant 26 yard td pass to Gilmore Sunday. Great creative play calling. But I can't help but wonder where I saw that play before. Looks so familiar.. Just can't put my finger on it.

WTF are you talking about?