The XFL will last

[Cedrique]

One thing going for them is they have actual NFL type talent and NFL coaches. Surprised to hear some of the names yesterday.

Yeah, no Hershel Walkers or Steve Youngs but a lot of (at least fringe) NFL level talent. Eli Rogers brings a few years of NFL experience. That Proehl kid reminded people of his father. Nelson Spruce looked like the XFL version of a Wes Welker or Julian Edelman type that will rack up a ton of receptions.

 

[NEPatsfan]

Yeah, no Hershel Walkers or Steve Youngs but a lot of (at least fringe) NFL level talent. Eli Rogers brings a few years of NFL experience. That Proehl kid reminded people of his father. Nelson Spruce looked like the XFL version of a Wes Welker or Julian Edelman type that will rack up a ton of receptions.

When I saw Proehl catch the first official TD of this league my jaw hit the floor. I used to work directly for his grandfather. Going to shoot him an email later today.

And 100% agree about Spruce, I thought the exact same thing.

 

[Cedrique]

I was at first too, until I got to actually see one, then it made sense, and I found I actually like it better than the current NFL version.

Yeah I didn't pay attention to all the different rules but if any potential punters/kickers were worried that it would make their jobs less important I don't think that is the case at all. In fact it could make having a good kicker more important. When that one guy messed up and kicked out of bounds on a kickoff the other team got the ball way up past mid field.

 

[Cedrique]

When I saw Proehl catch the first official TD of this league my jaw hit the floor. I used to work directly for his grandfather. Going to shoot him an email later today.

And 100% agree about Spruce, I thought the exact same thing.

Was his grandfather a receiver too?

 

[NEPatsfan]

Yeah I didn't pay attention to all the different rules but if any potential punters/kickers were worried that it would make their jobs less important I don't think that is the case at all. In fact it could make having a good kicker more important. When that one guy messed up and kicked out of bounds on a kickoff the other team got the ball way up past mid field.

I'm looking forward to todays games, in fact an impromtu football watching party was thrown together this morning for todays games, over my sons house. Going to head there and watch the first game with his buddies, should be fun, they have been shit talking each other about the teams since yesterday.

 

[NEPatsfan]

Was his grandfather a receiver too?

No, just his dad. His grandfather is the owner of the third largest roofing companies in the country, based out of Raliegh, NC.

 

[Duffman]

My concern is if Network TV advertisements don't receive their ROI then it won't be worth it for the networks. So I can see networks only doing a one year conditional contract with the XFL. Hopefully McMahon has a solid marketing strategy to get it over the hump.

I think the networks will be happy because if you look at what else they have to air at that time on those networks, it’s not great. The reason the XFL got those time slots is because those networks didn’t have anything better to put on it so if it drives decent viewership I think it’ll be fine.

 

[NEPatsfan]

I think the networks will be happy because if you look at what else they have to air at that time on those networks, it’s not great. The reason the XFL got those time slots is because those networks didn’t have anything better to put on it so if it drives decent viewership I think it’ll be fine.

I was thinking the same thing, the TV ratings bar has got to be fairly low for those time slots. Any boost at all, and the networks will begin to put more money into it via more promotion.

 

[Cedrique]

No, just his dad. His grandfather is the owner of the third largest roofing companies in the country, based out of Raliegh, NC.

Cool. Maybe working on a roof in the summer in NC toughens you up for having to catch all those passes over the middle.

 

[NEPatsfan]

Cool. Maybe working on a roof in the summer in NC toughens you up for having to catch all those passes over the middle.

That and being the son of an NFL journeyman reciever of 16 years.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Hard to say if the XFL will last, even if the season is slated for 3 years worth of funding. Its a watered down product. A minor league sotospeak so the "quality" has a readily apparent ceiling. It may appear fun right now, but the ratings will start to take hits soon enough... I don't know if I can remain excited to watch the likes of Cardale Jones, Brandon Silvers & Landry Jones for an extended period of time.

March Madness is looming. NHL & NBA seasons are getting deeper.

But never underestimate the power of sports betting. People will always root for & watch a sport if there is vested interest.

 

[NEPatsfan]

Hard to say if the XFL will last, even if the season is slated for 3 years worth of funding. Its a watered down product. A minor league sotospeak. It may appear fun right now, but the ratings will start to take hits soon enough...

March Madness is looming. NHL & NBA seasons are getting deeper.

But never underestimate the power of sports betting. People will always root for & watch a sport if there is vested interest.

So is college football and it seems to do very well, even with the weaker D1 teams.

Thinking it will be talent level of the NFL is the wrong way to watch the game. You watch it for the level that it is, just like you do at a high school game, or a college game, etc.

 

[DIKOWT DOWG]

Unlike its first try and other leagues, I think this time the XFL will last.

the backing and support from ESPN and FOX certainly helps with not only promotion but also production. It has a much more legitimate feel.

curious what new innovative things will come from the league.

already could see the NFL poaching the kickoff rule.

just seems like a much more intelligent and methodical second try by Vince

i honestly don't think the NFL will maintain it's successes. there will always be the sport to play and watch, but i just see other thngs taking it's place at the top of the entertainment heap. mainly due to the number of long term injuries and what we are doing to safeguard players form those injuries.

we've already started restricting all the exciting things .... where we got all of those top ten hits of the day. i used to live for that espn top ten list.

 

[NEPatsfan]

i honestly don't think the NFL will maintain it's successes. there will always be the sport to play and watch, but i just see other thngs taking it's place at the top of the entertainment heap. mainly due to the number of long term injuries and what we are doing to safeguard players form those injuries.

we've already started restricting all the exciting things .... where we got all of those top ten hits of the day. i used to live for that espn top ten list.

Also the officiating at times makes it almost impossible to watch.

 

[DallasSucks]

Nope. These leagues don’t last. Contrary to popular belief, people need a break from Football.

 

[NEPatsfan]

 

[DIKOWT DOWG]

Also the officiating at times makes it almost impossible to watch.

i'm one of those that hates replay but i guess our optics have made it impossible not to have it. i don't undertand how some things are up for replay and other things are not. but for sure i hate making the game take so long while i watch some guy with his head in a camera. I guess i'm too impatient.

replay made officiating bland and predictable though. it seems they now lean heavily on calling it a completion or a first down and then rely on the tv angles.

i think i would like the game more if we went back to no replay and work harder on improving officials. but make a call and get on with the next play already.

aside from panzying out the game, part of why football isn't as interesting for me now is it's too damn slow. replays and mandatory commercial times have ruined the game imo.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

So is college football and it seems to do very well, even with the weaker D1 teams.

Thinking it will be talent level of the NFL is the wrong way to watch the game. You watch it for the level that it is, just like you do at a high school game, or a college game, etc.

There is some truth to that. The NCAAF works better for organic fanfare. It's much easier to root & have more pride for a team that you have history & personal experience with. Whether you went to college there or its simply a hometown (localized) team... And it also works as a perfect compliment to the NFL.

The XFL, even if its after the NFL season, won't ever be viewed as a compliment so long as the talent remains in the NFL. No matter how enjoyable it may appear, one thing will always win out - talent. Right now the talent just simply isn't there for the XFL. Relative to whats on the field some players will certainly stand out but its still a limited product. And with the dilution of the team markets (Texas (Dallas/Houston), NY, etc) it's hard to see the local fanfare going wild over it.

 

[Hank Kingsley]

I'm surprised...I thought you'd be watching every game possible?

I personally think the NFL season is enough football for me, but I don't care to see the NFL continue to have a monopoly on pro football in the US. So from that angle alone, I don't mind it.

My guess is it will fail if they attempt to be a true rival league and vie for the 1st round talent...the labor cost will be too high for the revenue. But...if they want to be a minor league professional league I can see them making it more as a developmental league but not as an alternative to the NFL.

I only watch NFL. No college, no CFL, no nothing.

I hope it dies a quick death.

 

[NEPatsfan]

Nope. These leagues don’t last. Contrary to popular belief, people need a break from Football.