The NFL has been slow this past week as the media has focused on every single angle between the Bears and the Colts, and then looked at and reported on them 10 more times. The extra week off between the AFC/NFC Championship games and the Super Bowl is mostly for the media to build up the hype machine that is the Super Bowl to new levels of annoyance. Having the media focus on two teams for 2 weeks straight is to the point of nauseating, and the fans don't really like having a week of no football, especially when it's filled with worthless stories about nothing. I can't remember exactly when the NFL decided to add the extra week in there, but they really need to go back to not having it.
Peyton Manning did bring up a good point regarding this situation, stating that he appreciated the extra study time. Given the Super Bowl often matches teams that haven't played in the current season, or perhaps as many as 3 years ago, the players and coaching staffs probably enjoy the extra time to prepare for an unknown opponent. However, they often face several opponents a season that fall into this catagory, so it's not like it's a reaction to some once-a-season thing.
The layoff is purely there for the media, and it needs to be revoked. It does nothing for the fans, and some may argue it annoys them more than anything. Considering these sporting events are "supposed" to be for the fans, I'd like to see them start taking steps to actually implement things to bring the games back to the fans. Eliminating the Super Bowl layoff would be a small, but positive start in that process.
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2 comments:
While you are right in saying that the extra week doesn't make sense, you're assuming that the Super Bowl is a sporting event. Sadly, it isn't - it's one of the two major religious holidays in this country (Halloween being the other).
Regarding changes: Personally I'd like to reduce the number of teams in the basketball and hockey playoffs, but I guess there are some fans who like that approach.
P.S. Blogger was acting screwy this morning. See here.
I agree, it's definitely not just a sporting event, and the NFL is not just a game. Big business will always make decisions that enhance profit levels, and having the extra week to translate the media hype machine into merchandise sales is most likely a very sound business decision.
I barely watch the NBA and don't follow the NHL, but having a total of 16 teams in the NBA Playoffs is way too much, especially since the Eastern Conference seems to have problems creating 8 .500 teams. Making the playoffs has a bit lesser meaning when 16 of the 30 teams make the playoffs is ridiculous. I'm sure the same logic is applied here though...playoff games generate revenue, and having more of them means a bigger profit even though it degrades the "honor" of making the playoffs.
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