Cory's Corner: NFL will examine pace of play
Your remote controls spoke loud and proud this season.
Whether the NFL TV ratings were down because of the presidential election, poor play or a mixture of the two, commissioner Roger Goodell addressed pace of play at his press conference on Wednesday.
Let’s be honest, with increases in technology, the game is simply better at home than in person. You get the myriad of graphics and stats that each network provides; multiple angles with dozens of replays for every close play and you don’t have fight lines to get food or use the bathroom.
However, the commercial breaks have gotten out-of-hand. Every scoring play is now reviewed — even though it shouldn’t be. So networks usually take that time to take a break. They then come back and show the extra point, followed by another break. Then they return for the kickoff and as soon as the returner gets tackled or takes a knee in the end zone, the networks scurry to take another break. The most popular person on the field these days seems to be the guy in the orange sleeves, who’s telling the refs when the game is going to or coming back from a commercial break.
Back in 2010, The Wall Street Journal found out that the ball is in play only 11 minutes of an NFL game. That’s distressing. At least the NFL doesn’t stop the clock after first downs like the college game, or else we’d be staring at four hours for a regulation game.
Goodell said he expects changes to pace of play. Whether that means the NFL will be more autonomous with how the networks take breaks is yet to be seen. But exactly what can the NFL do? ESPN doesn’t pay $1.9 billion, CBS doesn’t pay $1.5 billion and Fox and NBC don’t shell out $1.1 billion a year to broadcast the NFL, only to have the NFL tell them how to do it.
Maybe the NFL and the networks could work a deal where they could play commercial breaks without leaving action. For example, show the extra point with a small inaudible commercial playing in one of the corners sans the network’s ticker and graphics.
There could even be minor things like the clock only stops when an offensive player goes out-of-bounds in the final five minutes of each quarter. Have a firm time on an instant replay decision. Don’t keep players and fans hostage for 15 minutes trying to determine if a receiver got both of his feet inbounds.
I don’t think the pace of play kept people from initially watching, but it may have had an impact in how many people changed the channel or turned off the TV. If a game is monotonous with no flow whatsoever and especially if you don’t have a rooting interest in the game, what are the odds that you’re going to stay glued to that game?
It also doesn’t help that fans can cheat nowadays. They can watch the RedZone Channel without ever having to sit through an entire game. In a few years you may actually have fans that only watch complete games in the playoffs — because the RedZone goes dark in the postseason.
In this age of everything needs to be done five minutes ago, it’s about time that the NFL cuts the fat from its game. I just don’t want it trimmed too close to the bone.
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.
__________________________
Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
__________________________
Comments (8)
Travis_Jervey
February 04, 2017 at 07:13 am
Honest question because I see this a lot - would Packer fans really rather watch at home than at Lambeau?
Lancer
February 04, 2017 at 08:45 am
Cory: great post the NFL needs to get games back down to under three hours. Sitting in the stands being bombarded with the same in stadium ads all season during the many breaks does get annoying. The Packers should do something about their advertising inventory over the course of a season.
Here is my list of what they can do to speed things up sequenced from least impactful to play to most.
1. Sell fewer ads at a higher price. Supply and demand baby. Do we really need to see the same car ad 6 or 7 times in a half?
2. Cory's idea of in game ads. Works for soccer definitely worth trying in the NFL
3. Remove the time out for the two minute warning. Works just fine in college football.
4. Only have kick offs to start a half or overtime. After a score mark the ball on the 20 and start play. NFL is anti kickoff anyway because of injuries so let's just go where they are headed anyway.
Given the modern game I don't think you can do much to eliminate replays, challenges, or injury stoppages although there may be ways to speed them up.
Lancer
February 04, 2017 at 08:45 am
Cory: great post the NFL needs to get games back down to under three hours. Sitting in the stands being bombarded with the same in stadium ads all season during the many breaks does get annoying. The Packers should do something about their advertising inventory over the course of a season.
Here is my list of what they can do to speed things up sequenced from least impactful to play to most.
1. Sell fewer ads at a higher price. Supply and demand baby. Do we really need to see the same car ad 6 or 7 times in a half?
2. Cory's idea of in game ads. Works for soccer definitely worth trying in the NFL
3. Remove the time out for the two minute warning. Works just fine in college football.
4. Only have kick offs to start a half or overtime. After a score mark the ball on the 20 and start play. NFL is anti kickoff anyway because of injuries so let's just go where they are headed anyway.
Given the modern game I don't think you can do much to eliminate replays, challenges, or injury stoppages although there may be ways to speed them up.
jeremyjjbrown
February 04, 2017 at 09:31 am
I like a bunch of your brainstorms. This is a serious problem. I used to watch more before I had a kid, I would sit and catch up on email while Monday or Thursday night football was on. now that's not possible. If it's not the Packers or the Super Bowl I only watch a recording where I can skip ahead.
Since'61
February 04, 2017 at 12:38 pm
NFL ratings have been affected for a number of reasons.
Most importantly, the quality of the product has deteriorated significantly over the last 10-12 years.
The league has over saturated with prime time games. The Thursday and Monday night games are usually bad matchups. Who wants to watch the Jaguars play the Titans on Thursday or Monday night, or the Rams play the Bears. There are too many meaningless and pathetic games. Although the presidential debates made some of those games look pretty good so I don't think that the presidential election was much of a factor. Add in the bombardment of commercials after every score and what's the point? As mentioned in the article Red Zone due to fantasy football fans has made an impact as well. Injuries to numerous marquee players, bad officiating and bad press from the concussion scandal and several physical abuse incidents have not helped either. This season you can add in the Kaepernick protests as well. I don't see Goodell or the owners or the networks giving up any revenue so I'm sure what will change, but you never know. Would be nice to see the NFL get back to football but that went out when the money became huge. No going back now. Too big of a gravy train. Thanks, Since '61
Handsback
February 04, 2017 at 06:02 pm
From what I have heard, my son is in the entertainment business, people have quit watching games when their favorite team isn't playing. Essentially fans are becoming team centric vs. League centric.
I have found myself watching about half of NFL games that I did last year. Too many breaks in the game and frankly don't care.
Tundraboy
February 05, 2017 at 09:18 am
11 minutes? That's worse than Walking Dead with all the commercials and breaks to tell us about the after show. Wonder what that 60 minute show is in reality.
zzzza
February 17, 2017 at 01:59 am
49ers jersey
nike tn pas cher
coach handbags
mont blanc pens
michael kors outlet
fitflops sale clearance
under armour outlet
michael kors uk
michael kors uk
coach
philadelphia eagles jerseys
north face
basketball shoes
adidas nmd
golden state warriors jerseys
cheap michael kors handbags
jimmy choo
michael kors outlet
golden state warriors
the north face outlet
ray ban sunglasses
miami heat jersey
converse shoes
tennessee titans jersey
michael kors handbags wholesale
chicago bears jerseys
ray bans
adidas nmd r1
longchamp bags
michael kors handbags
oakland raiders jerseys
colts jerseys
nhl jerseys
san francisco 49ers jerseys
michael kors handbags
pandora jewelry
birkenstocks
giants jersey
replica rolex
fitflops
michael kors handbags wholesale
ralph lauren outlet
michael kors handbags clearance
adidas nmd
reebok shoes
cheap ray ban sunglasses
michael kors outlet
titans jersey
hermes belt
chargers jerseys
pandora jewelry
yeezy boost 350
ghd hair straighteners
michael kors handbags outlet
denver broncos jerseys
oakley sunglasses
bills jerseys
armani exchange
cheap jordan shoes
michael kors outlet online
polo ralph lauren
nike huarache
yeezy boost 350 black
buffalo bills jerseys
replica watches
cleveland browns jerseys
christian louboutin outlet
cheap nfl jerseys
red valentino
tiffany and co outlet
nike huarache
michael kors outlet store
miami heat
hugo boss outlet
michael kors handbags
hugo boss sale
kobe 9 elite
atlanta falcons jersey
michael kors outlet online
michael kors outlet online
replica watches
new york giants jerseys
fitflops sale clearance
louis vuitton pas cher
washington redskins jerseys
cheap jordans
nike outlet store
mlb jerseys
cleveland cavaliers
ed hardy uk
michael kors handbags
michael kors handbags wholesale
toms outlet
los angeles clippers
ravens jerseys
rolex replica
michael kors
michael kors handbags
redskins jerseys
nike blazer
new england patriots jerseys
supra shoes
nike roshe
new york knicks jersey
boston celtics jersey
new york jets jerseys
oklahoma city thunder jerseys
nike blazer pas cher
michael kors outlet
cheap jordan shoes
replica watches
jordan shoes
omega watches for sale
jets jersey
nike outlet
tiffany and co
canada goose jackets
pittsburgh steelers jersey
michael kors handbags
baltimore ravens jerseys
ralph lauren pas cher
cheap michael kors handbags
hermes belts
nike air huarache
gucci outlet
dallas cowboys jersey
nike store uk
true religion jeans sale
nike trainers
chiefs jersey
ed hardy
nike huarache
chaussure louboutin pas cher
bears jerseys
sac longchamp
moncler outlet
hollister clothing
nike trainers uk
michael kors handbags
new york knicks
michael kors handbags
valentino shoes
michael kors handbags
versace
cheap oakley sunglasses
cheap nike shoes
michael kors handbags
michael kors handbags
patriots jerseys
carolina panthers jersey
ray ban sunglasses
nike blazer low
birkenstock sandals
saints jerseys
kansas city chiefs jerseys
hugo boss
vikings jerseys
cheap nba jerseys
detroit lions jerseys
michael kors outlet
michael kors outlet
dolce and gabbana outlet
skechers outlet
longchamps
michael kors outlet clearance
gucci sale
michael kors handbags outlet
nike trainers uk
los angeles lakers jerseys
ed hardy clothing
michael kors handbags wholesale
jimmy choo shoes
instyler max 2
michael kors handbags
hollister
nike trainers
nike air force 1
michael kors handbags online
lebron james shoes
mont blanc pens outlet
true religion jeans
michael kors handbags
miami dolphins jerseys
ecco shoes outlet
nike blazer
michael kors handbags outlet
michael kors handbags
nike roshe run
hugo boss sale
ralph lauren outlet online
nike huarache
the north face
michael kors handbags
supra shoes sale
michael kors handbags sale
cleveland cavaliers jersey
the north face
nike store
gucci sito ufficiale
michael kors handbags
ferragamo shoes
cardinals jersey
nike air max 90
ray ban sunglasses
adidas nmd runner
longchamp le pliage
rolex watches
versace shoes
reebok outlet
seahawks jersey
ecco
nike blazer pas cher
ecco shoes
cincinnati bengals jerseys
michael kors outlet
replica rolex
michael kors handbags
fitflops shoes
dolce and gabbana shoes
oakley sunglasses
steelers jerseys
abercrombie and fitch
skechers shoes
chaussure louboutin
michael kors handbags
air max 90
nike tn
cheap oakley sunglasses
cheap mlb jerseys
nike air huarache
air force 1 shoes
kobe 9
michael kors handbags
michael kors outlet
chicago bulls
chicago bulls jersey
bengals jersey
toms shoes
cheap basketball shoes
new balance outlet
oakley sunglasses
gucci borse
air jordan uk
san diego chargers jerseys
texans jerseys
carolina jerseys
ghd flat iron
coach outlet store
pandora outlet
nike free
indianapolis colts jerseys
dolphins jerseys
under armour shoes
green bay packers jerseys
cowboys jerseys
michael kors handbags outlet
nike huarache trainers
cheap nike shoes sale
christian louboutin shoes
omega watches
abercrombie and fitch kids
michael kors handbags
ray ban sunglasses
san antonio spurs jerseys
michael kors handbags sale
michael kors outlet store
canada goose
cheap oakley sunglasses
new balance shoes
seattle seahawks jerseys
michael kors
new orleans saints jerseys
jordan shoes
michael kors handbags
oklahoma city thunder
salomon shoes
cheap nhl jerseys
raiders jerseys
michael kors outlet
nike air huarache
jordan shoes
los angeles clippers jerseys
cheap nfl jerseys wholesale
polo ralph lauren outlet
ralph lauren
los angeles lakers
nike free 5
houston texans jerseys
cheap oakley sunglasses
coach outlet
michael kors handbags wholesale
dolce and gabbana
arizona cardinals jerseys
oakley sunglasses
asics shoes
ray bans
san antonio spurs
cheap ray bans
michael kors handbags
instyler max
converse trainers
saics running shoes
packers jerseys
nba jerseys
falcons jersey
louis vuitton sacs
ecco shoes
rolex replica watches
salomon boots
cheap michael kors handbags
cheap jordans
browns jerseys
pandora charms
yeezy boost 350 white
ed hardy outlet
minnesota vikings jerseys
armani exchange outlet
moncler jackets
salvatore ferragamo
eagles jerseys
michael kors outlet
jaguars jersey
michael kors uk
jacksonville jaguars jersey
broncos jerseys
boston celtics
michael kors handbags clearance
lions jerseys
lebron shoes