Cory's Corner: The NFL Is Very Close To Teflon
This is the time of year when fans start to circle their calendars and decide when they will make their summer trek to Green Bay.
The Railbirds are chomping at the bit.
The Packers training camp date was supposed to be July 28. However, the National Football League and the NFL Players Association cannot agree on a start date with a shortened preseason.
"Our priority is always going to the health and safety of the players," said NLFPA president and Browns center J.C. Tretter a couple weeks ago. "Usually when you say that, it is things that will happen on the field. Obviously, that takes a new meaning with everything going on now where you talk about the health and safety of the players is you are talking about their own personal health."
The NFL really wants to play not just because it generates about $15 billion a year in revenue and stands to lose a lot if it cannot get on the field on time.
But the NFL is easily the No. 1 sport in America by a wide margin. Think I'm wrong? The 2020 NFL Draft had a record 15.6 million people watch commissioner Roger Goodell host a Zoom show from his basement while chomping on M&Ms.
Many may not want to hear this, but the NFL can have a late start and be OK. The NBA and MLB will be starting soon but the NFL will supersede them simply with contract chatter. Patrick Mahomes signed a 10-year, $450-million deal last week and that was catnip for several days.
The NFL may not be 100 percent teflon, but it's pretty darn close. People cannot get enough of it and this is supposed to be the boring offseason where we aren't even talking about any real games yet.
But that's the beauty of the NFL monster. It has turned into a 13-month marathon. It doesn't just stay on all the time, but it also swallows up other sports' real stories that are trying to get on the field and do real things.
And that's why Goodell and the rest of the NFL brass should be happy.
The Railbirds may be a bit delayed this year, but they aren't going anywhere.
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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
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Comments (34)
Handsback
July 14, 2020 at 08:03 am
Too much politics, too many rule changes, I'm not sure that many haven't already turned out and may not tune back in.
Ferrari-Driver
July 15, 2020 at 08:21 pm
You are making a valid and important point. Even I, who has been an avid Packers fan my entire life has had my enthusiasm diminish dramatically because of the political, kneeling, and now BLM stuff. It's just a shame this has happened. I didn't miss a game for years and I've decided not to attend any games this years, but it is primarily because of the virus. I inherited season tickets a number of years back, but used to go to games with my dad and just consider myself an average Green Bay Packers fan.
stockholder
July 14, 2020 at 08:03 am
Just get their Butts in camp. Time to Report!! I 've been through the World Football League. The Strike. The Refs strike. Their being paid. Earn it. Theres a risk to everything. Everybody has at one time or another, done something they didn't want to do. You have to go to work. Man up. Time to stop pouting like Little Girls.
gkarl
July 14, 2020 at 08:26 am
John Gotti thought he was teflon at one time too and Roger Goodell sure isn't the teflon don.............or is he? :)
dobber
July 14, 2020 at 09:12 am
"The 2020 NFL Draft had a record 15.6 million people watch commissioner Roger Goodell host a Zoom show from his basement while chomping on M&Ms. "
...what else were people going to do? Once you've streamed most of Netflix, this looks like gold.
TarynsEyes
July 14, 2020 at 12:04 pm
I'd bet that half the viewership said they were walking away from the NFL at one point and still are it seems.
Leatherhead
July 14, 2020 at 09:33 am
If a guy like me, who has followed the NFL for over 50 years and spent a lifetime playing and coaching football can walk away.....then I think the league is in trouble.
TarynsEyes
July 14, 2020 at 12:02 pm
If you truly walked away, you wouldn't be here commenting on NFL matters.
Leatherhead
July 14, 2020 at 12:43 pm
I haven’t walked away. Yet. But I think about it a lot. I guess I’m just waiting for the proverbial straw that breaks my back. From an economic perspective, I don’t spend any money attending games, nor do I pay for premium tv packages.. I don’t really watch many non-Packer games. That’s a big change from even a few years ago for me.
jannesbjornson
July 14, 2020 at 06:37 pm
How many high school games?
PatrickGB
July 14, 2020 at 10:10 am
I am not quite sure the word “Teflon” is the best word. They do get criticized a lot but I think that some of the criticism sticks. Sure, change has been slow but there has been changes made. As noted the NFL is very popular so every nuance of what they do is under a microscope because of that popularity. We all pay close attention because we love the game.
Since'61
July 14, 2020 at 10:33 am
I’m concerned that the NFL is going to commit the same blunder as many of the states have committed. They are going to move forward, and players, coaches and staff are going to get infected and then the league will realize they have made a mistake and need to shutdown.
If teams play a game and one player tests positive after the game does that mean that both teams need to quarantine for 2 weeks? Assuming the answer is yes, what does that do to the schedule for the league? What if that situation happens after 3 or 4 games in the same week?
Is the league prepared to address the death of a player or multiple players due to Covid- 19? What about stadium staff personnel who are just there to do their jobs? What if they bring the virus home to their families?
I’ve seen nothing from the league that indicates they are preparing for preventing any of these contingencies. The Teflon will wear off quickly if players, staff and innocent personnel become infected or die just to play a meaningless game.
Speaking for myself I can wait until there is a vaccine or cure and the games can be played safely. I’ve made it this far without baseball I can make it without football. Maybe a canceled season will be the final push I need to just walk away. The games are nearly unwatchable now anyway. Thanks, Since ‘61
13TimeChamps
July 14, 2020 at 10:37 am
"The games are nearly unwatchable now anyway."
Sadly, so very true.
TarynsEyes
July 14, 2020 at 12:00 pm
What bs. How far away is nearly from actual won't. Let me tell you. When is doesn't exist.
13TimeChamps
July 14, 2020 at 12:17 pm
"How far away is nearly from actual won't."
Care to repeat that in English?
Samson
July 14, 2020 at 01:54 pm
13 --- My response also.... Taryn always likes to confuse people with absurd use of the English language .... if it's even English... Maybe it's the Tarynish language.... LOL.
Since'61
July 14, 2020 at 02:27 pm
13Time - I’ve been down to just watching Packers for the last several seasons. Haven’t even watched a complete SB since the Packers last appearance in 2010. Thanks, Since ‘61
13TimeChamps
July 14, 2020 at 03:47 pm
I've been down to just watching Packers games for years. And, even then, sometimes I'll just follow it online or listen on the radio while I'm doing other things. That way I don't have to see all the flags flying all over the field.
WMA
July 14, 2020 at 11:26 am
Since the 60s have watched virtually every game when possible. The last couple of years maybe saw half of the games and listened some on the radio. The term nearly unwatchable may be the reason. Too many interference penalties - let the defenders defend. Playoff games were better expect for the Pack 49er game which was unwatchable for a different reason :).
CheesyTex
July 14, 2020 at 11:55 am
Well said. What ever happened to foresight? Perhaps it's just a generational thing. Perhaps it's $ vs. morality (if that even exists anymore). Perhaps I will never understand...
Bure9620
July 14, 2020 at 02:20 pm
Yes since '61, it seems relatively haphazard....I have seen zero defined protocols in or even recommended best practice guidelines in place which I believed there would be by now......how will testing work? How often? Molecular testing? Swaps? Antibody test??? I can tell you, there is a major manufacturer asking practices to sign a contract and commit to financing testing and will not even receive the machine for 6-8 weeks......this is for providers...there have to be some NFL teams scrambling right now.......I think there is more chaos internally in the league office and facilities than people are letting on........
Since'61
July 14, 2020 at 07:17 pm
Sounds about right for the NFL under Goodell. Thanks Since ‘61
JerseyAl
July 14, 2020 at 01:45 pm
Note to all: I deleted Taryn's comment and resulting replies for venturing off-topic into politics. There are plenty of sites you can go fight over politics. My goal is that CHTV won't be one of them.
Samson
July 14, 2020 at 01:57 pm
Good move JerseyAl.... Most are tired of politics smothering every conversation these days.
Bure9620
July 14, 2020 at 02:21 pm
Good move
Since'61
July 14, 2020 at 02:22 pm
Good job Al. Thanks, Since ‘61
13TimeChamps
July 14, 2020 at 03:25 pm
Thank you!
splitpea1
July 14, 2020 at 05:47 pm
Three of the four people who responded to your comment/edict favorably are as guilty as anybody in expressing their political views--the perfect example of the pot calling the kettle black.
Personally, whatever you want to do is fine with me, but if you're you're going to enforce such matters , it should even-handed and across the board. The truth is that some of these articles published during the past few weeks have had a political component to them, so naturally people are going to venture, in your mind, "off-topic."
JerseyAl
July 14, 2020 at 06:16 pm
It will be even-handed and across-the-board. As long as I can keep up.
flackcatcher
July 14, 2020 at 02:20 pm
So far the NFL has not done a good job in adapting to the new conditions. The reality is they are an entertainment organization, and as such are expendable. Losing football would hurt a lot of places and force some major moves financially. This would not be the first, nor would it be the last time the NFL, or College football for that matter would have to play in uncharted waters. Heck, if the 'experts' are right, then the first case of corona-19 was back in September 2019, which means the NFL and College has already played through it. I bet if last years Packer team was tested, most of that roster would have tested positive on the antibody test. Let not kid ourselves here, the risks are already well known and can be managed, if the owners and players want too. So, the real question is: Does the NFL want to play football in 2020. I have my doubts...
flackcatcher
July 14, 2020 at 02:38 pm
Should have been clearer on corona-19. There are two variants we are dealing with in the states. The first showed up in the west coast in September 2019. The second in the east coast in December of this year. The second one is more infectious and is the one currently plaguing the nation. Edit: December 2019 or January of this year. There is some disagreement in the time line.
stockholder
July 14, 2020 at 04:46 pm
Cool! check out the new Face shield on the football helmet. CBS
Leland
July 14, 2020 at 10:42 pm
Getting real close to not caring
joejetson
July 15, 2020 at 05:41 am
Will the NFL finally destroy the "Golden Goose" by politicizing the games? It's not the fans doing it, it's the players and the league. If they do what I think they're going to do, they are in for a rude awakening. Decent Americans aren't going to swallow it anymore.