NFC North / NFL Thread 2017-18

[DegenerateDish]

Who knew, Rams/Niners best game of the year.

[GGGG]

Very entertaining game. Goff looks pretty good. Too bad he wasted a year under Jeff Fischer.

[B. McBannerson]

Because a lot of evidence suggests that the same number of people are watching.  They are simply watching less.

That's not much of a boycott.

Can you point to this lot of evidence?

[B. McBannerson]

It also be interesting to see the reasons behind a boycott....those because Kap knelt and those that are pissed that Kap doesn't have a job. At this point, I'd guess it's close to a 50-50 split

According to the data, it's about 72-28.  Those upset at those not standing for national anthem, 72.  Those upset Kap doesn't have a job, 28%.

[B. McBannerson]

This poll has been well-eviscerated.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/07/28/espn-distorts-analysis-of-poll-question-regarding-nfl-viewing-habits/

https://www.sbnation.com/2017/7/27/16050800/nfl-viewership-national-anthem-protests-jd-power-survey-2017

http://deadspin.com/how-to-mangle-a-survey-by-darren-rovell-1797307721

Actually what has been eviscerated is how ESPN portrayed the poll.  The poll itself isn't a problem by and large.  JD Power clearly states some fans watch more football, ESPN chose not to report that.  JD Power states SOME fans watch less for a variety of reasons, including the protests being the largest indicator of those that stated they watch less.

Here is the actual results, no interpretation by the media.  https://docs.google.com/viewerng/viewer?url=http://images.info.jdpa.com/Web/JDPower/%257B2245cfb1-94bd-4866-bcb9-f609452c9476%257D_SportsInsights_ElectionAndNFL_072617.pdf

This is all we've been saying.  There are many factors. Election, politics, hurricanes, bad football, domestic violence, Peyton Manning retiring, Tom Brady suspensions, protests. 

There are some members here at MUSCOOP that say there is NO IMPACT, ZERO, by the protests. This is wrong, on every intellectual level, but it seems to be more of a political or emotional response for them. For their statements to be true, not one person in this country watched less football because of these protests. Not one person canceled NFL Game Pass because of, or canceled Sunday Ticket.  To further believe this, CBS Sports Chairman who knows more about football than everyone here combined, is wrong with his study.  The Denver Post is wrong with theirs.  Seton Hall is wrong with theirs.  And the countless others that have been done.

It wasn't lost on me the SB Nation article you linked where the headline reads "No, NFL viewership wasn't down because of anthem protests".  Then one reads the article and the author admits that some NFL viewership is down because of the protests.


Are some of you going to continue to say it has zero impact?  For those saying the protests are the only reason, they are equally foolhardy.  There are a plethora of reasons, and the protests are just one of them.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Has anyone said the protests have had zero impact?

[rocket surgeon]

Has anyone said the protests have had zero impact?

Not really sure if anyone has said this, but many here intimate that it is a non-issue completely.  All I've been saying is that if one ignores the protest altogether, they are being partisan, shortsighted, and would make for poor business-people

[jesmu84]

Well, I'm sure this will all go much better after tonight 

[MU82]

President Donald Trump criticized NFL players who lodge protests during the pregame national anthem, saying Friday night that he wished those players would be released and encouraging fans who are offended to walk out of stadiums.

Speaking at a political rally in Huntsville, Alabama, Trump said: "Wouldn't you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, 'Get that son of a b---- off the field right now. Out. He's fired! He's fired!"


Trump said the protests, which became public last year when then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick knelt for the national anthem during a preseason game, are "hurting the game."

Trump didn't mention Kaepernick or any other NFL player specifically during the speech.

Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the 49ers during the offseason. He has not been signed by a new team since then. Several players have continued to protest during the anthem this season.

"The only thing you could do better," Trump said, "is if you see it, even if it's just one player, leave the stadium. I guarantee things will stop. Things will stop. Just pick up and leave. Pick up and leave. Not the same game anymore, anyway."

Trump went on to say referees are "ruining the game" by calling 15-yard penalties for "beautiful" tackles. He also said that NFL ratings are down "massively, massively," because people prefer watching him. NFL ratings dropped eight percent in 2016, as compared to 2015.

An NFL spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment on what Trump said.

[GGGG]

President Donald Trump criticized NFL players who lodge protests during the pregame national anthem, saying Friday night that he wished those players would be released and encouraging fans who are offended to walk out of stadiums.

Speaking at a political rally in Huntsville, Alabama, Trump said: "Wouldn't you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, 'Get that son of a b---- off the field right now. Out. He's fired! He's fired!"


Trump said the protests, which became public last year when then-San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick knelt for the national anthem during a preseason game, are "hurting the game."

Trump didn't mention Kaepernick or any other NFL player specifically during the speech.

Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the 49ers during the offseason. He has not been signed by a new team since then. Several players have continued to protest during the anthem this season.

"The only thing you could do better," Trump said, "is if you see it, even if it's just one player, leave the stadium. I guarantee things will stop. Things will stop. Just pick up and leave. Pick up and leave. Not the same game anymore, anyway."

Trump went on to say referees are "ruining the game" by calling 15-yard penalties for "beautiful" tackles. He also said that NFL ratings are down "massively, massively," because people prefer watching him. NFL ratings dropped eight percent in 2016, as compared to 2015.

An NFL spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment on what Trump said.

That will help.

[ATL MU Warrior]

That will help.

No kidding.  There will likely be an increase in the number of kneelers tomorrow.  Good job Mr. President!

[Pakuni]

Fat old man who never strapped on a helmet thinks NFL players are soft.
President... or sports talk radio caller?

[GGGG]

No kidding.  There will likely be an increase in the number of kneelers tomorrow.  Good job Mr. President!

If he only showed this much disdain for white supremecists...

[Jockey]

After reading Lebron's tweet this morning, I have moved him ahead of Kareem and MJ as the greatest of all time.

He is my new hero.

[brewcity77]

President Donald Trump criticized NFL players who lodge protests during the pregame national anthem, saying Friday night that he wished those players would be released and encouraging fans who are offended to walk out of stadiums.

This just shows how out of touch the old moron is. First, there's no pro team in Alabama for the crowd to walk out on. Second, no one is going to pay $172/seat to walk out after the national anthem. Seriously, there should be some sort of test to be president, because that moron is failing on every level. Not to mention he swore an oath to uphold the Constitution and is now attacking people who exercise a Constitutionally protected right, which is a blatant violation of his Oath of Office.

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

Oddly quiet from the anti-Kaep camp...

[reinko]

What's about those thousands of fans blind drunk, walking into the stadium, wearing hats, taking a piss, or buying a hotdog during the anthem, so some FRACKIN RESPECT.

[GGGG]

https://twitter.com/koopa_kinte/status/911715150507454464

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

First mlb player took a knee today. Wonder what tomorrow will look like

[Jockey]

First mlb player took a knee today. Wonder what tomorrow will look like

The kid was born on a military base where his dad served. He has spoken out in the past about his patriotism and the importance of the 4th of July.

His action was a response to the tweeting frenzy by our racist pig of a leader.

[Pakuni]

Steve Kerr pretty much said it best ... we have a president who supports free speech when it advocates for white supremacism, but opposes free speech when it advocates for racial justice.

By the way, anyone still sticking to the "Kaepernick' protests haven't had an impact" narrative?

[Jockey]

Did the owner standing in protest with the players inspire the Jags?

It's the 3rd quarter and the Ravens have  been out-gained by 250+ yards.

BY THE JAGS

[B. McBannerson]

Looks like the Ravens never got up after taking their knee.

[GGGG]

How very Bears.

[B. McBannerson]

How very Bears.

Wonder if he took a knee earlier.  That was an amazingly dumb play.  Looked like Leon Lett.