N/S Your take on the XFL

burningmetal · 03-03-2020, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido

Backing off the "competition" claims a bit, huh? So you claim they are giving a reprieve from wussball. Sorry to inform you that the XFL rules have wussed it down even more than the NFL with all of their kickoff and punt rules. Don't get me wrong, I have really enjoyed the XFL thus far. Not because it is in any way superior to the NFL, but because it is professional football. I understand, even if by some miracle it lasts, that it is not and never will be as high a quality product as the NFL.

And it is absolutely a niche product geared toward giving rabid NFL fans a little off-season snack to get them by. Understanding and embracing that niche gives the league its best, and most likely, its only chance of surviving more than a season or two.

I have not "backed off" in the least. You have a lack of understanding of what kind of strategy of competition is being attempted, and after further clarification on my part, you seem even further away from understanding my point.

You are apparently under the impression that it's not a competition, because the XFL started AFTER the NFL season ended. What I'm telling you, as I have already stated twice, is that it is not intended as a head to head fight to destroy the NFL. That would be entirely too ambitious of a starting plan. The idea is to compete by creating a brand that draws fans in with a more physical game that is decided by players, instead of stifling rules. And IF, down the road, they can generate the type of viewership and revenue necessary to make a play on would-be NFL caliber players, then they could be more aggressive in a more direct competition with the NFL.

It is a competition, but it's a long game. And I couldn't possibly predict how it will go. I'm not making a bold proclamation, I'm telling you, once more, that Vince McMahon is not looking to ride anyone's coattails.

It it undeniable that they benefit from fans' natural love of football, to some extent. But it can't succeed if it just allows itself to be an NFL farm system. It is also undeniable that, in the beginning, it WILL serve for players as a minor league showcase, because players will always follow the money, until such time as another league can compete financially. That's not the same thing as NFL Europe, or the AAF, which were set up to be NFL minor leagues, and testing grounds.

And all the other failed leagues who DID try to compete with the NFL never had enough money to get off the ground, aside from the USFL. But the USFL tried to compete in season with the NFL. The NFL illegally monopolized the major TV market, and nothing was done to them. So the USFL couldn't make money, and died. McMahon has a huge business empire to back his league, and he has an open season to air his games on national television. IF he plays his cards right, he can be successful.

You claimed the XFL has furthered the wussification with their kickoff and punt rules... That's either a complete lie or you haven't read the rules correctly. The XFL's rules ensure that there will be FAR more returns on both kickoffs and punts. That has been sorely missed in the NFL. It's not traditional NFL rules, but it's far more interesting to see kick returns, than touchbacks and fair catches, constantly. So how is that MORE "wussed down"?

03-03-2020, 04:09 PM	#9
burningmetal 1000 Posts + Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 3,923 Blog Entries: 3	Re: N/S Your take on the XFL Originally Posted by AsylumGuido Backing off the "competition" claims a bit, huh? So you claim they are giving a reprieve from wussball. Sorry to inform you that the XFL rules have wussed it down even more than the NFL with all of their kickoff and punt rules. Don't get me wrong, I have really enjoyed the XFL thus far. Not because it is in any way superior to the NFL, but because it is professional football. I understand, even if by some miracle it lasts, that it is not and never will be as high a quality product as the NFL. And it is absolutely a niche product geared toward giving rabid NFL fans a little off-season snack to get them by. Understanding and embracing that niche gives the league its best, and most likely, its only chance of surviving more than a season or two. I have not "backed off" in the least. You have a lack of understanding of what kind of strategy of competition is being attempted, and after further clarification on my part, you seem even further away from understanding my point. You are apparently under the impression that it's not a competition, because the XFL started AFTER the NFL season ended. What I'm telling you, as I have already stated twice, is that it is not intended as a head to head fight to destroy the NFL. That would be entirely too ambitious of a starting plan. The idea is to compete by creating a brand that draws fans in with a more physical game that is decided by players, instead of stifling rules. And IF, down the road, they can generate the type of viewership and revenue necessary to make a play on would-be NFL caliber players, then they could be more aggressive in a more direct competition with the NFL. It is a competition, but it's a long game. And I couldn't possibly predict how it will go. I'm not making a bold proclamation, I'm telling you, once more, that Vince McMahon is not looking to ride anyone's coattails. It it undeniable that they benefit from fans' natural love of football, to some extent. But it can't succeed if it just allows itself to be an NFL farm system. It is also undeniable that, in the beginning, it WILL serve for players as a minor league showcase, because players will always follow the money, until such time as another league can compete financially. That's not the same thing as NFL Europe, or the AAF, which were set up to be NFL minor leagues, and testing grounds. And all the other failed leagues who DID try to compete with the NFL never had enough money to get off the ground, aside from the USFL. But the USFL tried to compete in season with the NFL. The NFL illegally monopolized the major TV market, and nothing was done to them. So the USFL couldn't make money, and died. McMahon has a huge business empire to back his league, and he has an open season to air his games on national television. IF he plays his cards right, he can be successful. You claimed the XFL has furthered the wussification with their kickoff and punt rules... That's either a complete lie or you haven't read the rules correctly. The XFL's rules ensure that there will be FAR more returns on both kickoffs and punts. That has been sorely missed in the NFL. It's not traditional NFL rules, but it's far more interesting to see kick returns, than touchbacks and fair catches, constantly. So how is that MORE "wussed down"?
	If I had a nickel for every time I heard that, the NFL would fine and suspend me.