Roger Goodell Finally Figured It Out
By: Jim Vassallo
Well thanks Roger, you got it right and it only took 15 weeks to do so. The biggest game of the regular season, even though both teams have playoff spots secured, will be played Saturday night the 29th. It is…the 15-0 Patriots at the New York Giants. That’s why its a big game, the Pats are looking for 16-0. But in Roger’s eyes, no big deal, we will wait until three days beforehand to announce that the game will be simulcast on three different networks.
The game was set to air only on the NFL Network, which most of the country is without, including this fan. Goodell announced Wednesday that the game would be simulcast on NBC and CBS along with the NFL Network. Wow Roger, thanks for the Christmas gift. Here’s a better idea, stop leaving the public ugly games to watch on Sunday and Monday Night Football. How about you let us see some of the games you scheduled for the network on those aforementioned nights.
I wonder who had to convince our fine commissioner to move the game to simulcast? Is he really that blind to not see how important this game is, even though the Giants are going to have almost five NFL records broken and then reset at their expense. The Giants will put up a fight, during the opening kickoff, and from that point on it is going to be a debacle, but I’m not complaining. I can’t wait to see this team get lit like a bonfire. They deserve it, for once again limping into the playoffs.
The selection of games aired on Sunday and Monday Night Football have been less than stellar. Remember that tackle football game from only a few weeks ago between Chicago and Minnesota? Brutal; even though I was happy to see the Bears eliminated it was still a difficult game to watch. All the turnovers and horrendous quarterbacking. What has gotten into the league this year? It is in complete shambles regarding ‘key’ matchups.
One of the best Sunday night games was Eagles v. Patriots in Foxborough midway through the season. Why? Because the Eagles were the first team to truly play well against the Pats, catching them completely off-guard, and giving them a game for four quarters. No other team up until that point could boast that type of accomplishment. And to be honest with you, no team has been able to do so since.
The Patriots are the talk of the league and for a good reason, 15-0, and on the verge of possibly the greatest run for a football team the league has ever seen. They have broken record after record and have a few more in their sights Saturday night: most points scored in a season, largest point differential for a season between them and their opponents, most touchdown passes in a season, and most touchdown receptions in a season.
What took you so long Roger? The Wednesday before the game the announcement for simulcast is announced. You’ve got to be kidding me. You had to have known, at least when the Pats got to 10-0, that this game might be meaningful come week 16, that they might be playing for a perfect regular season. But, I guess not. I guess I was wrong for expecting more out of the league’s commissioner. My mistake. Give the fans a break Roger. We support the league; we pay money to go to the games, to buy the memorabilia, and to enjoy a piece of tradition. At least let us see some decent games on Sunday and Monday nights next year. That’s all we ask as fans, that’s it.