[moklerman]

Okay, I'm just venting here a little bit because it's no secret that the Patriots get preferential treatment but it saddens me that the once promising NFL Network continues to just be an ESPN clone.

When the network started I had high hopes for a more balanced assortment of programming. Of course the popular teams would still get the majority of coverage but with 24 hours of programming time available I was very hopeful that teams glossed over by ESPN and the like would get some air time. Selfishly, I was obviously thinking of the Rams but I also considered other fans who shared a similar plight. There are plenty of teams that go virtually unnoticed by the mainstream media and perhaps that's warranted to some degree but a network dedicated to the NFL, I really thought there would be more than 10 seconds of regional coverage of each team occasionally in around the league.

In my mind, each team should get a good 5 minutes every day rather than reserving mention for sensational headlines. Have an expert for each team come on and discuss something about each team every day.

Each year, I quit watching the NFLN a little more and at this point, barely check in at all. So, maybe it's just bad timing that has led me to make this post but whenever I've tuned it lately, there's ALWAYS something Patriots related. What really got me though, was the talking heads aren't even taking opposing views on the Brady suspension. Usually, these sorts of things have a pro-view and a con-view but the host asked will deflate-gate tarnish Brady's legacy? Both ex-player commentators said no. And it wasn't like it was Willie McGinnist or Heath Evans who are Patriots honks.

I mean, we're talking about getting caught cheating...AGAIN, and the Network is washing over it. The league is hanging it's hat on the "greatness" of the Cheatriots and refuses to acknowledge anything else. Sad. I never thought I'd quit loving football much less get tired of it or give up on it entirely but so much of the NFL now isn't for me.

I'm in a similar boat with the Rams right now. I know Rams fans find it sacrilegious to even discuss these sorts of things but I'm not a blind follower anymore. As recently as the '90's I was die-hard. Rich Brooks? Steve Walsh? Tony Banks? Lawrence Phillips? Didn't matter. I was passionate about the Rams winning. The Warner situation really messed me up and rekindled my frustrations over previous moves with guys like Hacksaw, Tyler, Ferragamo, Dickerson, Everett, etc.

The thing I'm most excited about with the team right now is whether or not they're moving back to LA but once that's resolved, either way, I'm left with a coach I don't like and a QB I don't like. In trying to think of an analogy just now, the first thing that popped into my head is crude but apt. It's like a porno with fat, amputee, little people instead of hot bodied co-ed's. Sure, the Rams are still the Rams and are still football but I'm done with Fisher. Actually, I was never a fan of his and even disliked him. Same thing with Williams. Same thing with Foles.

So, once the Rams are back in LA, have a new head coach, new defensive coordinator, probably a new offensive coordinator, a new QB and new uniforms, I can get excited again. Makes it tough to care right now.

[Elvis]

Why don't you like Williams? The man has a history of putting first rate defenses on the field and he's well on his way to doing it again with the Rams.

Obviously i'm extremely interested in the L.A. story but i'm also really excited about this defense.

The offense? Well maybe they'll surprise us. I'll certainly be watching...

[Rams Dominate]

I feel like you do Elvis, I'm excited as all get out about our defense & was ecstatic when Williams signed on, but then I'm pro-Fisher as well...One thing I see is we get free agents that come to the Rams BECAUSE of Fisher & now we get Fairley & Ayers BECAUSE of Fisher AND Williams, both those guys were coveted by other teams big time & really didn't consider anyone but the Rams...Britt, Kendricks & Cook = Fisher...I was real cool about the Foles, Bradford trade but after researching & doing a ton of reading, most any football person thinks the Rams got the better of that deal & say what you want but Foles 2013 put him in the Pro-Bowl & the wide recievers TO A MAN are gushing about Foles leadership & arm...1952 was my introduction to live pro football, Whiners vs Rams & I've never looked back, they're my team good, bad or ugly & for the 1st time in many years I'm looking forward to an upcoming season without hanging my head, but win or lose in 2015 I'll be 1st in line come 2016...

[Hacksaw]

I just watched NFL Total Access and the entire show was about Brady, Brady's appeal, Brady's legacy or Brady's balls or Goodell and Brady's relationship and when they were done with all that Brady stuff the wrapped up with more Brady.
He's almost done but no one can say he wasn't a success,,, still, I too am really sick of Brady and the Hatriots.

The Rams on the other hand are a flailing franchise with a shored up foundation. The new owner, front office and even HC have solidified the team. Whether the coach is good enough to get over the top, who knows? Whether his style is exciting and innovative, well Fassell brings some of that and I love Williams smash mouth style,,bounty gate not withstanding.
Foles may be no Brady but I'm excited to see someone else under center that has more skills than the guys we've had the last few years,,,, including Bradord.

[Elvis]

ESPN and NFLN wouldn't be all Brady all the time if it didn't get the best ratings. So, in the end, you have to blame the viewing public.

That's one of the great things about the internet, we get to pick and choose the media that suits our interests...

[Hacksaw]

true about the freedom of the Internet. and I don't believe that the fair weather football fan would follow Brady if they were winning all the Super Bowls. once they are no longer successful that will be that... Looking forward to that. it would be sweet poetic justice if the Rams rise and knock Brady out the last Super Bowl of his career and bring the trophy to LA

[moklerman]

ESPN and NFLN wouldn't be all Brady all the time if it didn't get the best ratings. So, in the end, you have to blame the viewing public.

That's one of the great things about the internet, we get to pick and choose the media that suits our interests...

I understand that rationale and it's possible that it holds true but when have they ever tried the other way? I find it hard to believe that the NFLN would lose ratings if it produced a balanced, less sensationalistic from of programming.

[Hacksaw]

ESPN and NFLN wouldn't be all Brady all the time if it didn't get the best ratings. So, in the end, you have to blame the viewing public.

That's one of the great things about the internet, we get to pick and choose the media that suits our interests...

I understand that rationale and it's possible that it holds true but when have they ever tried the other way? I find it hard to believe that the NFLN would lose ratings if it produced a balanced, less sensationalistic from of programming.

Yeah,,, in fact fans of the other 31 teams might even be compelled to watch the network.
I still think it's because of their success and the fact that they cheat so much..