Your rant reminded me of watching the 2005 Texas team on LHN a few months ago. The downfield blocking of the receivers was phenomenal, in addition to the job the offensive line did. They were talking about Ossai from the Texas D line yesterday, how he never takes a play off. That is what is frustrating now. Players take plays off. They give up on plays. Auburn wouldn't have won a national championship with Cam Newton if not for that player who ran down the Alabama defender running back that turnover and stripping him just before he scored.

They focus so much on speed and strength that they lack endurance. You see those D lineman with their hands on their hips after a 10 play drive. That's why the hurryup offenses work, not so much the confusion, but exploiting the lack of endurance of the players.

(11-01-2020 03:14 PM)bullet Wrote:  They focus so much on speed and strength that they lack endurance. You see those D lineman with their hands on their hips after a 10 play drive.

Linemen weigh so much more now than they did "back in the day". Look up a top college team's roster from the 1980s and compare it to the same team's current roster. The average starting defensive lineman back then was carrying 30-50 pounds less than today's starters. That has to impact endurance.

(11-01-2020 03:14 PM)bullet Wrote:  Your rant reminded me of watching the 2005 Texas team on LHN a few months ago. The downfield blocking of the receivers was phenomenal, in addition to the job the offensive line did. They were talking about Ossai from the Texas D line yesterday, how he never takes a play off. That is what is frustrating now. Players take plays off. They give up on plays. Auburn wouldn't have won a national championship with Cam Newton if not for that player who ran down the Alabama defender running back that turnover and stripping him just before he scored.

They focus so much on speed and strength that they lack endurance. You see those D lineman with their hands on their hips after a 10 play drive. That's why the hurryup offenses work, not so much the confusion, but exploiting the lack of endurance of the players.

It wasn't a rant. My rants are polemical. This one was a reflection of where we are today versus where we were 40 years ago, versus what the game was designed to teach and instill in its players. I'm not sure it teaches much but self promotion and money at the expense of team nowadays.

IMO it is why its popularity is really starting to flag. It's not about team, and with liberal transfers it's not about school. From national signing day until NFL draft day it is about self promotion and that my friend is anathema to the purpose of team sports, which is anathema to most fans, particularly college fans. One and done hurt college basketball. Easy transfers hurt college football. And pay for play will only hurt it more and that is coming in one fashion or another regardless of how we feel about it.

(11-01-2020 05:34 PM)Wedge Wrote:  

(11-01-2020 03:14 PM)bullet Wrote:  They focus so much on speed and strength that they lack endurance. You see those D lineman with their hands on their hips after a 10 play drive.

Linemen weigh so much more now than they did "back in the day". Look up a top college team's roster from the 1980s and compare it to the same team's current roster. The average starting defensive lineman back then was carrying 30-50 pounds less than today's starters. That has to impact endurance.

The Texas 1969 championship team actually only had one Oline starter over 210 lbs! One tackle was 275. That worked for a wishbone team. Refrigerator Perry in the 80s was what--330? He was really unusual. Now, I've heard of HS teams averaging 300 lb offensive lines.

(11-01-2020 05:53 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(11-01-2020 03:14 PM)bullet Wrote:  Your rant reminded me of watching the 2005 Texas team on LHN a few months ago. The downfield blocking of the receivers was phenomenal, in addition to the job the offensive line did. They were talking about Ossai from the Texas D line yesterday, how he never takes a play off. That is what is frustrating now. Players take plays off. They give up on plays. Auburn wouldn't have won a national championship with Cam Newton if not for that player who ran down the Alabama defender running back that turnover and stripping him just before he scored.

They focus so much on speed and strength that they lack endurance. You see those D lineman with their hands on their hips after a 10 play drive. That's why the hurryup offenses work, not so much the confusion, but exploiting the lack of endurance of the players.

It wasn't a rant. My rants are polemical. This one was a reflection of where we are today versus where we were 40 years ago, versus what the game the game was designed to teach and instill in its players. I'm not sure it teaches much but self promotion and money at the expense of team nowadays.

IMO it is why its popularity is really starting to flag. It's not about team, and with liberal transfers it's not about school. From national signing day until NFL draft day it is about self promotion and that my friend is anathema to the purpose of team sports, which is anathema to most fans, particularly college fans. One and done hurt college basketball. Easy transfers hurt college football. And pay for play will only hurt it more and that is coming in one fashion or another regardless of how we feel about it.

I noticed in the NFL ads this weekend, they are doing what the NBA does. They are trying to promote the stars instead of the teams. That's a change. I think its a huge mistake for a team game with lots of injuries like football.

(11-01-2020 05:53 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(11-01-2020 03:14 PM)bullet Wrote:  Your rant reminded me of watching the 2005 Texas team on LHN a few months ago. The downfield blocking of the receivers was phenomenal, in addition to the job the offensive line did. They were talking about Ossai from the Texas D line yesterday, how he never takes a play off. That is what is frustrating now. Players take plays off. They give up on plays. Auburn wouldn't have won a national championship with Cam Newton if not for that player who ran down the Alabama defender running back that turnover and stripping him just before he scored.

They focus so much on speed and strength that they lack endurance. You see those D lineman with their hands on their hips after a 10 play drive. That's why the hurryup offenses work, not so much the confusion, but exploiting the lack of endurance of the players.

It wasn't a rant. My rants are polemical. This one was a reflection of where we are today versus where we were 40 years ago, versus what the game was designed to teach and instill in its players. I'm not sure it teaches much but self promotion and money at the expense of team nowadays.

IMO it is why its popularity is really starting to flag. It's not about team, and with liberal transfers it's not about school. From national signing day until NFL draft day it is about self promotion and that my friend is anathema to the purpose of team sports, which is anathema to most fans, particularly college fans. One and done hurt college basketball. Easy transfers hurt college football. And pay for play will only hurt it more and that is coming in one fashion or another regardless of how we feel about it.

I think you are right. Unfortunately there is a disconnect between what draws fans --- the people who pay the bills --- and the rights of players. The need to subsidize minor leagues, in Baseball, Hockey and Basketball (G-Legue loses money) even though the level of play is considerably higher than college (why most college stars have to spend some time there proving they are pros, or not) not many fans pay to see.

The consequence of paying some players means that most players will have to pay to be on the teams. This is effectively how AAU Basketball operates. Fan interest will decline as the players are seen as pros and not students like they were or their kids are. The school in effect becomes a pro minor league team sponsor. That has no more draw appeal than any sponsorship. It wont be immediate, but like basketball an erosion.

But I don't see how it doesn't go down that road.