Falcons: The safety that magically was taken away

[AsylumGuido]

(12-29-2011 07:05 PM)illmusic Wrote:  that's why I don't believe it happened, the reasoning ain't there...but as much shady shit has been swept under the rug regarding sports, its sillier to believe someone wouldn't do this with the right motive.

I can see something like this happening in a declining sport like hockey or basketball, but the NFL has far too much going for it and far too much to lose to even dream of doing something as shady as fixing games, which is what is being suggested here.

[cooperbh]

(12-29-2011 07:01 PM)AsylumGuido Wrote:  Sometimes it just isn't worth the trouble to try to have a logical discussion with a fencepost. It is crazy to believe there would be any type of concerted effort to fix an NFL game. There is far, far to much risk for what type of small reward? Would it increase revenues? Would it increase viewership?

It's just silly.

Nobody is talking about fixing games. What Triplett did on Monday is more akin to Favre sitting down for his buddy Strahan. Neither action decided the outcome of a game.

Why would anybody risk such a thing? I don't know. Why would coach Payton risk having his star QB drop back to pass over and over again with a 22 point lead and five minutes left in the game? Because there was a chance to break the record that night, that's why. When you have a chance to do something historic, you take it sooner rather than later.

Would it increase viewership? Are you kidding? Do you think Joe Average Fan is sticking around to watch the final quarter of a 38-16 blowout without something more at stake than the outcome of the game?

Would it increase revenue? Only if you believe in the crazy theory that NFL revenues are tied to viewership.

Let's stop pretending that there was no motive for the league to try to ensure that a hallowed record was broken in front of a large national audience.

[phocis850]

Honestly this more than likely boiled down to personal gratification and being able to tell all your friends that you officiated that game.

Did you guys notice the ref shaking hands with Brees as well? I know it was a big moment, but he looked REALLY happy.

[juraitwaluzka]

(12-29-2011 09:07 PM)cooperbh Wrote:  Nobody is talking about fixing games. What Triplett did on Monday is more akin to Favre sitting down for his buddy Strahan. Neither action decided the outcome of a game.

Some of the calls in question were earlier in the game, so any action taken then could have certainly had an effect on the game. Or is it that the conspiracy only applies to the non holding call late in the 4th when the outcome of the game was pretty well known? Sure in hindsight none of the calls decided the outcome, but at the time of the calls there was no way to know that later it would be a 20+ point lead. That counts as game fixing in my book, it is absolutely the worst thing a professional league could do by far for it's long term health.

Like I said, it's not an impossible scenario, but Goodell would have to be a complete dumbass to do something like this, and the thing about dumbasses, they just keep on doing stupid things and sooner or later get caught. To date, he hasn't struck me as being stupid.

[Drathdon]

With the money ESPN paid for MNF, and some of the stinkers they had this year, it would only make sense that having a major game getting attention for the record would be in the NFL's interest. You think the ratings and ad sells for the Rams/Seahawks or Colts/Bucs were going to remind ESPN to continue upping the price for negotiating the contract next time? The NFL needed to make MNF "special" again after the rough year the schedule provided.

Totally plausible that the NFL wanted to ensure this game was "special" for one of their favorite clients. Whether you think it was a conspiracy, suggestion, or incompetence, arguing the NFL had nothing to gain is incorrect.

[Jesus]

All professional sports are fixed.

Someday they may fix it in our direction.