What I loved about 49ers football and what it's become

SFFanSince72 · 2014-09-23T09:57:44-07:00

As a preface, I would like to say that the beginning of this post may seem like it would be better in the general NFL forum, but as most of my examples and issues directly relate to the 49ers, I have decided to post it here under Niner Talk. (Mods feel free to move if you disagree) What I love about football is the chess match. That is to say the strategy of players competing against other players with their own talent and skill and determining a winner based on the coaches schemes and how well they are executed. I would venture to say, perhaps presumptiously, that this is why many of us fell in love with the game of football. But more and more, it seems like this is less what the sport is about. In my memory, football went from pure sport and began to become politicized back in the early 1990's when due to lack of competitiveness by some teams and dominance by other teams, the NFL salary cap was introduced. While this directly affected and hurt the 49ers, who were riding a 10 - 15 year dynasty up until that point, I came to believe it was a good idea in order to give certain smaller market teams a chance to compete with the bigger market teams. But I look at lots of factors of the sport now and its become a monster. I am not presenting these issues as a way of whinning about my team not winning. My intention instead is to show factors that contribute to the game not being about the talent and skill of the teams anymore and therefore less about the sport. Here's what I'm talking about: 1. Let's start with Century Link field. It has been well documented the the design of the building was created to funnel sound directly onto the field. And what is experienced by teams that play up in Seattle is an environment where an outside factor (i.e. the noise of fans) has made it nearly impossible for one team to operate at their peak level. It is no surprise then that a good team, that loses nearly 25% of its games on the road, loses nearly no games at home, to arguably more talented and superior teams. Once again my intent is not to whine about my team not winning, but rather to point out that the sport is no longer a sport of teams competing on an even playing field, but rather one team capitalizing on outside influences that are within the control of the governing body to regulate. 2. Officiating: It has become obvious to any objective observer that games both for and against our 49ers and not having to do with our 49ers are not being called in an impartial way. Yes mistakes happen and I think as adults most of us can tell when something was truly a human error and when something was intentionally slanted one direction or another. Let's use the example of the Seattle/Pittsburgh Superbowl. Most of us as 49ers fans hate Seattle, but even most 49ers fans will admit that the Seattle/Pittsburgh SB was officiated with an intentional slant toward Pittsburgh. Bringing the issue more to home, some of the 49ers/Ravens calls were so egregious that people with no stake in either team could see that the officiating calls were intentionally slanted in one direction. The first three games of the 2014 season up to now, I would argue are the same thing. Once again, I am not whinning or making excuses or saying that teams should or should not overcome these outside factors. I am merely pointing out that things that should not and easily could not affect the purity of the sport are poluting it to the point of toxicity. 3. The Commisioner/Player Discipline: OTL on ESPN reported just over the weekend a long researched piece into the seeming favoritism that the commissioner has played in making his "almighty" decisions in the NFL. It was inferred, if not explicitly stated, that his closer relationships with certain team owners have influenced his decisions with regards to those teams. Whether it was discipline issues such as Ray Rice or Spygate (as he is very close with both Biscotti and Kraft) or whether it was Pittsburgh's SB's or the NY Giants opening MetLife scandal (also very close with Mara and Rooney). Player and team discipline as well as other favors by the commissioner directly affect the outcomes of games by deciding how soon top players can play in each game. With the league having a 16 game schedule, it has been pointed out very strongly that the outcome of each game matters. There are far other issues that have scandalized the NFL that have less to do with determining the outcome of games on the field, but these examples are the ones that have directly polluted my love of this once great sport. What do you all think? Have these factors tainted your enjoyment of the strategy and talent element of football?

Sep 23, 2014 at 4:30 PM

ram29jackson
Veteran
Posts: 440

1. Let's start with Century Link field. It has been well documented the the design of the building was created to funnel sound directly onto the field. And what is experienced by teams that play up in Seattle is an environment where an outside factor (i.e. the noise of fans) has made it nearly impossible for one team to operate at their peak level. It is no surprise then that a good team, that loses nearly 25% of its games on the road, loses nearly no games at home, to arguably more talented and superior teams. Once again my intent is not to whine about my team not winning, but rather to point out that the sport is no longer a sport of teams competing on an even playing field, but rather one team capitalizing on outside influences that are within the control of the governing body to regulate.

Read more at http://www.49erswebzone.com/forum/nfl/179706-what-loved-about-49ers-football-its-become/#6Egyr8ReZoOLA5wj.99

This is unproven bull and will come to light when they start sucking again. The noise junk is a stupid story and affects no one on opposing teams

Sep 23, 2014 at 5:58 PM

Einulfr
Veteran
Posts: 10

1. C-Link was specifically designed in homage of old Husky Stadium (loud and energetic due to the combination of steep, close-to-the-field seating combined with the rain-sheltering form factor.)

2. Arrowhead had the loudness record for a bit there last season, so traditional open stadiums are just as capable as being as 'uneven' a playing field. It's almost like the fans have something to do with it more than sheer stadium design.

Sep 23, 2014 at 9:23 PM

LisaTwelve
Veteran
Posts: 2,142

Originally posted by ram29jackson:
This is unproven bull and will come to light when they start sucking again. The noise junk is a stupid story and affects no one on opposing teams

hmmmm . . . .
http://www.si.com/nfl/audibles/2014/01/15/seattle-seahawks-centurylink-field-noise

Sep 24, 2014 at 12:29 AM

ram29jackson
Veteran
Posts: 440

Originally posted by LisaTwelve:
hmmmm . . . .
http://www.si.com/nfl/audibles/2014/01/15/seattle-seahawks-centurylink-field-noise

hmmm what? an article can say anything it wants. Its actually legal for the journalists to lie to you. If it were actually true ,it would have to be considered a rule breaker of some sort

[ Edited by ram29jackson on Sep 24, 2014 at 12:31 AM ]

Sep 24, 2014 at 2:43 AM

BobS
Veteran
Posts: 12,143

Originally posted by ram29jackson:

1. Let's start with Century Link field. It has been well documented the the design of the building was created to funnel sound directly onto the field. And what is experienced by teams that play up in Seattle is an environment where an outside factor (i.e. the noise of fans) has made it nearly impossible for one team to operate at their peak level. It is no surprise then that a good team, that loses nearly 25% of its games on the road, loses nearly no games at home, to arguably more talented and superior teams. Once again my intent is not to whine about my team not winning, but rather to point out that the sport is no longer a sport of teams competing on an even playing field, but rather one team capitalizing on outside influences that are within the control of the governing body to regulate.

Read more at http://www.49erswebzone.com/forum/nfl/179706-what-loved-about-49ers-football-its-become/#6Egyr8ReZoOLA5wj.99

This is unproven bull and will come to light when they start sucking again. The noise junk is a stupid story and affects no one on opposing teams

Now it is obvious you are either a troll or have next to zero football knowledge or both. Your statement can be refuted by facts.

From Seahawks.com

Seahawks fans have become known as the loudest in the NFL and are proud of the role they play in helping the team win on the field. In 2005, Seattle led the NFL in opponent false start penalties at CenturyLink Field with 24, including 11 versus the N.Y. Giants. In 2006, Seattle once again led the NFL in that category with 26 in their eight home games. Seattle's total of 132 since 2005, is tops in the NFL.

Sep 24, 2014 at 3:13 AM

SanDiego49er
Veteran
Posts: 52,185

The game is over if you get an automatic 1st down for every little infraction. If an offense player hits a defense player in the head you don't get an automatic 4th down. The NFL has become a complete joke. It's unwatchable at this point. IMO 2014 is the tipping point. They have been making rediculous rules for the last 5 years and really the last 25 years. But now it's not football anymore. A team can go 75 out of 80 yards without ever completing a play. I'm sorry if you don't see a problem with that I don't know what to tell you. Goodell and his GOONS have officially broke the NFL. It's time to find other things to do on Sundays. I'm looking forward to basketball season and I still like college football. But the NFL has become a complete joke.

[ Edited by SanDiego49er on Sep 24, 2014 at 3:14 AM ]

Sep 24, 2014 at 9:15 AM

16to87
Veteran
Posts: 7,697

Originally posted by SanDiego49er:
The game is over if you get an automatic 1st down for every little infraction. If an offense player hits a defense player in the head you don't get an automatic 4th down. The NFL has become a complete joke. It's unwatchable at this point. IMO 2014 is the tipping point. They have been making rediculous rules for the last 5 years and really the last 25 years. But now it's not football anymore. A team can go 75 out of 80 yards without ever completing a play. I'm sorry if you don't see a problem with that I don't know what to tell you. Goodell and his GOONS have officially broke the NFL. It's time to find other things to do on Sundays. I'm looking forward to basketball season and I still like college football. But the NFL has become a complete joke.

Totally agree... it's not football anymore.

Sep 24, 2014 at 9:49 AM

Geeked
Veteran
Posts: 10,057

I don't know about anyone else but it's getting harder and harder for me to watch guys roided out of their mind. It's turning into a cartoon. Part of enjoying sports is the ability to to employ self-efficacy.

Now, you're seeing 175 lb high-school seniors turn into 250 lb linebackers in the span of two years. And people wonder where all the injuries are coming.

Take out the PEDs and all the sudden, these safety issues dissipate dramatically. But that would take away from the show.

Last, the league is on the slide. No billion dollar business is on the level.

Sep 24, 2014 at 10:31 AM

9er2k
Veteran
Posts: 7,395

This hands to the face crap is ridicolous.

Sep 24, 2014 at 5:31 PM

#10

Young2Rice
Veteran
Posts: 71,702

Originally posted by 9er2k:
This hands to the face crap is ridicolous.

lol yeah and look at the roughting the passer rules:

No arm to the neck area
No crown to the chest
No blow to the knees
No diving at the knees
No driving the QB into the ground

lol wtf are defenders supposed to do exactly?

Sep 24, 2014 at 5:53 PM

#11

WINiner
Veteran
Posts: 15,899

I love the post OP. Many of those same things have dampened my love for the NFL and therefor my Niners. The NFL was awesome when it was a capitalist like league. Those who worked the hardest and those who set up shop in the most favorable conditions did well. Those who coasted or chose less favorable conditions struggled by way of comparison. That's the way it should be. That's the American way. Then the NFL decides hey, that Eddie D and his 49ers have been way too powerful for waay to long. Those teams that worked the hardest and built the best fan-bases and gave more shouldn't be allowed to prosper the way they do year in and year out. We should all be equal and share the same slice of the pie. Lets install a dictator like head of our pie sharing collective. The product has gone donw hill ever since it went socialist.

[ Edited by WINiner on Sep 24, 2014 at 5:54 PM ]

Sep 24, 2014 at 7:08 PM

#12

swayze
Veteran
Posts: 4,225

Originally posted by SanDiego49er:
The game is over if you get an automatic 1st down for every little infraction. If an offense player hits a defense player in the head you don't get an automatic 4th down. The NFL has become a complete joke. It's unwatchable at this point. IMO 2014 is the tipping point. They have been making rediculous rules for the last 5 years and really the last 25 years. But now it's not football anymore. A team can go 75 out of 80 yards without ever completing a play. I'm sorry if you don't see a problem with that I don't know what to tell you. Goodell and his GOONS have officially broke the NFL. It's time to find other things to do on Sundays. I'm looking forward to basketball season and I still like college football. But the NFL has become a complete joke.

yeah, you right

Sep 24, 2014 at 7:58 PM

#13

AXEGRINDER
Veteran
Posts: 25,679

Good post and I agree.

I never thought I would say this but I'm actually considering moving on from the NFL. Seems to becoming more and more like pro wrestling. And I hate pro wrestling. I can't shake the feeling that the outcomes of games are influenced by people or organizations who are not the actual players on the field. I can't support that. When I'm reminded every week of these observations then I fear the end of football as I have always known it is here and it will never be what it was.

Sep 24, 2014 at 8:07 PM

#14

DelCed2486
Veteran
Posts: 7,158

Originally posted by BobS:

Originally posted by ram29jackson:

1. Let's start with Century Link field. It has been well documented the the design of the building was created to funnel sound directly onto the field. And what is experienced by teams that play up in Seattle is an environment where an outside factor (i.e. the noise of fans) has made it nearly impossible for one team to operate at their peak level. It is no surprise then that a good team, that loses nearly 25% of its games on the road, loses nearly no games at home, to arguably more talented and superior teams. Once again my intent is not to whine about my team not winning, but rather to point out that the sport is no longer a sport of teams competing on an even playing field, but rather one team capitalizing on outside influences that are within the control of the governing body to regulate.

Read more at http://www.49erswebzone.com/forum/nfl/179706-what-loved-about-49ers-football-its-become/#6Egyr8ReZoOLA5wj.99

This is unproven bull and will come to light when they start sucking again. The noise junk is a stupid story and affects no one on opposing teams
Now it is obvious you are either a troll or have next to zero football knowledge or both. Your statement can be refuted by facts.

From Seahawks.com

Seahawks fans have become known as the loudest in the NFL and are proud of the role they play in helping the team win on the field. In 2005, Seattle led the NFL in opponent false start penalties at CenturyLink Field with 24, including 11 versus the N.Y. Giants. In 2006, Seattle once again led the NFL in that category with 26 in their eight home games. Seattle's total of 132 since 2005, is tops in the NFL.

It's both.

And as far as C-Link goes, the designer of the stadium has stated that Paul Allen wanted it to have an atmosphere like old Husky Stadium, so it was designed with noise as a top priority. Those giant patio overhangs are more than just protection from the weather, they also act like a lid to keep noise in and reflect it back down towards the field, plus seats are at sheer angles to where they're almost right over the field, again aiding with noise.

Yes it's loud there, but I don't believe it's because they're these psycho rabid fans, I think it's due mainly to the stadium design...the whole "12" thing is so contrived and corny. And to me it's far more impressive the noise Chiefs fans make in an open-air, multipurpose relic from the 70s.