"Official" list of NFL TV coverage complaints (1 Viewer)

[Ministry of Pain]

My first complaint, gripe, grumble, whatever you want to call it is the simple fact the NFL doesn't mandate that TV networks only be able to put the scoreboard up for short periods during the game. It gets worse and worse each season. It's starting to mimic the news networks that have so much stuff scrolling by that you don't even notice the news anchor in the little box.

Fox is the worst as they have a huge bar that isn't even pushed up flush against the top, it actually hangs down a couple inches and there are times when it hinders watching the plays. Then you add in every pop up add, TV spin, and dear lord they start running the GD baseball scores. Look you idiots, we don't like Mr buck and just because you have him anchor baseball which he is much better at by a mile, doesn't mean you have to ram it down our throats during football. In fact the majority of NFL enthusiasts don't even like baseball. I understand why they do it but it doesn't make it right nor should I have to put up with it.

Do you ever see or hear the old games being called form some of the better announcers we have had over the years. I was watching the Miami/SD playoff game from 1981, before some of you were born I'm afraid, and the Duriel Harris to Tony Nathan hook and ladder play is really a great example. Don Criqui was announcing and rather than be a blowhard on the play he allowed for the fan reaction in the Orange Bowl where SD jumped to a 24-0 1st quarter lead and stunned the crowd in Miami. The Phins answer back with 17 in the 2nd quarter and that play turned the stadium into absolute pandomonium...but I didn't have to be told because the natural sounds of the game told the story. It's another big complaint of mine are announcers that feel they have to talk over everything.

Some of you might think you need the scoreboard constantly in the game but you don't. I would rather have a clear screen. Some of the preseason football games have had moments when the TV scoreboard is off and the whole screen is in view...wonderful especially in HD.

 

[GregR_2]

Fox is the worst as they have a huge bar that isn't even pushed up flush against the top, it actually hangs down a couple inches and there are times when it hinders watching the plays.

Early on in HD broadcasts there were problems with the scorecard you're talking about being cut off on HD broadcasts. I noticed that most broadcasts have since moved the scorecard a little further into the picture to fix the problem.I think it has something to do with translation between normal and HD broadcasts, though I've never heard a definitive answer on what was the problem. Anyway, I think most all sports broadcasts now move their scoreline into the picture further to fix that problem.

 

[Courtjester]

I think this is actually one of the times where FF has hurt the actual sport viewing experience. The Networks know how many people are involved in FF so they attempt to be "the" network that provides the most stats and info.

My biggest complaint is all the popup adds the networks put up for their shows. Fox does the worst job with that. "And tonight on House.....blah....blah...blah" and they flash over to some coming attraction scene from the show, but they always seem to get back to the live action 2-3 seconds into the play.

I would rather have alot more game break moments while we are creating a wish list.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

The solution to my OP would be this...on the way out of the huddle simply take the scoreboard off, as soon as the play is over put it back up and while the team is in the huddle.

 

[pollardsvision]

The only complaint that I've ever had about broadcasts is the number of commercials. Frankly, I can't believe I love a sport so much when I have to have something else to do while watching a single game, otherwise I get bored to tears. It's amazing what you can get done watching just one NFL game. Tons of commericals. A 3-6 second play every 20+ seconds. I can cook a meal in a separate room from the TV and not miss a single play (without DVR).

It's pretty ingenious by the NFL, to make a single game maddening to watch. The only way I know to solve the above problem is to either get Sunday Ticket (which I just did) or go sports bars that have Sunday Ticket.

 

[Sebowski]

I was in and out last night during the Chargers-Cards game in a bar with no TV sound. I saw both long FGs, but I still have no idea how long they were (couldn't see the line of scrimmage either). Why can't they all put the length of the attempt right under the score? I'm pretty sure some networks do this.

 

[Philo]

I was in and out last night during the Chargers-Cards game in a bar with no TV sound. I saw both long FGs, but I still have no idea how long they were (couldn't see the line of scrimmage either). Why can't they all put the length of the attempt right under the score? I'm pretty sure some networks do this.

Lucky for you there was no sound.That was one of the worst TV broadcasts I've ever seen.First off, in HD, there was an invisible box in the top left quarter of the screen... If you could imagine a square taking up 1/4th of the screen where the pixels were off by a tiny amount, it's hard to describe, but as soon as a player crossed from left to right, the middle part of his body would disappear for a bit when he walked through the edge of the invisible box. It was like the technical director left a wipe effect on and stuck mid-way through. For the whole broadcast.The sound was terrible. It was all tinny echoes. It sounded like all the sound--the announcers, the crowd, the players, refs--were recorded using tin cans. Or maybe one of those big parabola mics made out of aluminum. Seriously, the game sounded like an old VHS recording of a high school football game that's been watched over and over for ten years. I had to mute it.I don't know who put that crew and equipment together, but it was the lowest quality broadcast I've ever seen, at any level.

 

[VTjkru]

I hope that in the near future, once standard definition televisions are phased out, that the cameras have a different central focus point. Currently, the camera is centered on the line of scrimmage which is fine for standard definition. If you are watching in HD though, you get 7-10 yards of unnecessary coverage behind the last player on the offense (whether that be the QB or RB). I would love to move focus towards the LBs so that way you get a full look at the offense and a full look at the defense before the snap. You would also get to follow the WRs as they run their routes instead of having them be off the screen immediately after the snap.

 

[rocketsauce]

I am somebody that loves having the scoreboard constantly on the screen. I'm very interested in constant updates on down, distance, score, and above all -- TIME. If the game clock isn't on the screen, it is absolutely maddening to me. I could care less about the other strips that they run on the bottom or top (current scores, fantasy stats, etc.) but please don't take away my on screen scoreboard.

 

[gianmarco]

I am somebody that loves having the scoreboard constantly on the screen. I'm very interested in constant updates on down, distance, score, and above all -- TIME. If the game clock isn't on the screen, it is absolutely maddening to me. I could care less about the other strips that they run on the bottom or top (current scores, fantasy stats, etc.) but please don't take away my on screen scoreboard.

 

[Raider Nation]

Tim Ryan should be the lead analyst at FOX instead of Troy "that was a bad pass right there" Aikman.

Gus Johnson should replace Jim Nantz as lead play-by-play man at CBS.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

I am somebody that loves having the scoreboard constantly on the screen. I'm very interested in constant updates on down, distance, score, and above all -- TIME. If the game clock isn't on the screen, it is absolutely maddening to me. I could care less about the other strips that they run on the bottom or top (current scores, fantasy stats, etc.) but please don't take away my on screen scoreboard.

A small unobtrusive game clock could be in one of the 4 corners. but what taking it down whilw a play is going and then right back on when they go back to the huddle. And of course at the end of halfs it would be alright to keep it up...it's just so annoying to not be able to see the whole screen.

 

[ang12]

In the future, I'd love to see multiple angles offered. Let us choose the normal view, focused on the QB, or an all 22 view that is more like what the teams study in the film room. I want to see the entire play develop on both sides of the ball.

 

[Drop]

We need to organize some sort of formal petition to improve the game watching experience.

There is no reason not to show all 22 players and what they are doing each play. Anyone who has played Madden can see that this is the way to go.

The way that games are currently broadcast is unacceptable. Why do we only get to see a percentage of what goes on during each play?

The league has no problem selling you a jersey of some WR or DB and advertising Sunday Ticket so you can follow your favorite player. Why can't I see every route that Megatron runs? Why do I only get to see him if he's close enough to the line of scrimmage or if the ball is thrown near him? Would you be happy with NBA League Pass if you could only see LeBron when he had the ball? (Well in LBJ's case maybe, but you get the point.)

 

[two_dollars]

What we see is a product of Fantasy Football (constant stat bombardment) and DVR's (popup commercials). I'm not sure what can be done for those. I do completely agree with the constant announcer babble. It's annoying. I want more "atmosphere appreciation."

 

[faux_bear]

Do you ever see or hear the old games being called form some of the better announcers we have had over the years. I was watching the Miami/SD playoff game from 1981, before some of you were born I'm afraid, and the Duriel Harris to Tony Nathan hook and ladder play is really a great example. Don Criqui was announcing and rather than be a blowhard on the play he allowed for the fan reaction in the Orange Bowl where SD jumped to a 24-0 1st quarter lead and stunned the crowd in Miami. The Phins answer back with 17 in the 2nd quarter and that play turned the stadium into absolute pandomonium...but I didn't have to be told because the natural sounds of the game told the story. It's another big complaint of mine are announcers that feel they have to talk over everything.

epic play. epic game.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvmFczOcUK0

 

[Bojang0301]

I would like to complain about the Browns and the Lions being located in my region.

 

[gianmarco]

With technology the way it is, it's amazing we don't have an option to turn these things on and off yet.