Yeah I saw that as well, but to be honest, football doesn't seem to be viewed too much on the computer (and sites like justin.tv don't count since they just rebroadcast the television angle). What I would like to see is that same mentality brought to TV proper though. Perhaps it is baby steps, but I think it is time to look for some "innovations" in presenting football to the masses. Mainly, I want to see the entire field of play, or at least be able to see what is happening down the field as it happens. As it is now, the only receivers you really get to see are riunning backs running wheel routes into the flat or a receiver running a shallow route near the line of scrimmage. It seems like a small issue, but it is something that has bothered me for the past couple of years.
Tim -- just to echo what some other posters have said: ESPN's bloggers really seem to "get" that particular medium, and their posts are almost always solid, entertaining reads. Let me throw another question into the mix, as I haven't seen it addressed in this thread recently: is the CBA climate really as dreary as some others in your profession would have us believe?
You'd be surprised. My fiance' works for NBC and says that internet viewership has risen exponentially over the past few years. I cannot remember the numbers, but it was higher than I expected (not that I am an expert in the field). With more TVs being able to link with computers, watching "TV" on the internet is becoming more common. I think it will become more and more common as the internet becomes a vehicle for people to watch shows on their own time, sans TiVo.
Hi Tim, I wanted to ask you a question regarding a recent piece in your blog where you state that Marty Schottenheimer wanted the Bills gig. I have a lot of friends who are Bills fans and I know more than a few of them were hoping he would be the choice after the bigger names seemed out of the question. My question is, do you think it was a mistake, and if so, how big a mistake do you think it was for the Bills to hire Chan Gailey over Schottenheimer and even Brian Billick if the reports are also true that he was interested as well? Also, do you think the reason Brian Schottenheimer denied the Bills request for an interview was because he knew his dad was interested? I personally believe that in this move, Ralph Wilson has made one of the biggest, and possibly last mistakes of his illustrious ownership of the Buffalo Bills. Thanks in advance!
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Tim, Since my original question has been superseded by reality, what changes do you see Mike Nolan making to our defense and what players will be better/worse for the change in scheme (as opposed to getting better/worse due to factors like age or gaining experience)
Glad you enjoy the blogs. Some people still don't get what blogging is all about, but I think we do a pretty good job. It's all about having fun and sharing info. It's way too soon to tell how bleak the CBA situation is. A lot of posturing is talking place right now. Both sides try to exude a vibe that portends doom because that's what gets everybody to the bargaining table. So take everything you hear and read with a grain of salt -- for now.
I want to apologize for not being around much this week. I was dispatched to the Jets facility this week for previews of the AFC Championship Game. I'll be around more often once the Jets' season comes to an end, whether it's Sunday night or two more weekends from now. I'm sure we'll get an idea of how Nolan's schemes will differ from Pasqualoni's once we hit free agency. They're both 3-4 defenses, and Nolan likes to be aggressive with blitzes. I think his biggest decisions will be at nose tackle and outside linebacker.
I don't think the Gailey hire was bad. It just chapped Bills fans because they got their hopes up for a bigger name. Gailey might turn out to be the perfect fit, but I think it's bizarre of a team to not even interview a coach such as Schottenheimer or Billick, when both were interested in the job.
I had read that Ralph Wilson wasn't comfortable with Marty - whatever that means..So I take it you haven't heard any particulars as to what that was all about?
Wow, I've got to get out of Club more often, I didn't even see this thread until today. Welcome to the site Tim, outstanding addition. I like your honesty and you certainly have a solid grasp of the intricacies of the game and team operations, etc. We are very happy you've come to be what will long tem (I hope) a huge feature of this site. BTW would you mind posting a link to your blog for us old timers who are either not internet savvy enough or move too slow to go find it? I look forward to reading your replies and will ultiately come up with a worthwhile question for you I think.
I haven't been able to determine what the root issue was. The Buffalo News speculated on Sunday that it might have had something to do with Ralph Wilson asking the Spanos family about Schottenheimer and getting a bad review.
I'm thrilled you enjoy having me in the neighborhood. I hope I can remain a worthwhile contributor. Here's a direct link to the blog: http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast
I highly doubt Tebow goes in the first round, but it takes only one team to fall in love with a player for it to happen. You know he's going to interview well. If he has a decent combine ... maybe. I love watching the Wildcat and think it's great for the game. I'm not one of those curmudgeons who can't stand something unorthodox.
Odd, especially with Marty S playing for Wilson in the AFL way back when. Since you've spent time with the Jets, what is Kerry Rhodes status with them heading into 2010?
Great points on networks shooting what we're used to, but they are pretty innovative with the overhead cameras and whatnot. I assume that the standard live game action is done purely for viewer comfort. It's what they've known since they started watching it as kids. I'm not privy to what's talked about on the TV production side, but the advent of HD has helped open up the field quite a bit because of the letterbox screen sizes. Not what you're hoping for, but it's related. One of the angles I'm baffled TV doesn't use is an end zone shot on kickoff returns. There's no point in showing the left-to-right or right-t0-left when both sides are running at each other. You have no idea what the return man has in front of him. I think the goal line camera would be rendered moot by the official that would be standing right in front of it. You need that high-angle camera, which is the mobile unit that rolls back and forth along the sideline.
Happy we can have this discussion. Jets fans are certain that I hate their team and that I'm a Dolphins homer. I do believe that what sunk the Patriots was situational football. They got down too quickly on a couple of fluke plays, the long Rice run and the strip sack. From there, I think Welker's absence was magnified twentyfold. He is Brady's security blanket. Without it, he panicked.
To be as transparent as I can ... With the Jets still alive, I have not been able to submerge myself in the draft as much as I normally would by this point. Now that all of my teams are done, I will start working those sources immediately. It's funny, but even though it's all football, you deal with totally different segments of the football community when you're working on various issues ... X's and O's, draft, CBA ... People I spoke to all season I might talk with twice before June. People I haven't spoken to since last April, I'll be talking to them twice a week. Of course, there are people I talk with ona regular basis no matter what, but when concentrating on specific topics, I'll use different sections of my Rolodex. I'm not at the Senior Bowl, but I will be attending the Super Bowl and the combine. While at the Super Bowl, my mind will be geared on the draft and free agency, so I'm sure I'll run into plenty of folks who can educate me on various players. So let's revisit this one later.
It's funny how that sort of thing works out sometimes. Marty Schottenheimer has a great resume. He's gotten noticeable results everywhere he's been. Cleveland, KC, SD...even managing an 8-8 record with an underachieving, over the hill team in Washington. He wants to coach and gets snubbed. Yet Norv Turner?????
Tim Here is another one for you. Lets say we resign Pennington to 1 year, and not a very large contract. We will have 3 qbs on roster, Henne, Pennington and Thygpen. Will Pennington have any trade value come draft day, or july/august when training camps roll around and people start getting hurt?
Hey Tim, out of all of the main football pundits on ESPN, I like and respect your views better than most of them, and find you very reliable, welcome brother!!
Tim, Going back and reading through this, all I can say is you are a class act! We are very fortunate to have you filling the needs of cyber junkies. Your knowledge, very un-biased, yet honest-grounded characteristics are very very refreshing!!!! - Now then, Going into the draft, do you have a favorite resource for draft insight that is available to all of us?
Tim if you are still reading this if Rolando McClain is gone at 12 who do you think the Dolphins should draft? Kindle? Spikes? Dez bryant?
Tim, Seems like a pipedream to me, but does anything lead you to believe the Dolphins might have interest in Julius Peppers as a SOLB ***Edit*** or do you see them trying to develop someone like Phillip Merling into a SOLB first before addressing a free agent target? Thanks, Kevin
Incredibly nice of you to say that. You guys make me feel welcome here. To everyone, I want to apologize for not being around more often lately, but with the Jets making a deep run in the playoffs and being assigned to help out with ESPN's Super Bowl coverage, I've been under the gun a bit. Just want you to know I will be around more when things settle down. Don't close down the thread!
1) What draft pick(s) could we get for Anthony Fasano if someone signs him?(He is a RFA right?) 2) What are the chances of Thigpen being traded to Buffalo?
I'm not Tim Graham, but I wanna answer #1... just for you FF. Being Fasano was draft in the 2nd round, the lowest draft pick we would get (unless we agreed to a trade ala Welker) is a 2nd round pick. Tenders are separated as the following: Original Draft Round Tender 2nd Round Tender 1st Round Tender 1st + 3rd Round Tender An original draft rounder tender can only be done for 2nd rounders and lower (I believe) so if someone like Jason Allen was an RFA, we could not slap an original draft round tender on him from what I understand.
Tim, do you happen to know when Rich Gosselin's Special Teams rankings come out? And with Bobby April down in Philly now, who is the best Special Teams coach and unit in the AFCE in your view? Thanks.
Anyone on the Dolphins that could be compared to Lynch not as a player but more as a locker room cancer? Thanks in advance Tim
First off, I feel compelled to remark that those are some impressive photos, miamiron. As for your question, I can't think of anybody off the top of my head. There have been some controversial personalities in the locker room, but for the most part the core guys are good people.
My apologies for getting to this late, but I went into deep cover after the Super Bowl. I'm sure you've discovered the list came out over the weekend. Bobby April was the best, but the Bills cleaned house. I think a lot of Mike Westhoff, too.
Since GridIronKing was kind enough to tackle, No. 1, I'll take No. 2 ... I don't see that as possible. The Dolphins thought enough of Thigpen to trade for him last year. I don't see any reason why they'd deal him, especially within the division. Of course, the Dolphins could bring back Pennington as the backup and insist on following through with the Pat White experiment.
I highly doubt it was intentional. There's nothing to gain by pretending to screw up and damaging your new vice president's reputation around the league.
