UFL (United Football League)

[JEEPercreepermd]

So I've heard more and more over the past few weeks about the UFL that is starting soon, I checked out their website, and they actually have a bunch of former NFL players and coaches, most of the former NFL players didn't amount to much but a few were decent in their prime.

Former Ravens in the UFL:
CALIFORNIA REDWOODS
Obafemi Ayanbadejo-RB
BJ Sams-Former Ravens Kick Returner
Brian Rimpf-OT
Ronnie Prude-Was like a 4th string RB for the Ravens in 05-06
Corey Ross-Was a RB/Kick Returner for the Ravens when Sams got hurt

LAS VEGAS LOCOMOTIVES
Robby Felix-Was at Ravens TC this year, but got cut
Graham Gano
Gary Stills-Former Ravens LB

Las Vegas is also coached by former Brian Billick yes man (i mean "offensive coordinator")Jim Fassel

[AwakenTheDemon]

I'm not too excited, yet. Alot of the players from the NFL are either undrafted rookies, older players, or players who, well, just weren't very good (Hello, JP Losman). It's supposed to debut this month, yet only has 4 teams?

Hey, everyone needs to start somewhere though. I'll probably watch a few games if I can find them on TV. If the debut season isn't a complete flop, we could probably see more Free Agents and Unsigned Draft Picks head over to the UFL, boosting the quality of their rosters, and expanding into more teams.

It will be interesting seeing how it pans out for players entering the Draft. Do you go to the NFL or the UFL? Of course, the NFL would be their first choice, but hey.

Let's face it, the NFL has american football on lockdown. But I'll give the UFL chance, just because I'm such a football junkie.

[theFRANCHISE]

In order for the UFL to succeed, it needs an innovative, revolutionary signing much in the same vein as Reggie White to the Packers in 1993 when free agency was in its infancy. It'll take a big-name signing and subsequent mid-range players to draw greater interest in the league from the average football fan.

As of now, the only people interested in the UFL are football junkies and curious on-lookers. And hard as it is to believe, football junkies are in the minority when it comes to NFL viewership. The UFL shouldn't try to compete with the NFL, but rather, strive to complement it in the first few years of its existence. Eventually, when a solid enough audience is built, [i]then[/i] the league can expand and try to tackle the NFL head-on.

[JEEPercreepermd]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='07 October 2009 - 11:45 AM' timestamp='1254930334' post='251254']
In order for the UFL to succeed, it needs an innovative, revolutionary signing much in the same vein as Reggie White to the Packers in 1993 when free agency was in its infancy. It'll take a big-name signing and subsequent mid-range players to draw greater interest in the league from the average football fan.

As of now, the only people interested in the UFL are football junkies and curious on-lookers. And hard as it is to believe, football junkies are in the minority when it comes to NFL viewership. The UFL shouldn't try to compete with the NFL, but rather, strive to complement it in the first few years of its existence. Eventually, when a solid enough audience is built, [i]then[/i] the league can expand and try to tackle the NFL head-on.
[/quote]
I agree, their most well known player so far is probably Simeon Rice. There are a few other guys that have been to Pro Bowls, but what is lacking are the Quarterbacks..the best QB is probably J.P Lossman who was Trent Edwards' seat warmer in Buffalo. Does anyone remember the XFL? lol it was atrocious

[AwakenTheDemon]

I remember the XFL. I actually kind of liked it. Not because it was quality football (let's face it, it wasn't). But it was interesting to watch at times. It tried too hard at times to be a cross between Professional Wrestling and Football at times, then when it's ideas didn't always fly, and had to change them, people felt lied to. Like the whole "No Halo" rule. It's biggest problem was the very noticeable lack of talent on almost all of the teams.

Although I would like to see the NFL start games with a fight for the football instead of a coin toss like the XFL haha. We'd win every time thanks to Ngata and Lewis

I agree with Franny though, although I don't quite think it'll every be able to directly compete for dominance with the NFL. Although there's only 4 teams, they're playing in, like, eight cities, I believe. They're trying to get a foothold in some cities, garner an interest, so they can eventually add more teams if the league is successful. I'm fairly certain they said there's going to be a Los Angeles team eventually. I wish them luck. I'll be checking it out, if possible. I've never heard of the Versus channel, and I can't remember if I get HDnet at my girlfriend's house.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' date='07 October 2009 - 03:34 PM' timestamp='1254944047' post='251371']
never heard of the Versus channel, and I can't remember if I get HDnet at my girlfriend's house.
[/quote]
The Versus Channel a/k/a the former Outdoor Life Network a/k/a the cable home of the NHL.

Oh, how the NHL has fallen...

[darklight1216]

I've heard of the UFL, but I don't know much about it...
[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='07 October 2009 - 05:05 PM' timestamp='1254949501' post='251427']
The Versus Channel a/k/a the former Outdoor Life Network a/k/a the cable home of the NHL.

Oh, how the NHL has fallen...
[/quote]
Actually, I think NHL Network is the home of the NHL. If it's not, it should be.

I want to ask how the NHL has fallen since I started watching hockey around the same time I started watching football, but I'm sure that's a long story.

[Guest Moderator 5]

I know he's had his injury/off-field problems, but BJ Sams sounds mighty tempting about now...

[dethdude420]

[quote name='Moderator 5' date='07 October 2009 - 04:18 PM' timestamp='1254950334' post='251436']
I know he's had his injury/off-field problems, but BJ Sams sounds mighty tempting about now...
[/quote]
I noticed Webb back returning in the second half.

If only BJ didn't break his ankle three years in a row.....

[dethdude420]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='07 October 2009 - 10:45 AM' timestamp='1254930334' post='251254']
The UFL shouldn't try to compete with the NFL, but rather, strive to complement it in the first few years of its existence. Eventually, when a solid enough audience is built, [i]then[/i] the league can expand and try to tackle the NFL head-on.
[/quote]
you'd think they would play during the summer, you know while the NFL is in the off season

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='07 October 2009 - 05:10 PM' timestamp='1254949820' post='251431']
Actually, I think NHL Network is the home of the NHL. If it's not, it should be.

I want to ask how the NHL has fallen since I started watching hockey around the same time I started watching football, but I'm sure that's a long story.
[/quote]
Well, technically the NHL Network [i]is[/i] home of the NHL, but they don't broadcast primetime or playoff games (unlike the NFL Network), whereas Versus regularly shows primetime games and has highlight shows and analysis and everything. And it's more readily available to cable subscribers than NHL Network, which often requires either a special tier or an additional fee similar to a premium movie channel (while NFL Network is "free" in some markets with some providers.)

And the NHL has fallen in the pecking order of American sports. It's the NFL, then MLB, then NBA, then NHL at dead-last in terms of ratings and popularity. It's gotten bad to where even Major League Soccer has gotten better ratings in some markets than the local NHL games. It's largely due to the labor disputes and financial troubles of the league, leading to a lockout during the entire 2004 season. The NHL has gradually made a comeback due to its use of New Media, but it's still a long way away from the other three leagues in sponsorships, fan base, and revenue. There aren't as many marketable names in hockey as the other sports, and a lot of it is due to all of the international players who enter the league that American fans can't connect with.

[JEEPercreepermd]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='07 October 2009 - 05:10 PM' timestamp='1254949820' post='251431']
I've heard of the UFL, but I don't know much about it...

Actually, I think NHL Network is the home of the NHL. If it's not, it should be.

I want to ask how the NHL has fallen since I started watching hockey around the ansame time I started watching football, but I'm sure that's a long story.
[/quote]
It's not really THAT long of a story. You see, back in the 80's up until about 1995 or so hockey was very entertaining to watch, there were great players like Messier,Gretzkey,Lemieux,Roy,Bourque,Coffee,Jagr,Lindros but a few things happened and the game kind of shifted to a defensive game.

The New Jersey Devils started playing a defensive style called the neutral zone trap, basicly it clogs up the ice between the blue line and forces the team with the puck to just dump it and chase.

This forced most other teams to start playing that way too and you started seeing tons of 1-1 tie games or 2-1 games ect..The dagger in the heart of the NHL was the lockout in 2004-2005.

ESPN dropped the NHL, so basicly there was no National Broadcast games except for on Versus. You may see a few games late in the season on NBC after football is over, but those are usually only on saturday or sunday afternoons.

The game it's self has become a lot more entertaining to watch over the past few seasons with all of the rule changes that promote a more offensive style of play, and also tie games end with a shoot out during the regular season so that's pretty cool too.

[FerrariFan87]

Looks interesting... we'll have to see. I noticed a bunch of former NFL guys on different rosters.

Jim Fassel, Jim Haslett, Dennis Green and Ted Cottrell are the Head Coaches. All well known NFL names. I wonder if Fassel would hire Billick as his Offensive Coordinator...

[YYZ66]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' date='07 October 2009 - 11:39 PM' timestamp='1254969576' post='251602']
Looks interesting... we'll have to see. I noticed a bunch of former NFL guys on different rosters.

Jim Fassel, Jim Haslett, Dennis Green and Ted Cottrell are the Head Coaches. All well known NFL names. I wonder if Fassel would hire Billick as his Offensive Coordinator...
[/quote]

Interesting, I hadn't heard about Green taking one of the coaching jobs.
Well, if Fassel wants to have the worst offense in the new league, he should go get Billick!

[Gtown Purple]

If it's off season like the arena league I might watch some.

[AwakenTheDemon]

No, it's an 8 week season in the months of October and November. The first game is tonight, actually.

[McBoller]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' date='08 October 2009 - 01:50 PM' timestamp='1255024248' post='251835']
No, it's an 8 week season in the months of October and November. The first game is tonight, actually.
[/quote]
tonight? awesome, Ive been wondering what this game would look like.

[McBoller]

I think its pretty funny that when they were pitching the idea and prototyping everything there were going to be 8 teams, but there are only 4...How does that work for the playoffs??? lol

[AwakenTheDemon]

Yeah, 9PM on Versus and steaming (it seems) on their website, [url="http://www.ufl-football.com/"]UFL-Football.com[/url]. Figures, Direct TV just stopped carrying Versus, and I don't get HDnet, so I won't get to check it out, if it isn't steamed online... and I won't even be home tonight. Urgh.

Well, this year there aren't playoffs. 7 weeks of "regular season" games. Then Week 8 is The Championship Game. There's really not much they can do, with their limited upstart and available players. If things work out like they're hoping, there should be more teams come next year. So eventually, there will be a playoff system incorporated.

[McBoller]

The wesbite says half the games are on versus and the other half on HDnet... What is HDnet?

[AwakenTheDemon]

Just a general interest channel. They have some sports and things like Mixed Martial Arts on it. I see it advertised all the time.

[McBoller]

[quote name='AwakenTheDemon' date='08 October 2009 - 02:38 PM' timestamp='1255027136' post='251869']
Just a general interest channel. They have some sports and things like Mixed Martial Arts on it. I see it advertised all the time.
[/quote]
does comcast carry it, cuz ive never heard of it...Is it the channel that Mark Cuban owns? I heard something about that.

[Moderator 3]

FIOS carries Versus. Maybe I'll remember to check it out tonight.

[AwakenTheDemon]

[quote name='McBoller' date='08 October 2009 - 01:59 PM' timestamp='1255028341' post='251882']
does comcast carry it, cuz ive never heard of it...Is it the channel that Mark Cuban owns? I heard something about that.
[/quote]

No clue about Comcast. But yeah, HDnet is the channel Mark Cuban owns.

[theFRANCHISE]

Versus is owned by Comcast; the channel was actually one of the main reasons for the dispute between Comcast and the NFL over the NFL Network, because Comcast was forcing subscribers to pay extra for NFL Network (a channel actually in demand) while Versus (a channel no one particularly cared for) was included for "free" in their basic cable package.

I'm watching the game between the California Redwoods and the Las Vegas Locomotives right now (didn't catch the first half), and it's a little better than I expected. Much better than the XFL, anyway. The play is understandably a little sloppy, but I feel like I'm watching a slightly better version of an NCAA game but without the pageantry (which takes a lot of the fun out of it.) Then again, I'm a football junkie, so the eternal optimist in me wants to see the league stay afloat for awhile.

Quite a few former Ravens on the Redwoods, so maybe I'm becoming a fan. We'll see.

[AwakenTheDemon]

I'm hoping they stream more games on their site, since I don't have access to either channel. Then maybe, if it does well enough, it can branch out to some more channels, so I do get to catch some games. If it's like a "slightly better version of an NCAA game", then it might not be too bad. I'm all over college football, heh.

[Purple Punishment]

Corey Ross, I remember the final game of the season back in 07 when he completely obliterated the Steelers D

[McBoller]

That game wasnt half bad. I dont believe there were 15K people there like they said though. It was kind of confusing with both the teams wearing the same color pants. Denzel Washington's son plays for the California team behind corey Ross.

[McBoller]

...and how bout Anita Marks as a sideline reporter, lol.

[Ravenglenn]

I wonder if the players all have to drive themselves to the games...