My heart belongs to the NFL
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
I love college football. In fact, the atmosphere of the 100,000-seat stadiums are a fun experience. They are more fun to attend than NFL games. I get all of that.
But the thing of it is, I am in love with the NFL.
If picking the NFL or NCAA was a reality dating show, I'd give my rose to the the NFL.
I like the NFL for the way the game is played. I just feel the pro game is a better played game.
And when I watch football, I'd rather watch the NFL over college, and here is why.
1. A playoff system is better than the BCS
This one is self-explanatory. A playoff to determine a f ootball champion is a much better way than having a human vote and computers determine the two best teams. The NFL would never have a team like Boise State have a shot at their championship because of a high preseason vote and a computer ranking. In the NFL, Boise State would have to play their way to the championship game.
The NFL has it best: 12 teams go head-to-head until a champion is crowned. The two teams who play in the Super Bowl earn their way every year by beating teams, not like college football, where if a team plays one tough game a year and a weak schedule for the rest of the season, there is a chance to win the championship.
2. Better athletes
The NFL is the best of the best. Would you rather watch players who are pretty good, better than most, or players who have perfected their craft to the best of their ability and have proven they are the best at what they do?
Just from my view, I'd rather see a perfectly executed running play rather than a shuffle of an option play. It is a proven fact the option play doesn't work in the NFL due to the skill, speed and athleticism of defensive players in the NFL.
Remember when Steve Spurrier tried that in the NFL? Yeah, he'd like to forget too.
Another thing about better athletes is when college players reach the pro game, even the best ones still have to improve their skills to be competitive in the NFL.
Just because the players play in the Big Ten, SEC or any other conference in the NCAA, doesn't mean they are the best.
3. Bowl games mean nothing anymore
There was a time, even in my lifetime, when the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl and Cotton Bowl all had national title implications.
Not so much anymore.
If a kid was born in 1998, they are close to 12 years old. In that time, all he or she has known is the Rose Bowl once was used as a national title game when Texas beat USC, and that is about it. Now it is a second-class bowl (though my favorite) that doesn't mean much if you want to be a national champion. If the other BCS bowls are so great, why don't they get a chance to win the national title, too?
Bowl games in college are only good for making money for the schools, except to the one where computers and voters put the two "best" teams in a game.
It hurts me to say that, because I love the Rose Bowl more than any other bowl, except the Super Bowl. I love the history of all the bowl games, and I still watch them, but nobody can argue they still have the same impact on the landscape of college football as they once did. Winning the Orange Bowl in 1980 or even 1990 doesn't mean the same as if a team won it today. Because in football, it's about winning championships.
4. The Voice of John Facenda
He is the voice of the NFL. His voice will always be a part of the NFL, and he died in 1984. His voice is so memorable, the fact he died four months after I was born speaks volumes.
His "Autumn Wind" reading is probably the greatest thing he ever voiced over. Plus, how he says "Lombardi" just gives me chills. The way he helped preserve the history of the NFL can't and won't be forgotten because of his voice.
College football has Keith Jackson and a few others, but nobody will ever be better than Facenda.
5. The NFL ranks No. 1
In the United States, the NFL is No. 1 in viewership, and for me, it's the best part of fall. Saturday football, though great, is a warmup to get ready for Sunday and Monday football.
6. Core players are on teams longer then a couple years
I know the NFL has free agency, but for the most part, if a team is good, the player will be on a team for a longer period of time than they would be if they are in college.
I know you are yelling, "you are dumb, sports editor guy, college football has a four-year max." Yep, I know that, but if the college game is so great, why do most players leave early?
Yeah, we all know why college players leave early, but still, I'd rather watch a team where, for the most part, I'll have the same QB, once one is found worthy of being a starter in the NFL, for a majority of his career.
7. NFL coaches
When college coaches tried to make the jump to the NFL recently, a few things have happened: their teams were horrible, they got fired, or they quit and went crawling back to the college game.
Want proof the NFL game is better?
Let's use Alabama head coach Nick Saban as an example. In the NFL, he coached the Miami Dolphins with records of 9-7 and 6-10. He leaves the NFL, goes to Alabama, and wins a national title a couple years later. He also won another title at LSU.
Bobby Petrino of Arkansas left in the middle of the night when he coached the Atlanta Falcons. Steve Spurrier wasn't very good, either, and he had an owner who would spend all his money to win a game.
Most coaches, you can just tell they are cut out for the NFL game, rather than the college game. I'm pretty sure you would have never seen Vince Lombardi, Tom Landry, Mike Ditka, Buddy Ryan, or even coaches today like Rex Ryan or Bill Belichick quit in the middle of the night to go coach another team at the college ranks.
Also, would any NFL head coach leave his team before they were to enter a playoff game, like Brian Kelly and Rich Rodriguez did before a big BCS game? If BCS games were as important as they are made out to be, those coaches would have found a way to stay.
But, I do love old school college football coaches because they remind me of NFL coaches. Old coaches such as Paul “Bear” Bryant, Woody Hayes, Bo Schembechler, Bobby Bowden and even current old school college coach Joe Paterno built a program from nothing and then stayed. All but Paterno started at a different school, but once they made their program what it was, they stayed until they were asked to leave, retired, or like Paterno, never left.
8. The NFL Draft is better than recruiting
Recruiting is probably fun for the players being looked at, but it is mostly a rear end kissing contest to get the best player.
In the NFL, players have to show their worth to a team. Sure, many players drafted don't pan out in the NFL, which proves my point the NFL is the best of the best.
Have you seen how many Heisman Trophy winners are successful in the NFL? Not many. Look at Matt Leinart. He went from NCAA superstar national title winner to first round pick Cardinals starting quarterback to Kurt Warner's backup (undrafted, by the way) back to Cardinals starter after Warner retired to being cut by the Cardinals to signing as the third string QB of the Houston Texans in four years.
9. One loss doesn't ruin an NFL season
In NCAA, teams rarely have a chance to bounce back after a loss. Like, let's look at Virginia Tech. After losing to Boise State on Monday, they pretty much have a one percent chance of reaching the BCS title game, and it is week one.
For NFL teams, one hiccup isn't the end-all, be-all, and the best teams will rise to the top once all 17 weeks are played.
I hate to keep harping on the Broncos of Boise State, but they have one tough game and another kind of, sort of tough game. The NFL each game is tough, and sure, there are some bad teams in pro football, but still, I believe the worst pro football team would beat the best college football team. NFL players are just too big and skilled to lose to a college team.
10. The NFL tradition is just as good as the NCAA
I'm tired of hearing the argument of how the great NCAA rivalries are better than the NFL. There is one that is better in Ohio State and Michigan, and possibly Alabama and Auburn.
But the NFL has Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins, Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots, Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, and Pittsburgh Steelers and the Oakland Raiders of the 1970s was one of the fieriest rivalry games ever. Have you seen the film on them, or if you were alive then, how lucky you were to see that.
I respect the college rivalries, but like all rivalries, if you aren't a fan of either team, do you care who wins?
I watch Alabama and Auburn, but in all honesty, I could care less who wins.
The Colts and Patriots games usually are in the playoffs, and they mean more than school pride, as it's usually in AFC Divisional or AFC Championship games.
Though I will say, the big college rivalry games do have some BCS implications if one or both of the teams are undefeated or have one loss. If not, it is for school pride.
Bonus: But in the end, I love football.
This is just my argument for why I love the NFL more than I love college. Each one has their good points and bad points, but in the end, I just think the pro game is better than the college game.
Please, NFL, don’t break my heart.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press.
I love college football. In fact, the atmosphere of the 100,000-seat stadiums are a fun experience. They are more fun to attend than NFL games. I get all of that.
But the thing of it is, I am in love with the NFL.
If picking the NFL or NCAA was a reality dating show, I'd give my rose to the the NFL.
But the thing of it is, I am in love with the NFL.
If picking the NFL or NCAA was a reality dating show, I'd give my rose to the the NFL.
I like the NFL for the way the game is played. I just feel the pro game is a better played game.
And when I watch football, I'd rather watch the NFL over college, and here is why.
1. A playoff system is better than the BCS
This one is self-explanatory. A playoff to determine a football champion is a much better way than having a human vote and computers determine the two best teams.
The NFL would never have a team like Boise State have a shot at their championship because of a high preseason vote and a computer ranking. In the NFL, Boise State would have to play their way to the championship game.
The NFL has it best: 12 teams go head-to-head until a champion is crowned.
The two teams who play in the Super Bowl earn their way every year by beating teams, not like college football, where if a team plays one tough game a year and a weak schedule for the rest of the season, there is a chance to win the championship.
2. Better athletes
The NFL is the best of the best. Would you rather watch players who are pretty good, better than most, or players who have perfected their craft to the best of their ability and have proven they are the best at what they do?
Just from my view, I'd rather see a perfectly executed running play rather than a shuffle of an option play. It is a proven fact the option play doesn't work in the NFL due to the skill, speed and athleticism of defensive players in the NFL.
Remember when Steve Spurrier tried that in the NFL? Yeah, he'd like to forget too.
Another thing about better athletes is when college players reach the pro game, even the best ones still have to improve their skills to be competitive in the NFL.
Just because the players play in the Big Ten, SEC or any other conference in the NCAA, doesn't mean they are the best.
3. Bowl games mean nothing anymore
There was a time, even in my lifetime, when the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl and Cotton Bowl all had national title implications.
Not so much anymore.
If a kid was born in 1998, they are close to 12 years old. In that time, all he or she has known is the Rose Bowl once was used as a national title game when Texas beat USC, and that is about it. Now it is a second-class bowl (though my favorite) that doesn't mean much if you want to be a national champion. If the other BCS bowls are so great, why don't they get a chance to win the national title, too?
Bowl games in college are only good for making money for the schools, except to the one where computers and voters put the two "best" teams in a game.
It hurts me to say that, because I love the Rose Bowl more than any other bowl, except the Super Bowl. I love the history of all the bowl games, and I still watch them, but nobody can argue they still have the same impact on the landscape of college football as they once did. Winning the Orange Bowl in 1980 or even 1990 doesn't mean the same as if a team won it today. Because in football, it's about winning championships.
4. The Voice of John Facenda
He is the voice of the NFL. His voice will always be a part of the NFL, and he died in 1984. His voice is so memorable, the fact he died four months after I was born speaks volumes.
His "Autumn Wind" reading is probably the greatest thing he ever voiced over. Plus, how he says "Lombardi" just gives me chills. The way he helped preserve the history of the NFL can't and won't be forgotten because of his voice.
College football has Keith Jackson and a few others, but nobody will ever be better than Facenda.
5. The NFL ranks No. 1
In the United States, the NFL is No. 1 in viewership, and for me, it's the best part of fall. Saturday football, though great, is a warmup to get ready for Sunday and Monday football.
6. Core players are on teams longer then a couple years
I know the NFL has free agency, but for the most part, if a team is good, the player will be on a team for a longer period of time than they would be if they are in college.
I know you are yelling, "you are dumb, sports editor guy, college football has a four-year max." Yep, I know that, but if the college game is so great, why do most players leave early?
Yeah, we all know why college players leave early, but still, I'd rather watch a team where, for the most part, I'll have the same QB, once one is found worthy of being a starter in the NFL, for a majority of his career.
7. NFL coaches
When college coaches tried to make the jump to the NFL recently, a few things have happened: their teams were horrible, they got fired, or they quit and went crawling back to the college game.
Want proof the NFL game is better?
Let's use Alabama head coach Nick Saban as an example. In the NFL, he coached the Miami Dolphins with records of 9-7 and 6-10. He leaves the NFL, goes to Alabama, and wins a national title a couple years later. He also won another title at LSU.
Bobby Petrino of Arkansas left in the middle of the night when he coached the Atlanta Falcons. Steve Spurrier wasn't very good, either, and he had an owner who would spend all his money to win a game.
Most coaches, you can just tell they are cut out for the NFL game, rather than the college game. I'm pretty sure you would have never seen Vince Lombardi, Tom Landry, Mike Ditka, Buddy Ryan, or even coaches today like Rex Ryan or Bill Belichick quit in the middle of the night to go coach another team at the college ranks.
Also, would any NFL head coach leave his team before they were to enter a playoff game, like Brian Kelly and Rich Rodriguez did before a big BCS game? If BCS games were as important as they are made out to be, those coaches would have found a way to stay.
But, I do love old school college football coaches because they remind me of NFL coaches. Old coaches such as Paul “Bear” Bryant, Woody Hayes, Bo Schembechler, Bobby Bowden and even current old school college coach Joe Paterno built a program from nothing and then stayed. All but Paterno started at a different school, but once they made their program what it was, they stayed until they were asked to leave, retired, or like Paterno, never left.
8. The NFL Draft is better than recruiting
Recruiting is probably fun for the players being looked at, but it is mostly a rear end kissing contest to get the best player.
In the NFL, players have to show their worth to a team. Sure, many players drafted don't pan out in the NFL, which proves my point the NFL is the best of the best.
Have you seen how many Heisman Trophy winners are successful in the NFL? Not many. Look at Matt Leinart. He went from NCAA superstar national title winner to first round pick Cardinals starting quarterback to Kurt Warner's backup (undrafted, by the way) back to Cardinals starter after Warner retired to being cut by the Cardinals to signing as the third string QB of the Houston Texans in four years.
9. One loss doesn't ruin an NFL season
In NCAA, teams rarely have a chance to bounce back after a loss. Like, let's look at Virginia Tech. After losing to Boise State on Monday, they pretty much have a one percent chance of reaching the BCS title game, and it is week one.
For NFL teams, one hiccup isn't the end-all, be-all, and the best teams will rise to the top once all 17 weeks are played.
I hate to keep harping on the Broncos of Boise State, but they have one tough game and another kind of, sort of tough game. The NFL each game is tough, and sure, there are some bad teams in pro football, but still, I believe the worst pro football team would beat the best college football team. NFL players are just too big and skilled to lose to a college team.
10. The NFL tradition is just as good as the NCAA
I'm tired of hearing the argument of how the great NCAA rivalries are better than the NFL. There is one that is better in Ohio State and Michigan, and possibly Alabama and Auburn.
But the NFL has Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins, Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots, Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, and Pittsburgh Steelers and the Oakland Raiders of the 1970s was one of the fieriest rivalry games ever.
Have you seen the film on them, or if you were alive then, how lucky you were to see that.
I respect the college rivalries, but like all rivalries, if you aren't a fan of either team, do you care who wins?
I watch Alabama and Auburn, but in all honesty, I could care less who wins.
The Colts and Patriots games usually are in the playoffs, and they mean more than school pride, as it's usually in AFC Divisional or AFC Championship games.
Though I will say, the big college rivalry games do have some BCS implications if one or both of the teams are undefeated or have one loss. If not, it is for school pride.
Bonus: But in the end, I love football.
This is just my argument for why I love the NFL more than I love college. Each one has their good points and bad points, but in the end, I just think the pro game is better than the college game.
Please, NFL, don’t break my heart.
Stephen Forsha is the sports editor of The Highland County Press. You can contact him at sforsha@gmail.com