An update to the NFL Game Pass discussion from a couple of weeks ago:
Today, the league announced the launch of a new digital subscription platform, NFL+ (Game Pass will no longer be offered in the U.S.) Live streaming of some regular-season games will now be offered in the U.S., though only on mobile devices.
Some details from the press release:
https://nflcommunications.com/Pages/National-Football-League-Launches-NFL+.aspx
Only on mobile devices? Not on your computer or Roku?
Who the fuck wants to watch a football game on an iPad or smartphone? They’re meant to be big family events!
Yup; my guess is that their contract with the TV networks prevents them from offering live streaming of regular-season or post-season games on anything other than a little screen.
Well, shred that. They’re not getting my money. I’m already paying extra to listen to Colts games on SiriusXM.
So, I assume this means that the free games that yahoo used to have available to stream won’t be available for free any longer.
It does look like NFL+ spells the end of the free streaming on Yahoo, according to this article.
Here’s the new uniforms and helmets for the 2022 season. The Bears will have a non-navy-blue helmet for the first time EVER as one of their alternates.
Solution: Connect HDMI from your tablet to a TV. Now you’re watching it on your TV.
I kind of like that orange helmet.
Well they have to update streaming packages and raise charges. That’s the only way the league can raise enough money to fund new stadiums. You don’t expect local municipalities to provide the money, do you?
[/extreme sarcasm off]
The Colts linebacker formerly known as Darius Leonard has requested to be called by his middle name, Shaquille, from now on, which is the name his family uses for him.
Not that the right to be called by any name you want has to be earned, but the way you play, I’ll call you anything you want, brother.
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Well that just stinks.
Yesterday, the city of Chicago unveiled three options for putting a dome on Soldier Field, in a continuing effort to convince the Bears to not leave the city for suburban Arlington Heights.
The proposals range in estimated cost from $900 million to $2.2 billion. The Bears continue to say, “thanks, but no thanks.”
Chris Carson, Seattle’s starting RB for the past 5 years, is retiring at 27. 
After Marshawn left, Seattle struggled to find a replacement. The run game has always been a priority for Pete Carroll. Chris was the answer, when he could stay healthy. He was amazing, sometimes not even appearing human. See this, my favorite Carson moment.
He had other amazing plays and more than once vaulted defenders for extra yards. Neck injuries are no joke though, and I’m glad he’s putting his health first.
I’m pretty happy with the Giants throwback look to the '80s. If they have to have alternate uniforms, that would be my first choice. Way better than when they do red jerseys.
I HATE the orange helmet. I think it looks kind cheap, like a high school design. And while I know the history and connections to Illini football I don’t really love how similar the helmets look (which isn’t helped by how bad that team has been for a couple decades now).
A bunch of people have mocked up white helmet designs with orange facemasks and those looked pretty sharp. Blue helmets with old school all-white C (paired with color-rush white or blue unis) or an orange script B were other suggested alternates which I liked. Orange pants also would have been a more interesting change to me than the helmet.
I like the sound of that better.
A friend of mine has a son who was a successful small-college quarterback, and who has been playing in a couple of different minor leagues over the past two years. His son was signed to Major League Football this year – a developmental league which was founded in 2014, but has gone through many delays, before finally planning to field teams this year.
My friend’s son was at the league’s training camp in Mobile, Alabama, today, when they suddenly announced that the league had shut down, and the players were to find their own ways home; it appears that the league was out of cash, and unable to pay the hotel bills for the players and coaches. Kind of a sad end to this chapter, but he’s hoping to catch on with the XFL.
An interesting article on ESPN today, about Eagles quarterback Gardner Minshew, who spent his offseason living in an old bus (which he’d converted into living quarters), parked outside the gym in Florida where he worked out every day for the past five months.
My condolences. That’s rough.
One reason I like leagues such as the XFL or USFL or whatever, is that it seems crazy that the best of the best of the best players can make millions of dollars, and anyone else who does it can’t even make a modest living at it. There should be a middle ground for players who might not be the best in the world, but are still massively talented (far more than the average person). Even if they don’t become filthy rich, it should be more than a hobby.
Baseball has that.