As if you didn't know....

[clif]

Experts are full of shyte! The Cards had zero chance to compete let alone win on Monday night! They were 5 mins away from the greatest upset of the year (maybe even decade)


After rewatching MNF countdown ( yeah I know.. so bored ) I am officially done with these idiots. It was like a Bears pep rally. It pained them to even mention ANYTHING positive about the Cards.

Yeah I know.... who cares about expert's opinion's. Well I for one do (did) and I think most football fans do as well. When you tune into a broadcast you expect there to be even unbiased coverage. Not so if you are subjected to the crap that ESPN spews.

Come to think of it, I haven't watched a single pregame show all year. When was the last time they actually offered anything insightful?

 

[Faithful]

Experts are full of shyte! The Cards had zero chance to compete let alone win on Monday night! They were 5 mins away from the greatest upset of the year (maybe even decade)


After rewatching MNF countdown ( yeah I know.. so bored ) I am officially done with these idiots. It was like a Bears pep rally. It pained them to even mention ANYTHING positive about the Cards.

Yeah I know.... who cares about expert's opinion's. Well I for one do (did) and I think most football fans do as well. When you tune into a broadcast you expect there to be even unbiased coverage. Not so if you are subjected to the crap that ESPN spews.

Come to think of it, I haven't watched a single pregame show all year. When was the last time they actually offered anything insightful?

Thank you for saying it!! Not once did I hear how well our defense played and how they kept the mighty bears to only 3 offensive points!

 

[Cheesebeef]

Experts are full of shyte! The Cards had zero chance to compete let alone win on Monday night! They were 5 mins away from the greatest upset of the year (maybe even decade)


After rewatching MNF countdown ( yeah I know.. so bored ) I am officially done with these idiots. It was like a Bears pep rally. It pained them to even mention ANYTHING positive about the Cards.

what we're they going to mention? How we've lost four games in a row, with the last defeat coming at home, with a ten point fourth quarter lead against a 2-4 team starting their back-up quarterback?

they talked about Matt Leinart, but the story was the Bears 5-0 record before the game.

We got a lot of run after the game though. Was that what you wanted?

 

[clif]

what we're they going to mention? How we've lost four games in a row, with the last defeat coming at home, with a ten point fourth quarter lead against a 2-4 team starting their back-up quarterback?

they talked about Matt Leinart, but the story was the Bears 5-0 record before the game.

We got a lot of run after the game though. Was that what you wanted?

What I wanted was a show not filled with '85 Bears comparisons, "Da Bears" schtick being revived, Mike Ditka basically drooling over the team in the intro, the announcers "saving space" on their jacked up list for hits from the Bears. How about the "analysts" actually breaking down film and showing how the Cards could make this game interesting instead of blabbing "They have no shot"

 

[Cheesebeef]

What I wanted was a show not filled with '85 Bears comparisons, "Da Bears" schtick being revived, Mike Ditka basically drooling over the team in the intro, the announcers "saving space" on their jacked up list for hits from the Bears. How about the "analysts" actually breaking down film and showing how the Cards could make this game interesting instead of blabbing "They have no shot"

they're job is to SELL - come on Clif you know that. If they broke down the tape, unfortunately, before they game, they probably wuld have come to the conclusion that it was gonna be a blowout - bad O-line vs. best D in the league... best scoring offense versus one of the worst scoring defenses in the league... a good special teams unit versus a pourous special teams unit and so on and so forth. they would have delineated a blowout and you can't sell a blowout.

So, they SOLD - they sold a sense of "you could be watching history" to the telecast, which they apparently were successful at as it was the third highest rated cable show EVER.

 

[CardinalChris]

The problem is most coverage is based on the layman fan. Most fans on here are beyond that, so the pregame junk has little to offer. As for unbiased, what positive should they have said for AZ and what negative did Chicago have BEFORE the game? They are not biased if what they were saying was true, and until that point it had been.

 

[Russ Smith]

Well I was reading a bears board today and some guy started a thread saying he lives in ARizona and you won't believe the crap Wolfley is spouting about how they handled the Bears, had them scouted well etc. What a homer etc.

Last Friday there was a thread about the BIg Red Rage and how the Cards were all disrespecting the Bears. Most of the objections were to comments made by ... Ron Wolfley who said the Bears had a ton of turnovers and hadn't really been in a game yet where the opponent didn't turn it over and prevented the big plays. He said if the Cards can do that, they can win.

That's precisely how we got ahead(and forced TO's) but then they forced 2 To's and had the PR to win. But EVERYTHING Wolfley said before the game (that they objected to) was true, he wasn't bashing them after the game, and this guy was furious because Wolfley was disrespecting the Bears in his opinion?

I think in general it's very hard to turn off our biases.

 

[clif]

they're job is to SELL - come on Clif you know that. If they broke down the tape, unfortunately, before they game, they probably wuld have come to the conclusion that it was gonna be a blowout - bad O-line vs. best D in the league... best scoring offense versus one of the worst scoring defenses in the league... a good special teams unit versus a pourous special teams unit and so on and so forth. they would have delineated a blowout and you can't sell a blowout.

So, they SOLD - they sold a sense of "you could be watching history" to the telecast, which they apparently were successful at as it was the third highest rated cable show EVER.

Sold what? MNF doesn't need to be "sold" Football fans watch football because they love the game.. not because of some bullcrap they spew on tv. Sure you will always have a following that will follow the hype, but as a fan I would have watched this game regardless. Regardless of my love for the Cards. As a football fan I would have wanted to see Matt Leinart. I would have wanted to see the Cards since you rarely see them, and most importantly because it was MNF and NOTHING else WORTH a DAMN was on.

Isn't that how it's always been? Sure the rating's have dipped over the years, but I honestly think it is due to the networks and the NFL feeding us who they think would be a great matchup thus resulting in a dud! How many times do the Cowboys, Giants, Packers, Eagles... etc get to play on MNF each year? It's like the Lions being a lock for a Thanksgiving game.... who the F cares? I get so sick of watching them year after year.

The Cards are the longest run franchise, so you would think that would guarantee them at least one primetime game each year.

 

[clif]

The problem is most coverage is based on the layman fan. Most fans on here are beyond that, so the pregame junk has little to offer. As for unbiased, what positive should they have said for AZ and what negative did Chicago have BEFORE the game? They are not biased if what they were saying was true, and until that point it had been.

Let's see... the Cards have played reasonably well in spurts... were leading against front running Rams, had Cheifs on the ropes, but have not yet gotten over the hump. Talked about Q and his loyalty to the Cards and how that should be lauded. Spoke of the overall direction of the team... blah, blah, blah.

As for the bears. They could have talked about how the Bears hadn't neccessarily played anyone save for an injured Seahawks team or how this could be a trap game with the Bears looking ahead.

Hey there is no question that the Bears were a hot story, but it was clearly lopsided in the way of coverage.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Sold what? MNF doesn't need to be "sold"

Everything on TV needs to be sold - come on Clif - MNF was doing so poorly that NETWORK TV didn't even want to air it anymore but it doesn't need to be sold when you have a franchise that is one of the worst in the league and has come out with a 1-4 record going up against a supposed juggernaut that was goign to beat them like a red-headed step child? Of course Monday Night Football needs to be sold - everything on TV needs to be sold and to think otherwise IMO is somewhat naive about how the entertainment industry works.

as far as the Cardinals deserving to be on primetime because of longevity - well, I don't know what to say to that. You win and your on TV, it's that simple. Just having a franchise shouldn't guarantee you of anything, especially if that frachise, more often than not, is going to lose and lose ugly on TV.

 

[bratwurst]

they're job is to SELL

They haven't sold me on the pregame shows. I have not watched one in 5 years. The last thing I need to see is Irvin or Collinsworth, or any of those guys spew diarrhea of the mouth.

If I'm going to watch a game, I tune in as it starts and I watch the game.

The only show worth a damn was Countdown in the evening to see highlights, and its basically gone now.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Let's see... the Cards have played reasonably well in spurts... were leading against front running Rams, had Cheifs on the ropes, but have not yet gotten over the hump. Talked about Q and his loyalty to the Cards and how that should be lauded. Spoke of the overall direction of the team... blah, blah, blah.

uh, we were never leading against the Rams and if they wanted to talk more about us, why ignore the pasting we took at the hands of what looks like a mediocre Atlanta club before they could have talked about how we had a 2-4 team without it's starting QB and two OTs on the ropes. That wouldn't lead me to believe I was about to watch a good football game.

As for the bears. They could have talked about how the Bears hadn't neccessarily played anyone save for an injured Seahawks team or how this could be a trap game with the Bears looking ahead.

Hey there is no question that the Bears were a hot story, but it was clearly lopsided in the way of coverage.

it's because the MATCHUP was looked lopsided before the game.

 

[bratwurst]

Everything on TV needs to be sold - come on Clif - MNF was doing so poorly that NETWORK TV didn't even want to air it anymore but it doesn't need to be sold when you have a franchise that is one of the worst in the league and has come out with a 1-4 record going up against a supposed juggernaut that was goign to beat them like a red-headed step child? Of course Monday Night Football needs to be sold - everything on TV needs to be sold and to think otherwise IMO is somewhat naive about how the entertainment industry works.

as far as the Cardinals deserving to be on primetime because of longevity - well, I don't know what to say to that. You win and your on TV, it's that simple. Just having a franchise shouldn't guarantee you of anything, especially if that frachise, more often than not, is going to lose and lose ugly on TV.

The pregame show is a little late to be selling the game. If I tune in at that point, its because i want to watch the game. I wouldn't tune in to watch a pregame show, and then decide wether or not the game is worth it or not.

I would think the pregame show is there to sell more ad time, promote the shows the network runs, give a person a brand recognition for the station be it fox, cbs, etc so you like the way they present things more and watch their station more later.

 

[Cheesebeef]

The pregame show is a little late to be selling the game. If I tune in at that point, its because i want to watch the game. I wouldn't tune in to watch a pregame show, and then decide wether or not the game is worth it or not.

I would think the pregame show is there to sell more ad time, promote the shows the network runs, give a person a brand recognition for the station be it fox, cbs, etc so you like the way they present things more and watch their station more later.

in TV, you're ALWAYS selling - period - it doesn't matter if it's late, early, or even during the game - you're always selling.

 

[clif]

Everything on TV needs to be sold - come on Clif - MNF was doing so poorly that NETWORK TV didn't even want to air it anymore but it doesn't need to be sold when you have a franchise that is one of the worst in the league and has come out with a 1-4 record going up against a supposed juggernaut that was goign to beat them like a red-headed step child? Of course Monday Night Football needs to be sold - everything on TV needs to be sold and to think otherwise IMO is somewhat naive about how the entertainment industry works.

as far as the Cardinals deserving to be on primetime because of longevity - well, I don't know what to say to that. You win and your on TV, it's that simple. Just having a franchise shouldn't guarantee you of anything, especially if that frachise, more often than not, is going to lose and lose ugly on TV.

Tell that to the Lions.

 

[gusmahler]

I only paid passing attention to the pregame show. What got to me was the commentators during the game. Despite the 20 point lead, they couldn't stop talking about the Cards blowing the game. While obviously they turned out to be correct. Would they be talking about any other team blowing such a lead?

 

[Cheesebeef]

Tell that to the Lions.

that's tradition - and a dumb one IMO, but it's a tradition nonetheless. The Cards never had anything like that and believe me, if they did, people would probably bitch and complain about it just like people bitch and complain about the Lions.

 

[bratwurst]

in TV, you're ALWAYS selling - period - it doesn't matter if it's late, early, or even during the game - you're always selling.

I understand they are selling, I don't think they're selling the game. The networks pay the ridiculous rates they do to the NFL on the hopes it will attract audiences to their other shows. They're trying to build their brand.

Besides, the way they "SOLD" that game on Monday NIght, who besides joe Bearsfan would want to watch it? It was going to be the worst drubbing of all time. Kornheiser himself said when the Cards made their initial first down that they might as well just stop the game because thats as good as the Cards were going to do against the Mighty Bears that night.

You think when people were saying stuff like that and MUCH worse against the Cards it was a selling point?

 

[Cheesebeef]

I only paid passing attention to the pregame show. What got to me was the commentators during the game. Despite the 20 point lead, they couldn't stop talking about the Cards blowing the game. While obviously they turned out to be correct. Would they be talking about any other team blowing such a lead?

nope - what does that say that not only we're they talking about it, but they were right. So much for the experts being wrong.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I understand their selling, I don't think they're selling the game. The networks pay the ridiculous rates they do to the NFL on the hopes it will attract audiences to their other shows. They're trying to build their brand.

Besides, the way they "SOLD" that game on Monday NIght, who besides joe Bearsfan would want to watch it?

apparently the third largest cable audience in TV history. EVERYONE in the media sold "85 Bears" redux and it worked to perfection.

 

[clif]

uh, we were never leading against the Rams and if they wanted to talk more about us, why ignore the pasting we took at the hands of what looks like a mediocre Atlanta club before they could have talked about how we had a 2-4 team without it's starting QB and two OTs on the ropes. That wouldn't lead me to believe I was about to watch a good football game.



it's because the MATCHUP was looked lopsided before the game.

IN one sentence you are telling me how the game needs to be sold and all that stuff about networks and then you tell me that it's because the MATCHUP looked lopsided so that is why they did what they did. Which one is it?

If you are going to sell the game... sell it as an intriguing matchup... not how one team is going to slap the other around the field. It just makes them look silly.

 

[bratwurst]

apparently the third largest cable audience in TV history. EVERYONE in the media sold "85 Bears" redux and it worked to perfection.

the game sold itself - it wasn't sold by the pregame show talking heads.

 

[Cheesebeef]

IN one sentence you are telling me how the game needs to be sold and all that stuff about networks and then you tell me that it's because the MATCHUP looked lopsided so that is why they did what they did. Which one is it?

If you are going to sell the game... sell it as an intriguing matchup... not how one team is going to slap the other around the field. It just makes them look silly.

yes Clif - try to follow me here - a) yes, the game needs to be sold b) you can't sell a game that is a horrific matchup so c) you have to resort to what what you were complaining about - which was the myth of the "85 Bears redux" - people want to tune in to history and that is how the game was sold all week - in SI, on every Sportscenter, in every column - people were talking about 16-0 already - they were talking about the Bears and how they would come out and people could get a look at the greatest thing in 20 years and how did that pay off? With record ratings. Not sure how that makes them look silly.

 

[Cheesebeef]

the game sold itself - it wasn't sold by the pregame show talking heads.

So all the talk of '85 Bears and 16-0 season didn't get people to tune into the game? The game might have kept them there, but the hype is what got them watchign in the first place. You don't just get record ratings unless people are looking forward to a game/television event.

 

[bratwurst]

what are you talking about, the media all week or the pregame show? because that pregame show did not sell the game.

I stand by my original statement, the pregame show is TOO LATE to be SELLING a viewer to watch a game. if they're watching the pregame, its because they have ALREADY DECIDED they are going to watch the game.

When have you ever seen someone tune into a pregame show, and then turn the tv off when the game starts?