Relegation

[erod]

I don't want to waste this thread "selling" anybody on soccer. Like most sports, if you spend the time to learn about the tradition and nature of the EPL, you'll develop an appreciation, but that's neither here nor there.

What I do want to promote here is one of the greatest things about soccer: Relegation.

Yes, winning the whole dadgum tamale is what it's about. But what about mercilessly punishing the losiest of losers for good measure? That's what relegation does.

I'll preface this by admitting this is obviously more difficult in the NFL than it would be for basketball, baseball, or hockey, but just imagine for a moment the look on Jeff Lurie's face knowing that, no, the Eagles won't get to play in the NFL next year. Glorious. Philly might burn to the ground. Finally.

For those not familiar with relegation, basically it means if you finish in the bottom three teams in soccer, you get sent down to a lower the league for the entirety of the next season, and you have to earn your way back. The top three teams from the lower division then take your place.

It adds tremendous drama to the bottom of the standings, not just the top.

Granted, the Cowboys might have come dangerously close to such a reality this past season, and seasons stuck in the Viagara League One would be dark and lonely. Careful what I wish for, no doubt.

But imagine replacing Cleveland, Jacksonville, and Tennessee with Birmingham, Salt Lake City, and Las Vegas.

It could also jumble up the divisions, too. Cleveland drops out, and Las Vegas fills in. Then Cleveland earns it's way back in to the NFC South when Tampa gets relegated.

Again, I realize this isn't really plausible for a sport like football. Perhaps baseball or basketball would benefit much more in interest, and it would be easier to do, especially with basketball.

But it's fun to imagine the NFL with that albatross hanging over each team's head.

 

[Macnalty]

I have thought of that before but could never visualize how it would work with the current setup of cash cows overflowing and the shepherd pulling in a incredible salary.

 

[CATCH17]

Baseball could do it..

NFL couldn't..



I'm a big "soccer" fan though.. It's my 2nd favorite sport. Go Chelsea.

 

[jazzcat22]

Dart Teams in some leagues do this. Here in Texas anyway, some leagues. There are several leagues. You win your Class A, B or C leagues, you get moved up, then are playing much better teams, last place teams may move down. Depends on how many teams sign up too. Or that is the way it used to work. I haven't played in leagues for a while.

And it is steel tip darts...when I was in Florida, they seem to not know what steel tip was, as they used the whimpy plastic tip crap....

 

[itsaboat]

One reason relegation exists is that there are so many teams in the English football league that it gives every team something to fight for whether it is moving up from lower divisions or fighting to stay away from relegation. There are not enough teams in the NFL for it.

 

[links18]

Can't happen. European soccer is a fundamentally different set up.

 

[erod]

Baseball could do it..

NFL couldn't..



I'm a big "soccer" fan though.. It's my 2nd favorite sport. Go Chelsea.

I'm Arsenal.

Felt no need to tell you that other than I like the way of soccer says "I'm Arsenal" or "Arsenal are playing awful today."

Makes me feel cheeky.

 

[erod]

Dart Teams in some leagues do this. Here in Texas anyway, some leagues. There are several leagues. You win your Class A, B or C leagues, you get moved up, then are playing much better teams, last place teams may move down. Depends on how many teams sign up too. Or that is the way it used to work. I haven't played in leagues for a while.

And it is steel tip darts...when I was in Florida, they seem to not know what steel tip was, as they used the whimpy plastic tip crap....

This seems to get you fired up. Nice.

Don't bring your inferior darts around jazzcat if you know what's best for you.

 

[erod]

One reason relegation exists is that there are so many teams in the English football league that it gives every team something to fight for whether it is moving up from lower divisions or fighting to stay away from relegation. There are not enough teams in the NFL for it.

It's also because they have no draft. So while I like the concept, I also LOVE the draft.

It would make the NBA much more interesting, however, and I think it would be possible there.

 

[Swanny]

I would love this but then theres gotta be more teams. Almost has to be a whole new league. This would just cause the rosters to be more watered down. There is already a SERIOUS QB shortage with 32 teams. Just imagine trying to find a QB for say 12 more teams. I just don't think there are enough talented players to make what your thinking happen. Or it could happen but the quality of the product that is put on the field will suffer.

 

[tm1119]

Too hard to find 32 NFL quarterbacks as is...baseball probably could do this and maybe even hockey.

 

[jazzcat22]

This seems to get you fired up. Nice.

Don't bring your inferior darts around jazzcat if you know what's best for you.

Texas doesn't do whimpy!!!.......

 

[CowboyRoy]

I don't want to waste this thread "selling" anybody on soccer. Like most sports, if you spend the time to learn about the tradition and nature of the EPL, you'll develop an appreciation, but that's neither here nor there.

What I do want to promote here is one of the greatest things about soccer: Relegation.

Yes, winning the whole dadgum tamale is what it's about. But what about mercilessly punishing the losiest of losers for good measure? That's what relegation does.

I'll preface this by admitting this is obviously more difficult in the NFL than it would be for basketball, baseball, or hockey, but just imagine for a moment the look on Jeff Lurie's face knowing that, no, the Eagles won't get to play in the NFL next year. Glorious. Philly might burn to the ground. Finally.

For those not familiar with relegation, basically it means if you finish in the bottom three teams in soccer, you get sent down to a lower the league for the entirety of the next season, and you have to earn your way back. The top three teams from the lower division then take your place.

It adds tremendous drama to the bottom of the standings, not just the top.

Granted, the Cowboys might have come dangerously close to such a reality this past season, and seasons stuck in the Viagara League One would be dark and lonely. Careful what I wish for, no doubt.

But imagine replacing Cleveland, Jacksonville, and Tennessee with Birmingham, Salt Lake City, and Las Vegas.

It could also jumble up the divisions, too. Cleveland drops out, and Las Vegas fills in. Then Cleveland earns it's way back in to the NFC South when Tampa gets relegated.

Again, I realize this isn't really plausible for a sport like football. Perhaps baseball or basketball would benefit much more in interest, and it would be easier to do, especially with basketball.

But it's fun to imagine the NFL with that albatross hanging over each team's head.

Americans are not big soccer fans because we are already used to other sports like football, basketball ect...ect... that are much more entertaining. I watch soccer during the world cup and olympics, but it simply doesnt have the appeal to me. For me there simply isnt enough action or scoring. My suggestion to the sport would be to get rid of the off sides or some kind of dumbed down version of it. Its slows the game down waaaaaay too much and reduces the scoring by about 80% in my estimation.

And you also have to hate the guys that flop around like they just got shot when they are barely touched. This also slows the game down waaaaay tooo much. It would be much more entertaining if it was like 8-7 instead of 2-0.

 

[CATCH17]

Americans are not big soccer fans because we are already used to other sports like football, basketball ect...ect... that are much more entertaining. I watch soccer during the world cup and olympics, but it simply doesnt have the appeal to me. For me there simply isnt enough action or scoring. My suggestion to the sport would be to get rid of the off sides or some kind of dumbed down version of it. Its slows the game down waaaaaay too much and reduces the scoring by about 80% in my estimation.

And you also have to hate the guys that flop around like they just got shot when they are barely touched. This also slows the game down waaaaay tooo much. It would be much more entertaining if it was like 8-7 instead of 2-0.

There is constant action.

There isn't a series that gets interrupted with 3-4 minutes of commercials every 5-10 minutes.




Soccer is all about trying to pick your way through a defense and it's not a simple thing to do. It's a chess match much like the NFL.

You have to learn the game so you can enjoy the build up for that goal otherwise it just looks like a bunch of guys kicking the ball around doing nothing.

 

[Moderately_Askew]

Americans are not big soccer fans because we are already used to other sports like football, basketball ect...ect... that are much more entertaining. I watch soccer during the world cup and olympics, but it simply doesnt have the appeal to me. For me there simply isnt enough action or scoring. My suggestion to the sport would be to get rid of the off sides or some kind of dumbed down version of it. Its slows the game down waaaaaay too much and reduces the scoring by about 80% in my estimation.

And you also have to hate the guys that flop around like they just got shot when they are barely touched. This also slows the game down waaaaay tooo much. It would be much more entertaining if it was like 8-7 instead of 2-0.

This just shows you know nothing about soccer, personally I find it much more exciting than American sports.

I could easily make the argument that American sports are just commercial viewing marathons with intermediate bouts of sports action.

 

[CowboyRoy]

There is constant action.

There isn't a series that gets interrupted with 3-4 minutes of commercials every 5-10 minutes.




Soccer is all about trying to pick your way through a defense and it's not a simple thing to do. It's a chess match much like the NFL.

You have to learn the game so you can enjoy the build up for that goal otherwise it just looks like a bunch of guys kicking the ball around doing nothing.

Commercials is a good point but still, not enough scoring and action. Game is played too much in the middle of the field. I played soccer all the way through highschool so I know it well.

Actually another option that I had forgotten was to shorten the field up. Its way too big. tighten up and there will be more action and more scoring.

 

[The Natural]

Again, I realize this isn't really plausible for a sport like football.

most important part of your post

 

[CowboyRoy]

This just shows you know nothing about soccer, personally I find it much more exciting than American sports.

I could easily make the argument that American sports are just commercial viewing marathons with intermediate bouts of sports action.

Its an opinion buddy. I dont find it exciting enough. Having that kind of opinion is not wrong because it is different than yours. There is nothing better than the NBA. Its no comparison. Football, a little to many commercials, but its as exciting as you would ever want.

Sorry, but it you really want to be a jerk, soccer to me is little more than a bunch of skinny, long haired pretty boys flopping and crying with a goal or two a game. At least with American sports they take the time to have a competition committee to continually try and improve the game and make it more exciting. Soccer hasnt changed one bit since the old days.

Bottom line is that Americans are spoiled with better sports. They are more fun to watch and more fun to play. Its as simple as that.

 

[DogFace]

Sorry. I don't like soccer. Yes. I've given it a fair chance. Sports where woman playing are as entertaining as men isn't interesting to me.

Relegation. I like that.

 

[erod]

Americans are not big soccer fans because we are already used to other sports like football, basketball ect...ect... that are much more entertaining. I watch soccer during the world cup and olympics, but it simply doesnt have the appeal to me. For me there simply isnt enough action or scoring. My suggestion to the sport would be to get rid of the off sides or some kind of dumbed down version of it. Its slows the game down waaaaaay too much and reduces the scoring by about 80% in my estimation.

And you also have to hate the guys that flop around like they just got shot when they are barely touched. This also slows the game down waaaaay tooo much. It would be much more entertaining if it was like 8-7 instead of 2-0.

Soccer often gets better TV ratings in America than the NBA, MLB, or NHL.