Was the NFL more enjoyable when there was less media coverage?

[lurkercowboy]

Less is more. Personally, I enjoyed it more when there was less coverage. In the 1970s and early 1980s, there was the following media in my area (rural NC)

1. the games themselves (3 on Sunday and 1 on Monday night)
2. the 30 minute network pregame shows
3. VA Pilot newspaper which covered the Commanders
4. the yearly preview magazines
5. Sports Illustrated
6. TV Guide (they would sometimes print rosters for big games)

That was it. We didn't hear who made great catches in mini-camp or the locker room feuds or half a dozen rumors about this or that. There was no overload and every scrap of information that came through was prized. The televised preseason games would be the only sight we had of the rookies and draft picks. When Hogeboom or Carano would come in the game and finish mopping up the floor with the Oilers, then would be the time to carefully watch for any unfamiliar players.

During the season, there would be features by Irv Cross or Phyllis George about Cowboys players and the occasional controversial tidbit about Dorsett or Hollywood Henderson. Today there are microphones in every players face.

What does everything think? Was it better then or now?

 

[AbeBeta]

CowboyZone wouldn't exist without more coverage.

 

[DallasDomination]

I Like it the way it is now.

 

[WoodysGirl]

CowboyZone wouldn't exist without more coverage.

Sure it would, but on a much, much, much smaller scale.

 

[gazmc_06]

I generally prefer things with less media coverage (the less you know, the less you have to worry about) but not the NFL. I like knowing exactly what is going on.

 

[bbgun]

I love nostalgia, but I'll take the 24/7 saturation coverage that we see today. In the 1970s and early 80s, if the Dallas game wasn't shown in your area, your best and only chance of seeing highlights was at halftime of the MNF game. And that's if Howard decided your game was highlight-worthy.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

It was much simpler in those Irv Cross, Phyllis George, Brent Musburger (ugh!) days, but there was no DirecTV, therefore no NFL Sunday Ticket. The Cowboys were on national TV a lot, but it would kill me when I couldn't watch the games here locally. The increase in media coverage and game access (i.e. Sunday Ticket) makes it better now.

 

[Zaxor]

What I would like to see the most...

is the game...

not a bunch of graphics, no scrolls, just a cleaner screen

What I would like to hear most is good accurate information of down and distance...

What I can't stand and have to turn down the sound on is Boring & Bunk..

err.. I mean Aikman & Buck...just terrible...

Agenda: to start a grass root campaign to oust these two

Buck: Hey Troy, (smoochie, smoochie) that was a heck of a TD run by Barber, he just walked it in from 5 yards out.

Zaxor: no he didn't Joe, he got hit 4 times in that 5 yards he just didn't go down

Aikman: Ha (that stupid little laugh thing he does) Well Joe he got it in the endzone so thats a TD...

Zaxor: No Bucking duh there Troy the ball has got to be in the endzone to score a touchdown...AHHHHHHH :bang2:

 

[ZeroClub]

It is an interesting paradox ... back when there was less fan interest, there was greater media access.

The local columnists / beat writers had much greater access. They got to know players on a much more personal level. Friendships developed. And because of their greater access, greater familiarity, and perhaps a more trusting atmosphere (not so much gotcha-journalism, not so much negative shock reporting) the local beat writers were able to provide a different, more personally informed, sort of coverage.

And back in those days, there were two Dallas sports pages, the Morning News and Times Herald. So you still got information..

Of course writers protected players more back then, so several negative stories were not written or reported.

Also, back then, there was less player turnover and much more continuity, so in some ways it was easier to learn more about players' personalities because they were with the team longer ....

I don't think one (the past) is better than the other (today), they just have different strengths and weaknesses.

 

[Hostile]

I like it more now. It feeds my addiction to the team and game.

 

[bbgun]

What I would like to see the most...

is the game...

not a bunch of graphics, no scrolls, just a cleaner screen

I'll second that. However, when I was watching some old games from the 70s recently, I noticed that the viewer at home would go huge stretches of time without knowing 1) what the score was, and 2) how much time was left in the quarter. Must have been very frustrating.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

It was more enjoyable if you like less media coverage, but not as enjoyable if you do not.

 

[BAZ]

I like knowing what hand TO used to brush his teeth in the morning. If it wasn't for all this media coverage there would be no way to deal with my OCD obsession of the sport. Thats a bad thing mm'kay.

 

[THEHEREAFTER]

It's MUCH better now. I could probably see one Cowboys pre-season game and a handful of regular season games.

Do you know what it's like waiting for the NBC "ten minute ticker" or updates waiting to see the Cowboy score? Excruciating. Cowboys up 20-14 with a minute and a half left. What the hell is going on? Ugghhhh! There was a fun and innocence involved with waiting to see the highlight updates for the game. Danny White... back to pass.. I prey to God it's not a pick six... ohhh wait.. Tony Dorsett.. screen pass.. to the house! Yess..

Being from Silver Spring, MD. I would crave Dallas news and now there's the net, Direct TV.. FSSW.. etc.. I can't get enough. Last summer, I was watching training camp drills on youtube.

Sometimes, it's overkill... ie.. Zoners going nuts because someone dropped a pass in an OTA or a rookie CB getting beat in the very first OTA.. and all of the stupid rumors and speculation but I'll take it. I guess you don't know what you're missing until you have it though.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

I love the coverage.....actually, I wish more was available.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I liked it better that way. For me, it was more enjoyable only because the anticipation of news was prized. Actual news was delerium.


I saw all the games so that was never an issue. However, not nearly as much news came out on a regular basis during the off season. I can't explain it to those who never new the experience of reading the USA today back page, NFL, to see what little info might be reported. Seriously, back back of sports section, they would report on every teams transactions and news. Maybe a line or two. I lived for it. Most days, nothing but on the days there was something, I'd read it like 5 times, just one line. :laugh2:

The Dallas Cowboy Weekly was heaven. During the off season, you would wait to get every single installment and lock yourself away in the garage to read every bit of info. Was unreal how much I appriciated that pub when there was no info all over the net.

When internet access really started happening, I recall this site and WG is right, it was not nearly as big as it is now but you know what, the interaction and discussion was better. You didn't have nearly the threads or membership so it was much easier to get into indepth discussion about the threads that were available. The members, in those days, were a closer group. discussion was more respectful and it seemed to have a higher level of intelligence associated with it but perhaps I am just "Mis-remebering". :laugh2:

Anyway, I do miss those days. You didn't know every little thing about every little thing and all news, any news, was treated as if it was gold. Now, most posters get online and they read the threads that are of interest to them and those that don't catch there eye, they don't read. Not so in the old days. Any news was worthy of reading over and over again.

Was really a different world.

 

[aikemirv]

As a kid, I got the Dallas Cowboys Weekly for many years. It kept me up to date as much as I needed to be kept up. I also liked the fact that you did not know as much about the players personal lives, you just saw what they did on the field for the most part. There were exceptions to that but for the most part you did not know or care who they were dating and so forth.

In short, I love the news of TC and mini camps and getting to see all the pre-season games - that is great. The other stuff like hearing Greg Ellis wine and whether Romo is or is not still with Jessica is tiresome.

 

[zeromaster]

I grew up with the practice field on Forest Lane and Abrams.

More is never better. Spin that any way you want.

 

[Established1971]

Less is more. Personally, I enjoyed it more when there was less coverage. In the 1970s and early 1980s, there was the following media in my area (rural NC)

1. the games themselves (3 on Sunday and 1 on Monday night)
2. the 30 minute network pregame shows
3. VA Pilot newspaper which covered the Commanders
4. the yearly preview magazines
5. Sports Illustrated
6. TV Guide (they would sometimes print rosters for big games)

That was it. We didn't hear who made great catches in mini-camp or the locker room feuds or half a dozen rumors about this or that. There was no overload and every scrap of information that came through was prized. The televised preseason games would be the only sight we had of the rookies and draft picks. When Hogeboom or Carano would come in the game and finish mopping up the floor with the Oilers, then would be the time to carefully watch for any unfamiliar players.

During the season, there would be features by Irv Cross or Phyllis George about Cowboys players and the occasional controversial tidbit about Dorsett or Hollywood Henderson. Today there are microphones in every players face.

What does everything think? Was it better then or now?

you know how it is bizarre and so random how some little memories stay with you? I remember being at some barbeque or something at the house of my mothers friend or something in the early 70's in June. I opened a newspaper laying around and there was a photo (no article) of Roman Gabriel practicing.
My reaction was FOOTBALL!!!! I was so excited it was back. Back at the age 5 months seemed like 5 years and it is 5 months with no coverage of any sort. Even the draft was nothing but a newspaper article the day after.

shows how things change

 

[lurkercowboy]

ABQCOWBOY, we had the same experiences. When USA Today first came out, having those little tidbits was great! Also, the weekly team stats. AFC on Wednesday then NFC on Thursday. I don't know if they still do that. Each issue of the DCW was a treasure. Sham and Luska had regular columns back then.

My junior high school used to show a film in science class. I can't remember the subject of the film, but it had a short clip from Super Bowl 12. The teacher showed it twice and I can't tell you how exciting it was to see that one partial play (a run by Dorsett). All the better because I knew it was coming the second time.