NFL Driving Fans Away; Officiating and Management Frustrating Fans- Michael Luchies

NFL Driving Fans Away by Michael Luchies.  Read the Entire Article Here

More than ever fans are being driven away from the NFL. This trend cannot be attributed to one factor, but many. The economy, bad officiating, new rules, ticket prices, the economy, and other factors all lead to the NFL losing fans. The NFL is still America’s biggest sport, but for how long if things get worse? Here are many of the contributing issues that have NFL fans saying “no thanks.”

Bad Officiating

Has there ever been a year with more blown calls than this year? We are seeing more and more calls that greatly affect the outcome of the game. The catch is that these calls are happening even in an era where instant replay is present. Let’s look at the Hochuli call in the Chargers/Broncos game. Jay Cutler was attempting to throw the ball when the ball slipped out of his hand prior to his arm moving forward.

The ball came out of his hand, landed behind him, and was recovered by the Chargers who had the lead and would have had the game sealed. Because of Ed Hochuli blowing the play dead, the Broncos kept the ball, scored and went on to win the game. The fault of this is not Hochuli who is a great referee and simply blew his whistle early; it is the NFL’s fault for not being able to change a call that was blown dead when needed. It was obvious to everyone at the game and watching the game on television that the play resulted in a fumble.

The NFL should have been able to reverse the call even though the whistle was blown. The allowance of these calls turns fans off of the game and even brings up conversations of conspiracy (which I believe to be false). Instant replay has also yielded changed calls in the wrong direction, such as the call made in the Steelers Chargers game that cost many sports bettor’s money.

The NFL isn’t and shouldn’t be concerned about betting trends, but because most of the action was on the Steelers to cover the spread, and the call changed the result in favor of “the house” many more fans are screaming conspiracy. These two calls are just the beginning of blown officiating calls that have occurred this year and contribute to fans being fed up with the NFL.

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Things Detroit Lions Fans Can be Thankful For This Thanksgiving- Michael Luchies

Things Detroit Lions Fans Can be Thankful For This Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving Lions fans. We really need something to be thankful for so here is my list of things Detroit Lions fans can be thanful for this Thanksgiving

The Season is Almost over

Soon Lions fans will be able to begin to forget 2008 and start building false hopes for 2009. After the first ten games of the season they still have the same amount of wins before the season started (0). Thankfully this dreaded 4 months of torture that is called a “season” is almost over. Thanks for coming fast 2009.

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Detroit Lions Blacked Out; 97.1 The Ticket Gains Listeners

Detroit Lions Blacked Out; 97.1 The Ticket Gains

Listeners by Michael Luchies

For the second straight home game for the Detroit Lions, the stadium was under capacity. The NFL has a blackout policy that limits the area where an NFL game can be shown on television if the game is not sold out. Because of this rule the Detroit Lions have been “blacked out” of Detroit and neighboring cities. This rule severely hurts the television networks that broadcast the games to Detroit area homes. But where one party looses another gains.

Detroit radio networks have benefited from the Lions failure to continue to sell out games. Die hard Lions fans and more importantly fans of the teams who are assured victory when the play the Lions, are tuning in to radio stations such as 97.1 The Ticket. Read the rest of the article by Stubs4sale.com owner Michael Luchies here

NFL Week 10 Spread Locks; Betting Predictions

NFL Week 10 Spread Locks; Betting Predictions by Michael Luchies

Week 10 NFL locks:

Tennessee Titans -3 vs. Chicago Bears

Did the Bears just not nearly lose to the Lions in Chicago last week? Rex Grossman is once again the Bears QB and will be the same old Rex. The Titans are still undefeated and should take care of business on sunday. Rex Grossman has a world of hurt coming as the Titans boast the best defense in the NFL. Look for an ugly game overall, and for the Titans to take care of business by more than 3. Titans 24-13.

St. Louis Rams +8.5 vs. New York Jets

Steven Jackson struggled last week against the Cardinals after his first week back from injury. Jackson should be ready have a decent game out of the backfield this sunday against the Jets. After a loss to the Raiders the Jets came back a week later to have a comeback victory against the Chiefs and then beat the Bills last week. Favre has looked shaky over the last couple weeks and should give a gift or two to the Rams defense. Expect a tight game here that Jets barely pull out. 24-20 Jets, Rams cover

Green Bay Packers +2.5 vs. Minnesota Vikings

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NFL Fantasy Football Week 10 Waiver Wire Free Agent Pickups

NFL Fantasy Football Week 10 Waiver Wire Free Agent Pickups by Michael Luchies

Week 10 teams with a bye; Bengals, Cowboys, Buccaneers, Redskins

This week is probably the easiest to deal with for fantasy team owners as far as the bye week is concerned. Luckily this is the last week for bye’s and every team will play every week from here on out. If you are a Portis, or Barber owner don’t worry there are some playable options by way of free agency for week 10. Wide receivers Chad Johnson, Houshmandzadeh, Roy Williams, and T.O. will all be useless this week. There are many options available at wide receiver and here are a few possible plays for this week.

#7. Pierre Thomas- RB Saints

I like Pierre Thomas for several reasons. One is that Reggie Bush is still out of the lineup for 2 weeks. Another reason to like Thomas is that McAllister is likely to be suspended for four games for violating league rules with the drug testing violation. The third reason is that the Saints next two games are against the Falcons and then the Chiefs. The Chiefs are the league’s worst rush defense team and the Falcons aren’t behind by much. If you have an empty roster spot pick up Pierre Thomas who is only take in around 17% of yahoo fantasy leagues.

#6. Ryan Torain- RB Denver Broncos

Who? Ryan Torain is a rookie running back out of Arizona State University. After almost every other running back for the Broncos is out with injuries (Andre Hall & Michael Pittman both done for the year) Torain may get the start in week 10 if Selvin Young is unable to play. Selvin young has been battling injuries and Torain may get the start even if Young plays. Torain is a far stretch for being a fantasy standout but since the Broncos play the Browns who are 27th in rushing defense, Torain may actually be a viable option.

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