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nzoner

The integrity of the NFL

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As a football fan who reads a few football boreds I've noticed more and more discussions popping up about the integrity of the NFL.I've seen topics from fans who think the game is outright fixed like pro wrestling to those who believe refs are swaying games to keep gamblers interested whether it be the Vegas spread,point totals or even in game betting.Personally I've had my own suspicions for a few years now and even went as far to read Dan Moldea's book Interference:How Organized Crime Influences Professional Football.

 

My hopes for this thread is just seeing what the geeks think and maybe it becoming a catch all for plays,calls etc. that you yourself have questioned or will question in the near future with the play-offs just around the corner.

 

Lastly,what really prompted this thread was a link I followed where I read this about the week 3 FREE BUD LIGHT Thursday night game from earlier this season.

 

What's more curious is that local Cleveland bars had "victory fridges" installed in the offseason. These were chained and padlocked refridgerators filled with Bud Light meant to be opened if/when the Browns finally win, so there'd be free Bud Light to all to celebrate with (Dilly, Dilly). Now isn't it odd that the main sponsor for Thursday Night Football is...wait for it...Bud Light. Wouldn't it be the coincidence of coincidences if the victory fridges filled with Bud Light were opened after Bud Light brought Cleveland fans Thursday Night Football? Amazingly, that is exactly what happened. Much like the Week 1 Bears v. Packers game where the Bears blitzed Aaron Rodgers into injury then forgot how to play defense, the Jets knocked Browns starting QB Tyrod Taylor out of the game (or so we were told), and in stepped rookie No. 1 draft pick Baker Mayfield for the Browns. Suddenly, the Jets couldn't play defense. Mayfield brought the Browns back from a 14-point deficit and Bud Light for all! Was this really a football game or just one giant product placement?

 

Full site of The Fix Is In

 

 

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Can these guys fix a few playoff wins for the lions for christ sakes?

Chiefs fans are asking for the same

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Can these guys fix a few playoff wins for the lions for christ sakes?

They'd have to make it first. :music_guitarred:

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Integrity and NFL should not be used in the same sentence. HTH

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If games are fixed, that means the ex coaches, players, general managers, referees, and owners sure are keeping the secret. Does the NFL threaten to send out a team of hitmen on them or their families if they spill the beans after they retire?

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I dont buy it. The NFL is printing money. Why would they risk irreparably damaging the integrity of the sport?

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Integrity is not a word I generally associate with the NFL... Especially since King Rog took over.

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I think the issue with the NFL is their refusal to address the horrible officiating. Hard to make them care when they are turning record profits. It's just not a priority. I hate when there is a horrible call made and so many fans say "yeah, but that's not why they lost". That's not the point. Stick to talking about the refs in that situation. It's never going to get fixed if half the fans tell the other half to shut up when it happens.

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I dont buy it. The NFL is printing money. Why would they risk irreparably damaging the integrity of the sport?

Agree with this. Plus, players want big paydays. They're not going to risk big contracts, endorsements, or triggering bonuses. So if it is rigged, players either don't know, or are willing to give up possibly making huge dollars. No way that can stay quiet or kept from the public with the amount of $$ on the line.

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Definitely not scripted and fixed like Wrestling. Also don't feel like refs routinely conspire to push certain teams to the playoffs or hit point spreads. We know something happened in the NBA, so it's not completely out of the realm of possibility.

 

But every single owner, GM, coach, ref and maybe even certain players would have to be in on it. With as much turnover they have every year, I just don't believe that's possible.

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How could the NFL possibly be rigged? Let's first hear that theory. Refs? No. Not unless one of the guys is dirty. Even then when a ref makes a bad call he gets knocked down the referee totem pole.

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How could the NFL possibly be rigged? Let's first hear that theory. Refs? No. Not unless one of the guys is dirty. Even then when a ref makes a bad call he gets knocked down the referee totem pole.

Huh? I've heard of one ref getting knocked down. They just don't get to do the playoffs/Super Bowl.

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Definitely not scripted and fixed like Wrestling. Also don't feel like refs routinely conspire to push certain teams to the playoffs or hit point spreads. We know something happened in the NBA, so it's not completely out of the realm of possibility.

 

Every single owner, GM, coach, ref and maybe even certain players would have to be in on it. With as much turnover they have every year, I just don't believe that's possible.

Why would every ref have to be? Only takes one to throw a phantom PI call.

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How could the NFL possibly be rigged? Let's first hear that theory. Refs? No. Not unless one of the guys is dirty. Even then when a ref makes a bad call he gets knocked down the referee totem pole.

Based on the book I referenced above here is a clip of Keith Olberman with the author,what I found most interesting about this clip is that Olberman tells the story of being on a plane with D!ck Butkus who at the time was reading the author's book Interference and that Butkus himself said he knew everyone in the book and it was all true.I find this topic very interesting and enjoy discussing it with other fans of the game.

 

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Every year it seems to get worse....

 

( Homer Rant example ) :P

 

For instance, we all know that offensive holding pretty much happens on EVERY play but earlier in the year there was a streak of 350 something plays where the Cowboys opponents were NOT called for offensive holding. At the same time Dallas was get on average about 2 a game. You don't have to be a homer to know that that is complete BS. :mad:

 

The NFL is starting to remind me of "Reality Shows" that are scripted to a large degree. No doubt the NFL favors some teams over others for whatever reason / season.

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I dont buy it. The NFL is printing money. Why would they risk irreparably damaging the integrity of the sport?

 

It's another institution that is run by loony leftists hell bent on destroying all that is great in America.

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If true, what kinda deal did the Browns and Lions take to agree to be so sh!tty for all these years?

There it is. Let's keep it about the refs and the leauge.

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Why would every ref have to be? Only takes one to throw a phantom PI call.

One phantom PI call in a game that decides a playoff berth is certainly possible. And one phantom PI call could even decide a Super Bowl. But, each of those teams have to play X number of games and X number of snaps just to get to that point.

 

One ref crew couldn't possibly orchestrate an entire season for a certain team.

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It's another institution that is run by loony leftists hell bent on destroying all that is great in America.

Give it a rest. Its OK to have interests other than moonbat political conspiracy theories. :wacko:

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Give it a rest. Its OK to have interests other than moonbat political conspiracy theories. :wacko:

 

Take off the blinders......it's happening all around us everyday.

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There it is. Let's keep it about the refs and the leauge.

The Vegas spreads and point totals are what I question the most.

 

Take last night for instance Saints are -6.5 favorites and twice in the 4th quarter the Saints have the opportunity to cover the spread but Brees throws a pick 2 and then later the fumble out of the endzone.I know this proves nothing but both sides of the spread bet were entertained to practically the end of the game.

 

And no I didn't bet the Saints last night.

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One phantom PI call in a game that decides a playoff berth is certainly possible. And one phantom PI call could even decide a Super Bowl. But, each of those teams have to play X number of games and X number of snaps just to get to that point.

 

One ref crew couldn't possibly orchestrate an entire season for a certain team.

What I'm trying to say is if the bad call is due to incompetence or corruption, the end result is still a bad call. And the NFL doesn't do anything about it. Check out that call in the eagle/cowboy game on the eagles TE for offensive PI. How could you possibly explain that? And it happens way too much.

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Based on the book I referenced above here is a clip of Keith Olberman with the author,what I found most interesting about this clip is that Olberman tells the story of being on a plane with D!ck Butkus who at the time was reading the author's book Interference and that Butkus himself said he knew everyone in the book and it was all true.I find this topic very interesting and enjoy discussing it with other fans of the game.

 

Individual players were more apt to play "bad" for a payoff in the 1960s when they football was their second job. There have been refs that have taken payouts in the past in all sports, but those are just a couple bad guys. In the 60's and 70's sports were dirty in a lot of ways. But who cares about those times unless you have a genuine interest in that specific sports history.

 

The problem with the refs is not that they suck at their jobs, or are throwing games, the problem arises with the push for safety in the sport and the newer ever changing rules. It is impossible for these guys to make accurate calls all the time real time on the field.

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Another reason why it would be impossible to script.

 

Players make unbelievable, out of nowhere, impossible plays every week. There's no way in hell anyone can predict who or when these plays will happen. These types of plays are products of athleticism, competitive spirit, hustle and luck. You can plan that sh!t out.

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The Vegas spreads and point totals are what I question the most.

 

Take last night for instance Saints are -6.5 favorites and twice in the 4th quarter the Saints have the opportunity to cover the spread but Brees throws a pick 2 and then later the fumble out of the endzone.I know this proves nothing but both sides of the spread bet were entertained to practically the end of the game.

 

And no I didn't bet the Saints last night.

I can't see how a QB making 25 mill a year would be involved. If it's anyone it's the refs. How much could Brees get to risk his paycheck and future post retirement paychecks with a network? Makes no sense.

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The Vegas spreads and point totals are what I question the most.

 

Take last night for instance Saints are -6.5 favorites and twice in the 4th quarter the Saints have the opportunity to cover the spread but Brees throws a pick 2 and then later the fumble out of the endzone.I know this proves nothing but both sides of the spread bet were entertained to practically the end of the game.

 

And no I didn't bet the Saints last night.

The Rams were favored this past Sunday by 13.5 points. That was not even close in their loss.

 

For this scenario you give about last night, the coaching staff and players on both teams would have to be in on the take. No chance in the world. Not unless they were making what players made back in the 60's.

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I can't see how a QB making 25 mill a year would be involved. If it's anyone it's the refs. How much could Brees get to risk his paycheck and future post retirement paychecks with a network? Makes no sense.

 

 

The Rams were favored this past Sunday by 13.5 points. That was not even close in their loss.

 

For this scenario you give about last night, the coaching staff and players on both teams would have to be in on the take. No chance in the world. Not unless they were making what players made back in the 60's.

Oh I agree,I'm just pointing out that if someone were to write down each spread and point total and then follow the games it is fockin' uncanny how many times the decisive play(s) are direct result of a flag and/or a player doing something at the perfect time.I get it it's professional sports and sh!t happens but damned if sometimes it doesn't leave me baffled,thoroughly entertained but baffled.

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What I'm trying to say is if the bad call is due to incompetence or corruption, the end result is still a bad call. And the NFL doesn't do anything about it. Check out that call in the eagle/cowboy game on the eagles TE for offensive PI. How could you possibly explain that? And it happens way too much.

I agree the refs are often bad and that needs to be addressed.

 

But let's examine that PI call and pretend it was intended to throw the game to orchestrate a Cowboys playoff berth.

 

The call ended up being virtually meaningless because the Eagles scored quickly anyway. Then, the refs followed up that bad call with another bad call on Dallas for roughing the passer. The game is tied and the Cowboys have a chance inside of 2 minutes to win it, but a bad snap and a sack take them out of FG range. Players have to make the plays to capitalize on any edge a bad call gives them and Dallas didn't.

 

So, the game goes to OT, Cowboys get lucky and win the toss, but still have to drive and score a TD to win it. No easy task, as we saw them have to go for in on 4th and short during that drive. Cowboys win and are on a roll. The Eagles are toast. Right?

 

One week later the Cowboys get shut out in Indy while the Eagles beat the best team in the league with Foles at QB. Now the Cowboys are reeling and the Eagles playoffs hopes are still alive.

 

Are we to believe this was all somehow scripted? It just doesn't seem possible.

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I agree the refs are often bad and that needs to be addressed.

 

But let's examine that PI call and pretend it was intended to throw the game to orchestrate a Cowboys playoff berth.

 

The call ended up being virtually meaningless because the Eagles scored quickly anyway. Then, the refs followed up that bad call with another bad call on Dallas for roughing the passer. The game is tied and the Cowboys have a chance inside of 2 minutes to win it, but a bad snap and a sack take them out of FG range. Players have to make the plays to capitalize on any edge a bad call gives them and Dallas didn't.

 

So, the game goes to OT, Cowboys get lucky and win the toss, but still have to drive and score a TD to win it. No easy task, as we saw them have to go for in on 4th and short during that drive. Cowboys win and are on a roll. The Eagles are toast. Right?

 

One week later the Cowboys get shut out in Indy while the Eagles beat the best team in the league with Foles at QB. Now the Cowboys are reeling and the Eagles playoffs hopes are still alive.

 

Are we to believe this was all somehow scripted? It just doesn't seem possible.

 

Well said, and thanks for the recap.

 

Me personally I simply believe there IS deliberate favoring going on, because some plays are just outrageous and overlooked while others are simply fiction.

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The NFLs problem is not the integrity of the game, it is the quality of the product.

I thought the problem was protesting? lol

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I agree the refs are often bad and that needs to be addressed.

 

But let's examine that PI call and pretend it was intended to throw the game to orchestrate a Cowboys playoff berth.

 

The call ended up being virtually meaningless because the Eagles scored quickly anyway. Then, the refs followed up that bad call with another bad call on Dallas for roughing the passer. The game is tied and the Cowboys have a chance inside of 2 minutes to win it, but a bad snap and a sack take them out of FG range. Players have to make the plays to capitalize on any edge a bad call gives them and Dallas didn't.

 

So, the game goes to OT, Cowboys get lucky and win the toss, but still have to drive and score a TD to win it. No easy task, as we saw them have to go for in on 4th and short during that drive. Cowboys win and are on a roll. The Eagles are toast. Right?

 

One week later the Cowboys get shut out in Indy while the Eagles beat the best team in the league with Foles at QB. Now the Cowboys are reeling and the Eagles playoffs hopes are still alive.

 

Are we to believe this was all somehow scripted? It just doesn't seem possible.

I'd rather just concentrate on the bad calls instead of the final score. It covers up the stink.

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Since the Steelers/Seahawks superbowl, it seems that there is some "massaging" for certain games here and there. Bad calls will happen....but when we witness a string of them and a large sway it make one think twice.

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When you can get people to spend 4 hours watching a game the provides 11 minutes of actual action, you are doing something right!

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Since the Steelers/Seahawks superbowl, it seems that there is some "massaging" for certain games here and there. Bad calls will happen....but when we witness a string of them and a large sway it make one think twice.

Speaking of Superbowls on my March '15 trip to Vegas I bet on Denver to win it all only because Manning had announced his retirement and i thought what the hell maybe he'll have a final lap kind of season and ride off into the sunset with another ring.Only got 10/1 odds but 11 months later I was smiling and $200 richer.

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How could the NFL possibly be rigged? Let's first hear that theory. Refs? No. Not unless one of the guys is dirty. Even then when a ref makes a bad call he gets knocked down the referee totem pole.

I know a NFL ref...and yes...if your crew screws up...your not getting playoff games and stuff like that.

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Based on the book I referenced above here is a clip of Keith Olberman with the author,what I found most interesting about this clip is that Olberman tells the story of being on a plane with D!ck Butkus who at the time was reading the author's book Interference and that Butkus himself said he knew everyone in the book and it was all true.I find this topic very interesting and enjoy discussing it with other fans of the game.

 

 

 

 

LOL.... Olberman. :thumbsdown: :doh: I wouldn't believe a focking word this guys says.

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