NFL opener to feature Super Bowl Champs on road

Why don't they just open at home on SNF?

$$$

who gives a rat's patoot where they play?

Orioles >>> Ravens. Well, one less > since the murderer called it a career.

quote:

Originally posted by Hungry5:
Why don't they just open at home on SNF?

I'd imagine it's written into the TV contract for a Thursday Night game. That's a huge night for whichever network gets it.

Give the THU home opener to GBP... Give BAL the SNF home opener.

Wow, ridiculous. I'd be pissed if I were a Ravens fan. How hard is it for the Orioles to move the game up three hours or move a single regular season home game (one out of 81) 30 miles down the road to RFK? The Orioles have some talent on that team, but the odds of them being competitive in September are basically nil with the competition they're facing in the AL East. This is pure petulance on the part of baseball and the Orioles, their way sticking a finger in the eye of a sport that surpassed them a long time ago.

It doesn't really sound to me like it's the Orioles as much as everyone else in the scheduling department. And I'm not sticking up for the Orioles, either. Angelos is a real prick and there was quite a hullabuloo with the Nats regarding TV rights and such.

I couldn't care less if the Baltimorons don't get to see their favs at home or not. It's so congested around that stadium, inner harbor area, etc. that I doubt it mattered how much earlier the baseball game would have been played it would still be a cluster ****!!

To be quite honest, the Ravens don't receive high TV ratings. They're right there with the Titans & Jaguars of the world.

Believe me....the NFLFU knows exactly what they're doing. If it meant more ratings, they'd be at home.

Really? I never would have known that. I guess I figured all the teams from the Northeastern Seaboard cities would draw good audiences.

I imagine they'll get a post-Super Bowl bandwagon bump, but I'm not sure how much that would amount to.

Blaming the Orioles is misguided. I'm glad MLB stuck to their guns and said no. NFLFU could have easily played game on Wednesday night like last year. They had no problems playing on the holiday last year on Sunday night and they sure as hell have no problems playing on Christmas.

Also MLB players union rules prohibit a day game if both teams had to travel the day before.

quote:

Originally posted by Salmon Dave:
Really? I never would have known that. I guess I figured all the teams from the Northeastern Seaboard cities would draw good audiences.

I imagine they'll get a post-Super Bowl bandwagon bump, but I'm not sure how much that would amount to.

Facebook did a really nice data mashup of who was rooting for whom during the playoffs. Maps of the country showed states and the trend as certain teams got knocked out. For every step of the way *except* the Super Bowl, the Ravens basically only had Maryland behind them. Every other team's fanbase grew as they stayed longer in the playoffs except the Ravens.

As weird as it sounds they are a niche market with a small fan base.

Had the Ravens played at home to open, I'm fairly certain it would've been vs. the Packers

i agree, Boris. I was fully expecting to be playing on Thursday night.

That would be a good game. Seems like a Wed opener would not be out of the question.

Wed is a Jewish (religious) holiday so it is not an option from what I've read.

Of course, the NFL plays games on Christmas, as does the NBA. And MLB plays games on Easter (when it's in April). Why can't there be a football game on Rosh Hashanah??

Boris, why not Ravens at Lambeau to open the season? Super Bowl champs at the most storied franchise in the NFL. What would be a better story? Plus it could well be a preview of the Super Bowl in the Meadowlands. (Altho I doubt the Ravens will be there ).

Ravens just signed Dumervil, according to ESPN. 5 years, $35 million.

quote:

Originally posted by ammo:
Boris, why not Ravens at Lambeau to open the season? Super Bowl champs at the most storied franchise in the NFL. What would be a better story? Plus it could well be a preview of the Super Bowl in the Meadowlands. (Altho I doubt the Ravens will be there ).

The home and away is set already. Packers are at Ravens.

Ooopppsss.

Heck with it. Let them come to Lambeau and get their asses kicked here this year, and then next year when we're Super Bowl champs we'll start our season by walking into their house and cleaning up their own floor with them.

Um, cause we never would play them (regular season) in consecutive years?

quote:

Originally posted by Hungry5:
Wed is a Jewish (religious) holiday so it is not an option from what I've read.

That's the excuse they used and it's a load of BS. They had no problems having Sunday Night Football last year during the holiday.

quote:

Originally posted by Blair Kiel:
Um, cause we never would play them (regular season) in consecutive years?

Those damned cowards. Hiding behind a minor technicality like that!