I believe the premise is accurate, but exaggerated. Also, the rise of the SEC is primarily due to a more merit based system, the BCS, iyam.

http://stholeary.blogspot.com/2013/10/ho...g-ten.html

Very exaggerated. There's nothing wrong with Big Ten football that can't be cured by its big-name programs throwing their weight around like big-name programs should. If Nebraska and Michigan start pushing teams around like they did in the 1990s, then no one will care whether the Purdue or Maryland football teams are any good, just as no one judges the reputation of SEC football by looking at Kentucky.

Scribblings is a very good title for what that "author" does. He is all over the place with his rambling. He hardly even sticks to the point of The Big Ten Network supposedly ruining Big Ten Football.

The Big Ten Network hasn't ruined Big Ten football.

People will laugh and disbelieve but football pad size and weight being decreased has done more to weaken how Big Ten football is viewed in comparison to everyone else.

NFL players threatened to not wear certain pads when the NFL was talking about mandating them last year.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-foot...d-leg-pads

Why do you think that is? Why would they take the extra risk?

Quote:“You play this game because you want to play this game, and the risks you take are the risks you take. If you don't want to wear hip pads, knee pads or thigh pads, you shouldn't have to. It should be a choice.”

Quentin Jammer said that, at the time he was a cornerback for the Chargers. That is a speed position. As he says, they take the risk. Why? Because others do AND because they can run more naturally which allows them to be faster.

What is the Big Ten NOT known for? Speed. The decreased pad size has directly related to SEC dominance. Seven years of dominance? Yeah, started like a year after the NCAA allowed the smaller pads to be used.

That has MUCH more affect on any decrease in prominence for the Big Ten than the Big Ten Network. The ability for anyone to blog and put their opinion out there is great but the double edged sword affect is that any idiot out there can ramble on a bunch of incoherent garbage and folks will read it and think that perhaps he knows what he is talking about.

He doesn't.

(11-18-2013 08:21 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  Scribblings is a very good title for what that "author" does. He is all over the place with his rambling. He hardly even sticks to the point of The Big Ten Network supposedly ruining Big Ten Football.

The Big Ten Network hasn't ruined Big Ten football.

People will laugh and disbelieve but football pad size and weight being decreased has done more to weaken how Big Ten football is viewed in comparison to everyone else.

NFL players threatened to not wear certain pads when the NFL was talking about mandating them last year.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-foot...d-leg-pads

Why do you think that is? Why would they take the extra risk?

Quote:“You play this game because you want to play this game, and the risks you take are the risks you take. If you don't want to wear hip pads, knee pads or thigh pads, you shouldn't have to. It should be a choice.”

Quentin Jammer said that, at the time he was a cornerback for the Chargers. That is a speed position. As he says, they take the risk. Why? Because others do AND because they can run more naturally which allows them to be faster.

What is the Big Ten NOT known for? Speed. The decreased pad size has directly related to SEC dominance. Seven years of dominance? Yeah, started like a year after the NCAA allowed the smaller pads to be used.

That has MUCH more affect on any decrease in prominence for the Big Ten than the Big Ten Network. The ability for anyone to blog and put their opinion out there is great but the double edged sword affect is that any idiot out there can ramble on a bunch of incoherent garbage and folks will read it and think that perhaps he knows what he is talking about.

He doesn't.

The issue isn't the Big 10 network, but I do agree that exposure in the noon time slot has only benefited the SEC and others who now occupy that spot in the line up. The issue isn't pads either, although that is an interesting hypothesis. The issue is recruiting and caliber of recruits, and the number of high caliber recruits. Demographics are a slight factor, but the remaining rabid football culture of the South is probably the greater contributor to the perceived decline in Big 10 football. It is also in my opinion one reason basketball is not of the quality in the South as it is in the North. The athletes in the South gravitate to football which is adored. Baseball and to an even greater extent basketball are seen as lesser sports.

(11-18-2013 08:44 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 08:21 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  Scribblings is a very good title for what that "author" does. He is all over the place with his rambling. He hardly even sticks to the point of The Big Ten Network supposedly ruining Big Ten Football.

The Big Ten Network hasn't ruined Big Ten football.

People will laugh and disbelieve but football pad size and weight being decreased has done more to weaken how Big Ten football is viewed in comparison to everyone else.

NFL players threatened to not wear certain pads when the NFL was talking about mandating them last year.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-foot...d-leg-pads

Why do you think that is? Why would they take the extra risk?

Quote:“You play this game because you want to play this game, and the risks you take are the risks you take. If you don't want to wear hip pads, knee pads or thigh pads, you shouldn't have to. It should be a choice.”

Quentin Jammer said that, at the time he was a cornerback for the Chargers. That is a speed position. As he says, they take the risk. Why? Because others do AND because they can run more naturally which allows them to be faster.

What is the Big Ten NOT known for? Speed. The decreased pad size has directly related to SEC dominance. Seven years of dominance? Yeah, started like a year after the NCAA allowed the smaller pads to be used.

That has MUCH more affect on any decrease in prominence for the Big Ten than the Big Ten Network. The ability for anyone to blog and put their opinion out there is great but the double edged sword affect is that any idiot out there can ramble on a bunch of incoherent garbage and folks will read it and think that perhaps he knows what he is talking about.

He doesn't.

The issue isn't the Big 10 network, but I do agree that exposure in the noon time slot has only benefited the SEC and others who now occupy that spot in the line up. The issue isn't pads either, although that is an interesting hypothesis. The issue is recruiting and caliber of recruits, and the number of high caliber recruits. Demographics are a slight factor, but the remaining rabid football culture of the South is probably the greater contributor to the perceived decline in Big 10 football. It is also in my opinion one reason basketball is not of the quality in the South as it is in the North. The athletes in the South gravitate to football which is adored. Baseball and to an even greater extent basketball are seen as lesser sports.

The South didn't used to be the "Center of Gravity" when it came to Recruiting. As the game has changed to more of a game of speed, the rating of recruits has changed to reflect that. That has caused Southern recruits to be rated higher because they are no longer hindered by heavier pads which evened the playing field between them and competing recruits from the North.

It is not just a hypothesis. The fact that many Professional Players feel so strongly about their ability to run faster with the smaller pads or by not wearing some pads at all, that just goes to show that the changing to smaller pads and no pads gives advantage to faster players. The South is known for those kinds of players so it is easy scientific deduction to proclaim that smaller, lighter pads have aided the South.

The fact that there is but a year's difference between when the NCAA allowed such and when the SEC started to dominate college football, that is just extra proof.

The point is that people like this author, blaming the Big Ten Network? People should not let such stupidity to remain in their brain.

(11-18-2013 08:44 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 08:21 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  Scribblings is a very good title for what that "author" does. He is all over the place with his rambling. He hardly even sticks to the point of The Big Ten Network supposedly ruining Big Ten Football.

The Big Ten Network hasn't ruined Big Ten football.

People will laugh and disbelieve but football pad size and weight being decreased has done more to weaken how Big Ten football is viewed in comparison to everyone else.

NFL players threatened to not wear certain pads when the NFL was talking about mandating them last year.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-foot...d-leg-pads

Why do you think that is? Why would they take the extra risk?

Quote:“You play this game because you want to play this game, and the risks you take are the risks you take. If you don't want to wear hip pads, knee pads or thigh pads, you shouldn't have to. It should be a choice.”

Quentin Jammer said that, at the time he was a cornerback for the Chargers. That is a speed position. As he says, they take the risk. Why? Because others do AND because they can run more naturally which allows them to be faster.

What is the Big Ten NOT known for? Speed. The decreased pad size has directly related to SEC dominance. Seven years of dominance? Yeah, started like a year after the NCAA allowed the smaller pads to be used.

That has MUCH more affect on any decrease in prominence for the Big Ten than the Big Ten Network. The ability for anyone to blog and put their opinion out there is great but the double edged sword affect is that any idiot out there can ramble on a bunch of incoherent garbage and folks will read it and think that perhaps he knows what he is talking about.

He doesn't.

The issue isn't the Big 10 network, but I do agree that exposure in the noon time slot has only benefited the SEC and others who now occupy that spot in the line up. The issue isn't pads either, although that is an interesting hypothesis. The issue is recruiting and caliber of recruits, and the number of high caliber recruits. Demographics are a slight factor, but the remaining rabid football culture of the South is probably the greater contributor to the perceived decline in Big 10 football. It is also in my opinion one reason basketball is not of the quality in the South as it is in the North. The athletes in the South gravitate to football which is adored. Baseball and to an even greater extent basketball are seen as lesser sports.

I think that you're right in that the cultural affinity for football in the South compared to basketball in the North is definitely a factor in the relative success of those sports in their respective areas.

As for demographics, I also think that in broad terms basketball is a "city game" and football is a "rural game", and I suspect that in general terms African Americans (who tend to dominate speed positions, as well as becoming more prevalent along the offensive and defensive lines compared to even just a generation ago) are more likely to live in rural areas in the South (and thus more prone to favor football over basketball) and in urban areas (which favor basketball) in the North.

(11-18-2013 08:50 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 08:44 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 08:21 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  Scribblings is a very good title for what that "author" does. He is all over the place with his rambling. He hardly even sticks to the point of The Big Ten Network supposedly ruining Big Ten Football.

The Big Ten Network hasn't ruined Big Ten football.

People will laugh and disbelieve but football pad size and weight being decreased has done more to weaken how Big Ten football is viewed in comparison to everyone else.

NFL players threatened to not wear certain pads when the NFL was talking about mandating them last year.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-foot...d-leg-pads

Why do you think that is? Why would they take the extra risk?

Quote:“You play this game because you want to play this game, and the risks you take are the risks you take. If you don't want to wear hip pads, knee pads or thigh pads, you shouldn't have to. It should be a choice.”

Quentin Jammer said that, at the time he was a cornerback for the Chargers. That is a speed position. As he says, they take the risk. Why? Because others do AND because they can run more naturally which allows them to be faster.

What is the Big Ten NOT known for? Speed. The decreased pad size has directly related to SEC dominance. Seven years of dominance? Yeah, started like a year after the NCAA allowed the smaller pads to be used.

That has MUCH more affect on any decrease in prominence for the Big Ten than the Big Ten Network. The ability for anyone to blog and put their opinion out there is great but the double edged sword affect is that any idiot out there can ramble on a bunch of incoherent garbage and folks will read it and think that perhaps he knows what he is talking about.

He doesn't.

The issue isn't the Big 10 network, but I do agree that exposure in the noon time slot has only benefited the SEC and others who now occupy that spot in the line up. The issue isn't pads either, although that is an interesting hypothesis. The issue is recruiting and caliber of recruits, and the number of high caliber recruits. Demographics are a slight factor, but the remaining rabid football culture of the South is probably the greater contributor to the perceived decline in Big 10 football. It is also in my opinion one reason basketball is not of the quality in the South as it is in the North. The athletes in the South gravitate to football which is adored. Baseball and to an even greater extent basketball are seen as lesser sports.

The South didn't used to be the "Center of Gravity" when it came to Recruiting. As the game has changed to more of a game of speed, the rating of recruits has changed to reflect that. That has caused Southern recruits to be rated higher because they are no longer hindered by heavier pads which evened the playing field between them and competing recruits from the North.

It is not just a hypothesis. The fact that many Professional Players feel so strongly about their ability to run faster with the smaller pads or by not wearing some pads at all, that just goes to show that the changing to smaller pads and no pads gives advantage to faster players. The South is known for those kinds of players so it is easy scientific deduction to proclaim that smaller, lighter pads have aided the South.

The fact that there is but a year's difference between when the NCAA allowed such and when the SEC started to dominate college football, that is just extra proof.

The point is that people like this author, blaming the Big Ten Network? People should not let such stupidity to remain in their brain.

H1 that is just 1 of many factors, and as a sole issue, with all due respect, I just don't buy it. The job losses in the upper Mid West hit blue collar families much harder than those of professionals. It's the blue collar kids for the most part that play football in most regions of the country. That I think hurt the Big 10 some. After the death of segregation in the South African American athletes slowly began to stay closer to home and that hurt the recruiting advantages that the Big 8 and Big 10 had during segregation. Weather does play a small part too. Culture plays a small part too. It's a mixed bag of ingredients that have gotten us to this point. Realignment can help it or hurt it. Right now I do think it a fair point that Maryland and Rutgers will not immediately help the diminishing perception of Big 10 football. They do need some football names to help with that as you have pointed out. We'll see how that turns out shortly I hope.

I never said it is the whole issue. I just brought it up again as it is an ACTUAL issue instead of the issue brought up by the ridiculously dimwitted author with poor writing skills that wrote that blog.

Yes, the Pad issue IS real and it doesn't matter if you buy it or not. The professional players readily admit they make a huge difference. I suppose you don't buy their opinion either?

It allows for more natural running which means....wait for it.....it allows for faster runners to actually run faster! Oh my gosh....could that mean that speedsters in the South that have all year round weather for playing and thus become faster than their northern counter parts, they have an advantage with smaller and less pads?

No no...we cannot buy into such rational scientific theory because that is an actual explanation of why the SEC has become what it has become instead of all this other more "deep" conversational pieces?

Not trying to pick a fight here but to say that smaller pads doesn't make a difference when it is very obvious that it has, that is just ridiculous and you are better than that JR.

you can make a legitimate point about the BTN networks role in the fall of B10 football. however this article is just stupid and the author comes off as a total sec homer.

(11-18-2013 09:05 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  I never said it is the whole issue. I just brought it up again as it is an ACTUAL issue instead of the issue brought up by the ridiculously dimwitted author with poor writing skills that wrote that blog.

Yes, the Pad issue IS real and it doesn't matter if you buy it or not. The professional players readily admit they make a huge difference. I suppose you don't buy their opinion either?

It allows for more natural running which means....wait for it.....it allows for faster runners to actually run faster! Oh my gosh....could that mean that speedsters in the South that have all year round weather for playing and thus become faster than their northern counter parts, they have an advantage with smaller and less pads?

No no...we cannot buy into such rational scientific theory because that is an actual explanation of why the SEC has become what it has become instead of all this other more "deep" conversational pieces?

Not trying to pick a fight here but to say that smaller pads doesn't make a difference when it is very obvious that it has, that is just ridiculous and you are better than that JR.

The problem isn't just speed. And don't you find the argument a bit absurd when you are claiming that the South's prominence in the sport is attributed to our men wearing mini pads as opposed to maxi pads worn by the Northern players.

(11-18-2013 09:15 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 09:05 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  I never said it is the whole issue. I just brought it up again as it is an ACTUAL issue instead of the issue brought up by the ridiculously dimwitted author with poor writing skills that wrote that blog.

Yes, the Pad issue IS real and it doesn't matter if you buy it or not. The professional players readily admit they make a huge difference. I suppose you don't buy their opinion either?

It allows for more natural running which means....wait for it.....it allows for faster runners to actually run faster! Oh my gosh....could that mean that speedsters in the South that have all year round weather for playing and thus become faster than their northern counter parts, they have an advantage with smaller and less pads?

No no...we cannot buy into such rational scientific theory because that is an actual explanation of why the SEC has become what it has become instead of all this other more "deep" conversational pieces?

Not trying to pick a fight here but to say that smaller pads doesn't make a difference when it is very obvious that it has, that is just ridiculous and you are better than that JR.

The problem isn't just speed. And don't you find the argument a bit absurd when you are claiming that the South's prominence in the sport is attributed to our men wearing mini pads as opposed to maxi pads worn by the Northern players.

Ok that's funny but come on, I'm being serious here. I am NOT saying that the decrease in size and bulk of pads is the only issue. What they have done is to allow the differences between Northern and Southern athletes to be more evident. The old pads seemed to have worked to neutralize that difference. That neutralization factor is now gone and wont return.

What will have to happen over time is Northern Kids will have to work more on speed growing up. It is true that the game of basketball in the North is huge. That is not a speed creating game. It is actually more of a game of strength. As football more and more becomes America's Game, more and more kids will grow up playing the sport and endeavoring to be well suited for it.

The North will slowly catch up but the South has definitely prospered with the new pads.

Yes, there are other factors. The fact that the SEC pays coaches more, not just talking head coaches, certainly helps a lot. The fact that Southern Culture is more focused on football and thus expectations are higher, that certainly helps a lot. There are other factors of course. My point was that an actual factor such as pad size doesn't get the time of day but concepts for the dumb, such as The Big Ten Network causing the demise of Big Ten Football see the light of day?

(11-18-2013 09:28 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 09:15 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 09:05 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  I never said it is the whole issue. I just brought it up again as it is an ACTUAL issue instead of the issue brought up by the ridiculously dimwitted author with poor writing skills that wrote that blog.

Yes, the Pad issue IS real and it doesn't matter if you buy it or not. The professional players readily admit they make a huge difference. I suppose you don't buy their opinion either?

It allows for more natural running which means....wait for it.....it allows for faster runners to actually run faster! Oh my gosh....could that mean that speedsters in the South that have all year round weather for playing and thus become faster than their northern counter parts, they have an advantage with smaller and less pads?

No no...we cannot buy into such rational scientific theory because that is an actual explanation of why the SEC has become what it has become instead of all this other more "deep" conversational pieces?

Not trying to pick a fight here but to say that smaller pads doesn't make a difference when it is very obvious that it has, that is just ridiculous and you are better than that JR.

The problem isn't just speed. And don't you find the argument a bit absurd when you are claiming that the South's prominence in the sport is attributed to our men wearing mini pads as opposed to maxi pads worn by the Northern players.

Ok that's funny but come on, I'm being serious here. I am NOT saying that the decrease in size and bulk of pads is the only issue. What they have done is to allow the differences between Northern and Southern athletes to be more evident. The old pads seemed to have worked to neutralize that difference. That neutralization factor is now gone and wont return.

What will have to happen over time is Northern Kids will have to work more on speed growing up. It is true that the game of basketball in the North is huge. That is not a speed creating game. It is actually more of a game of strength. As football more and more becomes America's Game, more and more kids will grow up playing the sport and endeavoring to be well suited for it.

The North will slowly catch up but the South has definitely prospered with the new pads.

Yes, there are other factors. The fact that the SEC pays coaches more, not just talking head coaches, certainly helps a lot. The fact that Southern Culture is more focused on football and thus expectations are higher, that certainly helps a lot. There are other factors of course. My point was that an actual factor such as pad size doesn't get the time of day but concepts for the dumb, such as The Big Ten Network causing the demise of Big Ten Football see the light of day?

It was too good of a set up to resist that bit of humor. But, I remember when girdle pads, and thigh pads and the little flap we wore over our lower spine first came into being. I didn't wear them either. They were cumbersome and I played defensive nose guard and offensive tackle. I understood your point, but I did see it as just one of many affecting the Big 10's on field product. I think the only germane issue arising out of the Big 10 Network is that the lack of Big 10 games almost exclusively in that noon time slot has given other conferences more exposure. That's about it. IMO the biggest hurdle the Big 10 has to overcome is that of the NFL draft picks. No other factor is as exploited by SEC schools in recruiting than that one. Top recruits are looking more for a pro career than an education (wrongfully but that's the way it is) and that's why the SEC dominating the draft selections is so key. And H1 that's where the assistant coach issue comes into play as they are the ones who hone that high school talent and tweak the natural gifts of the 4 & 5 star recruits. Assistant coaches aren't the only reason the SEC gets more kids drafted, but better assistants sure help in that regard. No SEC school of note skimps on a strength and conditioning coach, or for skill positions where technique is so important (except maybe Georgia on defensive backs).

(11-18-2013 09:41 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 09:28 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 09:15 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 09:05 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  I never said it is the whole issue. I just brought it up again as it is an ACTUAL issue instead of the issue brought up by the ridiculously dimwitted author with poor writing skills that wrote that blog.

Yes, the Pad issue IS real and it doesn't matter if you buy it or not. The professional players readily admit they make a huge difference. I suppose you don't buy their opinion either?

It allows for more natural running which means....wait for it.....it allows for faster runners to actually run faster! Oh my gosh....could that mean that speedsters in the South that have all year round weather for playing and thus become faster than their northern counter parts, they have an advantage with smaller and less pads?

No no...we cannot buy into such rational scientific theory because that is an actual explanation of why the SEC has become what it has become instead of all this other more "deep" conversational pieces?

Not trying to pick a fight here but to say that smaller pads doesn't make a difference when it is very obvious that it has, that is just ridiculous and you are better than that JR.

The problem isn't just speed. And don't you find the argument a bit absurd when you are claiming that the South's prominence in the sport is attributed to our men wearing mini pads as opposed to maxi pads worn by the Northern players.

Ok that's funny but come on, I'm being serious here. I am NOT saying that the decrease in size and bulk of pads is the only issue. What they have done is to allow the differences between Northern and Southern athletes to be more evident. The old pads seemed to have worked to neutralize that difference. That neutralization factor is now gone and wont return.

What will have to happen over time is Northern Kids will have to work more on speed growing up. It is true that the game of basketball in the North is huge. That is not a speed creating game. It is actually more of a game of strength. As football more and more becomes America's Game, more and more kids will grow up playing the sport and endeavoring to be well suited for it.

The North will slowly catch up but the South has definitely prospered with the new pads.

Yes, there are other factors. The fact that the SEC pays coaches more, not just talking head coaches, certainly helps a lot. The fact that Southern Culture is more focused on football and thus expectations are higher, that certainly helps a lot. There are other factors of course. My point was that an actual factor such as pad size doesn't get the time of day but concepts for the dumb, such as The Big Ten Network causing the demise of Big Ten Football see the light of day?

It was too good of a set up to resist that bit of humor. But, I remember when girdle pads, and thigh pads and the little flap we wore over our lower spine first came into being. I didn't wear them either. They were cumbersome and I played defensive nose guard and offensive tackle. I understood your point, but I did see it as just one of many affecting the Big 10's on field product. I think the only germane issue arising out of the Big 10 Network is that the lack of Big 10 games almost exclusively in that noon time slot has given other conferences more exposure. That's about it. IMO the biggest hurdle the Big 10 has to overcome is that of the NFL draft picks. No other factor is as exploited by SEC schools in recruiting than that one. Top recruits are looking more for a pro career than an education (wrongfully but that's the way it is) and that's why the SEC dominating the draft selections is so key. And H1 that's where the assistant coach issue comes into play as they are the ones who hone that high school talent and tweak the natural gifts of the 4 & 5 star recruits. Assistant coaches aren't the only reason the SEC gets more kids drafted, but better assistants sure help in that regard. No SEC school of note skimps on a strength and conditioning coach, or for skill positions where technique is so important (except maybe Georgia on defensive backs).

Uh....last week...noon time slot, both the Wisconsin game and Ohio State games were on ESPN. The Big Ten Network is not an issue in that regard. BTN is tier 2, Espn is tier 1. They get first pick. The Big Ten Network has had ZERO impact on that.

We agree on the coaching situation. I am always harping on about the Big Ten getting their **** together and using that money that they get to be more competitive in the coaching race.

(11-18-2013 09:48 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 09:41 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 09:28 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 09:15 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 09:05 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  I never said it is the whole issue. I just brought it up again as it is an ACTUAL issue instead of the issue brought up by the ridiculously dimwitted author with poor writing skills that wrote that blog.

Yes, the Pad issue IS real and it doesn't matter if you buy it or not. The professional players readily admit they make a huge difference. I suppose you don't buy their opinion either?

It allows for more natural running which means....wait for it.....it allows for faster runners to actually run faster! Oh my gosh....could that mean that speedsters in the South that have all year round weather for playing and thus become faster than their northern counter parts, they have an advantage with smaller and less pads?

No no...we cannot buy into such rational scientific theory because that is an actual explanation of why the SEC has become what it has become instead of all this other more "deep" conversational pieces?

Not trying to pick a fight here but to say that smaller pads doesn't make a difference when it is very obvious that it has, that is just ridiculous and you are better than that JR.

The problem isn't just speed. And don't you find the argument a bit absurd when you are claiming that the South's prominence in the sport is attributed to our men wearing mini pads as opposed to maxi pads worn by the Northern players.

Ok that's funny but come on, I'm being serious here. I am NOT saying that the decrease in size and bulk of pads is the only issue. What they have done is to allow the differences between Northern and Southern athletes to be more evident. The old pads seemed to have worked to neutralize that difference. That neutralization factor is now gone and wont return.

What will have to happen over time is Northern Kids will have to work more on speed growing up. It is true that the game of basketball in the North is huge. That is not a speed creating game. It is actually more of a game of strength. As football more and more becomes America's Game, more and more kids will grow up playing the sport and endeavoring to be well suited for it.

The North will slowly catch up but the South has definitely prospered with the new pads.

Yes, there are other factors. The fact that the SEC pays coaches more, not just talking head coaches, certainly helps a lot. The fact that Southern Culture is more focused on football and thus expectations are higher, that certainly helps a lot. There are other factors of course. My point was that an actual factor such as pad size doesn't get the time of day but concepts for the dumb, such as The Big Ten Network causing the demise of Big Ten Football see the light of day?

It was too good of a set up to resist that bit of humor. But, I remember when girdle pads, and thigh pads and the little flap we wore over our lower spine first came into being. I didn't wear them either. They were cumbersome and I played defensive nose guard and offensive tackle. I understood your point, but I did see it as just one of many affecting the Big 10's on field product. I think the only germane issue arising out of the Big 10 Network is that the lack of Big 10 games almost exclusively in that noon time slot has given other conferences more exposure. That's about it. IMO the biggest hurdle the Big 10 has to overcome is that of the NFL draft picks. No other factor is as exploited by SEC schools in recruiting than that one. Top recruits are looking more for a pro career than an education (wrongfully but that's the way it is) and that's why the SEC dominating the draft selections is so key. And H1 that's where the assistant coach issue comes into play as they are the ones who hone that high school talent and tweak the natural gifts of the 4 & 5 star recruits. Assistant coaches aren't the only reason the SEC gets more kids drafted, but better assistants sure help in that regard. No SEC school of note skimps on a strength and conditioning coach, or for skill positions where technique is so important (except maybe Georgia on defensive backs).

Uh....last week...noon time slot, both the Wisconsin game and Ohio State games were on ESPN. The Big Ten Network is not an issue in that regard. BTN is tier 2, Espn is tier 1. They get first pick. The Big Ten Network has had ZERO impact on that.

We agree on the coaching situation. I am always harping on about the Big Ten getting their **** together and using that money that they get to be more competitive in the coaching race.

What if in the next go-around ESPN decides to purchase your tier 1 content and then bury it? How is Ohio State going to feel about that?

(11-18-2013 09:58 PM)Dasville Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 09:48 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 09:41 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 09:28 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 09:15 PM)JRsec Wrote:  The problem isn't just speed. And don't you find the argument a bit absurd when you are claiming that the South's prominence in the sport is attributed to our men wearing mini pads as opposed to maxi pads worn by the Northern players.

Ok that's funny but come on, I'm being serious here. I am NOT saying that the decrease in size and bulk of pads is the only issue. What they have done is to allow the differences between Northern and Southern athletes to be more evident. The old pads seemed to have worked to neutralize that difference. That neutralization factor is now gone and wont return.

What will have to happen over time is Northern Kids will have to work more on speed growing up. It is true that the game of basketball in the North is huge. That is not a speed creating game. It is actually more of a game of strength. As football more and more becomes America's Game, more and more kids will grow up playing the sport and endeavoring to be well suited for it.

The North will slowly catch up but the South has definitely prospered with the new pads.

Yes, there are other factors. The fact that the SEC pays coaches more, not just talking head coaches, certainly helps a lot. The fact that Southern Culture is more focused on football and thus expectations are higher, that certainly helps a lot. There are other factors of course. My point was that an actual factor such as pad size doesn't get the time of day but concepts for the dumb, such as The Big Ten Network causing the demise of Big Ten Football see the light of day?

It was too good of a set up to resist that bit of humor. But, I remember when girdle pads, and thigh pads and the little flap we wore over our lower spine first came into being. I didn't wear them either. They were cumbersome and I played defensive nose guard and offensive tackle. I understood your point, but I did see it as just one of many affecting the Big 10's on field product. I think the only germane issue arising out of the Big 10 Network is that the lack of Big 10 games almost exclusively in that noon time slot has given other conferences more exposure. That's about it. IMO the biggest hurdle the Big 10 has to overcome is that of the NFL draft picks. No other factor is as exploited by SEC schools in recruiting than that one. Top recruits are looking more for a pro career than an education (wrongfully but that's the way it is) and that's why the SEC dominating the draft selections is so key. And H1 that's where the assistant coach issue comes into play as they are the ones who hone that high school talent and tweak the natural gifts of the 4 & 5 star recruits. Assistant coaches aren't the only reason the SEC gets more kids drafted, but better assistants sure help in that regard. No SEC school of note skimps on a strength and conditioning coach, or for skill positions where technique is so important (except maybe Georgia on defensive backs).

Uh....last week...noon time slot, both the Wisconsin game and Ohio State games were on ESPN. The Big Ten Network is not an issue in that regard. BTN is tier 2, Espn is tier 1. They get first pick. The Big Ten Network has had ZERO impact on that.

We agree on the coaching situation. I am always harping on about the Big Ten getting their **** together and using that money that they get to be more competitive in the coaching race.

What if in the next go-around ESPN decides to purchase your tier 1 content and then bury it? How is Ohio State going to feel about that?

You think I am worried about ESPN burying Big Ten games despite viewership numbers?

Sorry, not worried at all about it. Not really sure how that fits in with the conversation though. The conversation was about how Big Ten programming was taking away from ESPN which literally is not possible. The BTN only gets what ESPN doesn't want. That is why the Author's argument is completely dimwitted and ignorant.

(11-18-2013 08:59 PM)BewareThePhog Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 08:44 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 08:21 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  Scribblings is a very good title for what that "author" does. He is all over the place with his rambling. He hardly even sticks to the point of The Big Ten Network supposedly ruining Big Ten Football.

The Big Ten Network hasn't ruined Big Ten football.

People will laugh and disbelieve but football pad size and weight being decreased has done more to weaken how Big Ten football is viewed in comparison to everyone else.

NFL players threatened to not wear certain pads when the NFL was talking about mandating them last year.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-foot...d-leg-pads

Why do you think that is? Why would they take the extra risk?

Quote:“You play this game because you want to play this game, and the risks you take are the risks you take. If you don't want to wear hip pads, knee pads or thigh pads, you shouldn't have to. It should be a choice.”

Quentin Jammer said that, at the time he was a cornerback for the Chargers. That is a speed position. As he says, they take the risk. Why? Because others do AND because they can run more naturally which allows them to be faster.

What is the Big Ten NOT known for? Speed. The decreased pad size has directly related to SEC dominance. Seven years of dominance? Yeah, started like a year after the NCAA allowed the smaller pads to be used.

That has MUCH more affect on any decrease in prominence for the Big Ten than the Big Ten Network. The ability for anyone to blog and put their opinion out there is great but the double edged sword affect is that any idiot out there can ramble on a bunch of incoherent garbage and folks will read it and think that perhaps he knows what he is talking about.

He doesn't.

The issue isn't the Big 10 network, but I do agree that exposure in the noon time slot has only benefited the SEC and others who now occupy that spot in the line up. The issue isn't pads either, although that is an interesting hypothesis. The issue is recruiting and caliber of recruits, and the number of high caliber recruits. Demographics are a slight factor, but the remaining rabid football culture of the South is probably the greater contributor to the perceived decline in Big 10 football. It is also in my opinion one reason basketball is not of the quality in the South as it is in the North. The athletes in the South gravitate to football which is adored. Baseball and to an even greater extent basketball are seen as lesser sports.

I think that you're right in that the cultural affinity for football in the South compared to basketball in the North is definitely a factor in the relative success of those sports in their respective areas.

As for demographics, I also think that in broad terms basketball is a "city game" and football is a "rural game", and I suspect that in general terms African Americans (who tend to dominate speed positions, as well as becoming more prevalent along the offensive and defensive lines compared to even just a generation ago) are more likely to live in rural areas in the South (and thus more prone to favor football over basketball) and in urban areas (which favor basketball) in the North.

Phog, this not only shows up in the number of high caliber players, but it especially contributes the amounts of money given by adoring fans directly to the athletic departments of their respective schools. The numbers are really quite dramatic. That too is a big factor which flies under the radar in many of these discussion. The same is true in much of the Big 12 South as you are probably well aware.

I have never understood the thought process behind something (in this case pad size, in others it is turf/weather/etc.) affecting an area of the game and being an equalizer. If the increase in pad size slows down fast players because it restricts a normal running motion should it affect all players equally? If so then wouldn't the net effect be zero?

Just like when Northwestern played Ohio State in their uncut hayfield earlier this year. I feel sure that it had some effect on Ohio State's speed, but Northwestern's players who they felt needed an unnatural advantage were running in the same ankle deep grass slowing them down the same way it was slowing down Ohio State.

Pad size has little if any effect on the advantages that players from the south have over players from the north when it comes to speed. The advantage is gained when these kids in the south are able to play sports outside year round where in the north they simply do not have the same opportunity. My youngest son finished his rec football season two weeks ago and went immediately into all-star practices. They played their all-star tournament this past weekend. This coming weekend he starts speed and conditioning drills at the high school he will attend next year that will run through the end of January, In late February he starts practice for the 7on7/flag football league that will run through mid April. When that ends he starts spring football practice at the high school. Then at the end of the school year 7on7 leagues kick off and run until Summer practice kicks off. Did I mention the fact that when the second semester kicks off he'll be working three times a week with the school's strength and conditioning program after school? All of this might sound like overkill, but we actually live in a baseball community and pales in comparison to the work those kids have to put in just to be able to try out for the school teams.

But it's the pad size that has made the difference because pads only affect the fast guys, not the slow ones.

(11-18-2013 10:01 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 09:58 PM)Dasville Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 09:48 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 09:41 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 09:28 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  Ok that's funny but come on, I'm being serious here. I am NOT saying that the decrease in size and bulk of pads is the only issue. What they have done is to allow the differences between Northern and Southern athletes to be more evident. The old pads seemed to have worked to neutralize that difference. That neutralization factor is now gone and wont return.

What will have to happen over time is Northern Kids will have to work more on speed growing up. It is true that the game of basketball in the North is huge. That is not a speed creating game. It is actually more of a game of strength. As football more and more becomes America's Game, more and more kids will grow up playing the sport and endeavoring to be well suited for it.

The North will slowly catch up but the South has definitely prospered with the new pads.

Yes, there are other factors. The fact that the SEC pays coaches more, not just talking head coaches, certainly helps a lot. The fact that Southern Culture is more focused on football and thus expectations are higher, that certainly helps a lot. There are other factors of course. My point was that an actual factor such as pad size doesn't get the time of day but concepts for the dumb, such as The Big Ten Network causing the demise of Big Ten Football see the light of day?

It was too good of a set up to resist that bit of humor. But, I remember when girdle pads, and thigh pads and the little flap we wore over our lower spine first came into being. I didn't wear them either. They were cumbersome and I played defensive nose guard and offensive tackle. I understood your point, but I did see it as just one of many affecting the Big 10's on field product. I think the only germane issue arising out of the Big 10 Network is that the lack of Big 10 games almost exclusively in that noon time slot has given other conferences more exposure. That's about it. IMO the biggest hurdle the Big 10 has to overcome is that of the NFL draft picks. No other factor is as exploited by SEC schools in recruiting than that one. Top recruits are looking more for a pro career than an education (wrongfully but that's the way it is) and that's why the SEC dominating the draft selections is so key. And H1 that's where the assistant coach issue comes into play as they are the ones who hone that high school talent and tweak the natural gifts of the 4 & 5 star recruits. Assistant coaches aren't the only reason the SEC gets more kids drafted, but better assistants sure help in that regard. No SEC school of note skimps on a strength and conditioning coach, or for skill positions where technique is so important (except maybe Georgia on defensive backs).

Uh....last week...noon time slot, both the Wisconsin game and Ohio State games were on ESPN. The Big Ten Network is not an issue in that regard. BTN is tier 2, Espn is tier 1. They get first pick. The Big Ten Network has had ZERO impact on that.

We agree on the coaching situation. I am always harping on about the Big Ten getting their **** together and using that money that they get to be more competitive in the coaching race.

What if in the next go-around ESPN decides to purchase your tier 1 content and then bury it? How is Ohio State going to feel about that?

You think I am worried about ESPN burying Big Ten games despite viewership numbers?

Sorry, not worried at all about it. Not really sure how that fits in with the conversation though. The conversation was about how Big Ten programming was taking away from ESPN which literally is not possible. The BTN only gets what ESPN doesn't want. That is why the Author's argument is completely dimwitted and ignorant.

If ESPN is invested in the SEC and the ACC and gains the rights to the B1G tier1 content, what is the priority? If ESPN loses out on B1G content and fills those slots with other teams, who wins? History has shown ESPN wins and those schools shown on ESPN benefit. Your mistake is thinking that the lower tier B1G content drives viewers to espn when in fact, it is the opposite.

You feel that the B1G content will drive viewers to FS1. Perhaps on a regional basis, but not on a National one. The choices for expansion makes that clear.

(11-18-2013 10:09 PM)Kaplony Wrote:  I have never understood the thought process behind something (in this case pad size, in others it is turf/weather/etc.) affecting an area of the game and being an equalizer. If the increase in pad size slows down fast players because it restricts a normal running motion should it affect all players equally? If so then wouldn't the net effect be zero?

Just like when Northwestern played Ohio State in their uncut hayfield earlier this year. I feel sure that it had some effect on Ohio State's speed, but Northwestern's players who they felt needed an unnatural advantage were running in the same ankle deep grass slowing them down the same way it was slowing down Ohio State.

Pad size has little if any effect on the advantages that players from the south have over players from the north when it comes to speed. The advantage is gained when these kids in the south are able to play sports outside year round where in the north they simply do not have the same opportunity. My youngest son finished his rec football season two weeks ago and went immediately into all-star practices. They played their all-star tournament this past weekend. This coming weekend he starts speed and conditioning drills at the high school he will attend next year that will run through the end of January, In late February he starts practice for the 7on7/flag football league that will run through mid April. When that ends he starts spring football practice at the high school. Then at the end of the school year 7on7 leagues kick off and run until Summer practice kicks off. Did I mention the fact that when the second semester kicks off he'll be working three times a week with the school's strength and conditioning program after school? All of this might sound like overkill, but we actually live in a baseball community and pales in comparison to the work those kids have to put in just to be able to try out for the school teams.

But it's the pad size that has made the difference because pads only affect the fast guys, not the slow ones.

Oh god...really? Pad size doesn't affect a fast person the same as a slow person. Yes, it affects the slower player but not as much in aggregate.

The pad issue is the icing to the other issues being the cake. How folks like you can call it bull**** when PROFESSIONAL PLAYERS state that it makes a big difference. That completely boggles me how you can be so ignorant.

(11-18-2013 10:16 PM)Dasville Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 10:01 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 09:58 PM)Dasville Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 09:48 PM)He1nousOne Wrote:  

(11-18-2013 09:41 PM)JRsec Wrote:  It was too good of a set up to resist that bit of humor. But, I remember when girdle pads, and thigh pads and the little flap we wore over our lower spine first came into being. I didn't wear them either. They were cumbersome and I played defensive nose guard and offensive tackle. I understood your point, but I did see it as just one of many affecting the Big 10's on field product. I think the only germane issue arising out of the Big 10 Network is that the lack of Big 10 games almost exclusively in that noon time slot has given other conferences more exposure. That's about it. IMO the biggest hurdle the Big 10 has to overcome is that of the NFL draft picks. No other factor is as exploited by SEC schools in recruiting than that one. Top recruits are looking more for a pro career than an education (wrongfully but that's the way it is) and that's why the SEC dominating the draft selections is so key. And H1 that's where the assistant coach issue comes into play as they are the ones who hone that high school talent and tweak the natural gifts of the 4 & 5 star recruits. Assistant coaches aren't the only reason the SEC gets more kids drafted, but better assistants sure help in that regard. No SEC school of note skimps on a strength and conditioning coach, or for skill positions where technique is so important (except maybe Georgia on defensive backs).

Uh....last week...noon time slot, both the Wisconsin game and Ohio State games were on ESPN. The Big Ten Network is not an issue in that regard. BTN is tier 2, Espn is tier 1. They get first pick. The Big Ten Network has had ZERO impact on that.

We agree on the coaching situation. I am always harping on about the Big Ten getting their **** together and using that money that they get to be more competitive in the coaching race.

What if in the next go-around ESPN decides to purchase your tier 1 content and then bury it? How is Ohio State going to feel about that?

You think I am worried about ESPN burying Big Ten games despite viewership numbers?

Sorry, not worried at all about it. Not really sure how that fits in with the conversation though. The conversation was about how Big Ten programming was taking away from ESPN which literally is not possible. The BTN only gets what ESPN doesn't want. That is why the Author's argument is completely dimwitted and ignorant.

If ESPN is invested in the SEC and the ACC and gains the rights to the B1G tier1 content, what is the priority? If ESPN loses out on B1G content and fills those slots with other teams, who wins? History has shown ESPN wins and those schools shown on ESPN benefit. Your mistake is thinking that the lower tier B1G content drives viewers to espn when in fact, it is the opposite.

You feel that the B1G content will drive viewers to FS1. Perhaps on a regional basis, but not on a National one. The choices for expansion makes that clear.

You are attributing talking points to me that I didn't make. Please stop doing that if you want to have a real conversation with me as it seems you do. I never said BTN drives people to ESPN. That doesn't even make sense.

ESPN choose what games they play based upon the numbers and the numbers alone. That is why Big Ten games CONTINUE to be shown in large amounts despite ESPN having the SEC and the ACC by the balls by owning their rights in entirety. That is not mean The Big Ten is going to lose out on ESPN showing their games. That just means that the ACC and SEC have very little negotiating ability with ESPN.

It seems like you are more interested in making "gotcha" statements to me than actual statements based upon reality. ESPN is not going to give up on Big Ten games simply because they fully own the rights to SEC and ACC games. ESPN pays for those Big Ten rights for a reason. You are trying to say that the weakness of the ACC and SEC in regards to negotiating power is their strength while the negotiating power that The Big Ten has is it's weakness? Amazing deduction....