So, who’s got UFL fever? Anyone? Anyone?
Yeah, me neither. I tried to get myself excited about the new United Football League, telling myself that this might be the only football league operating in 2011 — and this could still happen, given the current state of NFL labor negotiations — and that they have some decent coaches running the show here, so hey, maybe we should pay attention.
Then I saw some of the names on the rosters: Brooks Bollinger, Ingle Martin, Tatum Bell, LaBrandon Toefield, Taye Biddle, Bobby Sippio, etc. You’ll forgive me if I’m not quite gung ho on the level of talent on display here.
The fact that DirecTV and Versus are still squabbling doesn’t help matters, either. What’s that? I have to go find a sports bar that has Versus in order to watch that big quarterback duel between J.P. Losman and Mike McMahon?
These are just a few reasons why I’ve shut down The Star and Clam and redirected what little traffic that site had back here for the time being. That domain is available to pretty much anyone who wants to buy me a Jozy Altidore Hull City jersey. If I were getting paid to care, it might be different, but I’m not. Sorry.
Besides, if I really want to watch low-quality American football this year, I could always turn on the NFL. As my pal Bomani Jones pointed out on Monday, the NFL just isn’t that good this year. Look at teams like the Rams, the Chiefs, the Browns, the Buccaneers, the Panthers and the Titans, all of whom are winless and hopeless. Then there are teams like the Raiders, Cowboys, Redskins, who continue to play terrible football while their owners rake in the dough. The Steelers’ 4th-quarter play this season has been atrocious. Hell, the Denver Broncos are the worst 4-0 team I’ve ever seen.
On top of that, the number of truly compelling storylines in the NFL this season seems awfully small. It’s little wonder that ESPN shouted Favrity Favre Favre Favre to the high heavens on Monday night. What else is there to talk about? The fact that Tony Romo sucks? The contempt that Daniel Snyder has for Redskins fans? The lack of attendance in Jacksonville? The whimpering return of Ron Mexico? The Jets’ sudden fascination with jealous receivers who can’t catch? The possibility of a work stoppage in two years?
It’s no wonder the NFL media is so obsessed with Twitter. It’s a welcome distraction from the complete lack of positive NFL stories this year — unless you can find something positive in Favre’s latest comeback (no) or the possibility of a Manning v. Manning Super Bowl. (maybe)
And yet it’s still more compelling than watching Simeon Rice and Dexter Jackson try to relive their glory days in a startup minor league.
I wish you well, UFL, but if you’re looking for me, I’ll be getting up early on Halloween to watch the North London Derby on ESPN2. Good luck with the whole Versus thing, too.
