HOW THINGS USED TO BE

[fedderone]

Does anyone else miss how the draft used to be?
Back in 2009, and all the years before, the NFL draft was on Saturday and Sunday.
Kicked off Saturday at noon for the first three rounds, and then finished off Sunday at 10am for the remaining rounds?
For me and my buddies, that Saturday was an ALL DAY event.
Everyone got together around 11:30am and stayed until the final pick was made.
Eating and drinking and playing darts/cards/video games/whatever throughout the day.
Sometimes it was just the guys. Sometimes the families. But ALWAYS got together.
It was bigger/better than gamedays and that championship game day.
It was Saturday. No work. No responsibilities. Nothing going on but maybe baseball, but who cares about that?
Can't do ANY of this on a Thursday night.
Ahhhhhh, memories.
Reason #5,193,274,886 the NFL keeps getting worse.

 

[TDX27]

Definitely have to agree with you on this one. But, for the NFL, it's all about dragging things out and making more money without regard to the fans.

 

[Coryea]

Yes, the draft part at Heinz Field just wasn't the same after they made that switch, the only plus that came from it, is the 1st round pick was usually at the draft party on saturday then, but I'd much rather it be the way it use to be.

 

[fedderone]

Definitely have to agree with you on this one. But, for the NFL, it's all about dragging things out and making more money without regard to the fans.

I know they went for the ratings, moving to primetime, making it MORE of an event than it already was.
But they put ZERO research into the fans' desires.......for a league built on the fans, monetarily and otherwise.
I know, BIG shock.

 

[stillwright]

I was saying this exact thing to a co-worker 2 days ago. Bunch of friends would get together Saturday for some foods, drinks and card playing. Good times. Now to be honest. If I miss our pick tonight ...no biggie. I will read about tomorrow here.

 

[warriors42]

I just set it up to record. draft starts at 7 they get 10 minutes per pick and that's puts the draft ending at 12:30 without any trades. we'll be lucky if we pick by 11:30. just ridiculous and a man in my position can't afford to look ridiculous.

 

[Steelr4evr]

Just greed now. They're trying to squeeze every penny out of this product.


I never watch the draft. I'll pay attention long enough to turn it on when the Steelers draft card goes up.

 

[wig]

I just set it up to record. draft starts at 7 they get 10 minutes per pick and that's puts the draft ending at 12:30 without any trades. we'll be lucky if we pick by 11:30. just ridiculous and a man in my position can't afford to look ridiculous.

Uh... You guys want to tell him, or should I?

 

[slashsteel]

I just set it up to record. draft starts at 7 they get 10 minutes per pick and that's puts the draft ending at 12:30 without any trades. we'll be lucky if we pick by 11:30. just ridiculous and a man in my position can't afford to look ridiculous.

8 pm buddy. 😁👍

 

[Steeltime]

Agree 1000% fedderone. I liked watching part of the draft for years, but had very active kids involved in sports so most Saturdays were at a diving meet, baseball field or both.

But able to follow. Now? Working. Get off work about 5:30 p.m. PST, home by about 5:45 PST, so I miss the first 12 picks or so. Steelers traded up to #10? Learned about that when I got home.

In closing, **** Roger Goodfernuthin and the stupid, greedy NFL.

 

[Hines57]

Yeah I totally miss the two day drafts. I would kick back and watch them all day long with friends. This cluster **** spread over several days in prime time isn't for me.

 

[SteelerSask2]

One difference that I think is better is that I can guarantee the Steelers pick will come live and announced tonight. Back in the day, there were several times when I would watch for ****** hours only to find that a commercial break would happen and it would come back to Rich Eisen saying with the 32nd pick the Steelers selected Evander "Ziggy" Hood. That ****** pissed me off.

 

[BLITZ]

I do miss the Sat/Sun deal for reasons everyone has said, Goddell has commercialized it more than ever. all about that $$$$$$

I have adapted. I know start a vacation the Wed before the draft, get my garden/lawn ready during the day and watch all of the long dragged out draft at night

 

[Badcat]

I like it better now actually. With the kids in sports and dance, I was forced to watch text messages pop up or get to see a little if we went out to eat. And I also like that it the venue changes now. I was tired of seeing all of the ******* obnoxious Jets fans every year.

 

[fedderone]

I like it better now actually. With the kids in sports and dance, I was forced to watch text messages pop up or get to see a little if we went out to eat. And I also like that it the venue changes now. I was tired of seeing all of the ******* obnoxious Jets fans every year.

I actually don't care where they host. I kind of like the idea that each city got a crack at hosting instead of being New York as the standard.

 

[suncitysteel]

"How Things Used To Be..." well, this Gen X-er, for one, empathizes with you. The draft was something you planned for weeks in advance, blocked out on your social calendar ("Our niece is getting married that weekend? Tell her congrats but we won't be there..."), and went to Costco/Sam's for truckloads of tailgate fare.

Now, with the shift in the NFL's priorities from the game itself and fan experience to social justice and ratings.... I just don't give much of a damn anymore. Oh, I'll tune in when it gets close to Steelers pick, but go about my bidness right after.

Much like the Super Bowl halftime show and its attempt to cater to the non-fanatic with its over-commercialized production crap, the current draft setup leaves me with a yearning for yesteryear. But I'm not that naive to think that the old way will ever be back. So to all that I say, "It was good knowing you, old friend."

Oh, one thing I still enjoy, though, is the chorus of boos raining down on der Kaiser Goodell. Would rather see a raining down of rotten tomatoes, but....

 

[fedderone]

I'll actually be out to dinner/just coming home around the start of the draft.
However, the family and I will be gathering around the TV to watch............The Flyers take on the Devils on the NHL App!
Yes, two of the worst teams in the NHL are more compelling than the clownshow that is the NFL.
I'll be on here to discuss the ONLY thing that matters about tonight.

 

[bermudasteel]

I just set it up to record. draft starts at 7 they get 10 minutes per pick and that's puts the draft ending at 12:30 without any trades. we'll be lucky if we pick by 11:30. just ridiculous and a man in my position can't afford to look ridiculous.

In what timezone will it be 7PM? Central???

 

[bermudasteel]

Oh, and I blame ROGER for this stupid change. I liked it the old way too...

 

[Ike Kelly]

Spot on Fedderone....Draft weekend was one of the most awesome times of the year. Where plans were made for no interruptions till it was over. The wives had Black Friday to have their weekend freedom with no kids and we had the Draft with ours. Having the party in the entertainment room/cave and just draft convos or trash talking amongst the friends. Great times.

However, I have to say I went to the Draft in Nashville and Oh My Lord that was an experience. I’ll never forget it. That was one of the most fantastic experiences I’ve witnessed. Plus being right there when they announced the trade up to get Devin Bush, there were a couple hundred of Steeler fans all grouped together just exploding on the moment. Nashville really showed the next level how popular our game is.

 

[wig]

While I love the Steelers, there's no chance in hell I'm going to worry about the draft. I have ZERO influence over it, I can read aaaallll about it the following day, and frankly the only reason whatsoever I would ever plan on attending the draft live is if I could enjoy the party, and hopefully get drunk enough to throw up all over the Rog's shoes.

THAT would be worth it.

 

[mdk2]

Does anyone else miss how the draft used to be?
Back in 2009, and all the years before, the NFL draft was on Saturday and Sunday.
Kicked off Saturday at noon for the first three rounds, and then finished off Sunday at 10am for the remaining rounds?
For me and my buddies, that Saturday was an ALL DAY event.
Everyone got together around 11:30am and stayed until the final pick was made.
Eating and drinking and playing darts/cards/video games/whatever throughout the day.
Sometimes it was just the guys. Sometimes the families. But ALWAYS got together.
It was bigger/better than gamedays and that championship game day.
It was Saturday. No work. No responsibilities. Nothing going on but maybe baseball, but who cares about that?
Can't do ANY of this on a Thursday night.
Ahhhhhh, memories.
Reason #5,193,274,886 the NFL keeps getting worse.

Yep, I was just saying this exact thing to my buddies earlier today.
That Saturday was a great day. Definitely miss those days.

 

[Ike Kelly]

While I love the Steelers, there's no chance in hell I'm going to worry about the draft. I have ZERO influence over it, I can read aaaallll about it the following day, and frankly the only reason whatsoever I would ever plan on attending the draft live is if I could enjoy the party, and hopefully get drunk enough to throw up all over the Rog's shoes.

THAT would be worth it.

You had a chance at that in Nashville Wig. 500+k people over three days parting and drinking up and down the strip. With the Commish walking back and forth between the stage and the two restaurant/clubs on either side. You definitely could have been drunk enough to do it.

You have zero influence on game days as well, unless a board member is a player or personnel. Plus you can read all about it the next day too. What‘s the difference?

 

[Ron Burgundy]

While I love the Steelers, there's no chance in hell I'm going to worry about the draft. I have ZERO influence over it, I can read aaaallll about it the following day, and frankly the only reason whatsoever I would ever plan on attending the draft live is if I could enjoy the party, and hopefully get drunk enough to throw up all over the Rog's shoes.

THAT would be worth it.

You mean Tombert doesn’t read the board and value our input?
(FWIW yinz may remember that said Uncle Jarvis would be a bust the second they drafted him.)

 

[SteelerFan448]

I miss the old format as well. The two-day format was about the pure football fan. I loved watching it all day on Saturday.