Good news, NFL fans...just say no to vuvuzelas

Dark Side

NFL raising the roof on noise meter at stadiums this season

By Michael McCarthy, USA TODAY

The NFL is relaxing its strict rules on crowd noise for the new season as part of an initiative to improve the in-stadium experience for millions of fans, says chief marketing officer Mark Waller.

The league will allow home clubs to incite the 12th man with visual noise meters and scoreboard messages such as "Let's Hear It!" and "Raise the Roof!" while the visiting team's call plays. Clubs must cease when the play clock hits 15 seconds. As before, fans can't use noisemakers (no vuvuzelas). And teams are not allowed to pump in artificial crowd noise.

The NFL previously prohibited clubs from using these messages during the 40-second play clock out of concern they'd interfere with the visiting teams. But the league believes coach-to-quarterback radio communications and silent snap counts are advanced enough, says Waller.

"We as a league are working harder to balance what's right for fans — and what's right for playing football," Waller says.

Commissioner Roger Goodell says the league needs to make the stadium experience safer and more exciting to lure fans tempted to watch from the comfort of home. The NFL's 2009 attendance fell 2.4% to 16.7 million from 17.1 million in 2008.

To enable fans to better keep abreast of other games, all 31 stadiums are able to show the RedZone Channel on scoreboards before, during and after games.

Handheld devices such as Fan Vision will allow fans to watch all games from their seat. The Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, and Washington Redskins are installing HD boards similar to the Dallas Cowboys.

tec

I hate that the crowds are incited to make noise so the visiting team can't hear the play calls. The advantage of morale goes to home team. That should be enough. From there, I want to watch two teams play head to head, each to the best of their abilities, without so many 'tricks' of home advantage - and the best team that day wins.

Just my two cents.

Tammy

Dark Side

I hate that the crowds are incited to make noise so the visiting team can't hear the play calls. The advantage of morale goes to home team. That should be enough. From there, I want to watch two teams play head to head, each to the best of their abilities, without so many 'tricks' of home advantage - and the best team that day wins.

Jack Lambert once said that quarterbacks should wear dresses.

You want fairness and political correctness? Watch figure skating

tec

What does PC have to do with anything I said?

keyser soze

I hate that the crowds are incited to make noise so the visiting team can't hear the play calls.

That's why it's called 'home-field advantage'. It's far worse in domes than in outside stadiums.

Dark Side

What does PC have to do with anything I said?

Everything.

There is only one trophy awarded at the end of the season. You get nothing for participating. You win or you lose. Fairness be damned

Hell, I shout at my TV screen during football games.

tec

I thought home-field advantage was having your energy and morale pumped up because everyone is rooting for you and not the other guys. I think the 'lets not let them hear the play calls' has evolved from that.

So I don't like it. Not for my team and not for another team. It feels like a cheap trick.... one they all use, so it evens it out. But I still don't have to like it - which doesn't mean I can't like the NFL. Don't tell me there's no NFL rules that you hate.

Tammy

Dark Side

I thought home-field advantage was having your energy and morale pumped up because everyone is rooting for you and not the other guys. I think the 'lets not let them hear the play calls' has evolved from that.

So I don't like it. Not for my team and not for another team. It feels like a cheap trick.... one they all use, so it evens it out. But I still don't have to like it - which doesn't mean I can't like the NFL. Don't tell me there's no NFL rules that you hate.

Stop being such a girl

tec

I can't help it.

I was born that way :)

elderelite

tammy,

girls dont get it. the noise is part of the mob mentality. but if your team can go in and punch the home team in the mouth it shuts that crowd noise right down. dont forget that teams play home/home so your team gets home field for a game, at least in division. its fair enough.

i say scream your guts out. it makes victory that much more satisfying

Good news, NFL fans...just say no to vuvuzelas

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