NBC to use "Skycam angle" For Steelers/Titans

[BlackAndGold]

928705069817716737

Some fans already dislike this but I like it. Something different, also gives fans a different view of the game.


But not seeing everyone on the field is the only downside, reason why I doubt it'll stick.

[AtlantaDan]

928705069817716737

Some fans already dislike this but I like it. Something different, also gives fans a different view of the game.


But not seeing everyone on the field is the only downside, reason why I doubt it'll stick.

This will not end well - should do it in some dregs early afternoon regional game to get feedback and work out kinks - NFL seems to be trying to come up with new reasons to antagonize fans

[ALLD]

It's a gimmick and could be used here and there, but as a primary angle I think it would give me a headache.

[Craic]

And suddenly, I'm considering not watching the game.

[Butch]

I can't stand it, but isn't that like the NFL nothing but gimmicks

[AtlantaDan]

NBC is doing it now for series on Cardinals-Seahawks. On long pass plays it is disorienting - lack of depth perception makes likelihood of completion difficult to see. As BlackAndGold posted above, the camera angle cuts out WRs and CBs at the time of the snap - WR coming into the picture from the right or left of the screen as the pass is thrown is another problem.

Mike Tirico casually lies by claiming that broadcast angle next week is by popular demand.

[Hawkman]

This is nothing new. Just using it a little more and in different ways. Doesn't bother me.

[pczach]

I like that you can see plays develop and get a better idea what everyone is doing on the field, but on every down it just doesn't work as well. It's almost like just watching film of the game.

IMO, this format would be much better to run from behind the offense on replays only. That way you can really use it as a tool to see how plays are constructed, see what the QB is seeing, and also see the coverages and the reactions after the snap of the ball so you know exactly what to look for on each play.

[DesertSteel]

I don't like it for running plays.

[JimHarbaugh'ssoakedtissue]

This is another huge reason NFL ratings are down. Most fans want to watch football like it was in the past. Not fans of the fancy electronic toys the NFL keeps trying.

[tube517]

Are they forecasting fog for next Thursday's game????

[86WARD]

It’s cool if you want to breakdown the game. For TV viewing it is terrible. It’s nit television friendly when the angle is so low. If they possibly raised the angle so you could see more downfield (field in front of the play) it would be better but still not TV friendly for viewership.

[teegre]

Vince McMahon turns his head in shame.

[AtlantaDan]

It’s cool if you want to breakdown the game. For TV viewing it is terrible. It’s nit television friendly when the angle is so low. If they possibly raised the angle so you could see more downfield (field in front of the play) it would be better but still not TV friendly for viewership.

But 18 -34 age viewers grew up playing Madden with this perspective so this camera angle will bring them back!

NFL game viewership this season is down about 7 percent from the same point last season and 18 percent compared with the same point in the 2015 season. More concerning for network executives is the 11 percent across-the-board ratings drop in the 18- to 34-year-old demographic, the biggest drop of any demo.More concerning for network executives is the 11 percent across-the-board ratings drop in the 18- to 34-year-old demographic, the biggest drop of any demo.

Maybe try this instead to fix Thursday Night Football

Network executives never have warmed to the expansion of “Thursday Night Football” from eight NFL Network-only games to 18 over NFL Network, CBS (http://companies.bizjournals.com/profile/cbs/135154/) and NBC. Media executives and some sponsors informally have lobbied the NFL to move back to an eight-game, NFL Network-only package that would return 10 games to the Sunday afternoon packages.

https://www.bizjournals.com/newyork/news/2017/10/24/is-oversaturation-the-reason-nfl-ratings-are-down.html

This stunt is like trying to end a drought by doing a rain dance

[FrancoLambert]

The "hoped for" increase in viewership by the 18 to 34 year old demographic will be offset by the decline in viewership by the over 34 year old demographic.

I guess desperate times for the NFL definitely does lead to desperate measures.

[SteelerFanInStl]

I'm not a big fan of it. You can't see enough of the field. It's the NFL trying to cater to the Madden fans. I play Madden but I change my default view to be more zoomed out.

[steelreserve]

Ah. I see someone who thinks Madden and live football are the same thing finally got old enough to become a TV producer.

This should appeal to all his fellow Madden fans and fantasy junkies in his own up-and-coming band of superheroes, the Immobile Couch-Mounted Bong Force.

[DesertSteel]

What I don't like is that you can't see the first down line.

[86WARD]

But 18 -34 age viewers grew up playing Madden with this perspective so this camera angle will bring them back!

NFL game viewership this season is down about 7 percent from the same point last season and 18 percent compared with the same point in the 2015 season. More concerning for network executives is the 11 percent across-the-board ratings drop in the 18- to 34-year-old demographic, the biggest drop of any demo.More concerning for network executives is the 11 percent across-the-board ratings drop in the 18- to 34-year-old demographic, the biggest drop of any demo.

Maybe try this instead to fix Thursday Night Football

Network executives never have warmed to the expansion of “Thursday Night Football” from eight NFL Network-only games to 18 over NFL Network, CBS (http://companies.bizjournals.com/profile/cbs/135154/) and NBC. Media executives and some sponsors informally have lobbied the NFL to move back to an eight-game, NFL Network-only package that would return 10 games to the Sunday afternoon packages.

https://www.bizjournals.com/newyork/news/2017/10/24/is-oversaturation-the-reason-nfl-ratings-are-down.html

This stunt is like trying to end a drought by doing a rain dance

I grew up playing Madden and that’s not the angle. The angle is higher where you can see more of the field and the defense. The angle they are showing in clips and during Fog Bowl 2 are much lower. Unless they lowered it as of recent releases.

[AtlantaDan]

What I don't like is that you can't see the first down line.

Another good point

There is a reason the most expensive football tickets are between the 30s rather than the end zone in football while the best baseball seats are as close as possible to behind home plate

Camera angles for football and basketball were set up at midfield/center court while baseball was set up behind home plate/centerfield when TV sports broadcast techniques were being established through trial and error for a reason - it is not as if the technology to set up two cameras in either end zone has never been available until recently

CBS will occasionally use a camera behind the basket for a few plays in the NCAA tournament but not for the entire game

[tube517]

Vince McMahon turns his head in shame.

http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/055/562/42b.gif

[AtlantaDan]

I grew up playing Madden and that’s not the angle. The angle is higher where you can see more of the field and the defense. The angle they are showing in clips and during Fog Bowl 2 are much lower. Unless they lowered it as of recent releases.

I will take your word over that of the serial liars who market the NFL but that is how this is being marketed

"We are excited to present a game with the majority of live-action coverage coming from SkyCam," said Fred Gaudelli, Executive Producer of NBC Sunday Night Football and Thursday Night Football...

By pivoting to the SkyCam, NBC hopes to attract younger viewers who grew up playing "Madden" video games, which employs a view from behind the quarterback.

"Younger generations of NFL fans have grown accustomed (https://twitter.com/jwyattsports/status/928657993373306880) to watching football from this angle through their love of video games. This telecast will have a look and feel akin to that experience," Gaudelli said.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000874349/article/nbc-to-utilize-skycam-for-titanssteelers-tnf-game
No surprise Madden 17 shows the WRs and CBs

Madden 17 image

https://s.candybanana.com/images/49d0/madden_nfl_17_1.jpg


NBC SkyCam image

https://streamable.com/8yi3y

[AtlantaDan]

I grew up playing Madden and that’s not the angle. The angle is higher where you can see more of the field and the defense. The angle they are showing in clips and during Fog Bowl 2 are much lower. Unless they lowered it as of recent releases.

Thanks for the perspective of someone who has played the videogame and can call out the NFL

I will take your word over that of the serial liars who market the NFL but that is how this is being sold

"We are excited to present a game with the majority of live-action coverage coming from SkyCam," said Fred Gaudelli, Executive Producer of NBC Sunday Night Football and Thursday Night Football...

By pivoting to the SkyCam, NBC hopes to attract younger viewers who grew up playing "Madden" video games, which employs a view from behind the quarterback.

"Younger generations of NFL fans have grown accustomed (https://twitter.com/jwyattsports/status/928657993373306880) to watching football from this angle through their love of video games. This telecast will have a look and feel akin to that experience," Gaudelli said.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000874349/article/nbc-to-utilize-skycam-for-titanssteelers-tnf-game
(http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000874349/article/nbc-to-utilize-skycam-for-titanssteelers-tnf-game)
No surprise Madden 17 shows the WRs and CBs

Madden 17 image

https://s.candybanana.com/images/49d0/madden_nfl_17_1.jpg

Skycam angle - no WRs or CBs - maybe younger generations love not seeing players for those positions and getting 18 out of 22 players in the screen is "akin" to the Madden experience :noidea:
http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/5a04c4cb3dbef4b5748b4ac4-1403/screen%20shot%202017-11-09%20at%2041023%20pm.png

[DesertSteel]

I like the view on replays and on occasional live shots. No way do I prefer it as my bread and butter shot!

[AtlantaDan]

I like the view on replays and on occasional live shots. No way do I prefer it as my bread and butter shot!

It takes us back to the old standard def 4x3 screen ratio days when the standard shot before the snap could not fit the WRs on the screen

Back to the future!

[SteelerFanInStl]

I grew up playing Madden and that’s not the angle. The angle is higher where you can see more of the field and the defense. The angle they are showing in clips and during Fog Bowl 2 are much lower. Unless they lowered it as of recent releases.

I've played (and still play) Madden since the beginning. There are multiple views that you can use in Madden. The default view isn't the one in the screen shot in the post from AtlantaDan. That's the one that I use. The default Madden view is very close to what the Sky Cam shows. It's too close for me and that's why I don't like to use it. I like to see the whole field.

[DesertSteel]

I've played (and still play) Madden since the beginning. There are multiple views that you can use in Madden. The default view isn't the one in the screen shot in the post from AtlantaDan. That's the one that I use. The default Madden view is very close to what the Sky Cam shows. It's too close for me and that's why I don't like to use it. I like to see the whole field.
Will we be able to call our own plays on Thursday night??

[86WARD]

I like the view on replays and on occasional live shots. No way do I prefer it as my bread and butter shot!

This.

[Mojouw]

This totally seems most like some out of touch TV Producer - who actually doesn't understand either football or video games made a decision and a bunch of other out of touch execs sat around a table and nodded and said "Great Idea!!".

I'll give it a shot and I think it is not a bad idea for the NFL to try innovative new ideas -- not sure this the one...

As I have said elsewhere, the NFL is freaking out about lower ratings and is flailing about trying to "fix it". But they refuse to address the fundamental problem(s):

1. People (esp. young people) are watching far far less live TV. Likely no way to change that.
2. There is too much football on TV.
3. Thursday night games suck. Everyone but the league office acknowledges and recognizes this. Camera angles are not the answer.

With fundamentals eroding across the league, coaches refusing to adjust to the evolving skill-sets of players (look at how much better the Rams are w/out Jeff Fisher), game-plans becoming ever more complex, and a variety of other factors -- it makes no sense for the NFL to continually insist that teams attempt to play a quality prime-time game on short rest and prep. How many years has this been? Enough to get good data and we can easily see that scoring is down, penalties are up, and the home team usually wins.

[86WARD]

Will we be able to call our own plays on Thursday night??

Lol. Spam the Strong I HB Blast...

[SteelerFanInStl]

Will we be able to call our own plays on Thursday night??

Now that would be cool! :lol:

[43Hitman]

I stopped playing Madden in 2012, I got tired of paying $60+ for updated rosters and stupid player cards.

[teegre]

Call me old, but I prefer the Pac-Man view.

[43Hitman]

Call me old, but I prefer the Pac-Man view.
:lol:

[Steeldude]

The destruction of the NFL continues.

[fansince'76]

Call me old, but I prefer the Pac-Man view.

Dating myself with this one as well...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MfAYq0DZJs

:chuckle:

[tube517]

http://www.handheldmuseum.com/Mattel/Mattel-FootballI.jpg :old: :chuckle:

[JimHarbaugh'ssoakedtissue]

Dating myself with this one as well...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MfAYq0DZJs

:chuckle: Na thinking your nic dated you about 7 years back.

[Steeldude]

Dating myself with this one as well...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MfAYq0DZJs

:chuckle:

I still have that game and console.

- - - Updated - - -


http://www.handheldmuseum.com/Mattel/Mattel-FootballI.jpg :old: :chuckle:

I have the part 2 version. http://www.handheldmuseum.com/Mattel/Mattel-Football2.jpg

[86WARD]

Dating myself with this one as well...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MfAYq0DZJs

:chuckle:

Lol. I loved that game when it came out and then there was the Nintendo football that was awesome...

[teegre]

Dating myself with this one as well...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MfAYq0DZJs

:chuckle:


I remember the day that my dad brought home Pong. :lol:

[ALLD]

This was a lot of fun.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1T1u3tBRkg

[Mojouw]

http://img1.game-oldies.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/titles/nintendo-nes/10-yard-fight-usa-europe.png?itok=Wh6vnzVW

[86WARD]

http://img1.game-oldies.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/titles/nintendo-nes/10-yard-fight-usa-europe.png?itok=Wh6vnzVW

Loved that game.

[43Hitman]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwAtZpcfXHk

[AtlantaDan]

There will be some sanity regarding the SkyCam experiment Thursday night

“We really want to try to be smart about it and not just say, ‘Here’s SkyCam, come hell or high water.’” Specifically, that means that it won’t be used on third down or in the red zone....

One issue to watch is long pass plays, which [NBC] expects to be a challenge, albeit not a big one.

http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2017/11/14/skycam-nbc-thursday-night-football-steelers-titans/stories/201711140183

Good luck with figuring out whether there is a chance of a completion on long passes from the SkyCam angle

[DesertSteel]

I'm expecting it to suck.

[Butch]

Hmmmm they came up with the idea after doing a game in Gillette stadium??? Of all the games they select a Steelers game. Why do I get the feeling there is a piece of crap organization behind all this? I mean the 1st time I heard about this was a week before the game. Something just sounds suspicious to me. To me I would think if they are going to experiment with this it would be a game that people don't care about in order to generate more interest in that game.

[SteelMember]

Isn't this also the game the Steelers are to wear their all black, Gotham City color rush uniforms... which I think look pretty bad ass . Titans in all baby blue... not so much. :chuckle:

Thursday must be the new brain storming test platform. :nerd:

[AtlantaDan]

ESPN has been using SkyCam since 2004. Shocking news - it is an inferior viewing angle

ESPN, meanwhile, has been providing SkyCam as an alternative digital option since 2004. Feedback for its college football SkyCam products has shown "an appetite for them," said Ed Placey, ESPN's senior coordinating producer for college football. But after seeing enough instances when SkyCam provides an inferior angle -- especially on downfield plays and on swing passes to the wide part of the field -- Placey came to view it as a secondary option.

"The initial reaction to SkyCam that we saw was, 'We'd love to see every play from SkyCam,'" Placey said. "But then you realize that the plays we would normally show from SkyCam are the ones that look great from SkyCam. But not every play looks great from it."...

"It's a good experience if that's what you're looking for," Placey said. "As a second screen [online], it gets pretty consistent numbers. So it's not an audience that checked it out and is now slowly declining. We saw there was enough of an appetite to give the viewers that choice, but there are too many times when it has an inferior angle. We've understood that for years, and that's why for us it is a secondary option."

http://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/257486/is-the-madden-view-a-changeup-or-the-future-of-football-broadcasting

Screw NBC for trying out this gimmick in a Steelers game and for the NFL being afraid to tell NBC not to do it since the league is terrified of rights holders being ticked off about declining ratings.

No surprise ESPN has not tried out this gimmick in its MNF broadcasts, which also have ratings issues, since it has a decade of experience with its drawbacks

[Rotorhead]

What would be cool is if everyone had mini helmet cams (small like a phone camera so it doesnt add undo bulk to the helmets) and online you could cycle through each persons cam during the game to see it from any persons perspective. That would be innovative. You could then don a VR setup and feel more immersed in the game.

[86WARD]

That would actually be very cool.

[Lady Steel]

I'm expecting it to suck.

Me, too. I'm old school and like my football the old fashioned way.




Isn't this also the game the Steelers are to wear their all black, Gotham City color rush uniforms... which I think look pretty bad ass . Titans in all baby blue... not so much. :chuckle:

Thursday must be the new brain storming test platform. :nerd:

Yes, the Steelers will be wearing their color rush uniforms.

[AtlantaDan]

Yes, the Steelers will be wearing their color rush uniforms.

Black & Gold
930875071379492865
versus Baby Blue

931191461583958021

Sad!

[Lady Steel]

I agree, Dan. Our color rush unis are so badass and the Titans' look like powder puffs. :lol:


Skycams...

931290870271348742


931290468708732929

[pepsyman1]

What I don't like is that you can't see the first down line.


This is really the only issue I have with it. I like watching the play develop which is harder from a traditional view. I like that they have it, they don't have to use it exclusively. They should choose the angle based on down and distance because you've got an idea of what kind of play might be called. If it's a 3 and 1 call trying to get a first down, looking down the line of scrimmage is obviously more valuable.

[Mojouw]

I didn't hate the camera. Not sure I loved it either.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[86WARD]

I’ll be honest...I didn’t hate it. I didn’t love it here but I didn’t hate it as much as I thought. It was actually nice to see some of the plays develop and the routes work themselves out.

[SteelerFanInStl]

It's OK to use as a change of pace. I don't want to see it as the main view though.

[86WARD]

It's OK to use as a change of pace. I don't want to see it as the main view though.

Agree. But I don’t think
I would mind it more than just change of pace...it has to be the right plays though...which you can’t predict.

[86WARD]

I liked watching the defense when Titans had the ball and I liked watching the receivers run routes. You really get a feel for who was open. That one out route to Bryant where Ben threw the ball and it was half way there before Bryant turned around is cool. You don’t see that on the other angles.

[SteelerFanInStl]

I liked watching the defense when Titans had the ball and I liked watching the receivers run routes. You really get a feel for who was open. That one out route to Bryant where Ben threw the ball and it was half way there before Bryant turned around is cool. You don’t see that on the other angles.

agreed

[BlackAndGold]

I thought the skycam was great.

[BlackAndGold]

931352695121829888

[Count Steeler]

Time for some innovation from the TV gurus. Why not some split screens? With HD TV and 4K TV, you can get more content on the screen. Might not be for everyone, but I would certainly be interested.

[AtlantaDan]

I thought the skycam was great.

I got used to it and it is an option to mix up the standard viewing angle. Still prefer the sideline angle.

[vasteeler]

My biggest complaint, it was hard to see how many yards we're gained. Especially on running plays.

[tube517]

Time for some innovation from the TV gurus. Why not some split screens? With HD TV and 4K TV, you can get more content on the screen. Might not be for everyone, but I would certainly be interested.

I was just about to post this.

Didn't SNF on NBC have alternate camera angles? Perhaps, NFLN/Amazon/NBC/CBS should explore this but I'm sure they would probably charge a million dollars for a "premium" package.

By the way, my HD antenna reception was acting up so I was able to stream it through Amazon since they have the TNF games now.

[Shoes]

My biggest complaint, it was hard to see how many yards we're gained. Especially on running plays.

Thats my beef with it also, would be nice if they could mix it up.

[teegre]

My brain kept thinking that it was only a highlight... and thus, I'd "miss" half of the plays. I'd see them, but it wasn't until after the play that I was like: "Oh... that was a nice pass."

(As opposed to my normal way of viewing: "He's open... yes, yes... nice pass, Ben!!!")

[steelreserve]

It worked better than I thought, but I'm glad they didn't use it exclusively. A few places where I think the usual camera angle worked better:

- Sometimes it was hard to tell if the receiver actually caught the ball (black uniforms probably didn't help)

- Telling how many yards someone gained. Especially on short-yardage situations.

- When the offense is starting near its own goal line, they cannot back the camera up far enough.

Other than that it was ok, just took some getting used to. It certainly looked like Mariota was struggling with it.

[lipps83]

931352695121829888

This pic is deceptive because more than a quarter on the right side of the traditional view is cropped off to try to make a point. It is cropped towards the middle for the skycam. However, their point is kind of valid beyond 15 yards. Too bad you can't see the receivers towards the sidelines as well with skycam.

- - - Updated - - -

I kind of got used to the skycam by the middle of the 3rd. 1st half it really made me a bit nauseous. It did show some great views at times, and I like the idea of splitting them up. Maybe traditional on your 1st and 2nd downs, and the skycam for 3rd and long? You wouldn't want the skycam for 3rd and short since it is harder to tell where the ball is in regards to the marker.

[AtlantaDan]

Didn't SNF on NBC have alternate camera angles? Perhaps, NFLN/Amazon/NBC/CBS should explore this but I'm sure they would probably charge a million dollars for a "premium" package.

ESPN offered this for the college football championship (ESPN3/Watch ESPN is the streaming app). Once everything is delivered online rather than through satellite or cable you will get much more of this.

WatchESPN will have all these feeds streaming online, as well as the following other streams dedicated exclusively online:

-Two versions of the ESPN’s traditional telecast, with the radio calls of both Alabama and Clemson providing synced-up commentary on their respective networks. Ever wanted to listen to Eli fully synced to the TV? Now you can!

-Data Center, which will please the statistical person. This will have graphics with analytics, drive charts and more.

-Continuous Sky-Cam feed.

Command Center (ESPN Goal Line)

This is the ultimate hub for a fan. This will have a split-screen view that will cut between various camera feeds, including isolated camera feeds of both head coaches, Nick Saban and Dabo Swinney. Statistics and drive charts also included.


https://www.foxsports.com/college-football/story/how-to-watch-espn-s-2017-national-championship-megacast-010817

[DesertSteel]

I like the angle on obvious passing plays. Let's you see what the QB sees. But I don't care for it on running plays.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

I like the angle on obvious passing plays. Let's you see what the QB sees. But I don't care for it on running plays.

True, I like that you get a better feel for how small the windows are for throwing lanes inside, but you couldn't really see the outside WR at the snap of the ball. On the traps and pulls I like it in the run game, but I am somewhat of a degenerate that loves watching the line play.

[AtlantaDan]

Good analysis of SkyCam pros and cons in this article

The live Skycam is ideal for those who just want to analyze the game of football, while the classic sideline view is probably better for those who just want to see if Antonio Brown got enough yardage for the first down.

Since that second group is a hell of a lot larger than that first one, I think it’s safe to guess that the experiment wasn’t an overwhelming success.

931341927684993030

http://awfulannouncing.com/nfl/skycam-gained-street-cred-thursday-night-itll-never-become-norm.html

[Rotorhead]

The only part I didnt like was the view way up and almost over the top of the plays, I preferred the views behind the OL for the reason many others said. It was nice to see the plays develop, even the running plays. That said, it was difficult to see the 1st down line.

What the league could do is delay the game by 5-10s so they could determine which angle would be best to show for each play, that would smooth things out anyway. I imagine they already do that so they can omit any major gaffes that may accidentally happen.

[teegre]

It certainly looked like Mariota was struggling with it.

:applaudit:

[SteelMember]

Good analysis of SkyCam pros and cons in this article

The live Skycam is ideal for those who just want to analyze the game of football, while the classic sideline view is probably better for those who just want to see if Antonio Brown got enough yardage for the first down.

Since that second group is a hell of a lot larger than that first one, I think it’s safe to guess that the experiment wasn’t an overwhelming success.

931341927684993030

http://awfulannouncing.com/nfl/skycam-gained-street-cred-thursday-night-itll-never-become-norm.html

I think this is where I'm at on the SkyCam. The behind the QB field level was great for seeing the development of the plays. Specifically between the hash marks. More interesting for seeing the holes and windows open, the line blocking, the tight battles that are difficult to see with the down the line cam because there are more players overlapping etc.

But, I would also agree with the LOS and LTG complaints... the depth perception behind the QB is tough. The horizontal lines get really close at that level of perspective. I think we all have been spoiled seeing that 1st down line since they added it, but I can remember a time you had to spot the sticks on the opposite sideline and/or do the math for yourself. It has really been one of the more useful developments, imo. They just need to figure out how the make the yard to gain line work better in this format.

Only other complaint would be they are trying to "fly" the cameras with the action too much. Moving, rotating and changing the focus and depth of field can get a little nauseating. Anywhoo... my .02

[ALLD]

I like the angle on obvious passing plays. Let's you see what the QB sees. But I don't care for it on running plays.

Overhead cam on the running plays is best.

[Mojouw]

Good analysis of SkyCam pros and cons in this article

The live Skycam is ideal for those who just want to analyze the game of football, while the classic sideline view is probably better for those who just want to see if Antonio Brown got enough yardage for the first down.

Since that second group is a hell of a lot larger than that first one, I think it’s safe to guess that the experiment wasn’t an overwhelming success.

931341927684993030

http://awfulannouncing.com/nfl/skycam-gained-street-cred-thursday-night-itll-never-become-norm.html

Easiest thing to do is to work with their broadcast partners to send out 2 feeds - "traditional" and "football nerd". Some sort of way that each viewer can choose - both have the same audio and the same replays (so it doesn't look like non-sense when the commentators start drawing crap on the screen).

It is 2017 for crying out loud - its not like the technology is beyond us...

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I think this is where I'm at on the SkyCam. The behind the QB field level was great for seeing the development of the plays. Specifically between the hash marks. More interesting for seeing the holes and windows open, the line blocking, the tight battles that are difficult to see with the down the line cam because there are more players overlapping etc.

But, I would also agree with the LOS and LTG complaints... the depth perception behind the QB is tough. The horizontal lines get really close at that level of perspective. I think we all have been spoiled seeing that 1st down line since they added it, but I can remember a time you had to spot the sticks on the opposite sideline and/or do the math for yourself. It has really been one of the more useful developments, imo. They just need to figure out how the make the yard to gain line work better in this format.

Only other complaint would be they are trying to "fly" the cameras with the action too much. Moving, rotating and changing the focus and depth of field can get a little nauseating. Anywhoo... my .02

That is about my feelings as well. I liked it to see blocking develop, stunts and shifts, as well as safety movement pre-snap. But my brain had a really hard time figuring out how many yards a play went for all night!

[DesertSteel]

Overhead cam on the running plays is best.
I like seeing the first down line. I like the overhead for replays of the run, but in real time I want to see how close he gets.

[FrancoLambert]

I like the angle on obvious passing plays. Let's you see what the QB sees. But I don't care for it on running plays.

Yeah. I lost a lot of perspective on running plays. I saw a few 6 and 7 yard runs as 3 yard runs. Kickoffs too. Maybe it was my eyes.

Still prefer the standard position better and using the skycam exclusively for select replays.

If it ever became the standard angle I think I'd be inclined to watch less football. Not the Steelers.....just other games without a strong rooting interest.

[Craic]

I hated it for the most part. Couldn't see the WRs line up or the way their routes were run, nor could I see defensive set up on the outside. Also couldn't what was happening away from the ball once the play was moving at times. Of course, that could be because they were too close I thought.

That all being said, I did like seeing how passing lanes and running lanes developed. Since the game was simulcast, I think it would work to have the NFL channel run the skycam angle and NBC running the normal angle. That way, a person can choose.

[JimHarbaugh'ssoakedtissue]

I hated it and guess it's cool if you want to analyze the game but I don't get paid to do so and just want to enjoy it. I have a solution just make games film with these cameras the game of the week on the NFL Network. It would be okay watching it the second time around and may be a reason to want to watch it again. Just don't fix what isn't broken and been working for decades. NFL this is not the reason your ratings are down!

[86WARD]

Time for some innovation from the TV gurus. Why not some split screens? With HD TV and 4K TV, you can get more content on the screen. Might not be for everyone, but I would certainly be interested.

They used to do that online with Sunday Night Football...

[86WARD]

Overhead cam on the running plays is best.

I didn’t like it for the run plays...

[tube517]

They used to do that online with Sunday Night Football...

I thought they did. I remember seeing it and clicking on the other angles all the time.

[86WARD]

I thought they did. I remember seeing it and clicking on the other angles all the time.

I’m not sure they still do it though...they used to promote the hell out of it.

[FrancoLambert]

Note to directors of football telecasts: jumping from one camera angle to another just to prove you can do it gets pretty annoying after a while.

Maybe it's me, but I felt like it took more effort to watch and enjoy the game.

[JimHarbaugh'ssoakedtissue]

Note to directors of football telecasts: jumping from one camera angle to another just to prove you can do it gets pretty annoying after a while.

Maybe it's me, but I felt like it took more effort to watch and enjoy the game. Wasn't just you and was hard to watch for me. I'm not saying can in it but save it for the game of the week or something to that effect. I don't think it's cool for live games.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Wasn't just you and was hard to watch for me. I'm not saying can in it but save it for the game of the week or something to that effect. I don't think it's cool for live games.

I don't think they will adapt it on a larger scale, because the average viewer doesn't seem to like it.

Personally, I like it and never really sweat not having a yellow line, as we never had that back in the 80's and I don't get it in real time in youth or highschool games I am at. I guess I am just used to judging by eye or waiting for refs to mark it off. At the end of the day, if you broadcast the game upside down, I would flip upside down on my recliner to watch the game, so broadcast it and I will watch it.

[BlackAndGold]

Yea the skycam view won't be used on Sundays anytime soon, I could see it being the norm for TNF starting next season. Casual fans could slowly but surely like it.

[JimHarbaugh'ssoakedtissue]

I don't think they will adapt it on a larger scale, because the average viewer doesn't seem to like it.

Personally, I like it and never really sweat not having a yellow line, as we never had that back in the 80's and I don't get it in real time in youth or highschool games I am at. I guess I am just used to judging by eye or waiting for refs to mark it off. At the end of the day, if you broadcast the game upside down, I would flip upside down on my recliner to watch the game, so broadcast it and I will watch it. Maybe I'm just old school and also hate the new Firefox upgrade as well.

[smokin3000gt]

I don't think they'll make a full switch right away but expect to see more of it gradually worked in there until it eventually grows on everyone

[stillers4me]

Yeah...but would the sideline camera catch stuff like this............

931373303608102912

[FrancoLambert]

Yeah...but would the sideline camera catch stuff like this............

931373303608102912

He's at it again! :smoker:

[vader29]

Pittsburgh Dad doesn't like the skycam. :lol:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6RWGbwxgH4

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

He's at it again! :smoker:

I like Soul Train Tomlin on the field better.

[43Hitman]

Pittsburgh Dad doesn't like the skycam. :lol:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6RWGbwxgH4

DILLY! DILLY!

[teegre]

Pittsburgh Dad doesn't like the skycam. :lol:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6RWGbwxgH4


What’s next: Bill Belichick’s Donkey Kong???


The barrels are all deflated... and Mario's secretly videotaping Donkey Kong.

:lol: