I don't like to get overenthusiastic in praising the NFL. Yes, I really enjoy the product the league puts on my tv screen (and my PCs and iPad) each fall Sunday. That doesn't mean I'm completely comfortable with the immense commerce and violence that goes with it.
With that reader-stopping introduction out of the way, I will say this (in bold, in attempt to overcome that paragraph above):
The NFL's new Game Rewind package is amazing.
I'm in the middle of a week-long free trial, but I am pretty sure Roger Goodell & Co. will get my $69.99 for a full season subscription next week.
Game Rewind gives you every game -- not live, but a day or so after the game ends, it should be noted -- on PC or tablet in three formats: the full broadcast, the "condensed" version with only the plays and penalty explanations, and "coaches' film," which is a high, "all-22" shot from the side and a high shot from the end zone on every play.
As someone who has spent good portions of his professional life trying to be innovative in sports coverage and encouraging user participation, I repeat: this is amazing. From the NFL, of all leagues.
Here are two ways I'd hope many, many fans use the Game Rewind telestrator:
1. Becoming amateur analysts a la ESPN's superb "NFL Matchup" show (shouldn't this show have its own web page, btw?). You can see my first experiment in this vein above, on a play in which Steelers linebacker Jason Worilds (No. 93) beat the Broncos' pass protection and sacked Peyton Manning.
2. Marking up embarrassing plays made by teams you root against to send/post for friends who like that team. This may be the higher-level use, in fact.
I took a crack at No. 1 this afternoon, taking apart Mark Sanchez's touchdown throw to Stephen Hill in the Jets' 48-28 win over the Bills last Sunday. Setting the stage, this was the first play of the second quarter, with the Jets leading 7-0 and facing second and 7 from Buffalo's 33 yard line.
1. Sanchez drops back, with Hill (in white circle) covered by Bills cornerback Aaron Williams (blue X). Sanchez seems to be looking at backup tight end Jeff Cumberland in the left-middle of the field (see how I have the arrow pointing there?).
2. Sanchez pump-fakes in Cumberland's general direction, and Williams (blue X) hesitates, squaring toward the middle of the field. Hill (white circle) keeps on running.
3. Sanchez throws the ball as Hill separates from Williams. It doesn't hurt that Williams seems to have stumbled as he realizes the pump fake was indeed fake.
4. Hill scores. Even the replacement ref in the lower right knows it.
That was pretty easy for me to put together. I know at least one major outlet has done something similar (actually, it's a lot better): CBS's Will Brinson, dissecting the performance by Cowboys WR Kevin Ogletree in Week 1. Have you seen anyone else doing this sort of thing? Hoping to see fans and journalists take advantage of this cool new tool this fall ...
[A postscript: The Apple app store is full of one-star reviews for the app because you can't stream it to your television via Apple TV. This is not an issue for me, but obviously for many out there, it is.]
As the National Football League season begins this week, fans of the game and league have a selection of options that help them get through the season. One of the most well-known features for views have always been DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket,
