Official 2011 NFL Season and Predictions Thread

[Rockindeano]

They won't release the list ( they want you to buy the rag I assume), but here is a synopsis.

The rankings are determined by a multi-tiered analysis that examines a team’s efficiency in spending fan money as compared to its on-field performance. It also factors in feedback in 21 categories from more than 70,000 fans nationwide, both online at ESPN.com and in polling conducted by both independent third parties.

The Packers were followed by the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning at number two overall in the Best Franchise In Sports rankings. The NFL’s New Orleans Saints came in at number three, with Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at number four and the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs at number five. Additional leaders include the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder at number six, the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers at number seven, Major League Baseball’s Colorado Rockies at number eight, and the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies and NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins rounding out the top at numbers nine and ten respectively.

In all, 122 teams from the NFL, NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball were ranked in order, based on a weighted average of scores in eight different categories ranging from the quantitative to the emotionally subjective: “bang for the buck” (24.3%), players (16.6%), fan relations (16.5%), affordability (14.1%), stadium experience (9.1%), ownership (9.0%), title track (6.7%), and coaching (3.9%).

“The best teams in sports find ways to reward their fans’ devotion,” said ESPN The Magazine editor, Peter Keating. “The teams at the top of our Ultimate Standings are winners on the field, but, as we write in the magazine, they’re truly notable for returning fans’ love—keeping core players, discounting tickets, investing in their communities. Value, both economic and emotional, has always figured prominently in our rankings, but this year we heard louder than ever that a team’s commitment to its fans matters more than anything else, more than even new stadiums and championship rings.”

The Packers were the top-scoring team in two of the eight categories, topping all other teams in “stadium experience” and tying for the top spot in “title track”—championships won, or expected to be won, during the lifetime of current fans--with the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins. The Packers also ranked fourth overall in “bang for the buck,” and fifth overall in the categories “coaching” and “ownership.” Their fan base makes up a substantial portion of ownership as the only publicly-owned team in U.S. pro sports.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals (#122) and Washington Redskins (#121), were the two lowest-ranked teams in the Ultimate Standings, ranking lower than the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs (#120), the NBA’s Sacramento Kings (#119) and Minnesota Timberwolves (#118), Major League Baseball’s New York Mets (#117), the NBA’s Toronto Raptors (#116), the NHL’s Atlanta Thrashers (#115) and New York Islanders (#114), and the NBA’s Detroit Pistons (#113).

Other notable performers in the Ultimate Standings were:

The Detroit Red Wings ownership group, led by Mike Ilitch, scored highest in the analysis process. Ilitch also owns the Detroit Tigers, who finished 16th overall in this category (the Atlanta Thrashers ownership group, which has since sold the team, scored lowest at 122).
The Memphis Grizzlies scored highest in the category of best “bang for the buck,” determined by wins over the past two seasons per dollar contributed by fans (adjusted for differences in league schedules). The Toronto Maple Leafs scored lowest among all teams in this category, as they also did in the “affordability” category.
The San Antonio Spurs were deemed sports’ best in “fan relations” (openness and consideration of players, coaches and management toward fans) and in “players” (effort on the court/field/ice and likeability off of it); the Bengals scored lowest overall in both these categories, as well as in “title track” (fan expectations for a championship during their lifetime).

[YoungJRNY]

Every year ESPN The Magazine ranks the “Best Franchises In Sports” feature. After placing 90th out of 122 teams last year, the Bengals are last (122nd) of all the teams in professional sports.


Way to go Mikey Brown..

Green Bay Packers Named Best Sports Franchise by ESPN The Magazine

http://www.espnmediazone3.com/us/2011/0 ... in_sports/

No to worry Trav, the Stealers are 6th I believe and the Pens 10th. Biggest surprise is after number 1 (Packers), the Lightning are number 2.

Haven't a worry in the world. Everyone knows where the Steelers as a franchise stands in the world of sports. A no-brainer. The Rooney family is possibly the most caring, well-rounded, & crafted ownership in all of sports, let alone intelligent of going about their business. I mean, 3 coaches since 1969? Incredible.

As far as Tampa. What a complete mockery. All of Sports-Nation should wipe their ass with that selection. Terrible display of picking them number two when they should barely rank in the top 100 in theory.

[Enigma869]

As far as Tampa. What a complete mockery. All of Sports-Nation should wipe their ass with that selection. Terrible display of picking them number two when they should barely rank in the top 100 in theory.

Fuck Tampa and the south! There isn't a city in the south remotely close to worthy of being named a "top" sports city. The South = Sports HELL! The genius that came up with this theory should be given a piss test, IMMEDIATELY!

[Rick]

As far as Tampa. What a complete mockery. All of Sports-Nation should wipe their ass with that selection. Terrible display of picking them number two when they should barely rank in the top 100 in theory.

Fuck Tampa and the south! There isn't a city in the south remotely close to worthy of being named a "top" sports city. The South = Sports HELL!

Another dig on the south. You know what Johnny boy? I'd rather live anywhere in the south than that shit ditch you call home. Your schtick is old, man. People take offense.

[Glenn]

As far as Tampa. What a complete mockery. All of Sports-Nation should wipe their ass with that selection. Terrible display of picking them number two when they should barely rank in the top 100 in theory.

Fuck Tampa and the south! There isn't a city in the south remotely close to worthy of being named a "top" sports city. The South = Sports HELL! The genius that came up with this theory should be given a piss test, IMMEDIATELY!

Easy there Nomar....I know all about The Hub from living there for 20 years. But are little sports town down here is something to be proud of.

[Enigma869]

Another dig on the south. You know what Johnny boy? I'd rather live anywhere in the south than that shit ditch you call home. Your schtick is old, man. People take offense.

I could care less who takes offense. I don't come onto this board to hold hands and sing "We are the World". I come here to offer an opinion. My opinion is no more or no less valid than the ones you express. I also don't give a flying fuck what you think about Boston. My post wasn't about "The South". My post was about the fact that I believe the vast majority of Southern cities are AWFUL sports cities. Hell, Atlanta couldn't sell out World Series tickets when the Braves got there. If you want to talk about the passion people in the south have for college football or the endless left hand turn, then I'll actually agree with you!