The UFL, not the XFL

You know where the XFL failed, when they decided to go all in, put all their eggs in one basket and try to compete with the NFL.

I’m not saying compete as in put their games on Sundays and try to steal ratings from them, but the XFL obviously went after NFL fans and thought that they’d exist in a world where we all know NFL is king.

That’s why I like the UFL; they’re not trying to be a competitor with the NFL, but more of an alternative. They air their games during the week on the Versus and HDNet channels, they allow their players to break contracts to go to the NFL, they understand that NFL is still King.

When the XFL started advertising, they advertised themselves as better than the NFL. They advertised rule changes; there were no fair catches, coin tosses, or extra point kicks. They said their game was more aggressive; they allowed pass interference and made you physically earn the opening possession. And all and all, it failed. Fans weren’t fooled by the product they put on the field. A nice truck made out of shitty parts is still a shitty truck.

And that’s mainly where the UFL and XFL are different. For one, the UFL didn’t put all their eggs in one basket. The XFL tried a big launch with key market teams and air their games on NBC. Suddenly fans realized that the players weren’t at the caliber that they are use to watching, ratings dropped, and NBC backed out.

Secondly, like I stated earlier, the UFL is trying to coexist with the NFL. They haven’t put teams in key NFL markets. They have teams in places like Omaha, Sacramento, and Hartford (plus one coming to VA, Beach in 2011) just to name a few. They haven’t made drastic rule changes to make their game seem better, just subtle ones to make it different (such as how overtime isn’t sudden death, there’s no “tuck rule” and touchdown celebrations are allowed).

As for the product on the field, the names of players and coaches alike will sound familiar to the average football fan. Former AFL head coach, and Jon Gruden’s brother, Jay is one familiar coach you’ll recognize. Add him along with names like Jim Fassel, Dennis Green, and General Manager Rick Mueller, and you know that these players are being coached and managed by experienced veteran coaches. Afterall, sometimes you’re only as good as the gameplan allows.

Then the list of names like Dante Culpepper, Jeff Garcia, Tatum Bell, Dominic Rhodes and Ahman Green show you that this league has experience under the helmets too.

Will the UFL beat the NFL in ratings, or drafting high profile college athletes? No. But what they will provide you is quality football, entertaining games, and your football fix during the week as you wait for your favorite NFL teams to play on Sunday.