Live Football

Random thoughts from watching the 49ers and Seahawks live in San Francisco last weekend:

• Football is best watched on television. The high definition telecasts, commentating, and ability to turn your attention to other games in between the long gaps in between plays and drives is simply better than the traffic, heat, jammed cell phone reception, and annoying fans that you must deal with when at the actual game.
• That being said, the live experience is still something that I still would love go for once a year. You simply cannot replace the feel of the game that you get from actually being there in person. The intensity of third downs, the crowd noise, the difficulty of an offense operating deep inside their own territory, and so much more can only be properly comprehended live.
• Watching what is happening on the sidelines is fascinating. For example, T.J. Houshmandzadeh came off the field after a series screaming at his position coach demanding the ball. He had to be restrained from shouting back at a 49ers fan in the stands. He later walked up to head coach Jim Mora presumably to express his frustration, but Mora either did not notice or pretending to be too busy to wisely avoid the confrontation. Seneca Wallace later came up to him, tapped him on the helmet in encouragement. Of course, the next two drives saw Housh get a couple catches, including one endzone target. It will be interesting to see how the Seahawks' most prominent offseason acquisition fits in, as Seattle has never really had such an alpha, perhaps diva, wide receiver.
• I was also fascinated by the many substitutions in between every single play. On defense, Seattle will rotate most of its defensive line in and out of the game, presumably in an effort to keep them fresh. On offense, Seattle changed their running backs nearly every play. While I understand the strategy involved, how certain players are better suited in certain roles and situations, playing towards the matchups, and am sure the coaches have even more reasons that I can come up with, I also think that this all makes it difficult for some players to get into a rhythm and flow in the game.
• Next year the Seattle Seahawks visit the San Diego Chargers, an occurrence that only takes place every eight years. After that, I think it will finally be time for me to look to find my way up to Quest Field and experience a home Seahawk game...with 67,000 of my peers.