Realignment

[doctor_insanus]

As a lifelong football fan, I was excited to hear that the NFL has agreed to realign for the 2002 season.

NFC
East
Dallas, NY Giants, Philadelphia, Washington
South
Atlanta, Carolina, New Orleans, Tampa Bay
North
Chicago, Detroit, Green Bay, Minnesota
West
Arizona, St. Louis, San Francisco, Seattle
AFC
East
Buffalo, Miami, New England, NY Jets
South
Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Tennessee
North
Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pittsburgh
West
Denver, Kansas City, Oakland, San Diego

Personally, I've always been an NFC East fan (Cowboys!), so I was glad to see it remain practically unchanged. I always look forward to games between the Cowboys, Giants, Eagles, and Redskins, because those teams just don't like each other!

Anyone else psyched? Pissed? Blissfully unaware?

 

[Merelan]

But they are still wearing the tight pants right?

 

[doctor_insanus]

But they are still wearing the tight pants right?

Don't think they discussed that at the meeting!

 

[Weird Harold]

NFC
South
Atlanta, Carolina, New Orleans, Tampa Bay
AFC
East
Buffalo, Miami, New England, NY Jets
South
Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Tennessee

...
Anyone else psyched? Pissed? Blissfully unaware?

I'm curious as to why Tampa Bay is in the south, but Miami is more "East" than Indianapolis is? It's a bit confusing to watch the weather channel show snow storms in Indiana and think of Indianapolis as being in the "South!"

I do think they realignment is long overdue and it's essentially logical divisions when considering the historical rivalries.

Sports Talk Radio seems to be in favor of it but there hasn't been much comment elsewhere. Since it doesn't take effect until the 2002 season, it's not really an urgent consideration for me.

Now, how are the going to realign the playoff system? Go to 16 teams, cut back to only 8 teams, or leave it at 12 teams?

 

[doctor_insanus]

My understanding is that leaving Miami in the AFC East was done to preserve the old AFL Eastern Division.

As far as the playoffs are concerned, so far it sounds like they're sticking with 12 teams for the time being. Possibly expanding after a year or two.