How do you separate eras of the NFL?

[ShinobiMusashi]

Ok it was 2009 when they started with the all pink breast cancer awareness stuff. I think it's awesome that they raised money for that if that's where that money truly went to. But this may belong more in the controversial opinions thread but I feel like it was just a corporate marketing ploy to go as extreme with it with the pink everywhere every October in order to appeal the NFL to different demographic for advertising dollars(also point out how it was about breast cancer and not other cancers). With that and with that Steelers/Cardinals Super Bowl epic being Madden's last game I'm willing to move the end of that era back to 2008 as it's end. That Super Bowl did feel like the end of an era in real time to me for some reason something felt different there 2009-2010, I believe the Saints bounty gate stuff happened here. They got in trouble for purposefully injuring guys, something that was celebrated in that era from 1978 to 2008 I feel. Also I think it was 2010 when they started fining James Harrison for the hits that would have been celebrated in the previous era. The explosion of passing offense in 2011 that followed. Quarterbacks being bubble wrapped, hitting being outlawed, and all the insane offensive stats going forward from that point. Also the modern collective bargaining agreement I believe we got in 2011 where players no longer had contact/practices as much. That changed something I feel.

[Bob Gill]

1920 to 1932, the beginning of the NFL, leather or no helmets, completely different shaped ball, forward passing was in caveman days, Red Grange and Ernie Nevers, revolving door of teams in and out of the league from year to year, no NFL title game, no divisions, no official stats kept.

1933 to 1949, 33 the beginning of a new era without question, the first year with the league divided up into divisions, first year we got an official title game, first year official stats were kept,

Just for the record, the league actually started keeping stats in 1932, not '33. But given all the other stuff that changed in 1933, I think you're right and it's still a better place to start the next era.

[Oszuscik]

Ok it was 2009 when they started with the all pink breast cancer awareness stuff. I think it's awesome that they raised money for that if that's where that money truly went to. But this may belong more in the controversial opinions thread but I feel like it was just a corporate marketing ploy to go as extreme with it with the pink everywhere every October in order to appeal the NFL to different demographic for advertising dollars(also point out how it was about breast cancer and not other cancers). With that and with that Steelers/Cardinals Super Bowl epic being Madden's last game I'm willing to move the end of that era back to 2008 as it's end. That Super Bowl did feel like the end of an era in real time to me for some reason something felt different there 2009-2010, I believe the Saints bounty gate stuff happened here. They got in trouble for purposefully injuring guys, something that was celebrated in that era from 1978 to 2008 I feel. Also I think it was 2010 when they started fining James Harrison for the hits that would have been celebrated in the previous era. The explosion of passing offense in 2011 that followed. Quarterbacks being bubble wrapped, hitting being outlawed, and all the insane offensive stats going forward from that point. Also the modern collective bargaining agreement I believe we got in 2011 where players no longer had contact/practices as much. That changed something I feel.

Not to mention that 2009 was when the league first allowed teams to sport advertising patches on their practice jerseys.

[Oszuscik]

1922-1949: I consider to be the "Iron Man" era. Leather helmets, players played both sides of the ball, classic rough and tumble football.

1950-1960: To me, this is when the game I recognize was formed. In 1950 the league allowed unlimited substitution, bringing about offensive and defensive platoon and more specialized players. The growth of the league in the '50s was the beginnings of the league we have today.

1961-1977: The golden era. I know it's a cop-out to begin an era when the schedule was expanded, but 1961 was the first year the NFL began to take countermeasures against the AFL, which had their first season in 1960. This era began the war of the NFL vs. AFL, culminating in the Super Bowl and league merger.

1978-1992: The '78 rule changes changed the game forever. Limiting what a DB could do to a receiver and expanding what the OL could do as blockers opened up the passing game immensely. This era also included the fight for free agency, with two strikes and the Plan B half-measure.

1993-2008: Free agency finally comes to the NFL. The Cowboys dynasty falls apart prematurely due, in part, to losing players in free agency. The 49ers "buy" a championship in '94. The way teams are built is changed forever. Also in this era is the looming issue of concussions. Troy Aikman and Steve Young become high profile victims to concussions, followed by Mike Webster's death, culminating in 2009 with the league finally admitting concussions cause long-term problems.

2009-Present: Roger Goodell is called before Congress in the fall of '09 to testify on concussions, and as a result rules are emphasized and changed greatly in an attempt to prioritize player safety. Receivers are protected more than ever. QBs become borderline untouchable and offenses explode. And, as a previous post mentioned, things become even more "corporate" with the league. Pink October, advertising patches on practice jerseys, the standardization of the Super Bowl logo...

[Brian wolf]

Another great summarization, Oszuscik ...

[Oszuscik]

Another great summarization, Oszuscik ...

Thank you!

[ShinobiMusashi]

I've seen this topic come up a few times and even in this thread most agree on 1993 being the beginning of a new era, with the start of unrestricted free agency. But let me propose this; does it not feel more like the end of an era type season? To me it fits in with 91-92, even though so many veteran players moved teams for a lot of those guys it was really their last good season of their primes. Look at Bill Fralic, former pro bowl/1st team All Pro in Atlanta in the 80's, goes to Detroit in 93 as an unrestricted free agent. Plays one of his best seasons of his late career playing all 16 games as part of probably Barry's best line he ever had(of course he gets hurt and misses like 9 games that year if I remember right). Barry's backup had a couple of 100+ yard games behind that line whilehe was out. But Fralic would retire at the end of the season.

Also Montana getting knocked out in the AFC Championship in the snow drizzles in Buffalo seemed like the end of an era. I think 1994 really feels more like the start of a new era more so than 93 did. The salary cap did start in 94, broke up my beloved Oilers so that was absolutely the end of an era for them in 93 and start of a new one on opening day 94.

I feel like it would be interesting to look at how many of the big names retired or moved on from their longtime teams after that 93 season.