88Comrade2000 Posted July 12, 2000 Share Posted July 12, 2000 Pro Athlon had an article on Realignment 1970 and listed all 5 plans. Just think, our biggest rival(Dallas) might not have happened. We sure got lucky when Rozelle's secratary picked plan 3: The only one with Dallas in the nfc east. Plan 3: East: Skins,Boys,Eagles,Giants, Cards Central: Lions, Packers,Bears,Vikings West: Falcons,Saints, Niners,Rams What they could've done here was switch the Cards and Falcons and it would've been the best plan. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What might of been: Plan 1: East: Giants,Skins,Eagles,Falcons,Vikings Central: Bears,Lions,Packers,Saints West: 49ers,Rams,Boys,Cards Put the Vikings in the Central and this plan is probably the 2nd best. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Plan 2: East: Giants,Skins, Eagles,Vikings Central: Boys,Cards,Saints,Falcons West: 49ers,Rams,Bears,Packers,Lions A horrible plan, 3 midwest teams out west; worst plan? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Plan 4: East: Giants,Skins,Eagles,Cards,Vikings Central: Bears,Packers,Lions,Falcons West: 49ers,Rams,Boys,Saints Put the Vikings in Central and this plan is third best. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Plan 5: East: Giants, Skins, Eagles, Lions, Vikings Central: Bears, Packers, Boys, Cards West: 49ers, Rams, Falcons, Saints Put the Lions, Vikings in the Central; Cards out West and Boys in the East. 2nd worst plan they had. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KMP Posted July 12, 2000 Share Posted July 12, 2000 I love talking about NFL history. Thanks for bringing this topic up. One of the things you're missing with the 1970s realignment is the Conference relocation of the Colts, Steelers and Browns. These three teams were part of the NFL when it fully merged with the upstart AFL in 1970. These three teams sacrificed their histories and rivalries by moving to the AFC instead of sticking with the NFC. What if three other teams had moved to the AFC? What if one of those teams was the Redskins? What I'm saying here is that hindsight is always 20-20. Everything looks easier once the perspective is after the fact. But back in 1969 when all this was decided the defending NFL Champion Baltimore Colts were still owned by Carroll Rosembloom before he switched franchises with Bob Irsay and the then Los Angeles Rams. Imagine asking a defending champion to move out. Also 1969 was the first season of play for the Saints and Falcons. They were slotted to play in the West and the NFL brain trust didn't want to upset any rivalries just starting to bud with the Rams and 49ers one year later in 1970. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88Comrade2000 Posted July 12, 2000 Author Share Posted July 12, 2000 The article only focused on the changes in the old NFL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest E.J. Harris Posted July 12, 2000 Share Posted July 12, 2000 Just get those Cardinals out of the East. They are on the WEST coast. Move the Falcons over to the East. Or Tampa. ------------------ E.J. Harris Charmine Christian Entertainment, Inc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indyskinsfan Posted July 13, 2000 Share Posted July 13, 2000 Got that right, as far as I'm concerned, E.J. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88Comrade2000 Posted July 13, 2000 Author Share Posted July 13, 2000 Why Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cleveland and not someelse? I don't think the NFL was going to let top markets go over to the afc. Pittsburgh had done nothing at that time, remember this was before the Steelers became good and dominated the 70's. Baltimore was close to D.C., so ship them off to the afc. Cleveland, I guess Art Crowdell was a league guy and $3million didn't hurt. I really don't think to many of the old nfl teams would've moved beside the ones picked. I think Cleveland should've stayed in the nfc and they could've shipped Minnesota or St. Louis Cards to he afc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KMP Posted July 13, 2000 Share Posted July 13, 2000 Why Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cleveland and not someelse? All three teams accepted Pete Rozelle's offer to move to the AFC after much arm twisting. Every old NFL team, save for the Falcons and Saints, were offered the opportunity to move. Rozelle thought two power NFL teams like the Browns and Colts would help prop up the new American Football Conference. Give it some legitimacy after years of the NFL telling folks the AFL was a minor bush league. That and some $ as incentive helped Rosenbloom and Modell along. The Steelers on the other hand moved because on one else would. Late Steelers owner Art Rooney said he'd move his moribund franchise for the good of the game. That's just the kind of guy Rooney was. Fitting he should win 4 Super Bowls the following decade. Nice guys do finish first sometimes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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