On the heels of one of the most-viewed NFL seasons in the league’s history, Harris Interactive released its poll that asked adults about their sports preferences.
Among adults who said that they follow at least one sport, 36 percent chose professional football as their favorite. Major League Baseball came in second at 13 percent. The gap between football and baseball widened, from 14 percentage points in the 2011 poll to 23 percentage points in this year’s survey. That 23-point gap is the largest disparity between the No. 1 and No. 2 sports since the poll’s inception in 1985. Professional football has been selected as the most popular sport in each year since the poll began.
The NFL has grown from 24 percent choosing it as their favorite sport in 1985 to 36 percent in 2011. The gap between football and the second-most popular sport has grown as well, from one percentage point in 1985.
The percentage of fans that named pro football as their favorite sport jumped from 31 percent in 2010 — a five-percentage-point increase, the highest in the poll’s history. Since 1985, the NFL’s popularity has increased by 12 percent while baseball, which remains the No. 2 sport, has dropped by 10 percent. No other sport has increased by more than three percent during that span.
Full poll results and methodology are available from Harris Interactive.
-Stuart Zaas
Tags: harris poll
It is very easy to see that the NFL is the most popular! I would think NASCAR has been climbing the list.
I hope Supercross and Motocross can climb up there. Best racing by far.
Great article on Wesley Woodyard. What a classy guy. Here’s the link for the entire article. Excerpt below:
http://www.milehighsports.com/?p=8378
A GOOD GUY WHO SHOULD FINISH FIRST
Wesley Woodyard deserves to be the starter in Denver
By Brandon Spano
Throughout this season, I had an opportunity to meet and build a relationship with one of the finest human beings that I have or will ever talk to. He’s humble, he’s funny and he shows respect to those around him. Football is his love, but kids are his passion. His family is his backbone and his relationship with his religion has no bounds.
The experts have bet against Wesley Woodyard and he has proven most of them wrong. Even though he was a three-time All-SEC selection at Kentucky, he was told that at 6-foot-1, 229 pounds, he was too small to play in the NFL. The draft came and went. Woodyard never heard his name called. Based on what I know of him, he probably didn’t blink an eye. He knew someone would give him the same shot that Kentucky did and when he received that opportunity, he would capitalize.
http://www.milehighsports.com/?p=8378
I look for mma to be getting bigger as well
wow the blog is dead today!!
How u all doing?
Already has for me RH. Reed looked faster than ever last week. Bubba can’t stay right side up
Reposting this as the first post is stuck in moderation land since I accidentally posted the article link twice.
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Great article on Wesley Woodyard. What a classy guy. Here’s the link for the entire article. Excerpt below:
http://www.milehighsports.com/?p=8378
A GOOD GUY WHO SHOULD FINISH FIRST
Wesley Woodyard deserves to be the starter in Denver
By Brandon Spano
Throughout this season, I had an opportunity to meet and build a relationship with one of the finest human beings that I have or will ever talk to. He’s humble, he’s funny and he shows respect to those around him. Football is his love, but kids are his passion. His family is his backbone and his relationship with his religion has no bounds.
The experts have bet against Wesley Woodyard and he has proven most of them wrong. Even though he was a three-time All-SEC selection at Kentucky, he was told that at 6-foot-1, 229 pounds, he was too small to play in the NFL. The draft came and went. Woodyard never heard his name called. Based on what I know of him, he probably didn’t blink an eye. He knew someone would give him the same shot that Kentucky did and when he received that opportunity, he would capitalize.
AJ, that was a superb article about one of my favorite Broncos. Thanks for posting. Sure hope he’s able to stay with the team.
Woodyard`s a gamer, I`d want him back. Mays I`m not sure I`d want back, out of position way to much.
Great article applejack. Woodyard deserves a starting role and I would be very happy for him if he gets that opportunity with another team. But I’d be much more happier if he stayed. Whatever it is he decides to do I’m very thankful for what he’s done on the team and in community.
It’s no accident Wooyard has been a captain longer than anyone currently on the team I believe.
QC has a pretty similar background with kids. All around great guy. Im sure we will be hearing the same about him soon enough.
TRB
Not sure how many of you listen to Elway’s weekly show on 102.3, but here’s the link for anyone who may have missed yesterday’s broadcast. He discussed the Senior Bowl, losing and replacing Allen, Tebow, and several other things.
http://www.denverssportsstation.com/page.php?page_id=76
I guess smiley winking faces is what the blog is down too now….sad face…
As far as Woodyard and Carter go……..class acts all the way!!!
T.G.I.F.
btw…I don’t even know how in the heck they post the faces,lol.
Legwold says:
The Broncos’ focus in the upcoming draft and free agency as far as the defensive front goes is expected to be in the interior at defensive tackle.
You sure? Because that certainly didn’t come true last year other than a couple last minute additions. Well all we can do is keep knocking on Fox door and ask for it, who knows maybe one time he’ll answer the bell.
They need better ability to collapse things on the inside.
It will be a surprise if the Broncos don’t add another impact player or two at defensive tackle in both the draft and free agency.
Fox wants speed and athleticism up front, and, after reviewing the season’s video again, it’s clear the Broncos offered too many quarterbacks the ability to slide forward in the pocket to avoid pressure from the edge.
That was especially true in the season-ending loss in New England, when Tom Brady consistently stepped forward to buy time and finished with six touchdown passes.
The DT need couldn’t have been more obvious for the last few years and yet Fox never really saw it, it’s if as he didn’t trusts the films of 2010 and prior and needed to see it for himself, well now he has, so maybe he gets it? We need DTs bad Fox.
Kind of like the Moreno thing, just about everyone told him he couldn’t rely on Moreno to produce for an entire season, no way no how, we knew, but he had to find out for himself too, I guess he may be a little stubborn, good friendly stubborn but a stubborn edge nonetheless.
It’s a good thing BFE, I believe you are above the smiley faces age group, haha.
I’ve seen some mocks posted already on here,I’ll wait till FA is over,that way I know what positions we need to fill with the draft,because I’m dead serious about winning the draft contest this year,and I want my mock to look good too…premies……lol.
Your right Bay……haha!
I agree, I think it was more than evident that our inside pressure on the d-line was minimal at best this past season. We’ve got to bring in some premier talent at the DT position.
This is not good news:
MOBILE, Ala. — It’s the new math of pro football, the growing pile of passing yards and touchdowns put up by wide receivers who seem to get bigger, stronger and faster each year. But the defensive backs who try to stop them don’t seem to be any bigger.
“There may be something to that,” said Redskins coach Mike Shanahan, who is coaching the South team at the Senior Bowl this week. “The guys in coverage have to be able to handle the bigger guys.”
The Broncos’ staff arrived at the Gulf Coast to find a class of undersized cornerbacks waiting for them. Eight wide receivers 6-foot-1 or taller are on the two rosters, while six defensive backs shorter than 5-10 — five cornerbacks and one safety — are trying to impress scouts.
You must be joking?!?!?!
Nah, I know Legwold doesn’t joke around, how sad, not that he doesn’t joke around, that CBs are so small.
Of course not all CBs are at the senior bowl, Claiborne is 6′ but will be a top ten pick, Fitzpatrick is 6’3″ but will go higher than 25, so maybe that leaves Minnefield at 6′, or Trufant also 6′, both should be there at #25, or keep that pick for a DT and go with someone like Gilmore at 6″1″ in the second or third round, I think that by far would be the better way to go. DT first! Man I hate to sound like asking for Dareus all over again…
Different year. Same thing.
DT, ILB, CB, that would be about right in order of priority to me.
Stepping up in the pocket is what good QBs do. As a result gotta have a good inside rusher. Probably why some people have us taking a guy like fletcher cox.
Ill wait for combine before my draft prediction. Cuz people sure know how to rise and fall like its in style.
Happy Friday Broncos Country. Have a good one. Later Days, TRB
Legwold at the Senior Bowl talking QBs with Shanny:
Shanahan has been at the Senior Bowl this week, coaching the South team and its collection of quarterbacks — Oklahoma State’s Brandon Weeden, Arizona’s Nick Foles and San Diego State’s Ryan Lindley. Weeden and Foles could be first-round picks if things go right between now and April.
And the difficulty in finding a quarterback who can play in the NFL’s biggest games can be seen in the job description for the position that Shanahan laid out after practice.
Asked what the difference is between the prospects who make it behind center and those who don’t, about what the most important traits were in a big-time, clutch passer, Shanahan said: “There are so many traits to a quarterback. Is he passionate? Is he accountable? What’s his list of strengths? Is it the drop-back game? Is it play-action? Is it rollout? Does he have a feeling in the pocket, the anticipation, to throw it to a receiver, or does he have to wait until somebody gets open?
“You can go through 23 things you want to look for, but at the end of the day, you want a guy with a lot of confidence, who’s a natural leader, has the skills for the position and can make all the throws.”
So, in short, the NFL wants it all. It wants smart, instinctive athletes who can learn quickly, adapt on the fly, recognize all of the defenses they see with the ability to move themselves out of trouble and throw to all parts of the field.
I guess that’s why they are so few elite QBs out there and we still don’t have one… at least not yet.
We agree again bro….DT,ILB,CB,RB.
I love Dante Hightower MLB Alabama,wished we could get him.
6’4 260 lbs and fast,we could definitely use him in the middle!!!
I’d love to get the entire Alabama D, haha.
I like Weeden,but the guy will be a 29 year old Rookie.
With their DC coach too, LOL.
I heard that bro!
And with a name like that you either get weeded out or strung out on weed, LMAO.
We need a DC……you might be onto something there,lol.
LMAO
Even Orton got weeded out, thanks to Orton-b-Gone.
“You can go through 23 things you want to look for, but at the end of the day, you want a guy with a lot of confidence, who’s a natural leader, has the skills for the position and can make all the throws.”
By shanahans definition, TT got 2 out of 3 … that aint bad. He sure can’t make all the throws but he can make some of them. Hopefully he gets there. Im also very interested in the way he ordered it confidence, leader and then throwing ability. Interesting. probably just reading too much into it.
TRB
Happy day Bronco Country, glad I had a bit more than a smiley face for you this morning….
BTW…talking about weed,there’s a DB going to be in the draft,I think he’s rated as the #5 Safety coming out,he used to play for UT,but failed a few drug screens,he got booted,I think he is at McNeese State or something like that,look out for this guy,he played along side Eric Berry,and is going to be a great NFL Safety,his name is Janzon Jackson.
Nah, that’s just called Tebownite reading.
Always apreciate your posts Bay,really enjoy drinking my coffee and reading the Denver Broncos newspaper,keep on keepin’ on bro!
if u say so bay …
You gotta be 3 for 3 to make it far in this league!
It’s like when you’re a little kid and your older brother (Orton) has Lego’s (Starting QB). All he knows how to build is walls and squares (3-10 record in 2010). In the past however he never lets you play with them (not being a team player) even though you were able to assemble a crude vehicle (Tebow’s performances in 2010). Now he thinks he’s too old for the Lego’s but then he realizes all the fun he has had and keeps them (failed Orton trade). You were so looking forward to getting them but you’ll wait patiently (Tebow not getting the starting QB job). All he does is continue to lack creativity and only build walls and squares (1-4 record).
Finally your dad steps in and makes you share your Lego’s with your brother (Broncos naming Tebow the starting QB). You build some cool things with the Lego’s (comebacks). You let your sister play with them too and she creates some cool structures (defense playing well). However you leave your cool vehicles and structures out and all of a sudden someone steps on them, curses and destroys everything (Detroit, Patriot, and Buffalo games). You pick the pieces back up and reassemble something that resembles your cool vehicles and structures and they look ok (backing into the playoffs).
You invite a friend over to play Lego’s with you (Pittsburg game). They think they know all about how to make cool things with Lego’s and they start showing you up (force overtime). Then when they think you’re just going to make another vehicle, you all of a sudden create an airplane (80 yard TD pass on the first play in OT). You’re really excited and everything is super.
Then a friend that you had over earlier invites you to their house (Patriots game). You bring your cool vehicle and structures and your friend just demolishes them, ripping piece by piece apart and throwing them around the room (Brady and Co. destroying our offense and defense). You get humiliated and you’re just sad. Your mom (Broncos fans) are still behind you though, you gave her something to be proud of and shown that there is still some Mile High Magic left. That there is still some D in Denver and some buck left in that Bronco. No one expected you to even know how to play with the Lego’s (experts expecting us to win 4 or less games).
Your dad is proud too (Broncos organization) and he wants to get you some more Lego’s to play with. (Name Tebow starting QB going into TC). You don’t know which kind yet or how many (draft and FA) but you hope they get you the awesome Star Wars one (upgrade the defense), the Indian Jones one (upgrade o-line) and even the Harry Potter one (upgrade the RBs). In the mean time you have to really improve in your effective building skills and learn how to assemble the pieces better (learn how to read defenses, and better accuracy on passes, play better from the pocket). Your sister needs to do the same (better tackling, coverage, fewer penalties and more turnovers).
However in the mean time your mom (Broncos fans) will be watching everything and putting our two cents in even places where it is unwanted. After all it is the mom that holds the team together (spend our hard earned money on the NFL) but all she gets in return is a stupid thank you (stupid NFL commercials thanking the fans). But she’ll always love you and always come back to support the family.
That’s a heck of an advertising for Lego, maybe you should get into marketing!
When you have a 4-12 team, you have a lot of holes to fill. I think the Broncos Fox and company realized that wasn’t going to happen in just one season. I think they went for what they thought was the best talent at the pick available. I’ll bet anyone we have one or two different players at defensive tackle next season. After listening to the Elway show,thanks Tide, you’d hve to beleive they are going to find a special player for that position. I also don’t know that we can fairly evalute last years draft until those players have a real off season. It will be interesting to see if some of those guys make real strides this coming season or they fall by the wayside. Like many of you, I thought the middle of the defense was the weak spot. You’ve got to be able to get some push up the middle and your linebackers have to fill those gaps. All 4 teams that made it to the Championship round all had stout play in the middle of the defense.
Go Broncos!
I sure like Elway!
Just looked at a few mock drafts and they have the Steelers taking Hightower with the 24th pick one pick before us,I guess they get Pouncey and Hightower and we get Walton and?????
Are there any good FA DT’s? I actually think Bunkley is a fairly solid DT. He can start in this league. Ayers actually plays a good DT in passing situations. I rank ILB as a bigger need then DT. Our current starting ILB is worse then our current starting DT IMO.
offseason = mad speculation
It’ fun though. We have no clue what this team will look like heading into training camp………and that’s exciting!
I don’t follow college ball so I have no idea who the broncos should be picking………..I see all these random names mentioned here that mean squat to me.
But I will check out the combine and try to familiarize myself with the players.
And I will watch the draft and see who EFX decides to take, and when. Then I’ll learn more about those players. It’s gonna be interesting to say the least!
throw on 20 lbs and ayers can be a pass rushing DT … for the record … but then we would need a DE. But id prefer a bigger body DT that can swallow OL men. Bunkley can apply inside pressure well enough. He is a former 1st rounder. I would welcome him back to this team. We lucked out on him. Bunk, Prater and Royal need to be resigned. Then we can talk FAs like Hillis, desean, Reggie Nelson and other FA desires.
TRB
All I want to see this season is for the front office to spend the money necessary to get the talent here. I by no means mean just go splurge on a bunch of FA’s…………
But if there’s someone out there that can really help this team get better, then put the money up and get it done. You gotta pay the money to get the best talent………..it’s just the nature of the beast.
GO BRONCOS!
Here ya go for your Friday laugh in.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-pro-bowl/09000d5d8265eda2/What-chu-talkin-bout-Willis