More and more over the last 15-20 years I have found myself enjoying watching football games less and less. The rule changes that have been implemented have made the game very different from the one that I played and coached in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. The things I anticipate happening as a play develops...don't.

A few weeks ago I was restless on a Saturday and went out and started working in the yard, tackling an overgrown fence row. The radio in my old truck I use to haul off the brush quit working years ago so I brought out a portable radio and tuned in the UT game. I found myself enjoying the game, and visualizing what was happening instead of actually seeing it, more than I had in years. In effect, I was "watching" it in the same manner I used to.

You see, when the ball is snapped I watch for the linemen to fire off the ball at the snap which, as an old defensive back and DB coach, is the way we knew instantly if it was a pass or a run. However, on TV I see the linemen take a step or two, grab the defensive player by the jersey, and the two dance in one direction or the other.

I watch to see which side of a defender the offensive lineman's head goes, which tells me the direction of the play. Once again, on TV I see the linemen take a step or two, grab the defensive player by the jersey, and the two dance in one direction or the other.

I expect to see a defensive back come up on an outside running play and take on the blocker with his inside shoulder, keeping his outside arm free, and work upfield to the runner while either using the sideline as a tackler or turning the runner inside. On TV I see him come up, take on the blocker, and never get off the block since his jersey is being held.

I notice these days that fewer and fewer players wear knee, thigh, or hip pads. If the old-timers did that I can't imagine that they would have been able to walk the next day. Barely could as it was.

After a quarter of watching a game on the telly I am no longer interested. The game an old-timer expects to see is not what I am seeing. Receivers can't be hit, might hurt them. Whistles are no longer really needed- everything stops when the ball is down, anyway. Guys stand around after a play because no one can hit them.

You can't hit guys with your helmet. You can't tackle by the back of the shoulder pads. You can't hit a receiver one second after the ball is gone.

Turn on the radio, though, and it is the same game as when Bobby Majors returned the kickoff against Penn State, and Dewey Warren ran it in from the one to defeat UCLA in Memphis in 1965, or when the Steeler's Franco Harris made the Immaculate Reception against the Raiders on December 23, 1972 as I listened while leaving the Red Bird Station in Lawrenceburg in my 65 Mustang.

Yep, watching games on the radio as teams move from right to left on your radio dial has revived my enjoyment in football. I'll be listening to the Titans game today. And, you ought to see that fence row now!