There were a lot more great passages of play and each set of possession was less predictable. Teams use to try a chip kick or a set play nobody had ever seen before.
There was definitely more space laterally, if they went wide to the back line you didn't see decoy runners trying to open space.
What set plays exactly? The round-arounds, the dummies, and they definitely used decoy runners.
Play was very predictable. Do you know why the deep sweeping backlines from one side of the field to the other aren't used anymore? Because they are entirely predictable and easy to defend.
In fact, you still see chip kicks attempted - but because fullbacks are more athletic and clued in than ever before they aren't usually successful.
Do you know what exciting play should come back - the kicking duals. They were a lot of fun, weren't they?
The game has never been so fast, skilled, and competitive. Instead of moving the game backwards, they should be looking to move the game forward.
I keep hearing that the game doesn't have enough talented players for expansion - but all the issues that are 'problems' with the game are because players are too talented and well coached.