The product has been getting worse for a few years now. Here are a few changes I make.
Move Kickoffs back to where they were. They really messed this one up and this year putting teams at the 25 for a touchback goes against their initial logic because some teams are kicking higher to force a return which defeats the purpose of the rule change to begin with. Plus the kick return used to be one of the most exciting plays in the game.
Full time Refs - Nuff said
Allow CB's to do their job and allow contact after 5 yards. If you really wanted to promote safety, then why are you letting receivers get down field more freely? Slowing them down would make more sense. People aren't going to stop playing Fantasy Football because their scores are a little lower.
Eliminate the stupid taunting penalties. We saw Terrelle Pryor get called for one because he flicked the ball back to the ref and it accidentally dropped near a defender. We saw Richburg get called for taunting and tossed from the game (what?!) for yelling towards Norman from a couple feet away and then walking away. Really? These are grown men.
Eliminate the stupid roughing the passer penalties like a blow to the head and hitting the QB low. Listen if its helmet to helmet fine. But how many times have we seen a defender approach a QB and put his hand up to block the pass and then that hand hits the QB on the helmet and a 15 yd penalty is called? Are you kidding me? HE IS WEARING A HELMET!! Also, how many times have you seen a defender getting pushed down and he does the only thing he can do by reaching out for the QB's legs and they call a penalty for a low hit? So, after working so hard to get past the O-line, he is just supposed to give up and lay down? Come on man!
Okay, now you guys go.
First, the league needs to hire full time referees. Few people would probably disagree with that.
But perhaps more importantly, I think the league should consider an effort to change the culture of how the game is officiated. I would encourage officials to err on the side of not throwing the flag. The game is too complex and too fast to define every infraction in a vacuum (i.e. what is a catch, what is PI), yet the officials are expected to be able to operationally define every penalty sometimes in a fraction of a second.
There are some penalties that are black and white like a delay of game or a false start, and some like holding or PI that are gray. I would have the officials focus on getting every black and white call correct, and allowed to be more liberal in their judgment on the gray calls. Over time the result might be that come officials gain stricter reputations than others, not unlike an umpire with a strike zone in baseball.
This is an impossible game to officiate perfectly. I think some officials are incompetent, but I also think they are asked to do way too much by a strict set of standards.
This game needs less official involvement, not more. It's a greater sin when a phantom PI is called on DRC than when a PI is not called on Richard Sherman covering Julio Jones.
Yeah, that guy is unbelievable. Thanks everyone for posting. Just trying to read all the posts now.
I really miss the pre-cap, pre-FA days.
Move the hash tags back out to their original wider spots.
Go back to allowing defensive contact beyond five yards until the ball is in the air.
Should also be an incentive for players to stay.
Will help create teams with identity.
Would be great for teams to have an identity. The Giants appear to be trying to create the old San Diego Charges. Three receivers, few rushing yards and occasional defense.
Look at the comp at those slots. The NFL isn't worried about viewership, they are focused on ad rates. Live TV viewership across the board is way down, but NFL revenue per game multichannel is crushing it.
NFL TV viewership was an anomaly and silver lining. The NFL planed very well for a decline in TV.
All of the things half of you hate are the reason the league will survive.
Also, take over the CFL and turn them into NFL teams too.
A 50+ league draft with the playoffs lasting longer than the NHL playoffs seems right.
From Summer till Spring it's the World Wide NFL.
Jim Fassel still won't land a job
That or take the money and run since the sport will eventually have to more resemble women's field hockey than football.
Eliminate the stupid taunting penalties.
Eliminate the stupid roughing the passer penalties like a blow to the head and hitting the QB low.
All really stupid suggestions.
Quote:
Allow CB's to do their job and allow contact after 5 yards.
Eliminate the stupid taunting penalties.
Eliminate the stupid roughing the passer penalties like a blow to the head and hitting the QB low.
All really stupid suggestions.
How so? Did you read the rest of those sentences?