NFL…It’s Time For Change
With Barack Obama elected as president, the nation decided it wanted the “change” that Obama spoke of. Now it’s time for NFL fans to call for changes in the game, before the NFL goes and ruins itself.
* Change Instant Replay
I have a few things in mind for this. First…make any penalty, yes any penalty subject to review. Too many penalties are having an effect on games. This would not increase the preciously guarded “length of a game” that people worry so much about. You know what? I’d rather a game go 3 hours and 30 minutes…and get the calls right. For instance…Ike Taylor’s interference on San Diego’s only touchdown drive against the Steelers. My goodness, the receiver plowed into him! Give the coaches the option to use the red flag here. These, as much as any other call, can change the outcome of a game.
The other option is having a judge in New York, like the NHL does in Toronto for an egregious offense on the part of officials or replays that are incorrectly ruled (see…Polamalu touchdown). The officals in New York could call for a replay at any time if something is misjudged. Hockey can go minutes playing through a non-goal only to have Toronto rule it a goal and put the time back on the clock, and it’s OK, because in the end….they get it RIGHT.
Oh and I really really hope that Polamalu touchdown doesn’t come back to haunt the Steelers. One of the tiebreakers in division and conference seedings IS net points.
* Change the work schedule for referees
Full time. Period. They could hire enough scrubs/former players/wanna-bes to run simluated games and let referees practice through the week on game-time scenarios. Let them watch film, review their performances, have them go to NFL team practices. The NFL makes enough money. There’s no reason not to employ these important positions full time. None. Give me one.
* Change the schedule…again
Thursday night football is awful. First of all, it really, to me, takes away from the luster of Thanksgiving. That was the one time of the year when things differed from the norm growing up. It was special. Now those are just two typical Thursday games…now THREE Thursday games that week. The crowd had a tough time getting up for it, and the players are still battered from Sunday’s matchup. And it gives those teams on the flip side, an unfair ‘rest’ advantage over their opponents the next week. End it. And the bye week. That’s stupid too.
* Change the fineable offenses
So LaMarr Woodley throws Jason Campbell to the turf, and ONLY because he happened to hit his head, it’s a huge fine. Think Turkey Jones is laughing about dumping Terry Bradshaw on his head? I’ve said it before. Jack Lambert would’ve gone broke in today’s NFL. Joe Greene’s financial situation would’ve made the economy look good. Yes, protect the safety on MAJOR offenses. Otherwise, let them play.
* Change the celebrations
Celebrating too much is taunting. Yeah. OK. So, who exactly is taunted? Oh yeah…the big bad FOOTBALL PLAYER. This isn’t the ballet, it’s not first grade recess. If you don’t want the other team to gather around in the circle and hi-5 (thank you Redskins)… don’t let them score!!! Don’t like their dance, come up with one of your own! The fun is taken out of the game.
Funny though what gets the most play on NFL network—blown calls, Thursday Night football, end zone celebrations and hard hits. Hmmmmmm.
