What Changes in the NFL would you like to make?

[FanFromtheWasteland]

Since this is such a dead time in the football season and everyone including me are looking for something constructive to discuss, I thought it would be interesting to see what all of you would like to adapt or change in the NFL. My change would be a creation of a discipline council made up of owners, players, x players and a reprisentative from the PA and the commisioners office. All disciplinary actions go through them and what they say goes. End of story

Mods feel free to move to nfl general if this is where it should go

[Gavin]

1.I'd like see coaches be able to have as many padded practices during TC as they want to have provided medical staff(Not th teams med staff either) on hand deem a player is healthy to go

 

2.The minimum number of enshrines into the NFL HoF each year is 4 (Max 8)....Which I would keep it at 4 while also selecting 4 from the 1970's on back....A lot of the newer breed has gotten in so fast compared to guys that while don't have the numbers some built the foundation of the sport and have earned getting in

 

To be continued

[TKnight24]

I would change the fact that Tom Brady & the Pats organization are SB Champs even though Pete Carroll handed them the title with that foolish play call

The deflate gate should have them stripped of that title

[BloodyChamp]

Yeah...I would change by reverting back. Deflategate, Bountygate, what crap we've been handed the last few years.

I would revert back to less triggerhappy refs. The rules we complain about have actually been in place for decades. The refs just lost their judgement call duties somewhere in the middle. If a Slot WR's hip is grazed, if a DL's wrist hits a QB's facemask on accident, if they hear a louder than usual pad collision...all things that are automatic flags in spite of better judgement that everybody watching has.

[oldunclemark]

*I would like the ball actually have to be in the end zone before a play is a TD.

I don't think its fair to simply touch the pylon or wave the ball over the pylon.

*I would like overtime to be a complete 15-minute non-sudden death period.

If no one scores, game ends in a tie, complicating the playoff race (a good thing)

*I would like the end zone extended five yards to passing patterns could be effectively run near the goal line.

*I would like field goals of less than 30 yards to be only 2 points and field goals over 50 yards to be four points.

Put some game into that game.

*I would like a offensive player stiff arming a defender in the face mask to be a face mask penalty.

Right now, that rule is among the most unfair in all of sports. Offensive players can palm or slap the face mask of defenders..defensive players cannot do the exact same thing

[FanFromtheWasteland]

*I would like the ball actually have to be in the end zone before a play is a TD.

I don't think its fair to simply touch the pylon or wave the ball over the pylon.

*I would like overtime to be a complete 15-minute non-sudden death period.

If no one scores, game ends in a tie, complicating the playoff race (a good thing)

*I would like the end zone extended five yards to passing patterns could be effectively run near the goal line.

*I would like field goals of less than 30 yards to be only 2 points and field goals over 50 yards to be four points.

Put some game into that game.

*I would like a offensive player stiff arming a defender in the face mask to be a face mask penalty.

Right now, that rule is among the most unfair in all of sports. Offensive players can palm or slap the face mask of defenders..defensive players cannot do the exact same thing

Don't know if I agree with the 2 point version of the field goal but I do agree with the 4 point version

[CanuckColt]

I dunno...it's a pretty great game right now...tinkering with it would probably just make it worse.

[Gramz]

I don't really have any complaints with the game itself.

Now, dealing with obnoxious fans is a whole other ballgame.

[amfootball]

Fire Goodell and his cohorts.

[amfootball]

I would change the fact that Tom Brady & the Pats organization are SB Champs even though Pete Carroll handed them the title with that foolish play call

The deflate gate should have them stripped of that title

I   Pete Carroll.

[aaron11]

something could be done about kick offs and punt returns.  it seems like a waste of time watching most of pats kickoffs go out the back of the end zone.  maybe they could move kickoffs back a little bit.

 

as for punts, if feels like a flag is imminent about 50% of the time if there is no fair catch.  i dont have any great ideas to fix this one other than maybe ease up a little bit about  holding and block in the back calls on returns.

[Nobody]

Reverse the No Fun League anti-celebration rules

[ruksak]

Incidental hits to the QB's head/helmet no longer a penalty. 

 

So many huge bailouts due to entirely incidental and harmless helmet swipes. 

[jseg18]

I hate how pass interference/holding is called nowadays. The defensive player should be able to get physical passed 5 yards. As far as the pass interference downfield, maybe coaches should be able to challenge PI calls.

[ColtRider]

Keep the courts _OUT_ of the NFL! Got a problem with the avenue(s) of discipline? Change them. Otherwise, take the train.

[12isthenew18]

the new cissy rules, extra point rule, making HOF eligibility from 5 to 7 years. Also making a new cba without so much powr to the commish. it's like citizens united

[BOTT]

Make any pass thrown to a receiver that is behind the line of scrimmage a "live" ball.

Have quarterbacks call the plays

Power to challenge illegal hits

Force the Patriots to retire those hideous uniforms

[Superman]

Give both teams a possession in overtime.

Expand active rosters and game day rosters.

Loosen up the practice squad policies so players can be moved up and down more easily.

Loosen up the IR rules so short term IR can be used more effectively.

[crazycolt1]

*I would like the ball actually have to be in the end zone before a play is a TD.

I don't think its fair to simply touch the pylon or wave the ball over the pylon.

*I would like overtime to be a complete 15-minute non-sudden death period.

If no one scores, game ends in a tie, complicating the playoff race (a good thing)

*I would like the end zone extended five yards to passing patterns could be effectively run near the goal line.

*I would like field goals of less than 30 yards to be only 2 points and field goals over 50 yards to be four points.

Put some game into that game.

*I would like a offensive player stiff arming a defender in the face mask to be a face mask penalty.

Right now, that rule is among the most unfair in all of sports. Offensive players can palm or slap the face mask of defenders..defensive players cannot do the exact same thing

The pylon is in the end zone so if the ball touches it. it is a TD. Wave over is a judgment call. Over 50 yd FGs maybe should be 4 points but never under 3, IMO.

[crazycolt1]

Give both teams a possession in overtime.

Expand active rosters and game day rosters.

Loosen up the practice squad policies so players can be moved up and down more easily.

Loosen up the IR rules so short term IR can be used more effectively.

I think they should do away with the IR all together. Just let the team deal with the player limit no matter. The players get paid while on IR so really what difference does it make? Maybe I am overlooking something? I do agree with both teams getting the ball in OT. Both teams played even through the regular game so both teams deserves the chance to tie in OT. With the rules swaying to the offense I think it would make for a better game.

[shakedownstreet]

make 80+ yard TD passes worth 28 points

[il vecchio]

I'd like to see a change in the playing surfaces, engineered to slow down foot speed by, say, 10%.

 

Here's why.  Injuries would drop, significantly.  Particularly, head injuries.  Aside from the humanitarian aspect, fans like to see their favorite players actually play, with fewer on the IR.  Fan appeal = good for business.  I'm guessing many pros would appreciate a better chance to really enjoy their retirement, too, with maybe fewer painkillers needed.

 

No loss of all the things that make the NFL great...tackling, receiving, running, blocking.  The NFL of the 50s and 60s was still good football, even though the game has sped up since.

 

One way to do this is a softer surface.  Fewer shoulder separations, then, also.

 

I watch track events when I want to see foot speed.

 

Thanks for asking.

[ruksak]

make 80+ yard TD passes worth 28 points

It's 80 yards, dude........should be 80 points. 28 points for an 80 yard pass isn't even 5 points per ten yards. 

 

If you're not going to take this thread seriously, you should leave. 

[oldunclemark]

The pylon is in the end zone so if the ball touches it. it is a TD. Wave over is a judgment call. Over 50 yd FGs maybe should be 4 points but never under 3, IMO.

The pylon is on the goal line and the sideline. I would make that out of bounds for that reason.

[southwest1]

Power to challenge illegal hits

 

I love this idea considering how defensive players get the penalty flag for anything remotely close to roughing the passer. I was so furious when HOF RB Marshall Faulk complained when the rules committee toyed with the notion that backs might get called for using their helmets as a weapon prior to a collision & then it got dropped completely. What a crybaby. Boo Hoo. 

*I would like the ball actually have to be in the end zone before a play is a TD.

I don't think its fair to simply touch the pylon or wave the ball over the pylon.

*I would like a offensive player stiff arming a defender in the face mask to be a face mask penalty.

Right now, that rule is among the most unfair in all of sports. Offensive players can palm or slap the face mask of defenders..defensive players cannot do the exact same thing

I like the idea of physically having to enter the end zone as a WR, TE, RB, or QB. Touching the pylon is a cop out. Well said OUM. 

 

No, I like the stiff arm. That stays & is no penalty what so ever because football is all about speed, balance, angles & the ability to tackle 1 on 1. 

[oldunclemark]

I would play 18 regular season games and two pre-season games. 16 and 4 cheats the fans and bores the players

[oldunclemark]

I love this idea considering how defensive players get the penalty flag for anything remotely close to roughing the passer. I was so furious when HOF RB Marshall Faulk complained when the rules committee toyed with the notion that backs might get called for using their helmets as a weapon prior to a collision & then it got dropped completely. What a crybaby. Boo Hoo. 

I like the idea of physically having to enter the end zone as a WR, TE, RB, or QB. Touching the pylon is a cop out. Well said OUM. 

 

No, I like the stiff arm. That stays & is no penalty what so ever because football is all about speed, balance, angles & the ability to tackle 1 on 1.

Would you then allow defenders to strike offensive players in the face mask?

To be fair?

[southwest1]

I'd like to see a change in the playing surfaces, engineered to slow down foot speed by, say, 10%.

 

Here's why.  Injuries would drop, significantly.  Particularly, head injuries.  Aside from the humanitarian aspect, fans like to see their favorite players actually play, with fewer on the IR.  Fan appeal = good for business.  I'm guessing many pros would appreciate a better chance to really enjoy their retirement, too, with maybe fewer painkillers needed.

 

No loss of all the things that make the NFL great...tackling, receiving, running, blocking.  The NFL of the 50s and 60s was still good football, even though the game has sped up since.

 

One way to do this is a softer surface.  Fewer shoulder separations, then, also.

 

I watch track events when I want to see foot speed.

 

Thanks for asking.

I can appreciate wanting to restrict injures. A noble endeavor ILV. I'm all for natural grass as opposed to artificial turf, but I really don't wanna see the speed of the game restricted at all. In track, no one is trying to bring you down hard on every play much less swarm a QB like a pack of bloodthirsty wolves so I disagree respectfully with your comparison there. Okay, I get what you mean. Pass rushers & LBs can't compete with quick footed WRs. That's true they can't but that's where quality CB secondary execution comes into play as well as a good rotation of fresh legs at the DE position matters. 

 

Your reasoning is admirable IVL, but it will never come to pass. 

[southwest1]

Would you then allow defenders to strike offensive players in the face mask?

To be fair?

About 80% of the time a stiff arm is all about creating separation & not falling down basically ending the play where ever the RB or WR falls so I don't usually see this act as something meant to harm a defensive player tying to bring a guy down. 

 

In my book, defensive players either win at the line of scrimmage slowing down the timing of routes & if they can't do that to begin with, a stiff arm won't really matter anyway. I'm more inclined to give a defender more leave way on a horse collar tackle because if the dude could catch up to the athlete with the ball & simply did his best to bring a back down that's impressive to me even though I know it's illegal by todays rules. Naturally, I don't wanna see any player sustain a career ending injury of course.  

[southwest1]

I would play 18 regular season games and two pre-season games. 16 and 4 cheats the fans and bores the players

You're not wrong OUM. I don't always watch complete preseason games myself either, but if an athlete is the the roster bubble, those extra 2 games can be the difference between getting cut or making the squad. 

 

Not only that head coaches & their coordinators barely have enough time to evaluate all positions as it is, especially with the limited number of CBA practices in full pads.

 

Sooner or later, the NFL season will expand with a 2nd bye week added for all teams. I know this, but preseason games matter on the scouting front & reducing them will = greater injures & compromise rosters.  

[oldunclemark]

You're not wrong OUM. I don't always watch complete preseason games myself either, but if an athlete is the the roster bubble, those extra 2 games can be the difference between getting cut or making the squad. 

 

Not only that head coaches & their coordinators barely have enough time to evaluate all positions as it is, especially with the limited number of CBA practices in full pads.

 

Sooner or later, the NFL season will expand with a 2nd bye week added for all teams. I know this, but preseason games matter on the scouting front & reducing them will = greater injures & compromise rosters.

That's a good point about rookies trying to make the roster. The 2nd bye week is needed. That's exactly right.

At the very east would be to go to 16 and 3 with an extra bye/

Ive never brought he argument that 18 games and 2 pres-season games will create more injuries. At one time, there was 14 and 6 and moving to 16 and 4 didn't create more injuries, I don't beliveve.

I'm also unhappy about fans paying ticket prices for pre-season games.

In a related issue, I think rosters should go up to 48...4 by 11 plus 4 specialists (kickers and longsnappers)

I don't know where the number 45 (game day roster limit) comes from

[southwest1]

Force the Patriots to retire those hideous uniforms

Are we talking their throw back uniforms or their current silver ones? I kind of like the red paints & white helmets. As far as old uniforms go, Pittsburgh's are the worst. They remind me 1920's prison uniforms. 

 

"The Bees Knees" look has got to go like yesterday dadeo. 

 

 

 

[FanFromtheWasteland]

I think the football should be placed where the body part touched the ground and not where the ball may or may not have been

[jvan1973]

Fire Goodell and his cohorts.

yeah, good luck with that

[ColtRider]

Agree with several posters here :

1. Superman - each team must have a possession in OT (opening drive TD for the win in OT is garbage)

2. oldunclemark - 18 game regular season, 2 preseason games (extend TC to evaluate players)

3. southwest1 - 2 byes (will become necessary in an 18 game season)

Finally, and this has been mentioned before - Narrow the goal posts (does not have to be extreme to achieve more difficulty)

[ColtRider]

Make any pass thrown to a receiver that is behind the line of scrimmage a "live" ball.

Have quarterbacks call the plays

Power to challenge illegal hits

Force the Patriots to retire those hideous uniforms

Agreed, BOTT! New England's old uniforms are even far superior to the ones worn now.

[FanFromtheWasteland]

Agreed, BOTT! New England's old uniforms are even far superior to the ones worn now.

Except for the logo on the helmet. I always thought the patriot hiking the football looked stupid

[aaron11]

coaches should be able to challenge PI calls.

this is a good one that doesnt get enough attention.  you should be allowed to challenge a non call too.

 

i would also add personal fouls to the list of reviewable penalties

[FanFromtheWasteland]

this is a good one that doesnt get enough attention. you should be allowed to challenge a non call too.

i would also add personal fouls to the list of reviewable penalties

Would the nfl need to increase the number of challenges alowed?

[ColtRider]

Except for the logo on the helmet. I always thought the patriot hiking the football looked stupid

That's interesting, FFtW. The way I remember it, most people really liked the old "hiker" logo. Guess I'm too old school.