If I Was The Commissioner

[Yeagermeister]

Another one......NEVER EVER change the OT rules. They are fine the way they are.

 

[rcaldw]

Another one......NEVER EVER change the OT rules. They are fine the way they are.

Exactly.

 

[neosapien23]

I would allow teams to cut players and not have their salaries count against the salary cap. The teams would still have to pay the players their guaranteed signing bonuses, but dead money would not affect a team's cap space thus allowing them to sign their own players or free agents. I bet people would stop packing it in even after they got their new contracts.

 

[Yeagermeister]

I would allow teams to cut players and not have their salaries count against the salary cap. The teams would still have to pay the players their guaranteed signing bonuses, but dead money would not affect a team's cap space thus allowing them to sign their own players or free agents. I bet people would stop packing it in even after they got their new contracts.

I'd rather go to something similar to the NBA. A rookie cap. Make them earn the big money after they prove the deserve it.

 

[Biggems]

1. I would actually have a definite list of violations and the fines that will occur if those violations are committed. Including 1st strike, 2nd strike, 3rd strike.

2. I will allow all end zone celebrations....as long as the only prop used is the ball. You can even celebrate with teammates.

3. I will stop fining coaches and players for complaining about the officiating to the media. Honestly, if the league is going to force microphones into their faces right after a heated contest, they shouldnt fine the team for such heated, emotional outbursts. If the players and coaches are fair game, why not the refs?

4. I would enforce a 3 strikes and you are out rule for substance abuse or run ins with the law. I want players not thugs in my league.

5. I would increase roster sizes to 60, 50 active on game day, and reduce the practice squad to 5 players.

6. I would try to get both CBS and Fox to show doubleheaders on Sunday.......as part of the TV package. This way the fans get 6 games a week instead of 5.

7. I would eliminate 2 preseason games and add 2 regular season games.

8. I would give only the top seed in each conference a bye week. I would add a 7th playoff team to each conference. This gives us 6 WC games instead of 4.

9. I would tweak OT. Nothing like College. My tweak would still keep the integrity of the game.

10. I would get rid of the emergency QB rule. I have never understood it and too me it is quite stupid.

 

[Biggems]

I would allow teams to cut players and not have their salaries count against the salary cap. The teams would still have to pay the players their guaranteed signing bonuses, but dead money would not affect a team's cap space thus allowing them to sign their own players or free agents. I bet people would stop packing it in even after they got their new contracts.

what about doing something like the NBA does with the luxury tax. Teams are allowed to exceed the cap, but they have to pay a fine....basically paying twice as much for the player they want.

 

[Yeagermeister]

1. I would actually have a definite list of violations and the fines that will occur if those violations are committed. Including 1st strike, 2nd strike, 3rd strike.

2. I will allow all end zone celebrations....as long as the only prop used is the ball. You can even celebrate with teammates.

3. I will stop fining coaches and players for complaining about the officiating to the media. Honestly, if the league is going to force microphones into their faces right after a heated contest, they shouldnt fine the team for such heated, emotional outbursts. If the players and coaches are fair game, why not the refs?

4. I would enforce a 3 strikes and you are out rule for substance abuse or run ins with the law. I want players not thugs in my league.

5. I would increase roster sizes to 60, 50 active on game day, and reduce the practice squad to 5 players.

6. I would try to get both CBS and Fox to show doubleheaders on Sunday.......as part of the TV package. This way the fans get 6 games a week instead of 5.

7. I would eliminate 2 preseason games and add 2 regular season games.

8. I would give only the top seed in each conference a bye week. I would add a 7th playoff team to each conference. This gives us 6 WC games instead of 4.

9. I would tweak OT. Nothing like College. My tweak would still keep the integrity of the game.

10. I would get rid of the emergency QB rule. I have never understood it and too me it is quite stupid.

I don't agree with #2. You'd have ten minute celebrations if they don't have rules. Or your playoffs or OT. They are fine the way they are.

 

[EveryoneElse]

First thing I change is the stupid "No force out rule", that has to be the dumbest rule change I've seen in a while.

Second I do is impliment some sort of fining system for refs.....if they make terrible calls, they will be hit in the pocket. If you cost a team a win, you will be suspended for the year without pay. Crack down on these morons.

 

[neosapien23]

I'd rather go to something similar to the NBA. A rookie cap. Make them earn the big money after they prove the deserve it.

I would go with that as well, but I am tired of a players knowing a team can't cut them because of a large signing bonus pack it in.

 

[Biggems]

I don't agree with #2. You'd have ten minute celebrations if they don't have rules. Or your playoffs or OT. They are fine the way they are.

no, cause if they are still celebrating while the PAT unit is on the field, they will get a penalty for too many men or delay of game.

 

[neosapien23]

what about doing something like the NBA does with the luxury tax. Teams are allowed to exceed the cap, but they have to pay a fine....basically paying twice as much for the player they want.

Nah then rich teams will just overwhelm teams like the Cardinals, Jaguars, Bills, etc...I just don't like having teams being handcuffed to players once they resign them. Would TO still be a Cowboy if Jerry were allowed to cut him? What about Adams? Shawn Alexander would have been cut years ago from the Seahawks ,but they were forced to carry him because he would have killed their cap. Teams should be allowed to get rid of bad players, but I don't like the idea of rich teams being able to sign anyone/everyone they want.

 

[Spectre]

If you were the commissioner of the NFL and had the ability to bring about all of the changes that you would like, what would change?


Here is my list, in no particular order. Feel free to disagree with my ideas and add your own.

1. No more instant replay - period. I know this won't be popular with many, but officiating is a human element to the game, just like players. Just let the guys call it and go from there. Most of the really game changing calls can't be reviewed anyway. (The interference call against Benny Barnes in the Super Bowl would not be reviewable, as just one example)

2. Houston would become the Oilers, Tennessee can stay the Titans, but all Oiler history reverts to the Houston franchise. Indianapolis becomes whatever they want, but Baltimore becomes the Colts and all Colts history becomes theirs again. Indianapolis can have (historically) whatever they accomplished in Indy but it will go under another mascot's name. If owners want to move their team, they leave the history behind. (may be difficult to undo all the changes, but for the FUTURE, you move the team, you leave its history, uniforms colors and name)

3. No more XFL uniforms. Minor updates to the uniforms allowed but no more huge swoops up the jerseys and pants and all the rest. Looks like arena league.

4. ALL OWNERS will be FORCED to hire a REAL GM and will not be allowed in the locker room except for awards ceremonies. I will call it the JERRY RULE

5. NFL Sunday Ticket will have to be offered to all satellite and cable systems, no more the sole property of DirectTV.

6. No salary cap. I'm tired of "parity" and ready for great team dominance again.

There. Probably not the end of my list, but a good start.

wow.
I'm glad you're not the commish because I think I hate all of your changes.
(except the Direct TV one but I can [and have] live with DTV)

 

[Control]

If you were the commissioner of the NFL and had the ability to bring about all of the changes that you would like, what would change?


Here is my list, in no particular order. Feel free to disagree with my ideas and add your own.

1. No more instant replay - period. I know this won't be popular with many, but officiating is a human element to the game, just like players. Just let the guys call it and go from there. Most of the really game changing calls can't be reviewed anyway. (The interference call against Benny Barnes in the Super Bowl would not be reviewable, as just one example)

Agreed. It slows the game down and the idiotic refs get the calls wrong after replay half the time anyway.

2. Houston would become the Oilers, Tennessee can stay the Titans, but all Oiler history reverts to the Houston franchise. Indianapolis becomes whatever they want, but Baltimore becomes the Colts and all Colts history becomes theirs again. Indianapolis can have (historically) whatever they accomplished in Indy but it will go under another mascot's name. If owners want to move their team, they leave the history behind. (may be difficult to undo all the changes, but for the FUTURE, you move the team, you leave its history, uniforms colors and name)

I'm all for Houston going back to the Oilers, but I think there's way too much history with the Colts in Indy for them to be messed with.

3. No more XFL uniforms. Minor updates to the uniforms allowed but no more huge swoops up the jerseys and pants and all the rest. Looks like arena league.

6. No salary cap. I'm tired of "parity" and ready for great team dominance again.

Agreed 100%.

 

[Apollo Creed]

Stopped reading after no instant replay.

Dumb.

 

[RoadRunner]

If you were the commissioner of the NFL and had the ability to bring about all of the changes that you would like, what would change?


Here is my list, in no particular order. Feel free to disagree with my ideas and add your own.

1. No more instant replay - period. I know this won't be popular with many, but officiating is a human element to the game, just like players. Just let the guys call it and go from there. Most of the really game changing calls can't be reviewed anyway. (The interference call against Benny Barnes in the Super Bowl would not be reviewable, as just one example)

Stronlgy disagree here. More plays need reviewing. i want the game called right. i don't like the "human" element, and it does not need to be effecting the outcome of a billion dollar contest. There is just too much temptation for officials from Pittsburgh to "blow" calls in favor of the Steelers to win a SB against Seattle for example.

2. Houston would become the Oilers, Tennessee can stay the Titans, but all Oiler history reverts to the Houston franchise. Indianapolis becomes whatever they want, but Baltimore becomes the Colts and all Colts history becomes theirs again. Indianapolis can have (historically) whatever they accomplished in Indy but it will go under another mascot's name. If owners want to move their team, they leave the history behind. (may be difficult to undo all the changes, but for the FUTURE, you move the team, you leave its history, uniforms colors and name)

Strongly disagree here as well. I hate the NFL's Orwellian history manipulation by asking us all to lie to ourselves that the Ravens didn't used to be the Browns. Sorry, but the Ravens ARE the original Cleveland Browns, and the Browns' expansion team has no logical claims to the achievements by the Ravens when they used to be the Browns.

Say no to history revision. Say yes to the truth.

3. No more XFL uniforms. Minor updates to the uniforms allowed but no more huge swoops up the jerseys and pants and all the rest. Looks like arena league.

Agree.

4. ALL OWNERS will be FORCED to hire a REAL GM and will not be allowed in the locker room except for awards ceremonies. I will call it the JERRY RULE

I doubt this would be legally possible.

5. NFL Sunday Ticket will have to be offered to all satellite and cable systems, no more the sole property of DirectTV.

I agree. No pay per view NFL, not even the SB.

6. No salary cap. I'm tired of "parity" and ready for great team dominance again.

Hell yes!

There. Probably not the end of my list, but a good start.

 

[jimmy40]

First thing I change is the stupid "No force out rule", that has to be the dumbest rule change I've seen in a while.

Second I do is impliment some sort of fining system for refs.....if they make terrible calls, they will be hit in the pocket. If you cost a team a win, you will be suspended for the year without pay. Crack down on these morons.

"Oh Mr ref, I would have gotten two feet inbounds but the defender was playing defense, that isn't fair". The dumbest rule in history was the force out rule, the best rule in history was getting rid of it. Catch the ball inbounds, that's why there is a sideline.

 

[Chuck 54]

Instant replay will NEVER go away...book it.

First, to correct one NFL lie, instant replay has nothing to do with "getting the play right"...it wasn't put in "to get it right"....the NFL doesn't give a crap.

Instant replay is a result of modern network coverage. Instant replay on television and on big screens at the stadium, before it was part of the game, simply showed how absolutely awful the referees were and how many plays they got wrong. It was embarrassing for the league, so they started using it in a limited way to appease fans and give the impression that they "want to get it right."

The only reason they cared was because they feared fans giving up on their game. The players are faster, stronger, quicker, smarter than ever...referees are not, and they miss more and more and more. The NFL would probably love saving money and speeding up their game by dumping instant replay, but I think the posters who call for replay for every play and referee call are more likely to be correct.

The NFL is all about making as much money every hour as they can....otherwise, what possible good reason could there be for them only really stopping the clock when the ball goes out of bounds in the last few moments of the half or game...why start the clock again after the ball is set? The NFL has some of the stupidest and most arbitrary rules of any sport.

 

[rcaldw]

Stopped reading after no instant replay.

Dumb.

, I really think you missed the point of the thread. You don't have to agree with me, the question was what would YOU do if you could change the NFL? This was just MY list.

One thing, though, about anyone who would read "no instant replay" and just shut down, is that you probably don't have many "conversations". A thoughtful exchange of ideas, the ability to figure out when someone is being serious or kidding (i.e., the Jerry rule) and the ability to disagree while bringing ideas of your own to the table, makes for productive communication. In this case the only thing "productive" I was looking to accomplish was some enjoyable conversation and exchange of ideas in the midst of a very long offseason.

 

[Apollo Creed]

, I really think you missed the point of the thread. You don't have to agree with me, the question was what would YOU do if you could change the NFL? This was just MY list.

One thing, though, about anyone who would read "no instant replay" and just shut down, is that you probably don't have many "conversations". A thoughtful exchange of ideas, the ability to figure out when someone is being serious or kidding (i.e., the Jerry rule) and the ability to disagree while bringing ideas of your own to the table, makes for productive communication. In this case the only thing "productive" I was looking to accomplish was some enjoyable conversation and exchange of ideas in the midst of a very long offseason.

I just see Franco Harris pull that ball off the ground everytime Instant Replay comes to mind. The league should pride itself in ensuring a dilligence to accuracy of a game that is fought so hard, and decided over inches. Those inches decide who is a legend, and who is a goat. Those inches decide history, and the emotions of hundreds of thousands of fans - instant replay ensures a quality to a sport that has prided itself in technolical proficience over time.

It doesn't slow down the game that much, and it adds another aura of excitement for the fan to try and make the call at home. It allows time for extra commercials, meaning more loot for the NFL.

So if I were the commissioner I would be beating my chest about how awesome instant replay is, and how good it is for the league, players, and fans.

Thats why I stopped reading, and said it was dumb. Everything else was unrealistic, and not financially plausible. So you would be a terrible commisioner.

 

[Apollo Creed]

But as commissioner. I would really focus my attention to insurance for players, and even place a tax similar to social security on player's checks today - so they would be able to have medical insurance down the road. The system has just handed over tons of cash to irresponsible athletes that squander it, and the league doesn't insure them once they end up with nerve damage in their spine from playing MLB 12 years ago.

I would allow celebrations, even team celebrations. These guys work very hard to score, and have the right to express themselves however they want. Team celebrations are fun, the dirty bird and nonsense like that gets players and fans excited.

I don't know if its possible, but I'd try to lower rookie contracts. No sence in these guys getting 70 million for doing nothing in the league, while a guy like Jon Runyan busts his butt 213 straight games for Peanuts from a tight-wad organization like the Eagles.

I'm tired of typing, but I'd definitely be an awesome commish.