If you were NFL Commish for a day...?

Question

What changes would you make to the league? Here's mine:
1. Holdouts would not be tolerated. These guy's are already gonna make a million + dollars, they dont really NEED any more. I'd fine all holdouts a million/day.
2. Shorten the preseason to 2 games and extend the regular season to 18 games w/ 2 bye weeks
3. Wait until after the first 3 weeks of the season to sign rookies. This way, you could really judge how good they are before giving them huge contracts.

What changes would you make and do you agree with mine?

Answer 1

1. Get rid of the 5-yard bump rule. 6'4" receivers don't need any more advantage over 5'10" cornerbacks than they already get.
2. Change the OT rule to where an entire quarter is played instead of sudden death. Whoever's leading at the end of the fifth quarter wins; if it's still tied, it's a tie. Eliminates the "whoever wins the coin flip wins the game" idea.
3. Get rid of the QB out of the pocket can dump the ball and not get penalized rule. You're basically punishing the defense for doing its job by letting the QB just dump the ball once he gets outside the pocket.

Answer 2

Rule 1, Franchising Rookies?-There has only been one major headline this offseason and that was the holdout of Reggie Bush and the continuing saga of the Matt Leinart holdout. This rule will make signings better for owners, fans but maybe not for the agents and playears. We all know about how the "franchise tag" system works but plese correct me if I'm wrong or misguided but is a possible $58 million contract to an unproven commodity a great idea? I know contracts prorate from year-to-year but this will limit holdouts and make the rookies pay for their absences. As soon as you are drafted, you are given an automatic 3-year deal based on the salaries of the 5 lowest paid starting QBs from the previous NFL season. Now that leaves the team inclined to either extend the deal (if wanted) or keep it and give the rookies a salary. If the rookies don't like it? They can hold out and get fined like a normal player to up to $15,000.

Rule 2, Schedule Extension-Maybe that title is a little misleading but here's my take. Sunday we watched the first preseason game (The Hall of Fame game) between the Philadelphia Eagles-Oakland Raiders. My idea would be to have all camps open between July 18th to July 21st and postpone the season by one week. That way when players enter the preseason and regular season, they may be in better shape which could lead to less injuries. Now that means a team like the Indianapolis Colts who started camp late, could save up to two weeks for players. If you had an offseason surgery, you would have more time to recover fully as well. Wishful thinking perhaps but I believe that would be great for the fans and teams.

Rule 3, Blood Testing-After the Olympics, the NFL is most likely the sport that the players would want to use some "enhancements" to gain an upper edge. Now while that enhancement may be small or Anna-Nicole Smith big (if you catch my drift), players will be tested as soon the week BEFORE they report to training camp. That way by the time you report, the test results would be in. It would make for a cleaner league and perhaps less drug-related arrests in the offseason. Also, hopefully most NFL players will realize that they are under the 'scope and stop taking illegal drugs IF THEY DO take them that is.

Rule 4, Down in the Farm-Sometimes you may be too "raw" or not good enough to make the NFL, but the dream shouldn't continue in Canada. I propose a minor-league affliate system (shared by two clubs each) for players on the practice squad or early preseason cuts. It would coincide with the NFL season and that way teams can develop their Joey Hawkins and Ed Nelson-type (former NCAA basketball players turned TE) players and give them some playing time. Also you can send backups down and bring up players all year which would frustrate some but make dreams come true. Everyone likes a rags-to-riches stories and the NFLRL (NFL Rookie League) would help.

Answer 3

1. cut down preseason games to 3 games with a bye week.
2. no rookie can be signed until the season starts, however negotiations can start ASAP.
3. athletes should will be tested at least 3 times a season.
4. zero tolerence for steroid and drug abusers. 1 failed test will result in a suspension for half a season with therapy. 2 failed results in a full season with therapy. 3 is a life ban.
5. no holdouts. if you holdout you dont play.

Answer 4

1. I would deal with the holdout question by mandating a 1-year $100,000 basic/pre-set universal incentives contract for all first year players. After they have proven themselves then they can negotiate a contract. I would also enforce a rule that would make anyone not signed by the first official day of training camp ineligible to play in the 3 games of the year, pay pro-rated.

2. I would encourage more open air natural grass stadiums. Football is best played in the snow and mud.

3. Have a zero tolerence steroid policy and a two-strike permanent ban illegal drug policy. I would also have a 2-strike permanent ban/mandatory one year ban on any player convicted of felony, effective immediately after conviction, none of this choosing which games to sit out and when to serve a suspension.

4. Mandate all palyers have at least one quarter of playing time and one start in the course of the season, no more of this 6 years in the NFL and never played a game.

Answer 5

lower the salary cap, oh, by 95%. You would see a whole new outlook on people wanting to get paid or play.
I mean, I've heard the arguement on how they could get injured and not be able to work the rest of there lives. But what about high school and collage players? Do they not face the same risk?
Does that mean that high schools and collage's should pay there players? I know NFL players have bigger and faster guys hitting them, but People in the military have bullets and bombs flying at them and they don't get paid jack.
It's almost like football is an entertainment, and not a sport anymore. I almost enjoy watching pee wee football more than I do collage and pro's. Money just has to much influence in the sport.

Answer 6

1. I would change the season ticket structure so that only 75% of a stadium's seating could be given to the same season ticket holders year after year. The remaining 25% would be sold on a lottery basis to everybody who registered. That way, everybody would get a chance to watch, and not have to wait for an Uncle to die or something.

2. Cheerleaders. By that I mean the wholesome looking type, not the skanks who are moonlighting from their gig at the strip club.

3. Require every team to have a marching band. Hey. It's fun. It's also a great way to involve the entire community.

Answer 7

What can you do in a day? Give me a year and then we'll talk. If I was Commish for a day, it'd have to be a Sunday. I'd decree all games be played with 11 vs. 11 and no substitutions! You can sub for injury only and once a guy is subbed for he cannot return to the game.
QBs call all their own plays.
All teams must throw the long bomb at least once a quarter.
End zone celebrations--whatever you want...go for it. Enough of the No Fun League.

Answer 8

1. Expand and put a team back in L.A
2. Bring back touchdown celebrations, it's harmless fun.
3. Make the season longer like you said
4. Fine mascots for running over quarterbacks on the opposing team...Titans mascot running over Adrian.
5. Zero Tolerance rule, Players who use steroids don't deserve to play in the NFL.

Answer 9

4. Institute stringent drug testing program.
5. Apply affirmative action to players- hire more whites, hispanics, American Indians, and orientals to reflect their repesentation in the general population.
6. Fire players with criminal records.
7. Reduce ticket prices and salaries by 80%.
8. Require five weeks of community service for all players.
9. NO COMMERCIALS, NO ENDORSEMENTS, NO CHEERLEADERS.
10. Break up ownership monopoly.

Answer 10

Change overtime from first score, to highest score at the end of a OT period.

QB in the grasp rule, is a little lame. They should at least be able to fight to get out of a tackle. They are football players for god sakes.