Dreams for the 2009 NFL Season

by Chicago Steeler on Feb 19, 2009 1:26 PM EST Comment 32 comments

The following will be a rather random collection of my blue-sky wishes for the NFL in the coming year. Very few will be directly oriented at the Steelers, as that's well-covered ground on the site. I should note that I don't think these will or even could happen, but if I ruled the NFL world they would.

Goodbye Goodell... I don't like Roger Goodell as a commissioner. I don't like almost any of the changes that he has made in his tenure as NFL Czar. Sure he's tough on players that get out of line, but then he's weak on coaches and organizations that break rules (ahem, Coach Hoodie I'm looking in your direction.) He's gotten excessive with fines for things that should not be fines and generally has not made the game better in any definable way.
Overtime Changes- I've stated this in multiple places here so I won't reiterate too much. I don't want college football and I don't want wacky rules that change the game from the regular time. I just want an overtime period. And like most sports if you score more points in that overtime period, you win. Shutdown corner has an idea I like and could totally get behind: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Tinkering-with-the-overtime-rules-makes-me-nervo?urn=nfl,142449
Coach's Tape- Have a service where I can download not only the broadcast of every game from the season, but also coaches tape of each game. I will pay extra for this, but my obsession with football (and I think many of you would join me) to the point where I want to see more than the standard shots. I want to see the routes that didn't get thrown to. I want to see if a special teams player didn't stay in his lane and that's what caused the big return. I do not need video of coaches sending in signals so Coach Hoodie can put his hand down.
Keep 'em Here- Less international games. Actually strike that, no international games. I don't like taking home games away from fans. They can have pre-season games if they want them. When the day comes that I can't get tickets to a "home" Steelers game in Pittsburgh I will throw a fit.
He's Earning What?- It's time to get these rookie contracts under control. The fact that the top picks earn more money than God without ever playing a down is ridiculous. NFL is built for parity but these top 5 pick salaries are handicapping the teams that get them from being free-agent buyers. And no one wants to trade up for these positions cause they know that the better value is after the 10th pick.
Name Someone Better- Dick Lebeau deserves to be in the HOF. In fact I think the rules for getting into the hall are somewhat odd. I'm fine with the press getting a vote, but I think all existing hall members should also get a vote. And for Pete's sake get coach Lebeau in the HOF!
Have You Ever Seen Football- I'm tired of almost all football announcers. I'd like the stations to give me the option to listen to the home broadcast of the game through the TV.
I Love this Show- NFL Matchup on ESPN will be moved to the pre-game slot and will be an hour long. This is good football analysis and it's unwatchable without DVR. I would like more shows like it during the week. NFL Network and ESPN have employed legions of former players and coaches who all know how to break down film, let me watch it!
Get a Real Expert- National pundits should be required to bring in a beat reporter from the team they're talking about for accurate news. Lolley, Wexell, or Bouchette would be far better reporting Steelers news than Chris Berman and his co-horts.
I Don't Care Anymore- Pundits and announcers would only be allowed to bring up "hot topic" issues once an hour. If I hear about Brett Favre twice in the same quarter I will reach through my screen and choke someone. Same goes for TO, anything Dallas related, or the Pats*.

What do you guys think? How would football change if you were king? Or am I wrong and the NFL is perfect and to change anything would be to ruin it!? Thanks for reading.

Oh yeah, and most importantly, One for the Other Pinky!

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I like all of these.

May I add #11 since we are talking about dreams?

Have the NFLPA renegotiate such that there is a capped year in 2010 and going forward?

Don't worry about the haters. Haters only hate.

by steelguy99 on Feb 19, 2009 1:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Ah good one

Definitely a necessity moving forward.

by Chicago Steeler on Feb 19, 2009 2:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Please Erase the #4

I like all except for #4, i’m from Mexico and we are begging for a regular season game, sadly i can never watch a Steeler game here, the steelers home games are sold out for years. But why don’t play a game in another country when the home game doesn’t sold and in other country you can sold in 5 minutes 10 games. and come not only for the money and the support, NFL has become one of the more view sport in the world I have watch the Steelers for 25 years now. The fan base out of the US is really big, in some cases bigger than the team city.

by simbiom on Feb 19, 2009 2:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Do you think that mexico city could support a NFL team? There are certainly enough people there (and enough money), would the interest be substantial enough?

Don't worry about the haters. Haters only hate.

by steelguy99 on Feb 19, 2009 2:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

NFL Draft

Great stuff Chicago. I also think Steelguy’s #11 above is actually my #1….Regarding the NFL Draft, I would make it a snake draft. Someone has to pick last, but it is totally unfair to make the same team pick last every single round. A snake draft is a fair system. I would remove the 12 teams who make the playoffs and then give the next best team, the team that barely did not get into the playoffs, the first choice as to where they want to pick on the ladder. They might want the 1st pick along with #64 and #65, etc., or they may want #32, #33, etc. They should get choice. Then the next best team (not to get into playoffs) gets second choice on the ladder and so on down to the worst NFL team (Detrtoit, this year). After Detroit takes their choice on the draft ladder, then work backwards from 12 to 1 with the playoff teams, until the Super Bowl Champion takes whatever spot remains. Advantages are as follows:

1) I love the NFL’s social system of fairness, but picking last every single round takes it too far. Nothing is more fair than a snake draft.

2) You should never over-reward losing. Once you are out of the playoffs, there are people who actually want their team to lose so they get a better draft choice. Wouldn’t it make sense to root for the best record anyway so you can have first choice on the draft ladder? This would create a system where a team never has any reason to want failure.

3) Instead of slotting teams into certain draft spots, let them choose from the spots available. This would add massive excitement to the month of February. We would have a Pre-Draft Draft Day, where each team gets 15 minutes taking turns choosing their spot. Imagine the TV ratings. Through the roof.

4) Super Bowl winner still gets whatever spot remains, so the first-shall-be-last concept still exists in the NFL.

OK, OK, remember, this is a “dream” post.

Thoughtful discussion with a sense of history

by maryrose on Feb 19, 2009 2:16 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Love the idea of this.

Don't worry about the haters. Haters only hate.

by steelguy99 on Feb 19, 2009 2:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Definitely interesting

I was thinking today about how I don’t mind the Steelers getting the 32nd pick. I think the value is still really high there. But the drop to 64 is big.

by Chicago Steeler on Feb 19, 2009 2:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I would like that the snake also allows team to get out of what you outline in problem number 5, the losers curse.

Don't worry about the haters. Haters only hate.

by steelguy99 on Feb 19, 2009 2:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

nice idea

but who in their right mine wouldn’t try to get the highest draft pick possible? Unless you’re concerned about paying the money for the guy but still if you fix problem #5 why would anyone who just missed the playoffs not pick the #1 pick? I like this idea maybe i don’t fully understand. What if we just make the last first and the first last, in each round so if you win the superbowl you get the #32 and #33 pick and if you are the worst team you ge tthe #1 and #64 pick? I dunno. lol

by tannofsteel84 on Feb 19, 2009 3:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Or even like this

1-16, 17-32
17-32, 1-16
16-1, 32-17
32-17, 16-1
1-32 (because the latter rounds are more vague, go back to the nromal order)
1-32
1-32

"The team that scores the most points wins."
John Madden
(Master of the obvious)

by PixburghArn on Feb 19, 2009 3:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The problem is that YOU ARE CONCERNED about the amount of money you are paying guys, as referenced in the original post. Perennial losers have a hard time escaping from their holes because the teams are generally incompetent, but also because continuously drafting in the top 5 spots is difficult. The 11th guy is potentially just as valuable as the 1st guy depending on what you need and is a whole lot cheaper. Having to perpetually draft #1 guys means you are on the hook for a LOT of money.

The whole point of the snake idea that maryrose proposes is that picking at #5 then gives you the second to the last slot in the 2nd round. Otherwise you end up picking 1st, and then last in the second round. If it’s a deep draft it might even be advantageous to pick last so you get two picks in a row and can completely firm up an area of weakness.

Don't worry about the haters. Haters only hate.

by steelguy99 on Feb 19, 2009 3:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I understand that

but I was taking into account #5 and we fixed the money issue hence the statement….

Unless you’re concerned about paying the money for the guy but still if you fix problem #5 why would anyone who just missed the playoffs not pick the #1 pick?

So yea I understand the money part, but the original poster wanted to fix it, if we fix that problem then the money isn’t an issue so there would be nothing in letting the teams choose…..

by tannofsteel84 on Feb 19, 2009 10:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Because picking #1 would mean that you also pick #64. If you choose to pick #20 then you would pick #44.

If you expect there to be value for the position you need at #20 then you are much better served picking there than #1, because you will find much better value at #44 than #64.

Don't worry about the haters. Haters only hate.

by steelguy99 on Feb 19, 2009 10:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

cool

a computer science master’s degree doesn’t translate into a master’s in football lol

by tannofsteel84 on Feb 20, 2009 9:12 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If you think anyone in their right mind would still go after #1

In a snake draft, then you surely have to think that a snake draft is an improvement over the current draft. You surely have to think that the current system is far too skewed to the number one pick, if you would still take #1 over #32 and #33, right?

Thoughtful discussion with a sense of history

by maryrose on Feb 19, 2009 11:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

there needs to be a change, a snake draft makes it more strategic plus gives the fans more to watch, you could turn it into a show like the NBA does when they do the lottery.

Also my wish?
Shorten the draft 1st day time to pick to 5:00, especially in the first round, you should know who you want, who you might trade up with or down, back up plans all that before the draft – you got 5 mins to make it happen or before the draft to make it happen either way there is no reason why it should take 5 hours for a draft. Condense it to 2 1/2 -3 hours. I don’t know if its applicable but its desirable for me.

by tannofsteel84 on Feb 20, 2009 9:15 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Steelyguy

Brought up in the Peppers post that franchising for trade bait sucks and I agree. In 2009 it will be done away with. If you put a franchise tag on someone you are forced to play him and pay him.

by Chicago Steeler on Feb 19, 2009 2:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

oops I meant steelguy not steelyguy

Not to insinuate you’re actually the steelers mascot lurking the site.

by Chicago Steeler on Feb 19, 2009 2:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I prefer Steely McGuy, #99, if you will.

Don't worry about the haters. Haters only hate.

by steelguy99 on Feb 19, 2009 2:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

one more

Big time yessirs for 2,3 and 5.

One more:
I’m all for dignity and respect on the playing field but some of the excessive celebration penalties are dumb. Yes, Tone should’ve been flagged according to the rule book, but should shaking the ball put a SuperBowl win at risk? My suggestion is to keep the taunting rules the same, but allow dancing and silly stuff. That sort of thing is for the fans anyway. Maybe allow them a littler performance place behind the endzone.

by 13thieves on Feb 19, 2009 2:49 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

agreed

if this type of stuff hurts your feelings then you need to grow a pair….

by tannofsteel84 on Feb 19, 2009 3:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

I think I’d be okay with a time limit and no outside props allowed. If you can be creative with the ball, then more power to you.

by Chicago Steeler on Feb 19, 2009 3:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

agreed

+1 back at ya

by tannofsteel84 on Feb 19, 2009 10:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Goodell

said he is going to have the competition committee look at this and change the rule hopefully, good job.

by tannofsteel84 on Feb 20, 2009 9:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

my thoughts

1. Let teams with inhospitable stadiums host the Superbowl. I’d love to see a snow game Superbowl.

2. This is the big point, I think the NFL should broadcast old games somehow. Not highlights. Full games. Maybe make them downloadable or streaming or something. There’s a pretty hefty heritage of football out there that isn’t getting seen. The only footage I’ve seen of Barry Sanders since he retired consists of 70yd TD runs in slow motion. Footage of Mean Joe shows him sacking the QB on every single snap. I can make myself a highlight reel of Ryan Leaf’s 14 career TD passes and make him look like an All Pro if I want to.

The point is, what makes some of these players great is how they played 4 quarters. How did they deal with mistakes? When did a great corner shut down a great receiver (no picks/no passes)? This is stuff we remember the most about players but stuff we never get to see in the context of a full game. I demand more old school replays!

by 36chambers on Feb 19, 2009 3:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

+1

I agree with this wholeheartedly! I’ve been wanting something like this for years. I would love to see the NFL Network play one game a week from “back in the day”. Even some of the games from the 30s, 40s and 50s. It would be nice to catch a random regular season game from NFL history, complete with the original announcers.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Feb 23, 2009 3:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

7's the lucky number

Dierdorf especially enfuriates me!! Ohhhhh, Billy, Billy, Billy Hillgrove would be awesome to listen to watching the game. Good stuff on the rest too Chicago!

by Hypocycloid on Feb 19, 2009 8:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I can't stand Goodell

He’s been so inconsistant with the finings, it’s getting ridiculous.

by tdp992 on Feb 19, 2009 8:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Love your ...

number 5 and 10 is certainly a must. Does Kornheiser’s obsession with Brett Favre set the picture on that one.

by tenthmtnman on Feb 20, 2009 4:48 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

A couple More

In no Particular order:

Give me a chance to buy the Live-Wire feeds, unedited. (OK, take out the inside playbook stuff if you must… but this is great entertainment) Watching the live wire of the Super Bowl and hearing some of Tomlin makes me want to watch the whole game with his mike as a commentary!

I mentioned this elsewhere: Create a “Face of the Franchise” tag. This is a guy who has spent his whole career with the team and has built up goodwill in the community. You can have one offense and one defense. Their salary does not count against the cap. Then the Ravens can keep Ray. We never have to worry about losing Ward, Etc.

NFL Sunday ticket is a waste of money. I just want the Steeler games. But I want them with Pittsburgh Pre-Game and postgame shows. You guys who live there get the round-up, we get snappy new-age music and a stupid logo… aaargh! BTW, I think someone in the Burgh could make a fortune by selling their slingbox feed… Just saying…

Give fans a vote on the owner. Hey, if a City has to put up money to help the owners build stadiums… shouldn’t the citizens of Arlington get a vote as to whether Jerry can keep ruining the Cowboys? Or Al Davis the Raiders? To me, when you ask a community to put up money to build you a stadium, you have signed a contract with them. They should get some say in the bonehead moves you make…

Oh, and about your #6… I believe that LeBeau is in the HOF when he retires.
(if he retires…)

by MarkJoel66 on Feb 20, 2009 10:40 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

great ideas!

* Watching the live wire of the Super Bowl and hearing some of Tomlin makes me want to watch the whole game with his mike as a commentary!

* I mentioned this elsewhere: Create a "Face of the Franchise" tag.

What I want is at least pay per view NFL games on digital cable. I don’t feel like getting direct TV, my digi w/ DVR is good to me. I enjoy watching games at home way more than out at bars, especially the early games. Not huge on drinking at 1 pm every Sunday. Then again, it was a blast going out to see the second ravens game and getting all rowdy and then going nuts when the Steelers won the division and the 2 seed.

I would gladly shell out $29.95 to watch the games at home. That’s pretty much a bar tab anyway.

"It was an attrition football game and you know we like that."

by showtime on Feb 20, 2009 9:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Face of the Franchise

I like this idea. It could be comparable to the Larry Bird rule in the NBA. I guess the problem that I see is that it would be hard to apply consistently. My first thought is that it would have to apply to a guy who’s past his prime. How would you define that? Some players who have been in the league for 10 years are washed up, while others are still great players. If a he’s still a great player, would a team be allowed to keep him below market value? I can see that causing some players to be very unhappy. If he’s clearly past his prime but still can contribute, would you force the team to pay him the average of the top 5 or 10 players at his position? Even if there was no cap hit, teams wouldn’t want to pay that much for a guy who is no longer a star.

I do like the idea, so I’m not trying to shoot it down. These are just some questions that I see.

by WolfpackSteelersFan on Feb 23, 2009 4:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs