What would my employer do?
That is the question I always ask myself when a public figure such as an athlete gets into trouble.
In this case, I ask the question about the Gilbert Arenas case.
Despite pro sports high profile in the public eye, sports are still privately owned businesses with the goal of making money. Also, like another work place, the leagues and owners retain the right to impose reasonable rules on employees.
Reasonable rules include don't steal from the company, show up on time, don't show up drunk or high and don't bring guns or weapons to work unless you are military or a police.
NBA policy prohibits bringing firearms into an NBA facility. For that violation, NBA commissioner David Stern suspended Arenas and Javaris Crittenton without pay for the rest of the season.
Back to my question, what would my employer do? No ands, ifs or buts about it, they would suspended me immediately and more than likely fire me. I work in an oil refinery. At the entrance gate a list prohibited items is posted. Guns, alcohol, illegal drugs and being under the influence of drugs or alcohol are strictly prohibited. As a union steward I know when cases involving prohibited items are involved. In every case the violator has lost his or her job.
I know my employer's rules as a condition of my employment. Arenas, Crittenton and other NBA players know the NBA's rules. We all know before hand what is expected and required to stay employed and earn a living. We also know the consequences of breaking those rules. For whatever reason, two NBA players ignored those rules and now will sit the remainder of the year without pay.
Arenas will probably be back somewhere because of his talent but probably nowhere near the salary he pulls down now. Crittenton's career might be over. All I can say is I hope they and other players learn from this incident and Plaxico Burress's incident and remember those rules are in place for a reason and the price is steep for breaking them.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Craptacular Shitastic NFL Playoffs
I've been pretty quiet during the playoffs and for good reason. The majority of games have been unspectacular bores pieces of donkey dung.
The only three games I've enjoyed were the Jets upset win over the Chargers, the Vikings dismantling of the Cowboys and the Colts and Jets conference final. The rest have been boring blowouts with the exception being the Cardinals vs. Packers slugfest. Even that game sucked. Most people will look at the score and think "Wow" what a game. It was anything but good. It was sloppy defense and terrible to watch.
I expect the Vikings vs. Saints game about to kick off to be a shoot out but who knows.
And why a goalie should never lose track of the ball:
The only three games I've enjoyed were the Jets upset win over the Chargers, the Vikings dismantling of the Cowboys and the Colts and Jets conference final. The rest have been boring blowouts with the exception being the Cardinals vs. Packers slugfest. Even that game sucked. Most people will look at the score and think "Wow" what a game. It was anything but good. It was sloppy defense and terrible to watch.
I expect the Vikings vs. Saints game about to kick off to be a shoot out but who knows.
And why a goalie should never lose track of the ball:
Sunday, January 10, 2010
NFL Playoff Format Revisited
This year there has been much more wailing and gnashing of teeth over playoff teams sitting starters late in the season. The current official stance by the NFL is playoff teams earn the right to play whoever they want by clinching early. Some critics maintain that it is unfair for teams to sit starters when it could affect the final playoff teams and seeding.
A few ideas have been floated about how to fix this problem. Among those ideas is awarding draft picks. That may be the stupidest thing I've heard in a while. That's what the NFL really needs to do...reward playoff teams with more draft picks. Commissioner Roger Goodell stated that he will ask the competition committee to look at the issue.
So with that in mind, I thought I'd take a look at how the playoffs would shake out under my proposed playoff system I made last year.
A brief overview of my rules, which really are tweaking the current rules, not drastically changing the current format.
1. The two division winners in each conference get the top two seeds and a first round bye.
2. All other playoff spots determined by record regardless of division finishes.
3. If two or more teams tie with the same record, the division winner advances first.
4. The rest of the NFL tiebreakers go from this point on.
AFC
The top two seeds are 1. Colts and 2. Chargers. N
The wildcard teams are 3. Patriots 4. Bengals and four teams tied at 9-7. Nothing here changes since none are divisional winners. The current NFL tiebreakers apply and result with 5. Ravens and 6. Jets.
NFC
The top two seeds remain 1. Saints and 2. Vikings.
The wildcard teams are 3. Cowboys 4. Packers 5. Eagles 6. Cardinals
In my playoffs, the teams remain the same except for seeding. That would result in first round match ups of Cowboys vs. Cards and Packers vs. Eagles.
So what did this year's exercise accomplish. Nothing really. The only change resulted in a different seeding arrangement for the NFC and none for the AFC.
Why did I do it? Just to test the theory I came up with last year. About the only game that it might have changed would have been the week 17 match up between the Packers and Cardinals. The Cardinals might not have rolled over so easily if home field advantage was still at stake. Under the current system they were guaranteed a home game despite having a worse record than the Pack.
See how it works out next year. I may one of these days go back and back test the theory too.
A few ideas have been floated about how to fix this problem. Among those ideas is awarding draft picks. That may be the stupidest thing I've heard in a while. That's what the NFL really needs to do...reward playoff teams with more draft picks. Commissioner Roger Goodell stated that he will ask the competition committee to look at the issue.
So with that in mind, I thought I'd take a look at how the playoffs would shake out under my proposed playoff system I made last year.
A brief overview of my rules, which really are tweaking the current rules, not drastically changing the current format.
1. The two division winners in each conference get the top two seeds and a first round bye.
2. All other playoff spots determined by record regardless of division finishes.
3. If two or more teams tie with the same record, the division winner advances first.
4. The rest of the NFL tiebreakers go from this point on.
AFC
The top two seeds are 1. Colts and 2. Chargers. N
The wildcard teams are 3. Patriots 4. Bengals and four teams tied at 9-7. Nothing here changes since none are divisional winners. The current NFL tiebreakers apply and result with 5. Ravens and 6. Jets.
NFC
The top two seeds remain 1. Saints and 2. Vikings.
The wildcard teams are 3. Cowboys 4. Packers 5. Eagles 6. Cardinals
In my playoffs, the teams remain the same except for seeding. That would result in first round match ups of Cowboys vs. Cards and Packers vs. Eagles.
So what did this year's exercise accomplish. Nothing really. The only change resulted in a different seeding arrangement for the NFC and none for the AFC.
Why did I do it? Just to test the theory I came up with last year. About the only game that it might have changed would have been the week 17 match up between the Packers and Cardinals. The Cardinals might not have rolled over so easily if home field advantage was still at stake. Under the current system they were guaranteed a home game despite having a worse record than the Pack.
See how it works out next year. I may one of these days go back and back test the theory too.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
NFL Week 13
Like Texans fans that want Bill Cowher to coach the team but have no clue on the implications of such a hire, I love when someone who has no clue about football offers his ignorant opinion.
So much the better when it's a politician giving his opinion on the draft. Florida governor Charlie Crist talked to Jaguars ownership about drafting Tim Tebow in order to sell more tickets. I'm glad the governor took time out from his busy schedule to tell an owner of a private business how to run it. Florida is such a paradise that the governor can spend time constructing a NFL draft board. He is so confident of reelection that forget the campaign for governor. It's a campaign to keep the Jags in Jacksonville. Forget that the Jags already have a quarterback that can run and throw (throw better than Tebow at that), the governor wants to market Tebow.
It's December and like the changing of the leaves, the Cowboys lose. In an important divisional game against a team that has last more games lately than won. It certainly isn't lack of effort on offense. Tony Romo threw 3 touchdowns and no picks. Marion Barber had the only miscue on a rare fumble. Austin Miles, Jason Witten and a Roy Williams appearance all had big days. If there was any knock on the offense it why was Romo putting the ball up 55 times? What's going on with the running game?
If blame is due lay it at the feet of the defense and special teams. The defense allowed Brandon Jacobs to cut loose on a short pass. Jacobs turned the pass into a 74 yard TD. Dominik Dixon ran back a 79 yard punt after he appeared contained. Kicker Nick Polk didn't do anything to help the cause by missing a 42 yard FG attempt.
Steeler Nation must be in full melt down mode. Earlier in the year I expressed some concern about the Steelers and their offense. They started off 1-2 before righting the ship and reeling off five straight. The hit the skids hard with four losses in a row now. The Bengals own the division this year and the Steelers almost pulled off the win. If I'm a fan the two losses that obviously concern me are the KC and Oakland games. Those are two winnable games against bad teams yet the Steelers came up short. They have three tough games against Green Bay, Baltimore and Miami.
On the other hand, Raider Nation must be giddy as school girls. How many wins is that now? Outside of Oakland, who cares? The bottom line is the Raiders are still the same bad team they were when the season started. JeMarcus Russell might be on the bench but Bruce Gradkowski isn't the answer. Until the Godfather Emperor Palpatine dies or brings in a GM with a free strong hand, the Raiders will still suck.
Case in Point: Palpatine's selection of WR Darius Howard-Bey. For the Steeler game he was inactive. The first round pick is inactive. Why? I didn't see him on the injury report. The Raiders screwed the pooch on another first rounder. The Raiders needed all that speed to get all those long balls from Russell. Right? Just look at his game stats for the season. A freaking joke. I guess he and Russell can sit on the bench and eat hot dogs. Look at your future team Raider fans.
Michael Vick had a nice homecoming versus his old team. Unlike others, I want him to succeed. He made his mistake and paid a heavy price. We are all entitled to redemption if it a genuine gesture.
Like I stated last week, the NFL more than likely had caught up with the Patriots. They've been looking stale. Almost like the feel that they should just show up and win. The don't scare anyone. As the losses mount, the intimidation factor diminishes. In fact, I doubt anyone really fears them anymore. This week the Dolphins took them down.
I wonder what Daniel Snyder was hoping for when Jim Zorn was stripped of play calling duties? I know he was trying to get Zorn to quit so Snyder wouldn't be on the hook for his contract. Zorn didn't take the bait. Somebody else is calling plays but the results are the same. Same old Redskins, different Sunday. This time they let the undefeated Saints off the hook. As long as Snyder has owned the team he still doesn't get it. He needs to let someone else run the football operations. He's obviously a smart business man. He wouldn't be loaded otherwise. So why can't he realize that the same aspects apply to running a football team? It's not his personal fantasy team.
In the Sign of Things to come category, the NFL ended the $110 million a year revenue sharing program. The ESPN article doesn't say which revenue program since there are many including TV money, gate receipts and merchandising. I'm assuming the merchandising program is the one ended. Basically all the money from team merchandise sold is pooled and divided up between teams. The article implies that it was used to subsidized lower revenue teams. That is likely false. It's not a subsidy. It's shared revenue. Now it helps those lower revenue teams but the other teams receive the same amount.
What baffles me is that in the commentary and analysis I've read this week, no one has mentioned it. I'm not done with my weekly reading so I don't know what I've missed.
The move could be a sign of how the owners plan on negotiating with the players. The players plan on filing an appeal to an outside arbitrator to rule on the move. The players contend that the revenue sharing is a bargained issue and the league can't unilaterally end it without the NFL Players Association approval. The owners contend that it only applies to cap years. That next year will be uncapped and therefore there is no need for the program to exist.
If the clause ESPN is quoting is correct then the NFLPA will probably win:
I'm going to go without name a JeMarcus Russell Player of the Week and a line of the week this issue. It's already a long column....until next week, hopefully.
So much the better when it's a politician giving his opinion on the draft. Florida governor Charlie Crist talked to Jaguars ownership about drafting Tim Tebow in order to sell more tickets. I'm glad the governor took time out from his busy schedule to tell an owner of a private business how to run it. Florida is such a paradise that the governor can spend time constructing a NFL draft board. He is so confident of reelection that forget the campaign for governor. It's a campaign to keep the Jags in Jacksonville. Forget that the Jags already have a quarterback that can run and throw (throw better than Tebow at that), the governor wants to market Tebow.
It's December and like the changing of the leaves, the Cowboys lose. In an important divisional game against a team that has last more games lately than won. It certainly isn't lack of effort on offense. Tony Romo threw 3 touchdowns and no picks. Marion Barber had the only miscue on a rare fumble. Austin Miles, Jason Witten and a Roy Williams appearance all had big days. If there was any knock on the offense it why was Romo putting the ball up 55 times? What's going on with the running game?
If blame is due lay it at the feet of the defense and special teams. The defense allowed Brandon Jacobs to cut loose on a short pass. Jacobs turned the pass into a 74 yard TD. Dominik Dixon ran back a 79 yard punt after he appeared contained. Kicker Nick Polk didn't do anything to help the cause by missing a 42 yard FG attempt.
Steeler Nation must be in full melt down mode. Earlier in the year I expressed some concern about the Steelers and their offense. They started off 1-2 before righting the ship and reeling off five straight. The hit the skids hard with four losses in a row now. The Bengals own the division this year and the Steelers almost pulled off the win. If I'm a fan the two losses that obviously concern me are the KC and Oakland games. Those are two winnable games against bad teams yet the Steelers came up short. They have three tough games against Green Bay, Baltimore and Miami.
On the other hand, Raider Nation must be giddy as school girls. How many wins is that now? Outside of Oakland, who cares? The bottom line is the Raiders are still the same bad team they were when the season started. JeMarcus Russell might be on the bench but Bruce Gradkowski isn't the answer. Until the Godfather Emperor Palpatine dies or brings in a GM with a free strong hand, the Raiders will still suck.
Case in Point: Palpatine's selection of WR Darius Howard-Bey. For the Steeler game he was inactive. The first round pick is inactive. Why? I didn't see him on the injury report. The Raiders screwed the pooch on another first rounder. The Raiders needed all that speed to get all those long balls from Russell. Right? Just look at his game stats for the season. A freaking joke. I guess he and Russell can sit on the bench and eat hot dogs. Look at your future team Raider fans.
Michael Vick had a nice homecoming versus his old team. Unlike others, I want him to succeed. He made his mistake and paid a heavy price. We are all entitled to redemption if it a genuine gesture.
Like I stated last week, the NFL more than likely had caught up with the Patriots. They've been looking stale. Almost like the feel that they should just show up and win. The don't scare anyone. As the losses mount, the intimidation factor diminishes. In fact, I doubt anyone really fears them anymore. This week the Dolphins took them down.
I wonder what Daniel Snyder was hoping for when Jim Zorn was stripped of play calling duties? I know he was trying to get Zorn to quit so Snyder wouldn't be on the hook for his contract. Zorn didn't take the bait. Somebody else is calling plays but the results are the same. Same old Redskins, different Sunday. This time they let the undefeated Saints off the hook. As long as Snyder has owned the team he still doesn't get it. He needs to let someone else run the football operations. He's obviously a smart business man. He wouldn't be loaded otherwise. So why can't he realize that the same aspects apply to running a football team? It's not his personal fantasy team.
In the Sign of Things to come category, the NFL ended the $110 million a year revenue sharing program. The ESPN article doesn't say which revenue program since there are many including TV money, gate receipts and merchandising. I'm assuming the merchandising program is the one ended. Basically all the money from team merchandise sold is pooled and divided up between teams. The article implies that it was used to subsidized lower revenue teams. That is likely false. It's not a subsidy. It's shared revenue. Now it helps those lower revenue teams but the other teams receive the same amount.
What baffles me is that in the commentary and analysis I've read this week, no one has mentioned it. I'm not done with my weekly reading so I don't know what I've missed.
The move could be a sign of how the owners plan on negotiating with the players. The players plan on filing an appeal to an outside arbitrator to rule on the move. The players contend that the revenue sharing is a bargained issue and the league can't unilaterally end it without the NFL Players Association approval. The owners contend that it only applies to cap years. That next year will be uncapped and therefore there is no need for the program to exist.
If the clause ESPN is quoting is correct then the NFLPA will probably win:
"The revenue sharing program described to the NFLPA by memorandum dated March 10, 2006, has been determined by the NFLPA to be satisfactory. Any material modification to that program must also be reasonably satisfactory to the NFLPA.
I'm going to go without name a JeMarcus Russell Player of the Week and a line of the week this issue. It's already a long column....until next week, hopefully.
NFL Week 12 - Bite Me It's Late by a Week Edition
One of the big problems of trying to write a weekly NFL column is being in actual attendance of an NFL game. When I'm at a Texans game all else ceases to exist. Top that off with shift work and the week gets away from me and I find myself not caught up on the games of the past week. Factor in that work cut my internet access to sports websites and I'm even more clueless.
Basically I can limit my comments to the games that I watched. And to be honest that would leave me only the Patriots vs. the Saint.
What can I say? As much as I think that Saints fans are unbearable and the biggest douchebags (yes even worse that Cowboy bandwagon fans), the Saints are the real deal. They've always had the offense since Drew Brees arrived from San Diego. Now they have the defense to go with it.
They pretty much manhandled the Patriots. In watching the game though, I think the league is catching up with Bill Belichik and the Patriots. It looks like the Pats have become a bit predictable. The play book can be distilled to about three or four plays: Deep to Randy Moss. Underneath to Wes Welker. Draw play to Laurence Maroney. Pass to Kevin Faulk on 3rd down. Teams seem to know what is coming. Stopping the Pats is a different story. They are still a good team but at 7-4 they aren't the All-Universe World Beaters they used to be. The quality teams of the NFL no longer are intimidated or fear the Pats. The Genius Belichik looks pretty stale as of late.
The Cowher Rumor
According the Houston Chronicle's NFL writer John McClain, someone wrote on a blog that Bill Cowher would be interested in the Texans or Bears job. The national media ran with it. Local fans went bonkers and started clamoring for Gary Kubiak's head and do what it takes to get Cowher.
McClain shot down the rumor in last week's Texans online chat session he does for the Chronicle.
This week Profootball Weekly clarified the rumor. PFW quotes inside sources that Bears representatives talked to someone who knows Cowher and asked him to gauge Cowher's interest and requirements to take the job. Cowher never expressed any interest about the Bears or the Texans job. It was the Bears reaching out to him.
Hot Seat
It's that time of year where coaches seats go from warm to hot to scorched. The Bills axed head man Dick Jauron already. Rumors are swirling that Lovie Smith is in deep trouble in Chicago. Jim Zorn and Eric Mangini are almost as good as gone. Jeff Fisher might leave the Titans. I wonder if Jim Mora is feeling some heat in Seattle especially after the GM step down this week. Gary Kubiak is standing on the ledge with owner Bob McNair deciding whether or not to push him off. Wade Phillips and Tom Cable are on the list too. Several more coaches are borderline including John Fox and Jack Del Rio.
While not in any danger of losing their jobs, Mike Singletary, Rex Ryan and Raheem Morris might get a stern talking to by management. The word on Singletary is his intensity and rhetoric are great but he is getting out coached is some games. That he might be a little to hands on and not a great X's and O's guy. Ryan might be told to tone down his mouth. He started off winning three games in a row but came down to earth real quick. As for Morris, there are multiple reports stating that Morris may be in over his head in Tampa. He is getting overwhelmed by the job.
Of course it doesn't help that Super Bowl winning coaches are working in the television booth and not the sidelines. Cowher, Mike Shanahan, Tony Dungy, Brian Billick and Jon Gruden will be on many short lists this off season. Of those names I see Shanahan as the only sure bet to take a job. It's the worst kept secret in football that Cowher wants the Carolina job. Dungy seems more content with his role as a mentor to players and troubled youth. I don't know anything going on with Billick. Gruden just signed an extension to his TV contract so there might be a buy out clause that may keep teams away.
JeMarcus Russell Player of the Week
I have to give it to home town goat Matt Schaub. Even though the Texans let the Colts back into the game they were still in striking distance. At the most inopportune time he threw a pick for TD and then was stripped of the football allowing the Colts a short field.
Line of the Week
Again I have to give it to Green Bay corner Charles Woodson: 7 tackles, 2 interceptions (one for a 38 yard TD return), 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery. All that and he was upset that he gave up a TD reception to Calvin Johnson. There is no shame in give up a TD to Johnson.
The Texans are on the road this week so I'll be on my usual seat at Buffalo
Wild Wings in Midtown....
Basically I can limit my comments to the games that I watched. And to be honest that would leave me only the Patriots vs. the Saint.
What can I say? As much as I think that Saints fans are unbearable and the biggest douchebags (yes even worse that Cowboy bandwagon fans), the Saints are the real deal. They've always had the offense since Drew Brees arrived from San Diego. Now they have the defense to go with it.
They pretty much manhandled the Patriots. In watching the game though, I think the league is catching up with Bill Belichik and the Patriots. It looks like the Pats have become a bit predictable. The play book can be distilled to about three or four plays: Deep to Randy Moss. Underneath to Wes Welker. Draw play to Laurence Maroney. Pass to Kevin Faulk on 3rd down. Teams seem to know what is coming. Stopping the Pats is a different story. They are still a good team but at 7-4 they aren't the All-Universe World Beaters they used to be. The quality teams of the NFL no longer are intimidated or fear the Pats. The Genius Belichik looks pretty stale as of late.
The Cowher Rumor
According the Houston Chronicle's NFL writer John McClain, someone wrote on a blog that Bill Cowher would be interested in the Texans or Bears job. The national media ran with it. Local fans went bonkers and started clamoring for Gary Kubiak's head and do what it takes to get Cowher.
McClain shot down the rumor in last week's Texans online chat session he does for the Chronicle.
This week Profootball Weekly clarified the rumor. PFW quotes inside sources that Bears representatives talked to someone who knows Cowher and asked him to gauge Cowher's interest and requirements to take the job. Cowher never expressed any interest about the Bears or the Texans job. It was the Bears reaching out to him.
Hot Seat
It's that time of year where coaches seats go from warm to hot to scorched. The Bills axed head man Dick Jauron already. Rumors are swirling that Lovie Smith is in deep trouble in Chicago. Jim Zorn and Eric Mangini are almost as good as gone. Jeff Fisher might leave the Titans. I wonder if Jim Mora is feeling some heat in Seattle especially after the GM step down this week. Gary Kubiak is standing on the ledge with owner Bob McNair deciding whether or not to push him off. Wade Phillips and Tom Cable are on the list too. Several more coaches are borderline including John Fox and Jack Del Rio.
While not in any danger of losing their jobs, Mike Singletary, Rex Ryan and Raheem Morris might get a stern talking to by management. The word on Singletary is his intensity and rhetoric are great but he is getting out coached is some games. That he might be a little to hands on and not a great X's and O's guy. Ryan might be told to tone down his mouth. He started off winning three games in a row but came down to earth real quick. As for Morris, there are multiple reports stating that Morris may be in over his head in Tampa. He is getting overwhelmed by the job.
Of course it doesn't help that Super Bowl winning coaches are working in the television booth and not the sidelines. Cowher, Mike Shanahan, Tony Dungy, Brian Billick and Jon Gruden will be on many short lists this off season. Of those names I see Shanahan as the only sure bet to take a job. It's the worst kept secret in football that Cowher wants the Carolina job. Dungy seems more content with his role as a mentor to players and troubled youth. I don't know anything going on with Billick. Gruden just signed an extension to his TV contract so there might be a buy out clause that may keep teams away.
JeMarcus Russell Player of the Week
I have to give it to home town goat Matt Schaub. Even though the Texans let the Colts back into the game they were still in striking distance. At the most inopportune time he threw a pick for TD and then was stripped of the football allowing the Colts a short field.
Line of the Week
Again I have to give it to Green Bay corner Charles Woodson: 7 tackles, 2 interceptions (one for a 38 yard TD return), 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery. All that and he was upset that he gave up a TD reception to Calvin Johnson. There is no shame in give up a TD to Johnson.
The Texans are on the road this week so I'll be on my usual seat at Buffalo
Wild Wings in Midtown....
Saturday, November 28, 2009
NFL Week 11 - The Open Date
I strayed off my weekly on field analysis and decided to address a few things about the NFL schedule and rosters.
The Open Date
For starters, it’s not a bye. A bye is when a team earns or is seeded in a tournament or playoff in such a place that they don’t compete in a round. When the top two seeds don’t play in the NFL’s first round of playoffs, that is a bye. A team scheduled off during the season is an open date.
Which brings me to my main point, the nature of the open date is inherently wrong. I think it builds in a late season advantage for some teams to rest up while other teams get the open date as early as the fourth week.
I’d like to see the league either do away with it entirely or make it more equitable. The season is seventeen weeks long to allow for the open week. May as well let half the teams take the week off in week nine and the other half in week ten. That seems fair when compared to the current system.
The Expanded Season
Roger Goodell and the ownership seem hell bent on expanding the season to 18 games. Several issues need to be addressed before this happens. TV contracts will need be adjusted for the extra games, the schedule formula reworked, rosters expanded and player pay also increased for two more game checks.
With the looming potential work stoppage, I personally don’t see how all that will get done in addition to negotiating a new CBA.
As it stands, I’d like to see the NFL expand the rosters for the 16 game season. Teams are allowed to carry 53 players with 46 plus a 3rd quarterback on game day. Teams also carry a practice squad but those players aren’t exclusive to the team. Any team may sign a practice squad player to the 53 man roster.
Instead, the NFL should revamp the current system to allow all 53 players active on game day. No more scratches. The owners pay the players a game day check anyway so why not make the eligible to play? Another route the league could take is to keep the 46 game day roster and expand the designated emergency players. Designate one emergency player at quarterback, running back, offensive lineman, defensive lineman, linebacker, defensive back and receiver. If a player leaves the game and is replaced by the emergency player, then the original player isn’t allowed to return to the game.
The Injured Reserve
While I’m pontificating about the rosters, the owners may as well change up the injured reserve rules. In the past, teams could designate a player on injured reserve and reactivate him during the season. The rule changed to prevent teams from stocking players on injured reserve even though healthy. Now it’s an all or nothing list. A player goes on the list and doesn’t count against the roster limit or he sits out hurt and counts against the roster.
The NFL should take a page from Major League Baseball. They could alter the injured reserve rule for varying periods of time. A player could go on injured reserve for either a 4, 6 or 12 week period or out for the year. Of course there should be limits on the number of players on injured reserve. Maybe two or three players max on the eligible to return list to keep teams from stockpiling players. I’d also suggest limiting the number of times a team can use the injured reserve in a season. Finally, along the lines of the PUP list, once the injury time is up, a team must decide to activate the player or he is out for the season.
The Open Date
For starters, it’s not a bye. A bye is when a team earns or is seeded in a tournament or playoff in such a place that they don’t compete in a round. When the top two seeds don’t play in the NFL’s first round of playoffs, that is a bye. A team scheduled off during the season is an open date.
Which brings me to my main point, the nature of the open date is inherently wrong. I think it builds in a late season advantage for some teams to rest up while other teams get the open date as early as the fourth week.
I’d like to see the league either do away with it entirely or make it more equitable. The season is seventeen weeks long to allow for the open week. May as well let half the teams take the week off in week nine and the other half in week ten. That seems fair when compared to the current system.
The Expanded Season
Roger Goodell and the ownership seem hell bent on expanding the season to 18 games. Several issues need to be addressed before this happens. TV contracts will need be adjusted for the extra games, the schedule formula reworked, rosters expanded and player pay also increased for two more game checks.
With the looming potential work stoppage, I personally don’t see how all that will get done in addition to negotiating a new CBA.
As it stands, I’d like to see the NFL expand the rosters for the 16 game season. Teams are allowed to carry 53 players with 46 plus a 3rd quarterback on game day. Teams also carry a practice squad but those players aren’t exclusive to the team. Any team may sign a practice squad player to the 53 man roster.
Instead, the NFL should revamp the current system to allow all 53 players active on game day. No more scratches. The owners pay the players a game day check anyway so why not make the eligible to play? Another route the league could take is to keep the 46 game day roster and expand the designated emergency players. Designate one emergency player at quarterback, running back, offensive lineman, defensive lineman, linebacker, defensive back and receiver. If a player leaves the game and is replaced by the emergency player, then the original player isn’t allowed to return to the game.
The Injured Reserve
While I’m pontificating about the rosters, the owners may as well change up the injured reserve rules. In the past, teams could designate a player on injured reserve and reactivate him during the season. The rule changed to prevent teams from stocking players on injured reserve even though healthy. Now it’s an all or nothing list. A player goes on the list and doesn’t count against the roster limit or he sits out hurt and counts against the roster.
The NFL should take a page from Major League Baseball. They could alter the injured reserve rule for varying periods of time. A player could go on injured reserve for either a 4, 6 or 12 week period or out for the year. Of course there should be limits on the number of players on injured reserve. Maybe two or three players max on the eligible to return list to keep teams from stockpiling players. I’d also suggest limiting the number of times a team can use the injured reserve in a season. Finally, along the lines of the PUP list, once the injury time is up, a team must decide to activate the player or he is out for the season.
Monday, November 23, 2009
NFL Week 10 - The Genius and the Idiot
Some people, mostly in the New England area, think Bill Belichik is a genius. Others believe he is a cheat. Obviously you don’t win three Super Bowl rings, go undefeated in the regular season and lose a fourth Super Bowl without something working between the ears.
It’s gospel on this blog that I believe that Jack Del Rio inherited the title of Worst NFL Coach upon the retirement of Herm Edwards.
The roles were some what reversed this week.
By now everyone has hashed, rehashed and regurgitated Belichick’s decision to go for the first down against Payton Manning and the Colts Sunday night. My two cents: punt the ball and let Manning earn it. Don’t give him a short field to work with.
On the flipside, Del Rio instructed running back Maurice Drew-Jones not to score in the closing minutes of the Jacksonville Jaguars game against the New York Jets. Drew-Jones took a knee at the one instead of plunging in to the endzone. The Jets had no time outs left and the Jags only needed a field goal to win. They ran out the clock, kicked the FG and won the game.
Those two games show the fine line between genius and idiot. If the Patriots get the first down and win, Belichick is the toast of the town and hailed a gutsy genius. If the Jags miss the field goal, fumble the snap or some other slapstick error, Del Rio probably gets closer to earning his pink slip.
As it stands, the Patriots may have lost any chance at gaining home field advantage through out the playoffs. Unless they collapse completely, they should win their division. The Jags, despite Del Rio, remain in the hunt for a wild card spot and also achieve the tie breaker over the Jets.
Dysfunction Junction, What’s Your Function?
The are bad teams (Chiefs, Lions, Rams) and then there are the problem children of the NFL…Browns, Redskins and Bills.
Incompetence and dysfunction rule the roost in those franchises. The Browns currently hold the lead after firing the GM and Eric Mangini’s antics now catching the eye of the NFL Players Association.
Not to be out done, Ralph Wilson fired Bills head coach Dick Jauron while I started writing this last night. I find the time odd. He had the best opportunity to do so during the open date. Instead Wilson does it on Tuesday, promotes the defensive coordinator to interim coach and expects the team to be prepared to play this Sunday.
I understand pulling the plug on a coach but there are better ways to handle things. Firing a coach during the week isn’t the best way. The move proves the level of chaos going on in Buffalo.
Old Man Wilson styles himself a man of the people. He is the only owner who votes against relocation anytime a team wants to pick up and move. He’s voted against teams moving every time. It’s a nice gesture and pretty meaningless. Remember this is the same owner who is playing regular season games in Toronto and might be rumored to move more games, if not the franchise, to Toronto.
With that kind of doublespeak, it’s no wonder his franchise is swirling down the toilet. Chaos breeds chaos. Wilson, 91, needs to step back and let a younger man run his team. Hands off is generally the best way to go. Just sign the checks and watch the books, Wilson and enjoy your last few years in this life.
And on the Field of Play
Things in Denver seem to hit a wall. After a blazing 6-0 start, the Broncos now have lost the last three. The latest was to division archrival San Diego. The ESPN Football Today podcast, with Mike Green), brought up an interesting point about the Broncos. They pointed out that Denver’s defense isn’t all that young. The tough games they played against the Ravens and Steelers may have taken a toll on the older bodies. Now they really haven’t recovered and will continue to wear down as the season progresses.
Say what you want about the 18-12 score, I still thought it was an entertaining game between the Bengals and the Steelers. No offensive touchdowns usually mean a dull game (Browns 6, Bills 3). Both teams played solid defense and left it out on the field. There was plenty at stake for both teams. Bengals solidified their hold on the AFC North and one game away from sweeping the division. They put themselves in position to compete for a bye in the playoffs. While not out of the divisional race yet, the Steelers must start thinking wildcard. It would take a dramatic Bengals collapse for them to win the division.
Just when you think the Cowboys are making a strong push, the December Boys make a midseason showing. The ‘boys blew a chance to put some distance in the division between themselves and the Giants and Eagles. More curious is why they didn’t use the three headed monster of Tashard Choice, Felix Jones and Marion Barber. Instead the Green Bay defense harassed Tony Romo for the better part of the game.
The free fall continues for the Jets. After opening with a three game win streak and the swagger of coach Rex Ryan, the Jets aren’t looking the like the dark horse playoff team anymore. One scout on I read stated that it would take defensive coaches about three games to figure out rookie Jet quarterback Mark Sanchez. Right on schedule, three games into the season is where the slump begins.
Line of the Week - Charles Woodson CB Green Bay Packers
Two forced fumbles, 9 tackles (2 for a loss), 1 sack, 1 Interception
JeMarcus Russell Player of the Week
This week it goes to a coach. Bill Belichick. Come on man, at least make Payton Manning drive the length of the field.
It’s gospel on this blog that I believe that Jack Del Rio inherited the title of Worst NFL Coach upon the retirement of Herm Edwards.
The roles were some what reversed this week.
By now everyone has hashed, rehashed and regurgitated Belichick’s decision to go for the first down against Payton Manning and the Colts Sunday night. My two cents: punt the ball and let Manning earn it. Don’t give him a short field to work with.
On the flipside, Del Rio instructed running back Maurice Drew-Jones not to score in the closing minutes of the Jacksonville Jaguars game against the New York Jets. Drew-Jones took a knee at the one instead of plunging in to the endzone. The Jets had no time outs left and the Jags only needed a field goal to win. They ran out the clock, kicked the FG and won the game.
Those two games show the fine line between genius and idiot. If the Patriots get the first down and win, Belichick is the toast of the town and hailed a gutsy genius. If the Jags miss the field goal, fumble the snap or some other slapstick error, Del Rio probably gets closer to earning his pink slip.
As it stands, the Patriots may have lost any chance at gaining home field advantage through out the playoffs. Unless they collapse completely, they should win their division. The Jags, despite Del Rio, remain in the hunt for a wild card spot and also achieve the tie breaker over the Jets.
Dysfunction Junction, What’s Your Function?
The are bad teams (Chiefs, Lions, Rams) and then there are the problem children of the NFL…Browns, Redskins and Bills.
Incompetence and dysfunction rule the roost in those franchises. The Browns currently hold the lead after firing the GM and Eric Mangini’s antics now catching the eye of the NFL Players Association.
Not to be out done, Ralph Wilson fired Bills head coach Dick Jauron while I started writing this last night. I find the time odd. He had the best opportunity to do so during the open date. Instead Wilson does it on Tuesday, promotes the defensive coordinator to interim coach and expects the team to be prepared to play this Sunday.
I understand pulling the plug on a coach but there are better ways to handle things. Firing a coach during the week isn’t the best way. The move proves the level of chaos going on in Buffalo.
Old Man Wilson styles himself a man of the people. He is the only owner who votes against relocation anytime a team wants to pick up and move. He’s voted against teams moving every time. It’s a nice gesture and pretty meaningless. Remember this is the same owner who is playing regular season games in Toronto and might be rumored to move more games, if not the franchise, to Toronto.
With that kind of doublespeak, it’s no wonder his franchise is swirling down the toilet. Chaos breeds chaos. Wilson, 91, needs to step back and let a younger man run his team. Hands off is generally the best way to go. Just sign the checks and watch the books, Wilson and enjoy your last few years in this life.
And on the Field of Play
Things in Denver seem to hit a wall. After a blazing 6-0 start, the Broncos now have lost the last three. The latest was to division archrival San Diego. The ESPN Football Today podcast, with Mike Green), brought up an interesting point about the Broncos. They pointed out that Denver’s defense isn’t all that young. The tough games they played against the Ravens and Steelers may have taken a toll on the older bodies. Now they really haven’t recovered and will continue to wear down as the season progresses.
Say what you want about the 18-12 score, I still thought it was an entertaining game between the Bengals and the Steelers. No offensive touchdowns usually mean a dull game (Browns 6, Bills 3). Both teams played solid defense and left it out on the field. There was plenty at stake for both teams. Bengals solidified their hold on the AFC North and one game away from sweeping the division. They put themselves in position to compete for a bye in the playoffs. While not out of the divisional race yet, the Steelers must start thinking wildcard. It would take a dramatic Bengals collapse for them to win the division.
Just when you think the Cowboys are making a strong push, the December Boys make a midseason showing. The ‘boys blew a chance to put some distance in the division between themselves and the Giants and Eagles. More curious is why they didn’t use the three headed monster of Tashard Choice, Felix Jones and Marion Barber. Instead the Green Bay defense harassed Tony Romo for the better part of the game.
The free fall continues for the Jets. After opening with a three game win streak and the swagger of coach Rex Ryan, the Jets aren’t looking the like the dark horse playoff team anymore. One scout on I read stated that it would take defensive coaches about three games to figure out rookie Jet quarterback Mark Sanchez. Right on schedule, three games into the season is where the slump begins.
Line of the Week - Charles Woodson CB Green Bay Packers
Two forced fumbles, 9 tackles (2 for a loss), 1 sack, 1 Interception
JeMarcus Russell Player of the Week
This week it goes to a coach. Bill Belichick. Come on man, at least make Payton Manning drive the length of the field.
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