Where the fans matter. A place where our opinions on the state of our beloved game can be heard. The NFL is a multi billion dollar industry, committed to the maximization of profits. The players have a powerful union that protects their interests and agents to secure them the best compensation possible. But the fan, who pays for everything in the end, has no voice. We are forced to watch the deterioration of the game without a platform to be heard. This is a place for fans to come together and enter the process, and hopefully be heard. Please join us.
Safety
This is the biggest danger to the game today. Over 4,500 former players have sued the NFL over concussion related symptoms. The NFL forked over $765 million to settle so they could avoid disclosing when they knew about the dangers.
Concussions.
Even to old timers like me, this is a real, not invented problem. Nobody wants people to be permanently harmed by playing the game. Players, medical staff, coaches used to say 'he got his bell rung'; or 'he's not sure what day it is'. They are paying today, sometimes dreadfully.
Endless penalties to protect quarterbacks and receivers, basically removing kickoffs and other blatant attacks on the structure of the game are all self (NFL) induced. But concussions can't be regulated away.
It would have to be a constant and diligently monitered statistic, as critical as the 40 time or Wonderlick score. If a player has a concussion history, his draft value will suffer as a result.
When a player has had 2 or more concussions before they reach the NFL, they could be on a shorter leash, subject to predetermined mandatory down time in the event of a new concussion.
It's a bummer no matter how you slice, but the fact seems to be that some folks get concussions easier, or more often, than others. Those that are susceptible should maybe not be playing.
Are there any advances in helmet design possible?
Officiating
If you are old enough you can recall when there was a 60 second limit for reviewing plays. They put a stop watch on the screen to measure it. At first it was ignored, then eliminated. What in the world can possibly take so long? Almost always the correct call is obvious; why do we have to wait while a ref steps into a peep show booth for agonizing eternities? In college, there is a video referee, who reviews and calls the play much quicker than the NFL.
Why don't we do that?
Why do referees, on average look old, frumpy and confused? Is this who we expect to oversee a game played at world class speed and split second decisions? Referees should be young, strong, fit and able. Like the people they are officiating. Hockey, basketball and baseball all have officials that can keep up with the game and look like they know what's going on. The NFL needs full time refs that are trained and tested for ability. The helpless aged refs trying to break up a fight, figure out a call or uncover a fumble pile is getting very old.
Advertising
We realize it is part of the deal, but do we have to suffer so much? How does Fox not understand that we hate the stupid robot? Must we see the exact same ad over and over and over? They fill every available second, and then invent ways to run more.
It used to be that advertising was inserted around the game clock, and now the game is played around the advertising.
We as fans have become programmed to accept this as normal. Have we no say at all in this? What if one million members boycotted all the products advertised on Fox broadcasts until the robot was gone. (preferably with violence)
Do you think they would hear that?
Is there no rule of supply and demand working here? Wouldn't having less commercials make each time slot more valuable? Meaning do we have to be bombarded with endless ads or could the same results be achieved for advertising customers with less.
