The NFL is Great, But Here's How To Make It Better

The NFL is the number one sport in the United States. Yes, college football or as I prefer to call it "fraternity football" fans the NFL is #1. Just recently, the NFL draft drew more viewers than most television shows. I am sure if we researched the numbers, the NFL television network channel and radio channel draw more viewers and listeners than any other of the major sports. With this said, as great as the NFL is I know how to make it even better.

The very first thing I would do as NFL Commissioner is abolish the Conferences and divisions. Instead of two conferences and eight divisions, the NFL would be 1 league with 32 teams competing. Sure we could keep the bitter rivalries but the main goal would be to produce a playoff with the 12 best teams climaxing with the 2 best teams playing for the title. Is the view coming into focus as to what this could produce? No longer could a team back into the playoffs by winning a weak division, see the Chargers last season winning the AFC west with an 8-8 record. What we want is the 12 best records competing for the Lombardi Trophy and that is what Commissioner McGaw "The Hater" would deliver.

By doing this, the big payoff would be we could finally have all of those Super Bowls we wish we could have seen in the past. For instance, the Cowboys and the Niners of the 90's could only meet in the NFC title game. We all knew that was the real Super Bowl and that the winner of that game would win the Super Bowl. My rules would give you the Cowboys vs the Niners of the 90's in the Super Bowl. Currently, how would you like to see a Colts vs Patriots Super Bowl? Or plug the Steelers in for either team? Bottom line, we don't get the two best teams playing on Super Sunday and that should be corrected.

Commisioner McGaw "The Hater" will also eliminate long term contracts. Yes sir, contracts are renegotiated every year for no longer than that 1 year. No, every player does not become free agents. There would be limits and regulations to keep the core of the teams together. Just to make sure we are getting the very best brand of football, contracts will also have several incentives that are not only individual incentives but team achievement incentives. This should promote a fire inside of each player that pushes them to their very best on every play of every game for themselves and the success of their team.

Prime time TV games will always be the very best games that week. Currently, every team gets to appear at least once in prime time. Sorry, if you stink- you don't get Monday Night or Sunday Night games. The elite matchups of the week will be on Monday and Sunday Night, as well as all Holiday telecasts.

Speaking of holiday telecasts, Commissioner McGaw is going to give you, the fan, a better kickoff weekend. How? Try this on, the NFL will take over and dominate the Labor Day weekend. Um, sorry if that takes away from high school or "fraterntiy football" crowds, I hate that for ya but I WANT MY NFL! We will begin Labor Day Weekend with 2 marquee matchups on Friday night at 6 and 9 p.m. Saturday will bring you 3 good matchups at 1, 5, and 8 pm. Sunday will have the meat of the schedule as usual. Labor Day will again give you good matchups at 1, 5, and 8 pm. All holiday matchups will be good, if not great. No garbage games on holidays! Guess what Lions, you WILL be home for Thanksgiving and you won't be playing!

Finally, Commissioner McGaw "The Hater" is going to make one slight adjustment to the game itself. Everyone wants to fix overtime, well here is how you do it. ELIMINATE the coin toss. The 4th quarter would be more strategic causing more excitement. No one feels cheated as though they lost on a coin toss. If a team is pinned deep in their own territory in the 4th quarter they can't take a knee and play for the coin toss. They would have to try for first downs. We continue the game into a 5th quarter and it becomes "sudden death", first team to score wins. The ball remains with the team that had it at the same location on the field when the 4th quarter ended. Teams swap ends of the field just like any other change of a quarter.

Although some of these recommendations seem drastic, while others seem simple, each of them could be done. Will we see any of these recommendations be implemented? Not a chance, too many opinions, egos, and dollars in the way of the fan getting the most enjoyment for their time and money. But the more you ponder these changes, the more you will realize as great as the NFL is, Commissioner McGaw "The Hater" could and would make it even better for you, the fan.