Change is Needed!

The GM and I don't agree on much but we recently agreed on one thing and that is this. The overtime format in the NFL needs changed and it needs changed now. We touched briefly on this subject during the podcast on Tuesday (which if you haven't listened to it yet, you should because it's good) but we are going to get a little more in depth with our ideas here.

The biggest problem in my opinion is that the coin flip carries so much weight. It is something that has nothing to do with football skill and lots to do with pure luck. If the team wins the coin toss, all they will probably have to do is move the ball 40 yards at the most to move into field goal range.

The arguement here is that defense is part of the game and they should be able to stop the team from getting into scoring range. That is a hell of a lot of pressure and hence the reason so many defensive penalties get called in overtime. The defenses can't handle it most of the time and I would venture to guess that over 75% of teams that win the coin toss win the game and most of them probably win it on the opening drive of overtime.

There has to be a solution to this crazy sudden death coin flip type of overtime.

Here is what I, Verb, have got for you:

Overtime should be a fifth quarter. No sudden death. It takes the luck of the coin toss right out of play. A full 15 minute overtime period where each team can score as many times as they want and only time is the end of the game. It takes most of the luck out of the ending and gives all the facets of the game equal leverage on the outcome.

So you ask, well what if the game isn't decided after the first overtime?

Then you go to a 10 minute period or second overtime period. The only rule change is that if a team scores a touchdown they must go for two. If this doesn't decided the game then continue with 5 minute periods with teams having to go for two until a winner is decided.

In my opinion, this is the most fair way of ending a game that is tied at the end of regulation. The coin flip is pretty much taken out of play and it gives each team a chance to get the ball and keeps the special teams in play as well.

An overtime game will take longer, but let's be honest with ourselves for a second, its the NFL. Does anyone really mind if the games go a little longer so we can decide a fair winner?

I didn't think so.

Mr. Goodell, please take this into consideration!


GM's Thoughts:

Okay now it is my turn. Verb...what happens if this is like the Steelers vs Ravens and neither offense scored much during regulation? Not only that you will still find teams running out the clock at the end just to get it over. That would be boring to watch. Overtime SHOULD be exciting.

The better way is to do this:

There is a traditional coin toss like they have now. Then you kickoff. If the team that receives the ball scores then the other team gets a shot. If they don't score the other team gets the ball.

Now...how does it end you ask. Sudden death starts AS SOON AS there is a change of possession. If team 1 does NOT score then sudden death starts as soon as they punt the ball. If team 1 does score than sudden death starts as soon as the kick off.

It keeps all aspects of the game involved and it gives the game a definitive ending.