re: 10 Ways to Improve the NFL

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2d8 yards for every penalty.

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3. If an offensive player drops his head as he braces for a tackle, the defensive player cannot get flagged for illegal contact to the head.

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Good idea in theory, but it would require too much guess work which would lead to a lack of consistency. I just don't think that this would be able to be enforced accurately.

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5. Review every play upstairs and if a play looks questionable - buzz the official on the field to stop play.

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Games would take forever. This of course would be solved if they didn't show so many damn commercials. Gotta make money I guess.

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7. Pass interference be a 15 yard penalty or spot of the foul - whichever is farthest. This helps a defense not get killed by a bad call by the officials.

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A lot of people seem to like it this way. I don't. This form gives the defender an incentive to commit a penalty on plays over 15 yards that he is pretty sure he won't be able to legally defend. I think the way it is currently structured is best. Bad calls are a part of the game. eta: (maybe I misunderstood what you were saying here. Please clarify)

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9. Get rid of the illegal contact downfield. Too many officials blow this call because the receiver runs right at the defender, initiates contact, and the defender gets the flag.

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I sort of agree with this, but not entirely. I don't think they should get rid of it altogether. I think they should just loosen up the way that it is called. That would decrease the offense's advantage though, and points put asses in seats.

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10. Use common sense. A lot of the NFL rules are actually not that bad if the official would use common sense when interpreting them and not enforce them literally. A "blow to the head" is not when a player grazes a helmet in the act of swatting for a ball. An official can, and should use his judgement when determining intent on a personal foul. Did the player act in a reckless manner or a manner that they intended to hurt the player? If the answer is "no" then don't throw the flag.

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This creates inconsistency between games and plays. You can't have referees just calling games the way that they want to call them. Players, coaches, and fans should know what to expect. This would open up the door for even more accusations of unfair calls. If you have a problem with a rule being followed strictly for a game then just change the rule.

I thought the rest of your points were decent, especially #1.

Get #1 done and the rest will take care of itself

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6. An official upstairs determines the result of the review - not the official on the field who blew the call in the first place.

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Should be #1

I agree with everything

I would also add that the QB is not allowed to run with the ball past the line of scrimmage. if he is allowed to simply throw it 40 yards out of bound to avoid a sack, he should not b e allowed to take off and run. It makes it too hard for the defense and will prevent mickey mouse offenses like Shanahan's from ruining football.

I'm with you but on this one wouldn't you want it to to be that PI is a 15 yard penalty or a spot foul if it happens within 15 yards? Did I read it wrong?

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7. Pass interference be a 15 yard penalty or spot of the foul - whichever is farthest. This helps a defense not get killed by a bad call by the officials.

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Eliminate commercials:

1. after kickoffs, or at the very least, touchbacks
2. if there are less than say, 10 seconds left in a quarter
3. if the injured player if walking off the field or is already off the field before the break begins

I think there should be two pass interference penalties:

15 yard penalties for "minor contact"

spot of foul penalties for "flagrant interference," such as tackling a receiver to keep him from catching an easy TD.

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1. Get rid of Roger Goodell

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