NFL considering widening field, again

[bosox3431]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-sh...4198--nfl.html

I think its stupid. Just a way to get more offense IMO.

[Matrix3132]

Offense sells, it seems like it would be safer with defenses playing more conservatively

[manbearchef]

Am I the only one who finds it hilarious that they make it seem like the NFL should be following the pace of the CFL? That'd be like the rest of the world following the US when deciding soccer rules.

The reasoning makes no sense. How does adding space (i.e. room to accelerate) make it safer? All this would do is raise the value of having the fastest players (Al Davis just did a back-flip in his grave). And it'd just my opinion, but in the NFL where QBs can already have their way with zone defenses a lot of the time, this would kill a lot of zone plays.

[Matrix3132]

Am I the only one who finds it hilarious that they make it seem like the NFL should be following the pace of the CFL? That'd be like the rest of the world following the US when deciding soccer rules.

The reasoning makes no sense. How does adding space (i.e. room to accelerate) make it safer? All this would do is raise the value of having the fastest players (Al Davis just did a back-flip in his grave). And it'd just my opinion, but in the NFL where QBs can already have their way with zone defenses a lot of the time, this would kill a lot of zone plays.

I think the logic is that a bigger field creates more big plays so defenses would have to play a lot more conservatively and not be able to blitz as much.

I think the argument could be made that this could make the game more dangerous because if everyone is more spread out, there might also be an increase in full speed collisions.

[Tongue-Splitter]

No, the NFL isn't considering it. Bill Polian is considering it. Bill Polian is not the NFL. If the NFL does this, the integrity of all passing and receiving records will be somewhat tarnished. Defenses can hardly stop offenses now with all the rules granted to the offense. With a wider field, especially in the red zone, scoring would be more similar to the Arena League.

[GGGGG-Men]

If they want more scoring and viewers, chop the playclock by 15 seconds. Force more teams to go no-huddle and create faster plays, bigger plays, more INTs, etc.

[FortDetroit]

Am I the only one who finds it hilarious that they make it seem like the NFL should be following the pace of the CFL? That'd be like the rest of the world following the US when deciding soccer rules.

The reasoning makes no sense. How does adding space (i.e. room to accelerate) make it safer? All this would do is raise the value of having the fastest players (Al Davis just did a back-flip in his grave). And it'd just my opinion, but in the NFL where QBs can already have their way with zone defenses a lot of the time, this would kill a lot of zone plays.

from si.com

The thinking is that the extra space will reduce congestion in the middle of the field, leading to fewer hits and, by extension, fewer serious head injuries.

[FortDetroit]

If they want more scoring and viewers, chop the playclock by 15 seconds. Force more teams to go no-huddle and create faster plays, bigger plays, more INTs, etc.

that's not their intention for this consideration.

[NYSPORTS98]

Metlife really doesn't have the room.

[Bigdaddyburch]

Offense sells, it seems like it would be safer with defenses playing more conservatively

I dont think so. I know they like to tell us that but IMO fans still love great Ds. D still wins you rings. If I wanted to watch the CFL I will. I dont and dont for that reason. The safer is the real reason. Believe me most would hate a CFL/NFL hybrid.

[MIKETOUHY]

Getting sick of this. everything keeps getting bigger bigger and bigger. The 49er's will next year player in a larger stadium. 40 years from now, an even larger one.


Where does it end?

[Hot Darts]

Just bring back the XFL lol . They need to stop fixing what isn't broken really.

[Think]

How will they modify the stadiums?

[Tongue-Splitter]

If they want more scoring and viewers, chop the playclock by 15 seconds. Force more teams to go no-huddle and create faster plays, bigger plays, more INTs, etc.

This is probably the best idea I've heard suggested in a long, long time. Man, this would be exciting. The only problem would be that it would almost destroy stories like Luck, RG3, Wilson, Newton etc. Rookie quarterbacks, I don't think, would be able to compete.

[NYSPORTS98]

Metlife really doesn't have the room.

Watch them propose NFL shorter fields too. 80 yards by 60 for more scoring.

How long before they adopt the CFL rules where receivers can be moving towards the LOS before the snap?