Vote WOODDRIVER for NFL Commisioner

It's been seven weeks since the NFL season began, and the cries for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to step down in early September have quieted to just whispers. Outside of Goodell announcing the formation of a committee to overhaul the league’s domestic violence policy just two weeks after the Ray Rice elevator video went public, the Commissioner has kept an extremely low profile and, as the weeks have passed, it seems that many have forgotten their outrage toward the top NFL executive.

The Commissioner seems to have weathered the storm for now. Without more public and private pressure placed on him, it is unlikely that NFL owners (his bosses who elected him to his position) will take any action to remove him from his position considering his major achievements during his tenure. He was able to get a long term, owner friendly, collective bargaining agreement between the teams and the players' union. He was able to get an owner friendly settlement between the league and the former players who were suing the NFL regarding concussions. He was also able to successfully make "spy-gate" (the New England Patriots illegally videotaping opposing teams’ practices) and "bounty-gate" (the New Orleans Saints paying their players to injure opposing players) controversies go away.

Personally, I agree with NBA owner Mark Cuban (the most publicly outspoken owner in professional sports) that the NFL has become too greedy and that the league will likely implode in the next ten years. Furthermore, I feel that many of Commissioner Goodell's actions are detrimental to the game and that if he is not removed, he may damage the league beyond repair.

Since it is election time, I would like to announce my candidacy to become the new Commissioner of the NFL. I am fully aware that there are at least a million people more qualified than me to do the job, but that hasn't stopped the last three United States Presidents from being elected, so why should it stop me? In the spirit of the U.S. Congress's, "Contract with America", this is my contract with the NFL:


Player conduct:
If I am elected Commissioner, players who are accused of serious crimes like domestic violence, child abuse/neglect, and other crimes that could result in felony charges, will be immediately suspended with pay. The league will pay the player's salary during the suspension (not the owner) while the player is awaiting trial. If convicted, the player will be held financially responsible to reimburse the league. If the player is cleared of charges, the player can then return to his team and the team owner will reimburse the league. During the suspension, the team owner will not have the player’s salary counted against the salary cap. Players who are found guilty of a second charge will be banned for life.

If I am elected Commissioner, DUI charges will result in an immediate one (calendar) year suspension without pay. The NFL already provides resources to make sure that an impaired player does not have to take the wheel. Even players making the league minimum should be able to afford a taxi. Players found guilty of a second offense will be banned for life.

If I am elected Commissioner, all positive drug tests for recreational or performance enhancing drugs will result in an immediate one year suspension without pay. Players found guilty of a second offense will be banned for life.

If I am elected Commissioner, I will create a Department of Player Personal Conduct which will oversee mandatory and supplemental education of players relating to player conduct on and off the field. I cannot think of a better person to head this department than retired New York Yankee's short-stop, Derek Jeter. Even more impressive than his terrific career on the field, Jeter spent twenty years as one of the most high-profile, richest, most recognizable bachelors in New York and kept himself out of the tabloids and out of controversy. Clearly this man has lessons worth learning.


The NFL season:
If I am elected Commissioner, all NFL regular season home games will be played in the continental United States. No longer will season ticket holders lose a home game because the team traveled out of the country. Pre-season games will be considered providing that the participating teams are willing to play an additional game.

If I am elected Commissioner, the season will consist of four pre-season games (with exception of exhibitions played outside the U.S. and the Hall of Fame game), and sixteen regular season games.

If I am elected Commissioner, I will eliminate the bye weeks from the regular season schedule. The regular season will be sixteen games played over sixteen weeks.

If I am elected Commissioner, I will eliminate the Thursday night games from the regular season. The only NFL games that will be played on Thursdays will be the traditional Thanksgiving Day games in Detroit and Dallas.

If I am elected Commissioner, there will be no games played on Saturdays until December after the college football regular season is concluded.

If I am elected Commissioner, I will not expand the playoffs. The playoff system will remain as it is with the four division champions and two wild-card teams from each conference competing for the right to go to the SuperBowl. Division champions will continue to host a playoff game regardless of regular season record.


Teams and Owners:
If I am elected Commissioner, the league will not be expanded beyond the existing 32 teams.

If I am elected Commissioner, teams will not be allowed to relocate unless that team's owner can raise the funding for at least 49% of the construction cost of a new facility in their new host city. The new host city will not be asked to raise more than 51% of construction costs.

If I am elected Commissioner, any team that relocates must sign a fifteen year minimum guaranteed contract with their new host city.

If I am elected Commissioner, the NFL host city will retain the naming rights to their home team. The NFL owner must negotiate the rights to take the team name with them should they choose to relocate. The only exception is that the Rams can retain their name if they choose to relocate to Los Angeles.

If I am elected Commissioner, I will place no public pressure on Washington Redskins' owner Dan Snyder to change the name of the team (although I would privately encourage otherwise). The name recognition is part of the price he paid when he bought the team. Furthermore, any media member who publicly protests use of the name will have their NFL credentials revoked.


Rules of Play:
If I am elected Commissioner, kickoffs will be moved back to the thirty yard line and the kick return team will be allowed to "form the wedge" of blockers to bring the excitement of the kickoff return back to the game.

If I am elected Commissioner, overtime games will return to the sudden death format for regular and post season games. The first team to score in overtime wins, period.

If I am elected Commissioner, enforcement of helmet contact will be relaxed and will focus on both offensive and defensive players keeping their heads up and not leading into contact with the crown of the helmet.

If I am elected Commissioner, quarterbacks will no longer be able to hook-slide to avoid contact in the middle of the field. If a quarterback chooses to run past the line of scrimmage, he will be like any other ball carrier.


Also:
If I am elected Commissioner, any college player entering the NFL draft who makes statements in an effort to circumvent the draft order will be ruled ineligible for that year’s draft. I hated when John Elway did it, I hated when Eli Manning did it, and as Commissioner it wouldn’t happen on my watch.

If I am elected Commissioner, I will allow each team the option to designate one player who has spent his entire career of over seven years with that team a "career player" exemption allowing the team to go over their salary cap so that player can finish his career with the same team without becoming a salary cap casualty. However, with my version of the "Larry Bird exception" there will not be any sign and trade deals.

Finally, if I am elected Commissioner, I will not charge musicians to perform at the halftime show at the SuperBowl. Previous performers have seen an immediate spike in sales after their appearance, but this latest cash-grab is a prime example of just how greedy the NFL has become under Goodell, and why he needs to be fired.

I openly admit that I have very little chance of becoming the next NFL Commissioner. However, many politicians who run for public office know that they don't have a chance from the beginning, but by running for office, they can help "frame the debate" in the next election. That's what I'm hoping to accomplish here. I love NFL, and I want to see it preserved and protected for generations to come. Sadly, I'm convinced that if not removed, Commissioner Roger Goodell will fix the NFL until it is broken.





　
 　 

WOODDRIVER's Picks for NFL Week 7

   Week 6 recap:  In my confidence pool I was 10-4-1 with 105 pts.  21st place for the week, 15th place for the season (in a field of 36).  I went 7-8 against the spread, 46-45 for the season.  My survivor pick actually tied, so I live on another week against two others.  Three competitors went out with the Dallas upset.

   I hope to do better this week.

   16 points:   Falcons @ Ravens.  Flacco might be able to beat his record performance last week against the porous Falcons defense.  Take the Ravens -6.5.  The Ravens are my survivor pick this week.

   15 points:  Panthers @ Packers.  Panthers will be out of ammunition and emotion from last week.  Take the Packers -6.5.

   14 points:  49ers @ Broncos.  Niners will flatten out on short rest going into Mile High.  Take the Broncos -6.5.

   13 points:  Jets @ Patriots.  Jets will hang in against the depleted Pats, but Geno Smith will find a way to lose, and his teammates know it.  Pats will win, but take the Jets +9.5.

   12 points:  Seahawks @ Rams.  Seattle's not so dominant on the road, I trust them to win, but not to cover.  Take the Rams +6.5.

   11 points:  Bengals @ Colts.  Cincy won't have a chance to win this one in overtime.  Take the Colts -3.5.

   10 points:  Chiefs @ Chargers. San Diego's hot streak continues.  Take the Chargers -4.5.

   9 points:  Giants @ Cowboys.  Without Victor Cruz, New York won't have the firepower to force a Dallas letdown.  Cowboys will win, but take the Giants +5.5.

   8 points:  Browns @ Jaguars.  "Johnny Football" will have to watch from the sidelines as Brian Hoyer leads another Cleveland victory.  Take the Browns -5.5

   7 points:  Vikings @ Bills.  At least one team in New York was smart enough to bench their young quarterback.  Take the Bills -3.5.

   6 points:  Dolphins @ Bears.  Miami's difficulties traveling north continue.  Take the Bears -3.5.

   5 points:  Texans @ Steelers.  Pittsburgh in prime time after an embarrassing division loss.  Take the Steelers -3.5.

   4 points:  Saints @ Lions.  New Orleans can't be as bad as they've played lately.  Take the Saints straight up and + 2.5.

   3 points:  Titans @ Redskins.  Unless RG3 is back, I have no faith in the team from Washington DC.  Take the Titans straight up and +4.5.

   2 points:  Cardinals @ Raiders.  Superstition aside, I expect Carson Palmer to put on a clinic against the team that traded him. Take the Cardinals -3.5. 



    

On Behalf of Cardinals Fans: Welcome to Our World, Tony Romo

   I wasn't in the best spirits Monday morning heading into work.  My Cardinals had suffered their first defeat of the season to Denver's dirty donkeys, but in the loss Arizona lost quarterback Drew Stanton, defensive end Calais Campbell, and cornerback Patrick Peterson.to injury.  It is likely that Peterson will return on Sunday, but it is unlikely that Stanton and Campbell will be ready to play next Sunday.  The immediate future does not look bright if the Cardinals will have to start their third stringer at quarterback, and a defense missing five starters from last year's squad.

   What brightened my morning was hearing that Dallas Cowboys' quarterback Tony Romo was openly complaining that the crowd noise from the visiting fans in his home stadium was so loud that he had difficulty running the offense.  Romo had to resort to using a silent count, a tactic usually reserved for away games, to keep his offense in sync.  The Cowboys managed to win the game, but Romo and his teammates were not pleased about not having a more resolute home field advantage.

   Sorry Tony, but you will get no sympathy from me, nor many other NFL fans who have been in attendance when you and the Cowboys came to town.  In fact, we are all enjoying the karmic justice that is being dealt to you.  I'm sure that you and Cowboy's owner Jerry Jones never imagined that you would lose home field advantage in your new, opulent, cathedral to the greatness of the Cowboys.  Honestly, I find it surprising myself, but I take great satisfaction in knowing that you, your owner, and your teammates have to take a big taste of your own medicine.

   The fact is growing up in Phoenix, I  was actually a big fan of the Cowboys.  We didn't have our own NFL team, so like most Phoenicians, my alliance was dedicated towards one of the teams we regularly saw on TV:  the Dallas Cowboys, the Los Angeles Rams, the San Diego Chargers, and the Denver Broncos.  Even after the Cardinals relocated to Arizona in 1988, I did not renounce my Cowboys for another ten years.  My dissatisfaction with Dallas slowly grew to disgust, and in 1998 I decided to embrace the Cardinals as my team.

   I wasn't the only one to hold on to my loyalty after the Cardinals arrived.  The combination of a bad owner, fielding a bad football team, in a bad stadium, led to a half empty stadium in Tempe on most Sundays...unless the Cowboys were playing.  Back then, you could count on Cowboys fans descending on Sun Devil Stadium en masse, selling out the stadium, and lifting the TV blackout.  In fact, the Cowboys fans were so prevalent that many of the Cowboys players described playing in Arizona as their ninth home game.  Cardinals owner Bill Bidwill was one of the strongest opponents to NFL re-alignment in 2000, because it moved the Cardinals out of the same division as the Cowboys, and depriving Bidwill his one guaranteed chance to fill the stadium.  The Cardinals even went as far as signing former Cowboy, Emmitt Smith in 2003 to win the favor of local Cowboys fans.

   Selling out games has not been a problem for the Cardinals since they completed their new stadium in 2006.  Since then, the Cardinals have sold out every home game despite having only three winning seasons, and making the playoffs only twice.  The problem isn't selling tickets, the problem is who the tickets are being sold to.  The fact is that many tickets are being sold to professional and amateur brokers who re-sell tickets to the highest bidder, regardless of the bidder's loyalty to the team.  It's been happening in Arizona, and it's no surprise it's happening in Texas as well.

   The Cowboys have nobody to blame for this situation but themselves.  Their ticket prices, concession prices, and parking prices are among the highest in the league.  It's hard to blame even loyal Cowboys fans if they flip their tickets for double the price (or more) even if it's for only one or two games a season.  Especially since Cowboys haven't had a winning season in three years and have choked away their playoff chances each year.  Many Cowboys fans hold Tony Romo personally responsible for this.

   The true hypocrisy of Romo's complaints is that the ticket re-sale market which has worked against him recently at home, has worked for him many times on the road.  Cowboys fans are noticeable, if not prevalent in every stadium they travel to.  I've seen it first-hand, even in the new Cardinals stadium.  So don't cry to me about your home fans making a few extra bucks Tony Romo.  You make an eight figure salary, and you play your home games in what amounts to a tourist attraction.  Nobody cares if the tourists are rude to you. 

  

WOODDRIVER's Picks for NFL Week 6

   When I decided to start writing a football blog again last week, I decided to post my football pool picks on Wednesdays after I made my picks.  I am currently playing in three different NFL pools:  a confidence pool (where you rank each game with a point value depending on how confident you feel about the winner, 16 points for your most confident pick, 1 point for your least confident pick), a point spread pool where you pick the games against the point spread, and a survivor pool where you only pick one team to win each week, but you cannot pick the same team twice in a season (I've already pick the Eagles, Patriots, Packers, Steelers and Chargers this season).

16 points:  Chargers @ Raiders.  Chargers are on a roll, Raiders are just a mess.  Take the Chargers -6.5..

15 points:  Panthers @ Bengals.  Bengals will bounce back at home after being crushed by the Patriots in prime time last Sunday.  Take the Bengals -6.5.  Bengals are my survivor pick this week.

14 points:  Broncos @ Jets.  Jets defense is good, but their offense won't be able to hang with Peyton Manning, but I think they'll keep it close.  Take the Jets +8.5.

13 points:  Packers @ Dolphins.  R-E-L-A-X Packers fans, you got this one.  Take the Packers -2.5.

12 points:  Cowboys @ Seahawks.  Seahawks will clean up their penalties at home and beat the better-than-expected Cowboys.  Take the Seahawks -7.5.

11 points:  Jaguars @ Titans.  Nothing like having Jacksonville come to town to cure a four game losing streak.  Take the Titans -5.5.

10 points:  Patriots @ Bills.  Patriots haters will have to wait a little longer before nailing the coffin on Billichick and Brady.  Take the Patriots -2.5.

9 points:  Ravens @ Buccaneers.  Rice, Ravens don't need no stinking Rice!  Take the Ravens -2.5.

8 points:  Steelers @ Browns.  Browns out of gas after last weeks' comeback.  Take the Steelers +1.5.

7 points:  Colts @ Texans.  Andrew Luck vs. Ryan Fitzpatrick, can you say mismatch?  Take the Colts -2.5.

6 points:  Lions @ Vikings.  Betting that the new Lions place kicker doesn't miss three field goals this week.  Take the Lions -1.5.

5 points:  Giants @ Eagles.  Giants looking better, but not good enough.  Take the Eagles -2.5.

4 points:  Two disappointing teams, take the home team.  Take the Falcons -2.5.

3 points:  Niners @ Rams.  Rams defense accelerates the Niners spiral toward implosion.  Take the Rams +2.5.

2 points:  Redskins @ Cardinals.  I ALWAYS pick the Cardinals to win...with the lowest confidence game.  Take the Cardinals -3.5.

Smoke and Mirrors ver. 2.0?

   If I had asked you a month ago to guess which two NFL teams would be unbeaten by October, how many guesses would it have taken before you picked the Arizona Cardinals?  If you know much about the NFL, chances are you would have guessed Seattle, Denver, San Francisco or maybe Philadelphia before you would have correctly guessed Cincinnati.  Chances are that after that you would have guessed New England, Indianapolis, San Diego, Kansas City, Green Bay or Pittsburgh before you even considered that the Cardinals would be unbeaten and leading what is most likely the toughest division in the league.

   Even more remarkable is adversity the Cardinals had to overcome to be undefeated so far:

   In week one, the Cardinals opened the season on the second game of the Monday Night Football double-header.  Despite home field advantage, most experts considered the visiting San Diego Chargers to be the favorites to win the game.  The Cardinals were trailing by eleven points at the end of third quarter, but rallied to score twelve unanswered points to win the game.  Impressive for a team with a notorious history of collapsing on prime time television.  The Cardinals won the game, but lost last season's sack leader John Abraham to a season ending concussion, and starting quarterback Carson Palmer to nerve injury that has kept him on the sidelines since.

   In week two, the Cardinals went on the road to play the New York Giants.  With Palmer on the sidelines, the Cardinals were forced to start back-up quarterback Drew Stanton, who hadn't started an NFL game since 2010.  His stats weren't terrific, but Stanton played well and didn't commit a single turnover.  The Cardinals struggled, but once again were able to come from behind and win on the road.  While the Giants weren't the strongest opponent, the Cardinals, like many west coast teams have a difficult time when playing early games on the east coast.  Later the next week, Cardinals running back Jonathan Dwyer, the team's go-to-guy near the end zone, was arrested for aggravated assault on his wife (for an incident which happened last summer).  Despite being released on bail, the team wasted little time and deactivated him indefinitely.

   In week three, the Cardinals were back home to face the San Francisco Forty-Niners.  Once again, the Cardinals were the underdogs, justifiably so considering the Cardinals had only beaten them once in their last ten meetings.  Once again the Cardinals had to come from behind to win the game.  Rookie wide receiver John Brown caught two touchdown passes to lead the team to victory, and lead the team in TD receptions ahead of Larry Fitzgerald (0) and Michael Floyd (1).

   If you had told me before the season started that the Arizona Cardinals would be unbeaten in October, with Drew Stanton starting two games, with John Brown leading the team in TD receptions, and a defense that was missing Karlos Dansby (free-agency) Daryl Washington (substance abuse), Darnell Dockett (injured reserve), John Abraham (injured reserve), from last years' squad I wouldn't have believed you.  I probably would have told you that I have a better chance of winning the lottery, getting struck by lightning, surviving a plane crash, and attacked by a shark in the same hour.

   Sadly, it was only two years ago that I was writing about the Cardinals going into October undefeated.  Back then I thought that the team wasn't as good as their record was, and they were using smoke and mirrors.  Unfortunately I was right.  The 2012 Cardinals would go on to lose nine straight games, and finish the season 5-11.  That monumental collapse would end up costing head coach Ken Whisenhunt, and general manager Rod Graves their jobs.

   I was on a cruise last July and saw a really good magician live.  I really enjoyed his first show, so I went to the second show the following night.  The first show was good, but the second show was so much better.  I can suspend belief enough to enjoy the illusion without knowing how it's done.  I'm just hoping that with this second show, head coach Bruce Arians, and general manager Steve Keim can extend the Cardinals unbeaten streak and keep the magic going.