The National Football League is nearing the end of another intriguing year as Christmas Day is fast approaching. If the NFL had a tree to put gifts under, Santa might be a lot busier this time of year.It's clear this premiere sports league is still evolving and developing. For instance, the organization is now much more focused on player safety than ever. Still, some rule changes don't seem to be making enough of a difference on that front.
Also, key game results are still sometimes embroiled in controversy despite the current instant replay protocol. Then, of course, there is that problem with bullying and hazing that seems to be going on unchecked behind the scenes.
The NFL could certainly use a few gifts to help really enhance the experience for fans, players, and coaching staffs around the league.
Here's what I would ask Saint Nick for this year to improve the NFL.
Better Helmets
The injury protocol they put in place does help players heal up from a concussion before being allowed to play again, but what about trying to make sure concussions never happen in the first place? Most NFL players are wearing virtually the same type of helmets as any Pop Warner football team in the country.
Technology and manufacturing have advanced so far since that initial helmet design came along. There is no excuse for not giving players better, more durable, and stress-resistant helmets.
I've seen expensive prototypes on television that certain players already had the pleasure of testing, and the only excuse I've heard for why all players are not wearing these helmets is the high cost of each unit.
The NFL should know by now that the cost is much greater than financial when players end up having to suffer because teams want to save some money by not providing top of the line gear.
More Instant Replay Options
Only certain types of plays are reviewable. Why? Head coaches can challenge the spot of the ball along with countless other scenarios, but they can't challenge a penalty or a failure of the officials to call one?
There are other specific situations in which challenges are not allowed with no definitive explanation behind it. If there's going to be instant replay, everything should be on the table. The recent decision to review every score is an example of how this system already evolved to help coaches reserve challenges for key situations that happen during drives.
Let's move it along a little further and allow one or two more challenges specifically for disputing penalties or the failure of an official to call one. We should also open all plays to formal challenges.
When refs get it wrong and all the tools are there to remedy the situation, a technicality shouldn't get in the way of correcting the error.
Conduct Corrections
Some of these players come from areas where crime is rampant. As a result there are too many players out there embroiled in criminal behavior off the field and many players are simply spending their money recklessly.
The Aaron Hernandez murder case that unfolded earlier this year is a prime example of how even a top-tier NFL player can get caught up in the thug life. Behavior problems on the job are also a concern for the NFL this year with the Richie Incognito bullying scandal emerging to expose how harsh the NFL indoctrination process can be for rookie players.
Everyone is always concerned about the physical health of NFL players, especially when a big game is coming up and a key player has a serious injury. Where is the concern for the mental health of NFL players? Why is every step to deal with this problem taken in the wake of conduct issues instead of before those issues arise?
It's time for the NFL to get some gift-wrapped preventative care when it comes to the mental conditioning of players in the league. It's time for some mandatory counseling for all players designed to help them better handle the stresses of being an NFL athlete.
Integrating More Social Media Into the Fan Experience
Shows like Discovery's "Gold Rush" even have special broadcasts that feature fan commentary from Facebook and Twitter scrolled across the bottom of the screen. Friday Night Fights introduced Facebook scoring last year, allowing people to log into Facebook and score each round of a fight. The results are shown during the fight.
The NFL could expand on this type of promotion by featuring contests where fans are asked to predict what a certain statistic for a certain player will be by the time the game is over. The closest to the actual number would get the prizes. Though this kind of effort has no impact on the actual outcome, it gives fans a sense of being involved in the broadcast they are watching.
It's also important to highlight more of what players and personnel are saying on these social media platforms. Sometimes there is no better source to find out what's going on with a key player or coach than his own personal social media profiles.
To harness the interest of the next generation, the NFL is going to have to engage them with more marketing approaches that focus on social media.
More Teams In Key Cities
"The Jersey Shore" gets a huge reality show on MTV, but there's not a single football team to represent the whole state of New Jersey? NFL fans in Jersey have to embrace the New York teams that play there instead. How does that make any sense?
They have the Pro Bowl over in Hawaii every year, but there's no NFL team based on any of the Hawaiian islands. Talk about a perfect place for a team. Meanwhile, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is lobbying for a team in London. So, wouldn't that make it the "International" Football League?
If that's the way he wants to go, there ought to be teams in Montreal, Toronto and even a few down in Mexico.
What changes would you like the NFL to make?
