Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Football could take a page from NASCAR
It gets harder and harder for me to watch 100+ egomaniacs run around the field these days. Good football is great entertainment, Great football is even better, but what goes on before the game and between plays can just get under my skin.
Maybe they need to take an idea from NASCAR; the Driver’s Meeting. Get all these idiots, or at least the starters, in a room with Mike Helton….I mean Paul Tagliabue, and tell them what is expected of them, what the league wants to see from it’s players and staff, and most importantly what the consequences would be if these lines were crossed. The owners, coaches, and officials would be present and on an equal plane.
Obviously Mr. Tagliabue can’t be in several places at the same time, but a representative on his behalf could stand in. He could pick one game on Sunday during the regular season, some Monday nights and a few weekday games during the late season. I’m sure it won’t be too hard to figure out what games are going to be more of a spectacle than an actual game. Attendees would not know who would be giving the meeting until minutes before.
No ego stroking. No questions about what is expected right from the top; from coaches, players and officials. If it won’t be tolerated, it will be mentioned. I think this makes it easier for NASCAR to uphold its rules and enforce its penalties when the driver heard it for themselves only minutes before the start. Football could use this to keep the egos in check, and keep the professional in professional football.
Maybe they need to take an idea from NASCAR; the Driver’s Meeting. Get all these idiots, or at least the starters, in a room with Mike Helton….I mean Paul Tagliabue, and tell them what is expected of them, what the league wants to see from it’s players and staff, and most importantly what the consequences would be if these lines were crossed. The owners, coaches, and officials would be present and on an equal plane.
Obviously Mr. Tagliabue can’t be in several places at the same time, but a representative on his behalf could stand in. He could pick one game on Sunday during the regular season, some Monday nights and a few weekday games during the late season. I’m sure it won’t be too hard to figure out what games are going to be more of a spectacle than an actual game. Attendees would not know who would be giving the meeting until minutes before.
No ego stroking. No questions about what is expected right from the top; from coaches, players and officials. If it won’t be tolerated, it will be mentioned. I think this makes it easier for NASCAR to uphold its rules and enforce its penalties when the driver heard it for themselves only minutes before the start. Football could use this to keep the egos in check, and keep the professional in professional football.
