Football Epiphany: Shape the Field Like a Football.

[Rain Man]

The problem with football today, as we all know, is that defense is no longer allowed, at least on passing. You can't touch the quarterback, you can't touch the receivers, and unless the receiver drops the ball or it's Peyton Manning in the playoffs, every drive will result in a score. The games are boring now.

Further, there's no incentive to run the ball. The rules are so slanted toward passing that only fools run where angels fear to tread.

So we need a change to balance things up, while still maintaining the kiddy version of football that the mass market has come to expect.

And I think I've got it.

The rectuangular field is an anachronism, dating from the days when the game was played in pastures and stuff. (I'm making that up, but it sounds good.) The rectangular field also has some major flaws. Once a guy gets loose on the sideline, he's gone. And as you get closer to the goal line, the field's perspective change for playcalling. It stays wide but gets less deep.

But consider a field that's shaped like a football. It's at its widest at the 50 yard line, but from there the sidelines gently arc inward. The goal line becomes as wide as the goal posts.

What happens in this situation?

First, receivers and kick returners have a very hard time using speed to score. They get funneled in toward the safeties and pursuit if they break a long one, which means more exciting broken-field runs.

Second, the further you drive toward the opponent's end zone, the harder it is to pass. This will eliminate the imbalance that we currently have, because teams will need to run more.

Third, it would make goal-line stands fun again. Instead of flaring QBs out on options that always work in the modern NFL, you're pretty much forced to go mano y mano because you can't run outside. Football once again becomes a game of power.

It would also eliminate the awkward end-zone seating where you can't identify the line of scrimmage, and would produce a lot of crowd noise near the end zone.

I think it would be quite interesting.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

The problem with football today, as we all know, is that defense is no longer allowed, at least on passing. You can't touch the quarterback, you can't touch the receivers, and unless the receiver drops the ball or it's Peyton Manning in the playoffs, every drive will result in a score. The games are boring now.

Further, there's no incentive to run the ball. The rules are so slanted toward passing that only fools run where angels fear to tread.

So we need a change to balance things up, while still maintaining the kiddy version of football that the mass market has come to expect.

And I think I've got it.

The rectuangular field is an anachronism, dating from the days when the game was played in pastures and stuff. (I'm making that up, but it sounds good.) The rectangular field also has some major flaws. Once a guy gets loose on the sideline, he's gone. And as you get closer to the goal line, the field's perspective change for playcalling. It stays wide but gets less deep.

But consider a field that's shaped like a football. It's at its widest at the 50 yard line, but from there the sidelines gently arc inward. The goal line becomes as wide as the goal posts.

What happens in this situation?

First, receivers and kick returners have a very hard time using speed to score. They get funneled in toward the safeties and pursuit if they break a long one, which means more exciting broken-field runs.

Second, the further you drive toward the opponent's end zone, the harder it is to pass. This will eliminate the imbalance that we currently have, because teams will need to run more.

Third, it would make goal-line stands fun again. Instead of flaring QBs out on options that always work in the modern NFL, you're pretty much forced to go mano y mano because you can't run outside. Football once again becomes a game of power.

It would also eliminate the awkward end-zone seating where you can't identify the line of scrimmage, and would produce a lot of crowd noise near the end zone.

I think it would be quite interesting.

Shaped like a football. Shaped like a vagina. Same difference. I am in favor of this idea.

[UK_Chief]

How about more incentive to score a touchdown in the middle of the field? Like in rugby, they take the point after kick (actually 2 points) from in line with where the ball crossed the goal line - harder to get the kick through the posts from out wide.

[KCrockaholic]

When I first read the title, I thought "hmm interesting". After reading your details I think it's a horrible idea.

[BullJunkandIron]

I agree it should be shaped like an arrowhead. Never bought into the star shaped field. Every team should have the field shaped like there mascot. I concur this time.

[Eleazar]

This is a better idea than the people who say they should eliminate the offside law in soccer.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Armadillo Skin

I agree it should be shaped like an arrowhead. Never bought into the star shaped field. Every team should have the field shaped like there mascot. I concur this time.

From an aerial view, the stadium for the Raiders is shaped like an ass hole so at least on of the teams is already doing it.

[patteeu]

I like the idea. I'd probably leave the field a little wider at the goal line, though. Maybe 20 or 25 yards instead of the width of the goal posts.

[Dave Lane]

Isn't this called soccer? No one scores ever?

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by Dave Lane

Isn't this called soccer? No one scores ever?

Wrong thread. You should be here.

[cosmo20002]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Football Epiphany: Shape the Field Like a Football.

Eleventy jillion heats of the movie scene tournament has fried your brain.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by patteeu

I like the idea. I'd probably leave the field a little wider at the goal line, though. Maybe 20 or 25 yards instead of the width of the goal posts.

Yeah, I could see going a little wider. You have to at least have room for seven on the line of scrimmage.

Though the more I'm thinking about it, having a maze would be cool. or mulitple levels with ramps and stuff where you could run over or under them or hide near them.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by cosmo20002

Eleventy jillion heats of the movie scene tournament has fried your brain.

I'm still mad about the Ferris Bueller scene getting kicked out.

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I'm still mad about the Ferris Bueller scene getting kicked out.

Declare a mistrial and start over.

[Kansas City Kid]

I think if you get three straight first downs you get to use two footballs for the rest of the drive.

[tecumseh]

I like the idea. It's a completely different game, though. Call Bon Jovi and start a league.