Football Football Epiphany: Shape the Field Like a Football.

**Rain Man** · 06-29-2014, 05:45 PM

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.

ThaVirus · 06-29-2014, 05:51 PM

Having 22 guys in an area the width of a goal post would be a huge cluster****.

**Rain Man** · 06-29-2014, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

Having 22 guys in an area the width of a goal post would be a huge cluster****.

Flying wedge. It would be a great homage to the roots of the sport. And it would make Dontari Poe a superstar.

**TimBone** · 06-29-2014, 05:54 PM

I voted for I don't watch football. I haven't watched a game since February it seems.

**Easy 6** · 06-29-2014, 06:00 PM

A terrible idea, just terrible... no thanks, Roger

**cdcox** · 06-29-2014, 06:00 PM

It should be shaped like a meatball. There could be Spaghetti shaped tunnels that connect the meatballs. That would add a bit of randomness to the game.

**Rain Man** · 06-29-2014, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdcox

It should be shaped like a meatball. There could be Spaghetti shaped tunnels that connect the meatballs. That would add a bit of randomness to the game.

I like that. It would be like adding a maze to the field in some respects. I think a maze would be a wonderful addition, and you could still shape it like a football.

**TimBone** · 06-29-2014, 06:04 PM

It should be shaped like a sheet birthday cake.

**srvy** · 06-29-2014, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rain Man

Flying wedge. It would be a great homage to the roots of the sport. And it would make Dontari Poe a superstar.

I think he is well on his way to being on a rectangular field.

I love the corner post cant do it on a football shaped field. Also never mess with perfection!

Perfection is Chiefs logo and uniforms and football on a rectangular field.

**Gadzooks** · 06-29-2014, 06:19 PM

I like it, It's an interesting concept with several kinks that would need to be worked out.
However, the NFL would never let this fly. It'll cut down the amount of big plays.
People who don't care about football want to see big plays.
The NFL cares more about the people who don't care about football than the actual fans. For example, the average demographic of an NFL fan isn't clamoring to see Britney Spears or Justin Timberlake as a half time show for the SB. They're put there to attract the people who don't care about football.
IMO - Pass interference calls have ruined the game. If you're football shaped field includes the same rules we have now the game will continue to be suspect.

ILChief · 06-29-2014, 06:59 PM

Dayze · 06-29-2014, 07:03 PM

just make the field 20 yards long. 1st and goal always.

hell, it's pretty much like that anyway.

**LoneWolf** · 06-29-2014, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gadzooks

I like it, It's an interesting concept with several kinks that would need to be worked out.
However, the NFL would never let this fly. It'll cut down the amount of big plays.
People who don't care about football want to see big plays.
The NFL cares more about the people who don't care about football than the actual fans. For example, the average demographic of an NFL fan isn't clamoring to see Britney Spears or Justin Timberlake as a half time show for the SB. They're put there to attract the people who don't care about football.
IMO - Pass interference calls have ruined the game. If you're football shaped field includes the same rules we have now the game will continue to be suspect.

Just because you're a Chargers fan doesn't mean you have to be a whiny little bitch like Phillip Rivers.

Pepe Silvia · 06-29-2014, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flybone McTimmerson

It should be shaped like a sheet birthday cake.

I see what you did there.

a pp roach · 06-29-2014, 07:26 PM

great idea, but i think shannon sharpe is gonna handle this. he always does.

View Poll Results: A football-shaped football field. Do you like the concept?
Yes. It would solve problems in today's game and make it more interesting.	10	23.81%
No. I'm orthogonally orthodox. Fields should be rectangular.	24	57.14%
I will rely on the expert opinions of people like Michael Irvin and Shannon Sharpe.	4	9.52%
I don't watch football.	4	9.52%
Voters: 42. You may not vote on this poll

06-29-2014, 05:45 PM
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $3338491 VARSITY	Football Epiphany: Shape the Field Like a Football. 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.
Posts: 141,340

06-29-2014, 05:51 PM	#2
ThaVirus Settle this once and forever Join Date: Sep 2007 Casino cash: $2102369	Having 22 guys in an area the width of a goal post would be a huge cluster****.
Posts: 44,242

06-29-2014, 05:54 PM	#4
TimBone Mostly Ignored Join Date: Jul 2013 Casino cash: $8499985	I voted for I don't watch football. I haven't watched a game since February it seems.
Posts: 18,096

06-29-2014, 06:00 PM	#5
Easy 6 pie is never free Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: the drivers seat Casino cash: $3747775	A terrible idea, just terrible... no thanks, Roger
Posts: 91,648

06-29-2014, 06:00 PM	#6
cdcox www.nfl-forecast.com Join Date: Sep 2000 Casino cash: $2361769	It should be shaped like a meatball. There could be Spaghetti shaped tunnels that connect the meatballs. That would add a bit of randomness to the game.
Posts: 45,536

06-29-2014, 06:04 PM	#8
TimBone Mostly Ignored Join Date: Jul 2013 Casino cash: $8499985	It should be shaped like a sheet birthday cake.
Posts: 18,096

06-29-2014, 06:19 PM	#10
Gadzooks MFIC Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Tromsø, Norway Casino cash: $3869219	I like it, It's an interesting concept with several kinks that would need to be worked out. However, the NFL would never let this fly. It'll cut down the amount of big plays. People who don't care about football want to see big plays. The NFL cares more about the people who don't care about football than the actual fans. For example, the average demographic of an NFL fan isn't clamoring to see Britney Spears or Justin Timberlake as a half time show for the SB. They're put there to attract the people who don't care about football. IMO - Pass interference calls have ruined the game. If you're football shaped field includes the same rules we have now the game will continue to be suspect.
Posts: 7,771

06-29-2014, 06:59 PM	#11
ILChief MVP Join Date: Jan 2001 Casino cash: $7914831
Posts: 11,476

06-29-2014, 07:03 PM	#12
Dayze Resident Glue Sniffer Join Date: Nov 2003 Casino cash: $5199358	just make the field 20 yards long. 1st and goal always. hell, it's pretty much like that anyway. __________________ Life is 99% inspiration, 1% Perspiration, and 1% Attention to Detial. RIP & Godspeed: Saccoppo Lonewolf Ed Fire Me Boy
Posts: 37,360

06-29-2014, 07:26 PM	#15
a pp roach Veteran Join Date: Dec 2012 Casino cash: $10010545	great idea, but i think shannon sharpe is gonna handle this. he always does.
Posts: 2,047