Reading through many of the reactions after the league passed the new overtime rules for the NFL in the playoffs, you get the general feeling that overtime change isn't popular. The notable change is that the team receiving the opening kickoff can't win the game on a field goal.
+ Solomon Wilcots doesn't like it because it "diminishes special teams." Chick Ludwig doesn't like it because it only applies to the postseason, the NFL Players Association was never consulted and that the rule that would have helped any team, voted against it. Jason Cole thinks the league addressing overtime hides bigger issues afflicting the NFL like player health and the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
+ Peter King, who favors the change, writes that coaches are against the measure because "they felt it added a major level of decision-making to the game, like whether to throw a challenge flag for replay review." Not that I know what it's like to be a coach, but complaining about making a decision in an overtime game is the biggest issue you have against overtime? Please. You can't make that stuff up.
+ Clark Judge writes that it doesn't make sense for a team to lose a game based on a turnover.
So let's say the Indianapolis Colts receive the kick, nail a field goal and kick off to Tennessee. And on the first snap, Titans quarterback Vince Young fumbles, and Indianapolis recovers.
Ballgame, folks.
Two things popped in my mind when reading this. Don't fumble the football. Games are lost on turnover a lot in the fourth quarter. What's the big deal? At least you had an offensive possession to win the game in overtime, whereas the old rule you wouldn't have. And Vince Young in the playoffs? Classic.
+ Pete Prisco dislikes the change, writing, "Here's an idea: Have the defense stop the opponent in their end. You know what happens? You get the ball back. They can't even try a long field goal." I see the point. But sometimes the defense isn't totally at fault for a referee in a bad spot on the field making a terrible pass interference call that goes 40-50 yards putting the place kicker in optimum field goal range.
What sport favors a system where one team, nearly 60% of the time, doesn't even get a possession for a chance to score. Can you imagine doing that in baseball? Top of the 10th inning and Albert Pujols hits a homerun to straight-away center, winning the game, preventing the Reds from even having an at bat to respond. You could say that if the pitcher pitched better then the Reds could have had a chance to respond. But really, take that half-assed lame idea to any baseball fan and they'll throw you out of the bar -- or the county if you're not careful.
Do I think that the playoff changes that were recently passed is the best solution? No. I don't. I think both teams should have at least one handle on the football -- either through an offensive possession, or at least a kick return. Once both teams give it up -- punt, scoring or turnover -- then the team with the most points wins. After that, sudden death.
Moving on.
Matt Jones' former head coach Jack Del Rio believes that the wide receiver has a chance to turn his career around, but if he doesn't do it now then he never will.
Kyle Cook was the only Bengals player out of 25 in the NFL that earned a performance-based bonus from the NFL, taking in $268,122. The bonuses are "based on playing time earned last season compared to their original salary level."
Joe Reedy pulled some good quotes from former coaches of Rey Maualuga and Antonio Bryant.
Pete Carroll on Maualuga:
“I think Rey has got a tremendous upside. He‘s got everything you’re looking for physically,” Carroll said. “I think he should be a very, very good football player. Rey has to have his priorities in order so he can make good decisions so that he can stay in the position to be a really good player. That kind of episode (the DUI) hurts you and affects you. His focus can’t be exactly where it can be the very best football player because he’s working on other elements. We’ll help him to see him through it and support. We’re all still very close.”
Raheem Morris on Bryant:
“You’re talking about a tough physical football player who’s going to be dynamic, that has the ability to make a big-time catch for you in big-time situations,” Morris said. “He brings a certain toughness. He’s a competitor. He’s very competitive. Sometimes it hurts him and sometimes it works out in his favor. But at the same time, he’s a guy that is going to come out and (give) everything he has and he’ll give (the Bengals) great effort.”
John Thornton likes him some Taylor Mays.