NFL needs to keep its teams at home, plus more proposed changes

October 28, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) throws a pass against the Washington Redskins during the first quarter at Heinz Field. The Pittsburgh Steelers won 27-12. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

by Eric Scot

(For Eric’s suggestions on shortening the NFL preseason and increasing roster size, click here.)

In addition to my other suggested changes to the NFL, I would like to ban a couple of things that I find to be completely useless.

The first of those: teams wearing throwback uniforms. It’s a terrible idea and there is a reason why teams switched up their uniforms at some point – most of the old uniforms are horrible to look at.

If the NFL wants to do something cool, how about allowing teams to have alternate uniforms that are more modern-looking and not a throwback to the old NFL or AFL days. This is aside from the home and away looks, something that can be worn by both teams when they play each other much like they do in Major League Baseball.

I want to ban NFL teams playing against each other in other countries. I understand the NFL is trying to branch themselves out to more a global market and I would be perfectly fine with an expansion division of worldwide teams being created. I don’t want to see the Buffalo Bills playing any of their home games in Toronto, just create a team in Toronto and expand the NFL that way.

Oct 28,2012; London, UNITED KINGDOM; General view of the playing of the United States national anthem at the 2012 NFL International Series game between the New England Patriots and the St. Louis Rams at Wembley Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Rams 45-7. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

I don’t want to see our Pittsburgh Steelers play Minnesota in London either. If you want a team in London, create a new team in London. The idea of taking an NFL team out of its home market and playing them in a host city is just crazy and should not be allowed, although it is great exposure and may be a precursor to the NFL expanding to these areas.

Finally, I want the NFL to stop trying to make the game safer for the players. These guys know the drill of playing football, it’s a violent sport by huge men trying to be best they can be. If you want to make the game safer, ban players for life if they are caught using performance enhancing drugs.

Don’t give them a second chance; if they use, they are done, period. Most players use PEDs knowing that if they get caught, they basically get a slap on the wrist and told not to do it again. It’s only when a guy gets busted multiple times that harsh penalties get levied and by then, they are close to being ready to retire anyhow.

I also want the big, nasty hits of old. I want to see someone plowed while trying to make a catch. Is it really a great catch if the guy knows he’s barely going to be touched when he reaches for the ball? Not in my opinion. It’s time for the NFL to wake up and realize they are losing fans because they are taking away certain things from the game that is supposedly making the game overall better.

Finally, allow teams to commemorate touchdowns by creating unique celebrations, don’t penalize them for it. The “Ickey Shuffle” was one of the best things I remember a guy doing after scoring a touchdown. Now, Ickey Woods would be penalized 15 yards on the kickoff for such a move. Boring!

It’s time to take some of the restrictions away and allow the NFL to be fun again.