Coin Tosses Will No Longer Win 2010 OT Games

In the NFL, when there is a tie at the end of the game, it must go into overtime. The strategy always was to win the coin toss to have the first possession so they can score first to win the game. However, this is not the case anymore.
On Tuesday, March 23rd, the NFL owners approved the new OT rule to be used only in the postseason games. Team owners voted and the numbers came out 28 to 4 for the new rule change.
The rule discusses that whoever wins the coin toss will have possession first. If they score a touchdown then the game is over. If the team can only get a field goal then the opposing team has a chance to answer back. They can tie the game up with a field goal and send the game into sudden death, score a touchdown to end the game or not score which would lead to the other team winning.
Many of the coaches and players don't like the rule change. Coaches believe they should have been present for the vote and players feel they should have a say since they will be the ones utilizing it. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said, "We had a full discussion [Tuesday] morning with the coaches in the room, and the owners heard it. It's no secret that certain owners may have a different view from their coaches. This might not come as a news flash, but the owners have the vote."
I believe the new ruling will make the game a lot more interesting. People will be more interested in OT match ups because it won't be left up to whoever can get the field goal first. Overtime will no longer be winning a coin toss. It will require teams to dive for that fourth down and push even harder so they can scratch those points across the board.
The ruling will be discussed more when the owners meet again in May. The next meeting will be held in Dallas, where they will go over the rules again as well as look into using the new rule for regular season games.

Economic Recession Affecting the NFL

On March 4th, Pete Kendall released a statement saying that all NFL players will receive, “A dramatic reduction in player compensation." Kendall, who is the union’s permanent player representative at labor negotiations, believes that cutting the player's salaries will benefit everyone.
The pay cut will be an 18% decrease for all NFL players. This cut also includes expenses such as operating practice facilities and/or traveling costs. According to the NY Times, Kendall feels, "Expenses for NFL franchises have risen faster than revenue in the current agreement and the economics must be adjusted. But, as we have repeatedly emphasized, constructive and creative negotiations can lead to a balanced agreement that will not reduce current player salaries."
In my personal opinion, professional athletes make more than enough money to support themselves and their families. Even if they do take an 18% pay cut, it wouldn't hurt them much at all. The game shouldn't be all about the money; the athletes should play for the love of the sport as well as for the young kids that look up to them.

Pro Bowl Played Before Super Bowl AGAIN for 2011

The NFL announced today that the 2011 Pro Bowl will be hosted in Hawaii and played a week before the Super Bowl. This is the 2nd consecutive year that the Pro Bowl is being played before the Super Bowl and it's believed by the NFL that this is an "innovative way" to get people excited for the upcoming Super Bowl.
Many people, on the other hand, believe that this is a silly idea made by the NFL. Most people feel that it doesn't make sense because participants in the Super Bowl won't be able to play. The Super Bowl players can't afford to risk injury before playing in the biggest game of their career. They also feel that by making it the week before is breaking the tradition of what has always been.
Personally, the NFL was right to break the tradition. One of the biggest reasons why this was changed I believe is that they feel more people will watch. Once the Super Bowl is over, many viewers are done with football and moving on to the next sport. However, by putting the Pro Bowl before the Super Bowl, it gives viewers a chance to indulge in another game as well as prep them for the most watched sports program.
To prove that my theory is correct, the Pro Bowl (featured on ESPN) got a 7.9 rating, which is 39% high than last year's game. I stand strong with the NFL in keeping the Pro Bowl before the Super Bowl since it is clearly doing much better there then the week after the Super Bowl.