Some of the worst — the schedule release special (keeping in mind that we already know who each team is playing, just not the dates), week-long coverage outside the league meetings in March, Super Bowl media day (in primetime, now). This weekend, the Combine. They’re all televised, some extensively.
After much brainstorming, we arrived at five things the NFL could put on TV and doesn’t. Just when you think they’ve reached a saturation point, the NFL throws a bucket of excrement.
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1. Rosters cuts
Whip-around coverage to every team facility on the day rosters need to be at 53 players. Live look-ins to coaches offices breaking the news. Basically a day-long episode of Hard Knocks with none of the laughs. It’s sick and twisted, perfect for the NFL.
- Rookie Symposium
This usually turns into a story because of Herm Edwards yelling or Cris Carter telling rookies to make sure they have a “fall guy” in their crew. Why wait a few news cycles to let that happen?
The symposium, a series of speeches and workshops to help rookies transition from college to pro ball, is actually a good idea in theory. But it of course can’t hide the league’s horrific culture problem. Carter’s comments are evident of that.
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- Drug test results
Maury Povich style, and put Roger Goodell in the chair next to the player. “Von Miller….you are NOT suspended eight games for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy.” Pelvic thrust celebration on stage
“Justin Blackmon….you ARE reinstated.” Goodell loses his mind and sprints back stage
This would rate better than Jags-Titans on Thursday Night Football.
- Making the schedule
According to the NFL’s website, it takes 136 computers and four league executives to make the 256-game schedule each year. There are a lot of logistical hoops to jump through, which would make for splendid television. The computers create a series of possible schedules given the many constraints and then the humans go to work. Oh the drama!
Do we want Jags-Titans on Thursday Night Football twice this year, or just once? Can we sandwich a Raiders’ home game between two east-coast trips? Should we open the season with Bucs-Browns or leave it for Week 17? I want to see one exec punch another over the time of a Week 9 game between the Chiefs and Colts.
- Punt, Pass and Kick Competition
CBS actually used to broadcast the NFL’s youth skills competition, which is why we’re blessed with glorious footage of Chiefs coach Andrew Reid towering over his competition.
Get the regional competitions on local TV and the finals on national. I want another Andy Reid.
