PYPER
Third String But Playing on Special Teams
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2004
- Messages
- 798
- Reaction score
- 195
I like the concept of sudden death and don't believe in overly drastic changes like the college rule. Unfortunately, I often feel that otherwise great games end in a manner that simply doesn't to them justice. This is an issue that's been brought up before but apparently no proposal has ever passed the smell test. I have a solution that not only preserves sudden death but also offers a better chance for both teams to see the ball.
Under the current system, it's all about first possession. Roughly half the games end with one team needing only two or three first downs or a timely penalty to get themselves in position to make a field goal. Some say that it's a defense's job to stop the offense. I agree but oftentimes holding an offense to a field goal is an accomplishment. When games end with one team only needing to move the ball 20 or 30 yards it's a very anti-climatic feeling. Imagine a Super Bowl ending in this way. It would be terrible. This game shouldn't be defined by game winning FG's. This game should be defined by game winning TD's.
Here is my proposal.
First possession sudden death only applies on TD's. If a team scores a touchdown in OT, it's over.
However, if a team scores a 1st possession FG, the other team gets a chance with the ball. If they score a TD, they win. If they don't score anything, they lose. If they match the other team by kicking a field goal, they play on. Once both teams have had the ball once, the next score wins. Sure, the team receiving the 2nd possession will have an advantage but at least the other team will be ensured an opportunity to win. That's all this proposal is doing. It ensures each team a reasonable opportunity to go out and win the game.
Pros:
1) Keeps sudden death format
2) Eliminates "cheesy" win feeling when games seem to end prematurely.
3) Ensures that all overtime wins are earned wins.
4) Adds excitement and intrigue to the overtime format
Cons:
1) It makes too much sense
Under the current system, it's all about first possession. Roughly half the games end with one team needing only two or three first downs or a timely penalty to get themselves in position to make a field goal. Some say that it's a defense's job to stop the offense. I agree but oftentimes holding an offense to a field goal is an accomplishment. When games end with one team only needing to move the ball 20 or 30 yards it's a very anti-climatic feeling. Imagine a Super Bowl ending in this way. It would be terrible. This game shouldn't be defined by game winning FG's. This game should be defined by game winning TD's.
Here is my proposal.
First possession sudden death only applies on TD's. If a team scores a touchdown in OT, it's over.
However, if a team scores a 1st possession FG, the other team gets a chance with the ball. If they score a TD, they win. If they don't score anything, they lose. If they match the other team by kicking a field goal, they play on. Once both teams have had the ball once, the next score wins. Sure, the team receiving the 2nd possession will have an advantage but at least the other team will be ensured an opportunity to win. That's all this proposal is doing. It ensures each team a reasonable opportunity to go out and win the game.
Pros:
1) Keeps sudden death format
2) Eliminates "cheesy" win feeling when games seem to end prematurely.
3) Ensures that all overtime wins are earned wins.
4) Adds excitement and intrigue to the overtime format
Cons:
1) It makes too much sense
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