NFL Pre-Draft Thoughts: April 18th

Supply and Demand

How Wide Receiver Became the NFL's Most Employable Position

The Effects of Regulation

Enron. Tyco International. WorldCom. 

Three of the worst corporate frauds in history occurred within an 18 month span, sending the financial markets into a death spiral. The general public lost any faith remaining in Wall Street and white collar society. Reckless decisions and almighty avarice destroyed investor portfolios and wiped out employee pension plans. Penniless in the streets we cry.

Greedy, ruthless bastards.

In response President George W. Bush signed into law The Sarbanes Oxley Act on June 30th, 2002. "SOX" required executive management to bear responsibility for all information presented on company financial statements. Despite accounting's dominant role in the fraudulent activity, legislation dramatically raised the global need for accountants in a sick twist of irony. The SEC and Public Company Accounting Oversight Board raised overall audit requirements. The sun rose and firms couldn't hire enough bean counters. Accountants suddenly became the pretty girl everyone wanted to ask to prom, even though most of them were too nerdy to attend their own.

Speaking of nerds, one particularly handsome man strikes a cord in the hearts of NFL fans everywhere. Some remember him from his legendary battles with a meat head named Sean Salisbury(I mean his last name was a friggin STEAK) Others refer to him as "The Professor." I personally like to think of him as a prophet.

"The league's enforcement of illegal contact will have a huge impact this season. More teams will have the ability to passfor 4,500 yards. Games will be higher scoring."

-John Clayton 2004

The NFL saw a 6% increase year over year in total passing yards for 2004. And that was just the tip of the iceberg.

*QBs (position players omitted)

llegal Contact Rule Enforced in 2004

"Defenseless Receiver" rule enacted during 2011

• Total passing yards increased by nearly 20% over the 10 year period.
• TPY increased every year except for 2005 & 2007.
• Before 2004, only Dan Marino accumulated a 5,000 yard passing season. (1984)
• Since 2004, NFL QBs have thrown for 5,000 yards 7 times.
• Brees(08',11',12',13'), Manning(13'), Brady(11'), Stafford(12')

Brain damage, like corporate fraud, is not for the faint of heart. Big wigs across NFL front offices feared the financial reaper heading for their pocket books and renowned reputations. Surely they heard the horror stories. Whispers of Super Bowl Shuffle winning quarterback Jim McMahon suffering from early stages of onset dementia and struggling to find his keys in the morning. Numerous former players taking their own lives due to the darkness of depression. Rumors began to swirl about when the league actually knew about the negative effects of concussions and why they chose to do sit and do nothing. It was time to act and act in a big way. And so began the most aggressive 10 years of regulation in NFL history.

2004's enforcement of illegal contact prohibited a defensive back from grabbing, touching, or physically berating a receiver farther than 5 yards off the line of scrimmage. Rule 12 Section 1 in the NFL's Code of Conduct fully describes the nature of "illegal contact", but the regulation actually first appeared in 1978. The lack of enforcement allowed Ronnie Lott and other hall of fame defensive backs to crush receivers up and down the field before the ball was in the air. After five yards, receivers can now run free leading to more offense and in theory less chance for player injury. It was a win-win in the eyes of every quarterback, wide receiver, and offensive coordinator.

More points, more yards, more fun for everybody right?

The "Defenseless Receiver"

September 1st, 2006.

Exit Paul Tagliabue. Enter Roger Goodell. 

In his own words, Roger Goodell likes "protecting the shield". For Goodell, protecting the NFL is about fostering the league's integrity, maintaining its tremendous domestic brand, and stretching the game into un-chartered global waters.  In the face of an 18,000 player lawsuit and intense media scrutiny, Goodell demonstrated his passion for the game's integrity. So much so that he decided to instill further regulation.

Definition of a Defenseless Player (December 27, 2011)

It is a foul if a player initiates unnecessary contact against a player who is in a defenseless posture

(2) A receiver attempting to catch a pass; or who has completed a catch and has not had time to protect himself or has not clearly become a runner. If the receiver/runner is capable of avoiding or warding off the impending contact of an opponent, he is no longer a defenseless player;

Rules are often controversial in nature, but rarely are they so subjective. If you ask 10 former players to define a "defenseless posture", I'm betting you will hear 10 diverse responses. Referees began whistling defenseless receiver calls during the 2011 season. From 2010 to 2011, the NFL experienced another significant increase of 3.56% total passing yards YOY. It may be hard to define causation, but there is certainly correlation. Safeties and corners are now less willing to hit receivers high leading to some gruesome lower body injuries.

Make no mistake, I am huge proponent of player safety. To Goodell's credit, the NFL experienced a 13% decrease in concussions this season.  I certainly don't want to see my childhood heroes go the tragic way of Junior Seau. Here's to hoping for another concussion decrease in 2014.

Now Hiring

This year's wide receiver class is the deepest and most talented group in recent memory. Sammy Watkins is a home run and a can't miss prospect.  Mike Evans displays shades of a smaller, faster version of Jimmy Graham every time he touches the football. Marquise Lee and Brandin Cooks are burners that will take the top off of secondaries at the next level. Odell Beckham Jr. is an explosive and powerful talent considering his stature. And those are just a few of the marquee names. ESPN's Mel Kiper projects there could be as many as 8 wideouts selects in the first round of this year's draft.

But even if these guys sucked, it wouldn't matter. Scouts and GMs would still salivate at their "potential." Why? Because someone has to catch passes from quarterbacks who now throw the ball 50 times a game. Someone has to rack up yards and touchdowns so freely given, and so freely taken. Talk about a market need.


Wide Receivers in the modern era are like accountants. Ever so employable.

Drinking, Driving, and Touchdowns

Why It's Time For  Roger Goodell to Lay The Hammer Down on DUI's

Crush a bit, little bit, roll it up, take a hit

Feelin’ lit feelin’ light, 2 am summer night.

I don't care, hand on the wheel, drivin drunk, I'm doin’ my thang
Rollin the Midwest side and out livin’ my life getting’ out dreams



Perhaps it was Kid Cudi's "Pursuit of Happiness" that blared from the car stereo as the newly drafted rookie sensation swerved across multiple lanes on an Oklahoma highway. It was oddly enough a warm summer night, and the time was around 2 AM when Justin Blackmon saw flashing red lights in his rear view mirror. 


The draft's most highly touted wideout in the 2012 class now found himself covered by the best cornerback in the world, the United States Police. He usually never had any trouble exploding off the line of scrimmage and getting open, but his lack of awareness and blood shot eyes were making this game a little harder than those past. Slurring his speech and stumbling uncontrollably, Justin exited the vehicle. "I"m literally not a drinker. I'm literally not a drinker." The former college All American and Biletnikoff award winner repeated these words over and over throughout the night, hoping someone would hear his plea.

Every game comes to its inevitable end, and this time the fourth quarter occurred in the back of a police car. The post game festivities were held in a Tulsa based penitentiary. At 10AM central standard time, Justin Blackmon found himself in shackles under federal custody. 

The Goodell Signal

In the face of frightening peril and inescapable evil, one light shines over the city of Gotham to comfort and protect its citizens. Hey Commisioner Gordon while you're up there, you mind turning on the Goodell Signal for us too? Things appear grim down here. Really grim. 


Despite constant media coverage surrounding the bounty gate scandal, driving under the influence is the league's most vile and rampant epidemic. Almost every 90 seconds a person is injured in a drunk driving crash. Nearly half of all traffic related incidents are due to intoxication behind the wheel. One in three Americans is involved in a drunk driving accident in their lifetime. Yet it seems everyday we awake to the news of one our Sunday heroes putting not only his own life in grave danger but also the well being of others. 


Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley and New York Giants Offensive Lineman David Diehl both dominate the trenches but were recently the latest offenders of this egregious crime. Diehl decided to get loaded and nail a few parked cars with his BMW before calling it a successful night out. Fairley felt like evading the authorities before he blew a breathalyzer to the moon.


What drives legends of the gridiron to take such chances? It's extremely easy for me to sit from afar and ponder "Why don't they just hire a freaking driver. Is it just alcohol induced decision hazy decision making, arrogance, or just an exhilarating rush to put the lives of innocent women and children at risk?" 


In a well written essay by Mike Freeman, the CBS sports journalist details that players do not trust car services due to "extreme paranoia." Some fear that pictures will be taken of them in car services and sold to tabloids. Others enjoy the thrill of showing off their personal cars and driving them through town.


At their very core, some NFL players believe they are invincible. These young men grow up as the pride and joy of their families, friends, towns, and communities. In a sense, some become their own Gods that can do no wrong and never face the consequences of their actions. And who could blame them for thinking so? Aren't we the ones who turn them into  monsters?


Regardless of the psychological and sociological reasons behind the vast number of athletes driving drunk, something drastic must be done to protect the innocent and the NFL. And there's only one man for the job.

Dropping The Hammer

On June 13th amidst the DUI fever across the league, Roger Goodell sent out a memo to all 32 organizations that was forwarded to management and player personnel. 

"There have been several negative law enforcement incidents in recent months involving both players and non-player employees. These incidents primarily have involved alcohol or drug-related offenses, specifically driving while impaired. Clearly, operating a vehicle under the influence of any substance poses a significant risk of injury to the driver and others. These risks are underscored by well-known tragedies within the NFL family.

"The Personal Conduct Policy makes clear that we must all conduct ourselves in a manner that is "responsible, that promotes the values upon which the league is based, and is lawful." Every negative incident undermines the respect we have earned from our fans, erodes the confidence of our business partners and threatens the continued success of the league.

Sincerely,

NFL Commisioner

-Roger Goodell

This is what Goodell should have sent to all 32 teams.

"If you drive while incapacitated, I will take every last cent you out out of your wallet. You think I fine James Harrison pretty frequently? I will make your ass more broke than Pac Man Jones after a wild night at the strip club. Bottom line, I own you. The NFL is the most dominant brand in all of sports and I will do everything in my power to make sure a player, who on average last less than 2 years in this league, doesn't put America's most powerful corporation in jeopardy. Bow before me. In the words of Mark Zuckerberg, I'm CEO, Bitch.

Sincerely,


-Roger Goodell
NFL Commisioner


 Sure, Roger might not be able to use similar verbiage, but it's time to drop the hammer like Thor. No commissioner in professional sports is given more free reign in disciplining players. The former lawyer and Rooney disciple sent one of the strongest and most controversial messages in league history regarding the New Orleans bounty gate scandal. Some feel punishments received by Saints players and coaches were too severe, but one thing is clear. No NFL team will ever set bounties against other players again. No team can afford to lose its personnel for a whole season and possibly forever. I have commended Goodell for his commitment to player safety, but now its time to further commit to player safety and citizen safety once more. If player on player crime such as bounties can result in huge penalties, how much more severe should the sanctions be when innocent people could potentially be killed? Currently, the maximum fine a player can receive for DUI's is 50,000 dollars and game suspensions. It's time to tremendously up the monetary ante so players fear the repercussions of their actions and do everything in their will to get a designated driver.

One message desperately needs to be sent to NFL players about driving while under the influence. 

You Can't Afford It.