How I would Fix The NFL

southwest is a genius and didn't even know it!

You're right, it shouldn't be a 50/50 proposition because only 29.5% of all passes thrown more than 40 yards downfield are completed. It's 29.9% for passes 30-39 yards, and still only 38% from 20-29. At 10-19 you finally get above 50% at 54.3%.

I don't know if I like the 15 yard penalty though because most of these low completion percentages are the result of good defense and not necessarily because the QB missed (unless your name is Teddy). So if you're a defender who gets beat, you might as well tackle the receiver who's about to streak by you for an easy TD. Maybe a more severe penalty for intentional pass interference, and the 15 yarder on jump balls?

The problem there is that you then have officials making judgement calls of what is or isn't "intentional". I mean, yeah, 9 out of 10 times may be obvious...but you will always have that instance where a defender trips and falls and his arms trip up the defender. Then, that guy gets flagged for a spot foul? I don't know.

And, besides it (intentional holding or tackling a receiver) already happens a lot, defenders know they are beat and hold, it's just before the ball is thrown. The offense only gets five yards and an automatic first down there, yet no one complains.

Fifteen yards is not an insignificant penalty. A team on the 45 is going to punt 99% of the time on a 3rd and long type situation, so the offense either looks for a safe 7-8 yard pickup to get to the edge of field goal range-or they throw it deep. Then, my flag-happy Back Judge, or way out of position Line Judge calls the DB for pass interference even though the receiver tripped on his own, or even when the pass is 19 yards out of bounce, they still deem it catchable, because there's no way Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees or Tom Brady threw such a bad pass. Voila! Ball's on the one and touchdown on the next play? As opposed to still having to make a play or two to score?

Nope, I hate pass interference, and that the best receivers and best QBs get too much deference for what amounts to the single biggest decision referees make in about 75% of games. Really, there are 60 yard plays that don't show up in a box score anywhere because Devante Adams couldn't have possibly tripped on his own. May the new replay rules eliminate the most egregious miscalls? Possibly, unless a coach is out of challenges, or the offense quick snaps. Just make it simple and costly, but not back-breaking. 15 yards, every time.

Much better technology/replay!

Well keep in mind, the 16 game player limit is on the table just to satisfy players and the union, and mostly because of injury/health concerns. So the 18/16 is meant to satisfy all parties. If it were up to me, yeah players would play in all 18 games.

The league wants 18 because it means a lot more money for them. I want 18 because I love football and want to see more of it. Meaningful games anyway. I also like the idea because I want to see what young players can do in meaningful games against better talent. I don't like having to figure out how good they might be based on preseason football, which is basically the only time you get to see a lot of these players their first few years. Preseason is the best test we currently have to judge players, but it could be better.

Also think about how much more important it would be to focus on depth. It's going to level the playing field a little more as far as competition goes. Maybe the Packers have a better starting lineup than the Vikings, but the Vikings have a better bench, so the Packers might struggle a little more when they have to scratch some starters whereas the Vikings won't suffer as much. It would redefine what team sports mean. The team with the better team will have the best chance, and not the team with the best 22 players or best QB.

Well that's all that matters, that people are thinking about me. Cuz I got this giant ego and it needs to be fed. But yeah, if you remember someone who had a good idea, it was most likely me.