Photo by: kissingsuzykolber.uproxx.com

The past couple of seasons for the NFL haven’t been very good for commissioner Roger Goodell’s image.  There was a lockout, a few rule changes that are affecting the game in a negative manner for the fans, as well as countless fines and suspensions handed out.  It is apparent that Goodell wants to make the game safer for the players, but he is doing it at the expense of the product and the majority of players do not approve.

From a fan perspective, Goodell’s actions towards making the game safer are both positive and negative.  Things were amplified with the suicide of Junior Seau, which suggested that the NFL could do more to ensure the players safety.  If players aren’t tested properly for head injuries the NFL is at fault, but is that all Goodell’s doing?

Goodell has been making changes to age-old rules of the game for player safety, but it is taking away from the product of football.  Fans watch football to see people get hit or make a spectacular pass, catch or run.  Other fans loved watching guys like Dante Hall, Devin Hester and Joshua Cribbs make guys miss and run kicks back.  Either way you look at it, Goodell isn’t allowing those things to stay the same.

Here are some rule changes Goodell has made since 2009:

• Defenders who are knocked to the ground no longer can lunge into the quarterback if the play is still ongoing. (Tom Brady rule)
• The initial force of a blind side block can’t be delivered by a helmet, forearm or shoulder to an opponent’s head or neck.
• No initial contact to the head of a defenseless receiver.
• On kickoffs, no blocking wedge of more than two players will be allowed.
• The kicking team can’t have more than five players bunched together pursuing an onside kick.
• Plays will be blown dead when the player with possession of the ball loses his helmet.
• Kickoffs were moved to the 35-yard line in an attempt to generate more touchbacks and less returns.

If you look at some of the rule changes, nothing appears to have a large effect on the game.  Yet, when you think about the fact that every player in the NFL grew up watching “real” football and playing that way.  So to tell these grown men to basically change everything they know about playing football isn’t going to sit well.

Goodell also has had issues with non safety related reasons, stemming from his “bigger than football” mentality.  Goodell has publicly been slapped in the face with how he handled the New Orleans Saints “Bounty-gate” problem.  It was stated early on that the players and union felt he was trying to set too much of an example without having all the facts.  Former commissioner Paul Tagliabue made a statement when his rulings contradicted everything Goodell did.

Goodell also has given out some questionable fines to players over the years as well.  It is becoming evident that the players don’t like him and would probably feel much better off with a different commissioner.  Whether that scenario ends up playing out is yet to be seen, but Goodell hasn’t won the hearts of players or fans and many are starting to believe the NFL is a joke.

As reported on ESPN, USA Today Sports polled 300 active NFL players and 61 percent of them disapprove of Goodell’s performance.  Many of the players who disapproved, cited increase in fines for hits on defenseless players and how he handled “Bounty-gate.”  The players who approved, cited his role in making the NFL the United States most popular sport.

Final thoughts: the players know the risk they have everyday they step out on the field, either for practice or games.  They know that injuries are going to happen and they willingly go out there and continue to compete.  The NFL needs to do mandatory checks on all players weekly for different injuries and make medical decisions on if the players are “legitimately able” to play.

As long as that part is clear, some rules need to be left alone and just let the players play!

Daniel Trawick