Overtime Rules

[Scutty]

Can't see the point of letting 2 teams have an extra period of time to achieve a result when everybody else could manage it in regular time but thats another story.

Keep it as it is.

[guyinchesapeake]

Give each team an 'opportunity' for a possession. By that, I'm not saying guarantee them a full possession, just assure that they have a chance at one. Examples: Rams kick off to the Saints. Saints score on possession. They kick off to Rams, Rams fumble, lose ball to Saints. Game over, they had their chance at a possession.

Rams have first possession of OT. They throw an interception, the Saints cornerback runs with it for 10 yeards, then is hit and fumbles ball back to Rams. Game is now in true sudden death, both teams have had their chance at possession. I can offer lots more scenarios, but I think you all get the drift.

I actually sent a letter to the NFL's commissioner a few years back when the idea of changing OT rules was being kicked around then, with these same suggestions. I received a reply from the league's LAWYER telling me that they don't usually take suggestions from fans, and if they did, there's a form said fan would have to fill out and agree to, mainly, that any ideas are the league's and the league's only, regardless of where they originate. I wrote back to both the lawyer and the Comish (Tagliabue) to stuff their form and their attitude. As a paying season ticket holder for a league team, my suggestion didn't deserve a threat. They are an arrogant bunch there.

[Captroop]

7 of the 15 games that went into overtime this season were won on the first overtime possession. One was a tie. That means that in more than half of the games, both teams got at least one chance. When the team with the first possession wins a disproportionately large percentage of the games on the first drive, then consider changing the rules, otherwise, keep it as is.

[Nu Guns]

7 of the 15 games that went into overtime this season were won on the first overtime possession. One was a tie. That means that in more than half of the games, both teams got at least one chance. When the team with the first possession wins a disproportionately large percentage of the games on the first drive, then consider changing the rules, otherwise, keep it as is.

Taking away FG'S would be cool

[OneBadassCat]

I want field goals taken out of overtime. However I don't think there needs to be a major change of the rules however. The coin flip is random and is therefore fair. If you don't stop the other team you won't get the ball back and you won't win. If you don't take advantage of 1st possession and score you won't win. I don't see how that is unfair.

[Captroop]

Yup.

Sudden death but park the kickers after the initial kickoff. No FGs & no punts.

Don't hate that idea, but you would see a lot of games ending in a draw.

[guyinchesapeake]

Heck, if the idea is to keep games (in regulation) from ending in ties to avoid OT in the first place, why not eliminate FGs from the game entirely?

I personally don't agree with that. Again, a fair opportunity at a possession, which the teams have to be able to take advantage of, should handle all questions of 'how fair it all is'.