I was reading my new favorite site, www.blacksportsonline.com and was suddenly hit with some inspiration.  The thing that inspired me from the site this fine day was reading Robert Littal’s 3 pieces & a biscuit.  So on my way home, I stopped by my local chicken joint and grabbed 3 pieces and a biscuit.  Fine, 4 pieces, a couple of strips and those bastards forgot my biscuit.  Don’t you judge me, I workout so I need the protein. 

So I sat down and enjoyed my chicken with a nice, cold bottle of water (well, alcohol fortified water….What?  Alcohol has some water in it…) and thought what would it take to make my favorite sports league, the No Fun League, even better than it is now.  Here are some few ideas and random thoughts that I hope you enjoy.  Yes, I did wait till the alcohol fortified water was out of my system first.  Just getting my body ready for some of the fun I’m going to be having up in Vegas this weekend. 

 First, I think that all teams need to allow their players the freedom to show a little creativity, and a little personality like my boy Sheldon Brown did during the pre-game introductions.  Did you see him with his Jason mask on?  Now that was hot.  He was doing it to express his unhappiness with his front office for not paying him like he indeed deserves to be paid, but it made me pay more attention to him and what he may do in the game.  Imagine your favorite player doing some off the wall stuff like that?  My only restriction would be to ban Clinton Portis from taking part in this.  I mean, he tried, and he failed miserably with some of his characters.  For all of you who have ever watched WWE, part of the fun is the introductions of the players.  Now I’m not saying it should ever get near the proportions of the WWE, but imagine how many more people would tune in if players could tastefully display some personality without fearing being hit in the wallet.

 Second, I completely agree with Rob that Rex Ryan is a breath of fresh air in this age of stuffed shirts known as NFL head coaches.  I am an Eagles fan who came through the Buddy Ryan era and any true Philly fan loved Buddy.  He told it like it is and didn’t back down from anyone.  I loved that the Jets backed up their trash talking.  I think trash talking is good for the game.  It’s too bad that the mainstream media will take and blow just about anything out of proportion that’s said.  Also, if someone talks bad about one of their golden boy type players, they would completely vilify the person talking trash.  This world has become way too politically correct, and it just makes everyone become too easily offended, and uptight.  Players like Ochocinco are a gold mine of good nature trash talk.  Do you remember when he had that cornerback list?  That made you want to watch him play that week to see if his latest target could cover him or not?  Let’s face it, some players can’t take it but I think they are few and far between.  Matter of fact, with the lack of touchdown celebrations, and the idiotic on field after every tackle/catch/breath celebrations going on, this would be a smart way for players to let out some of the machismo that’s being repressed by czar Goodell.

 Third, I think the league is catching up to Bellichick.  He’s slowly been losing a lot of his assistants, and took his biggest loss in my opinion with the departure of Scott Pioli.  A good GM is like gold in the NFL, just ask the Giants.  I still think they have a chance to get to the playoffs and get to the superbowl as I predicted long ago, but this is his chance to show his “genius” and get back his cheating winning edge.

Fourth, Jerry Jone’s new tribute to over-compensation stadium is simply breathtaking.  I completely enjoyed watching Tony Romo perform in post-season form in their home opener.  I’m sure the record crowd also enjoyed seeing him cry in ultra high definition.  Speaking of crying, it was painful to watch the Saints spank the Eagles like they owed them money.  My superbowl picks (Pats-Eagles) aren’t looking so hot early in the season. 

 Fifth, did the NFL really fine a player for showing too much knee?  Really?  $5000 for an exposed knee?  Did it really make that much difference?  Did anyone notice?  Does the league pay someone to notice such things?  Am I the only one who thinks they are going too far with the fines?  You don’t fine a late hit on a quarterback after he’s clearly crossed into the end zone resulting in a broken rib, but you go after a guy because you can see his knee?

 Lastly, I want to see coaches wearing suits on the sidelines again.  I don’t know about you, but when I watch some classic NFL Films footage I can’t help but think that the coaches look like authority figures.  They look like they are running things.  They commanded respect and portrayed an air of success.  I’m old school, so I loved seeing that.  I don’t care if a coach wants to be casual, but I think they should have the choice to wear a suit if they want to. 

Bonus thought: 

 I want to see touchdown celebrations much less restricted.  They say hitting a baseball is the hardest thing to do in sports; well I say scoring a touchdown is a potentially very painful thing to do.  One of the lamest reasons they have for limiting it is that it wastes time.  I think all the stupid, unnecessary time stoppages to honor cialis/viagra/enzyte is a waste of time.  It seems like there’s enough time after every damn play to have 3 commercials shoved in my face.  I even have to watch commercials if I pay money to go to the game.  I say let me get a bonus and let the players celebrate a bit when they score.  It’s a team sport so allow the team to enjoy the score.  Maybe it’ll cut down on the need to celebrate every first down, every catch, every tackle, and every successful snap of the ball.  One of my most memorable moments in football is when T.O. pulled out the sharpie and autographed that football.  It was classic, and it wasn’t crazy.  If anything, it brought a lot of attention to his team and the NFL.  Yes, Joe Horn’s cell phone stunt was over the top, and it was corny, but you have to allow those who have a knack for showmanship to entertain us.  Hopefully we wouldn’t have to be subject to any steppin’ and fetchin’.