A proposal for the NFL
Now that the football season is upon us, I have come up with a modest proposal. I would like to see merger of the NFL and AFL completed, and have the NFL realigned in real geographic terms. Since the AFL went out of business nearly 40 years ago, the league needs to get rid of the phony "NFC" and "AFC" and create some local rivalries that would increase excitement in the sport. My realignment is as follows:
EAST
Mid-Atlantic
Tennessee
Baltimore
Carolina
Washington
Northeastern
Buffalo
New York Giants
New England
New York Jets
Allegheny
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Pittsburgh
Philadelphia
Southeastern
Miami
Atlanta
Tampa
Jacksonville
WEST
Great Lakes
Chicago
Detroit
Indianapolis
Green Bay
Southwestern
Houston
Arizona
Dallas
New Orleans
Mid-Central
Denver
Kansas City
Minnesota
St. Louis
Pacific
Oakland
San Diego
San Francisco
Seattle
Ah yes, I can hear the whines now..."You can't have this team in the same division as this team...", etc. The way I look at it, two things will happen. First, a number of natural rivalries will be created and/or will intensify. As a Bears fan, this alignment will still have them playing the Green Bay Packers twice a year. My Bucs would both Miami and Jacksonville twice in the same season. As it stands, all three teams in the state of Florida are scattered between two conferences and three different divisions. Second, with this many games between teams this close, the savings in transportation costs would be something owners would want to look at, not to mention reducing wear and tear on their players through long road trips.
But hey, it's just a suggestion. So all sports wonks, don't get your knickers in a wad. Remember, it's only a game.
To contact me, e-mail me at rshustercommentNOSPAM@comcast.net. Please take out the NOSPAM when entering the e-mail address.
EAST
Mid-Atlantic
Tennessee
Baltimore
Carolina
Washington
Northeastern
Buffalo
New York Giants
New England
New York Jets
Allegheny
Cincinnati
Cleveland
Pittsburgh
Philadelphia
Southeastern
Miami
Atlanta
Tampa
Jacksonville
WEST
Great Lakes
Chicago
Detroit
Indianapolis
Green Bay
Southwestern
Houston
Arizona
Dallas
New Orleans
Mid-Central
Denver
Kansas City
Minnesota
St. Louis
Pacific
Oakland
San Diego
San Francisco
Seattle
Ah yes, I can hear the whines now..."You can't have this team in the same division as this team...", etc. The way I look at it, two things will happen. First, a number of natural rivalries will be created and/or will intensify. As a Bears fan, this alignment will still have them playing the Green Bay Packers twice a year. My Bucs would both Miami and Jacksonville twice in the same season. As it stands, all three teams in the state of Florida are scattered between two conferences and three different divisions. Second, with this many games between teams this close, the savings in transportation costs would be something owners would want to look at, not to mention reducing wear and tear on their players through long road trips.
But hey, it's just a suggestion. So all sports wonks, don't get your knickers in a wad. Remember, it's only a game.
To contact me, e-mail me at rshustercommentNOSPAM@comcast.net. Please take out the NOSPAM when entering the e-mail address.
Labels: Chicago, Florida, football, Green Bay, Tampa, travel