5 ways Roger Goodell can improve the NFL

Full-time referees/Centralized replays

Roger Goodell has already hinted at the idea of implementing a centralized instant replay process, similar to what the NHL does. Obviously, this isn’t something he can approve all on his own, it will have to be approved by the competition committee and all the details would have to be hammered out.

I wouldn’t stop there. I’d centralize the replays for sure, but wouldn’t make it mainly the coaches’ responsibility to challenge the calls on the field. Let those guys watching the games in that central location be able to stop the game momentarily to correct a call that was missed or made wrong on the field. I think that there are too many things a head coach must worry about on the field than whether or not it’s ok to burn a timeout to have your coaches upstairs take a longer look at a play you might want to challenge. Sure, the coaches should be able to challenge if they wish, but they shouldn’t be the only ones to instigate it throughout the game.

While I’m on the topic of the officials, these guys need to be full-time, properly trained league employees who can be accountable and responsible for getting the calls right on the field the first time. I’m all for improving the replay situation but if there aren’t any strong efforts made to improve the quality of the officials so that calls are made correctly in real time it’s all for not. Improving things on the back end like centralizing replays and expanding what plays are reviewable only makes it easier for the guys in stripes to continue to be as inconsistent and awful as they have been.