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5 suggestions to improve the NFL

By John Buhler

Oct 27, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. (56) talks with Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) after the game at Nissan Stadium. The Titans won 36-22. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 27, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. (56) talks with Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) after the game at Nissan Stadium. The Titans won 36-22. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 20, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) watches team warm up before game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) watches team warm up before game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Make third-string quarterbacks matter again

This makes absolutely zero sense. What is the point of not making the third-string quarterback active on Sundays? Make it a 54-man roster with an extra guy to hold a clipboard on the sidelines. He’s getting paid any way, so just let NFL teams have three active quarterbacks in games if they feel so inclined.

There are two reasons that this needs to happen immediately:

1.) Offensive line play has never been worse. This leads to quarterbacks getting hurt more often than in years past. Why did the Chicago Bears have to pray for Matt Barkley’s health when Brian Hoyer got hurt in Week 7? Jay Cutler could have handed the ball off in a worst case scenario.

2.) The third-string quarterback would keep aging veteran signal callers in the league longer. Proven NFL veterans could mentor young franchise quarterbacks as a player/coach. This could help prevent Johnny Manziel or Robert Griffin III type of fiascos from happening as often.

This is a quarterback-driven league that rarely has more than 20 capable of being solid NFL starters at any given time. One could argue that having a near-40-year-old third-stringer might be to the boon of NFL offenses. That guy can either groom young franchise quarterbacks or be another disciple of the offensive coordinator’s system. It only helps the overall NFL product.

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