Thought #1

In some ways the NFL really isn't all that different from any other companies around the world. One person screws up, the higher ups overreact, and then everyone has to sit in a meeting and watch a video.

Because Frank from accounting thought it was a good idea to use the stapler to reattach the frayed cord to the copy machine, you find yourself having to watch a two hour video on stapler safety. 

Same thing when Marge thought staff moral would be lifted by having an office pet. Never did find that hamster, poor Mr. Nibbles. Suddenly you find yourself in a seminar on the dangers of wildlife in the work place.

The NFL isn't all that different. Yesterday Commissioner Roger Goodell sent warnings and videos to each of the 32 teams concerning the league's recent crack down on violent hits. As you know a few guys messed up (according to the league) over the weekend, the higher ups over react, and now teams around the league are being called to conference room for sensitivity training. I just really hope the video is narrator by some washed up celebrity. I'm thinking that girl who played Blossom.

Thought #2

Mark Schlereth went off yesterday on ESPN about the NFL's crackdown. Mark was upset over the fact the league makes money off big hits and then fines players for those same big hits. He finds it to be hypocritical and went off about it.

I get that, and I agree on that point, however then Mark got into this "woe is me ex-NFL player" rant. He started talking about how he couldn't get disability and after he had given so much to the league he felt he was entitled to some assistance for his health problems.

This is when I began to tune Mark out. The dude got paid to play football for 12 years, now works for ESPN, along with pimping that chili all over the place, and wants us to feel sorry for him because his shoulders are hurt?

Sorry man, not buying it. No one made you play football. No one made you go out on that field and be phyiscal for 12 years, which by the way, you were paid handsomely for. You weren't exactly in a coalmine here Mark. You weren't exactly in some third world country saving babies. You were playing a game, granted a hard game, but a game none the less. You know who's body isn't broken down like yours? The mailman. The engineer. The guy sitting in an office right now working 10 hour days doing something he hates just to make ends meet. All those other jobs you could have chosen.

You made a good point Mark, but then ruined it with your river of self pity. If you want to go to the doctor just use some of the coin you're raking in from that overpriced Green Chili and get an appointment, but don't whine to everyone else about how bad the league has been to you.

Thought #3

So what is all this chatter going to mean come Sunday? Are players such as James Harrison going to sit out? Will the game be called differently? Will players get massive fines and suspensions in their mail boxes come money?

The NFL is entering a very gray area this weekend. How gray? Charcoal.

It's like a guy who wants his girlfriend to dress sexy, but not too sexy. He wants guys to notice her, but he doesn't want her to go full on Lady Ga Ga and have everyone thinking they will need a penicillin shot after hanging out with her. He wants he to walk that fine line. 

The NFL wants it's players to hit hard...but not too hard. Be vicious...but not too vicious. Be mean....but not too mean. It's going to be tricky for the players and even trickier for the referees, even if they do watch the entire Blossom video.