NFL proposing measures to curtail tampering, tanking

The NFL's competition committee has put forward a measure that would create a five- to seven-day moratorium period at the start of free agency during which contract negotiations would be permitted but not signings.

The proposal, one of many that will be discussed during next week's owners' meetings in Palm Beach, is aimed at reducing the amount of improper contact between teams and players and their representatives before the start of the signing period.

The idea is to give teams and free agents adequate time to consult before contracts can actually be signed so that when the signing period begins, all teams have had ample opportunity to recruit. Contact would be permitted between teams and certified agents only under the proposal. Contact between teams and players would be considered a violation and could result in tampering charges.

The news ironically comes the same week the league forced the 49ers to forfeit a fifth-round draft pick and swap third-round picks with the Bears after commissioner Roger Goodell ruled San Francisco tampered with Chicago linebacker Lance Briggs before his becoming a free agent.

And on Monday, Chiefs coach Herm Edwards strongly implied the Bucs engaged in tampering in their recruitment of free agent center Jeff Faine, who signed a rich contract with the Bucs on the first day of free agency. The proposal was being discussed long before this week's event, league officials said.

"We feel like there's too much contact," said Atlanta Falcons president Rich McKay, co-chair of the competition committee.

Similar methods have been used successfully in other leagues, including the NBA.

Another proposal under consideration is one that would alter the seeding process for the playoffs. Rather than have division winners automatically seeded in the top four in each conference, the measure would seed teams according to their records, with tiebreakers going to division winners.

The idea likely would influence teams to continue to play to win even after clinching their divisions before the end of the regular season. The Bucs clinched the NFC South with two weeks remaining last season and benched many starters in the final two games, resulting in games that could be construed as less entertaining and less competitive.

The concern, McKay said, goes to "the integrity of the game."

There are many favorable arguments for both of these proposals. The moratorium proposal will even the playing field and reduce the need to engage in tampering, which probably is more widespread than we even know.

And the measure attempting to change the seeding process surely will be supported by anyone who had to sit through either the Bucs' final two games in 2007 (me!). Had their seeding been in serious jeopardy, perhaps Jon Gruden would have played his starters in those final two games. Maybe they would have performed better in the playoffs, too, because they would have been in better rhythm. That, we'll never know.

We'll keep you posted on both concepts and determine how much support they have during the owners' meetings.

Comments

[Valrico Rick]

That’s a pretty good idea regarding tampering and might actually have an affect. At least it will cut down on the whining. As for the tanking solution of playoff seeding, it would only provide a minimal increase in competition. Here’s a completely off the cuff idea; How about roster eligibility based on playing time? For example when a team secures a playoff spot they must declare their opening playoff roster, and any player that doesn’t play two thirds of the snaps in whatever games their team has left is declared ineligible to play in the playoffs, or at least their teams first playoff game. Of course injury exceptions would be allowed and scrutinized. As I said it was an off the cuff idea, but the concept of “resting” players not only leads to less enjoyable contests it also has the ability to give an unfair advantage to a team’s opponent which could in turn lead to another team missing the playoffs because a team that should have lost was in truth allowed to win. I think something should be done. I only hope that the Giants “no resting” approach last season causes some teams to change their philosophy. (Paying attention Jon?)

[James Wilson]

Leave it to "Richie Rich" McKay to put his 2 cents worth in (Especially if he could do anything to undermine the Bucs).

Arthur Blank lets him handle all complaints now since it's obvious he knows nothing about player personel or the salary cap. McKay took credit for work done by Jerry Angelo, Tim Ruskell, Ruston Webster and Tony Dungy. Richie will be known as a retired NFL executive by this time next year I'm sure.

[Stephen Holder]

James, just to clarify, McKay is the co-chair of the competition committee, so it's his job to deal with these matters. A lot of it is being driven by the league office, not Rich, in my opinion. So don't take it so personal -- though I guess I could see why you might think that.

[skp]

what's next? "brain sharing" to keep matt "duh" millen and crazy al davis from making horrible horrible decisions? leave something to the ingenuity and hustle of the front office...tampering can be addressed in other ways that don't fail to reward front offices like tampa's who work their butts off to be the first to call, first to visit, and who prioritize their targets to maximize their chances. you've given everybody a level playing field to compete, let's leave it to the organizations to outhustle and outthink one another.

[The King]

While winning a weak division probably shouldn't guarantee a top 4 seeding, I don't think that total wins should guarantee it either, unless you throw strength of schedule into the equation. Lets say the Patriots win their division with a 10-6 record, and the Browns finish second in their division at 11-5, but had an easier strength of schedule. Who gets the higher seeding?

[DR]

Both rules should go through. They both make sense. Fans didn't pay money to see a game with little to no effort from second and third string players.
I hope they don't try to tell the players how their hair should be. I don't think men should have long hair, but it's everyone's right and the NFL has no right to enforce that kind of rule.

[Stephen Blackehart]

Both proposals are ridiculous. If the league imposes a moratorium, what's to stop any tampering before it begins? If it's going on illegally now, why wouldn't it go on illegally then?

As for structuring the playoff seeding according to overall record...what the he##!? Take away the division-crown incentive and you have no meaning at all to even having divisions. You might as well do away with the whole division and conference format. Just list all the teams from 1 to 32, have them play the season and the top 12 go to single elimination playoffs until you have a champion.

Sound ridiculous? Well, that's what these proposals are.

[The King]

Stephen Blackehart, you make sense! That's kinda what I was getting at. Why pull a Division Champ out of the top 4 seeds in favor of a non Division Champ with more wins that they may have gotten by way of an easy schedule. As for DR, thanks for caring so much about what professional male athletes' hair should look like. Glad to know your attention is on how players look and not how they play. I bet you love them tight pants they wear, huh?

[Arun]

Why push it back? Just let teams talk to agents a week before the new season starts. Love the ideal for play off seeding thou.

[DR]

The Queen, apparently you haven't heard a radio or watched TV, the hair issue was brought up on ESPN and the NFL Network. Most players are opposed to it. Sorry if my comment brought back some traumatic memory you had as a teenager or child. There are counselors out there that can help you with coping with what you went through. You may want to go to that church camp where they "straighten" people out, people like you.

[DR]

This long hair thing really bothers me. I got my Ken Doll from a freind to put dreds on him to make me a pac-man doll to go with my Tony, and Jessica dolls. If they change that rule I will be very mad. My pac-man fits right in with tony, and Jessica in my doll house. I think jessica is happy now. Anyone have any other ideas for me and my dollhouse, I have been thinking of a barbie car. You bucs fans just don't know how wonderful it is to be a boy fan right now, you should try it. Mmmmmmhmmm, tony...

[DR]

I mean Boys fan, my mom said that might have been a freudian slip. I am looking that up right now to see what she means by that. Oh Tony....

[DR]

As a matter of fact, I think I'll take a 1/32" drill bit to my Romo doll so I can truly love it...