Is Roger Goodell Good For the NFL?

In a purely quantitatively measurable world, the above is correct. There's something to be said of goodwill though -- I'm not saying you should like everything Goodell does. But suppose the following happens, we're in the middle of a playoff push, Dez Bryant is running for a game winning touchdown and gets badly horsecollared by Landry. The game is won but Landry is suspended for x games lasting into the playoffs -- yeah, the rule was implemented for player safety but what is Landry supposed to do, let him run for the TD? In effect he is punished for saving the game and the season -- you really don't think that Landry's suspension and his resulting (as well as the fans') ire towards Goodell is bad for the NFL? that's fine if you don't, I just think you're mistaken

That really doesn't make sense to me at all. Why would there be ire toward Goodell?

Because Goodell is the one handing out suspensions?

So I take it you're saying the other suspensions have been bad for the NFL? And let's say Landry being suspended means the Eagles win the division and they get homefield advantage (you think Eagles' fans will be upset with Goodell?, and then w/o Landry we lose in the first round to the Falcons. You think Falcons fans will be upset?

So I take it you're saying the other suspensions have been bad for the NFL? And let's say Landry being suspended means the Eagles win the division and they get homefield advantage (you think Eagles' fans will be upset with Goodell?, and then w/o Landry we lose in the first round to the Falcons. You think Falcons fans will be upset?

I'm saying that its a lot more subjective than at first glance -- NFL fans are far from perfectly rational beings. Even if the suspensions and rules are good for the NFL in the bigger scheme of things, most negative feelings about rule changes, suspensions etc. are going to be directed towards Goodell who, for better or worse, is the face of the authoritative body of the league. When fans have a problem with a suspension, they are going to be mad at Goodell and feel that their team is being unfairly targeted, as would other fans in that situation. My personal belief is that increased negativity towards the commissioner is bad for the NFL. Do you honestly believe that fans feeling bad towards the commisioner is one city is perfectly balanced out by fans feeling good in another city?

We're not talking about just the devestating injuries though. It's all the cumulative trauma that adds up over time, all the little hits take their toll. The more research that comes out about head injuries the scarier it gets. This problem is only getting worse.

The head injuries are just part of the game. Like I said, for every guy that's had issues there are hundreds that don't have issues.

The head injuries are just part of the game. Like I said, for every guy that's had issues there are hundreds that don't have issues.

Part of the game yes, but there are ways to help reduce them. The league owes that to the players for taking the risks that they do, even if the players don't appreciate it now, they will in the long run.

I'm saying that its a lot more subjective than at first glance -- NFL fans are far from perfectly rational beings. Even if the suspensions and rules are good for the NFL in the bigger scheme of things, most negative feelings about rule changes, suspensions etc. are going to be directed towards Goodell who, for better or worse, is the face of the authoritative body of the league. When fans have a problem with a suspension, they are going to be mad at Goodell and feel that their team is being unfairly targeted, as would other fans in that situation. My personal belief is that increased negativity towards the commissioner is bad for the NFL. Do you honestly believe that fans feeling bad towards the commisioner is one city is perfectly balanced out by fans feeling good in another city?

I don't think it's a zero-sum game. No. But I also don't think that what fans think really should matter in this case.

I don't think it's a zero-sum game. No. But I also don't think that what fans think really should matter in this case.

Oh man, I don't want to get into a philosophical argument about whether it should matter -- for better or worse, I think it ultimately does.

Ok. Agree to disagree then

Like I said, for every guy that's had issues there are hundreds that don't have issues.

You have the data to support that argument?


Just because it's not reported, doesn't mean they haven't had issues.