Should NFL increase importance of non-linemen?

[poochiecollins]

Receivers, running backs, and secondary defenders get disproportionately high attention for the impact they have on the game. Actually, quarterbacks do too, but never mind them for now. Do you think:
1.) Rules should be changed to make said position players more important, while diminishing the roles of other players?
2.) Said position players should get less attention while linemen receive more?

If you fit under #1, what solution[s] do you propose? The one I can think of is dramatic and wouldn't be done for a long time, if at all, but I'll gauge responses before bringing it up.

Intelligent discussion pl0z.

[BigdaddyQH]

I have no idea of what rules changes you can make to diminish the roles of any players, unless you call more holding, pass interference, unnecessary roughness, defensive holding, or other penalties that are basically judgement calls. Most rules changes today fall under the guise of "protecting the player". I do not know how they can possibly change any more rules to protect players. If they allow more liberal rules for offensive holding, that hurts the defensive linemen. If they tighten the holding rule, that hurts the offensive linemen.

[Andy117]

Receivers, running backs, and secondary defenders get disproportionately high attention for the impact they have on the game. Actually, quarterbacks do too, but never mind them for now. Do you think:
1.) Rules should be changed to make said position players more important, while diminishing the roles of other players?
2.) Said position players should get less attention while linemen receive more?

If you fit under #1, what solution[s] do you propose? The one I can think of is dramatic and wouldn't be done for a long time, if at all, but I'll gauge responses before bringing it up.

Intelligent discussion pl0z.

I don't know how you could change this, or why you'd want to.

[icancount2one]

Maybe you could pay linemen more if they were really really outstanding.

I can't imagine, say, a Defensive Tackle getting a $100 mil contract like a QB does... oh wait... Albert Haynesworth did.

The fact that he immediately started acting like a jackass notwithstanding, outstanding linemen and linebackers do get their due from time to time.

[poochiecollins]

I have no idea of what rules changes you can make to diminish the roles of any players, unless you call more holding, pass interference, unnecessary roughness, defensive holding, or other penalties that are basically judgement calls. Most rules changes today fall under the guise of "protecting the player". I do not know how they can possibly change any more rules to protect players. If they allow more liberal rules for offensive holding, that hurts the defensive linemen. If they tighten the holding rule, that hurts the offensive linemen.

I was thinking or reducing the number of players on the field, which helps those who are good at getting around rather than through people, helping the speed positions and hurting linemen, but that's drastic and I don't know if it'd happen for a while, if at all.

[poochiecollins]

I don't know how you could change this, or why you'd want to.

I'd like to see some of the diva/entertaining personalities like Chad Johnson, Terrel Owens, etc. become more relevant. As it stands, they don't affect the outcome of the game to the degree that matches the attention they get from media and fans. I'm asking if people here like to see players with personalities like the players I mentioned in more prominent roles, or if they're fine with linemen outranking all other positions in importance, except quarterback.

[poochiecollins]

Maybe you could pay linemen more if they were really really outstanding. I can't imagine, say, a Defensive Tackle getting a $100 mil contract like a QB does... oh wait... Albert Haynesworth did. The fact that he immediately started acting like a jackass notwithstanding, outstanding linemen and linebackers do get their due from time to time.

Linemen already make the most money, except the QB: http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=333809

1. Quarterback | $1,970,982
2. Defensive End | $1,583,784
3. Offensive Lineman | $1,267,402
4. Defensive Tackle | $1,223,925
5. Cornerback | $1,193,666
6. Linebacker | $1,175,788
7. Wide Receiver | $1,054,437
8. Running Back | $957,360
9. Safety | $947,887
10. Punter/Kicker | $868,005
11. Tight End | $863,414

The source is a couple years old, but should be good enough for this discussion.

[stealthyburrito]

i think its more about protecting the investment. yes, lineman make a good amount by league standards but they dont put the asses in the seatss. missing brady or manning affects the nfl's bottomline moreso cuz it can have a direct correlation to television ratings, etc. while an injury to a linemen (even a star linemen) wouldn't have the same effect

thats why the rules are as they are and moving in that direction moreso

[Rig]

I dont think this is a problem...

[poochiecollins]

i think its more about protecting the investment. yes, lineman make a good amount by league standards but they dont put the asses in the seatss. missing brady or manning affects the nfl's bottomline moreso cuz it can have a direct correlation to television ratings, etc. while an injury to a linemen (even a star linemen) wouldn't have the same effect thats why the rules are as they are and moving in that direction moreso

You missed the point, no offense. Linemen get paid more BECAUSE owners have good enough reason to believe that these guys are primarily responsible for boosting the organization's long-term revenue through making everyone else look good. I was asking if others were okay with the fact that many of the most attention-getting players are in fact primarily a product of certain teammates and aren't actually that relevant. I've seen some posters indicating that the quarterback has more control over a team's fate than all the other players put together on the team, such as some QB has or has not won a Super Bowl, so they are or aren't that good, etc.

[AlphaOmega]

How about counting 50+ yard field goals = to 4 points

[toober89]

I think offensive linemen get enough recognition for the run game and protecting the qb

[Bannit16]

How exactly would you like to increase the importance for them? you would have to completely change the game to do that.

[icancount2one]

Linemen already make the most money, except the QB: http://ncaabbs.com/showthread.php?tid=333809

1. Quarterback | $1,970,982
2. Defensive End | $1,583,784
3. Offensive Lineman | $1,267,402
4. Defensive Tackle | $1,223,925
5. Cornerback | $1,193,666
6. Linebacker | $1,175,788
7. Wide Receiver | $1,054,437
8. Running Back | $957,360
9. Safety | $947,887
10. Punter/Kicker | $868,005
11. Tight End | $863,414

The source is a couple years old, but should be good enough for this discussion.

Thanks for the stats! I suppose that linemen really do get their fair share after all.

Also, sometimes Offensive Linemen do achieve celebrity status. Jon Runyan of the Philadelphia Eagles did local commercials for McDonald's coffee, had a cameo on nationally televised "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" and is now trying to parlay his football success into a political career. I'm sure that the charismatic Jared Allen gets similar attention in Minnesota.

Perhaps the most casual fans are only interested in who's throwing and catching the ball, but that shouldn't be a reason to change core rules of the game.

[THE PROFIT]

I dont know if Im fully understanding this question or argument.

Linemen are the most vital part of the team, offensive lineman that is. They protect the QB, who is the superstar! Thats the way it is & always will be, the QB is the superstar. He gets more attention because he's a star. It's kinda like the President. He's the leader of the free world & the most important man in the world, but without about 50 advisors, 20 speechwriters, and a cabinet of heads smarter than him, hed be another guy!

Same with QB's. They have to have a natural talent of the position, but without an offensive line worth a shit he'd be a guy lying on the ground 80% of the time, and it's very hard to look like a superstar with a great arm & accuracy lying on your back. Ask Archie Manning.

I wish teams would realize that you dont need a #1 draft pick big name school heisman QB to win titles & playoff appearances. You need a great line to protect an average college QB and coaches to make him great.

Tony Romo, almost a fukin community college! Roethlisburger, Miami,OH! Tom Brady, A QB that will go down in history as all-time great, 3rd string at Michigan. Peyton Manning, never beat Florida, no national championship, but the most fundamentally sound QB to play the position in years. They have great coaches & an offensive line that give them time to be great.