NFL games are about to get longer and more replay-filled

Hey, here's something I hate. An increased number of booth reviews in the 2011 season is going to lead to longer games, says�the NFL's former�vice president of officiating.

A new rule goes into effect this year stating that every scoring play that happens in the course of an NFL game will be automatically reviewed by the replay official. Here's an explanation of that process from Mike Pereira at FOXSports.com:

If an official rules a score (touchdown, field goal, safety or extra point) during a game, the replay official will automatically review the play. If there is any question as to whether the ruling is correct, they will buzz down to the referee and ask him to come to the monitor to review the play. If the replay official confirms the ruling is correct, they will buzz the referee indicating he is clear to let the scoring team attempt the extra point, or kick off if the scoring play was a field goal, safety or extra-point attempt. A coach will not be allowed to challenge the ruling of a score. The intent is to save the coach from having to challenge the ruling of a score and, thus, increase his chances of not running out of challenges or timeouts.

Overkill.

It's not necessarily that I'm anti-replay; if the right call can be made, then it should be. But in the quest to "get it right," it seems like the flow of the game is often completely discarded, and I'd argue that that's way more important to the NFL's viewing experience. And now we're building more stoppages into the game, right after its most exciting plays?

Unnecessary stoppages brutalize a game's watchability. It's like these "reality" shows, where they pound in unending pauses in an effort to manufacture artificial drama, but end up just being irritating as all hell. I don't know how anyone can stand that.

We should be looking at ways to shorten games, not make them longer. If a 1 p.m. game isn't going to end until 5, I want it to be because it went into overtime and gave us free football. It seems like we're getting to the point now that a game won't end on time (before the 4/4:15 games start) unless it happens to be contested by two teams that favor a ball-control offense.

And think about this, too: You know that super-annoying thing that networks do when, after a score, there's a commercial break, they come back for the kickoff, and then have another commercial break, and it seems like there's about a half hour between plays from scrimmage?

Throw a replay break into that, too. You'll see the same Coors Light commercial six times before anyone takes another snap.

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Packers go for symbolism, hugeness in their Super Bowl rings

The Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers got their championship rings Thursday night in a ceremony at Lambeau Field. Here's a look at the behemoth finger decorations that would rip the arm out of the socket of a normal human being. Players and teams are not supposed to fraternize during the NFL lockout, but the league gave special dispensation so that the Packers could receive their jewelry.

And here are some factoids about all the symbolism and what-have-you involved in the ring.

• The "G" logo in the middle of the ring includes 13 diamonds, one for each of the Packers championships (four Super Bowls, nine pre-merger NFL Championships).
• Football-shaped diamonds dot the corner of the top of the rings, representing the four Super Bowl titles.
• A total of 92 diamonds surround the crest, representing the 92 years that the franchise has existed.
• On the inside of the ring, the scores of all the Packers playoff wins are included, as well as the logos of the opponents (congratulations, Eagles fans, you're on a Super Bowl ring!).
• Also on the inside is a "1" alongside the words "Mind, Goal, Purpose and Heart," a sort of mantra that the Packers used on their way to the title.
• One side features the Lombardi trophy and the player's name and number, with the number encircled as it was on the Packers throwback jerseys this year. On the other side is a rather exquisitely crafted likeness of Lambeau Field.

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As for size and gaudiness, the ring checks in with 3.35 total carats of diamonds, falling just behind the 3.61 carats the Steelers crammed onto their rings for winning Super Bowl XLIII. Comparing it to other recent champions, the Saints got 2.2 carats on their XLIV rings, and the Giants, comparatively tasteful and restrained, went with 1.5 carats after XLII.

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The Shutdown Corner Interview: Ndamukong Suh

Thanks to our friends at Subway, Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh has become a bit of a regular on the Corner, and we were pleased to talk with him again on Thursday. We spoke with Suh as he was bringing the avocado greatness to various Subway shops in the Detroit area, and also talked about his offseason, the lockout, how rookie Nick Fairley may fit in Detroit's already scary defensive line, and what the Lions need to do to take that next step.

Shutdown Corner: First of all, talk about what you're doing with Subway these days.

Ndamukong Suh: Right now, I'm running around on a part-time job with them, bringing avocados to the various restaurants in the Detroit area. It's a lot of fun and I'm enjoying it. And sometimes, when it becomes busy during the lunch hour, I become a sandwich artist and help the rush line move a little bit quicker. Just to help them out. I'm looking forward to continuing it, and I'm out here today helping my second store.

SC: I can imagine that your presence would speed things along if that's what you wanted. Now, do you have previous experience in the art of fast-food service?

NS: Yes, I do ? I did this last year. I've been working with Subway for a while, and it's been fun to be a part of this.

SC: Before we talk about the NFL, tell us about Camp Suh in Detroit. You had your high school coach involved?

NS: We had a great, great camp. We just finished it up yesterday?it was a two-day camp, and the first day was probably the most fun I've ever had. We put on a free impact camp for inner-city kids ? about 120 kids came out, and that was probably the most enjoyable time, because you had them out there having fun and racing around. And it wasn't just the kids; it was their family members as well.

SC: You came into the NFL ? very structured situation. Your head coach [Jim Schwartz] is a D-line guy; [defensive coordinator] Gunther Cunningham obviously does it the old-school way. So you had a structure that allowed you to bring your talent to the league and really get it done. How are things different through this offseason with the lockout?

NS: For me, it's my first NFL offseason, so there hasn't been that much to adjust to. I guess you could say that going off my prior offseason as a rookie ? I had great OTAs that I got to go through with my teammates and the other rookies. That was a huge part of my development in a successful rookie season, and I feel bad for all the rookies this year, because they don't have that same opportunity ? they're going to have to learn it on the fly. My offseason changed in that aspect, as well as having surgery, so it's been kind of twisted all around. But I've been able to manage and get to the position where I am now, and I'm just looking forward to getting into the 2011 season.

SC: Obviously, everyone's talking about the potential havoc created by the interior duo of Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley. Based on what you've seen of Fairley, what's your take on him, and how you see that combo working out? I assume you two have talked?

NS: We have spoken ? I talked with him at the Super Bowl for about an hour at lunch. I had no clue that he was coming to play for us, and I then had a great opportunity to speak to him after he was drafted. He seems very eager and ready to become part of the defensive line. I think we'll be able to be a great tandem. Hopefully, it can be like it was at Nebraska in my senior year, with myself and Jared Crick, and him coming and being a real impact guy. He relieved pressure off of me I relieved pressure off of him, and we became a dominant unit inside.

SC: When it comes to team leadership, do you see younger players now coming to you, and how important is that role to you?

NS: That's going to be interesting, to see how younger players talk to me in the NFL. I know I've had a little bit of that reaction with my own rookie peers with the Lions. Not only that, but friends I've had from playing in the Big 12. I definitely want to hone in on that and take it by the reins. One rookie in particular, Prince Amukamara, who was drafted by the New York Giants in the first round ? he went to my school. So, it's something that I've embraced. Fairley was actually one of those guys that reached out to me after he won the Lombardi award, and we had won it in back-to-back years.

SC: Yeah ? I talked with Prince a few months back and he said that you've been very helpful. You obviously came in to the NFL without too much of an adjustment issue; you were blowing stuff up pretty quickly. But when you think about your game as it stands now, what would you like to improve?

NS: My overall game. I know it sounds like a clich�, but I feel that I had a good season as a rookie and I need to improve on betting faster, stronger ? moving my feet and hands on a daily basis. That's something that's always true, even in the middle of the season ? you're never in a position where you have the perfect hands and feet for the whole season. You continue to build and work on new things, and continue to beat offensive linemen, week in and week out.

SC: You've had some pretty positive things to say about the progressions in the lockout talks ? do you get the feeling that we're close to a resolution?

NS: I definitely want to stick with the positive vibes and thinking that we're going to have a full season. At this point, I think we're still in great shape to get it done. It comes down to crunch-time and where there needs to be some heavy movement, and I think we're at that point right now. I think we're getting to the point that if it's longer than a week or two [from now], you never know ? but we as players, and me not being a player rep or a huge name in the NFL, don't always get the information right away. When we do get it done ? hopefully soon ? I'll definitely be excited to get the season started.

SC: Everybody seems to be drinking the Kool-Aid when it comes to the Lions this year ? three great drafts in a row, unified front office and coaching staff, very solid personnel at a lot of positions. In your mind, what do you guys need to do in order to take the next step?

NS: We need to build off that four-game winning streak at the end of the season ? that's the biggest thing. We were in every single game and we have the talent to be in every single gave, but it's a matter of being in the right situations. The game of football, especially in the NFL, is all about situations, and coming out on the big end of that stick.

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Dockett escapes gator trouble in Everglades, buys small croc named ?Nino?

Needless to say, Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Darnell Dockett is having a very interesting offseason. Just days after a police stop Dockett detailed on Twitter, he found himself in the Florida Everglades, apparently getting a very good look at some gators down there. He first shared a shot of this big croc, informing his followers that "this mofo almost bit me!"

But Dockett wasn't scared away from the alligator concept by that encounter ? soon after that first tweet, he let us know that he found a new buddy.

We're not quite sure what Dockett plans to�do with the gator (he did say to teammate Larry Fitzgerald that he planned to bring "Nino" to work), but perhaps this could be a way for fellow NFL player Chad Ochocinco to live out his recent croc-wrestling fantasies.

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Rosenhaus: T.O. is fine, not retiring, will be ready in August

Drew Rosenhaus, agent for Terrell Owens, called into "SportsCenter" Tuesday to talk about the reports that Terrell Owens was considering retirement after tearing his ACL.

You're not going to believe this, but Rosenhaus framed T.O.'s recovery in a positive light. From the AP:

In an interview with ESPN, Rosenhaus called speculation that Owens was considering retirement "nonsense" and said the 15-year veteran is doing "fantastic" and could be recovered as early as August.

Rosenhaus said Dr. James Andrews performed the surgery to the same knee in which Owens tore his meniscus late last year.

"The old injury has been repaired," Rosenhaus said. "He is many months into recovery and doing fantastic. No predictions on training camp, but he comes back fast from injuries. I won't rule him out of anything. He will be a starting receiver for someone this year."

Rosenhaus also called the injury "no big deal," which is the first time�I've ever heard an ACL tear described as "no big deal." Apparently, Doctor Rosenhaus has been spending his lockout time in the lab, engineering significant scientific advances in how we treat complete tears of the anterior cruciate ligament. Bless his heart.

Obviously, it's no surprise that Rosenhaus thinks Owens can recover from this. That's his job, and it might also be his personal opinion, as Terrell Owens has recovered remarkably well from injuries before.

But that Owens is willing to play and that Owens will play are two different things. He'll still need to find a team, and even if the injury is as minor as Rosenhaus would have you believe, it's certainly still going to give teams pause before signing Owens to a contract.

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James Harrison apologizes, but will damage control be enough?

You knew that at some point, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison was going to have to do some fairly major damage control regarding the interview he gave to Men's Journal magazine for its August issue. In that interview, Harrison called NFL commissioner Roger Goodell "stupid," a "crook," and a "devil," among other things, concluding his soliloquy on the Commish with the trenchant thought that if Goodell were on fire, Harrison wouldn't stop to urinate on him. He also threw Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and running back Rashard Mendenhall under the bus, and took shots at NFL player Brian Cushing and former player Rodney Harrison for alleged steroid use. Throw in a cover shot in which Harrison posed with two guns, and the occasional gay slur ... all in all, it was quite the little blowup.

Harrison first claimed that Men's Journal writer Paul Solotaroff had twisted his words, but after Solotaroff went on NFL.com and told his eminently rational side of the story, Harrison's believability index dropped right through the floor.

"James is speaking for thousands when he issues those remarks," Solotaroff said. " ... I got to James in May of this year [for the interview], so let's count backwards. He'd had about eight months to seethe and stew about having been made the poster boy of the NFL concussion syndrome ? Here's a guy who never comes off the field, who played the entire 2010 season with two ruptured disks, couldn't push off his right leg, had no strength, very little explosion, and had 10 sacks and finished third in the Defensive Player of the Year voting. If they [the Steelers] want to cut bait with James, there's this portly fellow in New York -- Ah, what's his name? Oh yeah, Rex Ryan -- who would be able to find a place for him at right outside linebacker. James is going to land on his feet."

In the end, Harrison had to resort to the only thing that may get him off the hook to any degree with the league, and that was the (relatively) well-crafted public apology, which he posted on his Facebook page. You can read the full text of the apology after the jump; I'll just add that I wish Harrison would find better ways to communicate what he has to say. I think he has some very valid points about the way the league hands out on-field discipline, but he's putting those thoughts out there in ways that make him impossible to be taken seriously.

In any case, here's the latest:

I'll start by offering my apologies for some of the words that I said during the four days in May that Men's Journal was invited to my house to discuss what the NFL has recently been portraying as their attempts at 'player safety' rules and regulations, and to cover my everyday workout routine.

I did make comments about my teammates when I was talking about the emotional Super Bowl loss, but the handful of words that were used and heavily publicized yesterday were pulled out of a long conversation and the context was lost. Obviously, I would never say that it was all Ben's or Rashard's fault that we lost the Super Bowl. That would be ridiculous. Both Ben and Rashard are great players and great teammates. Clearly the entire team bears responsibility for the loss, me included. It was a team effort and a team loss. My teammates know me well, and hopefully understand the things I said were not meant to accuse them of the loss. We all have discussed several things that went wrong in the Super Bowl since that day. What I do apologize for and take full responsibility for is for speaking in such a candid manner to someone outside the team.

I also need to make clear that the comment about Roger Goodell was not intended to be derogatory against gay people in any way. It was careless use of a slang word and I apologize to all who were offended by the remark. I am not a homophobic bigot, and I would never advocate intolerance of gay people.

As far as the photo that was shown on air yesterday, collecting guns is a hobby of mine, and I advocate the responsible use of firearms. I believe in the right to bear arms. I like to go to the shooting range. I like to hunt. I like to fish. I could just as easily have posed with my fishing poles but it obviously wouldn't be an interesting picture for the magazine. I am not promoting gun violence by posing for that photo. There are also other photos in the magazine story that were not shown on air yesterday ? including me with my sons, with my mom and as a kid.

Unfortunately, the above items and other comments have detracted from the original purpose of the story ? a position I have been advocating for some time now. If player safety is the NFL's main concern, as they say it is, they are not going about it in an effective manner. There's nothing about extending the season or issuing exorbitant fines on defensive players that makes any shift toward the prevention of injury to players.

I believe that the league may have been feeling increasing pressure about injuries and concussions last year, and that they panicked and put rules in place that weren't fully thought out. I'm not advocating more flags and fines, I'm just saying that the current rules are not completely fair, and I don't believe in the way that the league is handling their position as overseer of the NFL and the well-being of its players.

As far as the character and reputation hits I may suffer as a result of my comments in the article, I'll take those hits and more if it brings increased attention to the re-examination and installation of rules and regulations that would create a real impact on player safety.

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