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Commissioner Tagliabue With Dave Richard of NFL.com
That's why NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue was on hand at the Dolphins-Bears game to watch Hall of Fame running back Larry Csonka see his name go up permanently in Pro Player Stadium's facade, as well as to help honor the 1972 Dolphins, who are celebrating their 30-year anniversary. Commissioner Tagliabue had the opportunity to answer some questions before the game, where he tackled topics such as sportsmanship in the league, fines levied on players and whether or not a team could go undefeated again. Paul Tagliabue: Obviously, I'm here because of the importance of the game, but also the importance of the ceremony for the undefeated 17-0 1972 Miami Dolphins. That ceremony will honor what was for most of them an impossible dream and probably what will continue to be an impossible dream for NFL players. With parity in the NFL, do you think another undefeated season is attainable? PT: Right now I would say it would be very difficult. The whole premise of this system is to spread the talent around in a way that was not done in earlier times of the league. It seems to be working and it creates interest in the league across the country in an unprecedented way. That probably also means we won't see an undefeated team in the future. With the high number of overtime games, has there been any thought to adjusting the overtime format? PT: Obviously the competition committee considered all kinds of concepts, including ones where both teams get the ball on a guaranteed basis in overtime. The committee decided and the membership agreed that the system we have is preferable. A lot of the thinking turns on the fact that you can win as often playing defense as you can receiving the ball first. Going into this year, I checked the stats this morning, and the team that gets the ball first wins 51 percent of the time. The team kicking off wins 44 percent and 5 percent of the time it is a tie. If there were a change, I don't think it would guarantee both teams would get a chance at the ball. One change that people have talked about and was actually discussed last year is one where if the team that receives the ball (first) scores a touchdown then it's sudden death (and the game would be over). However, if they only score a field goal, then the other team has an opportunity to score a touchdown, then it's sudden death. That system might fine-tune the one we have now, but you know the way our league works; it takes 24 votes to change anything, so I wouldn't hold your breath for a change anytime soon. Looking at the incidents, like the one involving Terrell Owens and the Sharpie, how would you assess the current state of sportsmanship in the NFL today? PT: (pulling out a Sharpie) I have mine right here (laughs). I think sportsmanship in the NFL is very positive. I think we have had very clear messages sent in the past few years through the players, through the videos and through the enforcing of the taunting penalties and because of these actions, I think sportsmanship is at a very high level. And we've been recognized for having a high level of sportsmanship by youth football organizations, which I think is good. There have been quite a few fines of defensive players for aggressive hits and plays, and in turn, they have asked for closer policing of the offensive players. How do you view this situation? PT: Well, there have been a number of fines on offensive players this year. It's actually been quite balanced. The players association and their representatives have met with our competition committee and talked quite a bit about offensive fines. In fact, when Gene Upshaw was at our league meeting in October and we talked about helmet-to-helmet hits, he brought up the type of tactics that can disable a defensive player, such as clips from behind and leg whips. The committee is obviously focused on all aspects of the game and not just those types of situations, but the reality is that the offensive players, particularly the quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers are the ones that are most often in a defenseless position. However, we have the same philosophy for the defensive players when the tables are turned.
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