subject: NFL Game Day Roster Limits [print this page] I've never understoodwhythe NFL has 53 men rosters,yet only45 can suit up for games. It doesn't make sense. And of the 45 dressed, 3are consideredspecialists. Kickers, punters and longsnappers who have very important jobs, but are not they are notexactly gettingthe crap beat out of themwhen they're in the game. In facttheLong snappers can't evenget jacked up anymore. There is a rule to protect them from getting"canned". (Players can no longer hit theLong snapperwhile he'ssnapping theball) This means they're are only42 player left thatcan beinvolved in themorephysical nature of the game. Since there are so many collisions, at leasta couple of playersare injured during games, whichfurther limits teams. This also means 15 percent of the roster is getting paid, but not playing. That's agreat deal for those who are not playing, no wear and tearon their bodies, and ahealthy paycheck. But it's terrible for theplayers who are playing, and the coaches too.
I don't know how, or when 45 became theagreedamount totosuit up, but my guess it was probably in the 1960's when teams and players did not makea fraction of the money that they make today. The game was extremly rough back then,I wasn't around to watch, but from watching old clips on NFL films,head huntingand late hitswere legal, or the referees neverbothered to read that far in the rule book. Todays players are bigger, stronger, and faster, so in turn the collisons are muchmore violent. The entire roster needs to be activated so as to "even out" the collisions.
Also with the roster limitations, teams often have valuable starters on special teams like kickoffs, puntreturns teams. Field goal and extras point teams is the only part of the games that does not involve running into each other at high rates of speed. In fact you can put drunk fans on those teams and they would be safe, all they do is snap, kick and watch. Its the kick offs and punts are often where the high speedcollisions take place. Thisfurther putsfatigued starters at risk.Havinga full 53 to play can only help the game inthe long run, extend careers and makeowners more money. I'm shocked the owners have not figured this out. The NFL players union contract is expiring after this year. Hopefully the owners will take a look at this roster flaw.
The NFL is the only organziationwhere it's employees are paid lots of money, encouraged to beat the snot out of each other, while 15 percent playersof it's players, sits in the stands for free, eating hamburgers, drinking beer and getting a paycheck. Being part of the 15 percent is a great job.
If you ask the average man, or women who works at"regular"job". If the owner or managerof your company said, " We're going to sit you down this week, but you're getting paid full salary. Are youokay with that?" The answers will always be "H.... yes."
