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The second half of the NFL season isn't all about making playoff runs. It's about making tough decisions on pressing matters, too. ESPN's experts address the biggest issues facing teams and the league right now.
How should the NFL address the Carmen Policy situation?
The NFL has been the most successful league in professional sports. Their policy cannot be dictated or influenced by the problems other leagues are having. But there will be voices in the NFL, Al Davis chief among them, who will say the Carmen Policy situation is a travesty, and that David Stern and the NBA were swift and decisive in dealing with their situation in Minnesota, and the NFL should take a lesson. What David Stern did was not good for basketball, and it would be surprising if the NFL acted in the same way. There will probably be a fine for Policy, but if the sanctions are going to be severe, the proof will have to be overwhelming. Policy is a smart man with an astute legal background. He doesn't want a fight, but if he feels his name is being smeared, he will feel forced to fight it. Because the NFL doesn't want a protracted legal battle, they will try to slap Policy's wrist. He'll have to admit some degree of guilt, but not too much. Given what Policy has done in his career, the evidence (or lack thereof) the league has, and the position Policy holds with his current franchise, the sanctions probably won't be very extensive. It will likely be a substantial fine. Sanctions against the Cleveland Browns, of course, would not make sense. Policy will choose to fight the league's decision depending on how large the fine is and how much guilt he will have to admit.
What is the Chargers' next move with Ryan Leaf?
Cut him. It's perfectly acceptable to give someone a second or even a third chance. But Ryan Leaf has said flat out he doesn't want to play. His athletic talent and mechanics used to be unquestioned, but even those physical skills seem to have abandoned him. He certainly has not improved since he has been in the league. Mentally and emotionally, he isn't tough enough to play football. The Chargers have to admit they made a very expensive mistake and cut their losses now. They need to take a lesson from Denny Green. When the Vikings drafted Dimitrius Underwood and he acted in such a bizarre fashion, Green didn't hesitate to cut him. Yes, there is a lot of money tied up in Ryan Leaf and they would take a significant salary cap hit if they cut him. But Leaf is the definition of a cancer on this team. His situation is affecting other players whom the team has also invested heavily in. The Chargers can either take the hit of Leaf sitting on the bench as the third QB, destroying what little chemistry the Chargers have, or they can take a quick financial hit. Leaf will never help that football team win. He's lost the respect of the guys in the locker room. When that happens, you have no shot to succeed. Cut Ryan Leaf now.
Are the Cardinals worth saving in Arizona?
It seems that the only time fans show up at Sun Devil Stadium is when the Cowboys are in town, and then it's to root for Dallas. The 25 to 30 thousand fans that show up to support the Cardinals deserve their team. Unfortunately, that probably won't be enough to save them. They're trying to get a vote now for a stadium. My position on public money for stadia has shifted 180 degrees. Teams should not expect public money for new homes. The league makes enough money. A combination of loans and private money should be the method teams use to finance new stadia. The public should not be asked to support teams they are already supporting through ticket sales. In Arizona, the stadium issue will probably be voted down again. If the Cardinals lose again, they probably will go. At that point, the people have spoken, and there isn't anything they can do. The small core of frenzied Cardinal fans are the losers.
When will Jerry Jones realize it's time for the Cowboys to rebuild?
He probably realizes it right now. Unfortunately, teams can't always afford to rebuild due to financial constraints. The Cowboys are slowly trying to usher the rebuilding process along, but they don't have the resources to rebuild. The Joey Galloway trade has really handicapped this team. They lost two first-round picks. They have big dollars tied up in Galloway, as well as Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith. There will be some lean years for the Cowboys before they are truly able to rebuild. They are going to have to rely on young guys. A big question is going to be what happens to Aikman. The financial handcuffs and the lingering effects of the Joey Galloway trade will be affecting this team for a long time. Troy will not be around long enough to see the Cowboys resurrected. Whether this, along with his lingering health problems, will convince Aikman to retire sooner than later will also affect the future of this team.
If Doug Flutie keeps winning, what should Wade Phillips do?
Wade Phillips will go to Rob Johnson when he's healthy. He'll do it for the same reason he did it last year in the playoffs against Tennessee. Doug Flutie doesn't present much of a challenge down the field to the opponent. It's a dicey situation. The players aren't rallying behind one QB more than the other. Frankly, I don't think the players in Buffalo really care who is the quarterback. Rob Johnson is the better quarterback. While he takes more sacks, Johnson gives you the threat of being able to throw the ball downfield. That's something you have to have in the NFL today, especially as the season winds down.
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