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Originally Posted by jdlea
I'm somewhat torn on this issue. I could really care less about what players choose to wear. However, I do like the way the NFL has the number system structured. Seeing linebackers in college wearing number 17 is just weird to me. However, I don't buy into the reasoning for the number system in the NFL. On Sirius the other day they were talking to someone who works for the NFL (can't remember, but I know I hadn't heard of him) and he was saying that one of the biggest reason they do it is for the officials. Especially when it pertains to who an eligible receiver is. If you're number 50-79, you have to declare yourself as an eligible receiver.
Now, after they got off the phone one of the hosts starting going off. He was saying, "Are you telling me that college officials are smarter than NFL guys? I mean really, you have about twice about as many guys who can check into a game and have to declare themselves as eligible or whatever. How is that any different? How can that be the main reason the NFL has its number system?" I agree with that school of thought. How can you tell me that the main reason you have the number allocation is because the officials won't know who is an eligible receiver if you don't have it?
And, on top of that, why couldn't you just have a system where it was still dl wearing 60's and 90's, linebackers wearing 50's, and ol wearing 50-79. Then let everyone else wear what they want. I, personally, couldn't care less what number anyone wants to wear. I would have loved to see LaVar sporting 11 in the NFL or Reggie wearing #5. I don't see what the big deal is.
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For me, I like organization and familiarity. I'd hate it if the numbering system were changed. As to the argument about making things easier for the officials, you may not like the answer, and maybe they are dumber than college officials, but do you really want to make things
harder for them in the pros, knowing how they perform now?
The official reason for the numbering system, which was established in 1973, was for a better system of identification of players. Listening to Dan Patrick the other day, he disputed that notion. He said, "I thought the way we identified players was by the name they have stitched on the back of their jerseys." If that's the case, then why have numbers at all?
I guess it's just going to be a personal preference sort of thing. It's so subjective, I don't think you're going to find logical, convincing arguments either way. I like the system the way it is now. I can't really tell you why, apart from the fact that this is how I've always known it, and I'd really hate for it to be changed. Especially for someone with all the hype like Reggie Bush. Imagine if we had changed the system for Ki-Jana Carter or Akili Smith?