Geography again is not the No. 1 concern. We're a national game. Because the league has already revised its schedule format to create more common games and pooled all visiting gate receipts to eliminate inequities created by stadium size, realignment should not be as painful as it was during the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. No money will change hands this time. There was little disagreement on the three AFC divisions for 1970.
Chance sometimes deals the wisest verdict.
When Elkjer pulled out Plan No. 3, it was the only one that kept the Bears, Packers, Lions and Vikings intact. The four plans left in the vase had the Vikings elsewhere. Earlier, there had been nine plans. Two broke up the Bears-Packers, proving that when NFL owners get their heads together, collective wisdom doesn't always prevail. He's a third-down pass rusher.