You can't spell 'horrible idea that should go away forever now' without 'NFL OT'

Speaking with an acquaintance Sunday - let's call him Flapjack - I was appalled to learn he didn't realize NFL games could end in ties.

Sure, there's about two a decade. But anyone who has looked at the standings in the newspaper has noticed the "T" next to wins and losses. That's not just there for show.

Apparently, Flapjack wasn't alone - and has the right skillset to quarterback an NFL team.

After the Eagles and Bengals tied Sunday, Donovan McNabb said he didn't realize NFL games could end in ties. Which is odd, because he was in the league in 2002 the last time there was a tie.

So let's make the ignorant enlightened. Ties have no place in a professional sports league - even the NHL managed to do away them.

For all the hate that gets heaped on to college football for devising that steaming load of playoff alternative known as the BCS, the sport should get some love for its overtime.

Each team gets the ball once. You've got a regular set of downs and have to go just 25 yards to the endzone. Then the other team gets the chance to answer from your 25.

Simple. Exciting. And, best of all definitive.

The notion that the NFL should just keep playing 15-minute quarters until someone scores is ridiculous. A tie would be better than if the Eagles and Bengals had to play one, two, three or even 12 more quarters of some of the ugliest football you've ever seen.

Football is a much more punishing sport than baseball and can't be played forever. There needs to be end.

In the college version, the OT periods go quickly - usually - and it doesn't normally take more than two or three to solve the game.

No one who is a fan of football doesn't like the college system. People who want to look smart use the old "what about special teams" argument.

The best answer to that is, what about them Field goals and extra points are still relevant. All it does is take away punts (there would only be one kickoff in an overtime, anyway). Anyone who is watching a game for the punting and would rather see kickoffs than a redzone offense should probably start watching soccer instead.

A bigger concern at the pro level is stats. Obviously, you can't get more than a 25-yard run or pass in the OT. At the college level that doesn't matter. But pros get bonus money, and this could prohibit that.

Of course, the pro already had four regular quarters to get those stats. No he's just trying to win.

Also, points get put on the board in a hurry in the college system, which could in the long run cost some defensive coordinators their jobs - "You gave up 45 points to the Bengals last week You're outta here!"

But that also seems somewhat unlikely.

Let's not forget the most important thing - the excitement. There is nothing that rivals the college system for a pure adrenaline rush. Don't the fans - who spend more money on team paraphernalia than Eddie Hochuli spends on workout equipment and weight-gain supplements - deserve the best

The college overtime is the best thing about college football. The NFL is nearly perfect, save for a flawed overtime system.

It doesn't take a rocket surgeon to figure out the solution to that problem.