Some of my concerns are rather benign. The idea of the omnipresent cameras and mikes, something that the NBA flirted with briefly this past year, is a dumb idea. The XFL's decision makers seem to think that the problem with pro sports all this time has been that it doesn't bear a close enough resemblance to CBS' Big Brother.

As you've probably guessed by now, I took in more than my fair share of voyeur TV this summer, and they couldn't be more wrong.

But there are worse things than a little too much access.

More troubling are some of the actual rule changes--or rather, deletions. Mind you, I can understand the appeal of a more hard-hitting game. Football is supposed to be bruising, and the two crashing helmets at the beginning of Monday Night Football often end up being the most crushing moment of the evening.

But why in the name of Chris Jericho would they get rid of the fair catch rule? The rule is in place to prevent people from becoming paralyzed, for crying out loud!

What sort of image is McMahon trying to project here? When the first kick returner gets nailed and lies lifeless on the turf, are we supposed to moan or cheer? Will the XFL on NBC commentators say things like, "Whoo! The Hitmen sure took that guy out! I'm thinkin' he's done from the waist down, at least! Glad we ditched that rule!"

This brings us to another issue: the nicknames. New York/New Jersey's franchise will indeed be named after people who are hired to kill other people. As fitting a tribute to Jersey as it may seem to some, I find it at least a bit more troubling than the Chicago Enforcers and the Las Vegas Outlaws. I can't wait to see what happens once the league gains popularity and expands.