An 18 game NFL season?
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Eagles
An 18 game NFL season?
Jonathan Tamari
No Eagles draft picks signed today (at least not yet - though the team did make a roster move in releasing undrafted free agent cornerback Devin Ross) so I thought it would provide a good chance to talk about one of the more divisive issues of the off season: expanding the NFL schedule to 18 games.
The New York Times has a story today with some details of the idea, which boils down to this: the owners would like to ditch two of the league's meaningless (but full priced) pre-season games and replace them with regular season contests. This would pave the way for more money in the owners' pockets, with some of that cash presumably finding its way into players' paychecks.
The players, though, are not enthused and have some strong arguments on their side, namely that extending the season would increase the risk of injury in a sport where injuries are already prominent and potentially devastating. Before anyone jumps on the players as pampered millionaires, one of the most outspoken opponents is the Ravens' Ray Lewis, hardly a softie.
“I’ve been blessed to play this game for so long, but it’s time to start thinking about what legacy and impact changes like this will leave for the players of tomorrow and us after we retire,” Lewis said in a statement released by the players’ association, according to the Times. “I know our fans may not like preseason games and I don’t like all of them, but swapping two preseason games for two end-of-season games — when players already play hurt — comes at a huge cost for the player and the team.”
So what do fans think? Would you prefer more NFL action and being freed from paying for watered-down pre-season games? Are you worried about key players getting hurt if the season gets any longer? Is the NFL making a mistake by tinkering with the most successful product in American sports? Or are they smart for finding ways to keep growing revenue (read: making money)?
Have at it . . .
YUP. More games for the best sport in America is a no brainer.
As much as we all love the NFL, adding two games is not a good idea. Injuries are inevitable in an extended season. Just think we've had big time injuries late in seasons (ie. Westbrook, Owens) that have impacted our playoff implications. Let's keep the schedule as it is.— JayDuce
from a fan perspective hell yeah i wanna see more meaningful football. from a player perspective hell no. contracts already not guaranteed and you're gonna add 2 weeks to an already brutal schedule?— MPatt24- The NFL should add the games and increase the roster on each team by 5 additional players for game day. More games more healthy bodies and more money for the starters. Win!! Win!!! Win!!! Television contracts will make more money.....— mthamess
- 18 games with expanded rosters. Coaches have to decide how to play their superstars. Do the best players play sparingly at first and increase play as the season wears on, or do emerging teams need to play their best guys 100% of the time. The NFL will be fine and the coaching game becomes even more interesting. The league needs to bump up minimum salary levels.— blood_green
- I say play the two extra games... Im sure there are many players whose season ended within a Pre-Season Game, remember Stewart Bradley? If they play later in the season, they might be more football ready and possibly prevent some of these injuries...— wawa44oz
I am all for an 18 game season. Better for the Fans and cut the preseason games to only 2. Get it done Roger Goodell.— briandawkins20- I think it is a bad idea. I don't want to see all the records broken because the seasons are now 18 games.— ChrisM
I know cornelius ingram would be in favor, it would be the only way he might actually see regular season action in the NFL.- 18 games over 20 weeks and expand the roster. give everyone two bye weeks,— usonis
- The preseason used to be 6 games. Back then players needed the time to learn and get in shape. The NFL is now a full time league. Two games may be enough but it will put more pressure on their performance in practice. Practice performance does not often seem to equate to game performance. More games give more teams a chance to make the playoffs as each game has a lesser contribution to the record. I suggest 3 exhibition games, 18 regular season games, and 2 bye weeks.— brentrn
- 18 games and expand the roster.— djack10
- keep the 16 game regular season, but have the preseason record count for something...like extra draft picks, playoff tie-breakers, and something else fan-related...like 20 free tickets to give to the fans per win in the preseason.— jonoodle
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Starters barely play 1 out of the four preseason games as it is now. Most of the games are played by second teamers and players that the teams want to evaluate. Regulars will have to play the 2 preseason games to get their team cohesion down and then have to play 18 games at full speed. It'll increase injuries, shorten players careers and make for games in high heat and/or low temps. Bad idea, bad idea, bad idea. And imagine an 18 game sked for bad team like the Lions? It'll seem like an eternity.— tpizza
