An 18 game NFL season?
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.
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 . . .
smells like greed to me. I have to side with the players on this one, without guaranteed contracts the additional games seems like a slap in the face.— gdeadwhale- Usonis, I like your idea; 18 games, 2 bye weeks. The longer the season, the less I have to wait in between seasons. Regular season, from the last weekend in August, to the first week of January; playoffs for a month and the Super Bowl in February. Yep, that's it. I like it.
- Hey Philly.com!!! How can an idiot like DooDooFresh post 4 of the exact same stupid comments, and sometimes, I can't get one posted? What gives?
- It would be stupid to increase the number of games. Drop the 2 preseason games and keep the regular season as it is. There will be way too many injuries and the end of season games will be bad as teams either will be out of the playoffs or in the playoffs and playing scrubs. Its a dumb idea.— libertyof76
- As long as we are thinking about this, why not make the games longer? I think there should be an extra 3 minutes in each quarter. Let's see what others think of that.— LAEagles
- How about they keep the season at 16 games and cut out the 2 preseason games? Oh wait, that will never happen, the owners will get less $$$.— ugluk
- Preseason tickets should be half price. The gate may or may not take a hit but the parking and concessions will absolutely grow for those two games. Expanding the roster to accomodate increased injuries in an 18 game season is counter-productive. An increased payroll will trickle down to the fans' pockets and watered down talent is not good for anybody.— cbecko
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- I'm not sure if the 18 game schedule would help the Eagles. With 4 preseason games, the Eagles still had problems getting plays in on time, and time outs were always badly used. Two less preseason games to learn and practice could be disastrous. Or was it the former QB here who could't get the plays down on time, and it will now be a moot point,as it won't happen as much with the new guy.— watsonmr
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- 18 GAME SEASON WOULD REQUIRE AN INCREASE IN ROSTER SIZE TO ABOUT 60 AND FINE TUNING OF IR RULES. A PLAYER WITH A SIGNIFICANT INJURY SHOULD NOT COUNT AGAINST THE ROSTER IF HE WERE TO MISS 8 GAMES OR SO. WILL NEVER HAPPEN. PLAYERS WILL NOT WANT TO SHARE ANY MONEY WITH EXPANDED ROSTERS. SB WILL BECOME A BATTLE OF THE 2 TEAMS THAT WERE LUCKY ENIOUGH TO STAY MOST-SIGNIFICANT-INJURY FREE, IF THAT ISN'T ALREADY THE CASE. CAN YOU IMAGINE LOSING YOUR STAR QB IN WEEK 1 AND HAVE TO ENDURE 4 MONTHS, ANYONE REMEMBER 1991 ??— gryphon69
- When would the season start? The week after Labor day as it does now, because te NFl does not want to compete wit summer. Then the season may run into late Feb. Get ready for a lot more vey cold and snowy games. If they do why not add a 3rd pre season game for the rookies and free agents only. Play them at neutral college stadium sites. It would help the coaches evaluate these players better.— borncynic
- Injuries are a part of the game for every team anyway so I don't see that as a valid argument against an 18 game schedule. The pre-season is a joke as is and rosters are pretty much set after the third pre-season game - Add the two extra regular season games.— PhillyTru
