18 Game Schedule.. Good or Bad?
 

[URL="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5497448"]Roger Goodell: NFL targets 2012 for 18-game season - ESPN[/URL]

I have some mixed feelings on this one, I actually like the current 16 game format. I believe in " If its not broke, don't fix it" What's everyone's take on this?

Re: 18 Game Schedule.. Good or Bad?
 

Football is just a crazy violent sport. These guys get rich, but they just destroy their bodies.

I'm with the players on this.

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Not a big fan of it either. The NFL has a nice format already. Plus it devalues historical statistics ( I know they aren't as important as those in other sports, but hey, I enjoy comparing generation to generation)

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It's been 16 games all my life.. I actually don't mind Preseason

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I'm all for 16, honestly. The season at 16 games is perfect.

I do think something needs to be done about the prices to preseason games, and I think thats why Goodell hears so much complaining about the preseason. I actually kinda like it, one of the few times I actually can sit back and enjoy football. I get to worked up during the regular season.

Either way, I'm for anything that gets the CBA done, but I'd prefer 16 games. I think 18 is too long, and it will take away from the importance of some of the games.... I do wish the NFL would start on Labor Day weekend again though. Have no idea why they gave that up, but I miss the hell out of it.

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Worst idea ever IMO. The great thing about 16 is every game is equally as important as the last. You cant let any game slide. An 11-5 team can miss the playoffs as we saw with NE two years ago and Denver in the 80's. You add two more and then 2-3 games become meaningless where players wont give it their all because they have the other two games.

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As a season ticket holder i like it since i will pay for 1 less meaningless game. Otherwise I don't really like the idea.

Re: 18 Game Schedule.. Good or Bad?
 

Are guys kidding me? It's only 2 more
games. It's not like we are adding another 8. I personally think the season is just to
short. It comes and goes way to quick. I could care less about the records but I could see that bothering some people. As far as guys getting hurt....umm well its football. If they bitch don't play. I know that the starters don't play alot in the preseason games but by adding the two regular season games it would wipeout two preseason games. Last time I checked players still get hit in preseason. I dunno guys. Maybe I just love football way too much and I'm being selfish.

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Two more games I get to play on Madden!

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I really don't care either way, but if they do go to 18 games they should allow the game day roster to grow by like 3 or 5 players...

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Greed pure and simple. The players will get destroyed and you will have football played in March possibly. The NFL is trying to squeeze all it can til the economy dives then it won't matter how many games they will play. If we do see some type of hyperinflation come about in the next decade, the NFL will be kaput!

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[quote=Redskins8588;724015]I really don't care either way, but if they do go to 18 games they should allow the game day roster to grow by like 3 or 5 players...[/quote]



It should be more than that. THe roster should be straight up 60-63. You will have a lot of guys retire early or just get ground down and quit earlier. I hope Goodell isn't trying to go for the FIFA type 20 game season. That would be crazy.

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allow 18 but no more 45 players dress, now they should let all 53 players dress for every game

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16, as others have said, it starts a whole new static sheet and what not, can't compare players to others anymore. Don't fix what isn't broke.

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Bad, even at 16 games we need more than a 53-man roster. It only adds more fuel to the fire of a PA lockout and makes contracts larger.

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[quote=SOUL-SKINS;724010]Are guys kidding me? It's only 2 more
games. It's not like we are adding another 8. I personally think the season is just to
short. It comes and goes way to quick. I could care less about the records but I could see that bothering some people. As far as guys getting hurt....umm well its football. If they bitch don't play. I know that the starters don't play alot in the preseason games but by adding the two regular season games it would wipeout two preseason games. Last time I checked players still get hit in preseason. I dunno guys. Maybe I just love football way too much and I'm being selfish.[/quote]
this isn't baseball.. it's still a nearly 6 month season counting post-season play

it's a violent game.. I hate the time away as much as anyone but they'll have to drastically cut back camps/ota's etc to get away with this

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i dont think alot of you are thinking... its still the same amount of games regardless based on how much the starters play in all 4 preseason games, so why not make them count. and who cares about stats... a simple formula and you can compare 18 into 16 games just like we do now back when a season was 12 games

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Enlarge the roster limit and/or get rid of the inactive list.

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[quote=jrocx69;724027]i dont think alot of you are thinking... its still the same amount of games regardless based on how much the starters play in all 4 preseason games, so why not make them count. and who cares about stats... a simple formula and you can compare 18 into 16 games just like we do now back when a season was 12 games[/quote]

Yeah, because the starters playing for a quarter or two and not getting their endurance severely tested is the same as playing two full 4 quarter games. /sarcasm.

Re: 18 Game Schedule.. Good or Bad?
 

Since I am always one-off in my thinking I really favor a 17 game season, with the one extra game being an AFC/NFC rivalry game. Thus the Skins would play Baltimore every year, or 2 times if we play the AFC North. You would have 3 preseason games, and the rivalry game alternates home/away each year, and preseason would be scheduled so that there are still 10 home games. So if the rivalry game was at fedex, the skins would have one home preseason game, if it was at M&T stadium then the Skins would have 2 home preseason games.

Ah well, 18 games is too much, because I honestly believe you need at least 3 preseason games to get everyone in and into game shape.

Re: 18 Game Schedule.. Good or Bad?
 

It's not just two more games. It's also two more weeks of mandatory practice, which also increases the likelihood of injury

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I don't like the idea of an 18 game season, seems like an obvious money grab by the league. I don't like a 4 game preseason either though.

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I love the idea, the more games that count the more games I'll watch.

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the owners gave up too much last contract. between TV revenue, and gate receipts, this is a way to recoup some of the money. i really hate this idea. and its really bad for the players, and the game. leave it alone

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I'm in agreement with those who prefer the format remain the way it is. For me personally, the disadvantages far out weigh the advantages. While it may be great for revenue, it's harder on the players. Reducing the number of preseason games by two, will also hinder coaches ability to completely evaluate young players and draftees.

What's more, what will the players want in exchange for adding two more games to the regular season?

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Ok, so they want to go to 18 games because at the beginning of the season we have meaningless games.... what happens at the end of the season when the Colts have wrapped up their division (again) by week 15 and we have more meaningless games. Ah! I get it, we get to see meaningless games with the 2nd team in December that we have to pay to see.

Its all greed. The owners want money for 20 games a year. The fans don't want to pay for meaningless games, but somehow we get them anyway.

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[quote=Longtimefan;724075]I'm in agreement with those who prefer the format remain the way it is. For me personally, the disadvantages far out weigh the advantages. While it may be great for revenue, it's harder on the players. Reducing the number of preseason games by two, will also hinder coaches ability to completely evaluate young players and draftees.

[B]What's more, what will the players want in exchange for adding two more games to the regular season[/B]?[/quote]

That's where it will get interesting. Seems like a big hurdle to get by in collective bargaining.

Re: 18 Game Schedule.. Good or Bad?
 

[quote=Longtimefan;724075]I'm in agreement with those who prefer the format remain the way it is. For me personally, the disadvantages far out weigh the advantages. While it may be great for revenue, it's harder on the players. Reducing the number of preseason games by two, will also hinder coaches ability to completely evaluate young players and draftees.

What's more, what will the players want in exchange for adding two more games to the regular season?[/quote]

At a minimum the players union will want more player jobs and they will get it.

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I fully support eliminating two preseason games. Presently, a full 20% of the NFL's 20-game schedule is devoted meaningless games - its retarded. The players don't like it. The coaches don't really need it. The owners and fans hate it. So, its pretty much universally agreed upon that the NFL needs to lose 2 preseason games.

Now, if we get rid of two preseason games, there are really just two choices - 1. Leave the 16 game regular season and cut player salaries to compensate for lost revenue. 2. convert those two meaningless preseason games into two regular season games. Starters generally play about 6 quarters of football in the preseason anyways, so its not like they'll really be playing that much more.

Scenario 2 makes the most sense. Now, there are things to do to make the longer regular season less grinding on the players:

1. Every team gets two bye weeks. As a consequence of this, we'll now have 20 weeks of regular season football to watch instead of just 17. Football season is my favorite time of the year, so i'm all about adding a few weeks.

2. Increase roster sizes and/or allow the full roster to be eligible to play on gamedays.

3. Change IR rules to allow players to come back from IR during the regular season.

4. Provide some kind of incentive for playoff-bound teams to play starters during the final weeks of the regular season. My suggestion - have the last 4 weeks of a teams schedule be divisional games.

5. On the flip side of the previous suggestion, have the first few games of the regular season be non-conference games for every team. these games are less important from a tie-breaking standpoint, and should be played near the beginning of the season to allow teams to "Gear up" more for the "more important" regular season games to be played later in the year.

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[quote=SmootSmack;724059]It's not just two more games. It's also two more weeks of mandatory practice, which also increases the likelihood of injury[/quote]

its not two more games. there are 20 games players had to practice for in the current setup. there will be 20 games players have to practice for in the 18 game season. in the new system, they'll just be preparing for regular season games instead of pre-season games.

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My wife actually gets the Skins schedule and plans our stuff around all of their games so another two games would be nice. More Football + More Redskins= More Beer Drinking

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The only thing worse than 1 bye week is 2. Remember in '93 when there were 2 byes? Ugh.

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[quote=BigHairedAristocrat;724090]its not two more games. there are 20 games players had to practice for in the current setup. there will be 20 games players have to practice for in the 18 game season. in the new system, they'll just be preparing for regular season games instead of pre-season games.[/quote]

True, it's not two more games but unless they shorten training camp it's still the same amount of time players will have to practice.

Big issue for the players will be post-career health insurance

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Could we see the end of training camp as we know it? With all the offseason work I don't think a full camp is even necessary anymore. At the least I think two a days will be out the window.

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[quote=Mattyk;724098]Could we see the end of training camp as we know it? With all the offseason work I don't think a full camp is even necessary anymore. At the least I think two a days will be out the window.[/quote]

The way I knew training camp as a kid has been over for awhile. I dont really see the point of training camp as being an NFL player is pretty much a full time job now.

Re: 18 Game Schedule.. Good or Bad?
 

I don't like this for 4 reasons:

1.) This increases the chance for player injuries and wear and tear to cost teams key players more frequently. And by reducing the offseason duration you diminish the possiblities of rookies getting up to speed with the NFL and finding those diamonds in the rough because you have less time to put them through the ropes. Because of this you might have to move the draft up 2-3 weeks and/or have more rookie mini camps.

2.) Salaries are already completely insane compared to 10-15 years ago and I can't even begin to imagine how much they'd increase if you add on 2 more regular season games to that contract especially when it comes to the guaranteed money.

3.) Statisticly this will further water down stats we've all held as the standards for HOF consideration and completely change a lot of the all time records. I think it was Stuart Scott on ESPN who broke it down that if they went to a 18 game season, a RB would only need to average 56 yards per game to get to 1,000 for the season!

4.) One of the main things I love about the NFL is how every single regular season game matters so much more than any other sport out there. 1 NFL game has the same weight as 10 MLB or 5 NBA games and nothing compares to the joy of a Skins victory or the weight of a loss because each week could be the key to the season's outcome.

Re: 18 Game Schedule.. Good or Bad?
 

[quote=BigHairedAristocrat;724089]

1. Every team gets two bye weeks. As a consequence of this, we'll now have 20 weeks of regular season football to watch instead of just 17. Football season is my favorite time of the year, so i'm all about adding a few weeks.

2. Increase roster sizes and/or allow the full roster to be eligible to play on gamedays.

3. Change IR rules to allow players to come back from IR during the regular season.

4. Provide some kind of incentive for playoff-bound teams to play starters during the final weeks of the regular season. My suggestion - have the last 4 weeks of a teams schedule be divisional games.

5. On the flip side of the previous suggestion, have the first few games of the regular season be non-conference games for every team. these games are less important from a tie-breaking standpoint, and should be played near the beginning of the season to allow teams to "Gear up" more for the "more important" regular season games to be played later in the year.[/quote]

I like these suggestions but would add a couple more. You should be allowed to remove a certain number of players from IR. Training camp reduced to 2-3 weeks. 2-3 OTA's with no pads (mandatory). NFL players today don't need to get into shape, they just need to learn systems and playbooks.

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I think 18 games is a good idea...although some feel this is strictly about money...think of it this way.....the vast majority of the time a fan's team does not make the playoffs and they only have 16 games to enjoy...2 more would be far better...especially since they are playing them anyways...the problem would be when to play them....August is hot...very hot....would these games be friday night games?

Also...I agree with you guys about needing more roster spots...I say anywhere from 5-10 more. There is really no reason to restrict this...all it does is cut careers short and hurts depth and eliminates specialists.
I would bet that teams would get a kickoff specialist, pass rush specialist...and they would carry a separate PR and KR and always a 3rd QB and maybe a 4th RB.
Think of what that would do for special teams and 3rd string development....not to mention you could carry an older LB or lineman into mid thirties that is talented.

I honestly dont know why we couldn't have 75 players on a squad...there is amazing situational talent out there. Years ago there were 14 rounds of the draft (I believe) and teams still kept undrafted free agents...think of all the other leagues out there and now there is no more NFL Europe. Only 200 or so college kids are drafted and talented older NFL players are cut prematurely...it is stupid.

And if we do go to 18 games, we will need both vets and rookies to play a part. I dont think there would be a drop off in talent at all....in fact....new stars could develop and careers of older impressive players could evolve into situational great quality depth....that ultimately could transition into positional coaching.

Not changing a schedule due to keeping stats comparable is dumb.
They should do what is right for the fans...that is why the sport exists.
This is purely entertainment folks.

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It's not about the quality of the game, it's all about the loot........

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[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]I am completely against it. I think 16 games is enough and I think as Carson Palmer pointed out additional games dilute the meaning of each game played. One thing about football that doesn’t really translate to any other team sport is the importance each game holds. People bitch and complain when teams rest their starters for the last game of the season after they have locked up a playoff spot. I think that practice will increase. [/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana]
I get the argument from a season ticket holders persepective, but honestly 16 games is enough. I mean Goodwell is already making the game less physical, if 18 games comes about Im sure its going to get even worse. [/FONT][/COLOR]