How Can The NFL Have More Meaningful Games

[BDBohnzie]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I thought it was kind of interesting how the Colts wanted to rest their starters and not worry about going 16-0..yet they had no problem playing Wayne and Clark in blizzard like conditions last weekend to get some individual stats

I think the NFL should consider allowing teams to expand rosters once they've clinched a playoff spot

I think in haste, Caldwell benched the starters against the Jets because they weren't getting the job done and were taking a beating. Not sure why he marched them out last week unless you could getting game reps in.

The roster expansion isn't a bad idea, however, the owners would never agree because they'd have to pay those added (I'm assuming you take the PS and add them to the active roster) game money instead of PS or no money.

[KLHJ2]

I thought that there were still plenty of meaningfully games in week 17. The NFC East had not yeet been decided, and the AFC playoff picture was not complete until the games concluded last weekend. Sure the more dominant teams were on cruise control but there was still plenty to play for even in the final week of the season.

[KLHJ2]

^With that being said you could also argue that all teams cannot play each other unless both rosters are 100% healthy so that the game is most competative. I don't think that you could do that. If you want to make the playoffs then don't put yourself in a position to rely on someone else to get you in.

[skinsguy]

The NFL season is meaningful enough to me. Don't need to change it. Making the season longer isn't the answer.

[TIFOSOdeiREDSKINS]

IMO, the league is fine the way it is.

the late-season resting of players is a little annoying to me, but i don't think it's a big enough problem to require new rules. ideally, if the fans want the starters in week 17, they should be vocal about it and the team should listen.

i'd like to see international expansion...but realistically, football isn't ingrained in other cultures like it is with ours. it would be a LONG time before football flourishes elsewhere. i say keep up with the international games; one a year in tokyo, london, maybe others; but that's it for now.

[ArtMonkDrillz]

It doesn't really look like anyone is arguing that a team should be punished for benching starters once they have their playoff seed wrapped up, but if anyone was I'd show them this: New Orleans Saints place starting defensive end Charles Grant on injured reserve - ESPN

Grant, one of the few starters the Saints did not rest during the final game of the season, was hurt in New Orleans' 23-10 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

[WaldSkins]

I'm glad the Chargers rested there starters, we would have had a massacre on our hands.

[Ruhskins]

This is such a non-issue. There were plenty of good games this weekend, and any team that has the luxury to rest their starters, should.

[tryfuhl]

If Brady gets hurt in a game like that Mr. Goodell might change his mind

[GusFrerotte]

The NFL has hit the saturation point in terms of the games, the hype, the lunacy of the players' salaries, and expansion. you already have too many teams in the NFL, why expand to other countries, other than maybe in North America, but then again do you think the average Mexican can afford the on average $80-85 ticket? You already have rolling blackouts with Jacksonville, Detroit, a few others. Do not forget that not too long ago the NFL asked the feds to bail them out for being 2 billion $ in the red for operating expenses. Expansion just dilutes the talent pool anyway, thus the current level of mediocrity in the current NFL. You want the Skins to win another Superbowl? Then you should put a fork into any expansion talk. What happens if say Richmond, VA gets a bunch of investors to vye for a NFL franchise and get it? The already divvied up Skins TV market(Ravens, Panthers) will be further cut into.

[GusFrerotte]

You want better quality play from the players? That is an easy one. Give all players the same base salary, then for every TD, attaining a certain yardage mark, pancakes, sacks, receptions, FG's made, give them a hefty bonus. Paying these bastards $100 million up front is moronic.

[KLHJ2]

Originally Posted by GusFrerotte

You want better quality play from the players? That is an easy one. Give all players the same base salary, then for every TD, attaining a certain yardage mark, pancakes, sacks, receptions, FG's made, give them a hefty bonus. Paying these bastards $100 million up front is moronic.

If you did that then there would be more guys playing hurt and therefore being more detrimental to the team.

[Zerohero]

Originally Posted by GusFrerotte

You want better quality play from the players? That is an easy one. Give all players the same base salary, then for every TD, attaining a certain yardage mark, pancakes, sacks, receptions, FG's made, give them a hefty bonus. Paying these bastards $100 million up front is moronic.

The real problem with salaries is the rookie situation. At least guys like Haynesworth actually had to play years in the league before the big payday. Rookies should not be the highest paid player on the team, and i believe it is being addressed the new bargaining agreement.

[GusFrerotte]

IF a team wants to rest their players that is their business. THe only teams that usually do that are already in the playoffs. Why would the commish want teams beat up for the playoffs, when it is the league's time to shine?

[FRPLG]

There's nothing fair that can be done. Matty is right...it all comes out in the wash.