Should the NFL expand to 18 regular season games?

[Primetime]

lol record setting quarterback

 

[Rayman]

lol record setting quarterback

On a franchise with 2 Hall of Famers at the same position he already owns numerous team passing records.

So yeah, record-setting quarterback.

 

[dave]

16 games is perfect.
18 would fuck up the record books and it really isn't necessary.
I agree pre-season sucks, but Ravens' Ray Lewis is right - 16 games is more than enough in such a physical sport.

 

[Yawkey Way]

I find it kind of funny that people think there will be a huge gap in the quality of play because of the cut down 2 games. Would training camp start earlier? I would think it almost had too. Also if you think smart coaches aren't going to work around this with more intrasquad type activities and elevated levels of play in practice you're silly.

In fact, i'd go as far to say that cutting down preseason games would bring out even MORE from players. THey know their time is shorter to make an impression, there are less "dog days." Guys know the window is closing, the play will show.

I also think that the brain damage issue is overblown as well. It's not like just because it's preseason brain damage just goes away, they are still out there making contact anyways. It might as well be worth it if they're putting their body in harms way.

 

[Aso]

16 games is perfect.
18 would fuck up the record books and it really isn't necessary.
I agree pre-season sucks, but Ravens' Ray Lewis is right - 16 games is more than enough in such a physical sport.

Add in the playoffs and thats a 22 game season. I hear of how players are worn out after 18 or 19 games once they are in the post-season. Just think about how bad it will be after 21 games and then having to watch teams play the Superbowl.

 

[Tengo Juego]

Nope.

 

[mgoblue2290]

18 games will lead to more injuries and shorter careers and in the long run, less entertaining football. Teams will likely play it safer more often in order to keep guys as healthy as possible. Also, games will matter less and less with an expanding season which is one reason I love the NFL. You can't take a game off like in the NBA, MLB, or NHL. Obviously an 18 game season isn't the same, but I can see some players trying less.

The NFL is honestly perfect right now as far as schedules and amount of teams go. 32 teams, 16 games, makes perfect sense. I can't see the players being for it either, if it happened and they were against it, I'd hope they go on strike.

 

[Colonel Angus]

:fedor:

 

[jeffx]

I'm listening to the director of the NFLPA on WFAN right now. He's saying it's not that the NFL players are against an 18-game season, but they want the league to address issues that go with it, like player health care, roster sizes and off-season workouts.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

This same conversation probably happened about 30 years ago.

"14 games is perfect! What about the records!? This will just increase injuries! Cutting the preseason from 6 games to 4 will lead to sloppy play! Boulderdash!"

Like I said earlier, i'm perfectly content with 16, but they are going to 18, like it or not. And when they do, nobody will notice a difference in play (because there will be no difference), nobody will care about the two less preseason games, and everyone will get over it and get used to it.

I gave up caring about tradition in sports a long time ago, because things change, things evolve, things grow. I'm more annoyed by the first game of the season being played on a Thursday, three Thanksgiving games, MNF on cable, the shitty, geared toward casuals FOX & CBS (but mainly FOX) "coverage" of the sport, etc etc than I am about two extra games. At the end of the day, its two more Sunday's. I'm ok with it.

 

[jeffx]

I gave up caring about tradition in sports a long time ago, because things change, things evolve, things grow. I'm more annoyed by the first game of the season being played on a Thursday, three Thanksgiving games, MNF on cable, the shitty, geared toward casuals FOX & CBS (but mainly FOX) "coverage" of the sport, etc etc than I am about two extra games. At the end of the day, its two more Sunday's. I'm ok with it.

It's all about maximizing profit. Nothing wrong with that(but you have to think about player safety too). The only thing that ticks me off is this dumbass idea of Goodell's to play the Super Bowl overseas.

 

[x0xHumblex0x]

the gamblers can do without 2 extra games.

 

[Fox1994]

I think they should keep it at 16, because no matter what I hope they'll never move it back to 14... But they're going to move it to 18 anyway because it's about the fiscal bottom line. Fans will still watch. There are people who watch 82 basketball games and 162 baseball games, 18 football games is nothing.

Regardless of the inevitable resting of stars at the end of the season, and the possible drop in play quality at the beginning of the season, the league and the owners see it as a boost in revenue. Anything they can profit from, they'll do.

This same conversation probably happened about 30 years ago.

"14 games is perfect! What about the records!? This will just increase injuries! Cutting the preseason from 6 games to 4 will lead to sloppy play! Boulderdash!"

Like I said earlier, i'm perfectly content with 16, but they are going to 18, like it or not. And when they do, nobody will notice a difference in play (because there will be no difference), nobody will care about the two less preseason games, and everyone will get over it and get used to it.

I gave up caring about tradition in sports a long time ago, because things change, things evolve, things grow. I'm more annoyed by the first game of the season being played on a Thursday, three Thanksgiving games, MNF on cable, the shitty, geared toward casuals FOX & CBS (but mainly FOX) "coverage" of the sport, etc etc than I am about two extra games. At the end of the day, its two more Sunday's. I'm ok with it.

This is what it comes down to. I'm completely opposed to it. For all the reasons cited. That said, it's going to happen. I think 16 games is too many, frankly, but such is life.

Also, since records were being brought up, did y'all know that Jim Brown almost rushed for 2000 yards in a 14 game season (1963, 1863 yards... the record when he retired)? Not that it matters, but record breaking has been a part of the discussion.

It's all about maximizing profit. Nothing wrong with that(but you have to think about player safety too). The only thing that ticks me off is this dumbass idea of Goodell's to play the Super Bowl overseas.

Because he's about expanding the brand. He's really good at that. It's not about fans, it's about money. His job as commissioner is to do what he thinks is best for the league and, while we may all think that's a horrendous idea, it may work at fiscally, which is really what it's about.

 

[nflman2033]

I first said no, but thinking about it, an extra two weeks of NFL football that can't be bad

 

[Tailback U]

It's just a dumb idea all around on so many levels, other than revenue for the suits.

We're going to see more injuries, some shitty football at the beginning of the season, and possibly careers shortened. 2 more games each season is adding on an entire season to a players career after 8 years.

Given that these guys playing days are already numbered, I don't think it's ridiculous to assume that this is a huge risk that has the potential to shorten careers by a season or two in the long run.

 

[EmpireWF]

The players union would be for it because they would almost certainly increase the number of roster spots across the board. Instead of a 53-man roster, they'd have more.

Hopefully an 18-game regular season would also bring about the MLB style disabled list where teams can place a guy on IR without losing him for an entire season (instead, have a 4,5,6 or whatever # of weeks on the IR before he can be brought back).

The only issue I could see is 4-games in the pre-season allows teams to find guys out of nowhere. With a 2-game pre-season, the #1s would almost certainly get some time to get the rust off....giving those lesser known guys less of a chance to make an NFL team. On the flip side, with rosters hopefully expanding, a lot more NFL players coming.

 

[Tengo Juego]

Nope.

I'm actually going to take this back.

It's not a good or bad idea. It's just what's going to happen.

-Shitty play at the beginning of the season... Please. Instead of starters playing 1 series for the first 2 preseason games, they'll play the same amount they do in game 3(Usually into the second quarter, and sometimes start in the 3rd). If an NFL team cant prepare for the regular season, it's on them, not the amount of warm-up games they have. If anything, this will limit the opportunity of injuries we see in preseason games.

-Records... They're made to be broken anyway. And they only matter to fans and losers. Players should earn records in route to their team winning, naturally. If Chris Johnson or Adrian Peterson run for 2000+ yards we'll all know it was because they played 4 more games than Jim Brown did in his time. It makes no bit of difference. I'm sure Jim Brown doesn't care. And not just Jim Brown, all the greats.


-The number of games in a season... is still the same FYI. Just 2 more of them actually mean something now.

W2BTD is right, it's just the game evolving. It's not bad. It's just different.

 

[KINGOFOOTBALL]

This same conversation probably happened about 30 years ago.

"14 games is perfect! What about the records!? This will just increase injuries! Cutting the preseason from 6 games to 4 will lead to sloppy play! Boulderdash!"

Like I said earlier, i'm perfectly content with 16, but they are going to 18, like it or not. And when they do, nobody will notice a difference in play (because there will be no difference), nobody will care about the two less preseason games, and everyone will get over it and get used to it.

I gave up caring about tradition in sports a long time ago, because things change, things evolve, things grow. I'm more annoyed by the first game of the season being played on a Thursday, three Thanksgiving games, MNF on cable, the shitty, geared toward casuals FOX & CBS (but mainly FOX) "coverage" of the sport, etc etc than I am about two extra games. At the end of the day, its two more Sunday's. I'm ok with it.

Cutting the preseason down from 6-4 also led to the increase on off season workouts.The disgustingly long off season "non" mandatory workouts are a product of the reduction and of course FA.

The 14>16 game jump had much to do with AFL absorption and 2 expansion teams coming into the league. A 16 game season provided a more balanced schedule while the 4 game preseason on paper still allowed teams enough time to get there players ready.

Like was mentioned before there is a period where you can grow and expand before you hit the tipping point.
I wasnt around nor am I a historian. But the expansion of the season was seen by many as a logical next step to a growingly popular sport. Not an outright money grab that this expansion clearly is.

I see your point on the perspective but theres substance not just blind "oh no I hate change!"

Because he's about expanding the brand. He's really good at that. It's not about fans, it's about money. His job as commissioner is to do what he thinks is best for the league and, while we may all think that's a horrendous idea, it may work at fiscally, which is really what it's about.

This is why I hated Tagliabue at the end. He went rogue and passed up several "football" guys in order to hand pick a "business" oriented guy to run the league. Foreign teams , season expansion,foreign superbowl. Those were Tagliabues wishes but he was met with alot of opposition and was too much of a bitch to push hard for it.
No question he will come out of the woodworks if this is a hit to pat himself on the back. I think he secretly resented the love and attention Rozelle continued to get after Tags fulfilled a few of Petes visions.

The players union would be for it because they would almost certainly increase the number of roster spots across the board. Instead of a 53-man roster, they'd have more.

Hopefully an 18-game regular season would also bring about the MLB style disabled list where teams can place a guy on IR without losing him for an entire season (instead, have a 4,5,6 or whatever # of weeks on the IR before he can be brought back).

The only issue I could see is 4-games in the pre-season allows teams to find guys out of nowhere. With a 2-game pre-season, the #1s would almost certainly get some time to get the rust off....giving those lesser known guys less of a chance to make an NFL team. On the flip side, with rosters hopefully expanding, a lot more NFL players coming.

The 53 man rosters/undressed players/IR rules have always been retarded plain and simple. Needing 18 games to due away with asinine rules is ridiculous.

More players = lowered talent pool.

I'm actually going to take this back.

It's not a good or bad idea. It's just what's going to happen.

-Shitty play at the beginning of the season... Please. Instead of starters playing 1 series for the first 2 preseason games, they'll play the same amount they do in game 3(Usually into the second quarter, and sometimes start in the 3rd). If an NFL team cant prepare for the regular season, it's on them, not the amount of warm-up games they have. If anything, this will limit the opportunity of injuries we see in preseason games.

-Records... They're made to be broken anyway. And they only matter to fans and losers. Players should earn records in route to their team winning, naturally. If Chris Johnson or Adrian Peterson run for 2000+ yards we'll all know it was because they played 4 more games than Jim Brown did in his time. It makes no bit of difference. I'm sure Jim Brown doesn't care. And not just Jim Brown, all the greats.


-The number of games in a season... is still the same FYI. Just 2 more of them actually mean something now.

W2BTD is right, it's just the game evolving. It's not bad. It's just different.

You have ZERO grasp of what it takes and what it will take to get an NFL team ready for the season.
Theres a physical toll and physical demands to play at an elite level that people refuse to understand.

The beginning of the season will see a decrease in quality.
Players are calling for lessened off season workouts to boot. Theres just no way to get a proper evaluation of your roster and 3 units of football ready in a 2 week preseason period. Will be fun to see QB get murdered because there Oline still has no clue how to pick up a live blitz in week 1.
Evidently the goal isnt to reduce injuries. The goal is to be sure the injuries take place during a 'meaningful' game.


The end of the season will still end up with players not dressing or playing partial games to protect stars.
The only difference is the NFL can package it for more money. Same lowered quality of play and lessened value of the individual week/game. The NFL already is forced to schedule division games week 17 because of the drop off in quality and undressed star games.
The games wont "mean something now" theyll be just as meaningless except nowhere near as useful to the coaches.


Numbers being skewed means it becomes more and more difficult to have a historic comparison or perspective on current happenings. Thats part of the appeal of every major sport.
40tds 2000 yards etc all become meaningless numbers.
Its not about unworthy players getting props. Its about accomplishments having diminished meaning. It already happens now with only a 2 game gap...1000 yards is nothing special..2000 yard seasons are frequent. Why make it essentially worthless to compare past and present players ? Single season record chases sell tickets too.


Theres nothing wrong with the league. Its only looming problems are salary related which are easily resolved. Expanding will create numerous problems and will open the door to another 2 team expansion the NFL does not in any way need for continued success.

 

[EmpireWF]

The 53 man rosters/undressed players/IR rules have always been retarded plain and simple. Needing 18 games to due away with asinine rules is ridiculous.

More players = lowered talent pool.

Teams have needed more than 53 for awhile now.

IR rules is a great idea!

What's your beef?

 

[KINGOFOOTBALL]

Teams have needed more than 53 for awhile now.

IR rules is a great idea!

What's your beef?

Your idea yes. I meant current rules are retarded.

Players on an IR list should open up a roster spot without being forced to end the players season.

Dress 53. Remove season ending restrictions on IR players.

The more players=less talent pool was meant for team expansion..not minor roster expansion.

Roster expansion would actually help teams develop players quicker. Especially QBs.