OT: NFL & union hold positive talks on proposed 18-game season

[Pessimistic Pete]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000...on-proposed-18game-season?module=HP_headlines

Damn it, the NFL is perfect as it is.

Regular season to Super Bowl will now take 25 weeks.

 

[Kontradiction]

Bodes badly for the players bodies and overall health, but is any of us going to stop watching the NFL over this? I don't like the idea, but I'll watch every single game.

 

[WelshPat]

It's great news for us as Patriot fans. BB will be the first to adapt and take advantage of any new rules. Which gives us even a greater chance of winning.

 

[fxkane]

Only half way okay if they include in the new deal a mandate for only TWO exhibition contests.

Crap, about 12% of the league is currently on the IR and we're not two thirds through the season. Totally opposed to an 18 game season.

 

[fxkane]

Also, many games in the last 3-4 weeks could be very ragged affairs--not at all like the NFL's promise that every game is like a playoff game. No more if this goes through. Look what happened to the Jets last year in a 16 game season---a free pass to the playoffs in two non-competitive games.

 

[BlueThunder]

Any chance they increase the roster allowance to 55 players?

 

[juny]

Also, many games in the last 3-4 weeks could be very ragged affairs--not at all like the NFL's promise that every game is like a playoff game. No more if this goes through. Look what happened to the Jets last year in a 16 game season---a free pass to the playoffs in two non-competitive games.

Agreed, there are going to more garbage games at the end of the season.

 

[moosekill]

Only half way okay if they include in the new deal a mandate for only TWO exhibition contests.

Crap, about 12% of the league is currently on the IR and we're not two thirds through the season. Totally opposed to an 18 game season.

And what percent of those 12% were injured in the preseason or during practice?

 

[moosekill]

Agreed, there are going to more garbage games at the end of the season.

This isn't necessarily true.

 

[FortressX]

I wish they would get a labor deal in place.
Then agree to deal with this foolishness a year later.
18 games will be brutal.
How could starters play special teams for that long.
Fatigue = Injuries.

 

[eagle eye]

If this goes ahead then something I'd like to see happen is that you play every team in your own conference. I think it would be a lot fairer.

 

[DaBruinz]

If this goes ahead then something I'd like to see happen is that you play every team in your own conference. I think it would be a lot fairer.

The only way I can see doing 18 games is this:

6 Games in your division.

and either the following:
12 games within your conference

PRO: Eliminates the potential for long road trips like what happens when the AFC EAST / NFC East plays against the AFC WEST/ NFC WEST.

CON: No inter-conference play until SB.

or

1 other division in your conference
2 games against teams from each of the other 2 divisions
1 game against a division in the opposing conference.

PRO: Basic schedule rotation is the same.
CON: Potential for more long road trips for teams..

 

[eagle eye]

The only way I can see doing 18 games is this:

6 Games in your division.

and either the following:
12 games within your conference

PRO: Eliminates the potential for long road trips like what happens when the AFC EAST / NFC East plays against the AFC WEST/ NFC WEST.

CON: No inter-conference play until SB.

or

1 other division in your conference
2 games against teams from each of the other 2 divisions
1 game against a division in the opposing conference.

PRO: Basic schedule rotation is the same.
CON: Potential for more long road trips for teams..

You only have 12 AFC opponents outside your division. I think it would be great to meet every team in the conference once and the divisional opponents twice.

As for inter-conference games. I don't see anything negative about not having them.

 

[cmasspatsfan]

The NFL is obviously using this as a bargaining chip, Id like to see them expand the rosters and maybe increase the PS so you have a larger pool of players to rotate.

 

[dhamz]

You only have 12 AFC opponents outside your division. I think it would be great to meet every team in the conference once and the divisional opponents twice.

As for inter-conference games. I don't see anything negative about not having them.

If there are no inter-conference games CBS never gets to show the most popular team nationally Dallas and or the #2 market Chicago and FOX never gets NE or Pitt or Peyton.

In other words, it will never even be a consideration.

 

[GaryfromTO]

Instead of 18 games they need to keep it at 16 games and shorten the pre-season. But it's all about the almighty dollar isn't it.
As mentioned there will be a lot of games at the end of the season featuring scrubs and benchwarmers. The CFL currently has an 18 game season, usually what happens is the teams that have their division locked up (and a bye to the conference final) play their second stringers agaisnt teams that are still
batlling for a playoff spot. Really screws up the competition. I see the same thing happenning in the NFL.

 

[NEGoldenAge]

This isn't necessarily true.

He's right. Once every two decades or so, there won't be teams that have won their division with 4 games left to play. :bricks:

 

[DaBruinz]

You only have 12 AFC opponents outside your division. I think it would be great to meet every team in the conference once and the divisional opponents twice.

As for inter-conference games. I don't see anything negative about not having them.

First off, Please show me where I said anything about there being more than 12 conference opponents outside your division..

As was mentioned, There is the TV issue with no inter-conference games. But also, if you look at MLB, Inter-conference games are some of the most popular. The NHL tried to do only conference games and the fans didn't like it..

 

[shmessy]

18 Game Season = WORST. IDEA. EVER.

Not one poster in this thread likes it so far. I can't imagine it's any more popular with the general public.

What the hell are the owners thinking? Unless it's a trojan horse bargaining chip that will be dropped once the PA drops one of their demands.

 

[DaBruinz]

Some of the things that players mentioned they want changed:

Fewer OTAs
Fewer off-season team events
Less physical contact during practices

Discussions centered on the players' strong desire to have substantially less offseason football activity and less overall contact in practices throughout the year. The players want a limitation on OTAs and reduced contact in other non-game settings

Anyone else see an issue with this?

Also, one of the things that I've been thinking about regarding expanded rosters. More players = less reps for each player unless you lengthen practices. I can't see the players agreeing to longer practices. So, you get a less refined product. Does anyone really want a less refined product?