Goodell: Four preseason games not necessary

[SBLIII]

BATAVIA, N.Y. -- NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is reiterating his stance of wanting to reduce the four-game preseason schedule at a time the league and players' association have begun preliminary talks on a new collective bargaining agreement.

Goodell cites discussions he's had with coaches in saying he doesn't believe four preseason games are necessary to evaluate and develop players for the regular season. He says the NFL should do everything to the highest quality, "and I'm not sure preseason games meet that level right now."

Goodell: Four preseason games not necessary

 

[hornetfb85]

Even though 4 preseason games are too many.

 

[Joey007]

Hate to say I agree with him on anything, but I do.

Shorten it down to three games, and also make the NFL season start one week earlier. An 18 week schedule that gives everyone two bye weeks.

 

[XLIX]

He's trying to move towards an 18-game season. The first move in that direction is chopping the preseason in half.

Quite honestly, I doubt the Players' Union would care much if they reduced the preseason since they don't get paid for the preseason. But they sure will be fighting against the 18-game season tooth and nail.

 

[Schmo]

"4 games are not necessary."

Took him this long to admit Brady's suspension was ********.

 

[Hammer of Thor]

4 preseason games: Goodell not necessary.

 

[Deus Irae]

This is the same horse trading we've now been hearing about for years. The NFL will drop an exhibition game or two, if the NFLPA accepts an 18 game schedule. The players would be fools to accept the trade off.

 

[PatsDeb]

He's trying to move towards an 18-game season. The first move in that direction is chopping the preseason in half.

Quite honestly, I doubt the Players' Union would care much if they reduced the preseason since they don't get paid for the preseason. But they sure will be fighting against the 18-game season tooth and nail.

This. It would be ok to get rid of 2 preseason games if the league was not making an underwear move towards 18 regular season games. No way they are giving up 2 broadcasts (reduced as they might be) for nothing. They are trying, in an underhanded way, to cash in, at the expense of players and fans. As usual.

 

[XLIX]

This is the same horse trading we've now been hearing about for years. The NFL will drop an exhibition game or two, if the NFLPA accepts an 18 game schedule. The players would be fools to accept the trade off.

Well, I think the trade off would involve a wee bit more than that. The obvious carrot to dangle in front of the players is a 12.5% raise to all existing contracts for playing 12.5% more games.... however I think the League would have to give up more than that. First of all, they would have to find a way to pro-rate signing bonuses already paid... but I think they would also have to increase the Players' share of the overall revenue pie by a percentage point or two...

It'll be interesting to see just how badly the owners want 18 games and how badly the players oppose it. Every man has his price.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Less preseason games.

More regular season games.

More reg season games means more revenue ( in theory)

More revenue means more $ to players (in theory)

 

[tigerjohn]

Limit each player to 16 of the 18 games. This will provide the increased revenue for both sides without increasing the risk and long term toll on players. It would also adavantage teams with deep rosters, like the Patriots.

 

[Nehalem]

Well, I think the trade off would involve a wee bit more than that. The obvious carrot to dangle in front of the players is a 12.5% raise to all existing contracts for playing 12.5% more games.... however I think the League would have to give up more than that. First of all, they would have to find a way to pro-rate signing bonuses already paid... but I think they would also have to increase the Players' share of the overall revenue pie by a percentage point or two...

It'll be interesting to see just how badly the owners want 18 games and how badly the players oppose it. Every man has his price.

This makes me wonder if expanding to an 18 game season is even a good idea from the owner's $$$ perspective.

Players are obviously going to demand 12.5% pay raise as a starting point in negotiations.

Owner's are going to at best get a 12.5% increase in regular season TV and ticket sales.

If the number of playoff games stays the same that means that the TV revenue will actually increase by less than 12.5% at best. At best is probably and important statement as it seems likely that increasing the season length will have at less some negative impact in per game fan interest. Basically at some point fans will get burnt out on watch NFL every week. Especially if its December and your team is 3-14 and has no chance at making the playoffs.

Increasing the season length won't increase interest in jersey and other memorabilia sales.

If the players also demand a few % more in overall revenue are the owner's actually gaining anything?

 

[VectorPrime]

The regular and postseason are perfect the way they are. Stop trying to wreck it please.

 

[italian pat patriot]

2 preseason game instead 4 and keep 16 games as today's
This is what i would like

 

[Brewskies]

Less preseason games.

More regular season games.

More reg season games means more revenue ( in theory)

More revenue means more $ to players (in theory)

That' not what he wants, he want more revenue for the teams and not pay the players more for playing extra regular games. Seams reasonable to me, working without being paid.

 

[luuked]

Limit each player to 16 of the 18 games. This will provide the increased revenue for both sides without increasing the risk and long term toll on players. It would also adavantage teams with deep rosters, like the Patriots.

I see this brought up again and again and I constantly think this is the most idiotic proposal ever. Most players will lose two game checks one way or the other because of it, fans and advertisers will hate games where superstars are rested and the league cant be happy with it either.

Add another BYE week and be done with it. Everyone wins.

 

[Joey007]

I see this brought up again and again and I constantly think this is the most idiotic proposal ever. Most players will lose two game checks one way or the other because of it, fans and advertisers will hate games where superstars are rested and the league cant be happy with it either.

Add another BYE week and be done with it. Everyone wins.

They will even get more ratings as well well due to more weeks of being on TV.

 

[XLIX]

I see this brought up again and again and I constantly think this is the most idiotic proposal ever.

I wanted to find a nicer, more constructive way to phrase my response to that idea, but I have to agree with luuked here. The "everyone can only play 16 games" rule would be an absolute disaster of incomprehensible proportions.

 

[PatsFan2]

Then lengthen the Rosters with 8 more Active Players.

 

[Brandon_Cox]

Joint practices are way more effective than preseason games in evaluating your talent