Whatever happened to the proposed 2 preseason games cut and an 18 game schedule?

[PATRIOT64]

I thought this issue was to be addressed at the Owner's meetings this early summer but I did not hear whether it failed in voting or was put aside till next offseason?.

I for one want 18 regular season games by way of 2 preseason games being cut with TC being 2 weeks later than it is now.

How about you?

 

[patsfanofNC12]

I like the schedule the way it is, 2 preseason games wouldn't be enough time for the coaches to gauge where players were at and make decisions on the lineups. Plus 18 regular season games plus playoffs is a grueling schedule to ask the players to play when they get so beat up after 16 regular season games and for some playoffs. For the fans we would rather have 18 regular season games to watch, but the coaches and players I would think would rather have the 16 regular season games and 4 preseason.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

It will probably happen - more likely incrementally with one game first - but it's a fairly major issue with the player's union so it's not as simple as an owner's vote like some changes are.

 

[Pats726]

I like the schedule the way it is, 2 preseason games wouldn't be enough time for the coaches to gauge where players were at and make decisions on the lineups. Plus 18 regular season games plus playoffs is a grueling schedule to ask the players to play when they get so beat up after 16 regular season games and for some playoffs. For the fans we would rather have 18 regular season games to watch, but the coaches and players I would think would rather have the 16 regular season games and 4 preseason.

Agreed....it's the best now.. 2 games is hardly enough time..4 is just right...I remember when there was 6...way way too many 4 is just enough..

 

[unoriginal]

Oddly enough the talk mostly stopped when the player's union informed the owners they'd expect a 12% increase in salary for the players.

 

[Rob0729]

First, the proposal is 17 regular season games with three preseason games. It allows for teams to play in different areas of the US that don't have teams (like LA) or internationally without losing a home game.

Second, odds are very good that the NFL moves to this schedule next season. Potentially the next.

Third, the NFL doesn't need four preseason games. I bet most head caoches would say 4 games are too much. The 4tht preseason game is a waste now. There is no evaluation going on because rosters are already pretty much set and the only objective of these game as to avoid injuries. Any player who hadn't impressed coaches enough to make the roster in the first three games, isn't going to change that in the fourth. Coaches could easily make their evaluations in 2-3 preseason games.

When the league switched from 6 preseason games to 4, people made similiar arguments about the evaluation process and nothing has really changed. Coaches see these guys in practice and scrimages all the time. Only a handful of players really need be evaluated in real game conditions. If you have a team that has more than 5-10 players on the bubble, you might as well continue your evaluation process into the regular season because you ain't going anywhere. Most teams have top 40-45 roster spots or more already locked in before they even open camp.

Personally, I like the proposed change to the schedule. As a season ticket holder who has had to pay full price to go to a fourth preseason game where Belichick has already had the roster basically locked and him mostly play players who are going to get cut just so he doesn't injure players who are going to make the roster, I fully support a 17 game season with a 3 game preseason. I think it is a perfectly good system.

 

[Rob0729]

Oddly enough the talk mostly stopped when the player's union informed the owners they'd expect a 12% increase in salary for the players.

Actually, I heard Goodell talk about it a few weeks back. He is still trying to move forward with it. Granted there is issues that need to be hammered out.

 

[Rob0729]

Agreed....it's the best now.. 2 games is hardly enough time..4 is just right...I remember when there was 6...way way too many 4 is just enough..

Actually 3 is just right. The fourth preseason game is an annoyance to most head coaches.

 

[ScottieC]

I thought this issue was to be addressed at the Owner's meetings this early summer but I did not hear whether it failed in voting or was put aside till next offseason?.

I for one want 18 regular season games by way of 2 preseason games being cut with TC being 2 weeks later than it is now.

How about you?

It's coming, Goodell just needs to figure out how he can screw it up, it's such a no brainer that he's finding it difficult to FUBAR. Give him time, he'll figure it out.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Oddly enough the talk mostly stopped when the player's union informed the owners they'd expect a 12% increase in salary for the players.

Actually, there's another significant $$ sticking point--under the current CBA, teams share the total revenues from their RS games, but teams keep all the revenues from pre-season games.

 

[Displaced - Fan]

Third, the NFL doesn't need four preseason games. I bet most head caoches would say 4 games are too much. The 4tht preseason game is a waste now. There is no evaluation going on because rosters are already pretty much set and the only objective of these game as to avoid injuries. Any player who hadn't impressed coaches enough to make the roster in the first three games, isn't going to change that in the fourth. Coaches could easily make their evaluations in 2-3 preseason games.
.

I remember reading an article last year where they asked some coaches about this and that's exactly what they said. 4 games is to much, 3 would be better.

 

[pheenix11]

The schedule system is perfect as it is now and very well balanced and logical. You add a 17th game, its going to start screwing things up and creating imbalances. Plus it screws up all the records.

Just drop 1 of the preseason games but leave the regular season at 16.

 

[Pats726]

Actually 3 is just right. The fourth preseason game is an annoyance to most head coaches.

I doubt that is true.. but think like you do..

 

[Sicilian]

The schedule system is perfect as it is now and very well balanced and logical. You add a 17th game, its going to start screwing things up and creating imbalances. Plus it screws up all the records.

Just drop 1 of the preseason games but leave the regular season at 16.

I'm not too worried about the records... except it would have been nice to go 19-0 last year so that there would once again be something for someone to shoot for. The quest for 20-0 would begin

As for imbalance, I think they could find "neutral" sites and just rotate which two teams play their extra game there. Some off the top of my head:

LA
London
Mexico City
Toronto

Maybe stick with four so that each city gets four games per season. That way they get the most out of preparing for NFL football.

They could also use cities they are potentially considering for expansion/relocation. Like a test. If they get a good response for teams that don't even belong to the city, they'll know they have a good place to start with a real team.

 

[Rob0729]

I doubt that is true.. but think like you do..

If you watch the games, you can see that it is absolutely true in a lot of cases. There is a reason why there is a cliched line in refering to the gameplan for the fourth preseason game is "to get out with everyone healthy". It is already after the first cut down and the last cutdown is usually a day or two after.

Seriously, do you really think a guy like Belichick is really sitting on the fence with more than maybe 1-2 players after nearly two months of training camp and preseason that he needs that one last game to make a final decision on who to cut? If the head coach of my favorite team is still evaluating talent after two months, I'd be worried to how good of a talent evaluator he is.

 

[Rob0729]

I'm not too worried about the records... except it would have been nice to go 19-0 last year so that there would once again be something for someone to shoot for. The quest for 20-0 would begin

As for imbalance, I think they could find "neutral" sites and just rotate which two teams play their extra game there. Some off the top of my head:

LA
London
Mexico City
Toronto

Maybe stick with four so that each city gets four games per season. That way they get the most out of preparing for NFL football.

They could also use cities they are potentially considering for expansion/relocation. Like a test. If they get a good response for teams that don't even belong to the city, they'll know they have a good place to start with a real team.

Exactly, Goodell wants the 17th game for globalization of the sport. The 17th game will be played at a neutral site for all teams. The Pats would most likely play in either England or Canada while teams from the west and south will play in Canada (Vancover) or Mexico City.

 

[Pats726]

As for imbalance, I think they could find "neutral" sites and just rotate which two teams play their extra game there. Some off the top of my head:

LA
London
Mexico City
Toronto

Maybe stick with four so that each city gets four games per season. That way they get the most out of preparing for NFL football.

They could also use cities they are potentially considering for expansion/relocation. Like a test. If they get a good response for teams that don't even belong to the city, they'll know they have a good place to start with a real team.

I am not one in favor of this extra game...seems just the league Goodell wanting to expand..quantity over quality...
Really.. too much...If they are insisting on doing it though..THAT would make sense to do 4 games in 4 places to see where, how crowds are..THAT makes sense..which means they will not do it..

 

[Rob0729]

I am not one in favor of this extra game...seems just the league Goodell wanting to expand..quantity over quality...
Really.. too much...If they are insisting on doing it though..THAT would make sense to do 4 games in 4 places to see where, how crowds are..THAT makes sense..which means they will not do it..

There are a lot of things that I don't agree with Goodell about, but this isn't one. I think globalization of the sport can be a good thing. It will bring a new influx of talent as great athletes from other countries get involved in the sport. It will generate more revenue for the teams so that it can help to prevent inequalities in the rosters with the haves and the have nots which is starting to show signs of happening. As a season ticket holder, it means I will have to pay one less full price ticket a year (or every other year) to watch a bunch of back up plays. It also gives every fan another Sunday of real football to watch. I don't see the down side of this proposal.

I seriously doubt any head coach would lament losing a meaningless preseason game. You listen to many of the explayers like DeOssie and they will tell you that more than 2-3 games are unneccessary because of all the offseason activities. Players come to camp in shape and prepared these days. In the old days, players practiced themselves back into shape in training camp and preseason. I bet Belichick has 48-50 of his roster spots locked in already and doesn't need three more preseason games to fill out the rest of the roster.

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

The forth pre-season game is for revenue generation. What coaches "think" is of zero concern.

The players might be able to force the issue- that can be done by lowering the cap and salaries. Why would anyone accept less pay to drop a game most never play in?

I have no problem with 17 games if with a higher number of players vs salary cap. This will probably happen with some sort of "rookie cap". The 17th game overseas is the only viable option for a large chunk of revenue growth.

My guess would be teams play their opposite seating in the other conference division. Then design the site to interest that area in specific teams. The designated cities have both NFC and AFC "teams".

Pats at Cowboys- Mexico City
Cowboys at Pats- London or Madrid.

 

[JoePats]

I think globalization of the sport can be a good thing. It will bring a new influx of talent as great athletes from other countries get involved in the sport.

I disagree with this. How many star soccer players have we produced and sent to Europe since the advent of the MLS? Basically, a high class football game would be 3 hours of entertainment but I highly doubt youth football leagues will be popping up all over Europe.

Why does this league have to basically be such an absurd money-grab? They should do one of three things.

1) Nothing.
2) Get rid of two preseason games.
3) Get rid of two preseason games and add two regular season games.