NFL Looks To Lengthen Regular Season

by Rexx on Mar 27, 2009 9:51 AM EDT Comment 16 comments

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is looking to drop one or two exhibition games in exchange for adding them onto the regular season. That would make the season anywhere from 17 to 18 games, instead of the current 16, which was extended back in 1978 from 14 games.

His plan would likely have the teams play either two or three pre-season games, take a week off, and then start the regular season. The season would consist of either 17 or 18 games, extending the playoffs and Super Bowl by a couple of weeks into the second week of February. The thought process is that the exhibition games are no real benefit to the majority of players and the fans certainly do not enjoy either watching nor paying the same price for the pre-season as they do for the regular season games.

Of course, there is a question of would it result in a price increase for the fans, even though the total number of games would not change. Also, how would the record books be re-written with the additional games? These were also questions back in 1978 when the regular season was extended from 14 to 16 games and the pre-season was reduced from a ridiculous six games to four. Most teams don't even play their starters for more than a series or two the last exhibition game or two, so to reduce that would be a great benefit to most of us, although those players on the bubble to make the roster will just have to prove their worth in Training Camp rather than against outside competition. Of course this would all not change the upcoming 2009 season but would go into effect for the 2010 season.

What do you think of this proposal, and should just one game be added or two?

Poll

What do you think of the NFL proposal to add one or two regular season games to the schedule while dropping the equivalent pre-season games?

Add one regular season game (17 total)

27 votes

Add two regular season games (18 total)

63 votes

No changes - Keep it the same (16 total)

43 votes

133 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Personally....

I can’t stand the pre-season games and even though I pay full price for my Club Seats ($225 PER SEAT!) for them, I usually give them away. So the thought of two more Sundays of real football sounds great to me!

Rexx

by Rexx on Mar 27, 2009 9:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Keep it the same

I personally think Pre-season is very important, especially for a team like us. We are amongst the best in the league at evaluating talent and creating monsters out of 5th rounds to undrafted guys.

I think the 4 preseason games allows us to let our starters get some playing time in the first 2 games to get the feeling back of football, then let the rookies and unproven guys battle it out in the next 2 games.

I enjoy pre-season, a lot. And adding 2 more games to the season might make these players dog tired heading into the playoffs. And what if a situation like last year for us happened again with the bye week crap? It was hard enough having to play 17 straight games, can you imagine if we had to play 19 straight games?!? I know it will likely not happen again, but just saying.

I like the 16 games. This would move the superbowl into March basically. Hey, if they make it 18 games, go ahead, can’t get enough football, right? But if it stays the same, I am fine with that.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Mar 27, 2009 10:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

What if all teams had a second Bye week?

Rexx

by Rexx on Mar 27, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am not sure

I doubt they would do that. I was reading in the paper earlier today, that if they extended the season, it would we in 2 scenarios.

If they extended the season to 17 games played, then every team would play their extra game at a neutral site like maybe in London or other stadiums around the country.

And if they did 18 games, they would start the season a week earlier and extend it a week longer with having the same bye week set-up

Whatever happens will be fine with me, but I am satisfied with the 16 games played now. I enjoy pre-season very much. Gives me a chance to see what the unproven guys can do. 2 games just does not seem like enough for me. Like if some of your mid round draft picks don’t do well in the first game, then they would only have 1 more chance to prove themselves?

Who knows, this is a very interesting topic, and I would think this extension would not take place till maybe the 2011 season.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Mar 27, 2009 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Amen

The idea of extending games is interesting but I prefer the schedule the way it is. Yea the four pre-season games tend to stretch and the season seems like it won’t start soon enough but for me its just all apart of the anticipation. It makes me more excited for the season to start and when it does it makes that sunday a little more special. Pre-season should stay 4 weeks despite player’s like Clinton Portis whining about it, although I sort of agreed with him at the time. Its plenty of time to prepare players especially the rookies. 2 games seems like enough for the veterans but not the rookies.

"But like my father said, you want Jennifer Lopez but does she want you? No. I'll just take what ever they give to me."-Julian Taverez

by purpleonblack86 on Mar 27, 2009 4:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The fourth Exhibition game is pretty much a waste

of time for most fans. Some of the more intense ones, like youse people and me, like to see who will grab the final roster spots, but the mjority of fans are pretty bored with the first team playing one if any series and then the scrubs take over.

Rexx

by Rexx on Mar 27, 2009 7:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yahoo- out of solitary

man that sucked and my back is cramped..all i had was my baseball mit and ball to bounce off the wall over and over again. i then had to eat a bunch of hard boiled eggs to win some bets…

extend the season and make the 2 additional games in the summer when tube tops and daisy dukes are running rampant. -not you MaLoR.

by raven on Mar 27, 2009 10:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

woww

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Mar 28, 2009 3:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

just threw up into the bak of my throat

with that visual, all hary and skinny bones, bloated belly with half shirt….yukkk!

Rexx

by Rexx on Mar 28, 2009 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is a sick

Sick blog….

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Mar 28, 2009 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can't believe any of you

would not vote for more football games!? Deal with the changes in the record books and missing out on checking out the new kids vying for positions on the team. This would mean more football guys!

Rexx

by Rexx on Mar 29, 2009 12:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

In the end though

It would still be the same amount of football, Rexx. They would take away 2 pre-season games and just make them regular season games. So in reality, it really is not more football, unless they keep the pre-season the way it is. That is the only way we get more football, is by EXTENDING the season.

We have 20 total games to watch (4 preseason 16 regular) They take away 2 of the pre-seasons and add in 2 regular season, still 20 games. Just a few more that mean a little extra.

It will not be more football, just more important football, and I enjoy the relaxed games in August. It just kinda reminds me that Summer is coming to an end and it is time to get serious now.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Mar 29, 2009 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

MaLoR - it IS more football

the last two ex games are more like scrimmages than real football games. Two more REGULAR season games is more football. 18 regular season games give us more games to cheer like crazy for and if they are played in neutral or unique sites, then….road trips!!!

Come on, I’d love 10 more regular season games. Football rules!

Rexx

by Rexx on Mar 30, 2009 12:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I just enjoy pre-season

Only having 2 games to compete for some of the last spots on the 53 man roster for some of these guys just doesnt seem fair. I understand that it might be boring to you to watch those last 2 games because it is not the elite guys in there, but it still shows the coaches and even us fans what some of the unproven guys can do.

I think it would be unfair if one of our 4th-7th round picks had a bad first game, then only had 1 more chance to prove himself to the coaches that he can be on this team. Who knows if we ever see the likes of Bart Scott, Kelly Gregg, Adalius Thomas and those guys if not for pre-season.

If I see 11 men in purple against another NFL team on TV, that is still football in my mind.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

by Mr MaLoR on Mar 30, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

18 real games definately…the last 2 preseason games tell nothing because the “tweeners” aren’t going up against anyone to have a true measuring stick.

by raven on Mar 30, 2009 3:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs