Shorter pre-season

[PennSkinsFan]

from the Post

NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue said yesterday he is seriously considering authorizing the league to study the feasibility of adding two regular season games to the current 16-game schedule and reducing the number of preseason games.



The proposal would be made at a league meeting in Chicago in late October, with the 2005 season the earliest target for change.




THOUGHTS of hR members?

[Chief Seeway]

Too long, one maybe two pre-season games is enough.

[hail2skins]

I found it interesting that he said it's for the competitive nature of the game and not in response to the injuries. YEAH Right. If it were other non-marquee players, would this be coming up?

I'm all for it though.

[SkinsKY]

I think 3 games is where is should be. I'd be okay with two, but it would be harder for the players fighting for spots. I do like the idea of increasing the season. That's going to make for a rush of broken records within the first couple years.

[camasterton]

It's also going to make for a rush of injuries! 18 competitive games, without the comfort of the 90-man preseason roster. An NFL season is 16 weeks of bone cracking, knee stressing risk now. Add two more FULL games for the 48 players that play the whole game-Sundays and practice all week, and see how the bodies break down. This isn't about player health or competition. The proposal is all about increasing attendance (ticket, parking & concession $) and television viewership ( Ad revenue) without losing the number of events. More fans will come to games and watch on TV, when they actually mean something. Like with the top players participating. Competition my ass.
If they do increase the season, I think it'll backfire on them. One of the reasons for the NFL's success is the "event" of the games. Once a week, short schedule... Baseball's and basketball's watered down, too many games have hurt thier popularity. Tagliabue risks killing the goose...

[Spence]

Of course the preseason is too long but considering the amount of money the owners make from it, I can't see the league messing with it.

[IowaSkinsFan]

Spence, you mentioned in an earlier thread that players don't get paid for preseason games and that it is pure profit for the owners. Doesn't the Post article refute that?

[CarMike]

Originally posted by Spence
Of course the preseason is too long but considering the amount of money the owners make from it, I can't see the league messing with it.

But by adding two more games to the season, the owners will still have the same amount of games to make their money. I'd like to see it and believe it will happen.

[Skins57]

I agree with Cam, the star players only play about half of the preseason games and more players are going to go done in the 2 extra games, the league will have to allow for bigger rosters for the extra games, I would think.

And this is all about money. plain and simple but if I get 2 more regular season games...well cool

[RedskinsDave]

If they add regular season games at least of those 10 games we have to buy 9 will be worth something.

Also, if they extend to 18 games, will the jokers from the 72 Dolphins stop celebrating?

[Monk81]

i don't see it changing as long as the owners make money

[AZ#1SkinsFan]

I voted to leave the pre-season at 4 games. It provides more opportunity for the young players to showcase their talents and also shows the coaches a little about a players consistency which is as big as his talent.

If they shorten the pre-season, teams like the Redskins which have a lot of roster turnover would not have enough time playing together to get to know each other. The beginning of the season would be real sloppy.

[Green-Is-Good]

Keep the 4 preseason games. We only need 17 weeks of the regular season.

[rskinsfan10]

Too long. Shorten it.

[Spence]

Originally posted by CarMike
But by adding two more games to the season, the owners will still have the same amount of games to make their money. I'd like to see it and believe it will happen.
Sure, but the players get paid for the season, not for the preseason.

[dj_stouty]

If coaches don't like their starters getting hurt, then they should not start them until the 3rd game...