John Clayton examines 10 things we learned from Owners' meetings

[Biggems]

More playoffs teams? They can barely find enough teams as it is.

IMO, there should be either 5 or 7 teams. I feel the team with the best record deserves a bi, but not the team with the 2nd best record. Since, I know they will not reduce it from 6 to 5, I say just add one more team per conference. Let the top seed have a bi. Then 2 plays 7, 3 plays 6, and 4 plays 5. The lowest remaining seed plays 1, the other two seeds play one another. I like this scenario because the NFL would have 3 Wild Card games on Saturday and Sunday.

Another scenario is to increase it to 8, with no team receiving a bi. 1 seed has HFA throughout. In one bracket 1 vs 8 and 4 vs 5, in the other bracket 2 vs 7 and 3 vs 6. This is how the NBA, NHL, and NCAA Basketball do it. A problem with this scenario, is there would be 8 Wild Card games. Unless you started games at 11 am and let them run till about 11 pm or midnight, games would overlap, cheating the fans out of some playoff football. Another problem would be rewarding mediocrity. I guarantee there would be a team at .500 making the playoffs in a certain conference.

 

[Biggems]

1. Among owners, there appears to be more support to expand the regular-season schedule from 16 games to 18 rather than 17. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft are the biggest proponents of going to 18 games. Economically, they like the additional revenue opportunities. Many of the high-revenue teams are in agreement. Commissioner Roger Goodell has been properly pushing the concept of more regular-season games for about a year. He sees the four-game preseason as outdated and not up to NFL standards. Coaches play starters only about six quarters in the preseason games anyway. Once the league tests the economic viability of 18 games with the players and the broadcast networks, the NFL can expand the schedule.

2. If the regular season goes to 18 games, owners will explore the chances of adding more playoff teams. Extra playoff games would add more value to the network television contracts because playoff games carry high ratings. Until the regular season is expanded beyond 16 games, don't expect any change. A couple of years ago, the Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs were pushing for more playoff games, but support was so minimal that those efforts have ceased. Having the San Diego Chargers make the 2008 playoffs at 8-8, while the Patriots missed a wild card at 11-5, confirmed the arguments of those favoring more postseason games. The NFL wants teams with winning records in the playoffs. By the way, don't expect an expansion of the regular season until 2011 at the earliest.


terrible. they're ruining the game at a rapid pace.

Did the game get ruined when it went from 14 to 16? They used to have like 6 preseason games....but that was when players weren't in shape in the offseason. Now with the offseason conditioning programs, preseason is not needed as much. I am all for taking away 2 meaningless games and adding 2 meaningful games.

 

[Biggems]

How about expanding the roster if the NFL is going to expand the schedule? More bodies for more games?

I have been wanting the league to expand rosters to 60 for a very long time. I want 50 active on game day. I want to decrease the practice squad to 5. With all of the injuries that teams tend to accrue during the year, those extra 7 spots are invaluable.

 

[playmakers]

I agree the game is fine with 16 games. When you go to 18 games all the NFL records will be demolished. If they did go to 18 games I would hope they would start at the same time of year instead of mid-August. That would not feel like football. I rather they go Sept 5th roughly to Jan 14 roughly and playoffs go on the 21-28- and 4th. Superbowl on the 18th.

 

[Rampage]

Did the game get ruined when it went from 14 to 16? They used to have like 6 preseason games....but that was when players weren't in shape in the offseason. Now with the offseason conditioning programs, preseason is not needed as much. I am all for taking away 2 meaningless games and adding 2 meaningful games.

I like 16 just fine. I absolutely don't want more playoff teams like the nba's joke of the playoffs. more regular season games more injuries.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I imagine there was similar handwringing when they added games in the past. I don't know about you but I would love to be able to watch more NFL football.

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

I imagine there was similar handwringing when they added games in the past. I don't know about you but I would love to be able to watch more NFL football.

Agreed. Also add in another bye week.

I wouldnt touch the playoffs though. You want teams fighting and scraping to get in.

 

[Doomsday]

I am all for getting rid of 2 preseason games and adding 2 more regular season games but more playoff teams is just dumb.

If they dont expand the rosters they should at least allow teams to dress more the 45 players.

 

[Hoofbite]

I imagine there was similar handwringing when they added games in the past. I don't know about you but I would love to be able to watch more NFL football.

Too much of a good thing...........

The NFL is perfect the way it is. Games mean something week in and week out. There are a few teams who cost the last part of the season but the vast majority of teams HAVE to play. Does adding more games ruin that? I don't know. I suppose it would equal out as all teams still have play to stay ahead of the trailers. I guess when you have teams that have clinched with 3 weeks to go it might do something but you might just have to live with it.

Personally, I'd like things to stay the same.

Its funny the league has pretty much signaled that QBs are too important to lose yet they want to put 2 more games on their plate.

 

[Sarge]

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Too much of a good thing...........

The NFL is perfect the way it is. Games mean something week in and week out. There are a few teams who cost the last part of the season but the vast majority of teams HAVE to play. Does adding more games ruin that? I don't know. I suppose it would equal out as all teams still have play to stay ahead of the trailers. I guess when you have teams that have clinched with 3 weeks to go it might do something but you might just have to live with it.

Personally, I'd like things to stay the same.

Its funny the league has pretty much signaled that QBs are too important to lose yet they want to put 2 more games on their plate.

Like I said I imagine people were saying the same thing when they went from the 14 to 16 game format. I don't know about you but I would kill to see a live NFL game this weekend.

Football by far has the fewest games in a season and they only play once a week. 18 games will do nothing to make the games less significant I am sorry but statistcally the difference is pretty negligible.

This handwringing just reeks of conservative xenophobia.

 

[pgreptom]

Does Kraft have pictures of Goddell or something???


The Pats miss the playoffs at 11-5, so now they are thinking about expanding the playoffs.

The Pats are drafting after teams that made the playoffs because of their regular season record, so the rule is changed that all non-playoff teams draft first.

The Pats lose their starting QB from a low hit by a defender on the ground so a new rule is passed to ban that type of hit, thus the "Brady Rule" is born.


Seriously, Goddell has on kneepads when it comes to Kraft and the mighty Patriots. I dont get it, you would think Jerry would have some pull with Roger also, but we keep getting raped by the refs week after week after week.

If you want an example of how we get raped, just watch Ware on Sundays. He is hog-tied, tackled, chopped, and dam near placed in a choke hold by offensive tackles every week and Ware cant get a freaking flag to save his life...................Its just amazing.

Hm.

I never even thought about it like that.

That does kinda sound fishy.

 

[CATCH17]

16 games is probably to many games for the human body anyways.

18 games is just rediculous.

Hell i'd like to watch the Cowboys play every Sunday of the year. But these guys are human and football is to tough of a sport to play dang near a 20 game schedule.

You would have to add another bye week.

For sure allow more players to be added onto the roster. Like 60.

Then you would have to pay guys more. Just what the smaller market teams want to do??????????

Less is more with the NFL. Leave the season alone.

Screw up the rules all you want. But don't change the format of the season.

 

[ArmyCowboy]

I can live with expanding the season to 17 or 18 games. I wouldn't like it, but I could live with it.

Expanding the playoff would be a mistake. All it would do would be dilute the importance of regular season games. And, if your adding regular season games, it really makes no sense.

 

[CoCo]

Even though I love watching the boys, I have misgivings about an 18 game regular season. Maybe, however, its not so bad if you consider we're shortening the preseason.

True that its different players getting some of those reps but its probably not going to add a true 2 game increase of wear & tear. Even then, smart coaches should strategize around the season being a marathon and not a sprint no matter the roster size.

Expanding the playoffs I could do without. Yes, its hard to find enough deserving teams as is. If they do add teams I suspect it would be 2 per conference to eliminate the bye but not add another weekend. I would not want to see them add 2 regular season games and increase the playoffs by another weekend. That'd really push the envelope.

I have no problem having draft order reflect final season results. Its only fair.

 

[utrunner07]

Dear Mr. Goodell, Mr. Jones, Mr. Kraft, and Co.

More is not better. See baseball's incredibly long season. Lets not ruin the NFL, ok? Thanks...

Signed,

The Fans that provide your pay.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

At least Clayton puts it in perspective as 'additional revenue opportunities' rather than the line of bull that Roger the Rube gave about 'making our fans happy during these tough economic times.' Still, 18 game seasons is a bit ill-advised, IMO. Costs more money from the fans and if the league and owners had some ethics, they would feel financially responsible to re-do the player's contracts since they are doing more work for the same pay. I know if I was doing 10% more work and not getting paid for it, I wouldn't be too happy with it.




YAKUZA

 

[Skinsmaniac]

8. Seeing the interest in Jay Cutler might have convinced Denver Broncos coach Josh McDaniels to try to mend his relationship with the star instead of trying to trade the quarterback. As many as 10 teams were interested in Cutler, but all they could do is get word to the Broncos about their interest. It became pretty clear Cutler could have become the hottest trade commodity in the NFL in more than a decade. Once he got to the meetings, McDaniels continued to try to text or call Cutler. Now, Cutler is considering going to the Broncos' facility. McDaniels, despite failing to ease Cutler's anger about interest in Matt Cassel, is willing to work with his quarterback. Expect trade considerations to subside in the next two weeks.

Well this one is definitely wrong.

 

[jazzcat22]

At first wasn't so sure about 18 games, even a few years ago. But now it may not be so bad. People will be glad or mad if it goes to this....what if after 16 games your team would normally qualify for a playoff spot. Only to lose the last 2 games [especially if an injury is involved] and then do not make the playoffs. Or do make it, but the QB is injured in the 17th game, playing for home field advantage. When normally they would have it locked up....yes, fans will be angry.

On the other side. You normally would be out of the playoffs, only to win the last 2 games, or a team loses their last 2, so your team makes the playoffs, then you are happy.

Could be interesting, so I am for it. However, not real thrilled about extra playoff teams. We don't need another NBA or NHL league where medocrity gets a chance. As we are almost there now. Plus as another poster said, we need th reward the best teams with a bye. And expansion is not the answer to justify adding playoff teams. ut that is inevitable, as they will put a team in LA just based on needing as team there.