What Has to Happen for the NFL to Shorten the Preseason?

[Aikmaniac]

Some pretty serious injuries happened over the weekend. Some were rendered harmless, some are still under review (Portis), etc.

With the money the owners are raking in with every preseason game, what has to happen for the NFL to start considering shortening the preseason by at least 1-2 games?

Here's couple things that would change the NFL's mind about the lengthy preseason, in my opinion:

1. A drastic decrease in attendance - NFL fans salivate for any and all action during the offseason and the opportunity to see games "earlier" in August caters to them, HOWEVER the ticket prices are hardly at a discounted rate for these practice games. The only reason I see a decrease would be if the first stringers see NO ACTION until the last couple games. The casual fans, unlike us, would get turned off by the sloppy play of the players trying to make the team.

2. Unfortnately, more injuries to league superstars. - This is a morbid way of thinking, but I compare it to the Roy Williams Rule. Nothing was said of this tackle until it knocked out the league's best WR, obviously TO. I'm sure you can survey any Commanders fan right now and they would agree to shorten the preseason in a heartbeat.

3. An NFLPA sanction. With Portis' aired comments, I could see Gene Upshaw making some noise regarding the need for 4, possibly 5 preseason games. He could really take advantage of the new commissioner as well.

What do you guys and gals think?

 

[theogt]

A 2005 hurricane season-like injury bug to superstars might do it.

 

[trickblue]

The only way it will happen is if the NFLPA allows them to add two more games to the regular season instead of having the extra two preseason games.

The NFL doesn't want to lose that revenue...

 

[Doomsday101]

Some pretty serious injuries happened over the weekend. Some were rendered harmless, some are still under review (Portis), etc.

With the money the owners are raking in with every preseason game, what has to happen for the NFL to start considering shortening the preseason by at least 1-2 games?

Here's couple things that would change the NFL's mind about the lengthy preseason, in my opinion:

1. A drastic decrease in attendance - NFL fans salivate for any and all action during the offseason and the opportunity to see games "earlier" in August caters to them, HOWEVER the ticket prices are hardly at a discounted rate for these practice games. The only reason I see a decrease would be if the first stringers see NO ACTION until the last couple games. The casual fans, unlike us, would get turned off by the sloppy play of the players trying to make the team.

2. Unfortnately, more injuries to league superstars. - This is a morbid way of thinking, but I compare it to the Roy Williams Rule. Nothing was said of this tackle until it knocked out the league's best WR, obviously TO. I'm sure you can survey any Commanders fan right now and they would agree to shorten the preseason in a heartbeat.

3. An NFLPA sanction. With Portis' aired comments, I could see Gene Upshaw making some noise regarding the need for 4, possibly 5 preseason games. He could really take advantage of the new commissioner as well.

What do you guys and gals think?

I think if teams are concerned about getting vets hurt then don't play them. I think many of the 1st and 2nd year players who are trying to earn spots on teams do need the pre-season work as well as the rookies

 

[conner01]

more players are hurt in camp than in pre season games. this is football, people get hurt. if you shorten the pre-season you hurt the young and developing players. they need the time and they play most of the plays

 

[jobberone]

Follow the money. It's TV, Cable, DirecTV that is running the show via money. Both the owners and players would have to take less money or find a way to get the same amount with less games which I find unlikely.

My suggestion would be to increase the playoffs by one more weekend and shorten the preseason by at least one game and preferably two.

My guess is nothing will change until they eventually add more teams forcing more wildcards and/or division winners therefore more overall games. They could generate the same amount of money two regular season games make with one playoff game. Just charge more for advertising.

It's not that simple though as you cannot forget the impact every game has on the local economy. Some of that could be made up in extra playoff games esp with revenue sharing but not all of it.

The union needs to take a stand if they want change.

 

[BrassCowboy]

what is with this infatuation with shortening the preseason?

some random thoughts:

1. If coaches were worried about injuries to star players, they would not play them as often in preseason. Wait, I think they do that.

2. If they do not get injured in preseason, they are just as likely to get injured in real games. If you rid a few preseason games, then the only thing accomplished would be that players would be less tired for last few games of whole season.

3. if you shorten the amount of preseason games to 2 or 3, coaches will just play veterans longer in the game.

4. it is a game and players do hit each other. Injuries is a known risk of such sport, and owners do not pay players millions of dollars to sit on the bench like some old lady's knick knack..

I say leave the preseason as it is. They need preperation and workout time.

 

[Alexander]

The whole NFL season is a war of attrition.

Many times the "best" teams at the end of the year are the ones that stayed the healthiest.

That being said, eliminating an exhibition game isn't any sort of solution. Nor is stringing out the year to compensate.

Injuries can and will happen at any time, no matter if the game is played in August or December.

And this year is no different, it is just we had a pair of high profile injuries to Portis and Vince Young, two marketable players. The same screaming went out a few years ago when Michael Vick got hurt.

 

[Tuna Helper]

Some pretty serious injuries happened over the weekend. Some were rendered harmless, some are still under review (Portis), etc.

With the money the owners are raking in with every preseason game, what has to happen for the NFL to start considering shortening the preseason by at least 1-2 games?

Here's couple things that would change the NFL's mind about the lengthy preseason, in my opinion:

1. A drastic decrease in attendance - NFL fans salivate for any and all action during the offseason and the opportunity to see games "earlier" in August caters to them, HOWEVER the ticket prices are hardly at a discounted rate for these practice games. The only reason I see a decrease would be if the first stringers see NO ACTION until the last couple games. The casual fans, unlike us, would get turned off by the sloppy play of the players trying to make the team.

2. Unfortnately, more injuries to league superstars. - This is a morbid way of thinking, but I compare it to the Roy Williams Rule. Nothing was said of this tackle until it knocked out the league's best WR, obviously TO. I'm sure you can survey any Commanders fan right now and they would agree to shorten the preseason in a heartbeat.

3. An NFLPA sanction. With Portis' aired comments, I could see Gene Upshaw making some noise regarding the need for 4, possibly 5 preseason games. He could really take advantage of the new commissioner as well.

What do you guys and gals think?

I posted this in another thread, but I will ask again. How does a shorter preseason prevent what Portis did to himself last night? He injured himself in the first preseason game, not the 3rd or the 4th.

Portis need only look in the mirror if he wants someone to blame. As a vet that is critical to his team, he needs to better understand the situation before even setting foot onto the field during a preseason game. Will he and the media admit this? No way.

I disagree with a shorter preseason. It wouldn't allow for an adequate assessment of borderline talent in the NFL when the bullets are flying. Preseason is important to the fringe guys and for building the right depth on your team.

Teams have a choice as to who they want to play. It isn't mandatory to play guys that are a lock for a starting position.

 

[Kittymama]

Not only did Portis hurt himself in the first game, but on the first play of the first game. (So maybe TO is smart to not play any preseason! ) LeCharles Bentley (the guy so many people wanted here in DC) got hurt in the first practice & is out for the entire year. Should we eliminate TC too?

Reality is that the NFL isn't going to shorten anything. Even the NFLPA isn't going to complain too much--their players are making pots of money because of the system, which includes 17 weeks of games plus preseason games & playoffs.

It's possible that there might be some "guidelines" drawn up--like not playing 1st string players, altho I don't see how that would work either. There has to be a way to get the starters in synch, give rookies a taste of the game, & evaluate the other players. Preseason games seem to be a necessary evil. Three & four are probably excessive, but I really doubt the NFL & NFLPA are going to willingly part with the money they're getting from those games.

 

[jazzcat22]

The whole NFL season is a war of attrition.

Many times the "best" teams at the end of the year are the ones that stayed the healthiest.

That being said, eliminating an exhibition game isn't any sort of solution. Nor is stringing out the year to compensate.

Injuries can and will happen at any time, no matter if the game is played in August or December.

And this year is no different, it is just we had a pair of high profile injuries to Portis and Vince Young, two marketable players. The same screaming went out a few years ago when Michael Vick got hurt.

Yes. Also, if the regular season goes to 18 games, then the players will want to be compensated for those extra games. As their pay is divided by the number of games. Pre-season games have nothing to do with that. So the players union and players will want more money, and the owners are not willing to do that. Unless they get more from the networks. Which does not necessarily mean they will turn around and give that to the players.

 

[The30YardSlant]

It's just like gasoline. Stop buying, and they have to lower the proce, or the NFL's case, decrease preseason games because of revenue loss.

That being said, you will never get the ignorant masses to stop attending meaningless preseason games, so it wont happen

 

[BrassCowboy]

hey heavyhitta, no disrespect because I hate the Commanders too, but you sig man is terrible. Reminds me of Eagle fans when Irvin went down.

 

[cjr126]

i don't understand why it's such a major issue now, when you consider that they used to play 6 preseason games.

also, if you look at the 1st week of the season, the play is extremely week because it seems as though none of these teams has worked enough together.

lastly, when you look at how many players change teams nowadays, i believe parcells said last year that the average turnaround is about 20 percent, it's even more critical that the teams have atleast 4 weeks of preseason.

unfortunately injuries happen and half of the time these injuries seem to happen on freek plays.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Clinton Portis will have to wear a wig and a dress...

never mind.... he's been there, done that...
:laugh1:

 

[DallasEast]

Injuries happen.

Injuries are unpredictable.

The fewer opportunities that players are exposed to possible injury, the greater their chance of remaining healthy enough to play.

I'm against lengthening or shortening the regular season or the postseason. Just shorten the preseason to two games. It's more than enough time to prepare teams for the regular season.

Even so, players will still get hurt, but I would rather the injuries to possibly occur during the regular season than before it even starts.

 

[MONT17]

each owner gets 2 preseason games at home... why? thats money in their pockets... the players pay is based on regular season games!!! if u wanna buy single game tix some teams make up buya preseason game as well! Season ticket holders know as well... they buy 10 home games not 8 each year!!!


the only reason I would like a shorter preseason is to have the regular season start sooner! Imagine the regular season being 10 days away not 3 weeks... I mean they already play the SUPER BOWL in February why not?


the players and the owner would have to come up witha formula that would ask the owners to give up revenues and the players to play more games...

NOT HAPPENING!!!