NightLink: Goodell on the NFL season's length

3 pre-season games, 16 regular season games.

But the NFL will only look at this through green-colored len$e$.

Almost everyone agrees that the preseason is pretty terribad, so I’m all for getting rid of at least one preseason game, preferably two.

However, I’m not for adding two more games. One more game I could deal with, simply so teams would either have a winning season or a losing season. No more of this 8-8 half and half season, either your on the winning side, or losing side.

I’d also like to see the roster size increased by two or three, specially if we’re going to apply a rookie cap.

One big issue I see is a possible decline in the level of play. Two more games provides a lot of additional opportunities for players (whether they be MVP’s or just STer’s) to get injured. So then you have the issue of having to expand the rosters to adjust for the additional injuries. And players would be making more money for more regular season games so the salary cap would have to be increased (unless they just get rid of it altogether). And the league would also have to deal with the NFLPA because I’m sure they’re not willing to put the players in a situation with an increased chance of suffering injuries (whether they be minor or career ending). There are just too many issues facing the league if they decided to do this so I don’t anticipate a change any time soon.

I wouldn’t mind if they just got rid of one preseason game and kept the regular season the same, even though that would never happen because none of the owners would knowingly agree to cut their profits.

I’d kill for two extra Bears games.

but more injuries for players. I read a stat a while back that said an average of 17 players get injured each week of the NFL season.

I hate a 4 week preseason, but it is necessary for rookies, OLinemen, and other positions. John Madden said:

“You know, I respect everything that you’ve done, Commissioner. This is one area that I really differ with you. I think that you need four preseason games. You always have to say, ‘For who?’ You say you don’t need them. Well, who doesn’t need them?

“Maybe a running back doesn’t need them, but a quarterback does or a rookie does, a young defensive back, an offensive lineman obviously needs them. I think if you look at the football, if you had any negative thing, in my mind anyway, to say about the football in the first couple of weeks, I would say that the teams weren’t in shape and they weren’t ready to play pro tackle football for four quarters.

“Now I think if you take two of those preseason games out there and add two more [regular season] games at a high, four-quarter-play level, I think you’re going to have a heck of a lot more injuries and I think they’re going to be less ready to play”

I am kind of torn too, but the more football, the better and the preseason is a ripoff for everyone. Expand the roster, do away with two preseason games and come up some sort of bonus system because as Adalius Thomas said players are not going to want their current contracts split over 18 weeks instead of 16.

So of course more football can only be a good thing, right? Like many of you on this site, football is my religion. I know I’m always sad when the season is over. I don’t even really pay attention to my B-day, like any good fan I’m as old as the amount of football seasons that I can remember. Presents are for the years when the Bears win the north and the good stuff comes during Championship and Superbowl years.

Wouldn’t it be great, just great, if football went all year round. The Superbowl was Dec. 31 and the next season started Jan. 1. Ahhh, almost seems perfect doesn’t it? Except that the quality of the game would go down because every teams roster would have to have like 350+ players. Player salary and ticket prices would probably go down though.

I’ve been thinking about this particular topic ever since Goodell became Commissioner. There was an article, it was a while ago, if I can find it I’ll try to post it later. Would love to see these changes or ones like it:

1.Three pre-season games

2.58-60 man roster plus practice squad increases by at least 6 players.

3.Rookie salary cap and increase the amount of draft rounds again. With this comes a comprehensive medical plan for retirees. ie. Wilbur Marshall etc. etc.

4.Overtime rules have to be changed from sudden death to full fifteen minute quarters.

5.18 week season

6.2 bi-weeks per team per season

7.few more teams, Los Angeles wants one, both San Antonio and Oklahoma City were recently trying to get the Saints. There has to be other cities besides the previously mentioned three that have the market to support one. Look in Canada if they have too, yup I said it. There could be a modern day Bears vs. Packers rival between Vancuever and Seattle.

8.Another round or week of play-offs, this could happen with the new teams.

9.The lame black-out rules have to go.

10.The QB becomes a football player again and not a ballerina, same with the punter. Hell I’d be cool with it if they started wearing leather helmets with no face-masks again.

Well here are some of the changes that I think would make the game better. Certainly they are up for debate. Let’s hear what you have to say, because I could go on and on with this.