18 Game Schedule: Too Much of a Good Thing?

The NFL Owners are meeting today in Atlanta. One of the agenda items is the proposed 18 game NFL schedule. This proposal would move two preseason games (currently four) to the regular season (from 16 games to 18 games). This is an inevitable move. I’m not a fan of the move for multiple reasons. The primary reason is that it is motivated by greed. Yes, Gordan Gekko states that, “Greed is good” but not in this case. It is a kin, in my mind, to the realignment that we see in major college football this past spring. It is about the almighty dollar. Yes, I get that the NFL is a business, I’m not naive but it is more complicated than the financial bottom line. There are people involved—both players and fans.

The 18 game schedule will create more wear and tear on the players’ bodies. This could mean more money during a season but less money over their careers because careers will be shorter. Running backs, already the disposable heroes of the league, will suffer even more of a beating over 18 games (plus the play offs which could push the total to 21 games). NFL is being hypocritical on this issue. On one end it discusses (and mandates) the need to vigilance and increased safety (technology, screenings, and equipment) regarding head injuries (which I support fully) about player safety. Then on the other end they extend the regular season, when veterans and starters will bear the brunt of the load, and ignore the wear and tear.

One of the arguments for an 18 game regular season is that the quality of play in the preseason is below the regular season. Roger Goddell discusses this all the time. The fans are demanding a better product in the preseason. Yes, some season ticket holders have to pay for preseason games and yes the preseason doesn’t count, but it is essential. More on that issue below. The fact is that no one complains about the quality of spring training in baseball. That is because we understand that it is practice, that players are working into game shape and speed, and that teams need to assess the talent on the roster. Why don’t we afford that same understanding to the NFL? Preseason games are not supposed to be the same quality as regular season games. Coaches are assessing a roster of 80 players and working out kinks in their offenses and defenses. No one brings up the fact that there are meaningless games in the regular season (see Indianapolis Colts, Cincinnati Bengals after clinching divisions last year). There is poor and inconsistent play in the NFL during the regular season (see Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Bucs). Also note that the more games on the schedule the more opportunity for teams to clinch early, rest starters, and for there to be even more meaningless games on the back end (instead of meaningless preseason games on the front end).

The lack of a four game preseason will make it harder for coaches to assess talent the talent on their rosters. It will be particularly harder for lower draft picks and undrafted free agents to prove themselves in game situations. Practice and OTAs are one thing but a roster is made in game situations. Mark Schlereth (former NFL lineman and ESPN analyst), Jeff Saturday (Colts starting center), and Terrell Davis (former Denver Bronco running back) have all said publicly that they would not have made the NFL if it weren’t for the full complement of preseason games. As mentioned before, fans gripe about the quality of play in the preseason and the fact that the stars don’t play that much. THE PRESEASON IS NOT FOR FANS. It is for coaches and players to get ready for the year. We, as fans, are merely observers in that process, a process that is essential to developing future NFL stars and to insuring a high quality product during the regular season. Preseason games may not count but they are important.

Yes, as a fan, I would love more NFL games. An 18 game schedule in the NFL is a complex, multi-faceted issue with long ramifications for the league and the players. It can simply be summed up as, will this be too much of a good thing?

NFL Predictions

Here are my predictions for the upcoming NFL season:

National Football Conference

East- Dallas Cowboys-They are clearly the class of this division. It remains a tough division but not like in years past. Cowboys have the most talent, they now just need to have the desire too. This will also be Tony Romo’s year to move from a very good quarterback to an elite quarterback.

South- New Orleans Saints- The NFC South is Twilight Zone of NFL divisions with it propensity for worst to first divisional champions but not this year. Tampa Bay will not go worst to first but the defending champions will edge the Falcons for divisional supremacy.

North- Green Bay Packers- With or without Brett Favre leading the Minnesota Vikings, the Packers have the most talent in the division on both sides of the ball and a chip on their shoulder after the way the season ended last year. The Packers’ defense will be even more comfortable in their second year under defensive coordinator, Dom Capers. Aaron Rodgers will contend for his first NFL MVP award.

West- San Francisco 49ers- The 49ers will win the NFC West. The Niners have a strong running game, defense, and Alex Smith is developing into a game manager. The Cardinals, with Matt Leinart at quarterback, could be a mess on offense and have also taken a step back on defense as well. This is clearly the Niners’ division to lose.

Wildcard 1- Atlanta Falcons are ready to step back into the spotlight after missing the playoffs last year (though they did have a winning record). A healthy Michael Turner will be the difference.

Wildcard 2- Minnesota Vikings do have injuries and uncertainty to the receiving corps (Sidney Rice will miss at least half of the season after hip surgery and Percy Harvin continues to struggle mightly with migraines) which are beginning to worry me and should worry the Vikes as well. Favre will be asked to put the ball in Adrian Peterson’s hands more than last year which could mean more balls on the turf and more tension between Favre and Brad Childress over play calling.

On the outside looking in will be two NFC East team the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles.


American Football Conference

East- New England Patriots- To be the best, you have to beat the best. The Jets are not ready for primetime (unless you count primetime TV), I’ve blogged on that before. The Patriots have the motivation and talent to continue to win the division. Tom Brady will have an incredible year (huge chip on his shoulder). Miami will be improved and the Jets are solid (not spectacular) so the division remains one of the toughest in football.

South- Indianapolis Colts- The AFC South remains one of the toughest divisions. The Texans are solid, as are the Titans, and Jags can cause some matchup problems. The Colts, the Atlanta Braves of the NFL, are the NFL model for consistency and will win yet another division title. The question for the Colts, just as it was with the Braves, is what will they do in the playoffs.

North- Cincinnati Bengals- The Bengals won the division late year with a struggling offense. This year they have a rejuvenated offense (see Terrell Owens, Jordan Shipley, Jermaine Gresham) and the defense remains solid. The Ravens have injuries in the secondary that will keep them from winning the AFC North, they will make the playoffs. The Steelers will make a run at the end of the year but it is shaping up as uphill battle for Pittsburgh.

West- San Diego Chargers- Ah, the AFC West, remains the one of the worst in football (what is it with the western divisions in the NFL). The Chargers remain the class of a bad division. The Raiders (yes, the Oakland Raiders) will finish second in the division.

Wildcard 1- Baltimore Ravens have an upgraded offense with the additions of Anquan Boldin and Donte' Stallworth at receiver. The concern remains the health and depth of the secondary.

Wildcard 2- New York Jets are stout on defense. They still need Darrelle Revis in camp. The question, as I’ve posed before, is how much will Mark Sanchez improve and how will the receiving corps gel particularly given the 5 games worth of suspensions that Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes will need to serve.

On the outside looking in will be the Houston Texans (again) and the Miami Dolphins. Houston could get into the playoffs, I think they are very close and could get in as a wildcard but they will not win the AFC South

I will post my playoff and Super Bowl predictions the day before the NFL Season starts. Here’s a hint, I'm leaning towards a NFC North team versus a AFC South team in the Super Bowl in Dallas, Texas in February 2011.


Through My Head: Random Musings

In the current issue of Sports Illustrated there is a three article feature on the NFL running back. It is insightful and in many ways gut wrenching as it focuses on the physical toll the position puts on the human body as well as the expendable nature of the leagues runners. One of the articles, by Tim Layden, focuses on Gale Sayers. The article hits the normal points associated with Sayers his prodigious talent and his shortened career. The story begins with Sayers 2009 knee replacement surgery. The surgeon, Mark Klaassen, reported the following on Sayer’s knee:

Three long scars, one running down the front of the knee, another on the inside and a third on the outside, curling around to the back. These were from decades-old open surgeries ... Inside the knee Klaassen found carnage. Sayers' anterior cruciate ligament was gone; the posterior cruciate ligament was stretched and frayed. There was evidence that the medial collateral ligament had been sewn or stapled at some point in an effort to create stability (a practice common at one time but later found to be ineffective)… A half-inch wedge of his tibia had been sawed off in an osteotomy, a surgical procedure designed to redistribute weight away from an arthritic surface. Almost no cartilage remained, and as a result, the joint was filled with dust and fragments from bones rubbing together for many years. It was not the worst knee Klaassen had ever seen. But it was by far the worst on which the owner had been actively exercising.

What an amazing (albeit nauseating) testament to the physical punishment of the NFL but also of the spirit, will, and pain threshold of Gale Sayers.

Dressed to Kill (err...Play): 10 Best NFL Uniforms

Uniforms for me have always been a focal point to the sports experience both as a fan and when I played. They are foundational for a team’s identity and make a statement (one way or another). I prefer classic over trendy. Consistency will be rewarded. Granted the NFL has in many ways mandated consistency (sometimes at draconian lengths) at least in team colors where in the NBA one year a teams’ colors could be red and yellow and the next year blue, silver, and red (see Rockets, Houston) or red, white, and blue and the next year black, red, and gold (see 76ers, Philadelphia).

So in my list of the 10 best uniforms in the NFL, you will not see the Jags, Vikings, Seahawks, or Patriots (Please, return to the Pat the Patriot helmets and dump the flying Elvis). I do not take into account throwbacks otherwise the Falcons would be on the list, as would the Titans (see Luv Ya Blue), and the Chargers would be at the top with the perfection that is the powder blues from the AFL days. Also, why we are at it, Eagles, please return to the kelly green and ditch the quasi forest shade of green that the Eagles now wear.

I have to give an honorable mention to the Cincinnati Bengals. One the helmet is iconic but they lack consistency. In fact they are the NFL’s version of the Oregon Ducks. The Bengals have white, orange, and black jerseys and when coupled with white and black pants creates and endless array of Halloween-like permutations.

10. Dallas Cowboys- Many view the Cowboys uniform as the class of the NFL. The uniform and helmet, in particular, is iconic and transcends sports. But, in frankness, it makes me scratch my head just a touch. The helmet is (true silver and navy blue) does not match the white uniform (bluish/greenish silver and royal blue). I like that they wear the white for all of their games with the exception of road games at Washington and sometimes Philadelphia. So the uni would be higher on my list, if it matched. I do like the rarely worn navy jersey with the true silver pants, but again, it is rarely pulled out of the equipment room.

9. Pittsburgh Steelers- Classic, clean, and consistent. The Steelers are the 3 Cs. The uniform and the one-sided logo helmet are recognizable outside of the realm of football and sports in general. The colors look great together and I'm partial to yellow pants as you will see later. It’s the Grandma rule. Can your Grandma recognize the Steelers uniform? Probably? I think that the six Super Bowl championships also make the uniform look better. It also works for the Iowa Hawkeyes who use nearly a carbon copy of the Steelers unis.

8. Cleveland Browns- This is the uniform that is so ugly it just might be cool. Orange and Brown? Seriously, who came up with that color scheme? Did the Browns lose the color lottery and were stuck with their colors? Regardless, the uniforms are classic. The brown and plain orange helmet grow on you. It is a throwback without being a throwback. The uniform helps you remember that the Browns were once good (see Jim Brown) and maybe again, well, maybe. And thankfully they have abandoned the brown pants...stick with white.

7. Arizona Cardinals- The Cards have one of the few “modern” uniforms that I like. I think that it is because of two reasons. One, the helmet design is virtually the same as the Cards have worn since way back in the St. Louis days. Two, the colors (red and white) are sadly unique in the NFL. There are teams that use red as an accent (e.g. Patriots, Giants, Texans) and the 49ers wear red and gold and Falcons wear red and black. The classic color combo with the current design (sans the mono-chrome red) looks fast, clean, and new classic.

6. Baltimore Ravens- This was my second biggest surprise to my list. I am not a fan of purple as it can make grown men look like Barney (see Vikings, Minnesota). But the Ravens with the purple and the black look imposing and intimidating. I think that part of this has to do with who the Ravens are a tough, hard-nosed football team. If the Bills wore these uniforms, I’m not sure anyone would view them as intimidating but Ray Lewis and company are a different story. The Raven logo (non-cartoony and intense looking) and the sleeve patch (patterned after the Maryland flag) are two key accents to the uniform.

5. New York Giants- The Giants were my biggest surprise on this list. I did not have them in the top 10 originally. But the more that I looked at them the more that I liked them. The NY on the helmet hearkens back to Giants teams of the past. The royal blue jerseys coupled with the grey paints are smart and unique in the NFL. The white unis take advantage of the red accents which I like. There is a classic tone and feel to the uniforms, which is why they moved up my list.

4. San Francisco 49ers- First, I hated the 49ers uniforms when they darkened the red and added black in the late 90’s through last year. It reeked of marketing and jersey sales. The return to the true red and gold (sans black) with white accents was a return to the classic uniforms wore during the height of 49er dominance (the uniforms worn by Rice, Lott, Montana, and Craig).

3. San Diego Chargers- The white helmets are great and are throwback to the Super Charger days of the AFL. I wish they would wear the throwback powder blues as their permanent uniforms but the current iteration with a navy home, powder blue alternative, and navy road pants are a great set. The Chargers have always been one of my favorites from the time when I was a kid. The lightning bolt on the helmet (virtually unchanged in design from the inception of the team) is a classically appealing element. It has been yellow, white, and blue with varying accents. The Chargers over time have changed their colors (powder blue, royal blue, navy blue) and uniforms at a high frequency. Consistency is there only issue, this set is great, so stick and stay Bolts.

2. Chicago Bears- LeRoy Butler (the great safety for the Packers) is right, “the Bears still suck.” I hate the bears but have a healthy respect for them and I love the unis. Again, the Bears hit the uniform trifecta of classic, clean, and consistent. The design has remained consistent throughout the years, the C logo is a classic, and the striped socks are a great throwback to the Bears teams of the past. The dark navy blue does add to the intimidation factor (hearkening back to the “Monsters of the Midway”. I love the George Stanley Halas initials (GSH) on the left sleeve as well.

1. Green Bay Packers- Okay, so I’m a homer. The Packers are my team and the uniforms are true classics. They haven’t been changed significantly since Lombardi’s first season. The G logo is one of the most recognizable logos in sports (yes, it is also used by UGA and Grambling both with permission from the Packers). The colors are unique, classic, and just a tad bit gaudy with the yellow pants. The lines are clean and classic. The helmet and pants provide perfect symmetry whether at home (green jersey) or on the road (white jersey). The only change I would make would be to add stripes back to the socks (circa 1967). Like with the Bears, I relish the fact that the uniforms today create a link to the past, to Lombardi, Taylor, Kramer, White, and yes, even Favre.

"Soon to be Champs?"

Have you noticed that we are being sold a bill of goods? Everyone is selling New York Jets, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, HBO, and anyone else that talks or writes about the NFL. The football world has “Gang Green” Fever. “Soon to be champs” is what Rex Ryan wrote on Adam Schefter’s bus during his NFL training camp stop for ESPN. I don’t see it personally. Yes, they have a good defense and they finished last season by not only making the playoffs but by becoming a Cinderella story but I do not see the slipper fitting anymore and the tiara will not fit on the Jets' collective big head.

Let’s take a closer look at last season. The Jets lost 6 of 7 games in middle of season. Also, not to play a “what if” game but in week 16 and 17 last year both Indianapolis and Cincinnati rested starters and played vanilla, lackluster football in what amounted to meaningless games for both the Colts and Bengals. If the outcome of just one of those games were different then the Jets would have been 8-8 and out of the playoffs. In the playoffs they knocked off a Cincinnati Bengals team that was out of gas and then ran through the arm tackles and overconfidence of the San Diego Chargers.

If they did not have the playoff run then the discussion about the Jets this year would be about whether second year quarterback Mark Sanchez could evolve to be a quality starter in the NFL, if the Jets could overcome the loss of their leading rusher, and the pesky little holdout by Darrelle Revis. With the Jets there are more questions than answers.


1. We know that they have a good defense and Rex Ryan can coach defense and scheme with the best of them. But I blogged before about the fact that if Darrelle Revis is not shutting down one side of the field it weakens the Jets defense more than “experts” want to admit (Ryan included). How can you blitz your safeties if you need to provide help over the top? Relying on a rookie and Antonio Cromartie (and his matador ways) presents problems for the complex blitzing schemes that are built upon the assumption that at least one side of the field will be shutdown with safety help. Chances are the Revis situation will get resolved (regardless of the public statements by Woody Johnson the Jets’ owner)

2. Mark Sanchez not an elite quarterback yet. He was pedestrian last year. Granted he was not asked to do much and he delivered less. He threw for 2,444 yards, a 12-20 touchdown to interception ratio, and a QB rating of 63. Not exactly stellar. Again, if the Jets had not slipped into the playoffs last year the questions following Sanchez would be about does he have the ability to be an efficient, effective passer in the NFL, and can he afford a sophmore slump that has plagued many QBs. Those questions remain regardless of the hype.

3. The Jets are faced with issues at receiver. There starting receivers will miss a total of 5 games this season due to league suspensions. Santonio Holmes will miss 4 games due to suspension did break a thousand yards (1248) with 5 TD with the Steelers (a year that they threw more than ran) and was traded in the off season when he wore out his welcome in Pittsburgh. Braylon Edwards, who was traded to the Jets after wearing out his welcome in Cleveland), will miss 1 game due to suspension. Edwards hardly lived up to the lofty expectations of a former number 1 pick putting up 680 yards and 4 TD while still having those annoying alligator arms. So needless to say there are some question marks at receiver for New York.

4. The Jets let go of Thomas Jones who rushed for 1402 yards and 14 TDs last season. He was durable, powerful, and effective. They do have Shonn Greene who rushed for 540 yards and 2 TDs last season. He looks like the real deal but depth is key in the modern NFL especially in this era of the two back systems.

5. No fear you say as they added LaDainian Tomlinson as a free agent in the off season. Now, I am one of the biggest LT fans there is. I lived in central Texas when he was tearing it up at University High School in Waco, Texas and then at TCU. I thought he should have won the Heisman Trophy 2001 and been the number one pick over Michael Vick in that year's NFL draft. But he’s done. As sad as it is to admit and I want to be wrong. But he put up 730 yards at 3.3 yards per carry last year. He can’t stay healthy and the numbers (age and yards per carry) are working against him. The Jets also added the over the hill Jason Taylor (7 sacks last year) and will use him at outside linebacker (too small to play DE in a 3-4 defense).

6. The last thing working against the Jets is all of those annoying distractions. There are the Hard Knocks cameras, there is the Revis contract situations, there are numerous players on the last year of their contracts (see Holmes and Edwards), there is LT accepting that he is not a star back anymore but a complementary player, and the biggest distractions of all, Rex Ryan. Coach Ryan, I respect your defensive prowess and your powers of motivation but shut up. In case you haven’t noticed your team has not won anything, has issues (see above), is fully coated in hype, and your “brashness” isn’t cute anymore, it’s just a distraction.

The New York Jets already overhyped and soon to be overrated.

Reheating Leftovers

A few thoughts left over from my time at Bengals Training Camp:

1. Dennis Roland, number 74 for the Bengals, a third year offensive tackle out of the University of Georgia is quite possibly the largest human being that I have ever been in proximity to in my life. He is 6-9, 320 pounds. He walked by Jordan Shipley (5-11, 193 pounds) during practice and it looked like Chewbacca walking past a skinny R2D2. Roland surpassed former NFL defensive tackle Daryl Gardner (6-6, 300 pounds) as the largest human being to ever walk by me. I saw Gardner at Baylor University when he was a senior. He went on to play for the Dolphins (first round draft pick, 20th overall, 1996), Redskins, and Broncos. With the weight, conditioning, foot issues of last year’s first round draft pick, Andre Smith, Roland will need to step up once again.

2. The pace of the morning practice was surprisingly slow. Yes, it was the first practice of training camp but it was not crisp by any stretch of the imagination. But given the injuries to Foxworth (Ravens), Bryant (Cowboys), Harvin (Vikings), and Jackson (Eagles) maybe discretion is the better part of valor.

3. Lastly, Jordan Shipley, rookie wide reciever out of the University of Texas, looked sharp both in his routes and his attitude. Check out Adam Schefter’s (ESPN) report from Bengal's training camp. According to Schefter, Shipley has impressed Carson Palmer as well.

Stay tuned next week for my "Seriously?" (think Really !?! with Seth Meyers and Amy Poehler) takes on the week in sports, as well as my rankings for the best uniforms in the NFL and other random things that pop into my head.

Training Day

Took the day off work and headed south to Georgetown, KY for the Bengals first practice of training camp. I knew going in that TO was not going to be there and the buzz throughout the practice was that he missed his flight. It was the most asked question among fans and media alike. I overhead Wendi Nix of ESPN asking whether he really had missed his flight. Antonio Bryant took the field wearing his number 81. I learned while I was at training camp that Bryant would give up the number to TO and TO would help fund a little league football team in Florida. Peter King, from Sports Illustrated, was in camp and you can read his postcard from camp.

Observations from Camp:

The largest crowd reactions today were predictably for Carson Palmer and Chad Ochocinco. It is amazing the admiration that exists between Bengals fans and Chad. Hard to believe that just a year or so ago he was asking for a trade after a very below average year for him in 2008. He is the rock star in camp. I was surprised by the very warm reaction the crowd had for Cedric Benson, Bobbie Williams, and Rey Maualuga. It’s good to remember in the constant discussions of rookie QB contracts and diva wide receivers that the NFL is built upon workhorse backs, gritty offensive linemen, and ferocious linebackers. It’s good the fans recognize that as well.

I spent most of my time at camp watching the linebackers work. Linebackers coach, Jeff FitzGerald, is fundamentally a great teacher. He was teaching technique throughout the morning practice. Exhorting good effort and calmly coaching up mistakes that were made. He used the players’ first names, not the standard last names or numbers, making personal connections through the drills. Abdul Hodge bobbled a ball during a fumble recovery drill and coach FitzGerald calmly addressed the issue and used it for a teachable moment. You could tell that the linebackers respond to his coaching and based on last year’s performance he’s made an impact.

One linebacker that stood out to me, and there is talent among the corps of linebackers including Dhani Jones, David Rivers, Rey Maualuga, and Rashad Jeanty, was Michael Johnson. Johnson is a second year linebacker (played at DE last year and still sports number 93) out of Georgia Tech. He is a physical freak of nature. He is 6-7 240 pounds and moves with smooth fluid motion and speed. I tweeted about him today. Not sure what role he will have with the team maybe third down pass rushing specialist but there is some buzz is that he may win a starting OLB spot. That will all play out in due time but believe me he is fun to watch.

A major absence at practice today was last year’s first round pick, Andre Smith. He is struggling with his weight, conditioning, and nagging foot injury that according to some sources is nagging because he has not been fully committed to rehabbing it properly. He could end up starting the season on the PUP list meaning he would miss the first 6 games of the season.

I have to give Rey Maualuga credit for spending time with the fans after practice he was the last Bengal to leave the field. He exuded class, signed countless autographs, and posed for pictures.

Through My Head: Random Musings

What is the deal with former University of Alabama players and conditioning issues in NFL camps? Smith in Bengals camp and Terrence "Mount" Cody in Ravens camp, I’m not a Nick Saban fan at all but give the guy and his strength and conditioning staff some credit for keeping these guys in playing shape.

Is it me or did the MLS just prove last night that MLS stands for Minor League Soccer? The Man U drubbing of the MLS All Stars 5-2 unfortunately proves that the MLS is merely an “also ran” league in the world of soccer.

The fan in Cleveland that wore the LeBron James Heat jersey to a Cleveland Indians game last night and the reactionary fans at the game collectively win the Forrest Gump Mama’s award, remember, “Stupid is as stupid does.”