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?

Seriously?

Here is this week's edition of Seriously? My sarcastic look back at the week in sports.

Seriously, former number one pick, Stephen Strasburg, is calling out current number one pick, Bryce Harper, for not signing sooner with the Washington Nationals? Is it me or have Pot and Kettle not been formally introduced. Both Pot and Kettle are represented by uber agent, Scott Boras, and both can rest easy now that Kettle inked his deal 26 seconds before the deadline expired.

Apparently, Corey Pavin, U.S. Ryder Cup Captain, and Golf Channel reporter, Jim Gray got in a spat over Gray reporting that Pavin would select Tiger Woods as a Captain’s pick for the Ryder Cup team. This disagreement almost got physical. Seriously? Physical? What like a “throw down” or a tickle fight? Seriously? These two make featherweights look meaty. Jim Gray allegedly told Pavin that he "was going down." Seriously? Sadly, I’m thinking that Gray will not be asked to interview Pavin for the Golf Channel’s version of “The Decision.”

Francisco “K-Rod” Rodriguez, closer for the New York Mets, is now out for the year after tearing ligaments in his thumb while attacking the father of his girlfriend. Seriously? I can’t believe that a member of the Mets showed any sort of aggressiveness or passion. I’m not condoning violence, particularly against quasi family members, but I’m not used to any member of the Mets standing up for themselves normally they just quit.

The New Jersey Devils are working on a new deal with star left wing, Ilya Kovalchuk. This after their original $102 million 17 year deal was rejected by the NHL. Seriously? First, I’m not used to the NHL recognizing insanity when they see it. Big step forward for Gary Bettman and crew. But seriously, what’s next a $120 million 20 year deal? Kovalchuk will only be 47 years old. He could be the NHL’s Brett Favre.

Now what? Seems that everybody’s favorite lazy, fat guy football player is at it again. Albert Haynesworth, who protested (the Redskins moving from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense), asked for a trade, threatened a hold out, and failed conditioning test after conditioning test, now says that he likes the defense. Seriously? Don’t you think that Mike Shanahan is sitting in his office thinking the same thing? Seriously, Albert?

Tom Brady, quarterback of the New England Patriots, caused quite the stir earlier in the week as he practiced with tape on his fingers. Seriously, NFL media and Pats’ fans, settle down…remember deep, cleansing breaths. All is well, Coach Belichick says the injury is not “life threatening.” Talk about dodging a bullet of course Belichick has been known to be a bit cagey about injuries.

Through my Head: Random Musings

Torry Holt’s career just might be over. He was put on injured reserve by the New England Patriots with a knee injury. I’ve always been fond of Holt and amazed by his abilities and his work ethic. I remember him as a senior at North Carolina State when the Wolfpack played at Baylor in 1998. Baylor won the game (an upset but aren’t they all) 33-30 but Holt won the day with 255 yards receiving. He was literally a man among boys. I have not, to this day, seen a college receiver put on that kind of show. Impressive. Holt currently ranks 11th all-time in the NFL in receptions and 10th all time in yards. He also led the league in receiving yards twice and had 1,000 yards in eight straight seasons. The questions about the Hall of Fame can wait. If this is the end of Holt’s career. Thanks Torry for being an example of work ethic, skill, and class.

Just when you thought things couldn't get worse for the Buffalo Bills, they did. Starting running back, Fred Jackson is out at least a month with a broken left hand and backup running back, Marshawn Lynch, limping on a sprained ankle. Yes, they have rookie running back, C.J. Spiller, but I would suggest keeping him on the sidelines in bubble wrap if I were the Bills.