Not a fan of an 18-game season

Obviously I’m in the minority on this one, but I am not a fan of expanding the NFL season to 18 games. I hate to admit it, actually, I don’t hate to admit it, but I like preseason games. While six games was a bit too much, the current four game preseason is perfect. The only thing I hate is having to pay full price for them with my season ticket package. It’s like paying Super Bowl prices for regular season games, it ain’t right.

The thing I do love about the preseason games is watching the young players play and develop. Without four games to play I think it will seriously effect how players develop and even more important their ability to come in and play their rookie year. With talk of a new developmental league being formed it will be like baseball’s minor leagues and it will much harder for the fans to follow their team’s draft choices when they are playing for teams out of town.

I also like having four weeks of stress-free football before kicking off the real deal. It makes opening day special. On the other end the thought of attending non-playoff games in late January and possibly playoff games in February in Green Bay is not very enticing. I can see thousands of no-shows at those games if the temperature is 20 below with a windchill of 50 below. I know I’m not going, twenty-five years ago maybe, but not now. I remember the first week in February 1996 in which the temperature never got above zero one time, with a low of 31 below. Daytime highs were around minus 15. Can you imagine hosting a playoff game in those conditions? It would make the 2007 loss to the Giants feel like sunny Tampa.

I know this is a battle I’m going to lose as the NFL always gets it’s way. With 18 games though, you can expect to see teams rest their starters the very second they lock up their playoff spot, regardless of whether or not they are playing a division foe the last few weeks of the season. The risk of injury will be increased dramatically, especially considering possible weather conditions late in the year.

And finally, how can you develop a young QB without giving him playing time? Without preseason games where would Matt Hasselbeck be today? Stories like Hasselbeck’s are all over the NFL at other positions as well. I love watching those players. It will also be interesting to see how bad the quality of play will be the first few weeks of the regular season, it could be ugly.

I hold out hope that it won’t happen, but I think it will be part of the new CBA between the NFL and the players association. Money talks and the TV networks pay the bills, so get ready for football in late February. It’s going to be interesting.

This entry was posted on Monday, June 21st, 2010 at 9:19 pm and is filed under Al Davis. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

  • Rick

    I agree that I like the current 4 pre and 16 real games but the finances are going to drive it to 2 and 18 and a developmental league. Like you said Al it is going to be about the money/CBA.

  • Rick

    This CBA is going to be the most interesting.

    If the veterans move for the the 18 game season then they get the gate money for the extra 2 games that they currently do not get. That will allow the owners to back off the percentage of money going to players a little. The players do not lose money and the owners have the concession for greater proceeds since they risk and build stadiums. Win win for both sides.

    Rookie Slotted Draft contracts ensures the accomplished players that are alreay in the league will earn more of the money. With no more crazy contracts for the rookies going early in the draft the remaining salary cap will obviously mean greater veteran contracts to use that money.

    That will allow the union and owners to adjust IR rules and injury compensation to better protect the players. Perhaps medical covergae options will extend for more than 5years that the union provides for right now.
    That again should be a Win win for both sides.

    Whether there is an expanded roster or a call up system from a newly formed developmental league, a system to allow for better development of players is in the best interest of both sides. The increase in quality of players only enhances the game and its value to all parties.

    I just hope they are serious in negotiatons and work this out so we do not have a lockout. The players need to understand that the owners are united in this on the money. If they are willing to allow the owners to win their I really think they can pick up a lot of concessions I mentioned above to the benefit of the veteran players.

    Well off to work in the thunder and rain.

  • Packer’s Advocate

    Guess….. I’d lean towards the 18-2 vs. the 16-4. I can live w/either and will, cause obviously, they’re gonna do what they’re gonna do. Some of the preseason games tend to get a bit long/sloppy though.

    I hope they put Harris on PUP. No need to rush him back, good opportunity to see if the other DB’s can play before you get put in a situation where they have to play (last year). It’s also a chance for Williams to go out there and show them what he’s got and then if all goes well, they can get started on his contract.

    Wouldn’t mind them sitting Clifton and Tausch for the first six games either. The important ones are the last six. It’d be good to see Bulaga and Lang play, once again, not when they have to, but before they have to.

    Just had a thought………………….. What’s a line made up of four tackles and a C give you???? One great passing offense???? Clifton, Bulaga, Wells, Lang, Tausch. You’d think 4 tackles could pass block pretty well.

    Three thoughts for the season. I like an offense/QB/coach (kind of like the Colts) that can go to the line, scan the D, and pick a play. I like a D that can show lots of looks, cause confusion, and morph into what ever works best week to week. And a front office that holds itself to a high standard. Do what’s right and not what you can get by with.

  • Packer’s Advocate

    Agree Rick……. They’ve gotta get those rookie contracts straightened out and the retired taken care off!!! Hope they do get it worked out.

  • mel e mel

    The fans have to pay the price for owners stupidity. Jerry Jones has a 75 million dollar per month mortgage. Zygi Wilf (queens owner) is 135 million in debt from his purchase 5 years ago. Bob McNair from the Texans is in trouble. Jax Jags have no business even trying to field a team. Glazers from England and own Buccaneers are 2 billion in debt due largely to their ownership of legendary soccer club Manchester United. Contraction of Houston and Jacksonville would make sense before adding 2 games. None of us would start enterprises and ask for strangers to bail us out, but thats where we are now.
    Look at what greed has done, expanded playoffs in baseball has extended its season to November. What about the increased risk of injury adding 2 more games??

  • jonnyfootballhero

    I’m all for the 18 game season. The more games, the better. Yes, there is a greater chance for injury. But that could happen any time in any game (just ask Tom Brady or Vinny Testeverde).
    I also like watching the preseason games to see how the rookies are coming along. It really is exciting to see them making a great play for the first time. But if there is a developmental league in the works, having only two preseason games shouldn’t be a problem. And with as popular as the NFL is, I can’t imagine that there won’t be a T.V. deal in the works to broadcast them.
    I’m not sure I completely agree with the argument about hosting non-playoff games in January/February. If the team is playing well and playoff bound, I can’t imagine the stands being empty. However, if the team stinks and they’re at .500 or less, I could see a lot of empty seats if it’s crazy cold outside.

  • Sammy

    I’ve sat in 107 degree weather watching the Packers in Arizona at Sun Devil Stadium and 20 below wind chill in Green Bay. Weather is not a factor for most real Packer fans. Let’s play, whatever the weather. In fact, my favorite games have been in bad weather. Suck it up folks, Packer fans take pride of being able to weather the weather.

  • http://jlworden1suddenlink.net LarryTex

    Off the wall PA, do you think the D might be expedting a pass?
    Count me in for keeping the 4/16 format. To me, half the season is watching the rookies come in and try to shine. Plus, 18 at full tilt, chasing the Lombardi is going to result in the 2nd stringers ending the season due to the increased injury factor thru plain exhaustion going at that full tilt.

  • jackson

    Well then Larry, you will be able to see the Rookies at the end of the year instead of the beginning. Four pre-season games is tedious, players still get hurt, and dammit, I don’t get it on my direct tv until the next day on the NFL Network (replay). I remember when people thought more than 12 games was too much. More real ball = more real fun.

  • Packer’s Advocate

    Maybe a few LarryT. The Packers have good depth and the 18 game season would play right into their hands. Give Bishop a couple games and J. Nelson as well as J. Jones. We’ve got a bunch of O-linemen that could use a game or two. Give each player a couple games off during the season (starters could play 1 quarter also?). I think it’d help keep the starters fresh and the back-ups involved and part of the team, not to mention……. maybe push some starters a little bit. I know the starters like to play all of the games cause too often stats are used for year end honors and the games are the fun part. But stats are for losers!!! (ex.: Choker Favre) And I’m not so sure there aren’t a couple teams on our schedule that our back ups couldn’t take care of……..

  • roy jamison

    The preseason isn’t really the preseason anymore with all the conditioning that goes on…in the so-called off-season. By the time these guys come in they are pretty much ready to go. I agree with Al that there may be a slower process of developing qbs etc, but…for good or bad…that all takes a back seat when Mr. Dollar Bill comes to town.

  • http://jlwordensuddenlink.net LarryTex

    Gotcha, PA. As predjudice as I am I look at it as totally in support of the organization.
    TT came in and instituted a QB of the future, I dont care how lucky he was it got done. Then the WRs, good stuff. We tried DL, and except for ’07 it worked pretty well. Next were DBs and we’ve got a ton of them that we can cut if need be. He then went LBs and DLs again. Shoot now, this year, its the OL. Hey, thats the order of things that should have been when you’re rebuilding,which we were. Damn, I’m juiced, AGAIN, after all these years…….I’m too old for this crap!

  • jonnyfootballhero

    It’s nice to see the Pack signed a few draft picks. I’m pretty excited to see how that RB Starks will do. Jackson’s been OK, but I’ve been hoping for someone better and I’d like to think that Starks is going to be that guy.

  • Mel e Mel

    Well the only benefit I see is possibly expanding the roster. Remember the fiasco that was the last couple of games this year like Jets/Indy. Teams can clinch even earlier with this format and like someone has already stated you will have preason at the end of the year. Also your division games will be cheapened as well. 18 bad idea and you could end up with a March Madness Super Bowl.

  • http://jlwordensuddenlink.net LarryTex

    Some things I hadn’t thought of MeM; convinces me even more. Cinching too early not usually a good thing!

  • Packer’s Advocate

    Agreed LT, I support the team. I may have wished things were done differently sometimes, but to bitch about it afterwards serves no purpose. They want to win as much as I do. I can offer up thoughts though I’m sure they aren’t scanning sites for ideas. There’s two parts to everything. They call the plays, then they still have to be executed. The other team is trying just as hard also. If that onside kick goes the other way in the playoff game, I can imagine the bitching that would have gone on, but it was a reasonable call……. whether we recover or not. Take all the stats “the greatest Packer ever” has, flop his three MVP’s and SB for three SB’s and one MVP and I’m a much happier camper!!!!

  • Packer’s Advocate

    Checking a boating question and the dnr site states 4 out 5 boating deaths involve people who haven’t had boaters safety class. It doesn’t state how many boaters have had the class. I suppose if only 1 of 5 boaters have had it, then I suppose that’d make sense, wouldn’t it!!!!!! Stats = crap and deceit.

  • Steve Cheez

    Don’t forget about the ones that get hit by a bus as they are driving to the marina.

  • jonnyfootballhero

    http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20100623/PKR01/100623139/1057/PKR&located=rss

    Sounds like Jordy’s making some real progress, which is great news since it seemed to me like he regressed a bit last season after have a pretty good rookie season. The Packers are stacked at WR which is great for Rodgers. He has so many weapons that I think he’ll have a better year this year than he did last year. Especially with a really good O-Line in place at the beggining of the season. Man, I can’t wait for football to start!

  • jonnyfootballhero

    does anyone post here anymore?

  • http://www.packernet.com admin

    Slow time of year. I’m doing an entry later tonight though…

  • PackerPete

    I thought you were gone until late July?

    Psuedo-fandom aint all that bad, eh?

  • http://www.packernet.com admin

    I am what I am. Thanks for sticking around. It ain’t pretty sometimes, but I mean well.

  • PackerPete

    would better insurance help keep the meds stocked?

  • PackerPete

    Maybe Obama can help? LOL!