Should the NFL go to two preseason games

[Denny Green Fan]

They are discussing this topic on Outside the lines first report. The idea they tossed around was going to an 18 game regular season.

 

[moklerman]

I've always been torn on this issue because I think a shorter preseason would be better for the players but don't think a longer season would be better for the league. Of course, I understand that money is the real issue and if fans are paying full price to see preseason games they might as well get real games. I think my personal problem lays in the fact that the NFL has "always" had a 16 game schedule to me. But, they've gone from 12 to 14 to 16 (looking at anything remotely resembling the modern era) so I guess going to 18 wouldn't be the end of the world and I'd get used to it. I've also hear that there are plans to expand to 34 teams by 2010 so an 18 game schedule might actually make more sense in that case.

 

[Shane]

Yes they should drop two Pre-season games and yes they should expand it to 18 regular season games.

 

[1DS]

I don't really have a stong opinion one way or another.

I do believe that if the season were to be extended they would need to increase the roster limit.

 

[dogpoo32]

Yes, the preseason is too long. Too many opportunities for injury and nothing sucks worse than losing a player for the season in an exhibition game.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

As long as they make people pay full price for exhibition games for season tickets, I support shortening the preseason.

 

[slanidrac16]

Absolutely noy. Worried about injuries? Just how many more guys will be hurt playing a 17th and 18th game that counts? That is one long grueling season.
Unless of course you believe it's alright a player gets hurt....as long as it's a real game.

Revenue generated by those 2 exhibition games is the biggest problem. Easy way to resolve this is to increase the cost of the 8 regular season games and GIVE the season ticket holders free tickets to the exhibition games. The ticket holder could donate them as a write off, sell them at a dirt cheap price, or give them to a friend. Better yet let fans in the stadium for free.

I know season ticket holders will scream at the thought of an increase of the regular season ticket,but you are forced to by the exhibition tickets anyway.

I don't want my football regular season starting in the middle of August , nor do I want to see the Super Bowl played in late February.

It's not broke so don't try to fix it.

 

[crisper57]

After seeing our QB play in the 3rd game, I am glad they have a 4th to get sharp. (I know they probably won't play but at least they have that option.)

Other than that, I'd rather have 18 regular season games.

 

[Evil Ash]

2 games is too few and 4 games is too many. The perfect number of preseason games is 3. That gives time for vets to get ready (they still need reps) and gives coaching staffs enough time to assess the young players

Maybe a plan to have one home game, one road game, and one a neutral field would solve the problem but it'll probably never happen

 

[TJ]

Maybe a plan to have one home game, one road game, and one a neutral field would solve the problem but it'll probably never happen

I agree with your entire post. Maybe alternate years that one team gets two home preseason games.

And get rid of that God forbid Hall of Fame game

 

[Bobcat]

YES there should be Two Exhibition Games and 18 regular season games...!!! Expand the Practice Squad to 12 players.

The NFL can afford this change and so can the players.

BOBCAT

 

[Capital Card]

Sorry, I like the current system.

Go Cards!!!

 

[CardinalChris]

No way owners give up the coin they make on preseason (I read somewhere the average preseason games makes a team $10 million). It is about revenue. I think it works fine. If injuries are the concern, then just making them regular season games does nothing to curb that, and there is no way owners would give up the revenue, so it wouldn't make sense.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

No way owners give up the coin they make on preseason (I read somewhere the average preseason games makes a team $10 million). It is about revenue. I think it works fine. If injuries are the concern, then just making them regular season games does nothing to curb that, and there is no way owners would give up the revenue, so it wouldn't make sense.

They aren't giving up anything. We still have to pay full price for preseason games. In fact, more regular season games should be more revenue for a team than a preseason game. If it were just about revenue, we would have switched a long time ago.

 

[CardAvenger]

I'm cool with the current system, but I'm not opposed to Evil Ash's idea of 3 games. I wouldn't mind going to see other teams play if AZ was their neutral site.

 

[freebyrd]

yes but they should increase the roster size from 53 to about 60 cause you know the injuries are going up

 

[slanidrac16]

yes but they should increase the roster size from 53 to about 60 cause you know the injuries are going up

Great. Who cares if players get injured by making a long, grueling season even longer, as long as we're allowed more players to replace them.

 

[Sandan]

They aren't giving up anything. We still have to pay full price for preseason games. In fact, more regular season games should be more revenue for a team than a preseason game. If it were just about revenue, we would have switched a long time ago.

Yes they are. Players salaries don;t start until thew regular season iirc

 

[RedViper]

I've thought they should do this for years. They should probably also have two bye weeks. Maybe ditch that ridiculous 2 week stretch between the conference championship and superbowl. These ideas seems so obvious and bound to make money for the league you almost can't believe they don't already do it.

 

[Russ Smith]

it only helps if you remove 2 games, 2 preseason and 16 regular. If you increase the regular season games it doesn't help, it actually hurts since 18 regular season games at full speed increase the odds of key players getting hurt.

I think 2 and 16 would be better than 4 and 16. I've yet to hear a coach asked that question say I can't make cuts in 2 games, the other 2 are strictly to make money.