There has been plenty of banter recently about expanding the NFL schedule. Here’s a fan-friendly proposal that serves the game, players, coaches, owners, and the League.
Not every professional sports league is perfect. In fact, none of them is. People argue about rules, schedule, and the game itself, and they’ll continue to do that until the end of time. And even though I think the NFL is as close to perfect as you cany get, there are tons of room for improvement.
Courtesy: Detroit Free Press
The #1 argument in pro football is the schedule, mainly the preseason. I think most fans would agree that four preseason games are way too many. The extra 16 quarters of smash-mouth football are injuries waiting to happen. Yet, we all know how important it is to have young players get live-game experience. That’s a sure way to decide if they belong in the league.
But before we talk about ‘the game’ as though that’s the only thing that matters. Let’s filter our thoughts through something else that matters–the almighty dollar! Commissioner Goodell and the owners aren’t going to walk away from the revenue generated by 129 preseason games, including the annual Hall of Fame Game.
So the issue is figuring out a way to serve the needs of the game without doing in a way that hampers the ability of the league and its teams to make money. And the dilemma isn’t just about how to deal with the pre-season. It includes the possibility of adding one or more games to the regular-season schedule.
In that regard, I haven’t heard one player–current or retired–who wants to see the NFL move to a 17- or 18-game schedule. I completely understand that, but I also understand why fans want more football, too. So the big question is what to do.
Here’s my proposal.
First, play two preseason games and no more than two. Replace the ‘lost two’ with what teams are doing already–playing inter-squad scrimmages. These are realistic, game-type situations with referees, starters playing the majority of the time, vets getting into regular-season shape, and (of course) coaches evaluating new players.
But what about the revenue matter? To that, I say that the League and NFLPA will need to compromise. So, my second proposal is this: in exchange for cutting two preseason games, add one regular-season game and, then, add a second bye week to the regular-season schedule.
In summary, I recommend two preseason games, a 17-game regular-season schedule, and two bye weeks during the regular season.
But I’d like to see more. So here’s my third proposal.
Currently, six teams from each conference make the playoffs with the top two seeds getting a first-round bye. I recommend adding a team and having seven teams from each conference make the playoffs. There’s more. Fourth, I’d change the postseason bye structure–reducing it from two teams to one team. Award one bye to the conference team with the best record.
My proposal serves the interest of reducing play when it means the least and increasing play when it counts the most. Adding a regular-season game, and increasing the number of playoff teams by two, enhances the value of the NFL product and makes more money for the League, its teams, and the players.
I make this proposal primarily because I’m concerned about the players. Too many players are getting injured, some are lost for the season. The League needs to take care of their players’ health and wealth. With that in mind, I’d like to see the next C.B.A. agreement include longer and better health insurance for former and current players.
Finally, there’s a lot to be said about having a happy NFL fan base. That’s where one more game + two more playoff teams come into play.
As I said earlier, no league is perfect, and the NFL is as close as it gets to that. The improvements I recommend would make a good product better.
