Didn't I tackle a similar issue, and make suggestions, last August? Sure enough, I blogged about the piss-poor exhibition games and wrote the following:
There has to be a better alternative, one which the players AND the owners can find middle ground and agree. The owners, bless their money-grubbing hearts, want to see an 18-game regular season. The players, concerned about player health, want to stay at 16 but probably wouldn't mind an extra off-week.
So here's what I'm proposing (in my role of NFL Commissioner For A Day)...
The Canadian Football League has been around for a long, long time. Known as the CFL since 1958, it's roots actually go back to the 1800's and rugby. But by 1909, our neighbors to the north had moved away from their rugby roots and more towards American football.
North of the border, the league plays two preseason games, 18 regular season games AND still gives teams three bye weeks during the course of the season. The season starts the end of May, finishes up Thanksgiving weekend. That's six months of play.
The NFL currently starts playing in August, wraps up the first weekend in February -- roughly six months. So, if the league would turn the last two preseason games into regular season tilts (still a home and away format), provide two to three bye weeks, doesn't it seem like a win-win.
I would take it a step farther and eliminate the pathetic Thursday night games. OR assure teams of a bye week going into that Thursday game, thus ensuring a better product on the field.
And here's something the NFL Players Association could go for -- expand game-day rosters from 52 to 58 and the practice squad from 10 to 15 players. That's more jobs, more NFLPA members (and dues) and a few more bodies for Special Teams, etc.
Got a better idea? I'm listening.
MORE SCHEDULE VENTING
Okay, so after venting about the Green Bay Packers' closing schedule, on the road six of the final seven games, I decided to look at a few select NFL teams. How did the schedule makers treat them?
In the NFC North, Green Bay's home, the Chicago Bears match Green Bay's schedule, while the Detroit Lions are away five of the final seven games. Those pesky Minnesota Vikings? Four home games and three road games in the final seven.
Other playoff contenders?
- Seattle Seahawks: two road games, five home games
- San Francisco 49ers: two road games, five home games
- New Orleans Saints: three road games, four home games
- Dallas Cowboys: six road games, one home game
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