Possible changes to NFL schedule

[hoorta]

@the-gipper said:

They were talking about this on the radio this morning, so I bring it here for discussion:     As you know, the NFL owners have wanted to go to an 18 game schedule (who? more money, of course)  but "player safety" and all that seems to dictate against such a move.  But, I understand that there is one compromise that is being discussed by the owners and the players association:

With this schedule expansion, they would cut back on the number of useless preseason games.

Just no Gipper. 16 games is fine by me. The only reason preseason games are "useless" anymore is teams have become too paranoid over players getting hurt in games that don't count. 

[flyingfooldoug]

Pissburg is already a neutral site so we’re good

[The Gipper]

@hoorta said:

Just no Gipper. 16 games is fine by me. The only reason preseason games are "useless" anymore is teams have become too paranoid over players getting hurt in games that don't count. 

Well....apparently 16 games is NOT fine with the NFL owners, otherwise they would not have been pushing for the 18 game schedule....or this "compromise"  17 game thing.  

And I think these preseason game ARE useless....for, yes,  the reasons that you mention about players getting hurt, plus they are a joke of games with scrubs playing half of them.....and correct me if I am right.....you, as a season ticket holder have to pay full price for these  primarily scrub/practice squad games, no?  And I doubt that they discount parking, concessions, etc. etc. for these games, do they?

[The Gipper]

Well, you all can ignore it if you want, but from what I hear, it WILL be a definite topic of negotiation, the scheduling situation.  

So, as I see it, like I said, game 17 would be the game to really develop those cross conference, natural Rivalries.  What do we have where we have to come up with a "natural" rival for each team in the other conference, that could be played every year.   Some are easy

Jets/Giants

Rams/Chargers

Dolphins/Buccaneers

Ravens/Redskins

Steelers/Eagles

Texans/Cowboys

Browns/Lions.......once upon a time...1950s, they were our biggest rivals...plus they are actually closer than Pittsburgh

Raiders/49ers......even after move to Vegas, this still seems like it would be a natural thing.

Colts/Bears.   These 2 cities are not much further apart than  Cleve/Pitt.  .   

Jaguars/Falcons    Jacksonville/Atlanta

Broncos/Cardinals?    Wild West showdown?   Or would Denver/Seattle be better

Titans/Panthers     Tennessee v. N. Carolina, sees a natural rivalry

Chiefs/Vikings  ??  The battle for the hearts of Iowa?    At one time, the Kansas City mob used to run the organized crime in Minn.

That leaves the following with no actual natural rival in the other conference:

Seattle, Green Bay, New Orleans,    and Cincy, Buffalo and New England.

New Orleans would have a rivalry with Houston....but they are taken by their Texas rivalry with Dallas.  Cinci's natural rivals are already in the division here....Cleve. Pitt.   plus Indy.   Same with Green Bay with Minn/Chic being in their division.  New England's natural rivals could be NYG or Philly....but both are taken up with other rival teams.   Seattle is too far out from anyone.....unless you want to give the Broncos to them...then what about AZ? Buffalo...also in same conf. with potential natural rivals:  Cleveland and Pitt. 

[ballpeen]

I like the 17 game schedule with 1 played at a neutral site.  I would like to see all of those games played the same week if possible.  Jet lag from Cambodia sucks.

[The Gipper]

Another way to do this.....have natural rivals play regularly.......AND to "grow the game" internationally......is to have a "Home away from home" for these Rivalry games.

Example:  Jacksonville plays annually in London.   Have that Jax v. ATL game annually there.  

How about the Browns/Lions  annual rivalry taking place in Toronto each year?

The  Cardinals/Broncos game to be played in Mexico City each year. 

How about the Vikings/Chiefs being played in Scandinavia....Olso or Stockholm

Ravens/Redskins in Berlin.       Dolphins/Bucs in Spain...Madrid or Barcelona

While I know that we have some die hard fans of the Browns in England and elsewhere.....this would be an indication of how a team could actually develop a following in the foreign nations.    Japan may be big Seattle Seahawk territory. 

etc. etc. 

Bears/Colts in Ireland?

[The Gipper]

@ballpeen said:

I like the 17 game schedule with 1 played at a neutral site.  I would like to see all of those games played the same week if possible.  Jet lag from Cambodia sucks.

So....which teams are you suggesting should play that Cambodian game?  

I think the thing that could be an issue is which games would be played on a very close neutral site......like the Browns ....or Bills, playing in Toronto, or the Steelers/Eagles playing at Penn St.    and which would be played far away.....Europe, Japan etc. 

[hoorta]

@the-gipper said:

Well....apparently 16 games is NOT fine with the NFL owners, otherwise they would not have been pushing for the 18 game schedule....or this "compromise"  17 game thing.  

And I think these preseason game ARE useless....for, yes,  the reasons that you mention about players getting hurt, plus they are a joke of games with scrubs playing half of them.....and correct me if I am right.....you, as a season ticket holder have to pay full price for these  primarily scrub/practice squad games, no?  And I doubt that they discount parking, concessions, etc. etc. for these games, do they?

Just unbridled greed by the owners, MHO. Players certainly aren't pushing for it. 

RE: The price of preseason games, theoretically the face value is 25% less, but the price of regular season "premium" games (opener & Steelers) is jacked up proportionally, so it's a wash.

And sure isn't a reduction in price on concessions. Can't wait to see how much the rip off will be this year. Though season ticket holders get a card for a few freebies.

[Orion]

What I had heard (end of last week) was they were toying around with the idea of an 18 game schedule (that's EIGHTEEN).

But, players could only play in 16 games.  So, some combinations of backups would have to play two games.

THIS, of course, would be horrid.  I mean, what if you planned a road trip, and then it turns out that many of the starters (Mayfield, etc., etc.) would not be playing.

Football goes from August to February.   That's enough I should think.    

[Ibleedbrown]

@orion said:

What I had heard (end of last week) was they were toying around with the idea of an 18 game schedule (that's EIGHTEEN).

But, players could only play in 16 games.  So, some combinations of backups would have to play two games.

THIS, of course, would be horrid.  I mean, what if you planned a road trip, and then it turns out that many of the starters (Mayfield, etc., etc.) would not be playing.

Football goes from August to February.   That's enough I should think.    

That’s the proposal l heard too. Not a fan, for some of the reasons you mentioned. Also, it would create a change in strategizing. Teams would have to make wierd decisions like starting your B Oline against a team with a perceived weak pass rush earlier in the year, or “hope” your starting Oline gets banged up enough throughout the season that it works itself out. And for the poor team that busted their tail to get into the playoffs all year, but then are forced to start their backup QB the last 2 games, which isn’t fair to the rest of the team.

I’m quite content with a 16 game schedule. If the NFL is hellbent on making more money, start a minor league and play games on Wednesdays or something. 

[gumby73]

am one of those draft geeks ? that likes seeing draftees and undrafted rookies play in preseason games..Am not opposed, to dropping pre-season game 4. The full dress rehearsal of starters playing, still allows, mixing in final camp battles that are final after PS game 3 anyhow.. The rest is trash can able ?️...1.) No pro game, tells there stars they can't play..2) Gameday rosters can't stay at 46 active..3) Pull a few starting Ol-man(most only keep 8),to get a franchise QB smeared just makes no sense..sure it's the new CBA talk that's out there.. But only greedy millionaires could try to ruin it ?  

[ballpeen]

@the-gipper said:

So....which teams are you suggesting should play that Cambodian game?  

I think the thing that could be an issue is which games would be played on a very close neutral site......like the Browns ....or Bills, playing in Toronto, or the Steelers/Eagles playing at Penn St.    and which would be played far away.....Europe, Japan etc. 

I am just making the point, forget the location.  I'd like to see all the teams hit the road, then the entire team on bye the following week.  If the league felt it couldn't shut down the entire league, set 10 teams to go neutral site the following week with their bye after that.  That way 10 teams could fill the entire Thursday through Monday slate.

Play these games say week 5,, week 6 is a bye for most of the league, week 7 for the 10 other teams.    Also, offer up another bye after week 12, week 13 for the ones designated to play in week 12.  Seems a more fair way of handling the bye.  Some teams get them way early, others way late.  Basically give everybody the same, evenly spaced breaks.  

For the record, I am not a big fan of international play outside North America, but it is what it is.  We could probably find 16 cities in this part of the world that would jump at the chance to see a NFL game played locally.  Kind of like GB played games in Milwaukee for many years.  The Browns could play in Columbus.  Cincy in Lexington.  Obviously when it was their "home" game.  Buffalo in Toronto, Seattle in Vancouver, Dallas in San Antonio, AZ in Albuquerque ...OKC would get a game.  Birmingham and Memphis could host a game.  Mobile,  Montreal,...there are natural places for most of the teams.

[ballpeen]

@gumby73 said:

am one of those draft geeks ? that likes seeing draftees and undrafted rookies play in preseason games..Am not opposed, to dropping pre-season game 4. The full dress rehearsal of starters playing, still allows, mixing in final camp battles that are final after PS game 3 anyhow.. The rest is trash can able ?️...1.) No pro game, tells there stars they can't play..2) Gameday rosters can't stay at 46 active..3) Pull a few starting Ol-man(most only keep 8),to get a franchise QB smeared just makes no sense..sure it's the new CBA talk that's out there.. But only greedy millionaires could try to ruin it ?  

I don't buy the greedy part or the trying to ruin it part.

Any business is always trying to grow it's market.  Forget the owners are mostly billionaires.  Millions doesn't cut it anymore.  Pretend they are just like Mom and Pop diner owners.  They seek to bring in new customers.  Large scale or small, the goal is the same, increase customer counts and sales.  The business model doesn't change

[gumby73]

@ballpeen said:

Any business is always trying to grow it's market.  Forget the owners are mostly billionaires.  Millions doesn't cut it anymore.  Pretend they are just like Mom and Pop diner owners.  They seek to bring in new customers.  Large scale or small, the goal is the same, increase customer counts and sales.  The business model doesn't change

Sure any business wants to grow it's sales market..but who's coming or paying to come see CFL/Arena League & Practice squad talent, brought in to fill up roster spots? 32 teams with 46, sounds like the sweet spot with any kind of football talent..If they want football in England? bring back the world league..maybe i"m a little old school? but Mom & Pop always keep good customer service people for one real reason..Repeat business brings family & friends..Edit---Surprise Cleveland!!..instead of Russell Wilson waiting on your tables..Tonight & one night only you get Paxton Lynch or Geno Smith (blow me)

[The Gipper]

@orion said:

What I had heard (end of last week) was they were toying around with the idea of an 18 game schedule (that's EIGHTEEN).

But, players could only play in 16 games.  So, some combinations of backups would have to play two games.

THIS, of course, would be horrid.  I mean, what if you planned a road trip, and then it turns out that many of the starters (Mayfield, etc., etc.) would not be playing.

Football goes from August to February.   That's enough I should think.    

Yea, it is a pile of horseshit to have  players not play in some games that count.  BS.   With 17 games, the season would not be extended as surely one of the preseason games would be eliminated.

[hoorta]

@the-gipper said:

Yea, it is a pile of horseshit to have  players not play in some games that count.  BS.   With 17 games, the season would not be extended as surely one of the preseason games would be eliminated.

But- it was pointed out if not here at least several times in the past- the #4 preseason game has been rendered all but meaningless. But isn't that what preseason games were supposed to be? The starters play one series (if that) and then its a glorified scrimmage of your scrubs competing for a roster spot- against theirs. 

[The Gipper]

@hoorta said:

But- it was pointed out if not here at least several times in the past- the #4 preseason game has been rendered all but meaningless. But isn't that what preseason games were supposed to be? The starters play one series (if that) and then its a glorified scrimmage of your scrubs competing for a roster spot- against theirs. 

Yes.   So with a 17 game regular season, you would only have 3 preseason games (except for those playing in the HOF game)

[gumby73]

3 pre-season games- 19 weeks - both teams playing TNF, use the extra bye week *given* on the Sunday before the game...add 2 more wildcard teams in each division..possible? 

[The Gipper]

@gumby73 said:

3 pre-season games- 19 weeks - both teams playing TNF, use the extra bye week *given* on the Sunday before the game...add 2 more wildcard teams in each division..possible? 

Uhm, we now have a 20 ...21 actually  week season...with 4 preseason games, 16 regular season games, plus a bye for each team.  So...unless you are referring to a 19 week regular season, that is not going to happen.   Besides that,  Well, that completely misses the point of what the league WANTS.    They want that  one extra game to be a neutral site, with at least half of those being non US sites so they can market their games to these other nations.    

I don't know the player's associations position on it.....other than that if the league wants more games, they want a lot more money for the players.  It does, after all, always come down to that, fair to say.

[The Gipper]

Here are the games the NFL is going to play out of country this year...and the future possible sites

October 6	Chicago BearsN		Oakland RaidersA		London	Tottenham Hotspur Stadium	TBA	TBD
October 13	Carolina PanthersN		Tampa Bay BuccaneersN		TBA	TBD
October 27	Cincinnati BengalsA		Los Angeles RamsN		Wembley Stadium	TBA	TBD
November 3	Houston TexansA		Jacksonville JaguarsA		TBA	TBD
November 18	Kansas City ChiefsA		Los Angeles ChargersA		Mexico City	Estadio Azteca	TBA	TBD

Future markets[edit]

Within the United Kingdom, aside from London, potential candidates for hosting NFL games include Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales;^[53] and Murrayfield in Edinburgh, Scotland.^[54] Other prime locations to get games would be Croke Park in the Republic of Ireland (Ireland has already hosted the NCAA Emerald Isle Classic, a college football game similar to the International Series, and the late Steelers owner Dan Rooney was once an ambassador to the country), Germany (which hosted the majority of teams in NFL Europe throughout its existence as an all-European league and whose national American football team won both the 2010 and 2014 European Championship), China,^[55] Brazil,^[56][55] Australia^[57] and Canada (Canada hosted the Bills Toronto Series from 2008 to 2013 and is set to host a preseason game in Winnipeg in 2019). In 2007, NFL senior Vice President Mark Waller doubted Asia or Australia would be targeted because of travel concerns, but did not dismiss the possibility.^[5] The league had planned to host a game in China in 2018 with the Los Angeles Rams as the home team against the San Francisco 49ers.^[58] The potential game in China was postponed (the third time the league has postponed playing in China, following failed attempts in 2007 and 2009) to being aimed for the 2019 season to coincide with the league's 100th anniversary; that game ultimately was not scheduled for 2019.^[59][60] The league has indicated that a China game is still not certain because of the lack of a fan base in the country (NFL games are played in the middle of the night in China).^[61]

In regard to future games outside London or Mexico, Mark Waller stated in 2017 that the only holdup with games in Germany was what he dubbed "an inventory management thing. How many games do we actually have?"^[61]

So, that "inventory management issue" is why the league wants a 17th,  neutral site game.