Does anyone on here play fantasy football? Two more weeks of fantasy games would be gold to me! As fan and fantasy football player I say play 20!!!
Jim B - 13 years ago
18 games is not enough for a real fan. The game has changed. Players are more protected.
Adding 120 minutes of football is not going to destroy the game.
Removing two preseason games, Increasing rosters, Increasing practice squads, Increasing active players on game day (Actually, I believe every player should be active for the game), adding another bye, and smart coaching will easily facilitate the extra 12o minutes of football.
The anti two gamers are unreal.
Football Fanatic - 13 years ago
18 games season benefits all fans especially season ticket holders who get jacked for PSL's. Its not really adding 2 extra games for the starters if they remove 2 pre-season games. Most starters already play the first 3 quarters in the 3 pre-season game and the 1st quarter in the 4rth pre-season game. So if you factor that in its really just 1 extra game, and if the divisions and playoffs spots are wrapped up by week 16 or 17 they could sit a starter or 2, and if its a tight playoff race we all benefit from better football for an extra week or 2. As a fan I always want more football. We are paying anyway whether its pre-season or at the end. What I mean by that is a true football fan is goin to watch anything they put in a stadium or on TV. So I would rather have starters sit at the end, or have possibly have more exciting football at the end of the season than 3rd stringers in pre-season.
panther17 - 13 years ago
I am all for an 18 game schedule. Why would I not be?
FezAZ - 13 years ago
Do a poll of the folks who's opinion should really matter: The season ticket holders. And don't ask all the season ticket holders --ask the ones who pay for the tickets out of their own wallets and can't write it off for "client development" and other semi-legitimate deductions. I can tell you that those of us who fit that narrow category want relief. We'd prefer to be able to opt out of pre-season games, but failing that, HELL YES we want 18 games. None of us wants to play for games that don't count --played by players who will be lucky to make the roster.
Big Mike - 13 years ago
Make playoffs one week longer if they want to stretch season at 2 more teams from each conference
cbtole - 13 years ago
Why on God's green earth would anyone who claimed to be a "football fan" not want a longer schedule?
What, would you rather watch a cooking show?
God, what a bunch of idiots inhabit my breathing space.
BigJoe - 13 years ago
Why wouldn't fans who do not attend the games want more regular season games on television? Season ticket holders would like to get out from under paying full price for exhibitions. The owners will not willingly reduce their gate receipts without additional revenue to cover it. The game did not diminish when the NFL went from 12 to 14 and 14 to 16 games. The NFL can use the extra games to showcase the league internationally e.g. London, Toronto, Mexico City, Tokyo and regionally e.g. Columbus, Austin, Orlando, Raleigh, Salt Lake City. This seems like an issue that can clearly work out for players, owners, networks and fans (yes, we are always last in priority).
Shelby W. - 13 years ago
As a Packer fan, trying to push for an 18 game season after a year where the Packers lost 16 players to IR during the course of the normal 16 game season, there's just no way where I could get behind another 2 regular season games before getting to the playoffs. Another two games could have been the difference in potentially more players getting injured, and diverting the Pack's Super Bowl season into an early playoff exit, or no playoffs at all.
If they want to "grow the pie", why not add two more playoff teams? It's long overdue.
Grant A. Perry - 13 years ago
Based on recent events such as Dave Duerson, and the past situations with Steve Young, Joe Montana, Roger Staubach, and Troy Aikman's forced retirements due to concussion -- is it becoming evident that the wear/tear of NFL life is sufficiently brutal at current stage?? Yes.-- Cut the exibition "season" and hold regular season at 16 games. Injuries are already destroying some teams chances to advance to playoffs. No need to add to this.
Jeremy - 13 years ago
same poll on ESPN.com. 77% prefer 16 games schedule, 23% 18gamse schedule. looks like its pretty one sided.
J. Shope - 13 years ago
And for people that just don't understand why people don't just want mor football. At 16 games, generally a team or two will get ahead of its divison and start to hear about resting the starters for a game or two during week 16 and 17. In an 18 game season you could start to hear and see it at week 15 which could mean 4 weeks of teams pulling starters early and essentiallyyour back to watching preseason games for at least the winning team. Plus the increase risk of injury, and the fact that owners still won't drop the price of the 1 remaining preseason game. 18 games will not equal the same season long quality of football a 16 game season does.
J. Shope - 13 years ago
What fans want is 16 games and cheaper pre season games. It's that simple. People saying that preseason games aren't worth anything or that the players risk to much injury during them, are completly out of wack. The 1st game they play a series, 2nd game a qtr, the 3rd a half, and the 4th maybe up to 3 series. Thats less then 3 qtrs of work for the starters. A die hard fan still loves to watch to see the back ups and who has a chance to make the team. It also gives the coach time to look at "bubble" guys.
The owners don't want to lower pre season prices (like they were in the past) and the fans don't want 18 games in the regular season. Season ticket holders (and everyone else) should get to go to preseason games for a discounted price. The owners should look at it as if we charge less more people will come, because those games are no where close to selling out.
People generally enjoy the preseason games, even if Goodell says (lie's) they don't. The schedule ain't broke, but they got to try and fix it (screw it up) for the hopes of getting more money. HEY GOODELL WHAT FANS WANT IS THE SCHEDULE WE GOT, BUT CHEAPER PRESEASON GAMES!!! It would be nice to see a team start offering deals for people like, you've been a season ticket holder for 15 yrs from now on the 2 preseason games are free for you as long as your a season ticker holder or something like that. You know because its all about the fans.....
hawkdawg - 13 years ago
Goodell knows the problem is charging full pop for 4 exhibition games, so to keep his bosses happy he's tried to morph that problem into the fans' supposed demand for 18 regular season games, figuring that if he gets that one by the union, the fans will reluctantly pay full pop for the remaining two exhibition games, and the owners won't lose any dough and will probably make more (given that more seats are typically sold for regular season games than for exhibition games). Transparently dishonest, and calls into question everything else the man says, in my view, in these negotiations.
Jason - 13 years ago
I want more football. Who wouldn't?
Add two games. Add one bye week. Add 7 roster slots and 5 spots on a non-season-ending injured reserve.
BTW, does anyone seriously doubt that there is enormous fan demand for two extra regular season games? If you add two more games, you will sell over 95% of the seats to the games, and be able to charge just as much for commercials (per game) when those games air.
THAT is the only true test of whether or not the fans want it. Everything else is just nonsense. Either there is, or there isn't market demand.
JB - 13 years ago
How can I possibly be in the minority on this? An 18 game season would be GLORIOUS! Especially with a post season that culminates in a Super Bowl the Sunday immediately preceding President's Day Monday, when the markets are closed and half the country is off anyway.
Marcus - 13 years ago
I think they should maximize the regular season... Put better games on Thursday night... Don't kick off 10 games at 1:00... Fans are becoming more and more interested in not just their teams but teams in their division and on their fantasy teams... Spread the games out more evenly so fans who buy the Sunday ticket get a better opportunity to see every game. 16 games on the docket... 2 monday night (East Coast and West Coast game), 1 sunday night, 2 Thursday night (East Coast and West Coast game), , 6 1:00 starts and 5 4:00 starts. A fan could actually watch every play of 7 games in a week... Thats almost half the league... And they could easily see 4 more games by flipping the channels during the 1:00 and 4:00 games... Also, if the owners want to make more money... Expand the post season and sell the NFL Network package on Thursday nite...
18gamefan - 13 years ago
I think DP said it,, give the teams an extra bye.
JT Ingram - 13 years ago
For all the season ticket holders that want 18 games for the sake of "getting their money's worth", I'm sorry the NFL makes you pay for the preseason games, but don't fall for Goodell's propaganda. If the 18 game season happens, you'll just be paying for more meaningless games at the end of the season (when teams are knocked out of contention or have locked up home field) and more games where your favorite players are injured. Less talented athletes will be on the field and the product will be diluted.
If enhancing the season is inevitable, Extend the Playoffs...
Jody - 13 years ago
No one benefits from an 18 game season. Truly, no one, except maybe Goodell, and even that I have a hard time picturing. We're already getting televised pre-season games, so what does an 18 game season do for the fans? Nothing at all. The preseason games are there for the coaches to determine the best possible player combinations for each position, and cutting the preseason short only makes that job twice as hard for the coaches and puts more pressure in the off-season, which should be focused on getting players healthy & ready to go. What self-respecting fan wants to see extra drama & turmoil around their starters?
Mike Myers - 13 years ago
There should be an option for 16 regular season games and 4 half priced preseason games. I'm guessing that would win in a landslide.
paper_bag - 13 years ago
We don't want an 18 game season, we just don't want to pay full price for preseason games.
JP - 13 years ago
18 games has never been a fan request. Goodell showed his true colors early on when he kept trying to push this through with his "The fans have been loud and clear"....but yet, every legit poll said otherwise. His overall "delivery" and smugness is a complete turnoff. Every interview gets worse. I certainly understand some of the owners concerns, but, in the end, I hope they stick it to Goodell. His comments about how the other sports opened up the books was hilarious too...loved D's response to that comment on M&M. Too funny.
Paul Noga - 13 years ago
Most of the early respondents are actually Players and members of the NFLPA.
Furqua - 13 years ago
I pay full price for preseason games that I don't even go to. If I have to pay full fare I want to see a real game!
Does anyone on here play fantasy football? Two more weeks of fantasy games would be gold to me! As fan and fantasy football player I say play 20!!!
18 games is not enough for a real fan. The game has changed. Players are more protected.
Adding 120 minutes of football is not going to destroy the game.
Removing two preseason games, Increasing rosters, Increasing practice squads, Increasing active players on game day (Actually, I believe every player should be active for the game), adding another bye, and smart coaching will easily facilitate the extra 12o minutes of football.
The anti two gamers are unreal.
18 games season benefits all fans especially season ticket holders who get jacked for PSL's. Its not really adding 2 extra games for the starters if they remove 2 pre-season games. Most starters already play the first 3 quarters in the 3 pre-season game and the 1st quarter in the 4rth pre-season game. So if you factor that in its really just 1 extra game, and if the divisions and playoffs spots are wrapped up by week 16 or 17 they could sit a starter or 2, and if its a tight playoff race we all benefit from better football for an extra week or 2. As a fan I always want more football. We are paying anyway whether its pre-season or at the end. What I mean by that is a true football fan is goin to watch anything they put in a stadium or on TV. So I would rather have starters sit at the end, or have possibly have more exciting football at the end of the season than 3rd stringers in pre-season.
I am all for an 18 game schedule. Why would I not be?
Do a poll of the folks who's opinion should really matter: The season ticket holders. And don't ask all the season ticket holders --ask the ones who pay for the tickets out of their own wallets and can't write it off for "client development" and other semi-legitimate deductions. I can tell you that those of us who fit that narrow category want relief. We'd prefer to be able to opt out of pre-season games, but failing that, HELL YES we want 18 games. None of us wants to play for games that don't count --played by players who will be lucky to make the roster.
Make playoffs one week longer if they want to stretch season at 2 more teams from each conference
Why on God's green earth would anyone who claimed to be a "football fan" not want a longer schedule?
What, would you rather watch a cooking show?
God, what a bunch of idiots inhabit my breathing space.
Why wouldn't fans who do not attend the games want more regular season games on television? Season ticket holders would like to get out from under paying full price for exhibitions. The owners will not willingly reduce their gate receipts without additional revenue to cover it. The game did not diminish when the NFL went from 12 to 14 and 14 to 16 games. The NFL can use the extra games to showcase the league internationally e.g. London, Toronto, Mexico City, Tokyo and regionally e.g. Columbus, Austin, Orlando, Raleigh, Salt Lake City. This seems like an issue that can clearly work out for players, owners, networks and fans (yes, we are always last in priority).
As a Packer fan, trying to push for an 18 game season after a year where the Packers lost 16 players to IR during the course of the normal 16 game season, there's just no way where I could get behind another 2 regular season games before getting to the playoffs. Another two games could have been the difference in potentially more players getting injured, and diverting the Pack's Super Bowl season into an early playoff exit, or no playoffs at all.
If they want to "grow the pie", why not add two more playoff teams? It's long overdue.
Based on recent events such as Dave Duerson, and the past situations with Steve Young, Joe Montana, Roger Staubach, and Troy Aikman's forced retirements due to concussion -- is it becoming evident that the wear/tear of NFL life is sufficiently brutal at current stage?? Yes.-- Cut the exibition "season" and hold regular season at 16 games. Injuries are already destroying some teams chances to advance to playoffs. No need to add to this.
same poll on ESPN.com. 77% prefer 16 games schedule, 23% 18gamse schedule. looks like its pretty one sided.
And for people that just don't understand why people don't just want mor football. At 16 games, generally a team or two will get ahead of its divison and start to hear about resting the starters for a game or two during week 16 and 17. In an 18 game season you could start to hear and see it at week 15 which could mean 4 weeks of teams pulling starters early and essentiallyyour back to watching preseason games for at least the winning team. Plus the increase risk of injury, and the fact that owners still won't drop the price of the 1 remaining preseason game. 18 games will not equal the same season long quality of football a 16 game season does.
What fans want is 16 games and cheaper pre season games. It's that simple. People saying that preseason games aren't worth anything or that the players risk to much injury during them, are completly out of wack. The 1st game they play a series, 2nd game a qtr, the 3rd a half, and the 4th maybe up to 3 series. Thats less then 3 qtrs of work for the starters. A die hard fan still loves to watch to see the back ups and who has a chance to make the team. It also gives the coach time to look at "bubble" guys.
The owners don't want to lower pre season prices (like they were in the past) and the fans don't want 18 games in the regular season. Season ticket holders (and everyone else) should get to go to preseason games for a discounted price. The owners should look at it as if we charge less more people will come, because those games are no where close to selling out.
People generally enjoy the preseason games, even if Goodell says (lie's) they don't. The schedule ain't broke, but they got to try and fix it (screw it up) for the hopes of getting more money. HEY GOODELL WHAT FANS WANT IS THE SCHEDULE WE GOT, BUT CHEAPER PRESEASON GAMES!!! It would be nice to see a team start offering deals for people like, you've been a season ticket holder for 15 yrs from now on the 2 preseason games are free for you as long as your a season ticker holder or something like that. You know because its all about the fans.....
Goodell knows the problem is charging full pop for 4 exhibition games, so to keep his bosses happy he's tried to morph that problem into the fans' supposed demand for 18 regular season games, figuring that if he gets that one by the union, the fans will reluctantly pay full pop for the remaining two exhibition games, and the owners won't lose any dough and will probably make more (given that more seats are typically sold for regular season games than for exhibition games). Transparently dishonest, and calls into question everything else the man says, in my view, in these negotiations.
I want more football. Who wouldn't?
Add two games. Add one bye week. Add 7 roster slots and 5 spots on a non-season-ending injured reserve.
BTW, does anyone seriously doubt that there is enormous fan demand for two extra regular season games? If you add two more games, you will sell over 95% of the seats to the games, and be able to charge just as much for commercials (per game) when those games air.
THAT is the only true test of whether or not the fans want it. Everything else is just nonsense. Either there is, or there isn't market demand.
How can I possibly be in the minority on this? An 18 game season would be GLORIOUS! Especially with a post season that culminates in a Super Bowl the Sunday immediately preceding President's Day Monday, when the markets are closed and half the country is off anyway.
I think they should maximize the regular season... Put better games on Thursday night... Don't kick off 10 games at 1:00... Fans are becoming more and more interested in not just their teams but teams in their division and on their fantasy teams... Spread the games out more evenly so fans who buy the Sunday ticket get a better opportunity to see every game. 16 games on the docket... 2 monday night (East Coast and West Coast game), 1 sunday night, 2 Thursday night (East Coast and West Coast game), , 6 1:00 starts and 5 4:00 starts. A fan could actually watch every play of 7 games in a week... Thats almost half the league... And they could easily see 4 more games by flipping the channels during the 1:00 and 4:00 games... Also, if the owners want to make more money... Expand the post season and sell the NFL Network package on Thursday nite...
I think DP said it,, give the teams an extra bye.
For all the season ticket holders that want 18 games for the sake of "getting their money's worth", I'm sorry the NFL makes you pay for the preseason games, but don't fall for Goodell's propaganda. If the 18 game season happens, you'll just be paying for more meaningless games at the end of the season (when teams are knocked out of contention or have locked up home field) and more games where your favorite players are injured. Less talented athletes will be on the field and the product will be diluted.
Please don't let this happen!
If enhancing the season is inevitable, Extend the Playoffs...
No one benefits from an 18 game season. Truly, no one, except maybe Goodell, and even that I have a hard time picturing. We're already getting televised pre-season games, so what does an 18 game season do for the fans? Nothing at all. The preseason games are there for the coaches to determine the best possible player combinations for each position, and cutting the preseason short only makes that job twice as hard for the coaches and puts more pressure in the off-season, which should be focused on getting players healthy & ready to go. What self-respecting fan wants to see extra drama & turmoil around their starters?
There should be an option for 16 regular season games and 4 half priced preseason games. I'm guessing that would win in a landslide.
We don't want an 18 game season, we just don't want to pay full price for preseason games.
18 games has never been a fan request. Goodell showed his true colors early on when he kept trying to push this through with his "The fans have been loud and clear"....but yet, every legit poll said otherwise. His overall "delivery" and smugness is a complete turnoff. Every interview gets worse. I certainly understand some of the owners concerns, but, in the end, I hope they stick it to Goodell. His comments about how the other sports opened up the books was hilarious too...loved D's response to that comment on M&M. Too funny.
Most of the early respondents are actually Players and members of the NFLPA.
I pay full price for preseason games that I don't even go to. If I have to pay full fare I want to see a real game!