The Side Line

By 2011, the Detroit Lions may have a chance to lose 18 games in a season to break their own record of futility.

Yes, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has proposed an extension of the regular season by two games, and a reduction of the preseason by two games.

I have read the arguments, and remain on the fence about this one. Here’s why.

Adding regular season games means adding revenue to the league, chances for fans to see games that wouldn’t otherwise get to go and two extra weeks of Sunday lounging in the recliner.

Reducing the preseason is also a fantastic idea. How often do teams actually make drastic lineup adjustments based on meaningless games? The preseason is almost worthless, except maybe to rookies who need a taste of simulated game action before the real deal.

Falcons fans, remember when Michael Vick used to not be hated? O.K., now remember when he broke his leg in preseason and left Atlanta scrambling to salvage a horrible 4-12 season? Screw NFL preseason games. I’d rather watch an intramural championship.

However, the plan has its flaws. The most obvious, to me anyway, is altering statistical records. Give Peyton Manning an 18-game schedule and he’ll throw for 10,000 yards and 75 touchdowns. The Ravens defense will have 125 sacks, and T.O. will throw 6 tantrums on the sideline.

These numbers may be a bit exaggerated, but the NFL is a league with some very important records which could be more easily broken by current players if they are given two extra games a year.

The other obvious flaw is the physical toll put on players’ bodies. A 16-game schedule is brutal enough on players that make contact on almost every play, not to mention an 18-game schedule including a fierce battle to make the playoffs down the stretch. Injuries will rise, and coaches will have to be more careful about when to play key players.

Either way, it is clear NFL football is king in America. And in just 2 years, it could be taking over your life just that much more.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Apr 3 2009. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry