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League To Trade Preseason Games For Real Ones

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By IRA KAUFMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 14, 2008

TAMPA - It's a question of when, not if.

Except for two work stoppages, the NFL has played a 16-game regular season every year since 1978, when the exhibition slate was reduced from six games to four.

That template is about to change as owners discuss whether to add one or two games to the regular season.

With fans complaining about the poor quality of exhibition games, Commissioner Roger Goodell has been making the rounds on TV and radio, discussing the possibility of reducing the preseason and adding meaningful matchups, all within the umbrella of an overall 20-game format.

"In my sense, they are going in that direction," says Bucs defensive end Kevin Carter, an executive with the NFL Players Association. "If they change the ratio, obviously there will have to be different compensation for the players discussed."

Once the league floats ideas in the public forum, action usually follows.

The most likely time frame for an expanded regular season appears to be 2010. Compensation issues must be bridged, but I don't sense any real opposition to the change.

"When you're 8-8, you would really want two more games to give you a chance to make the playoffs," says Bucs middle linebacker Barrett Ruud. "But if you're 13-3, you're good and if you're 4-12, you're good."

The impetus behind the proposed change is the widespread dissatisfaction among fans tired of paying regular-season ticket prices for a diluted product.

For much of the preseason, NFL teams trot out a series of backups vying for the final spots on the roster, while the starters watch from the sidelines in front of thousands of empty seats.

"In a sense, we need the preseason as a tuneup and to look at guys," says Tampa Bay running back Michael Bennett, "but I think two weeks is enough to find out what you've got. Then it's time to get rocking and rolling."

Sixteen may be a memorable number ("Sixteen Candles," "Sweet Little Sixteen," "Sixteen Tons"), but it's not sacred.

The league could go to 17 regular-season games and three preseason games as an interim step - or the NFL could jump immediately to an 18-2 format within the next few years.

"There is no more offseason ... the dynamic has changed in how professional athletes approach their profession," Carter says. "We have comprehensive programs and guys are in shape now heading into training camp. I think coaches can figure out what they have in two or three preseason games."

Even ardent NFL fans have difficulty defending the quality of preseason games. Goodell and the owners are on to something here.

Less is more.

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