While I like the idea of 18 and 2 instead of 16 and 4...
An 18 game schedule and injuries are intertwined. There are already so many players out it's a joke, and adding two more regular season games would make it even worse. Imagine if there were still three games left in the regular season? You'd like the playoffs to be played by starters, not whoever is left standing.
YES, injuries are part of the game...but an 18 game schedule makes them that much MORE a part of the game.
Just throwing this out there...something to make you go hmmm...I heard or read it somewhere over the weekend. WHAT IF they went to a 17 game schedule...and each team plays one neutral site game? Huh? What now ma? What now?
There is already a game in London, which should be a neutral site game anyway...not fair a team loses a home game for that. So what if we add 15 more neutral site games?
More games in Europe...Paris, Berlin, Rome, perhaps? Play a game at the Nou Camp in Barcelona...wow! Maybe even Moscow! Estadio Azteca in Mexico City would be a natural...the Maracana in Rio would be insane, if logistically possible. What about San Juan?
Tokyo...China...and of course Canada! Let those Canuckleheads see some REAL football! (gentle poke at Iceberg!). But seriously, there is already a game in Toronto...Montreal, Edmonton, Vancouver...there are lots of possibilities.
Then they can also play a game or three in Los Angeles. Test the market there. Perhaps a game at Bryant-Denny stadium, Jordan-Hare, or Used-to-be-Happy Valley.
Just throwing locations against the wall...not sure how many of them would stick, but the concept of one more game at a neutral site is something the NFL should DEFINITELY be considering.
Sandra
As for the playing a neutral game out of the country , I'll pass, I think it's a DUMB idea to go to London or where ever in the first place ... Two teams are taxed much more than the rest and it starts BEFORE the season even starts AND it counts.
IF they want to play an exhibition game elsewhere, fine ....
I don't like it, but I'm not making the call.
As for the 17 game schedule, that will only lead to the 18 games schedule.