[Elvis]

http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl-news/46 ... ies-rumors

Overdue NFL preseason format change gains momentum

By Tadd Haislop

Practicality for once might trump greed in the NFL.

The length of the league's preseason schedule is an issue to almost everybody but those who collect revenue generated by the four exhibition games, and change seems increasingly inevitable.

Packers president Mark Murphy at the Combine this week told ESPN the NFL's competition committee, of which he's been a part since 2012, has seriously discussed reducing the preseason schedule to three games.

DIAMOND: Preseason change long overdue | STEELE: Must be a better way

"I think there would be support for three," Murphy said. "Rather than playing that fourth game on a Thursday ... don't play a fourth game and then you'd have an extra week. We've looked at different models, but I think that's the one that makes the most sense.

"You're giving up some revenue, but it's one of the worst things we do. The move we made on variable (ticket) pricing helps a little bit in how preseason is viewed, but especially that fourth game is kind of a throwaway."

Not a coincidence, Green Bay's 2015 season is a good example of why most in and around the league can't stand the four-game slate. Star receiver Jordy Nelson was lost for the year thanks to a torn ACL in Week 2 of the preseason — hardly an isolated incident. Washington tight end Niles Paul suffered the same fate. A serious preseason injury happens to at least one notable player every year.

Varying opinions on preseason football's value complicate the discussion, as do alternatives like joint practices. Former NFL quarterback and current SN contributor Kurt Warner, for example, likes the schedule how it is because it's good for quarterbacks. Cowboys legend Troy Aikman couldn't disagree more.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers ripped the preseason after Nelson's injury in a "meaningless" game: "There are a lot of things that need to get looked at. The number of games is obviously one of them."

And coaches, whom you'd think would benefit from more games to evaluate talent ahead of final roster cuts, for the most part would welcome a new format. Rodgers' coach sure would.

"I think it makes a lot of sense," Mike McCarthy said of the three-game proposition. "Then you could be a little more aggressive in that third game. Just take the fourth one out."

Sounds simple. Now let's see whether the league can put the well-being of its players ahead of its bottom line.

[Neil039]

Three game seems just right. One warm up, one 1st team, and last game for 2nd string and cuts. JMO

[BuiltRamTough]

Three game seems just right. One warm up, one 1st team, and last game for 2nd string and cuts. JMO

I agree.

Hopefully by 2019 it goes down to 2 games.

[Elvis]

An odd number seems like a problem. Season ticket holders have to also buy preseason, so i guess every other year it would be either a 9 or 10 game package?

[majik]

Any remember when they used to have 6 exhibition games?

[Elvis]

Any remember when they used to have 6 exhibition games?

Before my time but yeah, how crazy was that? 14 regular season games and 6 preseason? Now i realize that a lot of players were completely out of shape when they showed up back in the day and really needed camp to get into shape.

I think it's time to do the same thing again: Go to 18 regular season games and 2 preseason.

I know the players won't like it but kick up the salary cap 12.5% (2/16) and i think they might come around.

You could also throw in a 2nd bye week for a little extra rest during the season.

And an even crazier idea: What about a rule that every player on every team has to be inactive for at least one game per season? Whether it's Tom Brady, Todd Gurley, Sean Mannion or Jimmy Garropolo, every player has to take at least one game off.

Seems to me an 18 game season could work...

[Hacksaw]

Any remember when they used to have 6 exhibition games?

,,,,,Now i realize that a lot of players were completely out of shape when they showed up back in the day and really needed camp to get into shape.

I think it's time to do the same thing again: Go to 18 regular season games and 2 preseason.

Seems to me an 18 game season could work...

They need to work harder in camp and get in game shape by going after each other. Then 2 pre games to dial it in against fairly full competition (within reason),, then 18 games that count. That sounds best.

[Neil039]

Any remember when they used to have 6 exhibition games?

,,,,,Now i realize that a lot of players were completely out of shape when they showed up back in the day and really needed camp to get into shape.

I think it's time to do the same thing again: Go to 18 regular season games and 2 preseason.

Seems to me an 18 game season could work...

They need to work harder in camp and get in game shape by going after each other. Then 2 pre games to dial it in against fairly full competition (within reason),, then 18 games that count. That sounds best.

I would love 18 games. I would hope they would expand the 53 man roster to 57-59 players. JMO

[Hacksaw]

The expanded roster could offset the possible laws of attrition. They'd also need to rise the salary cap again.