It's Saturday thus it is poll day!
We are only in the 5th season of the NFL moving from a 16 to 17 game schedule and there is already talk of moving to an 18 game schedule before the current collective bargaining agreement ends in 2030.
Football is a physically taxing sport but we are seeing a significant number of injuries to key players early in the season. Teams seem to be trying to preserve star players by not having them as active in training camp and preseason games as they used to be. Is this leading to more injuries, who knows, but one would imagine that trend won't be reversing if they add an additional regular season game.
If and when they do add another game they could potentially offset some of the physical burden placed on the players by adding as second bye week (which used to be the norm) for every team and expanding the rosters so teams could carry more depth and get their starters a few less snaps per game.
Would you be for or against an 18 game NFL Season?
Against- 17 games + playoffs is enough53.8%
For- with an extra bye7.7%
For- with expanded rosters0.0%
For- with extra bye and expanded rosters30.8%
For- bye and rosters stay as is 7.7%
13 votes \ 17h left
Definitely want the status quo. Two byes would be nice, but I don't see it stopping the injuries that much. And the problem with increased rosters is that coaches want their best players in, period.
reply
True. I don't know how much expanded rosters would help top of the roster guys unless it is garbage time and you can take more guys out. An extra bye should help but where are they getting those extra two weeks from. One for bye and one for an extra game. I suppose you could have the Super Bowl one week later and have only 2 preseason games. I don't think they would be willing to eliminate the week off between Championship games and the Super Bowl because they want the week leading up for media hype.
reply
I know they're talking about expanding the rosters, but I haven't heard any talk of a second bye week (which I didn't know ever existed). They may want to move preseason earlier, as well, and maybe have one game that only players on rookie contracts are eligible for.
I honestly don't understand why injuries seem so much more common, when the game seems significantly less violent. When I was a kid guys just bounced right up after getting drilled. Now it seems they stay down much more often.
reply
Good point about the violence of the game. That's why I think there is some correlation to guys not getting enough reps in camp and preseason. They are all in shape but they aren't in football shape.
Game is also faster than ever and more about shiftiness than running over guys. That causes a lot of soft tissue injuries compared to head on collision injuries.
reply
That's a good point. They're more like high-performance machines, when the sport used to rely more on off-road types.
reply
28 sats \ 1 reply \ @grayruby OP 5h
CMC out with Achilles tendonitis. Deebo out with calf strain. Kittle out with hamstring strain. Ward questionable with hamstring strain.
Guys aren't getting broken bones or separated shoulders as much anymore but tons of sprains, strains, achilles injuries, acl and mcl injuries.
Also wonder if back in the day. Guys just played with strains and sprains. I mean if you pop a tendon you aren't going to play but I think they are a lot more cautious now with star players. CMC said he wanted to play but they put him on IR. I am sure Kittle would play this week if they let him.
reply
Considering how much Crosby plays through, I wonder how much of it is guys being more cautious than they used to.
reply
100 sats \ 2 replies \ @Carresan 3h
In Europe, there is a lot of talk about increasing number of matches and competitions in football. Some top players are raising questions. From a fan point of view, sometimes more matches is not the same as better matches. But then money comes in. More matches, more money. Players want good salaries. So if more money comes, better salaries will be paid. Difficult decision. This year UEFA decided to increase the number of matches at the top competition. NFL maybe thinking alike.
reply
30 sats \ 1 reply \ @grayruby OP 3h
Absolutely. More matches doesn't mean better matches or even good matches. But there is a lot of money in expanding the schedule.
reply
And then it’s the issue with injuries. I have the same feeling that someone else has mentioned before regarding soft tissues injuries. Especially when we start talking about ACL, MCL or even worse with the triad. We do see these injuries more often and the problem is that the player is out for a good few months.
reply
Don't dilute the product anymore than it already is
reply
40 sats \ 0 replies \ @gmd 1h
Wow Anthony Joshua just got retired (hopefully) in spectacular fashion...
reply
I also totally disagree... 17 games are fine!! And play off..!!
reply
Other - 0 games. The NFL is a complete waste if time and energy. A big ol distraction. Sorry. I had to say it. πŸ’š
reply
Go play football outside with your friends or kids instead. Turn off the Tell-Lie-Vision
reply
I play sports with my kids all the time. I watch games with my son. I watch games with my dad. I connect with old friends and stackers on SN over passion for sports.
Ultimately I am going to do whatever I want to do. I worked my ass off for over 15 years, invested wisely and put myself in the position where I have a lifestyle where I can control my time and what I do with it.
reply
Consider, if it wasn't incredibly profitable for few, the NFL wouldn't exist..
reply
11 sats \ 1 reply \ @grayruby OP 5h
This iteration of the NFL certainly wouldn't but sports leagues existed long before they were media machines. But asserting it is more about making money now than the joy of sport and competition is absolutely fair.
reply
That makes sense. And I know a lot of people get joy from sports. I just never did. It is a great way to bring people together. And I can get behind that.
reply
I can see how it is a great way to connect. I just didn't have that in my family and friends. Different perspectives. I like poking a bit. I only have love for all the "sports ball" people.
reply
Makes sense. I am just saying how I see it. Not telling anyone what to do. It's just strange to me, doesn't make it "wrong". πŸ’š
reply
Agreed. Your initial comments didn't really seem to be presented as opinion and not telling anyone what to do which is why I pushed back a bit.
reply
I get it. I like being a just a little bit if a dick sometimes. Just to get people engaged. I really do respect all perspectives. I am a human. I only do it with love. I can respect people who like sports and hopefully they can respect me.
reply
Understood. You have to be spicy with the hot takes some times to get a good discussion going. I think its a great debate. As I mentioned I do think sports are a net negative in a lot of ways for some people. Many people ascribe their value as humans to the results of their team. That is not healthy in my opinion.
reply
I have to ask, why grayruby?
I can be kind of fiery. I keep it tame here to be honest.
πŸ€πŸ«‚
Weren't you asking what movie to watch last night? Isn't that a big ol distraction and waste of time and energy?
When people make the point that many people are too obsessed with sports and tie too much of their self worth to the success or failure of their team I am open to the argument. When people just arbitrarily say watching sports are a waste of time I push back and say "ok what about tv, movies, social media, randomly scrolling the internet, drinking at a bar, shopping for things you don't need, gambling and so on and so". There are many things people do to entertain themselves and connect with others, sports is one. I am sure you waste time too on occasion.
I get a bit irked about this because this whole notion sports are a waste of time you should be doing something productive started some years ago and was parroted by male influencers like Mike Cernovich on social media. Cernovich rails against "sports ball" and how you are wasting your time watching it and you could be spending it learning things or with your family. He posts beautiful pics of his wife and daughters and then spends 16 hours a day arguing with people on twitter.
Not saying this is you. But the hypocrisy of the "sports ball bad" crowd is a bit much for me.
reply
US sports is very fiat to me. It teaches us to be against others. I don't understand stimulation through watching competition. It encourages tribalism like politics. Not for me.
reply
I enjoy art that helps me think and grow. That's why I asked for a dark movie. This helps me go within. I don't see being still as a waste if time. I love music too. For me, art isn't a waste if time. Watching sports is. I don't want to numb my mind or live through someone else. Just my opinion.
reply