18 Weeks Later

Do we really need two more games?

Roger Goodell and NFL owners have proposed to take away two preseason games and replace them with two regular season games and adding a bye week. This is simply a grab for more money. Two more regular season games means two more weeks of sellouts for games with meaning.

Sports have evolved from just a game, to one of the most lucrative businesses on the planet. Athletes start playing games as youths, becomming more competitve in college, honing the craft of their trade, then becoming businessmen as they make a career of playing a sport. Some athletes treat sports as "just a job," something they are good at to provide for their family.

Sports has evolved to that.

In the beginning when a sport, such as baseball, was just gaining popularity, from Babe Ruth to the start of free agency, most athletes needed second jobs. These subsequent jobs were to provide for their family and future so that they could play a game they loved during the summer. This is why Spring Training and a preseason were originally necessary. Players became out of shape in the offseasons while they were working, so preseason helped them regain their form.

Now, given the size of athletes' contracts, subsequent jobs are not necessary, and they are expected to show up to training camps already in their top physical shape. Albert Haynesworth was supposed attend conditioning camp, and when he skipped that, was expected to complete a conditioning test. Training camps are not meant for players to get in shape, rather learn the coach's system and bond with teammates.

That is why removing two preseason games would not improve the overall quality of a season. A coach on a new team needs time too teach and his school would extend into the season, most likely losing the first couple of games, which could mean making or missing the playoffs in the end. Same for teams with new quarterbacks. I am sure the Washington Redskins, with Donovan McNabb, and the St. Louis Rams, with Sam Bradford, would suffer greatly without two extra preseason games.

Adding two games to the regular season is fine. All sports have extended their seasons. Again though, this won't add to the quality of the season, just the wad in owners' wallets.

Of course fans do not care about preseason games. The starters do not play all game, teams are still working out the kinks, and the games hold zero significance. This is no different than baseball's Spring Training. We realize preseason games offer no importance, but we still watch them. Fans still buy tickets to watch.

There is a strong chance this could all be moot though, as most players seem to be opposed to the idea of adding regular season games without adding money to their contracts. It is already a distinct possibility that there will be a lockout, and this will add fuel to that. Players are concerned that two more games can lead to more injuries as well.

Fans of course want to see as much football as possible, but we would much rather see players not lockout than play two extra weeks to per season.