Future NFL

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Warren

In 1993, every team had two bye weeks so the 16-game regular season was spread over 18 weeks. Ratings dipped so they went back to one bye the next year. I wouldn't be surprised to see them try it again. I would think that revenue from the extra week of games would more than offset a drop in ratings in the various TV markets in weeks when the local teams were off. Plus they could spin it as a player safety move.

I'm just relieved that Sean Gilbert lost his bid to be the NFLPA executive director. That was a work stoppage waiting to happen.

But in 1993 Fantasy Football was in its infancy. Today, football fans watch every game almost as much as they watch their home team. I watched a Tennessee-Jacksonville game last year on a Thursday night because it was the only game on. I think the ratings impact would be next to nothing and the extra 1-2 weeks of programming to sell would be huge. Plus it has a player safety appeal like you said. To me an extra bye week elevates the level of play and lets guys get healthy. While increasing games lowers the level of play and increases injuries.

I'd also be in favor of eliminating 1 or 2 preseason games.