Random NFL Thoughts 9/29/10

• The NFL seems determined to expand it's season up to 18 games (from 16).  In my mind, going to 18 games is jumping the shark for the NFL, i.e. horrible idea that will mark the turning point in the NFL's fortunes.  As Gregg Easterbrook often writes, there is no immutable law of nature that says the NFL must be successful.  By getting too greedy and diluting their product (and wearing out their players) they may just kill the golden goose.
• 16 games is ideal in a lot of ways.  Scheduling is uniform and predictable; it's as fair as it can possibly be.  Adding extra games means scheduling stronger or weaker opponents, probably at random, which used to be point of contention for some teams.
• Clark Judge has an excellent compromise:  If you won't stay at 16 games, consider a 17 game schedule, with the extra game at a neutral site.  These 17th games could be located around the country and internationally, building the brand in new locations like Los Angeles, Mexico, and London, as well as various NCAA stadiums around the country.  At least this addresses the marketing and business side of the equation which seems to be driving the NFL but might still be palatable to the players.
• My fantasy team is 2-1 but I'm leading my league in points (thanks Arian Foster).
• I can't imagine the players union being okay with more games without getting a lot more money.  But the owners want two more games and they want the players share of NFL revenue to be less.  Play 12% more games and take a pay cut?  Yeah, that'll never fly.
• I'm all for cutting the number of preseason games.  Those "games" are horrible examples of what NFL football actually is.  I've been an advocate of scrimmages and reality-TV style, follow the little guy around while he hopes to make the team.
• A part of this will probably be salary caps for rookies.  If the veterans want more money and the owners won't give it, the only place left is to take from the Ryan Leafs and JaMarcus Russells of the world.  If these unproven rookies were limited in what they could be given, then more money would be available in the pool for the veteran players.