BLOG: 18 Game NFL Schedule
Written By: Bill Campbell
The emergence of the Eagles "short week", meaning games on Sunday and Thursday of the same week, might indicate what future schedules may bring. Commissioner Goodell and the owners want to play 18 games in 2011, despite the fact that the present 16 game schedule runs from October through January and, in some weeks, consumes 3 days – Thursday, Sunday and Monday.
All 32 teams have just finished their 11th week this season, preceded by training camp and preseason games, the latter to be reduced in 2011 from 4 to 2. It has been far from an injury-free season and teams like the 10-time loser, Carolina, and 7-time losers, Detroit, Buffalo and Cincinnati, cannot be thrilled about the prospect of adding 2 games to the regular season.
Eagles' right tackle, Winston Justice, has taken to writing a weekly column in one of our local daily papers and last week he wrote on the subject of a possible longer season from the players' viewpoint. As good as it feels to be fighting for the lead in the NFC East, Justice acknowledged the physical and mental strain involved. Bodies get beaten down mentally and physically over 11 games and there are still 5 to go this season before possible playoffs. It does indeed take its toll and, while it's great for owners and players to make more money, all should be aware of what effect a longer season will have on the NFL product.
Justice writes that he loves the game, loves to play it, but can't imagine going to a regular season schedule of 18 games, and that just watching stretchers carrying players off the field – and we've had our share of that this season – dictates otherwise. A meeting of the minds is needed on 2 important items for 2011: a new collective bargaining agreement and a new schedule. Owners and players have to agree, of course, and if more players speak up publicly as Justice has done, everyone might take a second look at an 18 game schedule. It is a great game. It is spreading globally. It needs an equitable CBA, not a new 18 game schedule.
Pat Gillick is under serious consideration by the Veterans' Association for admission to the Baseball Hall of Fame. This possibly comes as a surprise to most local Phillies fans, but Gillick is indeed worthy of such consideration. Most of his long time in baseball has been spent in other places – Toronto, Baltimore and Seattle. But since coming to Philadelphia in 2006, the Phillies have become consistent winners and haven't stopped under Ruben Amaro, Jr., his successor. They also have been selling out every day and night, which is also important in a general manager's resume. Gillick is now 73, has retained his connection to the Phillies as an advisor and talent evaluator. And one of his protégés is Jayson Werth, who is now very close to the top of the free agent list. The special committee evaluating 12 of 16 candidates is meeting in the coming weeks and will issue its final poll of people on December 6th.
Speaking of Hall of Famers, there is always Joe Paterno. His Nittany Lions, despite a mediocre season and a 7-5 record, is probably going to a bowl game somewhere, probably the Gator Bowl. Paterno has coached in the Gator Bowl 34 times, has won 17 times. The bowl teams are scheduled to be announced on Sunday. Penn State finished in a 3-way tie for 4th place in the Big 10 with Iowa and Illinois. If a tie-breaker existed for bowl spots, Penn State wouldn't make it. But the Lions are usually good bowl candidates mainly because of Paterno's national appeal and Penn State's fan base that is willing to travel. The Gator Bowl had Florida State's Bobby Bowden in his final game and it may very well feature Joe Paterno this year, who says he will be back for at least another season.
