NFL Players Not Happy About 18 game regular season

[idahojetsfan]

DeMaurice Smith addresses concernsEmail Print Comments39 By Chris Mortensen

ESPN.com

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NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith has been deluged with phone calls, text messages and emails from players who were unhappy to hear a report that progress was made last week on the proposed 18-game regular season. Smith sent a memo to all NFL players on Monday to explain the union's position.

"A lot of players were worried when we sent a counter-proposal on the 18 games," said NFLPA president Kevin Mawae. "The players wonder why are we even countering if we don't want 18 games to begin with so we're in the process of explaining the duties we have as a union in the collective bargaining process."

Mawae added, "Make no mistake, we have not talked to one player who wants 18 games and they have made that clear to [smith] and the rest of us."

The memo briefed players on the slow progress of negotiations and, as Mawae noted, explain the fiduciary duties the union has to bargain with management in good faith.

"The owners sent us an 18-game proposal three months ago even though we have told them over and over again we can't sell 18 games to the players," explained Mawae. "But, as we told the players, we are bound by labor law to negotiate in good faith so an impasse can't be declared. The players wanted to know why they haven't been getting information on bargaining and we wanted to explain it's really because there really hasn't been anything going on.

"It's just the beginning of bargaining and our stance is we're going to the table, bargain and negotiate. If they bring an 18-game proposal to the table, we have to address it. But our stance remains: How is this good for the players' health and safety? What about all the hits? The concussions? Career longevity? Post-medical benefits? We'll bargain because we have to but until it makes sense -- if it ever makes sense -- we're not going to agree to any 18-game schedule. I think you can see by our counter-proposal that this isn't going to be a rubber stamp deal, not at all."

Asked about the optimism being sold on a December deal on a new CBA, Mawae laughed, saying, "I wish but that's not even close. There's a lot of work to be done."

NFL management has maintained that much research is being done to address the concerns of the health and welfare of players concerning the 18-game schedule.

[idahojetsfan]

it's kind of funny the nfl players hate the idea but the afl players like it

AFL’s Enhanced 18-Game Schedule Gives Opportunity to Players

11/24/2010 12:19 PM

In 1987, the Arena Football League was a fascinating innovation, capturing the attention of fans. The game was unique and contemporary, equipped with a 50-yard field, distinct motions, undersized field goal posts and padded walls. 24-years later, the League decided upon another novel facet, an 18-game schedule.

As the National Football League fervently debates a shift to an 18-game season, the AFL set a groundbreaking precedent that hasn’t been seen in American football since the United States Football League in 1985.

“The move to an 18-game schedule was due to the timing, popularity of the sport of football and the prominence of the sport of football on a number of different levels,” AFL Commissioner Jerry B. Kurz said.

The decision to augment the regular season schedule came just one week after ArenaBowl XXIII on August 20, 2010. During the League’s annual owners meeting in Pheonix, Ariz., the schedule alteration was approved.

“It’s an enhancement; it’s an opportunity for us to have our brand of football in our markets for the fans. No matter what you call it, the bottom line is that our season will be longer and our fans are really happy about that,” Kurz said.

The addition of two games gives the League and teams an opportunity to generate supplementary revenue from sponsors, television deals and ticket sales.

“You always have concerns [for the players] though. The players that I have spoken to like the opportunity to keep playing,” Kurz said.

This is in part to the League’s economic model. The league is a single-entity and owns the right to the teams, players and coaches.

“In our League, players will get more money because they get paid per game. It’s an opportunity for additional revenue for the players,” Kurz explained.

With the latest 18-game schedule, the League also implemented two bye-weeks.

“Will it be more wear and tear on the body? Yes. We have to be careful and concerned that our players will be staying in shape. We have to make sure they continue to get the same level of medical care that we have given them over the years. Now, we’ll give them pay for an additional two games. That’s a good thing for them as well.”

For some player’s, 18-games is merely a prelude to their playing year.

“We’ve seen a number of players go from our season to the NFL season, UFL season and keep playing. Players no longer come to camp having sat like a bear and hibernating in the offseason,” Kurz said.

In 2001, former AFL standout Kelvin Kinney played in 38 football games; 10 with the Las Vegas Outlaws (XFL), 12 with the Detroit Fury (AFL) and 16 with the Toronto Argonauts (CFL).

Over a three-year span (2001-03) Kinney played in 90 games, seven football seasons in three different leagues and won two Championships in 2003 (with the Tampa Bay Storm, ArenaBowl XVII, and Edmonton Eskimos, The Grey Cup). Kinney jumped from one league to another, joining teams when the season had already started.

“I don’t think it’s too much,” Kinney said of the expanded schedule. “I was just getting started at 18 games. The younger guys just have to take care of themselves during the season and especially in the offseason. You have to come into camp in the best shape.”

The seasoned veteran, who announced his retirement from the AFL following the 2010 season with the Tampa Bay Storm, played 10 seasons in the AFL. He also spent time in the NFL, XFL and CFL.

“I’ve been eating a lot better and working out more,” Kinney’s former Storm teammate and now San Jose Sabercats’ center, Robbie Powell, said. “You have to make sure you are staying healthy and eating right. You have to keep away from the garbage foods, staying in the gym.”

Powell, who is entering his sophomore season in the AFL, is pleased about the League’s enhanced schedule.

“It’s all about being seen, getting film and getting other looks. I also like the fact that they moved the season up this year so it doesn’t run too far into the NFL season. It will get guys more looks. Now, because the season ends just before NFL camps, it will give guys greater opportunities,” Powell said.

In part to the expanded schedule, the League also implemented an extra roster spot for teams.

The 24th season of the AFL will kick off with in-state rivals and expansion teams, Ron Jaworski’s Philadelphia Soul at Lynn Swann’s Pittsburgh Power, on NFL Network on Friday, March 11, 2011.

[Green DNA]

Give the players more money and they will be quite happy with the 18 game season.

[SenorGato]

Good for them...It's a terrible idea and personally no athlete gets f*cked more by it's sport than the NFL athlete...can't even get their f*ckin contracts guaranteed yet people haaaaate them if they dare ask for more money...do that and then talking about adding 2 more chances to suffer a life/career altering injury.

[hoping4ASuperBowl]

Give the players more money and they will be quite happy with the 18 game season.

That's the only reason their not happy about it.....yet.

[Jets Voice of Reason]

Give the players more money and they will be quite happy with the 18 game season.

Probably this and expanding rosters to make it easier for players to hang on.

[LWC611]

How would that affect the value of current player contracts. I presume that players and teams work from a the premise of a 16 game season when working the math for player compensation.

[serphnx]

They should cut it to 14 games and expand the playoffs if they need more money. There should also be a bye for everyone a week before the playoffs.

[JerryK]

They should cut it to 14 games and expand the playoffs if they need more money. There should also be a bye for everyone a week before the playoffs.

Would a longer playoff bracket put too much luck into making the SB? Seems like 5+ games played that hard give injury or playcalling too much opportunity to knock a good team out of the running.

[hoping4ASuperBowl]

They should cut it to 14 games and expand the playoffs if they need more money. There should also be a bye for everyone a week before the playoffs.

Considering how Schotty does when he has too much time to plan this is a horrible idea.

[LWC611]

They should cut it to 14 games and expand the playoffs if they need more money. There should also be a bye for everyone a week before the playoffs.

The owners would actually lose one home game a year.....

[billo83]

Give the players more money and they will be quite happy with the 18 game season.

That and eliminate at least 2 if not all of the pre season games. I know that's not likely, but fans and players alike hate the preseason games.

[hoping4ASuperBowl]

That and eliminate at least 2 if not all of the pre season games. I no that's not likely, but fans and players alike hate the preseason games.

Yeah but the coaches use those games to evaluate their rosters. Agreed that I don't think they need all 4 of them though.

[RutgersJetFan]

Mawae's right and Goodell is a hypocrite. You can't make it seem like you're that concerned with concussions while trying to extend the very cause of them.

[Larz]

just wait until the owners tell them they want to slash rookie contracts by 50%

then we find out of there will be a lockout imho

[flgreen]

just wait until the owners tell them they want to slash rookie contracts by 50%

then we find out of there will be a lockout imho

Think that will be a problem?

Next years rookies won’t have a say. Do you think the veterans care what the rookies make? Less the rooks get, more of the cap for the veterans. Won't apply to guys allready on rookie contracts. Just the new guys

I think everyone wants a rookie cap. Union won’t give it up with out getting something back.

[T0mShane]

The Player's Union should agree to an 18 game season as soon as owners agree to guarantee every nickel of a player contract. That would shut them up right there. Most teams can't even sell enough tickets for eight home games, and now they want to try and gouge fans for another game? Fools.

[slats]

Think that will be a problem?

Next years rookies won’t have a say. Do you think the veterans care what the rookies make? Less the rooks get, more of the cap for the veterans. Won't apply to guys allready on rookie contracts. Just the new guys

I think everyone wants a rookie cap. Union won’t give it up with out getting something back.

On the surface you'd think that, but the outrageously high rookie salaries fuel higher veteran salaries. Tom Brady and Peyton manning get to point to Sam Bradford's deal as a reason they need jumbo cash - and rightfully so.

Be nice if a rookie cap led to something of an NFL middle class, but that's a pipe dream. It'll always be have and have-nots, and now more rookies will fall into the have-not category. I'd think a cap would be tied to shorter contracts, and earlier RFA and UFA for the players. That would be a fair compromise.

[Bob]

This 18 game season is a horrible idea.