OT - Goodell considering expanding playoffs

**Dade** · 12-13-2012, 10:03 AM

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap100...nding-playoffs

Just another way Goodell is ruining football IMO. If this were too happen the playoffs would be severly watered down.

If the playoffs were to start today with a 16 team format these teams would be in: Washington, Dallas, Cincy and the Jets.

St Louis, Tampa Bay, Minnesota, Cleveland, San Diego, Buffalo, and Miami would only be one game out.

The first round would be just as meaningless as the NBA first round.

**Captain Silver** · 12-13-2012, 10:08 AM

If they can't extend the season it is a sneaky way to get more $$$. I bet it happens.

**Dade** · 12-13-2012, 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by Captain Silver

If they can't extend the season it is a sneaky way to get more $$$. I bet it happens.

Good point.

**s.r.genovese** · 12-13-2012, 10:18 AM

I'm not a Goodell guy but this mandate is coming from the owners, not Goodell:

https://twitter.com/BlogAndTackle/st...31522513498112

Potential NFL playoff expansion is idea of the 32 owners, NOT Roger Goodell. More revenue opps & playoff chances. RG just messenger.

**HoustonRaven** · 12-13-2012, 10:22 AM

I am ok with 14 teams but that's as far as I am willing to go.

Originally Posted by s.r.genovese

I'm not a Goodell guy but this mandate is coming from the owners, not Goodell:

https://twitter.com/BlogAndTackle/st...31522513498112

Goodell acts on behalf of the owner. He's their face / voice.

**ActualSpamBot** · 12-13-2012, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by HoustonRaven

Goodell acts on behalf of the owner. He's their face / voice.

I'd say it's more apt to describe him as their employee in regards to decisions like this, even though he has power over them in regards to decisions like player discipline. Even if he thinks it's a terrible idea, he really isn't in position to refuse. They have the ability to remove him from his job IIRC.

**Haloti92** · 12-13-2012, 10:26 AM

14 teams means best team in each conference gets a bye.
16 teams means no one gets a bye.

Not sure which I like better. Probably 14 teams.

**Dade** · 12-13-2012, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by HoustonRaven

Goodell acts on behalf of the owner. He's their face / voice.

Yep. The Commissioner is selected by the owners to push their agendas.

**s.r.genovese** · 12-13-2012, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by HoustonRaven

I am ok with 14 teams but that's as far as I am willing to go.

Goodell acts on behalf of the owner. He's their face / voice.

But much like the president, sometimes he'll be their mouthpiece and sometimes he'll push his own agenda.

**GOTA** · 12-13-2012, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by Captain Silver

If they can't extend the season it is a sneaky way to get more $$$. I bet it happens.

Yup. It means at least 2 more high revenue playoff games. Watch Goodell decide they should be on a neutral field and played in London for even more bucks.

**HoustonRaven** · 12-13-2012, 10:30 AM

I was listening to NFL Radio on Sirius this morning and they brought this up. The two hosts (I forget their names) were just hating the idea.

My immediate thought was the NHL and how exciting their playoffs became when they expanded them. I was sold on the 14 team idea after that.

I'd be ok with this move and a 2x18 schedule only if ....

1. A second bye week is added.
2. Roster are expanded to compensate for injury
3. Players are compensated for the extra games.

All three need to happen or else I don't think it helps the game or is fair to the players.

**Dirt1** · 12-13-2012, 10:31 AM

So, almost half of the teams in the league make the playoffs? Sort of diminishes the importance of the regular season doesn't it?

**HoustonRaven** · 12-13-2012, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by s.r.genovese

But much like the president, sometimes he'll be their mouthpiece and sometimes he'll push his own agenda.

He can't push his own agenda. That's not how they're set up.

The NFL is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. The owners select Goodell to run, in essence, their club of football teams. He has to do as he's told or they will find a new Commish.

**s.r.genovese** · 12-13-2012, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by HoustonRaven

He can't push his own agenda. That's not how they're set up.

The NFL is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. The owners select Goodell to run, in essence, their club of football teams. He has to do as he's told or they will find a new Commish.

The London thing is his agenda.

Sure, the owners also agree with it and want the potential money, but he is the one spearheading that push. Obviously he can't do anything the owners don't want but he does have the power to spearhead certain initiatives that are advantageous to the owners.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=5741331

He just has to get the players and teams on board first, which may not be all that difficult.

**HoustonRaven** · 12-13-2012, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by s.r.genovese

The London thing is his agenda.

Sure, the owners also agree with it and want the potential money, but he is the one spearheading that push.

Yes, at the behest of the owners.

The league doesn't see a dime in profits. The individual teams do.

All revenue the league brings in (fines, TV deals, etc) pays for the league operational costs and what's left over gets spread out amongst the 32 teams.

He's put in place to be their lightening rod. He takes the hits; that's what he's paid to do.

**esmd** · 12-13-2012, 10:56 AM

Hate this, no matter who is behind it.

**NCRAVEN** · 12-13-2012, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by Haloti92

14 teams means best team in each conference gets a bye.
16 teams means no one gets a bye.

Not sure which I like better. Probably 14 teams.

I agree with 14 and a bye for each. 16 is too many, half the league? What's the point of a regular season?

**Bhcforlife** · 12-13-2012, 12:17 PM

14 teams at most. Teams like the Jets and Rams would be in the playoffs under a 16 team playoff. Nothing against those teams, but I don't need to see that. MLB and NFL have the best playoffs IMO because so few teams get in, the NHL and NBA let half the league in and it diminishes the acheivement of making the playoffs, as well as the overall level of play in the playoffs...

Having said that, I'm sure it will happen eventually. This is an easier fight than the 18 game schedule.

**lobachevsky** · 12-13-2012, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by Captain Silver

If they can't extend the season it is a sneaky way to get more $$$. I bet it happens.

Bingo, Cap'n. The one good thing about Greedell is that any time the fans forget that this is a business, you can always dig out some harebrained idea he's floated & wave it in their collective face to remind them.

**GOTA** · 12-13-2012, 01:06 PM

Remember how everyone screamed when a 7-9 Seahawks team made the playoffs a couple of years ago? Imagine that almost every year. Last year for example there were 6 AFC and 6 NFC teams with winning records. More spots means setting things up for .500 or losing teams to make the playoffs.