17 game season might be here in 2021

[Karate61]

No preseason at all is needed. This was proven in 2020. Why bother?

 

[Mackeyser]

Preseason is where UDFAs and lower round draft picks make the team.

We need at least one or two for teams to better install new systems and to evaluate new players, be they incoming vets or draftees.

4 games was excessive, but 2 games should do it.

 

[CGI_Ram]

No preseason at all is needed. This was proven in 2020. Why bother?

Preseason is where UDFAs and lower round draft picks make the team.

We need at least one or two for teams to better install new systems and to evaluate new players, be they incoming vets or draftees.

4 games was excessive, but 2 games should do it.

2-3 preseason games feels about right.

You even see it in how teams handle preseason... It feels like the 4th game is all about avoiding injuries.

 

[dieterbrock]

No preseason at all is needed. This was proven in 2020. Why bother?

Proven? Not sure about that. Got away with it for one year? More likely. Look at Wolford, without his PS performances in 2019, who knows if he's even on the team. I actually enjoy the PS games, to see players that you know from college. What I dont like is how the season ticket holders are coerced in to paying big $$ for these silly games.
4 games is outrageous, 3 seems like a good number, 2 would be minimum IMO
In every sport there are really good players in practice who suck in real games, while conversely there are those who dont stand out in practice but slay it in games

 

[Karate61]

Proven? Not sure about that. Got away with it for one year? More likely. Look at Wolford, without his PS performances in 2019, who knows if he's even on the team. I actually enjoy the PS games, to see players that you know from college. What I dont like is how the season ticket holders are coerced in to paying big $$ for these silly games.
4 games is outrageous, 3 seems like a good number, 2 would be minimum IMO
In every sport there are really good players in practice who suck in real games, while conversely there are those who dont stand out in practice but slay it in games

I think it's been proven. It was a good overall season. Throughout all teams and games weeks 1-4, I didn't notice any substantially subpar play. I don't see why that wouldn't repeat again in another season without a preseason.

Having said that, I'd be up for a 2 game preseason, as you mention, I do like to watch the new players.

Maybe 2 preseason games and a 17 or 18 game schedule!

 

[MadGoat]

With the way the NFL is going, every passing single-season record is in jeopardy.

Dickerson's record will be an interesting one. The increased chance of the record falling from an extra game is offset by the changes in the way that NFL teams approach the position and the emphasis on the passing game. If it doesn't fall in the next five years, the record might stand for another 20+.

 

[dieterbrock]

I think it's been proven. It was a good overall season. Throughout all teams and games weeks 1-4, I didn't notice any substantially subpar play. I don't see why that wouldn't repeat again in another season without a preseason.

Having said that, I'd be up for a 2 game preseason, as you mention, I do like to watch the new players.

Maybe 2 preseason games and a 17 or 18 game schedule!

I dont see how it was proven. It worked for 1 season, but that is a whole different animal than permanent. Again, using Wolford as an example, he earned his way on the team largely in part to his pre-season of 2019. I dont see how 2020 proved they didnt need, moreso that they got away with it for a year. Had the Rams had 3-4 pre-season games, and Sloman kicked as bad in them as reg season, he may not have even made it to the 53.

 

[dieterbrock]

With the way the NFL is going, every passing single-season record is in jeopardy.

Dickerson's record will be an interesting one. The increased chance of the record falling from an extra game is offset by the changes in the way that NFL teams approach the position and the emphasis on the passing game. If it doesn't fall in the next five years, the record might stand for another 20+.

Well, I for 1 amd extremely grateful that Derrick Henry didnt have an additional game to play last year. Was too close for comfort as it was!

 

[MadGoat]

Well, I for 1 amd extremely grateful that Derrick Henry didnt have an additional game to play last year. Was too close for comfort as it was!

Agreed. I had Henry in mind when thinking about the next few years with an extra game.

 

[Karate61]

I dont see how it was proven. It worked for 1 season, but that is a whole different animal than permanent. Again, using Wolford as an example, he earned his way on the team largely in part to his pre-season of 2019. I dont see how 2020 proved they didnt need, moreso that they got away with it for a year. Had the Rams had 3-4 pre-season games, and Sloman kicked as bad in them as reg season, he may not have even made it to the 53.

Well...they do evaluate players during practice!

 

[dieterbrock]

Well...they do evaluate players during practice!

WEll, like I said previously, In every sport there are really good players in practice who suck in real games, while conversely there are those who dont stand out in practice but slay it in games

 

[ScotsRam]

Records are made to be broken. Nobody here will give a fuck if Donald gets the sack record with an extra game to get it.

 

[Riverumbbq]

The only record book of concern to me is the one recording our future Super Bowl wins ...

 

[dieterbrock]

Records are made to be broken. Nobody here will give a fuck if Donald gets the sack record with an extra game to get it.

Could just be me, and maybe its because the sack record is not legit, but I would rather see ED 2,105 keep the rushing record more than Donald setting a record for sacks.

 

[RamsSince1969]

In my eyes, ED's 2105 yards will forever be the record because he did it in 16 games. Even if someone does manage to break it, ED will just smile and say "All I have to ask you, where would my total rushing yards be for that season If I had a 17th game? I bet over 2,300 yards!"

 

[RhodyRams]

They should make the extra games be against the closest team geographically from the other conference this creates a rivalry and limit travel.

Rams/Chargers would be an obvious annual rivalry game.

Others: (some debatable, but this keeps most relatively close travel wise.)

Giants/Jets
Eagles/Pats
Cards/Chiefs
Panthers/Titans
Falcons/Jags
Dolphins/Bucs
Niners/Raiders
Seahawks/Broncos
Saints/Texans
WFT/Ravens
Vikings/Bills
Bears/Browns
Packers/Colts
Lions/Bengals
Cowboys/Steelers

Each team plays every team 1x every 4 years


But to further create rivalries I would go with
Eagles-Steelers
Giants-Jets
Cowboys-Texans
Tampa-Miami (Tamiami Trail)
KC-Chicago

 

[CGI_Ram]

Records are made to be broken. Nobody here will give a fuck if Donald gets the sack record with an extra game to get it.

This whole time I was kinda pissed thinking Dickerson‘s record could be broken, then that bolded part got me.

@MadGoat makes a good point too (Dickerson record), the RB isn’t used the same. Henry is a threat though.

 

[FrantikRam]

I still like my idea. 17 game schedule but players can only play 16 games - expand the roster and you have to make each player inactive for at least one game.

Only argument I've seen against this is people paying to go see someone like Mahomes play live - but almost every elite player (including Mahomes) has gotten hurt and missed games, so I don't get that.

I think it'd be fascinating to see which games coaches choose to sit their QB or other stars. It'd add another layer of strategy to the season.

 

[RhodyRams]

Records are made to be broken.Thats why we keep track of every stat imaginable.

 

[dieterbrock]

I still like my idea. 17 game schedule but players can only play 16 games - expand the roster and you have to make each player inactive for at least one game.

Only argument I've seen against this is people paying to go see someone like Mahomes play live - but almost every elite player (including Mahomes) has gotten hurt and missed games, so I don't get that.

I think it'd be fascinating to see which games coaches choose to sit their QB or other stars. It'd add another layer of strategy to the season.

The owners had suggested something along those lines and I think it was shot down, as it should be. Would we want Stafford playing a game without his starting tackles? Missing his best WR? The rosters arent deep enough to field a complete sub team. Needing 2 punters, 2 kickers?