The NFL "quietly has resumed its push to persuade the NFLPA to expand the regular-season to 18 games," according to a source cited by Mike Florio of PRO FOOTBALL TALK. This comes after the players "consistently have declined to agree to an expanded regular season." If the players "continue to refuse to play more than 16 games, the only way to add two games would be to expand the season while limiting each player’s participation to 16 per season." This would "require coaches to make often difficult decisions about when to rest each player, twice." Exceptions could be "made for specialists and quarterbacks, who already have greater in-game protections and compensation than other players." Though a source has "described the possibility of an 18-game season with a 16-game limit per player as 'fascinating,' many fans would disagree. Loudly" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com, 9/23). ESPN's Tony Kornheiser said of the concept, "I love this idea ... You raise the rosters because now you have turned a football coach into a baseball manager. Now he's got to rest guys." Kornheiser said he finds the proposal "intriguing and I think it gives underdogs a better chance against good teams." ESPN's Michael Wilbon said the idea is "garbage" because it is the "epitome of greed" ("PTI," ESPN, 9/23).
