18 Game NFL Schedule in 2012?

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has been pushing for 18 regular season games for a couple of years now, but the thought has finally begun to gain momentum with NFL owners. Goodell has already stated that by the current labor agreement with the players(which ends this season), the NFL has the right to impose an 18 game regular season and keep four preseason games if they wanted to so. Owners have said they would like to keep the season at 20 weeks and reduce preseason games from four to two.  Some of the main reasons the onwers have yet to vote on the 18 game season are because of the need to talk about adding more roster spots, changing starting times of training camp and off season workouts, and they would lose time working with younger players who would lose playing time with fewer preseason games.

Although the NFL Commissioner and owners are for the move, players have already begun question the move.  Carson Palmer,  the quarterback of the Cincinnati Bengals, thinks if they expand the season to 18 games, it will take meaning away from each game. As a Steelers fan it pains me to agree with the an AFC North rival, but this is bigger than rivalries. Along with taking meaning from games, NFL players could have shorter careers because of how demanding the game is. Last season you might remember Roger Goodell said he wants to find a way to give incentives to players and coaches so they play all 16 games when fans were upset about the Colts not going for a perfect season. Won’t adding two more games to the schedule just exacerbate the problem?

Last year, the Steelers didn’t make the playoffs, but this year ticket prices have increased and adding another game will just raise prices even more. Goodell says he wants to do what is best for everyone, however I don’t feel he really cares about the players or the fans. To quote Vince McMahon, Chairmen of World Wrestling Entertainment, “It’s all about the Money!” to the owners and Mr. Goodell. A yearly game is already being played overseas to help out make the NFL’s popularity global, this takes one home game away from one team’s fans. Not only is one game being played overseas, but there has been talks of doing a Super Bowl overseas. Is that in the best interest of the loyal NFL fans?  If no new NFL players agreement is made, there could be no football season next year, but some players feel that having an 18 game schedule is the only way to get a new deal signed.

With only two preseason games, how many rookies will actually be able to get a feel of the speed of the game and make their mistakes when it doesn’t matter? I do feel that four preseasons games feel like they take forever, but I also think it is necessary to help get rookies and other players to the place they need to be before the regular season. One thing is for sure, if the NFL owners want a 18 week regular season, they will get it.

Local Sports Announcements

Freeport Area Little League

Freeport Area Little League baseball (ages 6-11) is accepting fall registrations through Saturday. Contact: Darin Hettich at 724-353-3046 or freeportarealittleleague@yahoo.com.

Kittanning Little League

Kittanning Little League is accepting fall registrations until August 18. Contact: Rich at 724-664-4736.

Worthington Little League

Worthington Little League is accepting fall registrations through August 20 for players ages 7 to 14. Contact: 724-297-3739 or worthingtonlittleleague@gmail.com.

Coaching: Kittanning

Kittanning varsity football is accepting applications for an offensive backfield coach. Experience preferred. Mail applications to: Todd Harvey, athletic director, Kittanning High School, 1200 Orr. Avenue, Kittanning, PA 16201.

Football: Ford City

Season tickets for Ford City High School’s five home games this season are available during regular business hours at the school in athletic director Dennis Stewart’s office. Cost: $18.75.

Steelers’ Preseason Notes

Tomorrow will be the first of four preseason games for the Steelers. The Steelers will host the Detroit lions, in preseason games the Steelers lead the series 4-2. Keep an eye on who starts the game at quarterback because as of right now Coach Mike Tomlin isn’t sure if he will let Big Ben play in this game. If Big Ben doesn’t play expect Byron Leftwich to play the first quarter, Dennis Dixon to play the second and third quarter, and Charlie Batch to play the fourth.

Daniel Sepulveda is suppose to be getting a chance at kickoff duties, last year Jeff Reed didn’t help special teams out at all by only having three touchback, Reed’s average kickoff distance was 60.6 yards, and the Steelers finished second to last for opponents average starting field position.

Emmanuel Sanders has been impressing people at training camp and could push Antwaan Randle El and Arnaz Battle for the third wide receiver spot. Running Back Jonathan Dwyer who came to camp over weight and then got injured has finally been praised by the Steelers’ Running Backs coach Kirby Wilson in training camp. Issac Redan has been getting the role as the third running back so far doing training camp. 

Ziggy Hood has been complimented as the most improved player coming into camp and should see a lot of playing time this season when Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel need a breather. James Farrior and Larry Foote will be competing for a starting job at inside linebacker, as of right now Farrior is listed as the starter. Stevenson Sylvester is making a case to be on the team as a special teamer, if he makes the final roster the Steelers would have five ILB on the team.

As of right now Maurkice Pouncey will not be starting at right gaurd, but he will have a chance to win the starting job from Trai Essex.

 A few players to keep your eye on this preseason will be Brandon London a 6’3″ WR and rookie CB Crezdon Butler.