Players on Longer Season …Weekend Cup O’Chiefs

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY TO ALL THE DADS OUT THERE.

From America’s Highways & Byways

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell wants to expand the NFL’s regular-season schedule.

Goodell wants 17 or 18 games, rather than the current 16 that has been the league’s schedule since the 1978 season.

Chiefs veteran RG Mike Goff answered a question with his own question when asked about the expanded schedule.

“Has the Commissioner ever played 16 games in a season?” the 12-year veteran asked.

When told Goodell had never played pro football, Goff scratched his beard and shook his head.

“I don’t know what the answer is, but at some point it’s too much,” Goff said.

That reflected many of the comments from other veteran players in the Chiefs locker room who were asked about the possibility of a longer regular season. At the NFL meetings back in March, Goodell floated the idea of expanding the regular-season schedule to either 17 or even possibly 18 games. The Commissioner has said the time-frame would remain the same as today’s 21 weeks for four pre-season games, 16 regular season games and a bye week.

The NFL went to 12 games in 1947, bumped it to 14 games in 1961 and then 16 games in 1978. The American Football League began play in 1960 with 14 games.

Most of the veteran Chiefs had only heard sketchy reports of the idea over the lasts couple months. But most do not like the idea.

“I don’t know enough about the situation right now to say much about it,” said WR Bobby Engram, the oldest player on the Chiefs roster at 36 years of age and in his 14th season in the league.

“Two extra weeks is pretty tough. I say cut two pre-season games and keep it the way it is.”

Another soon to be 36-year old, 14-year veteran agreed with Engram.

“There is a point where it’s too much,” said LB Zach Thomas. “I don’t know what that point is. I don’t know if it’s 17 or 18 games, or if we’ve already found it at 16 games. I love the game of football, but there’s only so much the body can take and there’s only so much that the mind can overcome with the body.

“I’m not sure I understand why we would need more games.”

The idea is money, pure and simple. More regular season games would provide more programming that the league can sell to the TV networks. It’s the only reason for the move. If pre-season games were eliminated, teams would not make any more money at the gate, since they generally charge the same for a pre-season game as they do a regular-season contest. There’s no great inequity that more games would settle in the standings.

“If they are going to pay us to play those extra games, then I’m sure some players would be for the idea,” said S Jon McGraw, an eight-year veteran. “But if they just want to keep the money what it is today and divide it by 1/17th or 1/18th instead of what they do now, then I don’t think you are going to find many players supporting the idea.”

C Rudy Niswanger is one of the team’s assistant player representatives, sharing those duties with McGraw. Brian Waters serves as the team’s player rep. He says as long as the extended season is negotiated with the NFL Players Association, he doesn’t think it’s necessarily a bad idea.

“If they determine they want to play more games and pay us accordingly, then good,” said Niswanger. “I’m still a young guy and I don’t have all the aches and pains that more veteran players have. Talk to me in about six years and I would have a different answer for you.”

Ten-year veteran OT Damion McIntosh thinks the expanded season would hurt a lot of young players if there were fewer pre-season games for them to show their stuff.

“To me, I think 16 feels like plenty, unless you are adding more teams into the league,” McIntosh said. “I know pre-season is a necessary evil because you have so many young players trying to make a squad and you only have so much time to evaluate them. In my opinion I think we have enough. All it does is make the season longer; there’s nothing that needs to be corrected as far as the way the league is arranged or the season and making the playoffs.”

Goff did the math in his head, with 18 regular season games and then potential for the Super Bowl teams to play 22 games that count.

“The furthest I’ve made it during a season was the AFC Championship Game, and from a physical standpoint, I know how my body felt then,” Goff said of going to the conference title game after the 2007 season with the Chargers.

“It hurt. It’s one of those things that were at that point you are operating strictly on adrenalin. Your body is beat up; everybody’s body is beat up. We had a quarterback playing on one knee (Phillip Rivers) and a running back without a groin (LaDainian Tomlinson) and a tight end who didn’t have a toe (Antonio Gates). From a physical standpoint, it’s going to be tougher.”

CHIEFS ROSTER SLICE PRODUCES NO SURPRISES

The GM is out of town. So is the head coach. They are on vacation.

But that doesn’t mean things stop around the Chiefs offices just because the big boys are digging their toes in the sand. Friday, the team announced four roster cuts: LS Thomas Gafford, DT T.J. Jackson, WR C.J. Jones and LB Darrell Robertson.

Gafford became the Chiefs deep snapper last year when J.P. Darche suffered a knee injury that ended his season. Gafford was inconsistent on his snaps last season over nine games. It was hard to judge from the OTA and mini-camp work done in the public eye if Gafford had problems. But his release right now is good news for Tanner Purdum out of Baker. Right now he’s the only snapper on the roster; that doesn’t guarantee him a job, but it gives him a head start on everybody else.

Jackson was running with the third team defense on the nose. He’s a bit under-sized for that spot at just six-feet tall. He was on the active roster for four games last season, before he ended up on the IR list due to a knee injury.

Smith showed little in the practice sessions; same with Robertson, who was working with the third-team defense at outside linebacker. Both Smith and Robertson had previous stints with New England.

The Chiefs have 81 players on the roster right now. Right now, the team’s draft choices do not count against that number because they’ve not announced any contract agreements. But t he moves may be an indication that they are getting ready to sign some of their eight choices.

Stories have circulated that seventh-round kicker Ryan Succop has agreed to terms with the team on a three-year, $1.21 million deal with a $25,000 signing bonus. The  Chiefs have  not made  annoucement.  Agents for several of the other draft choices said late  this week they’ve had no offers and no discussions with the Chiefs about their clients. 

Once the draft picks are all signed, the Chiefs can have just 80 players on their roster.

SIGNINGS & MOVEMENT AROUND THE LEAGUE

BUCCANEERS – signed seventh-round draft choice WR Sammie Stroughter; released C B Evan McCullough, LB Jamall Johnson and WR Amari Jackson.

CARDINALS – signed fourth-round draft choice CB Greg Toler.

CHARGERS – signed fifth-round draft choice CB Brandon Hughes.

GIANTS – signed seventh-round draft choice CB Stoney Woodson.

RAMS – awarded OT Renardo Foster on waivers (Falcons).

RAVENS – signed fifth-round draft choice LB Jason Phillips.

SEAHAWKS – signed seventh-round draft choice TE Cameron Morrah.

STEELERS – signed seventh-round draft choice TE David Johnson.

SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY …

June 20

Born on June 20, 1935 in Alliance, Ohio was Hall of Fame QB Len Dawson. He joined the Dallas Texans in 1962 after five years in the NFL as a backup for Pittsburgh and Cleveland. Dawson spent 14 seasons with the Texans-Chiefs and finished his career as the franchise’s leading passer in just about every statistical category. He played in 183 games, with 158 starts. Len was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.

Born on June 20, 1963 in Baltimore was OT Brian Jozwiak. He was a first-round choice in the 1986 NFL Draft out of West Virginia. Jozwiak played in 28 games, with two starts over three seasons (1986-88).

Born on June 20, 1975 in Los Angeles was RB Rashaan Shehee. He was a third-round choice in the 1998 NFL Draft out of Washington. Shehee played in 25 games, with five starts over two seasons (1998-99.) He carried the ball 87 times for 295 yards and a touchdown and caught 28 passes for 209 yards.


26 Responses to “Players on Longer Season …Weekend Cup O’Chiefs”

  • June 20, 2009  - dklogue1 says:

    IMO expanding the season has more negatives than positives. How much can a football players body take. More injuries shorter careers. I see no way
    they could do it without expanding rosters. Mike Goff asked a good question has thecommish ever played 16 games?


  • June 20, 2009  - Rip 'em a new one says:

    A compromise for the players on this 18 game regular season schedule would be the extra pay above their current earnings, as was pointed out in Bob’s piece. The second part could be adding another bye week to the schedule but to do that, opening day would have to be Labor Day weekend which is okay from my point of view.

    The extra time on the schedule would be tacked onto the end, meaning the Superbowl would be played on the 2d or 3d Sunday in February which is more than okay for the TV networks as February is a sweeps rating month.

    There’s money on the table to be picked up by going to an 18 game regular season and the NFL seldom walks away from $$$ to be made so I expect it (18 games) to happen sometime in the near future.


  • June 20, 2009  - Johnfromfairfax says:

    I have to agree with Rip on this. It makes too much financial sense for the league for this not to happen. I’m guessing they’ll work something out. The idea of an extra bye week and more Benjamins would help get player support as well.


  • June 20, 2009  - DaveS says:

    Hey Bob,

    I don’t know if you noticed by in the article you mentioned that CJ Jones had been cut, but later referred to him several times as “Smith”. If he takes the time to read this he will know exactly how valuable his contribution was to the team.


  • June 20, 2009  - Johnfromfairfax says:

    P. S. I saw the all-time favorite teams posted earlier and was happy to see Jerrell Wilson’s name on lists. People often cite Ray Guy as the best punter ever. “Thunderfoot” was better and did so over a longer period of time than Guy. He was an unbelievable weapon and truly amazing to watch. If punters are ever considered for the HOF he should be the first to make it in. Happy Father’s Day all.


  • June 20, 2009  - anonymous says:

    This would be a good opportunity for the NFLPA to finally earn their dues. If greedy ass owners want to add two more games, Fine! But be prepared to expand the roster’s, game day and team. This is an issue I think the Players Union should take a strong stand on. Expanding the roster would help extend guys careers, it would also make it a little easier for a team to take a little more time to develop young guys. Rosters are to damn small anyway imo.

    I’m not qualified to suggest a #, but I would like to see it expanded by 10, I know that’s pushing it, owners would pee if the union asked for that, but it would have to be a substantial # imo


  • June 20, 2009  - Rin Tin Tin says:

    A day without Rin knocking old ’search’ & ‘check’ is like a day without…sunshine- oh well, here goes anyway.

    Today’s talk we shall title: “Killing The Golden Goo$e”

    You said it Bob G - money, i.e., the love of said being the root of all evil in a football $en$e as otherwise.

    I would like to see the NFL go back to 14 games as the AFL first & NFL later followed - it will never happen, of cour$e.

    As Rin discovered with ESPN aft my first exposure to it many years ago, came the time when finally I said “enough is enough” - it became too much.

    Oversaturation, overstimulation, sports overload- who would have thunk it. Back in the 1960s before cable & before you could see so many of the games in so many sports, these games were more special (the % of fans who actually attend games has been said to be as small as 2% according to some.)

    I can’t even stomach watching ESPN anymore atall. Now some of that may be age-related, but more so is a matter of the charm having been washed away in a sea screaming of talking heads & their over hype, replays & analyzation…the mute button on the remote or better yet the on/off switch my new personal savior.

    In 1970 after the Chiefs had won Superbowl 4 in January of that year, Kaycee played 7 preseason or exhibition games as they were once called… that’s half a regular season in the pre.

    Add 14 more regular, post season & the Chiefs had they survived might have played as many 24 games that year. That they failed to even make the post season after their Superbowl may have likely just have been a case of the spirit being willing, but the body having given up.

    Back whence Hank Stram was the Head Coach Chiefs players were constantly complaining about Hank’s desire to go all out even in preseason trying to win every game at all costs. I remember Chief LB Sherrill Headrick (among others) saying that “by the time the regular season had arrived our legs were already shot.”

    This when football was not as big a money grab as it has become - nor were the players in a stay in shape all year round mode… off season jobs were the norm.

    So circa 2009, we are at this place in time and as Mike Goff said at some point someone or more so even something has to give (an assortment of knees, backs, etc. the odds on favorite.)

    Still, I don’t hear any offer from the players of giving back any $ either shouldst the season ramp back let alone stay 16 games regular. No, players and owners are one big happy gooey family rolling in the dough as it were…and the fan$ are paying the freight.

    To borrow from John Mellencamp “hurt$ so good”… until one day- like an aged player and fan same - you wake up and can’t feel your toes anymore…

    As Rin has said many times afore if it’s not the beginning of the end tis the midway point toward perdition, a progress to decline…


  • June 20, 2009  - Rin Tin Tin says:

    Johnfromfairfax says

    “People often cite Ray Guy as the best punter ever. “Thunderfoot” was better and did so over a longer period of time than Guy.”

    - exactly so; not only did KC’s Jerrell Wilson have the better gross punting average, JW also had the better net average - this despite all the overhype regards Guy’s hang time/height on kicks.

    This is what happens when if people say something often enough it comes to be believed as fact when ‘in fact’ it is rubbish.

    Fact is both punters were great, both came from the same college (Southern Mississippi), & both punted in the AFL or AFC West.

    It’s the same thing with Jerry Rice or any other latter day player who is/was great - they become ‘the best’ ever because they are the freshest in the mind, flavor of the moment. Then when Rin or anyone who has seen not only today’s players but those as far back as the 1950s says X player from yesteryear was just as good or better, the fuzzy-cheeked faction shows their innocence by bringing out the “you don’t no what you’re talking about - so and so s****d”, etc.

    They ignore rules changes and other factors, not to mention that just because a player may be bigger, stronger or faster doesn’t make him better - today or yester.

    The bigger, stronger, faster teams lost the first 3 Superbowls - and there be many other examples.
    WR Jimmy Hines ran a 9.1 second 100 - he couldn’t make the Chiefs or any other pro team. Former KC Chiefs draftee DT Dock Luckie was strong as an ox yet he couldn’t make the team….and on and on.

    The best players of yesteryear were ‘as good’ or better in some, none or every case, depending on the discussion parameters - realizing of course that subjective bias will always reign supreme.

    So tell us John ‘Boom’ Madden et al talking heads aplenty, Wilson has the better stats at both than Guy…so how was Guy better?

    Answer nee conclusion: he was ‘not’…


  • June 20, 2009  - Rin Tin Tin says:

    By the way Bob G - that 1967 Topps football card of Len Dawson comes from the best looking set of cards ever, my opine.

    Today’s cards (which Rin doesn’t collect anyway) look too garish comparison. As always yesteryear reigns supreme.


  • June 20, 2009  - aPauled says:

    The solution to the extended season seams rather obvious. Eliminate 1 preseason game and add a bye week for each team. The players have the same 16 games over 18 weeks. Through rotation, the NFL adds an additional week to it’s TV schedule churning additional $$. The players now play 3 x 5-8 game streaks with 2 bye weeks to recover. 3 preseason games should be plenty for preparation and evaluation.


  • June 20, 2009  - alex k says:

    I will get ripped for this but….I know how much of a toll the nfl takes, I get that, but look at the NBA, they play sometimes 4-5 days in a row,(rare but still), and it may not be as physical as football, but nonetheless, I fail to see how they couldnt just prepare differently.

    Lets face it, even though 32 teams is just right, this league WILL be getting bigger, either via buying out a newer league to kill the competition, or to add a few more teams so Los Angeles doesnt have to go another decade with no football while fair weather san diego fans abuse the chargers.

    As for more pay. No. Simple. take out two preseason games, im sorry, but you cant argue that they dont count,(They REALLY dont)as far as a contract is concerned with playing games. what does that say, that the preseason is less than the regular season? ticket prices do not reflect this, so they might as well bail out season ticket holders and give em a few more games.

    Considering what is being done to the draft, adding 2 games seems minor.


  • June 20, 2009  - tm1946 says:

    It is all big, big money. Multi million owners and millionaire players, somehow they will be able to get together.

    Our real concern is to keep it in North America and not go worldwide.


  • June 20, 2009  - anonymous says:

    alex k,

    The NHL would have been a better comparison than the NBA. Hockey season is 82 games, and it’s as close to matching the NFL in wear and tear on the bodies as there is.


  • June 20, 2009  - alex k says:

    thats fair, but you cannot take away from the wear and tear from basketball, just cant. not if you play 40 minutes.

    NFL players complain of jet lag etc, what about nba players? nhl players? mlb players?

    Regardless, I agree with TM on the comment that we need to keep the NFL in North America. Period.


  • June 20, 2009  - DAVE. H. says:

    Everyone needs to email the NFL and tell them we don’t need more games, the fans have the power! Sorry to say though if they have two more games I am sure that they will sell plenty of tickets. What would the playoffs be like when half the team that’s left, is all backups?


  • June 20, 2009  - DAVE. H. says:

    And anyone that thinks the NBA contact compares to the NFL has obviously never played football. Over a hundred collisions a game for some players. Your body is like one giant bruise!


  • June 20, 2009  - Jim Lloyd+ says:

    Teams with a lot of depth in speed( KU-Basketball)have proven you can do any thing.
    7 on defence & at least 5 on offence to expanded rosters, it may be benafical in having the time to look at hidden or growing talent.
    Some of the best players in football were found in backup’s.


  • June 20, 2009  - Johnfromfairfax says:

    Good points Rin. You are actually one of the most informed Chiefs fans on the site. Now, if we could just do something about those other personalities. I remember seeing Jerrell Wilson warm up and punting the ball 70+ yards pretty consistently. That”s a true story as unbelievable as it sounds. I agree with Anon that the roster should be expanded but don’t think the owners will sign off on that one. Perhaps the expanded roster could be a chip on the players’ part for an expanded schedule. Dick Vermeil pushed for it as I recall without much support.


  • June 20, 2009  - Tim Geary says:

    Happy fathers day Bob!


  • June 20, 2009  - ED says:

    Seriously i love the game of football. But with this clown Goodell running the league in about 10years football will move to the #2 sport in this country. Its ridiculous that Goodell is coming up with all these dumb rules. From the crazy penalties and fines for certain hits on players to moving the Pro Bowl to the week before the Super Bowl. I mean come on the players playing in the Super Bowl that made the pro bowl aren’t going to play an exhibition game right before the Super Bowl. And players that lost in a tough AFC championship game are not going to want to play in the pro bowl with only a week after a tough Championship game lost.

    This guys Goodell needs to be impeached as a commisioner he’s ruining the game.


  • June 21, 2009  - Rin Tin Tin says:

    Johnfromfairfax says

    “Good points Rin”

    - yes, Rin was brilliant again wasn’t He…

    “You are actually one of the most informed Chiefs fans on the site.”

    - you missed a spot on my back John…

    “Now, if we could just do something about those other personalities.”

    - this Pied Piper has drawn a following which was never my intention; that several ‘borrow’ my name to post indicates just how ‘effectively’ Rin has gotten under their skin & into their heads - that He has taught them things they never knew (though most will not admit it) is sufficient enough this scribe… Rin knows that ‘they’ NOW know.

    “I remember seeing Jerrell Wilson warm up and punting the ball 70+ yards pretty consistently. That”s a true story as unbelievable as it sounds.”

    - I saw him do so too; you don’t have to convince Rin.


  • June 21, 2009  - Jim Lloyd+ says:

    Ed~your right,IF I had to go to the pro bowl before a supper bowl—it would just be a very-very light touch game, with all the best players wanting to get back to the beach with a cold beer in each hand.
    I dont bother to watch the game part anymore,unless Ocho-Cinco is playing defence again-etc.
    The only upside would be the players that have the supper bowl in front, would play harder to pay for all the friends and family they are takeing to both games.
    This also bring’s up the 18 game season,on the extra expoure to career ending injuries.
    Guy’s want to play, but they don’t want to get hurt.
    With that thought. Start with return guy’s, like Donte Hall,one day he was dodge arttest,then his mother told him not to run sideways,and that was the last of that. Now- Pack-Man has to take any and all the chances he can to play, so he do what he love’s to do. I dont’t blame him, he’s young and has ton’s of engery.
    I think this is part of life and the game.
    Roger Goodell has every on house arrest, maybe if these guys would stay home-or go to an Island or Mexico. The out come better. (J. Allen moved to Arz.–close to Mex.?!)


  • June 21, 2009  - stimpy says:

    Rin aka sledgehammer from the kcstar forums you mean? cmon, no one else talks like that


  • June 21, 2009  - Rin Tin Tin says:

    stimpy says

    “Rin aka sledgehammer from the kcstar forums”

    - no sorry, Rin Tin Tin of canine fame who to wit is not qualified to be the one you meant, ‘Ren’.

    “you mean?”

    - only to those deserving of such treatment…

    “cmon”

    - naw, you ‘go on’ by yourself dimwitted Manx…

    “no one else talks like that”

    - there is but one, the only, the original: Rin Tin Tin!


  • June 21, 2009  - IPWT says:

    Happy Birthday Lenny!


  • June 21, 2009  - Mark says:

    Even though he stinks as a player, another genius move by Carl/Herm, Damion McIntsoh has it exactly right. There’s nothing that needs correcting. NFL Football is the unquestioned #1 Sport in America. Number of games is just right, playoff system is just right. Exhibition games to give the young players looks and opportunities is just right. Exhibitions are about 1/4 number of regular season games. It used to be 6 exhibitions, 14 games, too high a ratio. They fixed it then, and the ratio is right. It doesn’t need fixing now. Don’t fix something that isn’t broken.


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