Alterations may suit them
Owners mull some changes
By Mike Reiss
Globe Staff / May 19, 2009
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - If the NFL regular season is increased to 17 or 18 games - a hot topic to be discussed at the league's spring meetings starting today - owners are considering alterations in two areas that could complement that change.
Roster sizes might be expanded from 53 players and injured-reserve rules could be changed, according to Houston Texans owner Bob McNair.
"We're trying to look at all the information and ask ourselves the question: Do we need bigger roster size if we're going to do this? We also need to see if we need to do something about injured reserve," McNair said. "We have plenty of time, and we want to make sure the decision we make will be a good decision."
McNair said discussions on how much rosters could expand have not started in earnest, although they could today when the meetings officially begin at the Ritz-Carlton.
As for the injured-reserve rules, when a player is currently placed on IR, he is lost for the season. Teams that experience a run of injuries sometimes place players on IR to create roster room, even though the injured player has a chance to return by the end of the season.
With a longer regular season, the decision to end a player's season could have a deeper impact, which explains why owners are considering alternatives.
McNair did not detail what injured-reserve changes owners might consider, although the possibilities are plentiful. For example, the NFL could adopt a system like baseball's, in which a player is shelved for a specific number of days.
The discussions on roster size and injured-reserve rules indicate that momentum for a longer regular season continues to build.
In recent months, the issue has created a mini-firestorm of sorts, sparking passionate debate among players across the league. Close to home, Patriots linebacker Adalius Thomas has said that any additional games should be accompanied by extra pay, and he also expressed concern about the health of players if the season had more than 16 games.
First-year NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith is scheduled to be in attendance here today, and he is expected to address the owners as a group.
McNair is among those who believe a 17- or 18-game regular season, which would create more revenue, would be good for the league.
"I think it makes sense for us to do that, but we need to determine what all the implications are," he said. "From an injury standpoint, it doesn't appear there is anything significant in that regard, but we're still studying that. We don't want to do anything that harms our players."
Owners don't need the players' approval to expand the season, although McNair said, "I don't think we'd do anything without talking to the players and making sure everybody is on board."
The issue is likely to be one of the key points of the upcoming collective bargaining agreement, and any additional games wouldn't be added for 2009.
If the owners opt for a 17-game season, the preseason would be reduced from four games to three. If it's an 18-game season, the reduction would be to two exhibitions. So, in any scenario, it would still be a 20-game package.
Another topic expected to be discussed among owners at the two-day gathering is the league's television agreements with Fox and CBS, which are on the verge of being extended through 2013. Owners were buoyed by the news, feeling that the extensions - in a tough economy - are a reflection of the NFL's strength. The league also is near an agreement with Comcast to move NFL Network to a different tier, which will increase distribution by 10 million.
Owners are also expected to discuss an anti-tampering period, when teams would be allowed to speak with agents before free agency, although contracts couldn't be signed during that time.
"I don't see it as a big issue, but if that facilitates people being able to get deals done, and it works better that way, then I'm certainly not opposed to it," McNair said.
The effect of the economy on the NFL is also on the agenda.
"We're going to have some reports on what is going on with sponsors, with the media, and with the economic situation being what it is, everyone is very interested in determining what the future might be, because our revenues are threatened, there is no doubt about it," McNair said.
"We have a tremendous brand, and it's very strong, but we're not immune. We really have to stay on top of our business, just as everyone does."
Mike Reiss can be reached at mreiss@globe.com.