Chiefs camp buzz | Clark Hunt likes 18-game schedule
 

Chiefs camp buzz | Clark Hunt likes 18-game schedule

NFL owners are scheduled to discuss and possibly vote next week on implementing an 18-game schedule starting in 2012, and Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt said he’s inclined to vote in favor of it.

“It’s such a positive for the fans,” said Hunt, who attended the last two days of training camp. “We’ve all seen over the last half-dozen years that the interest in the preseason games has decreased, and the athletes are better conditioned now, they practice year-round, and I think making the switch to 18 and two (preseason) games might be a positive for everybody involved.”

Because a 16-game season already takes a toll on players, Hunt said in exchange for playing two more games, the league may approve increases in roster sizes and in the number of players who can dress on game day.

A change in the number of games would require approval by the NFL Players Association and would be part of the negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement to replace the current deal that expires next March.

While there’s been little progress to get a new agreement, Hunt said, “I feel confident that a deal will get done. I can’t predict when.”

A successful camp

The Chiefs wrapped up their first training camp at Missouri Western on Thursday, after moving it from Wisconsin-River Falls. Both parties called it a total success.

“I think it exceeded our expectations,” said Missouri Western athletic director Dave Williams. “With this big of a project, you’d think you’d have more things come up that we weren’t ready for, and I felt we were ready for most of the things that we saw.

“The overall attendance is going to be about 60,000 for the entire camp, and with all the heat we had and being the first year, that’s a pretty good number. As the Chiefs continue to improve their win-loss record, and the word spreads about what a good experience it is, I expect it to keep growing.”

Williams said the benefits for Missouri Western were both tangible and intangible.

“The obvious thing is what’s up on the hill,” Williams said of the new indoor practice facility for which the Chiefs contributed $10 million. “But what I see the most is all the positive publicity we’ve received in the Kansas City market. You cannot put a price tag on the number of positive mentions we’ve had (in the media). That could do wonders for us as a university, hopefully with enrollment, with matriculation … the facility improvements are dramatic, and helps every one of our sports.”

Chiefs head coach Todd Haley echoed Williams’ sentiments.

“I couldn’t have been happier with the entire operation, especially for the first time going through it,” Haley said. “My hat goes off to all the people involved, especially the guys here that got this place ready and had it running like we’d been here for years.

“Also, I want to thank all the fans that have come out here and were able to get to know the players and the team a little more and provided us with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. It’s been just a terrific, terrific experience.”

Open practice at Arrowhead

The Chiefs are hosting a free evening practice session open to the public at Arrowhead Stadium at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday. Fans will be able to not only watch the Chiefs on the field but explore the new features of the renovated stadium.

Gates will open at 6:15 for the practice session, and fans can enter through any spiral gate, the Tower Gate and Founder’s Plaza Gate entrances. Parking will be free.

What you need to know about …

THE OFFENSE

The Chiefs practiced in helmets, shells and shorts, so there was no real hitting or scrimmaging. They worked a lot on goal-line and inside-the-20 situations. Backup quarterback Bill Stull hooked up with rookie tight end Leroy Banks for a couple of touchdowns from inside the 5. Rookie tight end Tony Moeaki caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Palko but appeared to false start before the snap. Palko connected with Lance Long for a touchdown from inside the 20. Palko threw a nice fade into the corner to Verran Tucker.

THE DEFENSE

In seven-on-seven drills, cornerback Brandon Carr made a nice move in breaking up a pass intended for Chris Chambers. On a play from inside the 10, cornerback Mike Richardson made a leaping interception on a pass Stull intended for Long. Rookie linebacker John Russell intercepted a pass in traffic thrown by Palko. The Chiefs also worked on onside kicks and receiving onside kicks.

INJURY REPORT

Quarterback Brodie Croyle, running back Kestahn Moore, guard Darryl Harris and safety Jon McGraw did not participate in practice. Safety Jarrad Page remains unsigned and is not in camp. Wide receiver Terrance Copper appeared to be getting some treatment on his right arm at the end of practice.

DAILY BATTLE

Veterans Mike Cox and Tim Castille are competing for the No. 1 fullback spot, and there’s no guarantee the club will keep two fullbacks on the active roster. Cox is running with the starting unit for now as a lead blocker for Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles but seldom touches the ball. Castille, who carried 14 times and caught four passes in seven games after joining the Chiefs in mid-November, has better skills with the ball. Both are effective special-teams players. This will come down to the wire.

TODAY’S SCHEDULE

The Chiefs will have a walkthrough today and then depart for Tampa Bay, where they’ll meet the Buccaneers on Saturday night.

Yeah well he also likes soccer so **** him.

I'm just not sure about this...I'd almost rather have a few games (pre-season) at the beginning to evaluate rookies that are 'irrelevant' than have divisions wrapped up by week 14-15 and have the last 3-4 games be irrelevant...

I would vote no, but I can see how the owners would vote yes ($$$$).

I think a yes vote sells the soul / integrity of the game for $$$.

What I don't like is how it's going to distort records. A 2000 yrd rushing season will be more common now.

This.

Yep,but you may as well get used to the thought of it.
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It's all about money, I don't care what they say about the fan experience.

Extending the season and putting in new hitting rules makes me feel the NFL stands for Not For Long league. We may all see the day when the NFL becomes defunct.

ROFL

they better be able to dress all 53
maybe even expand the rosters

It's all a conspiracy to keep the Broncos out of the post season/the other 3 afc west teams

Clark wants to vote on it, so the Chiefs don't go 13-3 anymore.

The schedule is very balanced with the 16 games. 18 game schedules will not be nearly as elegant.

Players are in better condition, yet how many have collapsed on the practice field this preseason? I just read about a Vikings receiver who had to be taken to the hospital. It's not about players and conditioning; it's about the money for the owners. I also agree that the 16 game regular season is well balanced. Maybe a better change would be to have 3 preseason games and 2 byes during the regular season to keep a 16 game schedule?

I'd rather have another week of playoff games instead of two more regular season games. I also think that preseason is more important then alot of people think. Especially for teams on the build. The Chiefs need all the time to practice and develope that they can get.


PhilFree:arrow:

I'm sure the same thing was said when they went to 16 games from 14.

the vikings wr you read about? percy harvin. taken to the hospital due to severe migraines. it has NOTHING to do with conditioning. I'm not saying it isn't about the money for owners, but don't think that they're ignoring the best interests of the players--after all, why all the new contact rules if they don't give a shit about the players? they're doing everything possible (including neutering defensive players almost literally) to keep players safe.

I like the idea of eliminating 2 preseason games. I have been saying for years that the preseason is too long. However, I'm not a big proponent of making the regular season 18 games long. Why not just make it 2 preseason and 16 regular season games?

I agree. Don't we have enough injuries and football players with debilitating permanent damage to their body once their careers are over?

If you're going to change it to an 18 game season.....then backload the schedule with division games so that they actually mean something.

I don't think it will make that much of a difference because the teams chasing the division leaders will have the extra games to try to catch up.

Aren't they doing that this season with a 16 game schedule?

2 less total games to provide revenue? Yeah, that's going to fly.

Are they? I wasn't paying attention to any of the rule or schedule changes this year.

Wonder what the weather would be like for a 8/25 season opener kicking off @ Noon?

Sports evolve. Just the way it is. What about Baseball when it expanded to 162 games in 1961? Guess what? There are still records. You just adapt.

Without reading into the pros, and cons of it, I would imagine, from a revenue standpoint, that every owner would be in favor of this. I want it to stay the way is simply because I think 16 is the perfect amount of games. JMO.

I would also hate all of the asterisks that will be in the record books when every record falls due to players having 2 more full games to put up #s. Eric Dickerson would lose his 20 year old record. Dan Marino. Everyone.

Yeah, you're right, and I'm usually in favor of evolution, but not in this case.

From an attendance revenue standpoint, this sounds like a wash for Kansas City.

SO would they start the season in Mid August then?? I cant imagine extending the season any longer. It already goes to early Feb now.

Of course he is. A regular season game brings in far more revenue than a PS contest and his outlays will remain the same.

As I understand it, yes they are. And I would hope they continue to do so whether or not they move to 18 regular season games.

Good lord another two games will just make the game even more about who gets lucky re: injuries. Since it's all about the money, and preseason doesn't matter, lets just go with TWENTY regular season games? The fans would LOVE that, watching all the backups of backups and guys activated off the practice squads to finish up the season. Your super bowl teams would be the two who have least numbers of guys whose seasons ended early. We have enough of that as it is.

**** it, have a 39 week regular season.

34 games total, so you play everyone in the league once and your divisional foes twice.

Imagine FF if that were to happen. JFC.

Okay, When the NFL played 8 games they played said 10 was too many. Early 60's they played like 6 preseason game. Dolphins go undefeated in a 14 game regular season and people raised a stink about 16 game season. The Pats went undefeated in the regular season with 16 games and blew it in the SUperbowl. Where is the *? The undefeaterd Bears didnt get one when they went undefeateed in an 8 game season.

Heres why it works.

Two preseason games are worthless anyway. And attendance is down. So it is the same amount of games.

Remove the bye week for each team in the middle of the season. With an extended roster they should be okay.

Remove that damed bye week the week before the Super Bowl. (Worse week of the year. If you do this it actually shortens the season.

18 games
-6 division games
-4 NFC Conference games
-4 AFC North or South whatever
-4 AFC South East whatever.

I fail to see the problem. We still pay for the games. (Season tickets) Yet get two more that matter. The league gets better TV money.

Only problem I see is they need to loose the NFL Network games. It just sucks because some people cannot get it in there area.

What's the point of the 4th preseason game when the starters play about 1/2 first quarter. Seams to me it's about not getting any body hurt rather than playing football. Allowing teams add to the roster also gives the "bubble" guys more of a chance throghout the season to prove themselves, rather than getting cut and search for new home.

I'm not trying to argue for or against it, but am trying to look at the pros of if it goes through. I'm a fan of NFL, college, arena football, FOOTBALL> and most important Chiefs football. I think coaches know before game 3 who they want for starters, it's the second team and backups that have to prove themselves.

Teams would have time to adjust to the early start of the season and still have a chance at playoffs. I'm liking it more than I don't like it. There are plenty of arguements against it. There's allways arguements one way or the other. As a fan I want to see meaningfull games, fourth pre season game is absolutely not a pro football game. It's a back up trying to vie for there roster spot & coaches praying none of the starters get hurt first quarter. Adding to the roster helps both aspects if you ask me? Don't ask me. It would add meaning to something. I think it would help develope rookies and unrdrafted players that get the extra spots on the team.

I like the idea of 2 or 3 exibition games and a 16 game season with 2 byes. That stretches the the regular season out longer and enables the NFL to pick up another week of TV money and still keep the 16 game schedule.

Damn, these poor guys are crippled bad enough as it is. This game has gotten beyond violent. NFL hits are like car wrecks. Come up with a better idea than just beating up the players for 2 more weeks.

Beyond violent? How long have you been watching football. These guys are prissys compared to the days of Butkus, Bell, Jones, Karas. There are so many rules to protect certain players that it endangers the other players.

I do realize that. Been watching it for decades. There are a huge number of rule changes. But the speed...the size...it is beyond violent imo. I did watch all the guys of the era you mention...I just think it is different now.

They actually did that for a few years in the 90's i think? Players and coaches complained. Not enough time to make travel plans, practice, media sessions, etc....

I thought it was even more recent than that? It sucks for the fans, but yeah, it's absolutely necessary.

Players want more money, and teams need more revenue to please every dick that thinks he needs to be the highest paid player to play his position. I love to watch football and injuries are part of the game. That's why you have 53 players on the roster.

If it helps the beer guy/girl, or the snack and pop venders make xtra money and having more fans in the stands for that. I'm for it.

Could you imagine how many dogs they could sell if the had 1 game that it only cost a buck for a dog? Note: Last game at Arrowhead in 0i they ran out of hotdogs before half time.