Resting the starters in the NFL

[JF_Gophers]

Re: Resting the starters in the NFL

That won't work - once a #1 seed is clinched, juggle the schedule all you like and they're still playing a game that means nothing to them. And in my case, juggle the schedule all you like, and the Redskins will still be playing games that mean nothing to them from week 12 (generous spotting by me) onward. As someone else mentioned, why shouldn't MLB be obligated to keep their starters out on the field late in the season? Why the double standard? The answer is, I think, the Colts blew off a chance at a perfect season to protect their starters.

The system's not broke, and there's no need to fix anything.

Its not to keep #1 seeds from resting. Its to make sure Houston is playing the Jets or Ravens in week 17 with playoff spots on the line.

That way the top teams can rest all they want and no one will care.

[The Rube]

Re: Resting the starters in the NFL

The system's not broke, and there's no need to fix anything.

Truth. You'd be encouraging a chance to get hurt, or to tank games earlier in the season to avoid penalties (sounds stupid, but no more stupid than this crap).

If this SOMEHOW goes into effect, how soon will it change back once someone like Manning, AP, Romo, whoever gets hurt for the playoffs and the ratings suffer because of it?

[MW4Bucky&SNC]

Re: Resting the starters in the NFL

Today's games weren't good for those hoping for this issue to go away. Resting guys hardly hurt the teams who did it.

[gregg729]

Re: Resting the starters in the NFL

I can't quite tell - is there anyone left in this thread who thinks that teams should be penalized for pulling their starters? If so, I'm really curious how you would word such a rule so that it would be objective and enforceable. Any takers?

That's one of the main reasons why I started this thread. And so far, there are no takers. To the best of my knowledge there are no takers anywhere from sea to shining sea, except for Goodell.

I don't think they can enforce such a rule, nor should they.

The only penalty that would really work is to not let the rested players play in the playoffs. How you decide what percentage of games/plays is required would be another issue.

Completely separate idea about teams getting into the playoffs or being knocked out by teams resting vs certain opponents. Make weeks 16 and 17 schedules TBA until after week 15 is done. Then the NFL could make sure teams that are competing for spots play meaningful games.

That won't work - once a #1 seed is clinched, juggle the schedule all you like and they're still playing a game that means nothing to them. And in my case, juggle the schedule all you like, and the Redskins will still be playing games that mean nothing to them from week 12 (generous spotting by me) onward. As someone else mentioned, why shouldn't MLB be obligated to keep their starters out on the field late in the season? Why the double standard? The answer is, I think, the Colts blew off a chance at a perfect season to protect their starters.

The system's not broke, and there's no need to fix anything.

[Patman]

Re: Resting the starters in the NFL

You're comparing apples and oranges.

I'm bringing up a comparative situation... is it different because its the NFL... you could just say that the seasons are shorter and that makes a bigger difference. Still though, point remains, you should be aware that teams might do certain things to help their team and that may not help them win a particular game... if this were a 12-4 Steelers team nobody would blink. But somehow fans are owed a 16-0 team... you know what, the team felt otherwise and they're the ones trying to win the championship. This wouldn't even matter if it weren't for the perfect record... now is somebody going to tell me that the fans deserve compensation because their team is too good.

Seriously, I want somebody to do just that.

Re: Resting the starters in the NFL

This is true... 99.44% irrelevant... but its true.

You're comparing apples and oranges.

[Hammer]

Re: Resting the starters in the NFL

I doubt the owners would allow any such rule to come into play. I know I sure as hell wouldn't approve of it if I owned a team. The Commish is not going to tell my franchise who will play and who will sit, short of suspensions. That's the coaching staff's job.

[Patman]

Re: Resting the starters in the NFL

How is that unfair? I'd have thought a free-market guy like you would just shrug and say "that's what the market will bear." Don't like it? Don't buy season tickets or don't go to the preseason games and just think of the tickets as being 25% more expensive per regular season game.

I agree... I just think its scummy... nowhere did i say "you know the NFL ought to make a law....." Maybe the owners see the accumulated moral pressure and does just that... unlikely but that's life.

[LynahFan]

Re: Resting the starters in the NFL

No, not really... what's unfair is they stiff them on the real preseason games in the first place.

How is that unfair? I'd have thought a free-market guy like you would just shrug and say "that's what the market will bear." Don't like it? Don't buy season tickets or don't go to the preseason games and just think of the tickets as being 25% more expensive per regular season game.

[Patman]

Re: Resting the starters in the NFL

MLB doesn't black out a game if the stadium doesn't sell out.

This is true... 99.44% irrelevant... but its true.

Re: Resting the starters in the NFL

whine like a baby apparently... you know, its the "risk" you run when a team is good... I'm sure we could be a bit more equitable and have a team not be as good but there it is... while people never really anticipated of the NFL being a place where you'd have stuff like this go on its not like there's any evilness or cheating involved. I don't see that having a dodo of a game is really a big cost as a fan if you anticipate a lengthy post-season and a championship as a consequence of having to watch that dodo game.

Frankly, life's too short, as a fan, to hyperventilate about the lack of respect that your own team is showing you by doing what's in their legitimate best interest. I mean, its not like they ran a popular player out on a rail or something equally obnoxious... they're doing what they see fit towards winning a super bowl.

Does anybody ask for a refund when baseball in its garbage phase as teams set their rotations and start a pitcher who is 9th on the starter depth chart?

MLB doesn't black out a game if the stadium doesn't sell out.

[Patman]

Re: Resting the starters in the NFL

I think you buy tickets knowing that you're already dealing with absurd season ticket prices, and the requirement to buy preseason tickets which are if you are lucky one quarter of first team football.

But its somewhat unfair to season ticket holders to pay for more preseason-like games.

No, not really... what's unfair is they stiff them on the real preseason games in the first place.

[Patman]

Re: Resting the starters in the NFL

I think the only thing that would be nice is if season ticket holders could get refunds for their tickets if their teams weren't playing starters. But besides that, what can you do?

whine like a baby apparently... you know, its the "risk" you run when a team is good... I'm sure we could be a bit more equitable and have a team not be as good but there it is... while people never really anticipated of the NFL being a place where you'd have stuff like this go on its not like there's any evilness or cheating involved. I don't see that having a dodo of a game is really a big cost as a fan if you anticipate a lengthy post-season and a championship as a consequence of having to watch that dodo game.

Frankly, life's too short, as a fan, to hyperventilate about the lack of respect that your own team is showing you by doing what's in their legitimate best interest. I mean, its not like they ran a popular player out on a rail or something equally obnoxious... they're doing what they see fit towards winning a super bowl.

Does anybody ask for a refund when baseball in its garbage phase as teams set their rotations and start a pitcher who is 9th on the starter depth chart?

[Terrierbyassociation]

Re: Resting the starters in the NFL

I wouldn't even do that. By now people should know that this is a possibility late in the season, and they should spend accordingly. A sort of a buyer beware, if you will.

I think you buy tickets knowing that you're already dealing with absurd season ticket prices, and the requirement to buy preseason tickets which are if you are lucky one quarter of first team football.

But its somewhat unfair to season ticket holders to pay for more preseason-like games.

[Hammer]

Re: Resting the starters in the NFL

I wouldn't even do that. By now people should know that this is a possibility late in the season, and they should spend accordingly. A sort of a buyer beware, if you will.