More Games? NFL Should Go for It

MORE FOOTBALL. The idea is so ingenious that it's a wonder no one thought of it sooner.

According to The Washington Post's Mark Maske, the NFL is leaning toward expanding the regular season to 17 or 18 games — and shortening the preseason.

While a few years away, the prospect is exciting from a fan's point of view. It means fewer meaningless, boring games and more of the real stuff.

From the league's vantage point, this is clearly a winner. An extra game or two will bring in tons of extra cash. And, as The Post reported, the longer season would allow for more overseas games, which would only add to the NFL's popularity worldwide.

Then there are the players, and here is where it will get interesting during the next collective bargaining session.

To a layman, football players — just like other pro athletes and movie stars — are already overpaid. Yet you know they'll demand contract adjustments for playing more.

To be fair to the gridiron warriors, a greater risk of injury would be a given.

Since it appears to be a matter of when — not if — the NFL expands the schedule, I have one suggestion.

The rosters should grow with the addition of games to ensure the Super Bowl champion won't be a winner by attrition. Five extra spots would give each team enough of a cushion to absorb more games.

A day with a shorter preseason is coming. Hallelujah.

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