The Draft in May?

[Mr. Scot]

The NFL is looking at the idea of tinkering a bit with the offseason schedule of events (link)

What it would involve:

- The Scouting Combine would be in March

- Free Agency would begin in April

- The Draft would be held in May

Goodell insists this is not in any way related to the 18 game season option (link) but the NFLPA isn't especially excited about the idea (link).

The league's proposal doesn't really alter the order of the events. It just pushes them all back a little.

So, good idea or useless?

[rayzor]

unless it's to make room for 18 game season (which regardless of what goodell says is at the heart of trying to do this) i just can't see any benefit at all.

[Mother Grabber]

certainly not useless, there has to be a reason behind it (whether or not Goodell will admit it, or not). Expanding the season seems to be one possible reason, but I'm sure there are plenty of others. I guess we'll find out in a year or two.

[carpanfan96]

Doubt they would ever get the NFLPA to go along with it, they'll just see it for what it is. An attempt to set up the off-season for a longer regular season.

[L-TownCat]

Extending the season is just a bad idea. It's hard enough to keep 53 men healthy all year now. Just imagine adding almost another month to the schedule(assuming they incorporate an additional bye week). The offseason schedule moves benefit nothing and no one.

[iamcline]

Make more money if the NFL does this. At least in regards to television they would...

[panther4life]

As a fan, I hate it.

[Scrumtrilescent]

Best case scenario they are trying to spread the year out so the NFL is a 12 month/365 day product in the forefront of the fan/consumers' mind.

But that's likely not the only principle component.

[MHS831]

Roger will figure out a way to televise free agency. How could he? Like NCAA signings.

[Jakob]

May? what, I don't want to wait any longer, WHY DO THINGS HAVE TO CHANGE

[TheRed]

No, just no. It's already a long enough gap between the draft and pre season.

[Growl]

This in no way benefits players. It reduces the amount of time rookies have to get acquainted with their new teams and playbooks, likewise for free agents. Cuts down time to negotiate with holdouts, and, while it will boost the amount of time to resign players, the NFL doesn't want that because there are already a bunch of great players playing for teams the League could care less about and this in turn affects free agency.

I've heard on more than one occasion from league people that they feel the long gap between the draft and end of the season is too long anyways, as your big board is mostly finished by seasons end.

No, this is just another Goodell ploy to change things for the sake, or money, or simply his own ambition.

What was it Cassius said about ambition again?

[Jump Zone]

Keep the schedule the way it is.

[Guest BlueBoy]

Best 2 out of 3 Superbowl, anyone? Anyone!? Anyone!? No!? OK, at least I try.