The New York Times reported today that NFL owners could vote in May whether to lengthen the regular season by one or two games, likely starting no earlier than 2011. The newspaper said a longer season would help generate more revenue because it would reduce the number of preseason games.
The players union, of course, would have to agree to any changes. The issue likely will be included in negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement.
When NFL owners begin their spring meetings today, they will discuss upcoming negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement, how the nation’s economic crisis is affecting the league, and possible rules changes.
Included in the discussions about a new CBA before 2010 becomes an uncapped year will be the possibility of extending the schedule to 17 or 18 games. Commissioner Roger Goodell will meet with the owners for the first time.
1 – Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma (6-2, 218)
2 – Sidney Rice, WR, South Carolina (6-4, 202)
3 – Marcus McCauley, CB, Fresno State (6-1, 200)
4 – Brian Robison, DE, Texas (6-2, 266)
5- Aundrae Allison, WR, East Carolina (6-0, 202)
6 – Rufus Alexander, LB, Oklahoma (6-1, 228)
7 – Tyler Thigpen, QB, Coastal Carolina (6-1, 216)
7 – Chandler Williams, WR, Florida International (5-11, 184)
Cortez Hankton signed with the Minnesota Vikings on Monday, leaving Jacksonville after four seasons and joining a team needing to bolster its receivers.
Hankton had 34 catches for 310 yards and two touchdowns with Jacksonville. He signed as a rookie free agent out of Texas Southern and has contributed mostly on special teams.
The Vikings’ receiving game was mediocre last season, with former first-round draft pick Troy Williamson struggling with drops. Minnesota signed Tennessee’s Bobby Wade in March and most likely will try to strengthen its receiving at the April 28-29 draft.
The Vikings have signed free agent S Mike Doss to a 1-year contract. The team announced the agreement this morning. According to NFL.com, the contract is worth $1 million.
The Indianapolis Colts drafted Doss in the second round of the 2003 Draft. In that season, he started 15 games at strong safety and had 101 tackles, and one interception.
In 2004 he sustained hamstring injury, missing four games, and then suffered a groin injury in another game, missing two more. Despite these injuries, he had 49 tackles, one sack, and two interceptions that season.
In May 2005 Doss was charged with a felony weapons charge and three misdemeanor charges after police estimated hearing five to six gunshots outside a local restaurant. He was sentenced to 40 hours of community service and a one thousand dollar fine after pleading no contest to the charges.
The Vikings are also talking to two free agent receivers: Colts WR Aaron Moorehead, who wrapped up a visit Tuesday, and Jaguars WR Cortez Hankton, who is scheduled to depart tonight.
The Minnesota Vikings will play a nationally televised preseason game against the Jets in New York in August, highlighting the team’s 2007 exhibition schedule.
The game will be on FOX on Friday, Aug. 17, at 7 p.m. The Vikings will also play at Seattle on either Aug. 24 or 25. Their preseason home games will be against St. Louis (Aug. 10 or 11) and Dallas (Aug. 30). Specific dates and times will be announced later.
The NFL is expected to release the regular-season schedule later this week.
The Broncos are seeking the opportunity to work against another team this year in training camp. The ideal situation is to work against a team in the days before Denver’s first preseason game. The Broncos worked out at Houston for a couple of days in 2005 before playing the Texans there.
The Broncos may open the preseason at Minnesota or San Francisco. Vikings coach Brad Childress and 49ers coach Mike Nolan said they would be open to working with the Broncos. The NFL likely will release the preseason schedule in early April.
There are potential logistical problems at both San Francisco and Minnesota.
“If we had all the locker room and field space, I’d love to do it,” Nolan said. “It’s not impossible, but it could be difficult. It’d be a great to get the extra work, and it would be fun for fans to see two teams out there working.”
