The international games are not only here to stay, they are going to expand greatly in the next few years. The scuttlebutt I keep hearing is that the extra 17th game is going to become an international neutral field game for all 32 teams. Every team will play eight home games, eight away games, and one international game every year. There will be 16 of these games every year. I'm hearing that the players and coaches are accepting the games just as they have the Thursday games for every team every year. It's all part of the continued growth of the league and as the league generates more revenue the players know that they receive a guaranteed 48.8% of all that additional revenue in mandated salary.

Personally I love the international games because I oftentimes get to watch another game in its own timeslot.

Am I the only one getting tired of the international games?

I realize the league is trying to grow their brand in different countries, but I wonder sometime what the increased travel is doing to the teams.

The NFL doesn't care what the increased travel is doing to the teams as long as it increases the owners profit margin. If the NFL cared about players they would eliminate the Thursday night games where the injuries occur at a higher rate. Also, short weeks don't give your body time to rest and playing the next game can be brutal without proper rest.

Just imagine how the trans continental flights and jet lag will affect the teams playing in another part of the world before getting on a plane for the long flight home.

Don't forget it all means more money for the players, as well. They get 48.8% of all revenues.

Besides, teams don't travel over, play, and then come right back home. They go several days early and enjoy the culture. They get plenty of time to adjust and return when they wish. The teams all have the option of the bye week after the trip. Some do, some don't. Their choice.

And they don't fly to Europe like you and me. They're in those cushy 1st class beds.

The NFL doesn't care what the increased travel is doing to the teams as long as it increases the owners profit margin. If the NFL cared about players they would eliminate the Thursday night games where the injuries occur at a higher rate. Also, short weeks don't give your body time to rest and playing the next game can be brutal without proper rest.

Just imagine how the trans continental flights and jet lag will affect the teams playing in another part of the world before getting on a plane for the long flight home.

I get the league is about anything that will make them a dollar. And I understood the preseason international games. i just wonder how long this goes on before it affects the product on the field.

Did they ever increase the roster size to help with the extra game each season?

I'm not sure if the NFLPA would be totally onboard with increasing the roster size. The players get 48.8% of all revenues. If more players are added to the pool in reduces the average share available per player. An increase in player percentage would have to wait until a new CBA. They probably have other issues more pressing.

As for the international games, from what I keep hearing the plan is to have 16 international games every year with every team taking part in one as the 17th game. So each team will play 8 home, 8 away, and one neutral field international game every year. International travel is not as cumbersome as it was 20 years ago. The teams all fly 1st class with comfy beds. Most teams choose to take their bye the week following those games so rest isn't an issue.

And I believe the product on the field is more adversely affected by the reduced hours allowed by the NCAA for contact with the athletes per week. The players are entering the league less and less prepared. It's just made worse by the number of players entering the league early.

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Football was better with two a days and players falling out from the grind and then going home to take another steroid shot.

Bingo. Players these days are spending far less time in practice. An international game here or there and the occasional Thursday game isn't going to make an appreciable difference in their stamina.

Not to mention, back in the '70's the NFL had SIX "exhibition" games and everybody played. The players have it easy these days.

I think back in the day the 6 preseason games were to get the players into shape. They didn't have all the off season conditioning programs they have now. Archie Manning sold Oldsmobiles in the off season. Chief Wahoo McDaniel wrestled in the off season.