Should the NFL change the 53 man roster size?
 

The owners and players are meeting soon to discuss a myriad of issues, none less important than the upcoming likely 18 game regular season schedule. That will IMHO necessitate a larger roster from the current 53 in light of the increased load on the bodies and thus injuries. I sure hope they will increase roster size as I can see Sean Payton and Greg Williams specialize the offense and the defense, respectively, and make just that much more difficult to game-plan for.

So what is the ideal roster size 55? 58? Or keep it the same and dress every player?

If I had to venture a guess, I would say 57. You could keep a third string QB and get enough depth at other positions.

What say you?

63

In my opinion, keep the 16 game schedule and keep the roster the current size. There is absolutely no reason for an 18 game season. Oh, except the networks make more money. You're just going to have more players have career ending injuries each year. Keep it the way it is.

I agree completely, plus, it would mean 4 or 5 meaningless games for the #1 seeds, instead of 2 or 3.

I say keep the 16 game schedule and the 53 man roster, only thing I would do different is to let the entire roster be eligible to dress and play on game day.

They should increase the roster size to 59 and up the active limit by 5 as it is. If they go to a 18-game schedule, then add another 5 to each on top of that.

C'mon fellas you all know this means more revenue from top to bottom in the NFL. They'll add games to add dollars and keep the players from locking out.

We will loose game integrity. With only two preseason games to evaluate rookies, free agents etc. Then (IMO) football will be like basketball and baseball with it’s long drawn out seasons, I don’t watch baseball and I stop watching basketball around midseason and pick up for playoffs. So no to an 18 game season but they may want to increase the roster size. With increased games a team may not have chance of an undefeated season. And with the Saints and Colts resting players last year we may see more of that

Will some teams rest players? Sure, the top two or three probably will.

BUT that doesn't mean there won't be plenty of games with implications during that stretch.

Like I said - it's about revenue. Top teams sitting players won't keep the league from changing it.

The real issue I think is the 4 pre-season games. Is it really worth it? Can they get by with only 2 instead of 4. I say yes. so with those extra 2 weeks do they just do away with them or add them to the regular season. I don't see who it hurts by adding it to the regular season. Networks make more money? Ok, no problem there. Players may make more money? Ok no problem there. Increase roster sure 56. The fans get 2 more weeks of real football? ok win there.
Whats the problem?

There is not problem.