Another reason the 18-game schedule is a bad idea

NFL fans whined long and loud enough to get their 18-game schedule. Colts president Bill Polian this week revealed the worst-kept secret in the league by saying the expanded regular season is a done deal.

The league calls it an "enhanced" schedule, which infers better. We'll see about that. Remember, folks, be careful what you ask for cuz sometimes you get it.

I've already expressed my views against an 18-game schedule. Here's a recap:

. Injuries. I think we've all gotten a refresher course on how violent the league is and how each passing week takes down another Reggie Bush, another Kris Jenkins, another Ryan Grant, etc. Add two more weeks of 60-minute, all-out football and that's fewer good players who will still be able to play come playoff time. Do we want to watch the best players in the playoffs, or do we want to watch no-name UFL graduates playing for the conference titles and Super Bowl? Also, ask yourself what the already-thin NFL quarterback situation will look like with two more games on the schedule.

. Meaningless games in January. Fans already whine during a 16-game schedule when the best teams rest their starters for the last one or two games of the regular season. What happens during an 18-game schedule when a team gets out to a huge lead and clinches with a full month left in an 18-game schedule? Would you rather watch meaningless games in August or January?

Those are two good reasons against expanding the schedule. Colts QB Peyton Manning has another in this article by Michael Silver of Yahoo Sports!

Manning talked about the possible 18-game schedule after the Colts beat the Broncos in Denver. The Colts won despite the fact they had to play undrafted rookie free agents at left tackle (Jeff Linkenbach) and receiver (Blair White). White caught a touchdown pass from Manning.

"They're trying to get rid of offseason workouts," Manning said. "They're talking about extending the season to 18 games, so they're going to cut down the offseason stuff in return. That's not a fair trade. Offseason workouts – that's how we've gotten our edge over the years. It's how you really develop a player and improve your craft.

"Without the offseason, how do we get anybody ready to play? I've thrown to Blair White since we picked him up in April, and there's no way he's ready to play [Sunday] if I don't have those reps with him. In training camp, there just aren't enough reps to get familiar with a guy [near the bottom of the depth chart]. You've got be able to throw to him in the spring – otherwise I wouldn't feel good about rushing him out there."