Goodell doesn't expect schedule change in 2009

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

By The Associated Press
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- The NFL is not expected to increase the number of regular-season games for the 2009 season.

A report looking at adding regular-season games and cutting the number of preseason games was reviewed at the NFL owners meetings on Tuesday.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said no action was taken by the owners, and that he doesn't expect any change in the schedule will take place next season. The matter will be addressed again during the second day of the meetings on Wednesday.

"We have been working on this for some time," Goodell said. "They'll be no vote. There's no recommendation at this point in time. It's something that we think deserves consideration because it would grow the pie. It would help create new revenue. Help create opportunities, potentially to expand the rosters and create new jobs."

Should the NFL cut the preseason down to two or three games, concerns have been raised about quarterback development. One future possibility could be the establishment of a developmental league.

"We'll probably consider that at some point, the idea of setting up some kind of developmental league. We're just not at a time or a place where we can do that at this point in time," Goodell said. "It's not on the active list for consideration. At some point in time that may be the ultimate answer to give young quarterbacks an opportunity to play and get experience."

Goodell said the NFL has reduced league office spending due to the current economic downturn, but there are no plans to lay off employees.

"I don't rule anything out, but that's not something we're focused on right now," Goodell said.

Goodell wouldn't comment on the amount of the spending reduction, but said it was a "significant amount of money."

Notes:@ Oakland owner Al Davis recently raised the question of tampering regarding Randy Moss, saying the New England Patriots worked out the wide receiver before the teams completed a trade in April 2007. Goodell said he has received information from the Raiders saying they are not planning to file a tampering complaint.