Expansion outside of the United States is an idea that's been bandied about by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell for some time now and Goodell appears to have at least one ally in his efforts to take the game abroad. Patriots owner Robert Kraft agrees with the push to expand in Europe, saying during today's Patriots workout in London, "I think it could (happen). I really believe it's the right thing to do in the next decade. We have great support here and in Germany." But Kraft has mixed feelings about playing internationally under the current circumstances. Though he expressed much satisfaction about being chosen to play the Bucs here on Sunday, he made it clear he would not have felt the same if this game were a Patriots home game, this was to be a home game for the Bucs, who now have only seven games this season at Raymond James Stadium. "I'm not sure our fans would appreciate us giving up a home game," Kraft said. "I know I wouldn't." Source: St. Petersburg Times
Yeah, that's what the NFL needs another team to water down the already watered-down talent. There was such a big drop in talent when they added the Panthers and the Jags and then the Texans. Holy cow, a few weeks ago I saw the Eagles run an option and it gained a few yards. Are you kidding? If you tried running an option in the early 90s or 80s or 70s, man, you'd get pummeled. The distance between college-level and professional-level play is not as vast as it once was. Sure every team has a good starting lineup, but who has any depth--that's where the watering down is, that's why the option play worked. No wonder so many rushing, passing, and receiving records keep being broken--there's no depth in the defenses. And as for the offensive lineman, ... nevermind. I hope they just move a team, like Jacksonville, instead of creating a new team, and call them the London Beefeaters.
Expansion would be awful. If it had to occur, I'd rather see a team relocate. Expansion is not the answer.
