1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

What if there's no 2020 Season?

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by Galant, Jul 29, 2020.

  1. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

    19,127
    11,058
    113
    Apr 22, 2014
    I'm beginning to think they're won't be a 2020 season at all. The league will try to do something to make a bit of money and work around the contracts and CBA etc., but the way things are going, I think there's a real chance we're done with football until 2021. I know that's not what we want, but, if that is the case, consider the following:

    One would assume there will be a draft of some sort for the college students who have advanced a year (even if college football is also restricted). If that's the case then we'll have two draft classes sharing their rookie season - would that be a first?

    Moving beyond that, though, could a missed season be an opportunity to do some big changes?

    If you were the owner or HC of the Dolphins - is there anything you'd seek to achieve during the missed year? How would you handle it?

    Then expanding it - if you were the Commissioner what might you try to achieve during a missed season?
     
  2. Dol-Fan Dupree

    Dol-Fan Dupree Tank? Who is Tank? I am Guy Incognito.

    40,533
    33,035
    113
    Dec 11, 2007
    Then I am am very very sad. I might even cry a little.
     
    Stitches likes this.
  3. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

    19,127
    11,058
    113
    Apr 22, 2014
    One thought I think I'd look at would be changes to the camera angles etc.

    Remember the game where the traditional cameras were down and they had to go with backups? That got a lot of positive response.

    In general I like the close ups and replays but it's a shame we can't see more of the field for the snap and live play. It wouldn't have to be All-22 perspective, but something where the defense can be seen etc. would be appreciated. In fact, one thing I've often thought would be a great feature to add now that we have the tech for it, is giving viewers the ability to choose their preferred angle. Regular broadcast, all-22, side-line... whatever it might be. They could still put their audio over the top etc. but that might really appeal to people.

    For the Dolphins, with the rebuild that's been going on, if the season doesn't happen it would be good to see the league lift roster restrictions, and allow teams to hold camps or whatever they prefer, bring their team together. Ultimately you can't make up for game time experience but if that's just not possible, then it could benefit the team to be able to work throughout the year and build rapport. It would be a challenge, some personality types would disengage I think, and over time boredom might set in. Overall though, a year off for further injury recovery, studying playbooks, looking at tape, working out etc. could benefit the team.

    I suppose something to keep fans engaged would be important. What if they got players to get on Madden for certain events, maybe a tournament, and gave fans a chance to play with NFL players?

    I'm rambling on now... just wondering what you guys think - any ideas?
     
  4. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

    10,488
    12,821
    113
    Nov 1, 2009
    I've thought all along that the season won't happen because there's no way to plan around 25+ cities nationwide with their own regulations.

    With that said, I think it really comes down to how MLB and the NBA does in the next few weeks to sort of guide the NFL towards a reality. The UFC seems to have this figured out for 1:1 competition and the NBA is sort of following that plan with the bubble- I think isolating players in full lockdown is the only way we actually get a season...but I don't know that the players go for it.
     
    Dol-Fan Dupree likes this.
  5. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

    10,488
    12,821
    113
    Nov 1, 2009
    In high school, we chose our starting linemen weekly by lining up nose to nose with another player and driving them out of a small box. If you won, you advanced up the player tier....if you lost, you advanced down. And once you lost to the same person twice, you're done for the day.

    So like I said, I'm about 12 inches from the guy opposite me and we're both in 3 or 4 point stances (player's choice). The coach blows the whistle and it's an explosion of power...very rarely did you just go through someone. You'd either keep your balance and stay low, sliding beneath them and making them stand up....or you went high and instantly got knocked back. I used to enjoy the heck out of these match-ups and so did the rest of the team.

    In college, we did a similar drill EXCEPT two players would lay on their backs, helmet to helmet. The coach would blow the whistle and drop the football, and both players couldn't move until the ball was in motion. You could "win" two ways...by grabbing the ball and advancing three yards, or by driving the other guy back three yards once he grabbed the ball (or a combo of making him fumble and making the ball fly past 3 yards, etc...the rules weren't that important, LOL). This was brutal, barbaric and we had a number of injuries since the whole team would participate (from RB to WR to linemen and kickers). A nose tackle, linebacker or offensive guard usually won, by the way....speed was rarely a factor; strength and agility won the day.

    We did another drill where you'd have a 5-yard lane that was maybe 10 feet wide. One player had the ball, the other was there to tackle. Sometimes we threw in a blocker as well to make the defender work even harder. Coach blew the whistle and again, there were explosive movements on both sides with people violently colliding. Just fun stuff.

    Anyway, drills like these could be televised/streamed and I think they'd go over well with a general audience when we can't have actual NFL football. You'd see people getting flattened all the time and I still smile thinking about it. There's all kinds of stuff you can do like the QB challenge for other positions...kicker trick shots, RB/WR agility courses, etc.
     
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2020
    resnor likes this.
  6. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

    51,927
    63,004
    113
    Apr 24, 2012
    Troy, Virginia
    Back in April and May, I was hopeful that things would be better by now, and that a NFL season would happen. It might be different, with no fans in the stadiums, or even some teams sharing stadiums, but that it would likely work itself out. However, with the situation the way that is now, I really don't expect it to happen now.

    Though it's not surprising to me, players are opting out at a rate that seems to be shocking many. The deadline to do so keeps getting pushed back to give more of them time to think about it, and I think that there are a lot more of them on the fence than the media presumed.

    Now, we see what's happening with MLB, where whole teams are shut down due to outbreaks, and others are on pause due to being on contact with them, and its inevitable that the same thing will happen in NFL camps as well. As they do, I expect for the NFLPA to push the league to call the whole thing off, and the two will negotiate some middle ground with respect to the players being paid this year similar to the opt out.

    With respect to next year, I expect that there will be some sort of alternate free agency period. Teams will have to cut players in order to get under the reduced salary cap, and those guys will sign on with new teams. That will in turn lead to players on those teams being cut to make room, and the merry-go-round will go on. There will absolutely be a draft, because many players will want to leave college and get into the NFL, even without a 2020 season to prove themselves. And it will be unique and interesting to have what amounts to two rookie classes bonded into one on rosters in the 2021 season.

    For sure, no one will ever forget what's happening now. But its best to shut things down before it gets worse and just move on, looking to the future.
     
    KeyFin likes this.
  7. Dorfdad

    Dorfdad Well-Known Member

    4,052
    2,347
    113
    Dec 9, 2007
    No way we should have a season. Shut it down let families stay safe. Lots of issues around school, travel and other things should take precedence. No one wants to go to a packed stadium or a completely empty one either.

    If they do force the games to play I say they need to work with direct tv and allow users to pick one team and let us see the games or offer free NFL Sunday ticket to all users dirt cheap
     
  8. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

    51,927
    63,004
    113
    Apr 24, 2012
    Troy, Virginia
    The interesting side take to that is that the NFL can opt out of the deal with DirecTV after 2020 and shop the service elsewhere. Given that AT&T also wants out of the deal, it would be fitting if in the final year of the deal there was no NFL.
     
    KeyFin and AGuyNamedAlex like this.
  9. Kud_II

    Kud_II Realist Division

    3,662
    1,404
    113
    Oct 15, 2011
    Seneca, SC
    The NHL will begin finishing their season August 1st. They plan to use only 2 arenas to do this however. The NFL could easily copy a similar method.

    The UFC has its events with no fans in the stadium. This is proof enough that there will be a season. Most of their revenue doesn't come from PPV buys, or gate attendance. It comes from their big name sponsors. If they were to shut down, they're sponsors would not pay them to display/push their brands.

    The NFL will not surrender the ad-revenue(alone) they stand to make from having a season. Nevermind the TV ratings that they also get a large share of $$$.

    Worst case scenario is

    -They copy the NHL's method of having only a few stadiums to host all/every game.
    -They don't allow fans in the stadiums and/or practice 'social distancing' thus fans will be separated by every other section.
    -All fans will be forced to wear a mask while in the stadium (I believe the NHL is also adopting this policy)
    -Not the typical NFL experience for anyone, however we will see the games.

    Most convincing reason there will be a season: Every other sport is continuing their seasons. NBA, MLB, UFC, Nascar etc. But nice attempt at a fear-mongering thread, as if we don't have enough of that in the world.

    In closing... there will be an NFL season, and I will personally bet anyone that feels strongly enough that there won't be. Cheers.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 30, 2020
  10. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

    51,927
    63,004
    113
    Apr 24, 2012
    Troy, Virginia


    The Big 10 is seriously considering not playing football this season. A step towards all of college football making the same choice.
     
  11. Dol-Fan Dupree

    Dol-Fan Dupree Tank? Who is Tank? I am Guy Incognito.

    40,533
    33,035
    113
    Dec 11, 2007
    This would be interesting. If they do this and college football is for the most part canceled, they can do a Saturday, Sunday, Monday type model, heck they could eve have a game of Friday Evening.

    There are generally 16 games.
    2 game on Friday night
    6 games on Saturday
    6 games on Sunday
    2 game on Monday night
     
  12. Disgustipate

    Disgustipate Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    31,608
    55,630
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    If both the CFB/NFL seasons are cancelled or truncated, I don't think you're going to have a "normal" NFL draft. The NCAA would probably give players another year of eligibility, which I'd assume would mean quite a few would not declare as they'd be trying to be drafted off of sophomore seasons. You've got some juniors who didn't declare for 2020, and some sophomores that you could still draft highly, but is it really going to be that much?

    I think it'd make sense for the NFL to replace the "normal" draft with like a modified version of the supplemental draft. 2021 picks roll over to 2022, but you can bid them for the players who do declare. You've also got a built-in method to provide a semi-randomized draft order that seems fair given the circumstances.
     
  13. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    111,648
    67,540
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    Not sure why the nfl didn’t mandate playing in a bubble, at home and away..

    Letting players go home after practice isn’t the right way to have a season
     
    Dol-Fan Dupree likes this.
  14. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

    51,927
    63,004
    113
    Apr 24, 2012
    Troy, Virginia


    The PAC12 is pushing back their planned start until the end of September, hoping that things are better by then.
     
  15. TheHighExhaulted

    TheHighExhaulted Well-Known Member

    5,818
    4,664
    113
    Jan 15, 2008
    The NBA can't keep 9 guys in a bubble. No way it will work in the NFL with 60 guys on a team.
     
  16. firedan

    firedan Well-Known Member

    2,000
    826
    113
    Oct 31, 2008
    palm beach county fl
    No link but I heard the Big 10 is considering no football.
     
  17. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

    51,927
    63,004
    113
    Apr 24, 2012
    Troy, Virginia
    I linked it yesterday in this thread :chuckle:
     
  18. JPPT1974

    JPPT1974 2022 Mother's Day and May Flowers!

    410
    84
    28
    Apr 15, 2012
    Yeah as how can you have that of possibly unable to breathe if you wear a mask on the field playing?
     
  19. firedan

    firedan Well-Known Member

    2,000
    826
    113
    Oct 31, 2008
    palm beach county fl
    That's more than likely where I saw that.Thanks.
     
  20. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    111,648
    67,540
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    As the NFL deploys what chief medical officer Allen Sills calls a “virtual bubble,” there’s a chance that the bubble will harden, at least locally.

    Pressed on the possibility of putting all players, coaches, and essential staff in a hotel in order to minimize the possibility of a player catching the virus away from work and bringing it to the facility, Dr. Sills said during a Friday visit to #PFTPM that all options are on the table.

    It would be difficult for players to leave their families and to live in a hotel indefinitely, and it likely would require further negotiations with the NFL Players Association and modified opt-out rights, given that no player signed up for sequestration. But the current approach entails a degree of risk that would be reduced if players remain with the team; thus, the chances of getting all 256 regular-season games played would be enhanced if the players and coaches aren’t going home at the end of the work day.

    The league is committed to pursuing the current approach unless and until circumstances require a change. With a full-blown, NBA-style bubble impractical, the next best thing could be a localized bubble that entails players shuttling between hotel and practice facility until the time comes to travel to the site of a game.

    Again, it would be difficult for the players and coaches and other personnel to make that sacrifice. But if the alternative is lost games, lost weeks, and possibly a lot season, it’s worth considering — especially if the current approach shows signs of collapsing.
     
  21. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    111,648
    67,540
    113
    Dec 20, 2007
    They should listen to that guy
     
  22. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

    51,927
    63,004
    113
    Apr 24, 2012
    Troy, Virginia
  23. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

    51,927
    63,004
    113
    Apr 24, 2012
    Troy, Virginia
    https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.c...ioner-floats-possibility-of-scrapping-season/

    Baseball commish Rob Manfred has now openly floated the possibility that the season may be stopped, or ended, if things don't get better. That fact that he's doing this openly almost certainly means that things are extremely serious, and doing it behind closed doors hasn't worked. Its also likely to soften the blow to the fans and media if and when it does happen.
     
    texanphinatic likes this.
  24. Disgustipate

    Disgustipate Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    31,608
    55,630
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    I think this is more along the lines of the kind of posturing you'd see from a beleaguered, in-over-their head substitute teacher. I don't think they've got any intention of cancelling the season unless it gets significantly worse.
     
  25. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

    51,927
    63,004
    113
    Apr 24, 2012
    Troy, Virginia
    There has been word since the early Spring that a notable minority of baseball owners just wanted to cancel it early and be done with it. MLB doesn't seem as deadset on playing it out as the NFL does.
     
  26. firedan

    firedan Well-Known Member

    2,000
    826
    113
    Oct 31, 2008
    palm beach county fl
    How many players will opt out?At what point are we seeing a diluted product?I hope things improve soon.
     
  27. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

    51,927
    63,004
    113
    Apr 24, 2012
    Troy, Virginia
    Its a good question. Two days ago, the official word was that the opt out deadline would be seven days from when the league and the players officially signed the new agreement on rules for this season, which is expected to be tomorrow. But then last night, word was that the league doesn't want to give them that much time. That leads some (myself included) to think that they're scared too many will take the option the longer that they have to think about it.
     
  28. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

    51,927
    63,004
    113
    Apr 24, 2012
    Troy, Virginia


    It looks like the league is trying to stop the growing flow of players opting out, and will set Wednesday as the firm deadline for players to make the choice. If they stick to their guns with that, it will be interesting to see if any players get cold feet and "retire" for the 2020 season, then come back in 2021.
     
  29. Vertical Limit

    Vertical Limit Senior Member

    12,162
    5,057
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    Honestly the NFL had a giant head start on the virus.. im surprised that theres so much flexibility amongst clubs i thought there would be heavier restrictions in place.
     
    resnor likes this.
  30. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

    10,488
    12,821
    113
    Nov 1, 2009
    Here's how I see it- if players want to opt out, encourage them to. And if enough opt out, then maybe we see 32 teams with rosters similar to Miami's last season. That's fine with me because it's still football.

    Like I said earlier, I don't think we have a season once all is said and done...maybe we play a partial season instead. Or maybe they get creative and we have a 4-6 game season and a 32 team playoff...who knows? I can't see some states getting in 4 solid months of football though with their full rosters. So to me, it makes sense to encourage those who don't want to sacrifice their lives to opt out now so you have real numbers going into camp and an idea of how you can make football take place.
     
  31. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

    51,927
    63,004
    113
    Apr 24, 2012
    Troy, Virginia
    I know that everyone looks at it differently. Personally, if we can't have something very close to a regular 16 game season, then I don't want it to happen at all. Just the way I am.
     
    resnor likes this.
  32. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

    51,927
    63,004
    113
    Apr 24, 2012
    Troy, Virginia
    I rarely find myself agreeing with Odell Beckham Jr, but apparently we're on the same page with regards to the NFL season.

    https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/08/03/odell-beckham-jr-wouldnt-mind-not-having-a-season/

     
    resnor likes this.
  33. texanphinatic

    texanphinatic Senior Member

    11,881
    4,834
    113
    Nov 26, 2007
    Detroit Metro Area MI
    A shorter season wouldn't really bother me too much unless it's something silly like 8 or less. However, it seems that the most likely scenarios are either:
    1) A full season that the NFL goes ahead full steam, forcing some or many teams to play with weakened rosters due to calloffs and positive tests along the way.
    2) A delayed season that doesn't start until a vaccine has entered the equation. Several are going through stage 3 trials right now. It may not be a great look for the NFL to try and coopt this for their players (or any guarantee that players/staff would jump at it) but if they wanted to press for this, it's possible the majority of the league could be ready by November/December and then play either a short or delayed season.
    3) A season that starts off strong, but after several major incidents, shuts down around week 6-8ish and likely doesn't come back until the 2021 season.

    I still think we will have to see what the next 3-4 weeks hold for MLB to really get a good gauge on things. If they can get things back under control, it bodes better for option 1. If MLB falls apart, it looks like options 2-3, or a cancelled season altogether. I don't think that's likely though, the NFL owners will not want to abandon their TV money.
     
  34. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

    10,488
    12,821
    113
    Nov 1, 2009
    Sure, I can see that perspective as well....but you have to realize that we're not preparing for that (hence, shortening the opt-out phase, some teams living off-site, etc.) As of today they're planning a standard football season even though they're not sure if it can actually happen. So I think we'll just have to roll with the punches and see what happens.

    I think there's still 50/50 odds we never make it out of training camps, and if that comes to pass then so be it. Let teams practice when they can between now and January, run team scrimmages, etc. to keep players fresh for next year. That would be huge for younger players without the game-time stress of having to perform immediately, so I don't think it would be the worst thing ever if we don't have a season. Heck, it would be AWESOME for Tua and Rosen alike.

    I do think they try to have some semblance of a season though...but I have a feeling that it will start and ultimately fail. I would imagine it's super hard to just pull the plug for the whole year because we're all hoping that this stuff passes, but I also think most of us know that it's not going to just disappear as well. Given that they have to make plans today though without having the info they really need to make that decision, I'm not sure what they can really do except "wing it" until they know more.

    There's too much at stake for them to just pull the plug on the whole year, so I have a feeling we're going to try to play like normal until it can't happen anymore. But what do you do when you have healthy West Coast teams and sick East Coast squads (or whatever)? I mean, if Chicago and Jacksonville have low levels of virus and can play 16 games, but Dallas and San Fran can't.....then what? How would you structure a playoff if some teams play more than others...or do you just cancel all games when a few teams can't make it? There's so many hypothetical situations that are likely to happen and I don't think they can plan for all of them today.

    I would think a good start would be to give every team multiple bye weeks and let them choose when they take em...which means schedules would no longer be set in stone. That in itself would be a massive undertaking though and I'm not sure if the league wants to deal with it....meaning it would be smart to just cancel the whole darn thing. But I don't see them doing that either.
     
  35. Hooligan

    Hooligan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    624
    790
    93
    Dec 31, 2018
    Costa Rica
    A shortened season presents the very real possibility that a team less affected by roster depletion could put together a "perfect season" of 8 to 10 games against expansion team quality competition. Be careful what you wish for. It's football but, I'd prefer to wait for real football.
     
    Unlucky 13 likes this.
  36. Dol-Fan Dupree

    Dol-Fan Dupree Tank? Who is Tank? I am Guy Incognito.

    40,533
    33,035
    113
    Dec 11, 2007
    Yea I think if this season does happen it will be treated as the strike year with the replacements.

    Record will be official but stats will be asterisk
     
    resnor likes this.
  37. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

    10,488
    12,821
    113
    Nov 1, 2009
    Option 2 i probably the "safest" route but you also have to consider football in 2021- what does that do to the schedule if we have games Nov-March? Do camps still start in July with preseason in August? There are just so many variables with the biggest one in this scenario if vaccines actually work!
     
  38. texanphinatic

    texanphinatic Senior Member

    11,881
    4,834
    113
    Nov 26, 2007
    Detroit Metro Area MI
    Yeah it would be tough on some teams if they are playing the playoffs and SB into like April or May. I would assume lightening the offseason load and reducing/eliminating preseason again before the 2021 season would play a role in letting the players recover fully. Reducing the 2020 regular season would help, at least doing like a 14 game season if not a 10-12 game season. They could also cut down on the playoffs to skip another week or two. Just have the 4 division winners face off in the week 1 playoffs, the 2 winners face off in a championship and then the SB.
     
    KeyFin likes this.
  39. Sceeto

    Sceeto Well-Known Member

    13,501
    6,245
    113
    Oct 13, 2008
    New York
    I don't see how they can with players face to face on every play, in huddles, smashing into each other, bleeding at times, sweating and breathing heavy, all of the traveling, the stadiums, the lack of proper training and conditioning, etc, etc, etc. At this point, it just doesn't seem possible.
     
  40. resnor

    resnor Derp Sherpa

    16,327
    9,874
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    New Hampshire
    Is there any evidence that it spreads by anything other than breathing it in from someone else who breathes it out?

    Honest question.
     

Share This Page