However, it stands in stark contrast with Goodell's stated intent to get an 18-game season, which would exasperate every health issue. And it doesn't jibe with the move to stage a Thursday night game each week – requiring players to go on three days of rest.
How much fans really care about the health and safety of the players is debatable. Long-term concerns are easily voiced, but, in reality, the fans want the game to go on. Short-term concerns are a different deal; they affect the product on the field. The Thursday experiment is yielding troubling results.
It's bad enough watching a rookie quarterback such as Seattle's Russell Wilson look completely unprepared against San Francisco on Thursday after such a short week of prep. It's another when the 49ers sit running back Frank Gore in the fourth quarter for being essentially beaten to a pulp over the course of two brutally violent games in five days. The Thursday game is great for fan interest and revenue, but what of the players? What of the quality of play? Why not a second bye week, one of which is required before each Thursday game? Or why have the Thursday games at all?
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