Steelers union representative Ramon Foster endorses expanded NFL playoff format
In agreement with his union brethren, Ramon Foster again said Monday he was against the NFL’s reported proposal of an 18-game regular season in which players appear in only 16 of those games.
But, surprisingly, Foster isn’t against ALL additional games.
“I’m all for expanding the playoffs,” the Pittsburgh Steelers NFLPA player representative said at Saint Vincent. “Reward the teams that get the opportunity to do good.
“I would look forward to expanding the playoffs more than I would 18 (regular-season) games.”
Foster was short on specifics on expanding from the six-teams-per-conference format that has been in place for more than a quarter century.
“Ten, 12, maybe?” Foster said. “We will see.”
The NFL has expanded by four to 32 teams since the 12-team format was adopted. Adding a seventh team per conference wouldn’t dilute playoff teams too much. More than that likely would.
Foster would be OK with that.
“Of course, there would be that one maybe 7-9 team, 8-8 teams and stuff like that — but you live for the Cinderella, right?” he said. “We enjoy March Madness because there’s always this one team that gives a push toward the end. And those teams I think they help boost tournament time.”
Here are some very specific problems the #NFL may not have a way to correct if it goes to an 18-game schedule while forcing players to sit two games.https://t.co/jiyaLyLSzE
— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) July 15, 2019
Foster’s theory is everyone — fans, players, owners — like the playoffs. And the players are against extra wear-and-tear during the regular season. Foster, who was not drafted, wants to preserve the four-game preseason because it’s the only way for unknown players to show their skills in the pros.
He’s against the 18-game format for various reasons. But the postseason? That might be worth extra games in an expanded format.
“I’m more quality over quantity at this point,” Foster said.
An 11-year veteran, Foster was given the day off from practice Monday.
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Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.
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