James Harrison is not one for subtlety.
And the Steelers' outside linebacker was nothing if not blunt when he said everything changes if the NFL expands its regular season from 16 to 18 games.
If that happens, he said, "I need a new contract, or I'm not coming to camp."
If the reaction of Harrison and others in the Steelers' locker room is any indication, any attempts to lengthen the season only will expand the divide between the NFL Players Association and team owners. Players generally oppose the idea that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell again endorsed Wednesday for several reasons, chief among them the physical toll it will take on them.
"It's taking years off our bodies, adding extra two games," Steelers receiver Hines Ward said. "You won't see guys with 10 or more years career-wise -- only kickers and quarterbacks."
The change wouldn't happen before 2012 at the earliest, Goodell said, in part so he could marshal support for the idea among players. Increasing the number of games for the first time since 1978 probably wouldn't affect Ward, who is entering his 13th NFL season. (Tribune)
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