After months of speculation, it appears NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wants to increase the regular season from 16 to 18 games and to cut the exhibition season from four to two games.

Goodell assumes NFL fans want not just more games, but more meaningful games.

Sounds great, doesn't it?

Not so fast.

Here are a few reasons why playing 18 regular-season games is a bad idea.

1.

It's never a good thing when a suit dictates what's better for everyone, then claims that's what the majority of people want.Is it really good for everyone? The idea that everyone will be making more money might be true, but who's going to take the brunt of the physical pain? The players.

2.

Who ever said more is better?I thought 16 games were too much when it happened, but when they added the bye week, that was a nice break for the players.Each game still means something. With 18, you could let a game slip away and still have time to recover. A slow or bad start won't hurt like it does now.

3. Losing two exhibition games is a bit much.I think three games would be ideal, as rookies, first-year players and free agents could get a good evaluation in the first two games.The third game could be a tuneup for who's left plus the veterans.With year-round camps, organized team activities and conditioning programs, players are in better shape and the sport has become a 12-month job.Veterans can have some breaks throughout training camp and won't miss a beat in regular season.Plus, it wouldn't kill the league or its teams to charge less for exhibitions games. The idea season-tickets holders must pay full price for those contests is a joke.Also, make tickets available for the general public. That will give those who aren't season ticket holders a chance to see a game, the stadium and be a part of the experience.

4.

How is the NFL and team owners going to pay for this?The NFL's adding two extra games, so how does it determine the pay scale? Assuming there's a new collective bargaining agreement, will players with contracts get a 10 percent raise across the board to make up for two extra games, games they did not know would exist when they signed?As much as he would like to start this next year, it's looking like the two games won't be added until 2012, at the earliest.If 17 is doable, then do it, but add another bye week. Otherwise, leave well enough alone.The NFL has a great product now. Why tinker with something that appears to be working?Sam Tallarico is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.