The Dallas Cowboys offer the option to be in a virtual bubble. Are they an example for the NFL?
The NHL and the NBA have moved forward with the bubble concept to return to play during the Covid-19 pandemic, and have found success in limiting cases. The MLB chose a different route, and have had issues with multiple teams.
The Dallas Cowboys are setting up a virtual bubble for their team while the NFL continues to figure out how to go about the season. Are the Cowboys setting an example for the rest of the NFL?
The Cowboys and the New Orleans Saints are the two NFL franchises that have gone out of their way to follow the NHL and the NBA bubble. In this, they are hoping to have similar success in limiting the number of positive cases.
While some players and front office employees note being away from their family as an issue, being in a bubble appears to be the safest route to play a season. Max Kellerman of ESPN was on First Take on Monday talking about this exact topic.
🔸 Separate AFC and NFC bubbles
— First Take (@FirstTake) August 10, 2020
🔸 Two bubbles for each conference
🔸 No inter-conference games
🔸 Eight-week season@maxkellerman makes his proposal to the NFL that gives them "a chance to crown a champion in this upcoming season." pic.twitter.com/XnifeD7SAv
With America’s Team and the Saints already going through with this idea, I would think others would begin to follow. That is if the NFL doesn’t move forward with this approach for the entire league.
What Would a Season Look Like?
Kellerman pitching the idea of playing an eight-game season whereas you only play inter-conference games makes sense and also appears to be the most likely situation.
Taking the same approach as the MLB will not go well. If an expanded MLB roster is 40 players, imagine at least 54 players going out and about, while playing a contact sport.
I believe it is inevitable that the bubble approach will happen. That is unless the NFL finds a new method other than that of the MLB and the NBA/NHL.
The NFL players are going to have to deal with being away from their families for that short amount of time. Will it be hard? Absolutely. But, if they want an NFL season and a nice paycheque, then they will need to sacrifice some family time.
This option has always been available from the Cowbys but this decision to move to Omni by a number of Cowboys veterans was organized by the players, per source. Players took the lead and made this happen together https://t.co/6DJVOFGmCD
— Clarence Hill Jr (@clarencehilljr) August 11, 2020
It’s great to see the Cowboys and the Saints going ahead with the bubble. It will push the league to go through with that method to ensure a season happens, and that it happens safely. The Cowboys are setting a great example for the NFL.