The Preseason Debate

Beemnseven · 08-16-2004, 09:59 AM

It will never happen, but if I were the commissioner, here are a few changes that I would implement:

No overtime in preseason. If it ends in a tie, so what? And don't give me any crap about how important it is for players to get a feel for sudden-death. Once you're in a sudden-death overtime game in the regular season, by that time everyone should know how important it is. Why increase the chance for injury by extending a meaningless game?

Either shorten the games to just a half, or make it two preseason games tops. If you think about it, the starters -- the people everybody knows will make the roster -- are in for about a series or two, with the most extensive action seen in the third exhibition game. So the scrubs who are in for the majority of snaps in every other game can't possibly make it on the team. Essentially, the coaches are throwing guys out there as 'filler' just so they can field a team. 90% of those types of players aren't going to make the team anyway.

You can't tell me that 3rd and 4th string players are honestly getting evaluated with 5 minutes to go in the fourth quarter against a non-division opponent who's also lining up their 4th string. Most of the evaluation happens in camp and practices anyway.

I would also allow the final roster cuts much further into the regular season, say the 4th game. If player evaluation is so important, then extend the final roster cut deadline, and while you're at it, make it a sixty-man roster instead of 53.

No, I'm not a fan of preseason. And yes, injuries happen and they happen in many circumstances, not just an exhibition game. Anquan Boldin, David Boston and Jimmy Kennedy are good examples of guys who got hurt on the practice field. But try explaining that to fans of Michael Vick, Chad Pennington, or Jon Jansen. It's a money making scam that even the most knowledgeable NFL fans fall for hook, line and sinker. Until people stop paying attention, stop attending and stop watching nationally televised preseason games, the NFL and the team owners will never change anything.

08-16-2004, 09:59 AM	#17
Beemnseven Pro Bowl Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Virginia Beach Age: 52 Posts: 5,311	It will never happen, but if I were the commissioner, here are a few changes that I would implement: No overtime in preseason. If it ends in a tie, so what? And don't give me any crap about how important it is for players to get a feel for sudden-death. Once you're in a sudden-death overtime game in the regular season, by that time everyone should know how important it is. Why increase the chance for injury by extending a meaningless game? Either shorten the games to just a half, or make it two preseason games tops. If you think about it, the starters -- the people everybody knows will make the roster -- are in for about a series or two, with the most extensive action seen in the third exhibition game. So the scrubs who are in for the majority of snaps in every other game can't possibly make it on the team. Essentially, the coaches are throwing guys out there as 'filler' just so they can field a team. 90% of those types of players aren't going to make the team anyway. You can't tell me that 3rd and 4th string players are honestly getting evaluated with 5 minutes to go in the fourth quarter against a non-division opponent who's also lining up their 4th string. Most of the evaluation happens in camp and practices anyway. I would also allow the final roster cuts much further into the regular season, say the 4th game. If player evaluation is so important, then extend the final roster cut deadline, and while you're at it, make it a sixty-man roster instead of 53. No, I'm not a fan of preseason. And yes, injuries happen and they happen in many circumstances, not just an exhibition game. Anquan Boldin, David Boston and Jimmy Kennedy are good examples of guys who got hurt on the practice field. But try explaining that to fans of Michael Vick, Chad Pennington, or Jon Jansen. It's a money making scam that even the most knowledgeable NFL fans fall for hook, line and sinker. Until people stop paying attention, stop attending and stop watching nationally televised preseason games, the NFL and the team owners will never change anything.

The Preseason Debate

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