FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Nickb23 said 08/25, 09:02 AM
The NFL has seen a remarkable amount of horrible football played this preseason. I realize teams have players to look through and kinks to work out.

Fans on the other hand still have to pay top dollar to witness these games. It is forced upon season ticket holders as part of the package. Yet unless it is week 3 of the preseason (dress rehearsel for most) they barely even get a glimpse of the key players and head for the gates at halftime.

A 2 game preseason is already becoming an option that the commish is looking into. I say it is a good option for the NFL, its fans and its players (Osi). The fans want to get what they pay for, which is a top notch football game. The top players have almost no interest in playing these games. Injuries are a part of the game, but no one wants to lose there premier pass rusher in a preseason game. Their is also reason to believe the injuries come, because these guys are disinterested and not giving it there all.

Let the players prove what they have at camp. Give them a game or two to show what they have on the field. You only get one chance during the regular season to prove your worth. Why do you need four preseason games to earn a shot?

Nickb23 said 08/25, 05:10 PM
If the league were to go down to 2 games, the majority of teams would limit the starters to the one half of football that they actually try in anyways.

As a Cowboys fan, I can tell you the starters have looked totally disinterested in every moment they played other than the first half against the Texans.

Every team has different needs but practice is your chance to work out kinks. Are you really gonna work out kinks against the Chargers when they bench 14 starters before the game starts.

These teams already hold practice with one another, which is just another step towards getting rid of unnecesary games.

Why does a kid need 3 chances to earn a roster spot. In a game you get one chance to prove you can make a play. Don't you want a guy who will make a play the first time, not the third.

As for the fluke injury, a professional athlete has no business playing in a game at half speed against other athletes. When you get guys of that magnitude in a game they have no interest in, you run into injuries that CAN be avoided.

Plenty of good players end up on the scrape heap even after all that evaluation. Teams over think after 4 games, mistakes will be made regardless.

Nickb23 said 08/26, 04:54 PM
"Matt Leinart still has a job. Or Alex Smith. Kyle Boller? Rex Grossman? Troy Williamson? Matt Jones?"

Interesting point. Too bad the NFL is all about money. Everyone of those players was drafted in the first round. I didn't see you list a bunch of rookie free agents for a reason

Which brings up another point, how many roster spots do the coaches really have to evaluate for. No owner will allow some first round pick to walk the street until they are 100% sure of there talent

"Kurt Warner who needed to shine in preseason games to make the squad?"

For every Kurt their is 5 Charlie Frye's. Guys who earn a job, just to suck when the real competition comes. Evaluating talent in the NFL is an inexact science and the fact is we will see a 2 game preseason SOON

How come college kids don't need 4 exhibition games to be prepared? Don't tell me the early games don't matter. Would OSU and USC scedule each other early if they thought they wouldn't be ready?

If you think these guys really care about these games, you are sorely mistaken. Disinterest, boredom, playing against SD's backups. These things can lead to injury. Great athletes need to play at a high level, they aren't