As a fan, wouldn’t you rather watch a regular season game that is worthwhile, as opposed to a preseason game that doesn’t count? How many times, we as sports enthusiast and fans have seen teams with great preseasons, experience a poor and disappointing regular season? Besides, which fans want their star players involved in seemingly meaningless games, which could possibly result in injury? Why is the NFL unhappy when star players don’t play, or are limited to three to four downs, a game? Let me guess, it’s about providing a quality product. Does this mean that the Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady’s, and Ed Reed’s are more valuable in games that don’t contribute to their teams making the Playoffs neither the Super Bowl?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that a team that has a great preseason can’t recapitulate that during the regular season but I am more concerned about fans getting their monies worth and the athletes preserved and protected. Can you imagine, the NFL making it mandatory for star players to play for an allotted amount of time during preseason games, and a player happens to get hurt? From a business aspect, season ticket holders aren’t buying season tickets to watch second and third string players perform, instead, they would rather watch Coaches coach and the best Players play. Before this happens, let’s do away with the “Pre” and begin the Season. I was always told that, “prevention is better than cure”, so let’s skip the appetizers and head for the main course because I am ready to watch games that affect records, instead of players who probably won’t even make the practice squad. What do you guys think? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
They should do it like college football, but there is too much money in the pre season in the nfl.
jnutt you are definetly correct and sports today is all about the money.
Brian Ambi part of the game is seeing the young players develop. A team of superstars don’t win a Championship ask the Eagles, Raiders or Redskins who usually spend a lot of money in Free Agency to come up short. Teams who win usually develop their own talent which is what preseason is for. Steelers, Packers, Giants, Ravens and Patriots. Identify talent and develop it. Preseason is very necessary for Football fans. As a Bears fan I can tell you I and many other fans watch the preseason and scrutinize every minute of it. We post to ESPN, Sports Nation and call in to radio and tv shows. We also go to the Team Camps. Preseason is great.
I agree with some of your points but my reason for saying its a waste is because of the injuries that may occur, and for what a preseason game. Another issue i now have is the NFL wants to dictate who should play, isnt that the coaches job? This reminds me of the NBA; last season when the San Antonio Spurs were fined for not playing players. Being a Kansas City Chiefs fan, i would much rathet see Alex Smith as the QB for the season opener than Ricky Stanzi. Bare in mind football is a full contact sport and guys want to make the big hits and plays just ask Geno Smith of the Jets,and Fred Jackson of the Bills, just two of many who got hurt playing, during their preseason opener. Thank goodness the injuries weren’t serious but it makes you at least ponder is the preseason necessary.
I’ll tell you this, there are definitely some serious cons to having players playing in scrimmage games and/or non-record affecting events. And keep in mind we’re mainly talking about a full contact sport, although I would possibly include NBA in the discussion as well. When I think about this topic, the very first thing that comes to mind is the Gronkowski situation where he was simply partying too hard and hurt himself and now his health is questionable. Yes, his situation is completely inexcusable, and so would being hurt in a pre-season game which takes a lot more effort than club dancing. On day one of the season, all records are 0 – 0. That is when every play matters, where bonuses are earned and when teams play to advance to the post-season.
Don’t get me wrong, I think that scrimmaging with other competition, mixed defenses, and mixed play calling is the building point of each team. But as an organization that is, at the end of the day, trying to win a championship (and make a profit at the same time) is better off not taking the risk of playing in a game that can hurt one of their MVP players. They should find better ways to protect those players whom are the reason that the sports are able to excel.
Pre-season is as vital to the game just training camp or work outs. Gives coaches an opportunity to see what the have been working on in action. Making tweaks and changes prior to the real season. How results are correlated is heavily due to player management and coaching adjustments. Injuries are a part of the game and can occur at any time. Before, during , or after a gym or field work out…
Tori, I cant argue your point, but remember majority of the plays used in preseason wont be used in the regular season, making it difficult to gauge where you are as a team.