The Preseason Debate

[SmootSmack]

This seems to be a common debate every summer. Is the preseason too long. From what I've gathered it seems like Illdefined says yes and JWSleep say no. What about the rest of you?

I don't think it's too long.

It's football, it's a rough contact sport and people are going to get hurt. You can't avoid that. It totally sucks that Jon Jansen is out for the year but what if he got hurt week one against Tampa and it took us another 4 games (that count) to get our O-Line to gel. With Jansen getting hurt the first game of the preseason the Skins have nearly a month to get their revamped offensive line in tune. Plus with so many new players you need the game situations, as JWSleep has already pointed out in another thread, for these guys to get in synch under game time situations and speeds. And if not for the preseason you're not really giving guys like John Simon or Gari Scott a chance to show that they can contribute to the team or the coaches a chance to truly evaluate these players without concern to the final score. The preseason was basically when 5th round pick Brian Mitchell got to show what he could do back in 1990 and we all know how that career turned out.

The big problem I have with the NFL preseason, and I know it won't be changed because money talks, is that fans have to pay regular season ticket prices. I think the preseason should be treated as a separate entity from the regular season. Sell the tickets at a reduced price, give more fans an opportunity to see their favorite team.

[Daseal]

The preseason should be cut to two games, but they should also let the players come to camp a week earlier. I think that would help it out. Now, one thing I noticed is before pre-season a lot of other teams scrimmaged against neighboring teams. Jets/Giants, Browns/Lions (I think), etc to get warmed up. I think that they should cut down preseason games, but it won't ever happen.

The owners/teams/league gets a good chunk of cash for preseason. They won't let those games go.

[That Guy]

i think you need at least 3 games to really get a feel for your depth and players, but agree the prices are too high for crap football...

[MTK]

5 games like the 'Skins have this season is just way too much. They should cut it down to 2 or 3 games tops, but still have a month long camp.

[oldswill]

I think the 4 games are fine but they need to lengthen the camps. the reason is because camps are when players can stretch and become limber at there own pace with out the stress of a game, in turn reducing injurys.

[Hogskin]

Originally Posted by Daseal

The preseason should be cut to two games, but they should also let the players come to camp a week earlier. I think that would help it out.

I agree completely. And the NFL seems to be getting closer and closer to doing something about it. They favor cutting it to 2 weeks and adding 2 regular season games. I would not be surprised to see it happen in time for the next round of network contract negotiations - or even in conjunction with them. Of course, I don't know how all the NFL Network programming they get from the preseason will affect that...

[sportscurmudgeon]

Owners LOVE exhibition games because they get full price for tickets and a local TV deal and the incremental cost in terms of salaries is trivial. In some towns, season ticket holders have the option to buy exhibition game tix; in others, they come as a "take-it-or-leave-it" proposition as part of the season ticket deal. In those towns, not only are fans paying top dollar for a mediocre product, they are paying for it several months in advance so the clubs can make interest off the money.

There is a persistent rumor going around that the NFL wants to move the season start back to late September and play the Super Bowl the last week of February and that this will be part of the nonsense surrounding the new TV deal. IF THAT HAPPENS, look for the league to push the players union to move to an 18 game schedule in the next CBA talks and the games will fill in the September weekends that would be "empty" because the season got moved back.

Amazingly, colleges manage to play football without any pre-season exhibition games. I wonder why it works there but not at the NFL level ...?

[MTK]

The first few weeks of the college season are basically preseason games for most of the larger schools, all they do is beat up on the weaker schools.

Plus the college game doesn't match the NFL when it comes to complexity, gameplanning, etc. Just ask the ol' ball coach.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by sportscurmudgeon

There is a persistent rumor going around that the NFL wants to move the season start back to late September and play the Super Bowl the last week of February

True, we're already starting to see that the Super Bowl has been moved to February, so that it can be part of the all-important tv sweeps period

[That Guy]

college is big money, but its nothing compared to the NFL cash cow.

[illdefined]

if its gonna stay 4 weeks, then NO MORE 5 WEEKS for just the 'SKINS. WTF.

it should change. more camp or more reg. season, but less MEANINGLESS but THREATENING games!

[JWsleep]

Sixteen games is still the shortest pro season around. I hate losing players in the preseason, but this is the way the league has evolved its schedule, and it's the way the players and coaches have gotten used to preparing. I think four games is fine, five if you're picked for the HOF game. Remember, years when we didn't have five games, we always scrimaged someone like the Steelers, home and away. 5 weeks of preparation makes for good, exciting opening day football, not like thoe early season NBA or NHL games. And does anyone even watch baseball before the all-star break (or after it)?

People blow out their knees in practice as well. Should we stop practicing before the season?

As for the money stuff, the NFL will make every dollar it can. Nothing new there.

[Luxorreb]

5 games maybe too long. But 4 games in preseason is not. Am I in a room with a buncha pussies? Come on guys we're talking football. Millions of dollars and full contact. Don't change presean, but do something about 20 yr olds making millions without a snap.

[That Guy]

rookie contracts are rewards/payment for college really, whether you agree with it or not.

[Hogskin]

Originally Posted by Luxorreb

Am I in a room with a buncha pussies? Come on guys we're talking football.

Actually, no. We just have a different opinion than you. And maybe we've read a little more about it. I am completely convinced that in 2 years, the NFL "pussy" players will be playing 2 preseason games and 18 regular season games. It gives them much higher revenue from the networks and 2 fewer "meaningless" games for their valuable merchandise to be damaged. And this is why the BYE week has not gone away even though there is no longer any need for it - they do not want to LOSE the extra week of TV revenue. THAT is what drives all NFL decisions, and is what will bring about this change. Being compared to female anatomy will have no effect.