Based on what you’ve seen so far in week 1, what do you think the NFL should do about Preseason games going forward?

[YoloinOhio]

There are pros and cons to preseason in my mind. I think the forced changes due to Covid will really lead to the nfl having to move off of its stance that 4 games are necessary. But I’m not sold on a complete lack of preseason. I think at least one game would be helpful - to the coaches, players, evaluating talent, etc. 

[Philo]

I think 2 games is the way to go. One game as the "dress rehearsal" for the starters and the other for the bottom of the roster guys to make their case.

[Chandler#81]

Dos

[Ray Finkel]

27 minutes ago, Philo said:

I think 2 games is the way to go. One game as the "dress rehearsal" for the starters and the other for the bottom of the roster guys to make their case.

I agree 2 games.  Need to get the fast twitch muscle fibers going at game speed.

[whatdrought]

Preseason was never for the 22 players we saw play for teams this weekend. 

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

I voted for two, but could easily go with one game and maybe two scrimmages with another team as a viable alternative.

[YoloinOhio]

3 minutes ago, whatdrought said:

Preseason was never for the 22 players we saw play for teams this weekend. 

3 of the games weren’t. One was 

[bobobonators]

39 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

There are pros and cons to preseason in my mind. I think the forced changes due to Covid will really lead to the nfl having to move off of its stance that 4 games are necessary. But I’m not sold on a complete lack of preseason. I think at least one game would be helpful - to the coaches, players, evaluating talent, etc. 

 

i voted no preseason but only if many of the practice/OTA restrictions are lifted and coaches are allowed to practice the players harder. 
 

if that isnt going to happen and we have the same watered-down practices/scrimmahes then id vote 2 preseason games  

[JustWinPlease]

Two games.

 

They need a warmup and to be able to see competitions play out in game-like situations (like Hauschka vs. Bass).

Getting rid of the preseason would really hurt those back-end of the roster guys, UDFA's, and draft picks after the 3rd round or so.

[dubs]

I vote 16. Simulate what a real season would be then start with the actual season. How else can you practice a week 12 game in the cold against the bengals!?

 

just kidding. I vote 1 or 0. 

[frostbitmic]

More football not less ... 5 I say, 5

[Mark Vader]

They should play preseason games at local college venues and take the burden off of season ticket holders by charging them full price for a meaningless practice game.

[Rc2catch]

If this offseason has shown us anything it’s that teams can get ready with just the scrimmages. I voted for one game, only because I think it’s crucial to the lower makings of rosters and practice squads. 
I will say, for those of us who enjoyed the XFL and would like a second league (even if it’s considered the minors) having no preseason is probably great for that league. There’s a lot of hidden talent stashed away on practice squads and free agency that could really shine with a little coaching and playing time. 

[eSJayDee]

Of the 2 games that I've seen this yr, I was pleasantly surprised by the "crispness" of them.  In that regard, I don't think PS was missed at all.  Based on the Bills, I wonder some real game action might (have) been beneficial WRT physical preparedness, ie injury avoidance.

I think the main thing that is lost w/ no PS is an inability to evaluate new players, primarily rookies.  I think eliminating PS entirely would (eventually) detract from the overall product/performance.

That said, I'd think 2 games, perhaps 1/2 a game for a "dress rehearsal" for "starters" & the other ~6 qtrs for evaluation of (primarily) incoming talent.

[Rochesterfan]

I voted 2 games - I think 1 game with starters to go through a 1st half and halftime - get a game feel and let teams work through these soft tissue injuries.  They need full speed games to get prepared.

 

I then want either a second game or a couple of scrimmages for the rookie/younger players to show what they can do.  More of a controlled feeling than a full fledged game.

 

The football wasn’t bad without preseason games, but I also thought it favored certain teams with more prepared coaches and stable teams.

[LABILLBACKER]

It's going to get dropped to 2 games. There are also scrimmages available for teams. Pointless to have 3-4 games anymore. 

[MAJBobby]

None.

 

Get rid of all Preseason....  Add some padded practices and allow scrimmages with Refs.  at the 18 game season and move forward

[17islongenough]

There should be 1 or 2 games.   You need a game or two to see the bottom of the roster.  Luckily they updated the rules so you can keep up to 70 players.   So cuts weren't that important.  

[The Frankish Reich]

I would rather keep the controlled scrimmages and kill "preseason games" entirely. The risk of injury exceeds the benefit, and the ability of the NFL to market them as actual games is more about forcing season ticket holders to buy a product nobody wants than it is about preparation for the regular season. From what I saw, Week 1 in 2020 looked pretty much like Week 1 in 2019 -- the good, stable teams were prepared (think Bills); the poor and high player/coaching staff turnover teams looked like 6 preseason games wouldn't have helped (think Jets).

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

I voted 2.  Just because i feel like UDFA's really didn't get a chance to showcase this year for other teams.  That's about it. Starters maybe play half of the first one if at all.  

 

I feel like i also missed the chance to see some of the drafted QBs.  Herbert, Love, Eason, Fromm, Hurts etc. 

[Don Otreply]

3 hours ago, whatdrought said:

Preseason was never for the 22 players we saw play for teams this weekend. 

This ^^^
 

preseason is for backup and PS selections, it also makes it easier for Beane to make trades for draft picks. 
That and the Coaches want those games, and I will roll with their thinking. 

[Freddie's Dead]

 

[HOUSE]

I DEMAND MY 4 OVER PRICED, HALF EMPTY STADIUM FOOTBALL GAMES

GIVE IT TO ME.....

[BarleyNY]

I assume it’ll go to 2 preseason games when the league gets 18 regular season games. 

7 hours ago, whatdrought said:

Preseason was never for the 22 players we saw play for teams this weekend. 

They do matter for the rookies who start game one or otherwise get a lot of playing time.  And teams implementing new schemes need them.  We do not need four of them though. 

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

Wonder how the votes would be if we had lost yesterday! 
 

I think the lack of a preseason kills rebuilding teams— the veteran contenders benefit from it. It’s pretty unfair. 

[maddenboy]

I vote 2.

 

The flip side of the "bottom of the roster" getting a chance to shine, which has been mentioned many times above, is this:  Its not just a chance for the players. 

 

Its the fans who risk missing out on the next Terrell Davis or other players.  In that sense, we the fans need the scrubs to show out, not just the scrubs themselves.

 

3 minutes ago, JR in Pittsburgh said:

I think the lack of a preseason kills rebuilding teams— the veteran contenders benefit from it. It’s pretty unfair. 

It kills their ability to accurately poach guys I try to sneak onto my practice squad.  No PS means no film.

Edited September 15, 2020 by maddenboy

[JMF2006]

Where is the add more option  

 

Its our only chance to see those 37 guys that don't make the roster and their Moms only chance to see them on TV  

[Cheektowaga Chad]

3 would be the perfect number, 2 for the bottom of the roster guys to get exposure to the league and 1 for your starters warm up game

 

2 pre season games work as well but then I think teams should have some Inter team practice and controlled scrimmage

 

Also do fans think when there are less preseason games that season tickets become cheaper or that the cost per game will just go up. I feel all of a sudden the team will say that pre season games were always free

[Orlando Tim]

There are some guys who only show well in games. They need to have two games minimum but I think 2 should be enough. 

[y2zipper]

I think there's proof positive for some preseason based on this week, especially considering that the NFL season is so short that if it takes 3 or 4 games to build chemistry, you can lose a year. Teams that made major changes we're adversely affected, especially teams that drafted young QBs. The preseason isn't for fans, though, so just don't watch if you don't want to.

 

It really shouldn't matter unless you're a season ticket holder who has to pay for those.

[Virgil]

2 games.  Tickets no more than $20.  
 

Also would like to see them played at local colleges or neutral locations, gain additional fans.  
 

A preseason game at St Johns would be fun