The funny thing about the NFL Preseason is that we can't wait for them to start and as soon as they start we can't for them to end. The 2015 NFL Preseason has come to an end. The 2015 NFL Season is less than one week away.
The Minnesota Vikings played five preseason games this year. They were "blessed" with the Hall of Fame game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Five games. It felt like eight. It's amazing that a single extra game can add so much. When the other 30 teams kicked off their preseason schedule a week later it already felt like the Vikings and Steelers had been at it for a while. Five games. Most people think that four games is far too many. As a result, it wouldn't be a surprise if the four game preseason came to an end soon.
The strange thing about competitive decisions in the NFL is the great lack of say that the coaches have in them. The Competition Committee recommends rule changes to the ownership. There are currently three coaches on that nine-member committee. That's as close as coaches get to having a role in the NFL's competitive decision-making process. The owners have final say on just about everything. The players have a distant say on most things through the Collective Bargaining Agreement. That say got them breezy practices. And a few other things. The coaches just work under whatever system is decided for them. Preseason games are a very important evaluation tool for coaches. Preseason games are also important to players that have something to prove. Players that haven't earned their NFL keep need these games. I've heard some people with NFL experience say that practices are for earning playing time in preseason games and the preseason games are the opportunity to "flash" for the coaches. That sounds reasonable. It also easily explains the importance of these practice games for both the players and the coaches. Practices and scrimmages can't duplicate the atmosphere of a game between two teams in different uniforms. Some players fold. Some players shine. The coaches need to know that they have the players that do the latter. Coaches need to see how the players respond when those lights come on. These games are often the only chance that a lot of these players get.
Preseason games cost too much. Preseason games are boring. Too many players are getting injured. Those are a few of the issues that most have with these damn football games. The first one is the easiest. The NFL charges the same amount for practice games as they do for real games. That's just stupid. For the NFL owners, everything is about money and preseason games are a nice little gold mine. 65 games at regular season prices. It's comical that the NFL finds this fair. Cut the prices for practice games! Many fans find these games boring. They. Are. Practice. Games. Don't watch them if you find them boring. Many fans do want to see the players that are in the game in the second half. Others only want to see the starters. Those that want to watch the entire game should watch the entire game. The NFL might thank you. Probably not. Those that only want to watch the starters should find other entertainment when the backups flood the field. Too many injuries. Injuries are an unfortunate part of football. The people that are calling for the end of preseason games because of the risk of injuries lose sight of the fact that injuries can occur at any time. Injuries happen when players are lifting weights. Injuries can even happen when a player is walking to his car. Injuries happen during practice. Injuries happen during games. Preseason and regular season games. Injuries happen. Preseason games don't cause injuries. Green Bay Packers receiver Jordy Nelson wasn't even touched when he injured his knee. The fact that it happened during a game didn't matter. It could've happened when he was working on routes in his backyard.
If the NFL does cut the preseason it shouldn't be for the above criticisms. They should cut the ticket prices but they won't. They certainly won't cut the prices if they cut the number of games. If the NFL does cut the preseason it should be because they decide that two games, or three, are still enough for coaches to properly evaluate their players. The coaches should finally have a say in the system in which they work. For now, the regular season is around the corner. The preseason game debate is at an end until next year.
The Vikings lost their final preseason game to the Tennessee Titans 24-17 last night. It's on to San Francisco and the games that count.
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