Time to eliminate (or at least pare down) NFL preseaon?

[TarHeelNation11]

Lots and lots of devastating injuries to star players this preseason, from K. Benjamin to J. Nelson to M. Pouncey, etc. Aaron Rodgers said what we're all thinking in the post-game presser today: "It's tough to lose a player like that in a meaningless game."

Time to eliminate preseason or pare it down to 2 games or even 1? College doesn't have preseason as we all know. The NFL season is too long as it is. If you got rid of the preseason, you could give every team a second bye. I'm sick of the money whores who run the NFL squeezing every dollar out of the players/fans/cities/TV audience with dumb rule change after dumb rule change, and dumb policy after dumb policy.

If the NFL really gives a $#%@ about player safety, they need to do the right thing for once and get rid of preseason. Ugh, the NFL is just slimy. I feel dirty just watching it because the owners, and by extension, Gooddell are insatiable money whores who make ridiculous changes, but the media and the public never question it because of the league's suffocating popularity.

 

[BillyL]

The NFL doesn't need a 4 game pre-season. 2 games is enough IMO . . and yes, the NFL regular season is just too damn long. 14 games is plenty IMO . .

 

[TarHeelMark]

Years ago when the season was only 14 games, there was 6 preseason games!

However, players in the 50's, 60's and into the 70's would usually have to work a real job during the offseason and didn't come to camp in any kind of football shape. So they needed more games and practice time to get in shape.

For the most part, today's players stay in shape and work out year round. These guys have been playing football their whole lives, and they sure don't need 4 meaningless games to get ready for the season.

 

[strummingram]

I think Washington needs to can that balsa wood QB wearing #10

 

[TarHeelMark]

And yes to answer the OP, there should be 2 max, mainly to evaluate rookies and fringe guys. And don't increase the season to 18 games either... NFL bitches.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

And yes to answer the OP, there should be 2 max, mainly to evaluate rookies and fringe guys. And don't increase the season to 18 games either... NFL bitches.

The power behind the NFL is kinda sickening.

 

[Blue2010]

Preseason is fine IMO. K.Benjamin's injury sucks terribly, but that happened in practice -- can't blame preseason for that. Frank Alexander yesterday? Maybe...

But I really wonder if this has anything to do with what type of condition these guys are coming into camps with...or are OTA's too short prior to these games starting. I'm not a doctor by any means, but it's hard for me to think a lot of these injuries happen b/c the players aren't in "game shape" yet. The number of actual games would have nothing to do with that -- just the fickle mob looking for a scapegoat.

 

[tazki]

Benjamin was injured during practice. I don't like the pre-season games but practice is different. And if someone is talking about the season being too long then gripe at MLB and NBA first.

 

[saran]

Teams need preseason games more than ever now that they barely have contact. Just liftting weights and running around in helmets and shells doesn't help. No matter how much I ran and lifted in offseason I would be sore as hell after first days of contact - and it wasn't just from the contact but from the pushing, diving, straining, grabbing, dodging etc. Doing slow squats and colliding/pushing against another player at velocity are different. Imagine a boxer who never spars with another boxer and just runs, lifts and goes through punches without any contact. No surprise to me so many players fall apart the first few preseason games. Plus too many players are too big - and substitutions/specialties keep huge guys playing at full speed all game. Tiring guys out would make for more rational size. You can't last long as a 6' 200lb WR or DB with 6'6" 350lb guys falling on you all game

 

[Raising Heel]

His gripe about the NFL season being too long is specifically about injuries. MLB and NBA players don't take the physical toll that NFL players do, so that's not really a valid comparison.

The Benjamin and Nelson injuries were non-contact. It's just bad luck. But I agree that the pre-season and arguably the regular season itself are too long, and the reasons why are obvious.

I went to a noon baseball game on Saturday, forgetting that there was a Panthers preseason game at 7 that night. The baseball and football stadiums in Charlotte are about two blocks from each other, so naturally the parking overlaps. The lots where I normally park for $3-5 were going for $30-35. Unreal. I found a garage where I could park for $5 but you had to be out no later than 4:30.

 

[gteeitup]

The NFL doesn't need a 4 game pre-season. 2 games is enough IMO . . and yes, the NFL regular season is just too damn long. 14 games is plenty IMO . .

agree with your preseason opinion...i love the nfl more than any sport, so i'm okay with 16 games.

i would add more players to the active roster and give teams exemptions to add payroll or roster exceptions like the nba does...it's ludicrous to think a collision sport like this can get by with 45 players every sunday and 53 during a year.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

...i love the nfl more than any sport, so i'm okay with 16 games.

This is exactly why the NFL owners / the league can get away with such hypocritical rule tweaks. Everyone loves them some pro football too much to ask questions.

 

[gteeitup]

This is exactly why the NFL owners / the league can get away with such hypocritical rule tweaks. Everyone loves them some pro football too much to ask questions.

the sunday ticket is greatest television invention for sports ever created...i've had it for 15 years and if anyone ever takes it from me, they're dead.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

the sunday ticket is greatest television invention for sports ever created...i've had it for 15 years and if anyone ever takes it from me, they're dead.

No I hear you. Sunday Ticket is amazing. The NFL has a sweet setup. I just wonder when the bubble is going to burst and people will start removing their heads from the sand.

 

[tarheelbybirth]

And yes to answer the OP, there should be 2 max, mainly to evaluate rookies and fringe guys. And don't increase the season to 18 games either... NFL bitches.

'Cause you KNOW that's exactly what they would do. So a guy tears his ACL in the second game of the season rather than the last pre-season game and he STILL misses 16 games. Gotta love the NFL.

 

[gteeitup]

stupid extra point rule

 

[TarHeelNation11]

stupid extra point rule

Another result of money grubbing. They just can't stand that there's one play per drive that people tune out or might not devote their full attention to.

 

[gteeitup]

Another result of money grubbing. They just can't stand that there's one play per drive that people tune out or might not devote their full attention to.

and it doesn't have to be risk/reward or something challenging...it's a free throw or a walk.

 

[TarHeelNation11]

and it doesn't have to be risk/reward or something challenging...it's a free throw or a walk.

Some plays are just more dull than others lol. What's next? Outlaw runs under 3 yards?