Limit Preseason?

?

With the risk of injuries, and the fact that we are watching meaningless games, decided by 4th string QBs that have zero shot at making a roster, should we have less preseason games, and more scrimmages? Or the same system. I say we limit to two, and then have more intra-squad scrimmages.

It's not like these guys aren't in shape.

 

More scrimmages would be better in my mind but the owners aren't willing to give up the revenue from the current schedule.

 

yeah, if it were me it'd probably go down to two, but revenue's a big deal.

 

I'd like to see 2 semi-controlled scrimages with QB's wearing the red "don't hurt me" jerseys and all starters off the field after the 1st quarter. Fans would still pay to see those games.
Then 2 regular full contact preseason games.

 

I think pre-season games should be reduced to 3 games, and limited to that. I also think preseason games should be shortened to 40 minutes.

As it stands, they play 25% of a season + scrimmages before the season even starts. Baseball is what, a 144 game season. I don't know how many Spring Training games MLB has, but it would have to be 36 to equal the NFL. The NBA and NHL would play 21 games.

By cutting down to 3 - 40 minute games, playing time would be cut in half to 12.5%. I would worry that reducing to 2 games would give too less an opportunity to 2nd & 3rd sting players.

I really don't think it's a revenue issue. If they wanted to make more money, they'd have these games televised nationally. It's hard to fill a 3 hour time slot with a meaningless game the nation just has no interest in. I think a 40 minute game would fill only 2 hours, and more games would be televised. The reduced time it takes to watch a game would actually draw more viewers to games even when it's not "their team" playing.

 

Did I hear the name Watkins? -

Anyway, if you're coming off a 1-15 season, new coaching staff etc... I say you need the 4 pre season games. If you just won the superbowl and have little personel turnover, maybe one or two.

 

I'd rather see 5 preseason games and fewer scrimages. The game atmosphere environment is priceless in gauging the true talent level of your second and third tier players.

 

I think revenue is one of the big issues although the suggestion made by y2kbuddy was intrigueing. Teams spend two much money and the games mean two much to too many people to be flippant about this. The league at the very least should limit all teams to no more than 4. I think they could accomplish what they need to in 3 or four forty minute games. Bottom line is we want to make sure the right 53 are on the final roster. If hat takes 4 then so be it, but I think they could shorten it one way or another.

 

It is a revenue deal for the owners. For example, the Panthers sold out ericson last week and will this week two.

I'd say drop the number of pre-season games down to two with two weeks inbetween them, increase the team roster 8 spots (no more practice squad), and add another bye week at least 6 weeks apart from the previous one.

I'd also add a Friday night national TV game...let colleges have Thursday and Saturday nights.

 

I agree w/ adding roster spots and getting rid of the practice squad. The pre-season is essentially for lower tier players trying to make the roster (and owners).

Adding more scrimmages and having just 2 pre-season games could work. Let the younger less experienced guys participate more in the scrimmages and the majority of the 1st pre-season game.

That'll make the 2nd and last game more of a preparation for the Regular Season.