I think that preseason game are of almost no value to the team, especially if they have joint practices with coaches that they can reasonably work with.
I see some value in that players who have been injured get some more reps.
For me, any advantage is outweighed by the possibility of injury. As many of us say each week, the goals of each preseason game is the same: no injuries, no injuries, no injuries.
I suppose there is one other use, to use the preseason games as Practice Squad tryouts. Of course, this applies just as much to the players from both teams.
Don't forget the value of preseason games in developing game day operations for the coaches as WELL as the players. You actually have to practice getting players on and off the field in game situations. You have to practice game day coaching responsibilities of everyone and how data gets integrated among the coaches and filtered to the players.
Even the training staff need some games to get all their procedures down pat.
Maybe you don't need 4 games to get this down, but you do need some. And if you want to get the number of preseason games down, you better be prepared to figure how how to replace the revenue each team gets for those games.
And as far as injuries go, when you get right down to it, most starters end up playing less than 4 quarters during the preseason (little to none in the first one. Maybe a quarter in the second. Up to 2 in the 3rd game, and PERHAPS a series or 2 in the last)
All that being said, I agree that these joint practices are GREAT. In fact I'd love to see 3 days of contact per week when they do then and do it 3-4 weeks of TC.
Now that I think on it how about this for a proposal. They start TC in mid July. During those 2 extra weeks there are no padded practices. The coaches during that time get a feel for their teams and install their basic offense and defenses, and familiarize everyone with the "language" of the team. Then each team will hold 4 weeks of joint practices each with 3 days of contact practices, . and 2 days of walk through's, and one day of a controlled scrimmage where situations and level of hitting can be controlled by the coaches better. THEN have 2 preseason games to work out game day operations and finalizing rosters battles
TC would last 8 weeks and all teams would likely be better prepared to start the season. Just a thought. I'm open to a compromise of 3 weeks of joint practices and a 7 week TC
IMO, 2 games is plenty, especially if there are joint practices. What we need is more practice time during camp. And I don't think a 17 game season is a good idea.
