There Are Two Too Many NFL Preseason Games
I'm still runnin' my eyes over the questions you guys left me last week, and I've found another I wanna respond to. This one comes from "JackHammerBM." He asks...
"Hey Kevin. I have a question about the possible addition of 2 more regular season games & subtraction of 2 pre-season games. Just curious to hear it from an NFL players perspective. How do you feel about that?"
Preseason games present coaches with the perfect opportunity to evaluate players and determine which ones will be able to have the biggest impact on the team's pursuit of a winning season. So, from a coaches standpoint, yeah... I'm sure they'd love to continue having four games, instead of two. Granted, I can't speak for all the coaches, on that front, but I think it's safe to assume that they'd want to hold onto them.
Personally, though -- as a player -- I'd absolutely love to see the NFL add two games to the regular season schedule, and here's why...
Not everyone realizes this, but playing in preseason games pays less than regular season games do. And - I'm sure we can all agree on this - who doesn't wanna get paid? It doesn't matter whether or not those two games appear on the regular season schedule or the preseason schedule, we're still going to go out there and play our hearts out, no matter what. Personally, and I can't speak for everyone else in the NFL, but I play preseason games with the same intensity as a reg season game, so -- obviously -- I'd like to be compensated accordingly for the effort I put into them.
And, like I said above, no matter whether these two games under consideration come during the preseason or regular season, we're still going to play the same amount games over the course of our year. And for people, like myself, who put their all into preseason contests, you take a huge risk in potentially injuring yourself in a game that doesn't even go towards your win/loss record. I know a lot of players who have gotten hurt and wound up on the DL for the entire year, because of an unfortunate play in a preseason game. And when this happens, your season not only suffers on a personal level, but it also hurts your team, as a whole.
So -- JackHammer -- yeah, man -- I wanna tack on an extra two to the regular season. We're already out there on the field grindin' and bullying our bodies, so let's go ahead and make it to where our efforts actually count for something.
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Sorry dude, but you come across as a money first player. Pro football has become a very violent sport, just check out the constant highlights of open field hits and the many head shots the networks like to roll over and over, more games at full speed will lead to more injuries.
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LOL...you can't be serious tshalan....
Let's do a test. In a pre-season game, you're a made player on your team...I'm a guy on the other side, fighting for a roster spot (or starting job, etc).
You're not going full out. I am. Wonder if you'll have a higher chance of getting hurt than I will. -
Mr Payne,I'm a big fan of yours, i think you've only scratched the surface of your skills, but i wanna know what do you think you offer on the field that separates you from the rest of the safetys on the Bears squad, and what do you plan to work on for the up coming season.
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tshalan...contrary to your arguement["more games at full speed will lead to more injuries]. There is a large school of thought that believes almost the opposite. The more games that EVERYONE isn't going full speed the more injuries. What's a preseason game...50% for some 60% for others 110% for those who are on the bubble. When you have athletes competing at different levels (physically & mentally) you're going to have more "stupid" injuries. The big hits are part of the culture and always have been. The injuries are often times (not always) from someone not being in the right position or having their heads in the game to react the way they should.
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Kev, I'm all for players getting paid, but where should your increased salary come from? Pre-season tickets cost the fans the same amount as the regular season (owners win!). I'm sure one of us will get screwed, either my tickets go up again or you won't get a pay increase. Still sure you want more reg games???
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I think if they cut back the pre-season, it would become virtually worthless. Star players would most likely only play two searies a pre-season, and as a fan I don't want to pay to see the back-ups. Do you think as a player you can be geared to mentaly/physically if you have only limited reps in the pre-season?
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Way too many players get hurt during pre season games. PA2AK2, made a great point abt different levels of play and what that could lead to vs regular season when you’re expecting someone to come at you with 110%.
players are getting paid what they make in training camp but actually playing other teams, it doesn’t make sense at all. If preseason games are that impt overall those stats should count toward the season record. This way players will play, fans will pay and everyone but the owners will be happy.
As an athlete one injury can end your career so damn what anyone thinks abt being a money first player...you’d be a fool if you weren't. Just because this is entertainment to us it's real life to them.
