Post by Deleted on Aug 30, 2016 4:47:26 GMT -6
Here's a cut-down date: Cut down the number of NFL preseason games now
Steve Rosenbloom; Contact Reporter Chicago Tribune
Ravens coach John Harbaugh came off like an idiot a couple years ago when he called Ray Rice a “great guy’’ after the Ravens running back abused his then-fiancee in an elevator, but I think Harbaugh is right when talking about the NFL’s preseason.
Wipe it out.
Harbaugh wants a change in the number of games (none would be fine with him) and he wants a change in the number of players on the roster (more, pronto). He’s willing to add more regular-season games as long as he has enough players to withstand the injuries. He wants to make injuries matter by playing only games that matter.
It all makes sense -- too much sense for the league and players association to agree on.
“It’s not the ‘70s anymore,’’ Harbaugh said after the Ravens lost tight end Benjamin Watson to an Achilles injury in a practice game last weekend. “These guys playing in these games -- it’s tough -- and they’re not meaningful games. They are important to get better, and they improve us. But we football coaches can find ways to get our guys ready and get our players evaluated without the kind of risk that a game necessarily entails.’’
The only thing we’ve learned from Bears preseason games is that the offense stinks. It might be too early to start with the "Death-Spiral Dowell'' stuff, but it is being taken under advisement. If you want to argue they need all four games to improve, then you have to remember the starters play only three games because the final game in Cleveland is nothing more than “Thank you, sir. May I have another?’’
And if the third game Saturday was supposed to be the PSAT of practice games, then the Bears better hope they can get a GED somewhere somehow someday.
I don’t think it’s any coincidence that the Bears’ best effort, such as they have had a best effort, came in the game against the Patriots following a week of joint practices. Those seemed to be more than just practices. Players executed with some pride, not wanting to be embarrassed. Maybe it was practicing against football royalty, or maybe it was practicing against a live opponent who’s a real opponent, but it was the only worthwhile thing the Bears have done this summer.
And you know what? The Bears probably didn’t even need the game that followed, and that’s Harbaugh’s point because injuries rank among the issues that kill a team’s season before it gets started.
The violence of the game and the new concussion protocol demand bigger rosters. Having more players available reduces some chance of injuries through fresh waves of subs. Fresher players through bigger rosters also argues for better football.
It will take money from the owners to increase rosters. It will take players’ showing resolve and smarts at the bargaining table. We haven’t seen much of either historically.
Last negotiation, the players balked at playing two more regular-season games because of the toll it took. Yes. Well. Look at the toll the fake games have taken.
The owners would realize more revenue through an 18-game regular season, while the players would get paid real money earlier instead of the grilled cheese sandwiches they get paid in camp.
If I were a coach, I’d want an end to the nonsense of practice games, but I wouldn’t leave it to the players and owners to arrive at this decision by themselves anytime soon.
Here’s what the coaches ought to do: Sit their stars. The coaches ought to get together, all 32 of them, and refuse to play their starting quarterback, top running back, top wide receiver and top defensive players in these useless scrimmages. Then let the NFL and individual teams deal with the broadcast partners, corporate sponsors, advertisers and noisy ticket buyers at the fake games who feel extorted.
Copyright © 2016, Chicago Tribune
Steve Rosenbloom; Contact Reporter Chicago Tribune
Ravens coach John Harbaugh came off like an idiot a couple years ago when he called Ray Rice a “great guy’’ after the Ravens running back abused his then-fiancee in an elevator, but I think Harbaugh is right when talking about the NFL’s preseason.
Wipe it out.
Harbaugh wants a change in the number of games (none would be fine with him) and he wants a change in the number of players on the roster (more, pronto). He’s willing to add more regular-season games as long as he has enough players to withstand the injuries. He wants to make injuries matter by playing only games that matter.
It all makes sense -- too much sense for the league and players association to agree on.
“It’s not the ‘70s anymore,’’ Harbaugh said after the Ravens lost tight end Benjamin Watson to an Achilles injury in a practice game last weekend. “These guys playing in these games -- it’s tough -- and they’re not meaningful games. They are important to get better, and they improve us. But we football coaches can find ways to get our guys ready and get our players evaluated without the kind of risk that a game necessarily entails.’’
The only thing we’ve learned from Bears preseason games is that the offense stinks. It might be too early to start with the "Death-Spiral Dowell'' stuff, but it is being taken under advisement. If you want to argue they need all four games to improve, then you have to remember the starters play only three games because the final game in Cleveland is nothing more than “Thank you, sir. May I have another?’’
And if the third game Saturday was supposed to be the PSAT of practice games, then the Bears better hope they can get a GED somewhere somehow someday.
I don’t think it’s any coincidence that the Bears’ best effort, such as they have had a best effort, came in the game against the Patriots following a week of joint practices. Those seemed to be more than just practices. Players executed with some pride, not wanting to be embarrassed. Maybe it was practicing against football royalty, or maybe it was practicing against a live opponent who’s a real opponent, but it was the only worthwhile thing the Bears have done this summer.
And you know what? The Bears probably didn’t even need the game that followed, and that’s Harbaugh’s point because injuries rank among the issues that kill a team’s season before it gets started.
The violence of the game and the new concussion protocol demand bigger rosters. Having more players available reduces some chance of injuries through fresh waves of subs. Fresher players through bigger rosters also argues for better football.
It will take money from the owners to increase rosters. It will take players’ showing resolve and smarts at the bargaining table. We haven’t seen much of either historically.
Last negotiation, the players balked at playing two more regular-season games because of the toll it took. Yes. Well. Look at the toll the fake games have taken.
The owners would realize more revenue through an 18-game regular season, while the players would get paid real money earlier instead of the grilled cheese sandwiches they get paid in camp.
If I were a coach, I’d want an end to the nonsense of practice games, but I wouldn’t leave it to the players and owners to arrive at this decision by themselves anytime soon.
Here’s what the coaches ought to do: Sit their stars. The coaches ought to get together, all 32 of them, and refuse to play their starting quarterback, top running back, top wide receiver and top defensive players in these useless scrimmages. Then let the NFL and individual teams deal with the broadcast partners, corporate sponsors, advertisers and noisy ticket buyers at the fake games who feel extorted.
Copyright © 2016, Chicago Tribune