Rematch Puts Preseason In Spotlight
January 13th, 2023
Every summer brings an annual argument.
Should teams play starters in preseason games or hold them out and not risk injury?
There’s a great divide across the NFL. The coaches who turn their noses up at preseason believe quality practices and controlled scrimmages are safer and overall better work (Sean McVay leads that pack). The other coaches believe there’s nothing better for game prep than actual games (see John Harbaugh).
This week, Joe has heard Cowboys fans and pundits bark about how when the Bucs beat Dallas 19-3 to open the season, Dallas was super rusty because their head coach sat so many starters through the preseason. Then quarterback Dak Prescott broke his thumb with a pass follow-through that hit Bucs sacks king Shaq Barrett, and the Bucs put the “W” in the bank.
The Cowboys fans appear to be using the preseason strategy as a way to write off completely the Bucs owning the Cowboys on opening day.
Joe can’t say that’s valid, but it is interesting to consider. Bucs head coach Todd Bowles believes in preseason, as did Bucco Bruce Arians.
Joe is more intrigued by how the Bucs locked down Pro Bowl running back Tony Pollard in the season-opener (6 carries for 8 yards). Will they be up to that task again? His 2022 season yardage represents more than 20 percent of the Dallas offense.
The Cowboys’ running game has been ugly through the past month. So Joe thinks the Bucs will be in good shape.
January 13th, 2023 at 4:34 pm
Any given Sunday (or Monday)
January 13th, 2023 at 4:53 pm
Their run game has been ugly due to injuries.
Sounds like they’re getting most of those guys back (plus a few defenders) for MNF though.
January 13th, 2023 at 4:54 pm
As a fan, I’d rather see an extra or two regular season games than any pre-season game. Perhaps teams could agree to scrimmage each other during the offseason and we do away with the whole preseason concept? I think the players are the most qualified people to decide how many pre-season games to play and not anyone who is not putting their body at risk to play in a meaningless game.
January 13th, 2023 at 5:08 pm
Their run game! Our run game! Flip rhe coin!
January 13th, 2023 at 5:11 pm
I am one who thinks pre season games serve a useful purpose…..keep in mind that Jensen was injured in practice…..(he’s not the only one)
Playing starers sparingly is a good idea.
I do think 2 preseason games & an 18 game season would be great for fans.
Raise the cap limits & roster sizes to compensate to player’s union for the extra game.
January 13th, 2023 at 5:19 pm
Preseason is to see how you did in your draft. Useless games.
January 13th, 2023 at 5:54 pm
The Bucs were 0-3 in preseason games I believe. They weren’t going out of their way to win.