Arians OK With Cutting Preseason, But…
August 21st, 2019
Talks less preseason.
Preseason football stinks And it is getting worse.
It’s bad enough these things are glorified scrimmages where starters don’t play much. And more and more every year, coaches fearing injuries all but shelve players the entire preseason.
So what’s the point, other than to gouge fans who buy season tickets?
Lots of chatter in the current labor negotiations between the NFL and the NFLPA, per reports, is that the NFL wants to do away with some (all?) preseason games in return for a longer regular season. This is something Joe strongly advocates.
Bucco Bruce Arians wouldn’t lose sleep if that happened. However, Arians has a big catch.
“I’m for it as long as we don’t cut the number of practices,” Arians said Tuesday at One Buc Palace. “We can’t cut the number of practices – we hardly practice now, in pads. If we’re going to cut practice time, we need to get practice time in the spring.
“I’m all for two [preseason] games and then have maybe three or four practices against another team, because you get more out of those practices than you do in some of these games.”
Arians greatly values scrimmages with other teams was apparent last week when the Bucs hosted the Dolphins for two days. Afterwards, when it came to playing the Dolphins, Arians said the starters needed little work because they got plenty of good snaps in the joint practices.
Joe thoroughly hates preseason games. But cutting the preseason in half is fair.
August 21st, 2019 at 8:20 am
“We can’t cut the number of practices – we hardly practice now, in pads. I’m all for two [preseason] games and then have maybe three or four practices against another team.”
You’re becoming myopic Joe. Arians didn’t say ‘Do away with preseason games’, just reduce them to 2 vice 4. And his most important statement … “We hardly practice now, in pads” shouldn’t be overlooked. It’s a critical indictment of today’s NFL and CBA.
August 21st, 2019 at 8:20 am
Makes sense no one even shows up to these games and it’s hard to watch most of them. To risk getting a season ending injury in an exhibition game is redundant to boot.
August 21st, 2019 at 8:31 am
i think 3games would work….gotta see the depth and hidden gems….
i think the rookies and UDFA’s need 2 games….Vets need a half just like the linemen told BA….
GO BUCS!!!!
August 21st, 2019 at 8:32 am
And since fewer preseason games will result in fewer opportunities to make the team, how about increasing the practice squad size? Say to double?
August 21st, 2019 at 8:46 am
Agreed Joe. Too bad the joint scrimmages did not improve our offensive performance
August 21st, 2019 at 8:47 am
Still do 4 but 2 preseason night scrimmages (free and against other teams) then 2 regular preseason games 3 and 4. The difference is the preseason games 3 and 4 would count for half a win in the regular season, but players can only play a half. It would give these games some significance and the future furniture moves, uber drivers etc… a stake in the team’s success. Imagine wanting to watch a game 4 of pre-season NFL football?!
August 21st, 2019 at 9:15 am
PS is about $$$ to the owners.
If you cut to 2 or three PS games, where is the extra $$$ going to come from?
August 21st, 2019 at 10:23 am
joe what’s your prediction for the NFL when Socialism, AOC and the terrorists take over the country in a few years. Can socialism support NFL????? or maybe the new collective bargaining agreement negotiations are for nothing… once the libtards get there way there will be no more rich dudes to own sports teams because they will bail the country to avoid 70% taxes…
August 21st, 2019 at 11:03 am
Fans want wins that count, not meaningless games risking injury before games count.
August 21st, 2019 at 11:16 am
For once I agree with Joe.
Increase regular.season, add an extra bye week to avoid Thurs and Mon game hangovers, (more time to heal and prepare) and increase the roster size from 53.
Keep or increase the practices, you get better work and evaluation of players than empty-stadium meaningless games.
In BA I Trust!
August 21st, 2019 at 11:26 am
Sport
every game the bucs have played for nearly 2 decades is meaningless and in an empty stadium unless on the road…. so what’s your point
August 21st, 2019 at 12:10 pm
How can we worry about the number of preseason games while our fellow message board posters are fretting about having to fork over some of their excess billions to the IRS?
August 21st, 2019 at 12:44 pm
If the NFL is all about player safety, I don’t understand why the NFL does not have teams play on Thursday that had a bye the week before.
Sunday then a Thursday game is no way to protect players.
I agree somewhat with Arians: two PS games, 2 days controlled practice with two other teams, one home and one away (hell, charge admission and do it in a big stadium), and add another playoff game.
August 21st, 2019 at 1:00 pm
Heath Hunt
those billionaires EARNED their money they have every right to keep it… it’s not their responsible to take care of the irresponsible losers who make bad choices… winners win and losers blame others both in life and sports.
August 21st, 2019 at 9:49 pm
Hold up, Boys, tmax is about to discuss the labor theory of value…
August 21st, 2019 at 10:46 pm
Tmax – Hah! I still find a way to enjoy Bucs games, even without the meaningful playoff games in last 12 years. I also find the games to be vastly more enjoyable on tv. I was a season ticket for 10 yrs (the glory years). Then the Glazers thought it was a good idea to make people pay the seat license again. Bad Idea. Also arrogantly touting a wait list of 50k to 60k, when it was probably less than 10% of that amount. They destroyed their chances of having a full stadium and keeping loyal fans in the seats.
All that to say, my point is a longer season and more games sounds like fun. Count me in!
In BA I Trust!
August 21st, 2019 at 11:37 pm
The AAFL may have been a mess, but the idea of a developmental league is smart, and this is where it should start. How fun would it be to watch a 8 team tournament in August of all rookies and unsigned players. Exempt 1st rounders. Better yet, only have the first round draft and then make rounds 2 on be AFTER the rookie league, I bet a lot of men would change draft stock going against league caliber players. Let each team send coaches, and each division gets a rookie team. Who wants tickets?