“If winning isn’t everything why do they keep score?”
-Vince Lombardi

Can people really take an interest in watching anything when there is nothing to compete for?

During regular season fans are ready, tailgating for hours waiting to see their team fight for a chance to make the playoffs. We all stat track, play Fantasy Football, and keep records of divisional teams because there’s something on the line; that Lombardi Trophy.

The only reason many of us watch pre-season, is to scout picks for our FF Leagues and to get back into the swing of football season. Pre-season is a tease, but somewhat refreshing after a drought. To fanatics like me, it’s like an unexpected fresh cool crisp breeze o n a hot humid Miami day. Although pre-season is somewhat pointless, after two games it’s the beginning tilt to my year’s climax; an upward climb that lasts me 16 games and then repeats the next season.

Whether or not the regular season games change, I will enjoy getting back into my high of excitement, all dressed up in my Aqua and Orange, sub sandwiches made fresh, over flowing beer, and yes, tailgating for 4 hours. Pre-season is like the last four days of school before that last bell rings and school is out. Now regular season is a summer vacation, and if the NFL can cut 2 of the pre-season games and start my summer vacation sooner, that would be Christmas too.

So why is p re-season deemed as boring, and diluted like ghetto kool-aide?

In terms of g etting teams prepared for the regular season, the four exhibition games are as useless as Mel Gibson being a Life Coach. Exhibition games do not set the pace for regular season, and have no real basis for Power Rankings. These 4 games are a walk-through with clearance priced players that take the field, starters play all of one period, and tickets are overpriced. Do teams and players actually need all 4 games? No.

Players have the off season to “chillax” and recover. However, when the season ends and off season begins the drama starts; arrests, surgeries and retirement press stunts. When it comes time to settle back into training camp it seems that players have to be re-broken and re-trained. So if cutting 2 games from the pre-season makes them work harder or play smarter than do it. Bring on the com petition!

If the NFL and NFLPA come to an agreement, there are going to be many changes and not just in ticket prices. There will be a need for more players, more draftees, rules changes, and more coaches. With all these possible changes, there comes a lot of stress and resistance. Players, both current and retired, don’t see the positives that owners and managers see. To these professional athletes it’s more about the damage and physical trauma their bodies will endure verses the longevity of enjoying a career. Owners and partners see dollar signs and a way to increase revenue, because face it football is a business and when you work for the NFL , it’s not about your body it’s about your name, game, stats, and wins.

Four exhibition games are taken as a jo ke , and played like a messy sloppy joe sandwich. No one can predict accurate “Power Rankings” and the pre-season stats don’t mean squat. Also, it’s a waste of time since after about 2 practice games and training camp, if you can’t get it together you aren’t going to.

What do you think?

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Okay, here are examples why pre-season games do not tell you anything about what the regular season will entail:

Pre-season Regular Season

2006 Panthers    4-0                  8-8-0 (Also, Giants and Bengals same record.)

2007 Falcons       3-1                   4-12-0

2008 Lions:          4-0                  0-16-0

2008 Vikings:      1-3                   10-6-0(won division title; first since 2000)

2009 Dolphins   4-0                   10-7-0