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Would you not play your starters at all in the preseason?

Klaatu : 8/16/2019 10:14 am
The article linked below (which I also linked in the Preview thread above) is about Bears HC Matt Nagy's decision to not play his starters during the preseason. It's something he did last season as well. The idea is to keep them as healthy as possible, to avoid any injuries that might occur in these meaningless games.

Do you agree with Nagy's strategy? If it was up to you, would you sit your starters throughout the preseason?

Play 'em or sit 'em? - ( New Window )
Truthfully  
jvm52106 : 8/16/2019 10:21 am : link
I think the starters get the most work in camp, rest them in meaningless games. I would not risk Barkley at all and many front line receivers (SS, GT- though his suspension changes things some), EE they would all sit..
you're asking for a slow start  
Dave on the UWS : 8/16/2019 10:24 am : link
to the season by doing that. On the other hand, practice can make up for that somewhat. But as Shurmur said, you have to practice football to be good at it. The games are the only opportunity these guys get to go close to full speed to get ready.
.  
arcarsenal : 8/16/2019 10:25 am : link
I half agree with it.

I think players like Barkley should just be held out of preseason entirely. He's so good that he really doesn't need the reps. If he needs to knock a little rust off and it happens the first couple weeks of the season, it's not a huge deal - but with a player like that, I doubt there's any rust.

I wouldn't play Patrick Mahomes in the preseason. I wouldn't play Tom Brady. Wentz. Luck. Rodgers... I'd probably just hold guys like that out entirely.

But I think for other players, it does help for them to get some live action in before the real bullets fly in Week 1. I think reps definitely do benefit some players... I think a starting offensive line and defensive line should get some preseason reps together since there's a synergistic aspect of line play that is very important and is hard to replicate in drills or practice scrimmages without tackling.
Defensive players  
Gman11 : 8/16/2019 10:32 am : link
need to actually tackle and offensive linemen need to block. With the way practices are now, they need the preseason games to do these things against real competition.
...  
christian : 8/16/2019 10:34 am : link
Depends on who your starters are. If you have a bunch of rookies or guys new to the system, I'd rather they make their mistakes when it doesn't count.
To an extent  
Jay on the Island : 8/16/2019 10:40 am : link
Barkley shouldn't see the field. Some young players like Deandre Baker, Dexter Lawrence, etc should see some time but not much. I don't see the benefit of risking a veteran. Another benefit is that it gives younger players a chance to showcase their talents.
Unless you have scrimmages  
Coach Red Beaulieu : 8/16/2019 10:40 am : link
Against other teams, I would think you need a bit of live fire seasoning for most of your starters.
Also throw in the fact  
Coach Red Beaulieu : 8/16/2019 10:42 am : link
Of a gimped training camp.
Depends.  
x meadowlander : 8/16/2019 10:44 am : link
If I had cohesive units, OL, DB, Front 7 - no, I wouldn't.

Giants do not have that luxury ANYWHERE on the team. Youth and new parts across all units - they need time to gel against quality opponents.

Even Barkley - he NEEDS time with that line to get a feel for their rhythm and timing. At LEAST 2 drives per game, IMO.
Younger players need to play  
Rudy5757 : 8/16/2019 10:47 am : link
I think you need to play the younger guys just to give them a sense of the NFL game. Any 2nd and 3rd year guys you are counting on to be a part of your starting team need the live reps.

For the Giants specifically there are only a handful of players that dont need the work. Eli, Barkley, Engram because of his injury history. Maybe both OTs but they should work as a full unit. the rest of the O need the work. On D I would hold out JackRabbit and Bethea but the rest all need the work.
With the very limited practice now  
BillT : 8/16/2019 10:48 am : link
It's hard to understand how the "live" practice of the preseason isn't helpful or necessary. For the starters, the preseason amounts to maybe one full game in 4 weeks. If that's too much risk or wear and tear I think you're in the wrong business.
RE: you're asking for a slow start  
jpennyva : 8/16/2019 10:56 am : link
In comment 14531982 Dave on the UWS said:
Quote:
to the season by doing that. On the other hand, practice can make up for that somewhat. But as Shurmur said, you have to practice football to be good at it. The games are the only opportunity these guys get to go close to full speed to get ready.


I pretty much agree with this. There is chemistry and timing development that I think is better achieved in game situations that is difficult to come by just in practice. Even if vets/starters know what they're doing, the new players and rookies, I think, could benefit playing with the returning starters for a drive or two in pre-season. But as others have noted, it's important to minimize injury potential so I wouldn't have them play a lot in pre-season but some.
The starters should wear Tutu's  
WillieYoung : 8/16/2019 11:06 am : link
and play tennis on the sideline.
If you want to have a healthy team that loses games...  
EricJ : 8/16/2019 11:14 am : link
then go ahead and rest all of your starters for the entire pre season.

Veteran coaches and long time NFL professionals all say that the new contract with the player's union has reduced practice time to the point where it is nearly impossible to get a team ready for the season.

They all say there are not enough snaps to prepare players, especially when you are also trying to evaluate rookies at the same time.

In my opinion, you are better off having your starters sharp heading into the season but with a couple of injuries, then have everyone healthy but with none of them truly ready to play.

Just sayin'...the Bears started out 3-0.  
Klaatu : 8/16/2019 11:20 am : link
Finished the season 12-4. For me, though, it comes down to "injuries can happen any time, anywhere," in practice just as easily as in a game (preseason or regular season).
all I will contribute to this thread...  
BillKo : 8/16/2019 11:35 am : link
...is Nagy comes across as a real douche................
RE: .  
Route 9 : 8/16/2019 11:35 am : link
In comment 14531984 arcarsenal said:
Quote:
I half agree with it.

I think players like Barkley should just be held out of preseason entirely. He's so good that he really doesn't need the reps. If he needs to knock a little rust off and it happens the first couple weeks of the season, it's not a huge deal - but with a player like that, I doubt there's any rust.

I wouldn't play Patrick Mahomes in the preseason. I wouldn't play Tom Brady. Wentz. Luck. Rodgers... I'd probably just hold guys like that out entirely.

But I think for other players, it does help for them to get some live action in before the real bullets fly in Week 1. I think reps definitely do benefit some players... I think a starting offensive line and defensive line should get some preseason reps together since there's a synergistic aspect of line play that is very important and is hard to replicate in drills or practice scrimmages without tackling.


I agree with this. Only guy who absolutely, positively, cannot get hurt is Barkley.
I agree, I really have no desire to even  
barens : 8/16/2019 11:37 am : link
See most of the starters.

To me, as a fan, I like seeing the rookies or the players who are still fighting for a starting spot.

For example, there’s just no reason to see Janoris Jenkins at all this preseason. There may by some players in year two who still need work, but keeping them healthy is paramount.
While injuries can happen in practice, cheap shot injuries  
shyster : 8/16/2019 12:13 pm : link
are more likely when playing opposing teams.

Browns' DB going for OBJ's knee when he was in the air and causing him to come down wrong on ankle is an example.

Last week, Giants' RB Jonathan Hillman suffered a concussion when a Jets' defender came down on him full force after he had hit the ground at the sideline. His helmet bounced off the turf and his eyes rolled back.

Your own teammates are less likely to take that shot.

It's a smart move  
Metnut : 8/16/2019 12:37 pm : link
the preseason is meaningless.
.  
arcarsenal : 8/16/2019 12:45 pm : link
I wouldn't call it meaningless - it has value for different players. But it depends on the player(s).

I think the most valuable part of the preseason is carving out your depth. This is where you find out what you really have behind each of your starters - and if you're paying enough attention to guys who shake free elsewhere due to roster crunches, you could find yourself claiming a guy who could help your team.

For Saquon Barkley, yes - I think preseason is almost entirely meaningless and I don't think he needs to play in it at all to have a monster season.

But for rookies, for backups... for guys who still have something to prove. It serves a purpose.
With a team that went 12-4 the year before?  
arniefez : 8/16/2019 12:48 pm : link
makes sense with a team that has won 8 games out of the last 32 and is filed with rookies and below average players? What difference does it make? Barkley should sit. Engram should sit. That's about it in my opinion.
The purpose of NFL football is entertainment  
KeoweeFan : 8/16/2019 12:56 pm : link
If you adopt a policy as suggested, ownership has to rethink what they charge fans to attend preseason games.

This would be like having Broadway play dress rehearsals open to the public with only the stand-ins, but charging the same price for tickets as after opening night.
It’s absolutely not meaningless  
Jimmy Googs : 8/16/2019 2:17 pm : link
it’s just not meaningful.

But not playing starters at all seems being overprotective to the bad...
RE: The starters should wear Tutu's  
flycatcher : 8/16/2019 3:44 pm : link
In comment 14532031 WillieYoung said:
Quote:
and play tennis on the sideline.

Ha!
I agree with Bears coach  
5BowlsSoon : 8/16/2019 4:16 pm : link
Practice should be enough to get in shape and get prepared. It obviously didn’t hurt the Bears last year....except maybe their kicker needed more practice.
RE: The purpose of NFL football is entertainment  
5BowlsSoon : 8/16/2019 4:19 pm : link
In comment 14532162 KeoweeFan said:
Quote:
If you adopt a policy as suggested, ownership has to rethink what they charge fans to attend preseason games.

This would be like having Broadway play dress rehearsals open to the public with only the stand-ins, but charging the same price for tickets as after opening night.


F*** what the NFL thinks. Fans will determine the market price. If they don’t want to see bench players, they won’t go. It’s that simple.
RE: Just sayin'...the Bears started out 3-0.  
Zeke's Alibi : 8/16/2019 4:45 pm : link
In comment 14532052 Klaatu said:
Quote:
Finished the season 12-4. For me, though, it comes down to "injuries can happen any time, anywhere," in practice just as easily as in a game (preseason or regular season).


The Bears lost their first two games last season.
RE: RE: Just sayin'...the Bears started out 3-0.  
shyster : 8/16/2019 4:54 pm : link
In comment 14532397 Zeke's Alibi said:
Quote:
In comment 14532052 Klaatu said:


Quote:


Finished the season 12-4. For me, though, it comes down to "injuries can happen any time, anywhere," in practice just as easily as in a game (preseason or regular season).



The Bears lost their first two games last season.


Maybe I should continue the theme and give another incorrect record but, really, the Bears lost their first game and then won the next 3.
RE: RE: Just sayin'...the Bears started out 3-0.  
Klaatu : 8/16/2019 5:03 pm : link
In comment 14532397 Zeke's Alibi said:
Quote:
In comment 14532052 Klaatu said:


Quote:


Finished the season 12-4. For me, though, it comes down to "injuries can happen any time, anywhere," in practice just as easily as in a game (preseason or regular season).



The Bears lost their first two games last season.


Oops. My bad. I read it incorrectly. Damn you, Wikipedia, and your color-coding!

Shyster is right, though. They lost their first game, then won their next three.
And in that first game loss at Lambeau  
shyster : 8/16/2019 5:15 pm : link
they kicked the Packers' butts all over the field going up 17-0 at half time. Then gave up 21 in the 4th for a one point defeat.

I guess you could look at that either way as far as the significance of preseason game preparation.

One thing I do think is that Rodgers' gamed-turning long TD completion to Geronimo Allison would not have stood up to an OPI challenge.
This year..  
FatMan in Charlotte : 8/16/2019 11:10 pm : link
is a bit different than year's past.

Preseason is basically a show put on for the fans. There's very little meaningful work done in the games. It still remains as a showcase for players on the bubble and guys from small schools to see how they have adjusted to the speed jump. It rarely is even used as a tie-breaker for final roster spots.

But there is a little more focus this year than previous ones because for some reason, joint scrimmages and practice sessions between teams has been reduced. Not by the league stepping in but because some of the newer coaches haven't wanted to participate as much as teams had in the past.

And it is a fairly critical change. Two years ago, coaches were asked what was the most important aspect of camp. Those scrimmages/practice sessions were considered the most important. Preseason games? The least important.

It will be interesting to see in the next couple of years if they do reduce the number of preseason games, and if they do, will teams go back to more joint workouts. There just isn't enough practice time to go around anymore, but most coaches really don't want to risk in injury in a fairly meaningless contest.
RE: Defensive players  
montanagiant : 8/17/2019 4:10 am : link
In comment 14531989 Gman11 said:
Quote:
need to actually tackle and offensive linemen need to block. With the way practices are now, they need the preseason games to do these things against real competition.

Yeah, those are the players I would put out there.

But all skill players I would sit
people have complained about the  
bc4life : 8/17/2019 10:34 am : link
quality of play during the first quarter of the season due to the reduced practices under the CBA. Resting starters will exacerbate that. You can get away with it with some players but, for teh most part, not playing starters at all is a mistake
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