Even though it’s only preseason, football is a welcome sight for all of us, and it has become part of the culture we live in. Most of these games don’t feature the starters for more than a couple of drives and usually have a larger impact for those second and third string guys who are fighting for playing time and roster spots.
Green Bay Packers fans will tell you preseason games have enormous consequences for their team. Jordy Nelson tore his ACL in the Packers week two preseason game against the Steelers and will miss the entire season. How about that for a gut check?
Because Nelson is a talented and well-known receiver, most of the football world understands what he means to the team. Losing a player like that during what many would call a “meaningless” game has once again sparked the debate of whether or not the risk is worth the reward. There’s also a parallel to the situation that happens near the end of the regular season. In weeks 16 and 17, many teams already know where they stand in the playoff picture and the question arises of whether or not a team should rest or play its starters in games that won’t affect their playoff seeding.
I understand there is a large difference between sitting a star player in preseason and sitting them in week 17, but the argument is based on the same concept. Is the risk worth the reward?
Athletes risk injury in any given situation. At the same time, in the preseason games, players familiarize themselves with regular-season game speed and kick off the rust from the offseason. There is some reward in giving a new player in-game experience prior to the start of the regular season, as they are able to work together with both seasoned veterans and other newer additions. They also have the chance to develop chemistry that will be beneficial before the start of the season when games actually start to count for something.
Both sides have legitimate arguments. The “meaningless” nature of the game is where the gray area comes into play. While the outcome of the game may not affect a team’s playoff positioning, the benefit of becoming physically ready for the upcoming season will. That athletes will be more prepared to play in the first regular season game than if they went into the game without playing a single snap.
Hindsight is 20/20, and there’s no way the risk of Nelson tearing his ACL was worth participating in preseason. Playing in the preseason has its positives, don’t get me wrong, but there is a fine line between getting players in game shape and putting them at risk of injury.
@brock_jensen02