NFL preseason games not games at all Article &
photos by Andy Lopusnak of Bay Area Sports Drive
Magazine
August 10, 2009
The
San Francisco 49ers open their 2009 season this Friday night at
Candlestick Park with a preseason contest against the Denver Broncos. This
is the first of four preseason tilts before the Niners open the regular
season on the road against the defending NFC champion Arizona Cardinals on
Sunday, September 13.
Like
all preseason games, the final score won’t matter and don’t expect to see
star players play much. The offensive and defensive playbook will be
watered down to the point of simple runs and pass plays. A trick play here
and there will make the fans giddy if executed perfectly, but plays like
those won’t likely be on the either the 49ers’ or Broncos’ repertoire.
It’s
been speculated for years that the NFL would adopted a season structure
like the USFL implemented in the early to mid-1908s that featured just two
preseason games and an 18-game regular season. NFL commissioner Roget
Goodell is in favor of shortening the preseason slate and adding at least
one and possibly two regular season games.
The
NFL use to play a ridiculous six-preseason games in the 1970s before the
current 16-game regular season was introduced in 1978. The preseason game
down was cut down to four that year and has been the same since then.
However, a few teams get a fifth preseason game with special exhibition
games in international cities or the annual Hall of Fame game in Canton,
Ohio the weekend of the NFL’s induction to their Hall of Fame – the
Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans got this honor last week.
Aside
from a page or two in a team’s media guide listing the final score, no one
remembers the outcomes of preseason games. Nevertheless, tickets to a
preseason game still cost the same as a regular season contest and must be
bought if someone wants season tickets. Here’s proof on how meaningless
preseason football and why it’s a rip-off…there was just one team that
went undefeated in the preseason last season. Then the games mattered and
the Detroit Lions finished an NFL record worst 0-16 in the regular season.
So when the 49ers and Broncos play Friday night, who cares? Come September
13, then it matters. For now, this is just the first of four overpriced
intra-squad practices.
Check back with Bay Area Sports Drive for all your 49ers news.
The
San Francisco 49ers open their 2009 season this Friday night at
Candlestick Park with a preseason contest against the Denver Broncos. This
is the first of four preseason tilts before the Niners open the regular
season on the road against the defending NFC champion Arizona Cardinals on
Sunday, September 13. 
Aside
from a page or two in a team’s media guide listing the final score, no one
remembers the outcomes of preseason games. Nevertheless, tickets to a
preseason game still cost the same as a regular season contest and must be
bought if someone wants season tickets. Here’s proof on how meaningless
preseason football and why it’s a rip-off…there was just one team that
went undefeated in the preseason last season. Then the games mattered and
the Detroit Lions finished an NFL record worst 0-16 in the regular season.
So when the 49ers and Broncos play Friday night, who cares? Come September
13, then it matters. For now, this is just the first of four overpriced
intra-squad practices.