[News] Eisenberg: There's No Simple Answer To Preseason Conundrum

[BR News]

Shrinking the number of preseason games would be welcomed, but finding a solution to make everyone happy is complex. So, a change probably isn’t coming anytime soon.

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[steelcityraven]

2 things that can help the preseason.

1. Cut the games down from 4 to 3.

2. Expand the camp rosters.... let teams bring in 90-100 players. The extra twenty or so players are camp bodies. Most will never make the team (although you never know who you may find) but bigger then that - the more bodies there are the less reps a starter gets. The less reps the starters get - the better chance they have of not getting injured in the preseason.

Finally-
3. (bonus).... I think the combined practices allow to test players at highly competitive conditions without the high risk factors and unpredictability that a game situation brings.

I believe that all of these things would help but I also recognize that this is a violent sport and injuries are part of the sport. A season is a war of attrition and all teams are in need of depth and balance - A bump in the salary cap may also help to ensure that some of these guys can be replaced when lost.

[RavensVAfan]

I agree it will be difficult and here's another reason why - the owners have to agree to do away with them.

I went the Detroit game last weekend. Paid for parking. Bought food and drinks along Ravens Walk. Bought another jersey inside for a family member. Four quarters of food and drinks. Getting rid of preseason gets rid of two home games where money gets spent.

On the upside my son got a high five from Terrance West and a piece of used team equipment. Made his day. That's why we keep coming back.

[she_lovesBirds]

So problem is owners still want to make money on preseason games and players dont want to get hurt playing meaningless games?

So why not have more ticketed events during the offseason that fans can attend? I mean its all dead as far as football season for like 3-4 months after the draft. Why cant preseason games be converted into combined team practices with a ticket charge to come watch? As it is, the stadium isnt packed at preseason games, so if teams ticket combined practices on multiple days in place of say 2 preseason games I think owners would still make money and the fatigue and risk of major injury would be reduced on meaningless games.

[JacktheRaven]

As teams are lowering their preseason ticket prices & raising reg season games, (still paying the same for the whole season). We will see them add 2 reg season games AND charge more for them in the future. They will then eliminate the cheaper 2 preseason games. Brilliant or not?

[TheConquerorWorm]

27 minutes ago, she_lovesBirds said:

So problem is owners still want to make money on preseason games and players dont want to get hurt playing meaningless games?

So why not have more ticketed events during the offseason that fans can attend? I mean its all dead as far as football season for like 3-4 months after the draft. Why cant preseason games be converted into combined team practices with a ticket charge to come watch? As it is, the stadium isnt packed at preseason games, so if teams ticket combined practices on multiple days in place of say 2 preseason games I think owners would still make money and the fatigue and risk of major injury would be reduced on meaningless games.

Ticket & concession sales are pennies in a bucket compared to the revenue from TV. And that TV revenue is straight cash homey - no staffing costs, no utility costs (what do you think the electric bill is for 1 game at M&T?), no security costs, no clean-up costs, no personnel costs, no logistics costs, etc, etc, etc. The owners get roughly $10 million each week from TV rights so going from 20 games to 18 games would mean a loss of $20 million cash. Wonder if all the players would take a 10% paycut to play in 2 less games?? Would you take a 10% paycut to leave your job 45 mins early everyday?

[ryananth]

Eisenberg said, "Well, because season ticket packages would then consist of nine games rather 10, potentially creating all sorts of issues."

What kinds of issues other than less money in the owners pockets

[Ravenous92]

--Eliminate preseason games entirely.
--Start the regular season when the preseason currently starts.
--Increase the number of regular season games to 18
--Add two bye weeks to the regular season.
--Increase the roster size.

[bioLarzen]

John, you're completely ignoring one of Harbaugh's ideas: bigger rosters. That could go a long way towards making the pre-season much less daunting...

[bioLarzen]

Eisenberg said, "Well, because season ticket packages would then consist of nine games rather 10, potentially creating all sorts of issues."

What kinds of issues other than less money in the owners pockets

That's enough IMHO...

[AvianBrain]

--Eliminate preseason games entirely.
--Start the regular season when the preseason currently starts.
--Increase the number of regular season games to 18
--Add two bye weeks to the regular season.
--Increase the roster size.

I have to agree. Raise the roster to 75+, eliminate the practice squad. Large roster allows teams to rotate players and sit some with minor injuries. Current bubble players would not be lost to other teams and could continue development with the team--may even get valuable playing time. Starting in August may mean a few more night/dome games early on to keep guys from dropping in the heat in some cities.

[California Raven]

I heard a recommendation that I really liked: 2 preseason games and 17 regular season games with 2 bye weeks. AND the 17th game is played at a neutral location--London, Mex City, San Antonio, Las Vegas.

I like the idea of a bigger roster, too.

bb

[California Raven]

I heard a recommendation that I really liked: 2 preseason games and 17 regular season games with 2 bye weeks. AND the 17th game is played at a neutral location--London, Mex City, San Antonio, Las Vegas.

I like the idea of a bigger roster, too.

bb

I meant to add that an advantage to the owners is that they can grow the fan base by visiting new cities.

[designermaryland]

  5 hours ago, Ravenous92 said:

--Eliminate preseason games entirely.
--Start the regular season when the preseason currently starts.
--Increase the number of regular season games to 18
--Add two bye weeks to the regular season.
--Increase the roster size.

I have to agree. Raise the roster to 75+, eliminate the practice squad. Large roster allows teams to rotate players and sit some with minor injuries. Current bubble players would not be lost to other teams and could continue development with the team--may even get valuable playing time. Starting in August may mean a few more night/dome games early on to keep guys from dropping in the heat in some cities.

There are not 75 quality players. Teams can barely field 50 NFL caliber contributors. Where would they come up with an additional 25? Basically you would be paying 25 guys who would never play.

[20306cab]

53 guys is too many already. Adding any more, would be paying for guys who shouldn't even be in the NFL. I'm about sick of Harbaugh's whining. Hey John, why don't you teach your guys how to get off the line of scrimmage without tripping over the 40 yard line. Or better yet, go get a real job!

[hen826957]

5 hours ago, 20306cab said:

53 guys is too many already. Adding any more, would be paying for guys who shouldn't even be in the NFL. I'm about sick of Harbaugh's whining. Hey John, why don't you teach your guys how to get off the line of scrimmage without tripping over the 40 yard line. Or better yet, go get a real job!

I hate when people saying Harbaugh is whining. Are you a Ravens Fan? When l look at NFL.com comments they said he whines about everything and that like Steelers and Patriots fans who trash Ravens anyway they can. He's making points and ideas to limit injures for teams. Me personally, l would cut it to two preseason games. First game for starters up to a half like a regular 3rd preseason game and the second one for backups to make the team. Also maybe even have a scrimmage game.

Edited August 31, 2016 by hen826957