What is the template for how we do preseason differently this year as opposed to last?

xwalker

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This would certainly improve the team’s level of play going in to the first couple of games. The offense as a whole needs to improve so that they don’t struggle to pass for 200 yards a game anymore.

Yes, and they have time to rest between the pre-season and regular season.

Last Pre-season Game: Thursday Aug 29
First Reg-season Game: Sunday September 8

They can still rest any starters that have minor injury issues that wouldn't keep them out of a regular season game, but all of the starters that are near 100% should play that entire final pre-season game.

The only downside I see as compared to playing the starters in the 2nd to last pre-season game is that they wouldn't have that last game to evaluate fringe players that they have to decide to cut or keep; however, I think the vast majority of those decisions are already known at that point.

The trade-off is that I wouldn't give the starters as many practice reps early in training camp. Guys like Tyron Smith just need whatever is the minimum amount of practice reps to get them into "football" shape.
 

baltcowboy

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I am shocked nobody brought up the Rams. They played no starters until the season opener. They were the best team in football for most of the season. I would rather see my starters in games that count.
 

northerncowboynation

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Just reading some discussion about our three QBs, and curious what thoughts are out there since last preseason seemed to get away from us, and the first regular season game at Carolina really became the first real playing time for some guys if I remember correctly.

To the point, is the conventional Game 3 dress rehearsal+Game 4 players-on-the-roster-bubble-competition template the best... and if not, what's a better way?

Well to start, have the starters play more than one quarter of football in 4 pre-season games. Sure there is a risk but zero risk, zero reward
 

northerncowboynation

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Yes, and they have time to rest between the pre-season and regular season.

Last Pre-season Game: Thursday Aug 29
First Reg-season Game: Sunday September 8

They can still rest any starters that have minor injury issues that wouldn't keep them out of a regular season game, but all of the starters that are near 100% should play that entire final pre-season game.

The only downside I see as compared to playing the starters in the 2nd to last pre-season game is that they wouldn't have that last game to evaluate fringe players that they have to decide to cut or keep; however, I think the vast majority of those decisions are already known at that point.

The trade-off is that I wouldn't give the starters as many practice reps early in training camp. Guys like Tyron Smith just need whatever is the minimum amount of practice reps to get them into "football" shape.
:clap::thumbup:
 

Outlaw Heroes

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New thought that I admit I haven't completely thought through...

Why not coordinate with the opposing team that my offensive starters play versus your defensive non-starters for one half in each game, and my defensive starters play versus your offensive non-starters in the other half...

After all, a lot of what you're trying to accomplish is simply timing and getting used to hitting.... wouldn't it serve both teams' best interests that their top players are not actually playing against other top players, who presumably are more capable of causing injuries? Whaddayathink?

I think the guys on the bubble to make the team are more likely to be going balls out and therefore more likely to cause injury to your starters. So I think your idea is the opposite of what should happen. Don’t want to risk my starters to injury unless yours are equally at risk.
 

_sturt_

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I think the guys on the bubble to make the team are more likely to be going balls out and therefore more likely to cause injury to your starters. So I think your idea is the opposite of what should happen. Don’t want to risk my starters to injury unless yours are equally at risk.

I think I see what you're saying, but I think what you're saying is counterintuitive for reason.... by definition, the guys who aren't as good aren't as good... and thus, have less capacity to do anything of any significance while they're on the field. No question, I'd have rather had had Avril's back-up instead of Avril himself on the opposite side of a preseason game if I'd been Tony Romo. Conventional wisdom is right. The odds are that competing against starters is much more potentially hazardous.
 

Outlaw Heroes

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I think I see what you're saying, but I think what you're saying is counterintuitive for reason.... by definition, the guys who aren't as good aren't as good... and thus, have less capacity to do anything of any significance while they're on the field. No question, I'd have rather had had Avril's back-up instead of Avril himself on the opposite side of a preseason game if I'd been Tony Romo. Conventional wisdom is right. The odds are that competing against starters is much more potentially hazardous.

I don’t think so. They’re not kids. They’re back-ups. On average, less talented and therefore less likely to beat you 1v1, but no less capable of inflicting injury. Particularly where their livelihood is at stake.
 

conner01

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Garrett won't change; therefore, it really does not matter if there is a better way of doing it.

My preference would be to make the final preseason game the starters dress-rehearsal game. Just treat that game as if it's game 1 of the regular season.
I think it was a mistake with a new group of receivers to not play more last year
I think it’s a mistake to do the same this year
They need the work
 

wecasa

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For as bad as preseason is, the first four weeks of the regular season suck out loud. Sloppy. Missed assignments. Poor tackling. The limited reps by the regular starters shows in those games. Theres no real easy way around the specter of injury to a key component during the preseason. But then again, the injury bug can hit at any time. It doesn't help that practice contact is curtailed by the collective bargaining agreement limiting padded practice. They need to scrap that and go back to physically demanding practice. Prepare them for contact and make them all carry good luck charms to ward off injury.....
 

Captain43Crash

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I am shocked nobody brought up the Rams. They played no starters until the season opener. They were the best team in football for most of the season. I would rather see my starters in games that count.
How much did the team that kicked the Rams butt in the Super Bowl play their starters in the preseason? A lot more than us!
 
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