Preseason zeal is nice for some, but others cry foul

[Zaxor]

http://nflblogs.profootballweekly.com/AroundtheNFL/2007/08/preseason_zeal_is_nice_for_som.html

Preseason zeal is nice for some, but others cry foul

So I just finished watching the replay of the Steelers' 12-10 win over the Commanders from Saturday night, and it was nice to see some spirited action, which included a frenzied Mark Brunell leading his team into position to win the game, only to see procedure penalties, game mismanagement and poor execution fell the Commanders. OK, maybe I buried the lede (yes, it's "lede" in journalism terms) a bit, but I was more struck by what I see as a recurring theme this preseason: teams really going for it.

I have yet to see compelling evidence that good performance in the preseason means teams will carry that over into the real games, or vice versa. But this competitive spirit I have noticed -- am I alone on this? -- seems to have quelled the scores of season-ticket holders who ***** this time of year about having to pay for two meaningless games in their season package.


But not everyone is impressed. Speaking of ledes, check out the bias that Mike Klis is slinging! My Broncos friend called me last night and said that Wade Phillips was far too aggressive for a preseason game. My response was that new head coaches often will play a more complete game, get their starters more action and blitz more, that sort of thing. He disagreed; he thought Phillips was over the line and that the Broncos' injuries were a direct result of the coach's decision to blitz and whatnot.

Then my buddy, like some of the Broncos, suggested that Wade Phillips took extra special pleasure out of beating the snot out of the team that fired him. So that's bad, but Mike Shanahan isn't allowed to enjoy beating the Raiders, who canned him about, oh, 79 years ago? Folks -- and this means you, Brian -- this is ancient history. Trust me.

I am glad that preseason appears to have a little more pizzazz that it normally does, at least by this completely unscientific sense of mine. But for me, preseason games are like Methadone. It'll never substitute for the real thing, of course. So no matter what whiny Broncos fans -- or whiny beat writers -- say, it's good to see this kind of spirit in these games. Injuries are going to happen, just as a matter of fact. Don't blame it on a zealous coach, please.

 

[superpunk]

So his friend thinks that Ebenezer Ekuban got injured because the Cowboys blitzed alot.

Yeah, I guess that makes sense.

 

[David276]

yeah when i first read that i thought it was ridiculous , if this was the first game of the season what would they say then . haha i guess ebeneeser wasnt meant for the ol....

 

[BARRYRAY]

Well the they'll really be angry when we kill these guys when it counts, I personally believe in playing them all for real, loosing is contagious, we need some morale boost, last year ended badly, there were still a couple of wake up calls, the Romo pick and that long ball reminded me of some of our limitations--Davis can't cover a lick and Romo is human too, hopefully we'll work on some of these issues, the good side is that if everyone played like MB III we'll win the SB, everytime I see him run I want to say now thats how we play everydown here in Dallas!!

 

[TunaFan33]

So his friend thinks that Ebenezer Ekuban got injured because the Cowboys blitzed alot.

Yeah, I guess that makes sense.

But, of course, the Broncos NEVER take note when they injure players from the opposing teams due to their cut blocks.

 

[03EBZ06]

Broncos should be mad at themselves not at WP and Cowboys. Their offense of inept, downright offensive and their defense was no better.

 

[sago1]

Agree. I would have liked to have seen the writer come back with that statement and see what the Denver guy has to say then. I can't believe how winey the Broncos and their media are. Do they think they are winning points with other NFL teams? Bet other teams are having a real laugh at their expense -- particularly considering their OL blocking scheme using cut blocks which rest of the NFL hates and don't teach to their players.