Preseason games are ridiculously stupid. I can’t think of a single reason why there needs to be four preseason games. Well, I guess there is one, and it’s the only one that matters – four games means that owners can charge full price for two more home games every season. The league is all about money after all. I don’t endorse or enjoy preseason games, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t obviously some value in paying attention to the games. Here are ten things that have jumped out for me from what has transpired so far:
– I’m optimistic for San Francisco. The quarterbacking situation could have gone badly, but both Shaun Hill and Alex Smith are having very good camps – as good as they have looked in any camp. It’s still not clear who will get the nod, but the competition will strengthen the position regardless.
– The Mark Sanchez excitement is out of control. He has looked good so far, but he has barely played. Really, he has had just one truly impressive play. I think he’ll turn out just fine, but nothing he has accomplished so far can tell us anything about what he will do.
– The Cleveland QB situation looks kind of bleak. Neither one of the two potential starters has done much in game action to make it looks like he is eager to take the job. It will be a bleak year in Cleveland.
– Washington is in a world of hurt. I know that the preseason doesn’t matter much, but it is very scary to see a team with as many expensive players as the Redskins have totally and utterly fail to show up for a game. Does Jim Zorn have any respect at all among his players?
– I’m not worried about Kyle Orton. His numbers were bleak – three interceptions in three drives – but I don’t believe that that was indicative of his likely play. He looked uncomfortable with the offensive line and his receivers, but that will come with time. I think he’ll be fine.
– It wasn’t just Tony Dungy who didn’t like the preseason in Indy. Dungy was notoriously lousy in the preseason, but his legacy remains with the Colts. Not only did they lose their first game in a lopsided manner, but they didn’t seem at all concerned by it.
– I don’t know what to think about Dallas. They should be far too talented, and prideful, to get blown out by Oakland.
– Brodie Croyle isn’t giving up. He stands no chance of beating out Matt Cassel in Kansas City – absolutely none – but you’d never guess it by the way he played in the first game. If he had been half that good before then maybe the Chiefs wouldn’t have needed Cassel.
– Kerry Collins scares me. His first game was okay, and his second game was truly terrible. I have had no faith in Collins for a while now. I was wrong last year, but I don’t think I am wrong over the long term.
– Detroit actually won. Miracles can happen. Of course, they were 4-0 in the preseason last year, and we know how that turned out.
