Cut preseason to 2 games and cut nonsense - The Orange Mane

dragondawg · 08-31-2007, 06:35 AM

BY DAVID RAMSEY, THE GAZETTE

DENVER - Champ Bailey, Nick Ferguson, Dre Bly and John Lynch stood on the sideline, wearing no pads and laughing constantly.

They were fully prepared in case the Denver Broncos and Arizona Cardinals decided a flag-football game would be more appropriate, and more interesting, for the second half of Thursday’s exhibition clash.

Are fans, players and coaches served by the National Football League’s four-game preseason?
No.

So why do the owners insist on this ridiculously lengthy prelude to the season?

Cash, my friend. Mountains of cash.

If you want a season-ticket for the Broncos, there’s this little catch. You also must purchase tickets to two all-but-meaningless preseason games.

I’m not calling this practice outright robbery. I am saying it’s awfully close.

New NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has made admirable strides as he seeks to improve his league. He should stand up to the titans who own NFL teams and force a serious trim of the preseason.

Greed explains why NFL owners refuse, ignoring a multitude of strong reasons, to reduce the preseason. The Broncos should play one home exhibition game and one on the road and then start playing for real.

That’s a realistic goal. We can all dream of the day when no exhibition games pollute our land, but that’s a hope beyond hope.

There was no good reason for the Cardinals and Broncos to compete Thursday night at Invesco Field. The Broncos won 21-3.

Both teams already had answered their biggest questions. Almost none of the Broncos starters bothered to fully suit up. Cardinals stars Matt Leinart and Edgerrin James offered drive-by appearances, playing one series before retiring to the sidelines.

This retreat is only wise. The Broncos received a quick, and painful, taste of the perils of preseason football Aug. 18 against the Dallas Cowboys.

Starting defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban suffered a torn right Achilles’ tendon, which probably means the end of his season.

On Thursday, the perils were again on display. Broncos cornerback Karl Paymah collapsed after a violent collision. He was motionless for several minutes and was rushed to a hospital. He suffered a concussion, but the injury doesn’t appear serious.

“He’s feeling pretty good,” said coach Mike Shanahan.

These scares are nothing new. On a summer night 36 years ago, New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath blew out his left knee in an exhibition game against the Detroit Lions.

Linebacker Mike Lucci had recovered a fumble, and Namath, an intense competitor, couldn’t help himself. While chasing Lucci, Namath tumbled to the ground, his knee a mess.

Namath towered as the NFL’s marquee star, a fantastic, charismatic talent. He never was the same after his injury.

So there’s a no-win scenario. If stars and starters play in exhibition games, they risk needless injury. If they stand on the sidelines and watch, paying customers are ripped off.

Cut these fake football games in half. Four exhibition games are intolerable. Two are more than enough.

http://www.gazette.com/sports/bronco...son_games.html

Goobzilla · 08-31-2007, 06:53 AM

Agreed, season ticket holders get the "Joan Collins Special", especially for that final preseason game. How much should one be expected to pay for the excitement of Darrell Hackney airing it out to Glenn Martinez? It's a ripoff, but the NFL is about as greedy as they come. The only way they ever cut back on the preseason would be by extending the regular season.

Hogan11 · 08-31-2007, 06:55 AM

The usual pre-season whine.

If they really want to change something for the better, get rid of the Hollywood Thursday night bullshat and open the season labor day weekend like they used to.

MechanicalBull · 08-31-2007, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hogan11

The usual pre-season whine.

If they really want to change something for the better, get rid of the Hollywood Thursday night bullshat and open the season labor day weekend like they used to.

I saw an ad in SI this week for the Saints vs the Colts and saw they have 3 musical acts performing that night. I know why they do it but c'mon the game is going to take over 4 hours with that nonsense.

Hogan11 · 08-31-2007, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MechanicalBull

I saw an ad in SI this week for the Saints vs the Colts and saw they have 3 musical acts performing that night. I know why they do it but c'mon the game is going to take over 4 hours with that nonsense.

John Cougar Melloncamp is one of them....get ready for "This Is Our Country"

Seriously, there must be some serious money in it although I suspect many are like me in that I don't tune in till about five minutes after the scheduled kickoff so I'm sure I'll miss all that crap.

Crushaholic · 08-31-2007, 10:07 AM

I have no problem with the NFL celebrating the TRUE opening of football season with musical acts. That really is a reason to celebrate.

Meck77 · 08-31-2007, 10:21 AM

Well Hogan there is a problem when you own let's say 4 seats at $100 for 2 games and you don't plan on attending the game and you can barely get half the money back if you are lucky.

That's $800 worth of seats that you might get $400 back for. I know you pretty well and you'd be pissed if it was your cash.

My solution would be to give season tickets holders the first right to buy their seats for pre-season. If they don't want them then ticketmaster could sell them to the public. The stadium was pretty empty as it was last night from what I saw. That is a problem.

Either that or simply discount the face value of the seats by maybe 25%-50% which would equal the actual marke value of a preseason ticket based on what I've experienced since moving back to Denver in 2000.

As far as making preseason shorter for the players to avoid risking injury that is another story.

bronco militia · 08-31-2007, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hogan11

Seriously, there must be some serious money in it although I suspect many are like me in that I don't tune in till about five minutes after the scheduled kickoff so I'm sure I'll miss all that crap.

yep...that's why the can get away with Emmit Smith and Meshawn working the desk on ESPN Countdown .

not many of us are watching until game time

jonny1 · 08-31-2007, 10:26 AM

"Cardinals stars Matt Leinart and Edgerrin James offered drive-by appearances, playing one series before retiring to the sidelines."

Anyone else think this pretty inappropriate, considering . . . .

Garcia Bronco · 08-31-2007, 11:32 AM

I get so tired of this non-sense. It's fine the way it is from a football perspective.

NaptownChief · 08-31-2007, 11:45 AM

NFL teams sell 8 regular season home games to season ticket holders...With 4 preseason games they get to sell another two full priced home games to those same season ticket holders. I will do the math for you folks that can't figure it out but that is a huge 25% boost to season ticket revenue for virtually nothing. If you think they are about to give that up anytime soon you are out of your mind.

worm · 08-31-2007, 11:45 AM

Cut the preseason to two games? BRILLIANT!!!

It is this kind of cutting edge thinking and out-on-the-limb opinions that we need in politics.

worm · 08-31-2007, 11:46 AM

and Hogan...you would be perfectly fine with 'Hollywood Thursday' if it featured the Pietasters instead of JCM.

The NFL needs you as a musical consultant.

Northman · 08-31-2007, 11:47 AM

Leave it the way it is, there is nothing wrong with it. Just one more thing for people to cry and whine about.

Vegas_Bronco · 08-31-2007, 01:06 PM

I think we're all VERY EAGER to get the season going - I like the preseason, it's like long drawn out painful excitement - I don't know whether to cry or jump in joy. We are now over it and it will soon be a distant worthless memory. Focus your energy - season is right around the corner!!!!

orinjkrush · 08-31-2007, 03:53 PM

just make em regular season games. go to 18 awlready.

Wes Mantooth · 09-01-2007, 02:20 AM

It is a stupid idea to think that we don't need preseason games. The Broncs showed marked improvement over a 3 game span and the 4th is to see who is going to make the team or not.

08-31-2007, 06:35 AM	#1
dragondawg All Pro Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,009	Cut preseason to 2 games and cut nonsense BY DAVID RAMSEY, THE GAZETTE DENVER - Champ Bailey, Nick Ferguson, Dre Bly and John Lynch stood on the sideline, wearing no pads and laughing constantly. They were fully prepared in case the Denver Broncos and Arizona Cardinals decided a flag-football game would be more appropriate, and more interesting, for the second half of Thursday’s exhibition clash. Are fans, players and coaches served by the National Football League’s four-game preseason? No. So why do the owners insist on this ridiculously lengthy prelude to the season? Cash, my friend. Mountains of cash. If you want a season-ticket for the Broncos, there’s this little catch. You also must purchase tickets to two all-but-meaningless preseason games. I’m not calling this practice outright robbery. I am saying it’s awfully close. New NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has made admirable strides as he seeks to improve his league. He should stand up to the titans who own NFL teams and force a serious trim of the preseason. Greed explains why NFL owners refuse, ignoring a multitude of strong reasons, to reduce the preseason. The Broncos should play one home exhibition game and one on the road and then start playing for real. That’s a realistic goal. We can all dream of the day when no exhibition games pollute our land, but that’s a hope beyond hope. There was no good reason for the Cardinals and Broncos to compete Thursday night at Invesco Field. The Broncos won 21-3. Both teams already had answered their biggest questions. Almost none of the Broncos starters bothered to fully suit up. Cardinals stars Matt Leinart and Edgerrin James offered drive-by appearances, playing one series before retiring to the sidelines. This retreat is only wise. The Broncos received a quick, and painful, taste of the perils of preseason football Aug. 18 against the Dallas Cowboys. Starting defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban suffered a torn right Achilles’ tendon, which probably means the end of his season. On Thursday, the perils were again on display. Broncos cornerback Karl Paymah collapsed after a violent collision. He was motionless for several minutes and was rushed to a hospital. He suffered a concussion, but the injury doesn’t appear serious. “He’s feeling pretty good,” said coach Mike Shanahan. These scares are nothing new. On a summer night 36 years ago, New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath blew out his left knee in an exhibition game against the Detroit Lions. Linebacker Mike Lucci had recovered a fumble, and Namath, an intense competitor, couldn’t help himself. While chasing Lucci, Namath tumbled to the ground, his knee a mess. Namath towered as the NFL’s marquee star, a fantastic, charismatic talent. He never was the same after his injury. So there’s a no-win scenario. If stars and starters play in exhibition games, they risk needless injury. If they stand on the sidelines and watch, paying customers are ripped off. Cut these fake football games in half. Four exhibition games are intolerable. Two are more than enough. http://www.gazette.com/sports/bronco...son_games.html

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

08-31-2007, 06:53 AM	#2
Goobzilla Lights Out B*h! BA-ZING!!** Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Wellington Posts: 6,530 Adopt-a-Bronco: Mitch Erickson	Agreed, season ticket holders get the "Joan Collins Special", especially for that final preseason game. How much should one be expected to pay for the excitement of Darrell Hackney airing it out to Glenn Martinez? It's a ripoff, but the NFL is about as greedy as they come. The only way they ever cut back on the preseason would be by extending the regular season.

08-31-2007, 06:55 AM	#3
Hogan11 Rock-N-Roll Historian Let's take these SOB's out!!!!!! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: W.NY.B.C. Posts: 21,300 Adopt-a-Bronco: Floyd Little	The usual pre-season whine. If they really want to change something for the better, get rid of the Hollywood Thursday night bullshat and open the season labor day weekend like they used to.

08-31-2007, 10:07 AM	#6
Crushaholic Armchair Poster Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Topeka, KS Posts: 22,078	I have no problem with the NFL celebrating the TRUE opening of football season with musical acts. That really is a reason to celebrate.

08-31-2007, 10:21 AM	#7
Meck77 Ring of Famer Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 16,324	Well Hogan there is a problem when you own let's say 4 seats at $100 for 2 games and you don't plan on attending the game and you can barely get half the money back if you are lucky. That's $800 worth of seats that you might get $400 back for. I know you pretty well and you'd be pissed if it was your cash. My solution would be to give season tickets holders the first right to buy their seats for pre-season. If they don't want them then ticketmaster could sell them to the public. The stadium was pretty empty as it was last night from what I saw. That is a problem. Either that or simply discount the face value of the seats by maybe 25%-50% which would equal the actual marke value of a preseason ticket based on what I've experienced since moving back to Denver in 2000. As far as making preseason shorter for the players to avoid risking injury that is another story.

08-31-2007, 10:26 AM	#9
jonny1 Ahhh, football! Broncos' cheerleaders rule! Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 2,504 Adopt-a-Bronco: Chris Kuper	"Cardinals stars Matt Leinart and Edgerrin James offered drive-by appearances, playing one series before retiring to the sidelines." Anyone else think this pretty inappropriate, considering . . . .

08-31-2007, 11:32 AM	#10
Garcia Bronco Hokie since 1993 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 46,001 Adopt-a-Bronco: Tom Jackson	I get so tired of this non-sense. It's fine the way it is from a football perspective.

08-31-2007, 11:45 AM	#11
NaptownChief Donkeys Nightmare Football Pimp Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 7,490	NFL teams sell 8 regular season home games to season ticket holders...With 4 preseason games they get to sell another two full priced home games to those same season ticket holders. I will do the math for you folks that can't figure it out but that is a huge 25% boost to season ticket revenue for virtually nothing. If you think they are about to give that up anytime soon you are out of your mind.

08-31-2007, 11:45 AM	#12
worm Great moments are born... ...from great opportunity Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 3,947 Adopt-a-Bronco: #20	Cut the preseason to two games? BRILLIANT!!! It is this kind of cutting edge thinking and out-on-the-limb opinions that we need in politics.

08-31-2007, 11:46 AM	#13
worm Great moments are born... ...from great opportunity Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 3,947 Adopt-a-Bronco: #20	and Hogan...you would be perfectly fine with 'Hollywood Thursday' if it featured the Pietasters instead of JCM. The NFL needs you as a musical consultant.

08-31-2007, 11:47 AM	#14
Northman The Enigma Prognosis Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Maryland Posts: 17,925 Adopt-a-Bronco: Bryci	Leave it the way it is, there is nothing wrong with it. Just one more thing for people to cry and whine about.

08-31-2007, 01:06 PM	#15
Vegas_Bronco Ring of Famer Fear is a lack of preparation. Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: 63 Yards Out Posts: 4,051 Adopt-a-Bronco: 1 Elam 1	I think we're all VERY EAGER to get the season going - I like the preseason, it's like long drawn out painful excitement - I don't know whether to cry or jump in joy. We are now over it and it will soon be a distant worthless memory. Focus your energy - season is right around the corner!!!!

08-31-2007, 03:53 PM	#16
orinjkrush ... Prospects for the future... Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: DistrictOfCorruption Posts: 4,919 Adopt-a-Bronco: Ben Garland	just make em regular season games. go to 18 awlready.

09-01-2007, 02:20 AM	#17
Wes Mantooth Ring of Famer Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,476	It is a stupid idea to think that we don't need preseason games. The Broncs showed marked improvement over a 3 game span and the 4th is to see who is going to make the team or not.