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Zach Streif in an interview on yesterday's Afternoon Wrap on NOS.com:
Afternoon Wrap for Thursday, August 17

made some observations that indicate that it's more than that for players and coaches. The summary is that playing/practicing with other teams exposes players to different looks and techniques that help to improve their game.

IMO while preseason isn't that critical for established veterans, it is a crucial development and evaluation instrument for young players trying to break into the league. They need the exposure and the tape in game speed conditions.

Now I agree that it's a travesty that the NFL and its owners charger season ticket holders full price for tickets to a scrimmage. It would be better if the tickets were discounted or simply given away to kids groups or the like. But the actual process of playing preseason games does have value.

Finally teams for the most part manage the preseason so that the starters that play real games in September are exposed to only about 3 actual quarters of game action:

Game 1: Starters go one series or do not play at all.
Game 2: Starters typically go a quarter or so.
Game 3: Full game planning with starters going a half or so.
Game 4: Starters do not play at all.

So while there is always an injury risk, it is limited for the guys that'll actually be playing full games with the season starts.

I can certainly agree with that. I'll add my rant of not reading too much into preseason games. Last week I was reading the names of players involved in the plays down the stretch of preseason game #1. They were all players who will not be in the defensive rotation or even on the 53 come September.

Getting ready and staying healthy is the most important issues when it comes to the preseason.

SFIAH

Rugby Saint II

Please please please stay healthy and motivated.......