Question about the best way to approach preseason

[pzummo]

I know we all want to see bombs and TD's. We are fans, we want excitement, we want big plays, we want hype. But, if you want to take the time to improve your team while the games don't count, what's the best way to do it?

On one side, you want to build confidence. You want your offense to be in sync going into the season. You want to get a feel for how you measure up.

On the other side, you want to work on your weaknesses. You want to keep everybody healthy. You want to try different things to see how your players respond. You also don't want your hand shown going into the regular season.

Personally, I think you mix it up. Obviously you always want to be successful, but I think it's more important to get comfortable expanding the plays your team can execute. A prime example is us throwing so many short passes and checkdowns. Ryan saying he studied all the other QB's and admired their ability and consistency throwing to their checkdown really makes sense out of what we are seeing this preseason.

[Falconcheff]

I know we all want to see bombs and TD's. We are fans, we want excitement, we want big plays, we want hype. But, if you want to take the time to improve your team while the games don't count, what's the best way to do it?

On one side, you want to build confidence. You want your offense to be in sync going into the season. You want to get a feel for how you measure up.

On the other side, you want to work on your weaknesses. You want to keep everybody healthy. You want to try different things to see how your players respond. You also don't want your hand shown going into the regular season.

Personally, I think you mix it up. Obviously you always want to be successful, but I think it's more important to get comfortable expanding the plays your team can execute. A prime example is us throwing so many short passes and checkdowns. Ryan saying he studied all the other QB's and admired their ability and consistency throwing to their checkdown really makes sense out of what we are seeing this preseason.

Well, rather than make the new thread I was going to, I'll just post this here and hope to expand on your discussion...

I'm still upset, but I'm looking at that game in a new way now. I really did see a lot of bubble players last night, and I realize now that our coaching staff was taking their best , hardest look at some guys who are on the chopping block. Smith put them in real-game starter/backup roles instead of third string extreme depth to see if any of them are worth salvaging, or if we should start grooming a new crop of potential talent.

Next week is the starters'/first backups dress rehearsal, then the first round of cuts needs to be made. This was the last opportunity to give some bubble players something besides always being on the field with scrubs and backups. Mixing those bubble players (Chevis Jackson, Smith and Nance, etc) in with real starters in real situations gives the staff a good idea of who is ready to progress and who is not ready for that next step.

I think some of our bubble vets proved that their spot might as well go to someone else this year

[harveybirdman]

Well, rather than make the new thread I was going to, I'll just post this here and hope to expand on your discussion...

I'm still upset, but I'm looking at that game in a new way now. I really did see a lot of bubble players last night, and I realize now that our coaching staff was taking their best , hardest look at some guys who are on the chopping block. Smith put them in real-game starter/backup roles instead of third string extreme depth to see if any of them are worth salvaging, or if we should start grooming a new crop of potential talent.

Next week is the starters'/first backups dress rehearsal, then the first round of cuts needs to be made. This was the last opportunity to give some bubble players something besides always being on the field with scrubs and backups. Mixing those bubble players (Chevis Jackson, Smith and Nance, etc) in with real starters in real situations gives the staff a good idea of who is ready to progress and who is not ready for that next step.

I think some of our bubble vets proved that their spot might as well go to someone else this year

I was thinking along these lines as well given the starting lineups we played.

Edited August 21, 2010 by harveybirdman

[Falconcheff]

I was thinking along these lines as well given the starting lineups we played.

I wasn't giving much credence to this theory until I remembered that the starters play into the third next week, and then the first round of cuts are made. Apparently we needed this game for evaluation. I hope the coaches were watching closely!!!!

[phattywankenobi]

I think the most important thing offensively is to get the line working correctly. The run and pass game depend too heavily on that and the best scheme and strongest arm in the world will not matter without them. The first two games seemed to be about getting the running game going which was sluggish the first half of the season.

Typically the 3rd preseason game is the dress rehearsal in which the starters stay in the longest. Basically the last chance before it counts game. So with all of the talk about the emphasis on more 20+yd pass plays, Ryan working hard in the offseason training, and Roddy's comment about Ryan throwing a 60yarder on a rope and think we will get a taste of this against the Dolphins.

[harveybirdman]

In the end preseason is no substitute for the real thing, just a few more weeks and we'll know so much more.

I think there is cause to be cautiously optimistic.

[DirtyBirdSupabowl]

I think we should hide all of our players in a closet until week 1 to avoid all injuries. :ph34r:

[The Falcon Jedi]

Pre-season Game 3 is the real game to be concerned about. That is the game that the starters play most all game, and simulates the real season.

Although I didnt like at all the beat-down we got in Game 2 for 1 quarter, at all.