NFL Preseason

I do not get into NFL preseason games.  They are not real games.  They are not even exhibition games.  They are expensive scrimmages that mean nothing.  The 2008 season solidified this for me.  The Detroit Lions went undefeated during the preseason that year.  Then with key player positions still intact, they did not defeat one single opponent during the regular season.  Yes, they were 4 – 0 when it did not matter and 0 -16 when it actually counted.

How does this happen?

Teams are not fully executing their game plan.  They are trying out some guys before forming their final roster at the end of August.  Players are not playing to their full potential.  They are saving it for the season.  No one wants to get injured during the preseason.  The starters who are going to run the show during the season will only play for a few drives.

I’m not totally blasé about the preseason.  After going through withdrawals, it is invigorating to see a game.  It is refreshing to see your team back on the field.  You feel good seeing that a player who had surgery during the offseason has rehabilitated well.  You also get pumped seeing a glimpse of the rookies in a game setting.

I just want to warn you all that it is not an actual game, so you have realistic expectations.  Now, if someone is marching around the office making bold predictions after one preseason game, you can remind them that it’s only the preseason and suggest that they not get too excited.

The first week of preseason games concludes tonight with the New York Jets playing the Houston Texans in Reliant Stadium at 8 pm.  We’ll see if Plaxico Burress still has it after being away from the game for two years.

Ciao!

Heels & Helmets®

Plaxico Burress is free and job hunting

Plaxico Burress is a wide receiver from Michigan State University who played in the NFL for nine seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers (2000-2004) and New York Giants (2005-2008) before serving 20 months of a two-year sentence for a gun-possession charge.  He was released today because of good behavior.  Now the Super Bowl Champion who caught the winning touchdown pass in Super Bowl XLII is unemployed.

Where will Plaxico get a job?

New York Giants – This is the last team that Plaxico played for.  I don’t see this happening because I believe that John Mara (Giants Co-owner) is still upset that “a player could carry a loaded gun into a nightclub, shoot himself and miss the rest of the season but get to keep his entire signing bonus.”

Chicago Bears – Mike Martz’s offense would improve greatly if Jay Cutler had an aggressive quarterback like Plaxico.

St. Louis Rams – The Rams could use a veteran wide receiver to help their young quarterback, Sam Bradford. 

New England Patriots – The Patriots have not replaced Randy Moss, so Tom Brady does not have a deep threat wide receiver.  They survived the season and made it to the playoffs without one, but lost to the New York Jets 28-21 in the divisional round of the playoffs.  A guy like Plaxico could have made the difference.  His catch in Super Bowl XLII ended the Patriots’ perfect season.

Philadelphia Eagles - Coach Any Reid gambled on Michael Vick and it was successful.  Plaxico is talented, but is not an exceptional player like Vick, so the risk may not be worth it to Reid.  However, he also grew up in the Tidewater region of Virginia like Vick.  Maybe this is Reid’s good luck region.

Plaxico is 33 and will be 34 by the time a season starts.  Even if he did a great job staying in shape, he has not played football since the end of 2008.  It will take him some time to get back to competing at a high level.  This doesn’t mean that teams should shy away from him.  I’m sure that he can still play and he can be acquired for a good deal because he has a lot to prove.

Ciao!

Heels & Helmets®