Cory's Corner: Cheers To No Preseason Football!

The NFL finally got it right — no preseason football this year. 

The NFL finally came to its senses. 

We all knew that the NFL preseason was a complete ball of ridiculousness and now we are saved from it.

The NFL originally wanted two preseason games, but the NFL Players Association didn't want any, and the NFL finally agreed. 

The losers in this whole scenario are the rookies and undrafted free agents, like Michigan State's Darrell Stewart, Jr., that don't have much of a window to prove themselves. 

But it's not just the newbies. It's also the veterans. The one person that this hurts the most on the Packers is Devin Funchess. He was signed on April 2 to be an added depth piece at receiver. They need every moment possible to get in synch with their new quarterback. 

However, even with all of that, preseason games are still a huge waste. And the fact that NFL owners force feed season ticketholders to pay full price for that version of football is robbery. 

So the question now is, where do we go from here? Does this put preseason football games in serious danger? I would hope so. The only reason why preseason football still has a heartbeat is because NFL owners can make money on them. They get people to park, eat, drink and sit and watch a meaningless game when otherwise their stadium would've been empty. 

Perhaps the best way for teams to get a better gauge of their players is to have a longer rookie minicamp or invite just skill guys to Green Bay to get a leg up on offensive philosophy and get a feel for the team's quarterback.

There are a lot of different ways the NFL can handle no preaseason football. And the reason is because it's unnecessary.

 

 

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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn

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Comments (25)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
RCPackerFan's picture

July 21, 2020 at 06:38 am

I am one of the few that like preseason games. IMO, those are the games where you really find those diamonds in the rough. I enjoy watching the talent of the future.

I get it. Its long. Its boring for most. No one wants to wait for anything anymore. I get it.

But to me that is where teams find those last players to make the roster spot, find the players to make an impact in the season and future.

Just my opinion. Going from 4 games to 2 games would be the best overall for the future for everyone. This year is going to be a messed up year, and I have heard 0 preseason games. Ok, fine. But I do believe 2 games would be the best for the future.

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jeremyjjbrown's picture

July 21, 2020 at 07:32 am

Me too. But I totally understand them cancelling the preaseason this year.

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RCPackerFan's picture

July 21, 2020 at 07:43 am

I still personally think at least 1 preseason game would be a wise thing. That way they could at least have some sort of a feel of how things are going to go before meaningful games start.

And I think 2 would be even better. Get used to traveling, and get used to games without fans at home. So 1 game home, 1 game away. I think would be the best option!

But I do get why they wouldn't.

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dobber's picture

July 21, 2020 at 10:33 am

There's only so much scrimmaging you can do to get live hitting in.

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SwedeBayPacker's picture

July 21, 2020 at 07:35 am

Sorry, less football is not a good thing in my book, even if the games are meaningless.

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gmeyers1's picture

July 21, 2020 at 11:15 am

I've been to a few and always walk out wondering why I paid for a full price ticket for that.

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SwedeBayPacker's picture

July 24, 2020 at 07:12 pm

Good for you. I don't live in the US, so watching games online is my only option, and I love every second I'm able to get. Be it preseason or regular season.

I can agree it's stupid they're charging full admission for the preseason games, but what can you do. It's still the Green and Gold on the field. Go Pack Go.

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Guam's picture

July 21, 2020 at 07:39 am

Cancelling the preseason games this year is completely appropriate, but I like preseason games for the same reasons RCP does and would prefer to see at least two per year on a going forward basis. Without preseason games, I doubt UDFA's have much chance to make the roster. The NFLPA might be fine with that, but at least this fan likes to see longshots see their dream come true.

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stockholder's picture

July 21, 2020 at 07:46 am

Everything the NFL does is a mistake lately. The more the changes, the more it looks like Powder-puff football. Why keep records? Money has spoiled sports. We all know it. And now Nobody can agree on anything. Just report and play. How about spoiling the fans and not the players. If the fans don't count anymore. Then winning doesn't either. I disagree with you Cory. Football does matter. They must work together for the fans. Don't give me sportsmanship. Give me football. Enough with the changes. It's more then entertainment!

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crayzpackfan's picture

July 21, 2020 at 07:47 am

I’m indifferent on preseason games playing or not playing. But I do feel bad for those players on the margins who make or break their opportunity on the field of play.

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PackEyedOptimist's picture

July 21, 2020 at 08:15 am

I've been a draftnik for almost 50 years: I LOVE preseason games! I love watching new players and predicting who is going to make the team! Other than playoff games and games-of-great-interest, preseason games are my favorite games of the year. That said, I'm fine with cancelling them this year, though I'd have liked to see ONE of them, where the starters sat out.
But Cory, how does this make sense: "The only reason why preseason football still has a heartbeat is because NFL owners can make money on them. They get people to park, eat, drink and sit and watch a meaningless game when otherwise their stadium would've been empty." How do the owners make MORE money on a preseason game than a regular season game? Are the players paid less? I don't think they are, since they are salaried. In fact, since the roster is larger, it seems like the teams would make LESS money on preseason games...

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flackcatcher's picture

July 21, 2020 at 05:11 pm

In preseason teams do their own scheduling. The NFL has a list for suggesting matchups, but teams are free to set their own preseason games within limits. (No division rivals) The visiting team gets a flat fee, and all revenue is kept by the home team, it is not shared with the league. So one can see why the owners would be relucted to end preseason.

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dobber's picture

July 21, 2020 at 08:24 am

I think this means teams will tend to err toward players they know who can likely play with minimal prep...holdovers. What this also means is that there will be some really good players (well, players who will become very good) who won't make final rosters because they didn't get a chance to play and show what they could do in game situations. Savvy GMs will be watching the cuts even more closely knowing that there will be diamonds to be found.

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CoryJennerjohn's picture

July 21, 2020 at 09:01 am

I agree Dobber.

The smart general managers will find the guys that get discarded, mainly because they didn’t get a chance to showcase anything. Some general managers will come out looking pretty good after all this

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Johnblood27's picture

July 21, 2020 at 09:00 am

No pre-season games - check

removing the physical nature of practices - check

having less practice time between coaches and players - check

citing safety as the only concern both immediate and future impacts - check

We are moving to the removal of the sport and replacing it with video game Madden leagues.

Enjoy wearing your cycle helmet as you walk down a padded sidewalk with handrails everyone.

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Since'61's picture

July 21, 2020 at 09:03 am

Welcome to the future! Don’t leave out the driverless vehicles.
Thanks, Since ‘61

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Since'61's picture

July 21, 2020 at 09:01 am

The preseason has been canceled because the league realizes that they are not yet ready to protect the players from COVID-19. Maybe they are hoping to figure it out over the next 6 weeks. We’ll see.

While I am not a fan of preseason games I still believe that 2 preseason games should be played in future seasons once we get beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. Add in a few practices with another team and the coaches will have enough to work with to evaluate their squads.

The 2020 season now hangs in the balance. The league and the NFLPA need to work out agreements on protecting the players and protocols for infected players. Even with these in place it may be difficult to complete the season if multiple players on several teams become infected. As of now it’s not looking good. Thanks, Since ‘61

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jannes bjornson's picture

July 21, 2020 at 07:58 pm

Qui Soit ?

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Packer_Fan's picture

July 21, 2020 at 09:42 am

Cory, how did the NFL get it right when rookies, players on the bubble and new veterans are hurt as you say. Stating they got it right and then admitting the bad part of your assertion is about the weakest argument there is. There has to be something better. I like only two games. And yes the first few games are going to be ragged.

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TarynsEyes's picture

July 21, 2020 at 11:21 am

"The only reason why preseason football still has a heartbeat is because NFL owners can make money on them."

The only reason a business stays in business is it makes money. The only reason a business expands its business is because of demand.

When a business realizes a bad product, it will remove that product and the NFL has tried to reduce preseason and turn it into a better product that has customer/fan value by making two preseason games into legitimate games.

Players balked at that also. They want more for giving less and the fans don't matter.

Veterans, don't want preseason or OTA's or mini-camp either, because behind their closed doors, it helps keep their replacements in check. They can't lose their jobs as easily to younger players. Once one gets theirs, they don't want to lose it. Human nature is like that and it resides behind every politically correct statement they make that says they want to help the younger take what is theirs. Why else has playing well beyond your years become the mantra of veterans.

Rodgers, secretly loves, that Love won't see play time this preseason or perhaps no preseason ever again. It helps secure him to remain for his remaining tenure.

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13TimeChamps's picture

July 21, 2020 at 03:27 pm

I think the down votes are so unfair. People on here truly don't appreciate you and what you bring to the conversation.

I mean where else can we get intellectual nuggets like..."The only reason a business stays in business is it makes money."

Or juicy insider knowledge like..."Rodgers, secretly loves...."

I, for one, always look forward to your riveting contributions. Keep 'em coming. Don't let the down votes get you, well....down.

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splitpea1's picture

July 21, 2020 at 03:14 pm

No, I think two preseason games would be beneficial for the rookies and fringe players. But if we're not going to have any preseason at all, at least we won't have to worry about losing players due to injury in games that don't count in the standings--that's always terrible.

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croatpackfan's picture

July 23, 2020 at 05:51 am

And suddenly, you'l lose important players in the first game of the season, because training can not prepare players for the efforts of the real game...

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Fubared's picture

July 21, 2020 at 07:34 pm

Next year I could see two pre season games. Four was just a greed play to rob ticket holders. Two makes sense for new guys getting some licks and learning.

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Lphill's picture

July 21, 2020 at 07:53 pm

Pre season games are necessary to get in football shape and for the rookies as well as any new additions to the team , maybe not 4 games but at least 2 .

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