What Does the Preseason Mean?

What can we take from preseason NFL football? Can we accurately see what teams are going to be dominant? Are we given a glimpse of teams destined to dwell in the cellar all year? Does anybody really know what to expect? The answers are mostly yes but it can be deceiving at times. It's hard to tell what to take to the bank each preseason.

It's difficult because we don't really know how seriously each team is taking each exhibition game. Of course every team wants to be sharp and clicking but this team might take out first-teamers before the other, and this team might be resting a few offensive linemen against this team's stellar D-line. It goes on like that.

I haven't sat and watched entire preseason games. I've checked out a half or two of various teams, to get my fix and start forming opinions. But I'm not going to sit there and watch the 4th quarter of the Jags and Bucs - I have standards and a life. A few quarters in the second and third games is enough to open your eyes to certain things.

Some observations I've picked up:

• Favre should have played more than four snaps versus SF in the second game. He's rusty as hell. He needs, and wants, snaps. Chili got scared after Willis and Spikes drove him into the ground and pulled him. Keep him out there. In the next game, he plays into the third quarter, throwing hail marys and trying to jam throws into places that have no chance - just to do it. To get loosened up, see where he's at.
• Camarillo looks decent - as a possession receiver but you can't send him down the sideline like Sidney Rice. The lack of deep threat will hinder Favre greatly at the start of the year. (Berrian doesn't count, he's not good.)
• The Bears and Cutler are going to struggle again. He can't stay upright. Cutler will be frustrated. Martz will be pissed and the Bears will flounder. Oh, and Urlacher has already went down with another injury.
• The Packers offense, certainly the passing game, is firing on all cylinders. Rodgers could be the MVP this year if the Pack when the division and make a run. The defense is still a big question mark.
• Derek Anderson should start the season for Arizona. Leinart looked awful and doesn't look comfortable out there running the team. But Leinart will certainly have a chance to start some where along the line. The Cards could be in for a long one.
• The Cowboys offense has looked TERRIBLE. This one gives me trouble. They can't be that bad, can they? If you go off the preseason, the Cowboys won't make the playoffs and finish under .500. But that can't be the case, right? I refuse to think so but maybe the O-line is really going to hold them back.
• The Jets look pretty good, but Sanchez hasn't played well. This one I also ignore because of the defense and run game. They're just getting him more reps.
• The Raiders must have a great defense, according to the preseason. The shut down the Cowboys and were crushing Cutler.

All of those things could mean something, or nothing. That's what I struggle with when watching preseason football. The more you watch, the more you can out-think yourself when trying to determine predictions. Maybe I wasn't watching the right games, at the right time. Bottom line: Believe half of what you see and a third of what you hear in the preseason. Injuries are the only certainties in preseason football.

What I do know is the NFL needs to keep all four preseason games. Keep the schedule the way it's always been, billionaire owners. Please don't try to tell me "the fans have clearly spoken and they don't want preseason games." It's about preparation for the season, not trying to sell out the stadium two more times.

End Note

The new positioning of the umpire has caused me to question this new rule change. The umpire is now in the offensive backfield, not behind linebackers, for safety reasons. If the quarterback runs a no-huddle offense, he now has to wait until the umpire spots the ball and waddles back 10 yards to his position. This has already gotten Peyton Manning heated, as he was called for two "illegal snap" penalties during the Packers/Colts game last Thursday.

It appears to be strictly put in to give the defense a few more seconds to get set-up. Why are the refs trying to favor one side or the other? Spot the ball and let them play - not spot the ball, wait five seconds, signal to the QB it's okay to hike the ball, then play.

It seems unnecessary and will take away from certain teams. Here's former NFL VP of Officiating Mike Pereira's breakdown of the new rule.

About a week away now.

Coming up next week here on The Jevne Sports Journal: Division-by-division predictions for the 2010 season. Thanks for reading and sticking with me.