Why even have preseason games at all if they are equally to throwing in camp -- against mind you typically no serious pass rush?
I hear you, We just disagree. To each their own. For me, I don't get the nonconcern. It's at a minimum a mystery as for whether actual game reps matter in the preseason. At a minimum its unusual for even those coaches who don't push it in the off season to have their QB not throw a single pass.
As to the importance of preseason reps in general. Some say heck yes, its important. Some say, its overrated. At best its a mystery. I don't think you know or I know. We can just go with our gut. My gut is it indeed helps to find a rythmn by having real game reps. Especially for QBs who need to build or rebuild their chemistry with their Wrs and see a live pass rush to get ready. That's just not my personal view that I am pulling from thin air but generated from hearing Qbs talk about it.
Jay Gruden pushed this to the limit as for not playing starters much in the preseason and was famous for losing game 1. It used to be a point of angst for many Redskins fans I'd converse with. We are back to that and it feels long forgotten which is cool. But my thought on this isn't some wild from Mars take on the preseason. It's a commonly debated point. So lol, i am sticking to it.
Andy Reid has always held the opinion that you can’t get better unless you get out on the field and play. That goes for both the practice field and preseason games.
What’s most important about playing in the preseason for Mahomes, beyond the ceremonial first hit? It serves as a gauge to make sure the work they’ve been putting in during training camp has been a success. If not, and things go awry, it’s back to the drawing board.
“It’s cool,” Mahomes said. “I like playing in the preseason, honestly. Getting in there, trying to make sure that we’re doing stuff the right way, and then getting out, trying to keep everybody healthy. And then playing the sport that I love. So I’m excited for the opportunity. Hopefully, we can hold off the rain a little bit and go out there and play a good football game against a good team.”
Tom Brady, who reportedly will play in Friday's preseason game, said he wants to face a fully live pass rush, something QBs don't do in practices.
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Why it's important to Patriots QB Tom Brady that he plays in preseason
In short, because Brady said there's no substitute for game action in the preseason, as quarterbacks don't face a fully live pass rush in practice.
"You’re getting hit, so just the space awareness, guys around you, and ball security and things like that," he said. "For the last 30 practices, quarterbacks aren’t touched. [In a game,] just standing there in the pocket, holding the ball knowing that they’re coming to get the ball and knock it out of your hands, hitting the ground, those types of things and so forth are important.
"You just have to feel things out and the game is really the only place to get it because it’s regular speed. You don’t know what’s coming."
Joe Burrow and the Bengals starters have tended to play sparingly in the preseason under Zac Taylor. That is set to change in 2025.
www.usatoday.com
Why Bengals are changing preseason approach, giving Joe Burrow playing time
Why are the Bengals changing their approach and giving their starters more action during the 2025 preseason? Here's what to know about Cincinnati's strategic shift.
Taylor explained he is hoping
getting his players exposed earlier to "game atmosphere" will allow the Bengals to get off to a faster start during the 2025 NFL season.
"Going on the road like we are Week 1. We do have a road primetime game early in the season,"
Taylor told reporters Tuesday. "So, the lights are on, you're in a road environment. That's great… As much as we practice it and do it, it's not the same feel. So, I think just those 11 guys being in the huddle on both sides of the ball and all the communication that's got to occur. It's just a good opportunity for those guys to get some additional reps."
That's why the Bengals are experimenting with giving their top players more preseason reps, a decision that has been received positively by their best players.
"Yeah, I'm excited for the chance to get better," Burrow
said about the preseason in late July. "Those are valuable reps that we haven't had in the past for good reason, but I think we're making the right decision this year, and I think that's going to benefit us in the long run."
Other than Jaxson Dart, Abdul Carter, and a handful of rookies, New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll did not […]
sports.yahoo.com
Giants Starters Hoping For Preseason Reps To Knock Off The Rust