Poll: How Important is Preseason?

[KCJohnny]

Preseason is both meaningless and critical; n, it doesn't count in the standings, but those 16 quarters are all coaches have to evaluate talent, try new plays, etc... and for some guys its literally career making/breaking.

So! Would you say preseason is

Meaningless; it is little more than a scrimmage bewteen two teams not serious about winning;

Somewhat meaningful; it gives a glimpse of the team's off season progress;

Important; Momentum established can inspire confidence and build chemistry;

Critical: Teams flat in preseason may start the regular season flat and indecisive about personnel. Teams aggressive and focused in preseason are ready to attack the first opponent.

Please post why you voted what you did.

KCJ

[KCJohnny]

Although it means nothing in the record books, there is no way to convince me that the First PS game against Washington is 'meaningless.'

I wish I could see the game. I'd be willing to pay for a tape copy and postage. Marty's return to Arrowhead! Vermiel's debut as Chiefs HC! Al Saunders' return to Arrowhead! Trent Green against his old team! Lots of drama for a game that 'doesn't count.'

KCJ
Starving for some Chiefs football to begin

PS: At 10 pm CST I'll be jumping from a C-17 at 800 feet with a 120 lbs of combat equipment and about 750 of my closest friends...

...Airborne!:eek:

[dollar1]

Enjoy the jump Johnny! Those night jumps can get a little hairy.

Pre-season: I agree with almost everything people have said. THIS first pre-season will probably be different. Too much baggage mixed with testorone.

In general I view it as the coaches last pre-test before the hammer falls. First game=first gear. Second game=second gear etc. building, tweaking, gauging, listening all trying to get the team dialed in for opener. Hopefully, coming out of the blocks on all 8 cyclinders.

It's the rolling start. The true momentum comes within the first 4 real games.

BTW it would be interesting to see some stats comparing pre-season with end of season records.

Brett

[KCJohnny]

Brett,
I had a safe jump (thanks be to God) but 8 of my fellow jumpers sustained various injuries. The rough part was after pulling security on the perimeter all night long, we launched on a 5-hour forced march (about 16 miles with all combat equipment) first in the 100% humidity and then in the driving rain. I am wiped out.

I like your anaolgy of gears. By week 4, we should see some of what we have all been hoping for, and hopefully Green's knee will last.

It gave me the willies when SF destroyed us in preseason and then did the same thing in the regular season. There is some connection between the two, I'm not sure what it is. In any event, I believe this preseason is important to the psyche of the collective team, because unlike the writers who have written us off, I believe the expectations on the team are SKY HIGH.

KCJ
Tired old paratrooper

[Zebedee DuBois]

Nice bell curve for those results, skewed a little towards [i]important[/i], which should be expected, due to all of the unknowns going into this season, ie. new coaching staff, new QB, new offensive scheme. I think this poll actually answers the question posed! :eek:

[PunkinDrublic]

Preseason this year to me is very important. For one thing I want to see how good are rookies are and see if DV and Carl drafted wisely. I think we all want to see how the new look offense operates. Another thing I'll want to see is the battle at running back and who will look best running the football. And last but not least I want to see if Snoop Minnis is worth all the hype.

[BroncoFan]

For the Chiefs, at least as important as the regular season. No real difference when it comes to the chiefs. No realistic shot at the playoffs means that every game (regular season, or pre-season, is a chance to become a competitive team)

[Logical]

PunkinDrublic

Let me just say that watching this draft's players should not prove entertaining I would guess that Minnis will do alright and the late round guard may be a surprise. Look for the DT from Syracuse to be a complete bust, the FB will get no time at all. The rest probably will get some time but make no real contributions. I expect that Minnis, Blaylock, and the Guard will make the team. Perhaps two others (TE and K-State guy) will make the practice squad, the rest will not make the team in my opinion. Having trouble with the names tonight, guess I am just tired.

On the subject of preseason I would have rated it as almost meaningless if that were a choice. Since it was not a choice I had to go with somewhat meaningful.

Gun and the stooges lack of ability to game plan and get a team ready were evident in last years preseason games, that would be prophetic for the season. I harped on it last preseason and do not expect to have to comment on it this year. Seeing the young guys and the non-stars that are trying to make the team is interesting and probably the only thing of importance for the players in the preseason games other than not getting injured.

[keg in kc]

[quote]I expect that Minnis, Blaylock, and the Guard will make the team. Perhaps two others (TE and K-State guy) will make the practice squad, the rest will not make the team in my opinion. [/quote]

Jim, I disagree a bit, based on my opinions of the rest of the roster as well as comments I've heard from the coaching staff.

3a: According to recent statements by Dick Vermeil, Downing (the tackle from Syracuse) is in contention (with Steve Martin) for the 3rd DT spot (behind Browning and Williams) on the roster going into training camp. I'm not sure whether to be pleasantly surprised (I hated this pick) about this or to be more worried about the DT position in general. Either way, Downing will be on the roster. He's also the first draft pick of the "Vermeil era" so he'll be given every opportunity to succeed/fail IMHO, although I think in the future most people will probably remember, incorrectly, Minnis as being the "first".

3b: Barring injury, Minnis will be on the team, and probably see significant playing time.

4a. Beisel has been mentioned repeatedly as a probable backup at DE. The staff has been impressed with him and the depth at DE is questionable except for Hicks, Clemons and Owens.

4b. Layne will be on the roster by default. We have no other backup for Tony Richardson at the FB position, and contrary to popular belief that is a necessity, because we will be utilizing the fullback, and T-Rich may be getting significant time in singleback sets as well. We need to have a backup FB on the roster, and Layne is basically all we have...

5a. I haven't heard anything at all about Baber, positive or negative. The Ricks move to TE might be a sign that he is not impressing (or it might not).

5b. Like Minnis, only injury will keep Blaylock off the squad. The staff seems to love him.

6. I've heard nothing at all about Sulfsted, and there's been a lot of discussion regarding the interior offensive line in the last few weeks. Not a good sign, although I thought Alex looked good at the late April public mini-camp.

7a. I don't recall hearing Harts' named mentioned at all this offseason so far.

7b. Ditto for Sands.

I think we'll see a number of rookies on the team in 2001, including an undrafted player or two - Dave Klemic, JJ Moses and Lawrence Tynes are all (legitimately) in contention for roster spots as well as the players I mentioned above. I think we'll see at least 6 rookies on the team, both because of their ability and because we're still in a serious financial bind. Were I a betting man, my money would be on Downing, Minnis, Beisel, Layne, Blaylock and Klemic. Klemic is the longest-shot on that list, IMHO, and I think only injury will keep any of the other names off the 2001 roster. I think the other guys will be practice squad fodder, or home in early September.

[Chiefs Pantalones]

Kyle,

Who do you think will be our kicker? Peterson or Tynes? Who would you choose?

For me, its too close to call right now, but who would you pick?

[keg in kc]

I'd pick Tynes. Then again I always root for the underdog.

He apparently has kicked very well in the offseason, but Carl Peterson and Dick Vermeil have both made comments recently that indicate they seem to think unseating Peterson could be a tough job. I'm fine with that because I'm not as anti-Peterson as some of the other folks around here are, and as long as he beats Tynes in camp and isn't just handed the job I see no reason why he shouldn't be our kicker.

I think this could be the most interesting training camp we've ever seen. I honestly believe that every single player will have a legitimate shot to earn a spot on the team, and I think that will highten everyone's level of play. Nobody is a shoe-in and nobody will be coddled, and I think is evident in this seemingly insignificant bit of info from the UWRF page:

[quote]There have also been quite a few team rules that have changed with Dick Vermeil taking over as head coach. For instance, on their plane ride to River Falls, starters usually ride first class. This year, it was just the coaches who received first class tickets[/quote]

No more favorites. The most talented guys as well the hardest workers will be the guys on the field.

[chieffanphil]

Important .
I think this preseason is very important . This is a team that hasn't been to the playoffs in 3 years and is under a new coaching staff with severial new players . We need to get off to a good start and build some chemistry .
I can't wait until this season gets under way , it is the best time of the year , football season ! Go Chiefs

[KCJohnny]

I agree with Kyle that this preseason is important to all players at all positions because very few of them are 'sewn up' a priori. And Vermiel has already demonstrated that just because you started under Gun does not mean you'll start under DV. I would actually expect to see a lot of experimentation going on well into September with personnel grouping and situational packages. I also fully expect to see some kind of RBbC although that is NOT what I want (I favor Richardson as the everydown back).

I do not know how many chances a guy gets with Vermiel, I know with Marty/Gun it wasn't very many. Looking at how Vermiel worked with Phillips/Banks and other Rams let-downs, I would expect DV to stay with his 'faves' until the facts just won't let him.

No one is talking about it, but I am really watching the #2 QB position. The #3 guy will not even dress for several games, and there is a BIG chance that Green (like any NFL QB) will spend time on the IR this season. I favor the younger Collins, but would have liked to have drafted a McMahon or Huepel to work in for the future.

KCJ

[KCPHILLY]

[QUOTE]and there is a BIG chance that Green (like any NFL QB) will spend time on the IR this season[/QUOTE]

There's no more chance of that than any other QB in the NFL.

[KCJohnny]

[QUOTE]There's no more chance of that than any other QB in the NFL.[/QUOTE]

Are you aware of how frequently NFL QBs get hurt?

KCJ
Not wanting Green hurt; but wanting the best back up for the next 3-4 years at the ready:)