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

[Cannibal]

I voted "critical" based on the criteria you provided.

However, I must say that if you know for sure who your starters will be, you should get them a lot of playing time to build timing, and chemistry.

If you have a lot of questions about starters, you should play a lot of different players.

[KCJohnny]

This is a high turn over year for the Chiefs. I think this preseason is more important than many others for obvious reasons. I sure hope the right guys make the team.

KCJ

[NaptownChief]

I think it is meaningful for the 1st half when they starters and primary back-ups are playing...Final outcome is irrelevant.

[Chiefs Pantalones]

IMO, I really don't think its critical, last year the Giants had some questions at key positions, and they went 0-4 in the preseason, and went to the Super Bowl.

[Misplaced_Chiefs_Fan]

While <b> winning</b> is not necessarily important in the pre-season, there needs to be a certain intensity in the games to begin building the timing and rhythm that the team will need.

Going through pre-season in a lacksadaisical manner only encourages sloppy play and injury, IMHO.

[Chiefs Pantalones]

I voted 'somewhat meaningful.' EVERY team can get a glimpse of what they've got. This is what all teams have in common the most, IMO.

CG

sorry, I'm a better talker than typer.:eek:

:D

[Abba-Dabba]

Nobody has mentioned game speed. On every team there is approx. 25-30 positions that are spoken for barring injury. Those players who already have their positions locked as starter use the preseason for getting used to game speed, learning to adjust their routes and timing as needed and learning how to communicate with new players during games with the addition of crowd noise. Preseason is used for a many # of things, it just really depends a given players situation on what the preseaon is for.

BTW I voted, Important

[mcan]

I think the standings in the preseason are unimportant. But, think about the young guys trying to make the squad. To them it's the difference between hundreds of thousands of dollars or flipping burgers. Some lucky ones make the practice squad, or get invited to try out for other teams. However, those determinations are almost entirely based on their pre season play.

Because so much is riding on these games, if you watch closely, these guys are playing harder and with more passion than most players do in the regular season. Of course, they aren't very talented at this point, and usually the football is ugly. But, it is a hard fought game on a play by play standpoint. It just isn't important to win the games.

Also, as a fan the preseason finally gives me some football. I can watch my Chiefs and take a look at the young guys who may make the roster, but not play. Well that helps me determine how good they will be when I create them on Madden 2002!!!! Also, there is no pressure on the fan. If we lose... Shew, at least it doesn't count. It's like the best of both worlds.

The only bad thing is, I don't think it needs to be four whole games. Odds are that four or five players will get hurt from each team, and one or two might be seriously hurt. They should shorten it to two games. One home, one away.

[KCJohnny]

Mac, you make a very significant point. Remember, it was in a preseason game that trent Green got injured. He was something like 28-30 passing up til then.

Game speed is very important also IMO. Timing is one thing in drills and another against a squad you have not played against before.

Since the Chiefs have a whole new staff, new system, and new leaders (Green, Cadrez, etc..) I believe this preseason is much more important than any in recent memory.

KCJ
Dying for some football to begin, even in preseason

[KCTitus]

Critical based upon the definition supplied. Last preseason KC looked dazed, confused and altogether pathetic and it carried over into the season and the rest is history.

Preseason should be used for two things. Of most importance is to get the starters on the same page in at game speed. The second, is to evaluate your talent. Both can be done as has been demonstrated by the vast majority of clubs. Last year, KC did neither.

[Gaz]

It is a time to try out the changes you have made under live fire conditions. During preseason, you can learn what you did right and what you need to change before the real season begins. We saw how important preseason can be when Gunther ignored it the last couple of seasons.

Wins and losses in preseason are meaningless fodder for fans with impaired arfing skills. Win or lose does not matter, but how you use that time is very important for fine-tuning the team.

Momentum in preseason is overrated, IMO. Sure, it is nice to win some games and establish that “winner” mentality, but that is a distant second to the fine-tuning.

xoxo~
Gaz
Waiting to see how a real HC uses preseason.

[Oxford]

PreSeason's importance depends on the status of the organization. If you're B-more coming off a SB, then the focus is getting ready for the season (nothing to prove by going 4-0). If you are the Chiefs with a new coach, QB, philosophy et al, then every game is important from the fan interest point of view, psychological point of view for the organization.. etc.. etc. they only ask if you won, not by how much or who you beat.

I think it is somewhere between somewhat, and important. Agreeing with Otter, DV has to get to know this team, and I do not believe he will in 4 preseason games this year, so it will be an ongoing process. Last year we proved it is definitely not meaningless, we looked terrible in preseason, and it carried over. To me the most important games are #2 and #3, you need to establish the chemistry in your first unit, give them time into the second quarter, and then til the end of the half. #4 game, is a walk thru, no one wants anyone hurt, same with #1, more on the pulled muscle side so less playing time for the starters. Of course, with all the offseason conditioning, this may be less important

[KCJohnny]

I remember a couple years ago we went to Jax in a preseason game. They started blitzing like it was the SB in preseaon. They also defeated us in the rg season.

I remember playing Tenn close a couple years in a row in preseason. They beat us in the final seconds last year in a close game.

I remember getting our butts handed to us by the 49ers in preseason last year. The 49ers did the same to us in preseason.

Moral: There is more to preseason than we think, at least for KC...

KCJ