Ramming speed to all! As we approach our first preseason game, i offer the following annual perspective relating to how i view preseason games and preseason in general.
First and foremost, i dont believe that you can WIN anything in preseason. I have never seen any convincing evidence that preseason performance in terms of wins and losses or anything else for that matter is a material predictor of success during the regular season. Too many games are decided by backups and guys that will never make either roster, and teams have a huge range of variability on both offense and defense, even with the first teams on the field, as to how much of their playbook they are willing to utilize. However, i do believe that you can LOSE plenty during preseason if you lose key guys to injury. Not just for the season, but guys that miss substantial time and then are never really in shape when the season starts. When they miss too much practice, it can impair the ability of an offense or defense to appropriately prepare for the season.
Football is a game of harsh physical contact. That is the reality. There is no way to avoid some form of injury. However, extreme caution should be taken at this point of the year and there is no reason for anyone to overeact in any particular direction based on what anyone thinks that they see on the practice field or in a preseason game.
As fans, its a lot more fun to see the Rams win and play well. For me, i am 99% concerned about avoiding injury than i am anything else at all during the preseason and training camp.
As we do every year, my daughters and i will go through the full 90 minute pre game Ramming Speed routine in full uniforms before the first preseason game. However, the ritual is based around avoiding injury, not winning the game.
Ramming speed to all
general counsel
-08-07-2014, 12:54 PM
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