https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2019/08/04/rams-jared-goff-chargers-practice-prefer-preseason/
Since taking over as coach of the Los Angeles Rams, Sean McVay has instituted some unique approaches to practices, games and the preseason. He has a clear appreciation for the benefits of holding practices with other teams, almost using them as replacements for preseason games.
It helps keep star players healthy and out of harm’s way in meaningless games, providing very little benefit for proven veterans. This, McVay’s love for combined practices.
His players have bought into this plan, too, with Jared Goff perfectly summing up why joint practices provide more than exhibition games.
“Definitely a little bit more competitive. You know, they want to beat us and we want to beat them. It’s just fun. It’s good,” Goff said. “I prefer them over preseason games, honestly, because we’re able to get the work in a controlled environment. For example, today our O-line got 40 or 50 reps against Joey (Bosa) and Melvin (Ingram) and that defensive line. Where as in in a preseason game, the defensive line they might get five to 10. It’s all controlled and makes us feel good.”
Goff isn’t wrong. Joint practices are still competitive, but players aren’t laying the wood and blocking defenders’ knees the way they might in a preseason game. That’s a huge advantage in itself.
But the fact that, as Goff said, the offensive line got to work against two premier pass rushers all day is beneficial. In a preseason game, you can have one team’s backups against the other’s starters – which doesn’t help either side a whole lot.
________________________________________________________
It makes a lot of sense. More reps, more competitive, more control with less injury chances. Also, they see different players, systems and different skill sets and moves. Hats off to McVay and the Rams for implementing a better way to prepare for real action.
I think preseason games are still a must have. They can be used for close position battles, new starters and young players for evaluation. Teams need the game action for the best evaluation of players that are not top level or with close abilities and to get the backups game experience.
